Chapter 1441: An Arrogant One

As Commander Vanessa had instructed, Peaker escorted Northern and his party to a resting place. He was taken to the main keep and was assigned two rooms. One for himself, of course, while the other was for Nyssa and her aide.

Peaker was going to make arrangements for Mr. Fluffy, but Northern asked him not to worry about that. Of course, this was because Mr. Fluffy already had a lair in the Soul Forge.

They rested for a while, and the next day, Peaker knocked on Northern’s door again. He entered, carrying a bunch of files in his hands.

Northern sighed.

He was seated on a chair and was actually reviewing the progress of things going on in the Soul Forge. He was making more weapons and armor and had even gotten some new samples to create. He was also looking for the possibility of fusing Rethium into the properties of armor to give it the innate ability to restore itself and also restore the injuries of its wearer.

All of these things were progressive, but he had not broken through any of them. However, if he managed to, this might definitely be the push that Hao needed to be noticed by those Monarchs.

Aside from that, he was also busy trying to melt the White Stone from the Blind Duke’s home, which was proving to be a little stubborn.

He was thinking about using force, but his knowledge about materials warned him against it. Even if he managed to break it down, the end result would be worthless compared to taming the material’s Will.

’Worthless piece of stone, just give in...’

That happened to be the moment when Peaker came in front of him, and also when he sighed and looked up.

He stared particularly at the files the man was holding. Then he drew the side table in front of him and gently tapped on it.

"Please drop them here."

Peaker did as he was told and dropped all of them before Northern. He watched as Northern combed through every file, one after the other.

He was quick. Peaker was not even sure if he was properly looking. All he knew was that the kid was skimming through them.

Peaker sighed internally.

’Commander, this is a mistake... this guy has no idea what he’s doing.’

Northern dropped the last file and returned his gaze to Peaker. He smiled, but the smile refused to touch his eyes.

"Is this supposed to be a joke?"

Peaker inquisitively raised his brows.

Northern glanced down at the documents.

"This file is only filled with Drifter ranks. There’s no Master, no Savant at the very least. What kind of team is that? And yet you’re wondering why so many people are dying?"

Peaker slowly and hesitantly pointed to himself.

"I’m a Master?"

Northern perplexedly rubbed his face and gave the soldier a blank look.

A harsh retort bubbled at his throat, but he swallowed it down.

"This is all we have. These are the caliber of people willing to give their all to protect the North Walls."

Northern glanced down at the files on the table again.

Peaker hesitated again. He gulped.

"Uhm, did you really read through all of it?"

Regardless of whether he saw Northern as a kid or not, he was very conscious of the command chain, and even though he disagreed with the Commander’s decision, he had a duty, and that duty was to obey and support his squad leader.

Hence, his hesitation and reluctance.

Northern leaned back.

"The seventeenth file is about a guy named Hale Velroy. I particularly find the name to be lame. But he has an interesting Talent, Sandman. He can turn parts of his body to sand. I can see where that Talent is going, trust me."

He smiled and glanced down again.

"The twenty-sixth file is Geneva Hunter. A normal girl from a normal town. She stated that a Forest Hunter killed her father right before her eyes, and she was saved by Vanessa. She’s seventeen and wants to dedicate her life to obliterating them."

Northern shrugged.

"Fair enough, really, but her Talent sucks. She can make things fall. Peaker, anyone can make things fall. What kind of Talent is that?"

The soldier scratched his head. He seemed to be smiling shyly, but in his mind, he was cursing at Northern’s guts and the manner in which he was being spoken to.

’Even if he’s an arrogant one, doesn’t he recognize his seniors? What the heck...’

Northern spoke as he pulled out some files.

"But I’m going to take her. I think she deserves a chance to avenge her father. And this Mishael guy too, and this one that looks like a dork."

He flung all of them at Peaker as he pulled them out. The poor guy became a keeper, throwing himself left and right to catch all the files despite glaring at Northern hatefully.

Finally, Northern stopped and leaned back into the couch.

"That’s all seven. Should be sufficient."

Peaker stared at the files that were roughly held against his chest. Then he looked at Northern and was silent for a couple of seconds.

Northern tilted his head.

"Any problem?"

"None at all."

Peaker responded respectfully.

’Fuck the army men. Better don’t let me catch you outside these walls.’

Northern waved his hand.

"Arrange a meeting with these people. I want to share a few things with them. And also send my regards to the Commander."

He paused, his gaze distracted for a moment. Then it returned to Peaker, and he asked:

"When is the first raid?"

Rummaging through the pile of files against his chest, he struggled for a bit.

"Uhm, let’s say in two days. The new recruits are being thoroughly educated. Although we managed to push the Forest Hunters back the week before, because of that, we can take this much of a break. But there have been sightings... and it wouldn’t be good to get too complacent—the Commander’s words. So all ready squads will be moving in two days."

He hesitated.

"But I don’t think you have to concern yourself with that, since you’re just—"

"We will be leaving in one."

"Huh?"

Peaker blinked, then frowned.

"That’s reckless, you haven’t even—"

"We will be scouting the way forward and clearing the path for the others to follow."

He struck Peaker with a clear and stern gaze.

"Relay my words to the Commander."

Peaker was silent, his gaze hard. He exhaled.

"Yes, Captain."