Chapter 323 The Wise Halken

Sylas nearly burst out laughing but managed to keep his composure.

"Clever fox."

To the untrained eye, Halken's move seemed like a typical mercenary ploy to inflate his men's ransom value. But Sylas saw the deeper strategy.

Mercenary knights had little value as prisoners. Their noble backers were either fallen or exiled, and their lives were seen as disposable. Most adversaries preferred to kill mercenaries outright rather than bother taking them captive.

But offering a chest of gold as ransom? That was far too tempting to pass up for most nobles. It made the effort of capturing them worthwhile.

"I accept," Sylas said with a grin.

"Excellent!" Halken replied, his face betraying a hint of relief despite his stoic act.

As Halken spoke, Sylas idly tapped the hilt of his cursed blade, Velverke.

"It seems I have a softer heart than I thought."