Chapter 14: The Survivor

Chapter 14: The Survivor

On the seventh day since the circus arrived at the fortress of Pieck, the performances for the townsfolk had concluded. The pointed tent remained temporarily in the fountain square.

The soldiers who had been fighting the marauders outside the fortress returned in staggered groups to rest within the walls. All that was needed now was to wait for the messengers to arrive and announce the next show.

At dawn, the sun’s rays blossomed from the horizon, cloaking the sky and clouds in a golden robe. Gentle sunlight filtered through the curtains, softly awakening the guests in the inn.

Xia Zuo left his sweet dreams behind. In the same room, Popai and Snake had already risen early to wander the town. They were probably just stepping out of some restaurant, admiring a delicious breakfast as they headed off to while away the day.

Like all unmarried young men of their age, they would likely play late into the night at the tavern—throwing dice, playing cards, arm-wrestling for bets to earn free drinks. Occasionally, they would seek the company of a pretty girl, spending the night away and returning the next day with dark circles under their eyes to catch up on sleep.

Such were the only entertainments on this land.

There was a knock on the door.

Xia Zuo opened it to find Audrey standing outside.

“Boss, good morning. Isn’t it a bit early for lessons? I haven’t had breakfast yet…”

His gaze and words faltered as he took in Audrey’s appearance, then he said admiringly, “Boss, you look truly beautiful today.”

Audrey wore light makeup that softened the sharp lines of her face. Her hair was pinned up neatly into a bun, a silver pendant glimmered at her neck. Her ample curves were wrapped in pure white silk undergarments, revealing a deep cleavage. Her tall, 1.9-meter stature was cloaked in a slit long skirt that hinted at slender calves beneath.

“Little one, come with me to the tavern later. Hurry and change into something more formal.”

Audrey pushed the boy back into the room and closed the door behind him.

Xia Zuo, puzzled, opened his trunk to find clean, decent clothes. Audrey, after every city performance, would stroll the streets. Xia Zuo followed, carrying her clothes and parcels, sometimes buying books and fresh garments for himself.

Minutes later, Xia Zuo emerged from the washroom, dressed in a brown short robe adorned with fine cords. “Is this okay?”

“Mmm~ yes,” Audrey smiled, lifting one leg and sitting on the bed’s edge.

“Little one, I was going to go alone, but you’re smart and have a good memory. Maybe you can help—so I brought you along.”

“What exactly is it?”

Xia Zuo sat at the desk, nibbling some bread.

Audrey took a breath, her chest gently rising and falling as memories flickered in her eyes.

“Back when I was running errands for the Warrior Guild to earn points, I briefly joined the kingdom’s army. A few days ago, one of the sergeants returning to the fortress was an old comrade. We agreed to meet at the tavern today to catch up. I want to ask him about the clashes with the marauders to prepare for our next cycle of performances.”

Xia Zuo, munching bread, cast another glance at Audrey. Judging by her carefully crafted appearance, that old comrade must hold a high rank in the army.

“I’ve finished eating. Shall we go now?”

Audrey took his hand and stepped outside.

“I’ll introduce you to him as my brother. Make sure to remember everything he says—this is a rare chance to learn about the military situation.”

...

Inside the circus, there was a consensus: their new fire-breather, Xia Zuo, was not one to waste time in leisure spots.

Indeed, it was true.

Xia Zuo had once accompanied Snake and the others to a tavern. There were many board games to choose from. Though winning could earn money, the experience gained was minimal—barely equivalent to cooking a dish. Losing meant losing money, gaining no experience, and wasting time. Using leisure to gain experience was clearly inefficient.

The tavern Audrey brought him to today was far more upscale than any Xia Zuo had visited before.

The ground floor’s hall was divided into booth seats with wooden panels and curtains, replacing the usual benches and square tables of common taverns.

Patrons spoke softly, accompanied by the clear, lingering notes of a zither.

The bartender wore tidy attire with a bow tie at the collar, his carefully groomed beard even more refined than Xia Zuo’s hairstyle.

Xia Zuo straightened his hair with his hand, adjusted his robe, and followed Audrey through the corridor to a private room.

A middle-aged man with a scar on his cheek sat upright at the table.

Seeing the radiant Audrey, he smiled and stood to greet her warmly, “Audrey, you’re even more charming than before.”

“Wilson, long time no see. You still look as healthy as ever,” Audrey replied, shaking his hand lightly.

She then looked at the boy beside her. “This is my brother, Xia Zuo. Xia Zuo, this is Uncle Wilson.”

“Hello, Uncle Wilson,” Xia Zuo offered a polite smile and subtly cast a sensing spell.

[Name] Wilson

[Role] Military personnel of Pieck Fortress

[Health] ??

[Strength] 7

[Agility] 9

[Endurance] 6

[Vitality] 3

[Perception] 6

[Willpower] 6

[Spirit] 2

[Charisma] 5

[Specialty]

[Breath Technique Effect] ??

Wilson’s attributes resembled those of Audrey and the others, with high strength and agility—a hallmark of those who train in breath techniques. Aside from Farns, he had a notably strong willpower.

“Hello, little one. Sit with us.”

Wilson pulled out chairs for Audrey and Xia Zuo and instructed the waiter to bring tea and snacks.

The two old comrades reminisced about their military days before updating each other on recent events.

From their conversation, it was clear that Wilson had once been the captain of a mobile unit, dispatched to urgent missions—driving off marauders or hunting beasts.

Audrey had been his only female team member.

After several years, they met again.

Audrey had become the circus leader.

Wilson had earned numerous military honors and had risen to third-in-command of the Pieck Fortress army—the clerk responsible for recording all military affairs and advising commanders.

Audrey gently stroked Xia Zuo’s hair and spoke to Wilson with a hint of sadness:

“Old friend, let me tell you this boy’s story…”

In a steady voice, she recounted how Xia Zuo had been captured by a villainous alchemist for experiments, only to be rescued by the circus.

Wilson listened intently.

When he heard that Xia Zuo was the only boy to escape alive from the underground lair and had trekked through the forest for two days, Wilson’s eyes shone with admiration.

“Brave boy, Xia Zuo.”

Wilson’s stern face broke into a smile.

“Thank you for your praise, Uncle Wilson. I’ve moved past that sorrow.”

Xia Zuo returned the smile with a polite nod.

Wilson stood, crossed the table, and patted Xia Zuo’s shoulder appreciatively.

“When you turn eighteen, you’re welcome to join my ranks. We need fine young men like you.”

“That won’t do, Wilson. Xia Zuo is our circus’s fire-breather,” Audrey chuckled.

Wilson’s smile stiffened briefly, then he shook his head with a regretful tone.

“Little one, I didn’t expect you to have such talents. Audrey is truly fortunate.”

Audrey sipped her tea, hiding a triumphant smile behind the cup.

“How have you been lately, old friend?”

“A mess.”

Wilson’s face showed a trace of helplessness. “Something’s been happening in the wildlands south of the kingdom. The marauders’ tactics are completely different from before.”

Audrey and Xia Zuo exchanged looks and leaned in closer.

Wilson rested his arms on the table, interlacing his fingers thoughtfully.

“Audrey, do you remember how we used to root out marauders?”

Audrey smiled.

“I played the role of a farmer washing clothes and carrying baskets; you pretended to be a laborer covered in mud; the others wore scarves over their faces and worked in the fields. When the marauders came, we launched a surprise attack together.”

Wilson nodded slowly.

“The marauders used to just come for food, steal a few cows, or take villagers’ money and clothes.

“Villagers would either band together to drive off the starving scum or surrender to the larger bandits. Either way, casualties were never as severe as now.”

Wilson’s tone grew grave.

“In recent months, the marauders don’t seem to be after supplies.

“They attack villagers on sight, kill everyone, loot everything, then burn the village to the ground.

“By the time the fortress receives the alarm and troops arrive, it’s all a charred wasteland.”

Xia Zuo frowned, a vague suspicion forming.

It seemed a hostile force was manipulating the marauders to harass Pieck Fortress, aiming to disperse the garrison’s strength and wear down the army’s vitality.

The number of villages in Rosak Province was vast.

The circus caravan traveled along the trade routes, passing a village every twenty or thirty kilometers.

With so many scattered settlements, stationing permanent troops everywhere was nearly impossible.

Usually, village guards consisted of a handful of fortress soldiers and militia wielding hoes and pitchforks.

Throughout Rosak Province, the main military forces were concentrated in the fortresses.

When bandits appeared, the village soldiers would ride to the nearest fortress to raise the alarm, and the fortress garrisons would dispatch troops to quell the bandits.

The relationship between marauders and villages was like that of a sickle and chives.

Only living villagers were good villagers—dead ones produced no food or resources.

For marauders, killing villagers only meant the gallows; it offered no benefit.

Audrey also pondered this.

“Are there no survivors in the villages the marauders destroyed?”

“None,” Wilson shook his head.

“You know, the army must clear ruins and bodies to prevent plagues. We thoroughly searched the sites—no survivors were found.”

“Uncle Wilson, I suppose I am considered a survivor.”

Xia Zuo’s voice wavered uncertainly.

(End of chapter)