Chapter 575, Ingrid of Norsca

"Does this sort of thing often happen at the docks?" asked Fugan. Seeing the expression on Hadrian's face, he knew this sort of thing happened frequently. A quick thought led him to the conclusion: "It seems the world is the same everywhere, people like to bully outsiders?"

"Hahaha~" Hadrian's face bore a standard commercial smile. He pointed at Fugan and joked, "My legion commander, look at you. Do you look like a local? Why haven't they come to trouble you?"

Fugan immediately understood, shaking his head and not saying more on the matter. "I remember Kislev being on the northernmost part of the continent, always in a tug-of-war with Chaos. Why are there so many Kislevites here? Looking for a living?"

"That's right. Kislev, apart from the very few lands fortified by the ice witches' magic, is mostly permafrost. People there live off fishing, hunting, and trading with the south," said Hadrian, dressed in luxurious silk robes adorned with jewelry that made him look far more opulent than Fugan. Yet, despite his wealth, the merchant's attire still gave off a sense of awkwardness and absurdity.

Like Oliver, Hadrian had become one of the most prominent super-rich merchants of the Old World. His trading posts spread across the entire Old World. Appointed by Ryan as Fugan's exclusive merchant, Hadrian amassed an astonishing amount of wealth. For his safety, Hadrian even hired a retired imperial knight commander and a legendary thief from the border princes' territory, two legendary-class powerhouses, to protect him.

As for the other merchant, Oliver, he was even more impressive. During trade with the wood elves, due to his exceptional business skills, the wood elves, satisfied with the trade, specifically assigned two waywatchers to guard him, fearing his death would mean no successor could match his skills to obtain the goods they wanted.

"Actually, not every Kislevite has the courage and determination to forever fight against Chaos," continued Hadrian. "Especially since Kislev's environment necessitates enduring Chaos corruption over long periods. Therefore, the Tsar's royal family has a secret organization called the Interior Committee, responsible for dealing with corrupted individuals and those opposing the royal rule. These people have the highest authority over Kislev's laws, and anyone taken by them rarely returns alive."

"Indeed, we can't expect Cadia to remain trouble-free forever," Fugan sneered. "Go on, Hadrian, go on."

"Many Kislevites, under extreme cold and hunger, leave their homes to seek opportunities elsewhere in the Old World. These Kislevites form many gangs in various places, banding together to make a living," Hadrian lifted his head, pointing at the people confronting each other on the docks. "However, it's evident this group of Kislevites are just bluffers, a bunch of people trying to make a living on the docks, more like workers and mercenaries. How dare they openly make a move at the docks? Just watch, Lord Fugan. No matter how hard they talk, they won't dare to make a direct move."

Indeed, the barbarian woman, muscular with two short knives at her waist, a crossbow on her back, and holding a two-handed axe, was clearly not someone to be trifled with. Seeing her unwilling to back down, the Kislevites immediately softened. The gang leader, Guhuiyanov, opened his mouth, wanting to continue threatening, but seeing the barbarian woman's aggressive stance, the Kislevites retreated, hands on their pistols. "I warn you, Norscan, in Magritte, there's no good ending for you…"

"Pedro, go over and bring that barbarian woman here. Tell her she's with us," Fugan suddenly showed interest, motioning for the Ash Legion's platoon leader to fetch her.

"Yes, sir!" Pedro saluted, clapped his hands, and ten Ash Legion greatswordsmen immediately halted their tasks and followed him to the docks. "Ma'am, our commander requests your presence!"

The Ash Legion greatswordsmen formed a line, their intimidating presence striking fear into the barbarian woman and the Kislevites. These soldiers had fought greenskins, wiped out barbarians, annihilated the entire Skoggi tribe, and even battled Chaos demons and Skaven, their aura of survival through countless battles daunting everyone.

Guhuiyanov quickly realized these were not people he could provoke. The Kislevites, fearful of the greatswordsmen, wanted to utter threats but couldn't form the words, only watching the barbarian woman being taken away. Before leaving, she mocked, "Who can you kill in three days? Kislevites? Do you have any clue?"

This left Guhuiyanov red-faced and speechless.

Seeing the barbarian woman follow the greatswordsmen without hesitation, Fugan thought she wasn't too foolish. The Ash Legion commander, the gene-primarch of the Emperor's Children, didn't say a word to her, merely turning to leave. After a brief hesitation, the barbarian woman glanced at the Kislevites and chose to follow.

A large group of soldiers entered Magritte directly.

"President Amancio has prepared a banquet at the Eastern Palace, but it's still early. Please stay at the Magritte National Guest House for now," Hadrian led the way, guiding Fugan and his officers. "Feel free to rest or look around, just don't miss the banquet."

"Got it." Fugan and his men arrived at the front desk, beginning check-in procedures with Hadrian.

A beautiful female attendant, with wild and fiery brown eyes and shoulder-length dark brown hair, handled the check-in for Fugan, Hadrian, and the officers. Her thin black eyebrows seemed expressive. In summer attire, her simple white maid's short-sleeved shirt and black knee-length skirt revealed sturdy long legs. She smiled sweetly at Fugan and his men, especially dazzled by Fugan's extraordinary handsomeness. "Hello! Commander Fugan of the renowned Ash Legion, hello, President Hadrian, and all the members of the Ash Legion. It's an honor to have you stay at the Magritte National Guest House."

She threw a flirtatious glance at Fugan and Hadrian. Fugan remained expressionless, turning to look at the barbarian warrior woman, thinking she resembled the maid about fifty to sixty percent.

Hadrian simply nodded, smiling at Fugan, "When Ryan came to Magritte, he stayed here. Knowing you'd land here on your return to the Old World, I booked the room in advance. Hope you like it."

"Ryan stayed here?" Fugan mused, a strange smile on his face. "Walking through Magritte's streets, I heard many people discussing his recapture of Mousilon."

The maid's face changed slightly at the mention of Ryan, bowing her head. "Please follow me."

"Indeed," Hadrian laughed as they followed the maid inside. "A series of brilliant campaigns, including the lightning strike at Spire Palace, the battle at Landuin Cemetery, the rescue of Couronne, the champion duel killing Mathew Bard, and finally, Ryan's childhood friend, the Templar Alfred, using a torch to blow up Mousilon's walls, capturing Mousilon. These great deeds have spread throughout the Old World. Many bards and playwrights are composing stories, singing of these heroes' deeds."

"Hahaha~ The kid has grown up," Fugan remarked with satisfaction, thinking of his own battles in Lustria. "Alfred? I've met him, Ryan's childhood friend, a Templar."

"Yes, Ryan awarded him the entire Freya Cathedral District and surrounding two hundred hectares of land, along with two thousand gold crowns," Hadrian laughed. "He's to be the district's future leader, and the Justicar Church is preparing to promote him to Templar Grandmaster."

The wealthy merchant knew well Fugan's power. In the Old World, dealing with a Chaos champion required enormous sacrifice from ordinary people.

But in Fugan's hands, killing a Chaos champion was nothing special. Even the terrifying beings like Chaos Greater Daemons, Fugan could dispatch within thirty to fifty rounds, talking and laughing while doing so.

Chatting and laughing, no one noticed the maid's grim face.

"What about you? Are you from Nordland?" Finally, opening the door to the grand suite, Fugan found time to speak with the barbarian woman. "Why come to Magritte? Norscan, what's your name?"

"My name is Ingrid." The barbarian woman, feeling uncomfortable in such a luxurious setting, looked at her attire—tall and strong, dressed mostly in fur and plain cloth, with muddy boots. She regretted following these people. "I'm from Nordland."

"From Nordland, why come to Magritte? You could go to Marienburg, Middenheim, or if you prefer, Bretonnia," Hadrian asked curiously.

"No recommendations, Marienburg doesn't welcome Norscans, Bretonnia was at war, and Bordeleaux went on alert, so I came south to see if there were opportunities in Magritte," Ingrid's initial hesitation gave way to confidence as she continued. "I don't believe I, a warrior skilled with axe and knife, who can single-handedly kill a bear, can't find work or commissions. Is it because I'm a woman? Why can men become mercenaries, get rich, and gain noble titles, but women can't? It's time to change this bias! I'm a warrior who's slain eight barbarian raiders alone!"

"Then you should go to Tilea!" Hadrian was still puzzled.

"I ran out of money! Couldn't get to Tilea!"

 Ingrid straightforwardly replied. "Had to disembark in Estalia and find a way to Tilea!"

"... Do you even know how to reach Tilea?" Hadrian facepalmed, thinking it was impossible to reason with a Norscan.

"Just go east! I know Tilea is to the east," Ingrid said confidently.

"You have to cross the Blighted Marshes…" Hadrian covered his face, giving up on reasoning with her.

"We're going to Tilea too. Stay with us for now," Fugan showed interest.

"Why should I follow you?" Ingrid was displeased. "It feels like you're pitying me. I don't want that."

Fugan glanced at Hadrian, who immediately understood. The merchant said, "We're thinking of your safety, Miss Ingrid. You've angered those Kislevites. Alone, and without money, they'll harass you endlessly. You don't want to be woken up five or six times at night or have hot water thrown at you from a window, do you?"

"That makes sense," Ingrid nodded. "Alright, I'll stay with you for now. But I'm not a prisoner or a servant, just one of you. If there's fighting, count on me!"

Fugan, with an extremely confident smile, shrugged. His lieutenant Pedro immediately understood, saying to the maid, "Show this lady to a new room. We'll cover the cost."

"Anything else?" The maid, seeing no further requests, was disappointed and added.

The maid had seen how wealthy these people were! Each of the ten officers accompanying Fugan wore enchanted full-plate armor, adorned with expensive jewelry and gold and silver decorations. Fugan and Hadrian were even more opulent. Clearly, they were the pinnacle of wealth in the Old World. The Ash Legion's wealth and recruitment of new soldiers were no secret in the southern realms, and Hadrian's Luigi Trading Company was one of the richest in the Old World.

Reality disappointed her, as no one asked her to stay.

Thinking of recent events, the maid felt even worse, bowing respectfully and then leaving with Ingrid.

That evening, Fugan, Hadrian, and Pedro attended a banquet at the Eastern Palace with Amancio Perez, president of the Estalian Merchant Alliance. They discussed many cooperation plans. Having dined with Ryan and reached numerous agreements, Amancio and Fugan had plenty to talk about. The wealthy merchant admired the Ash Legion's strength and wealth and entrusted Fugan with helping to clear the beastmen tribes in the mountains.

The delicious Estalian seafood paella and sherry made everyone very happy. As the banquet progressed, Amancio laughed, "So, Lord Fugan, you wish to hire elite troops to aid your Lustria expedition?"

"Yes," Fugan's elegance and noble demeanor left a deep impression on everyone, as if he naturally belonged there.

"Well, I have someone to introduce to you," Amancio laughed, signaling the attendant to bring the person in.

From the depths of the palace came steady footsteps, and a strong, tall Kislevite appeared before them.

This was a true soldier, with furrowed brows, a wide mouth, high cheekbones, deep-set eyes, and a piercing gaze. He wore a worn Kislevite noble uniform, and his boots were impeccably clean.

"Felix Edmundovich, former Kislevite winged hussar 'Dzerzhinsky' regiment general. He and his winged hussar squad can surely be of help!"

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