The Broken Fang is the name of their Mercenary Group.

Although there are Hunter and Arcanist Associations in the Dukedom, the most popular organization is still the Mercenary Guild…

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The Guild doesn't mind whether you are a member of the two Associations as long as you have a clean record in the dukedom.

Unfortunately, this is unlike the other Associations as there would be no benefits in ranking up in the organization.

There wouldn't be any free access to top-secret information, top-grade materials, Arcana, or Magic Items… There is only fame as a benefit when completing tasks from the Guild and a chance to attract some individuals within the Dukedom.

However, this is the best platform for many strong talents since most of them can easily earn money through hunting beasts in the vast forests.

What they need is fame to be recognized by the peak experts… After all, these peak experts were said to be the creator of this Guild…

Now, the latest mission provided to all mercenary companies is to participate in the war and eliminate the people who have betrayed their forefathers…

Stella's mercenary group arrived at the guild's branch within the fortress to confirm their participation…

Their group has a total of 15 members and is not that small considering that the large companies would only have 40 to 50 members with them…

After all, they sought quality rather than quantity…

Holt is the one who handled their entry to the kingdom and also asked about the details.

"Do we have to wait for the soldiers to bring us there? We have horses with us, can we just go directly to our allied camps in Selsmire?"

Selsmire is the name of the captured fortress that was supposedly being guarded by the Greiner Family…

However, since the family has already turned to their side, it was easily captured through their help.

They even managed to kill several powerful knights that are still loyal to the current King.

"Yes… You can do what you want as long as you get there. You just have to prove your identity as part of the guild to Vice General Carsley…"

The man working as a receptionist answered… There has been a lot of squads or companies passing here to participate in the war. Although there would be carriages going back and forth to the captured territory, it would be best if these people would have their own transportation to avoid delay so they already start cleaning up the armies of the kingdom.

"This place is not heavily fortified… There are barely any soldiers… Did they send all available soldiers there already?"

"Yes… The vice general seems to be quite active…."

"Hmph… Are they not afraid that this place would be attacked?"

"Don't worry about that, there wouldn't be anyone capable of bypassing the vice general's net…"

The receptionist said proudly as if he knows the man himself. Nevertheless, Captain Holt just wanted to confirm why this place looks fragile… He could even imagine that five members of their group could easily capture this fortress if they want to.

Nevertheless, their group decided to use their horses to tread the path of the kingdom.

"Make sure that you have all the supplies… We'll leave the place after an hour… You can buy some things here in the meantime and we'll meet at the eastern gate."

"Yes, Captain!"

The member of their group scattered as they have also seen various interesting items being sold by the merchants… They want to see whether there's something that could aim them in the upcoming war.

"Stella… Are you going to visit the weapon shop? I can go with you… We can also have a meal before we depart… Our food in the camp wouldn't be as tasty once we went to war… We should enjoy it now."

Ilphas quickly stepped forward and invited Stella. She's already 17 years old with a charming figure… It was easy for her to attract the males in this Dukedom…

Aside from that, she also has black hair compared to the people here that were mostly blond hair. It is so easy to notice her with her current image…

"I'm sorry, I have plans with Lyrei…"

Stella coldly replied as she went away together with the elf.

This female elf was the one who invited her to join the mercenary group. She had only gone through a couple of missions with them and this war is her third mission.

Throughout the years that she's been here, she just established her identity as a sword practitioner and worked as a Hunter for a living.

Although she has plenty of money, she didn't immediately attempt to pay for the summoning ritual to be recognized as an Arcanist.

Instead, she first made an arrangement in which no one would know whether she was able to summon an arcana or not until she registered to the association.

It wasn't easy and was also a lot more expensive but it was worth it…

His master doesn't want the others to know that he could help someone summon an Arcana. After all, it would be a huge concern to all the countries of the world if that was leaked.

So her actions weren't in vain as her Vambrace Arcana can now be considered as summoned through the Duchy's Paid Ceremony.

"Lyrei… We are talking about the Sentient Arcana before but we're interrupted by that guy… Can we continue it now?"

"Of course, Stella… Should we have a drink first?"

"Great… I saw a good place before…"

They left the Guild's Branch as many eyes followed their back. However, they just ignored it and proceeded outside.

The female elf wasn't someone that anyone would like to mess with. They know that they could only stare from afar…

"By the way, why are you so interested in Sentient Arcana? Have you met one?"

Lyrei asked. The woman was a head taller than Stella and wearing leather armor fitted to her body. It is definitely an Enhanced Equipment based on the aura it exudes.

"Yes… You can say that…" Stella answered. It is within her expectations to be asked about that. However, she wouldn't say anything more other than that.

Luckily, Lyrei understood this and wasn't offended.

"I see… Since you are still alive, then it must be on the good side… You are lucky."

"Huh?"

"It's just like what I said. You are lucky… If you met a Cursed Arcana, you wouldn't be here."

"I-Is that so? I heard that Cursed Arcana are dangerous. But are they also sentient?"

"Yes… A genuine Cursed Arcana has sentience… Although there are other non-sentient Arcana that were given such title, it was because of how the others had mistaken them due to their ignorance… They thought that all destructive Arcana are cursed or something…"

Lyrei explained as they arrived at the small restaurant being run by a lady in her thirties… They took a glance at the menu and ordered something that looks delicious before continuing with their conversation.

Stella understood what Lyrei was trying to say, it is similar to how the superstitious people treated the weapons of the Cult as an Evil Weapon even though it was only used by bad people… They should still be considered as Arcana and not something evil.

"I guess you're right… I'm really lucky to have met that Sentient Arcana… However, why are they not harassing people, unlike the Cursed Arcana? Right, is it normal for them to take the blood of other living beings?"

"Huh? I'm not sure… I've only met a single sentient Arcana… It is an Arcana of our Chief in the village…"

Stella perked up after hearing that she also met one. She immediately felt so close with her after hearing this… After all, in the past couple of years that she's been here, she had never met anyone with any knowledge about Sentient Arcana.

"Whoa~ What was it like?"

"Mhmm… It is a crown and always worn by our village chief. It could even speak to me by using only our minds… It's quite magical now that I'm recalling this…" Lyrei said as she had a melancholic expression on her face. She must've missed her village already.

"Do you think those sentient Arcana are previous people of this world? After all, they have a very independent behavior, right?"

Lyrei pondered for a moment before answering.

"I didn't really think of it that much but I heard that they have Arcane World where other Arcana like them have come from… They also talked about the Deities… However, only the chief knows more than that? I only heard it on passing. If you want, I can take you to our village if we have some time…"

"What? That's amazing! I'll look forward to it!"

Stella was visibly happy after getting such an invitation. It is not easy to visit the village of any Elven tribe.

Time quickly passed as they traveled to the kingdom's territory…

It has been a while since she left the kingdom and she's hoping that her village is still safe and sound… She also wanted to see her uncle for a bit and show off her current strength…

Unfortunately, their journey to the Selsmire Fortress wasn't as peaceful as they thought it was.