Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Chapter 359: Suspicious Mercenaries

This guy… he is overflowing with mana!

Ye Shin furrowed his eyebrows as he looked at the person leading these fifty warriors. He failed to discern the other party’s realm so he guessed that this man was stronger than he was!

A Transcendent Knight!

“You must be Naval Commander Ye Shin. I’ve heard of you from His Highness. I am Redden, the commander of this small unit.” Redden responded indifferently. He then showed his token to confirm his identity.

“So it’s Lord Redden! Please follow me! I have already made arrangements for your accommodation for the trip.” Ye Shin invited them to the cargo ship.

Redden nodded and followed him without saying anything.

Soon, all the supplies and equipment had been loaded onto the ship. Since there were special guests present, Ye Shin decided to join the transportation to make sure that nothing would go wrong.

I don’t think they are just sent here to escort this batch of supplies. His Highness must have instructed them to make a trip to Aklan Pass.

Ye Shin thought to himself.

A few hours later, they reached their destination where an escort team of about five hundred warriors was waiting.

“Unload the shipment!” Ye Shin barked at his men.

Meanwhile, Redden had already instructed his men to get off the ship.

“Sir Redden, someone wants to speak with you.”

Hearing this, Redden who was resting his eyes frowned. “Who is it?”

“It’s the leader of the escort team.”

Redden nodded and replied with a deep look. “Bring him to me.”

A moment later, his subordinates returned with a bald middle-aged man wearing steel armor.

Redden glanced at the man and mentally noted his strength.

A peak Elite Knight. A bit weaker than Fredrinn… quite the tough guy.

While he was observing the bald middle-aged man, the latter was also observing him.

I can’t sense his aura. He is at least a peak Elite Knight like me…

He clicked his tongue.

With his sharp senses, Redden heard this, but he acted like nothing happened.

After a moment of silence, the bald middle-aged man opened his mouth. “Greetings, Sir.”

He cupped his fist to show his respect.

“I am Oleg, the Commander of Red Serpent Mercenaries. We are responsible for escorting the supplies and equipment to Aklan Pass.”

Oleg paused for a moment before he asked while staring deeply at Redden.

“May I know your identity, Sir?”

Redden smiled faintly and cupped his fist. “I am Redden, an Elite Knight under His Highness Alaric’s command. We are here to join you in this trip to Aklan Pass.”

Fredrinn who was next to him raised an eyebrow, but he didn’t say anything.

Meanwhile, Oleg’s eyes flashed for a moment upon hearing this. He then let out a chuckle. “So it’s Sir Redden! With you joining this trip, everyone will definitely feel safe!”

The two exchanged words while trying to gauge each other.

After about a quarter of an hour, Oleg excused himself and left.

As soon as he was gone, Fredrinn asked in a low voice. “Why did you lie to him?”

He couldn’t understand why Redden would lie about his identity. He felt that this guy was up to something.

Redden kept his gaze on Oleg’s distant figure as he replied in a meaningful tone. “Fredrinn, I think I understand now why His Highness sent us here.”

Fredrinn was baffled by his words, but Redden didn’t bother to clarify himself and just chuckled in amusement.

Over an hour later, all the crates had already been loaded onto the dozens of horse-drawn wagons.

“Everything has been loaded, Sir Redden.” Ye Shin came to report the completion of their task.

“Alright. You may go. We will handle the rest.” Redden waved his hand.

“I wish you a safe trip, Sir!” Ye Shin saluted before he headed into the ship.

With all the crates loaded onto the wagons, Oleg soon issued the command to depart. He didn’t even bother to consult Redden which was a clear show of strength and disregard.

Looking at Oleg’s arrogant behavior, Redden didn’t seem to care and just revealed a look of interest.

This time, Fredrinn could sense that there was something fishy about the mercenary commander, but he didn’t say anything to avoid drawing attention.

Sir Redden must have discovered something earlier.

He thought while keeping his eyes on the mercenaries.

“Relax. You look so tense.” Redden’s voice drifted into his ears, startling him.

He looked at Redden and asked in a whispering tone. “Sir, is there something wrong with these mercenaries?”

Redden shook his head. “I’m not sure, but that Oleg guy is definitely hiding something. Let’s just wait and see for now. Tell everyone to stay alert.”

Fredrinn narrowed his eyes and nodded. “Yes, sir!”

Aklan Pass was located sixty miles away from Berming Island. A trip on foot would take them two to four days depending on the weather and the conditions of the road.

Nothing significant happened on the first day of the journey, but when night came, something unexpected happened.

“Enemy ambush!”

“Defend the wagons! Don’t let them get close to the wagons!”

At this moment, Redden suddenly smiled. “They are here.”

He then gestured to Fredrinn and barked out. “Gather the group! We must protect the wagons!”

“Yes, sir!” Fredrinn nodded and pulled the reins of his horse before storming off to deliver his message to the group.

Chaos erupted with the unexpected ambush. The mercenaries were undisciplined so they reacted slowly to the situation. Moreover, Redden also noticed unusual movements from Oleg’s side.

Seems like the mercenary group is divided.

A series of thoughts flashed in his mind when he saw this.

Oleg must be a spy from Harune, but not all members of the Red Serpent Mercenary Group are aware of this.

Is he planning to use this confusion to destroy the supplies?

Thinking about this, Redden no longer hesitated.

Shiiiing!!

He drew his sword and squeezed his legs, urging his horse to move.

“Oleg, you son of a bitch! How dare you betray Astania?!” He bellowed, his voice echoing in all directions.

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