100 The Departure. (2/2)

He had sensed the Mages hidden everywhere around them the moment that he had gotten out of the carriage.

It wasn't hard for him to pinpoint the location of the numerous Rank-7 experts. But Ozul had dismissed this situation, thinking that it might just be the security around the Royal Palace.

However, only now did he realize the truth after noticing some of them following the group of men who left earlier.

'It seems that he never intended to leave any weaknesses, huh.'- Ozul thought while looking at Rufus with a side glance.

The only reason that the Chief Leader of Silver Knights, Rufus, wanted to achieve by his earlier speech was to remove the ones who would have been just nuisance on the journey.

They should have already known that there would be no way back after accepting the mission. Sure, they took the oath to never disclose the details and all, but Rufus had seen many individuals who would reveal the information even after knowing that they would die the next moment.

Rufus trusted the Mercenary contracts to work fine and kill the individual instantly, but what if that person was actually able to slip up some minor but crucial detail before dying?

Though it was very unlikely for that to happen with the group of men that had left, being the Silver Knights' Chief Leader, Rufus was quite ruthless.

Unknown to those men, they were written off as dead the moment they had decided to walk out of here.

”Since those present here have not chosen to leave, I assure everyone that his Majesty has offered plentiful rewards.”- Ozul was brought out of his thinking, hearing Rufus's voice.

”Moreover, each one of you will receive greater rewards with the previously agreed payment if you contribute enough.”

Rufus offered even more rewards to motivate the Mercenaries further. Everyone was aware that the Mercenaries are only loyal to their profits.

After that, Rufus turned to his side and gestured towards Clive.

”Clive is one of my most trusted men. He will be in charge of the journey ahead. He will explain all the further details. I shall now take my leave.”- Rufus said before walking back, leaving everything under Clive.

However, before leaving, Rufus suddenly turned towards Ozul and smiled brightly.

”Good luck, young man.”

His tone was completely different from how he used to address Ozul. The voice was also loud enough to be heard by everyone else. And with a smug smile which only Ozul could see, Rufus walked away.

It seemed that Rufus really wanted to create things difficult for Ozul. Just at this moment, Clive's voice sounded out.

”Our journey may very well take a few months. We can't afford to waste any more time here. Let's move on.”- His demeanor had completely changed from when he was before Rufus.

It looked as if some seasoned battlefield commander who had survived many wars stood before the Mercenaries. His momentum, coupled with the Rank-7 Mage's aura was enough to intimidate most of them.

Just as his voice had died down, the carriages which stood behind the entrance started moving.

Taking that as a cue, the Mercenaries also started to get on their transport and begin to move about. Though everyone's eyes were on the middle one, trying to guess who could be inside.

However, just as they were about to move too, Ozul felt the familiar presence that he had thought to be gone only a few moments ago.

'Oh? You really wanted to annoy me, huh. It will be my turn next.'- Ozul thought in his mind after sensing that Rufus had suddenly joined those few hidden Rank-7 Mages and the tens of other Rank-6 ones.