"Then I shall take my leave." Brand put away the scroll, but looking at the current situation of the person in front of him, Antitina’s difficult circumstances and encounters made him feel a bit sympathetic. He hesitated for a moment and asked, "Is there anything I can help with?"
Antitina shook her head. "No need, thank you," she said softly, leaning against the door. "Thank you for bringing me news of my father, sir." She coughed twice.
Brand couldn’t help but think this was a confident yet stubborn girl. He considered for a moment; he himself wasn’t financially secure, and to help others, he might have to wait until the auction organized by the Limp Man. Just as he was about to excuse himself and leave, a chaotic sound of footsteps suddenly came from the stairwell not far away.
The few people paused and turned their heads simultaneously towards the direction. "Quite a lot of people," Batom extended a hand under his cloak: "Seven, no, eight."
"No need to be nervous, this is Brags." Brand stopped Batom, staring in that direction. But as soon as he finished speaking, a string of curses came from below the stairs:
"Damn, really don’t want to come to this damned place. That girl is so stubborn, I bet we’re wasting our time again this time."
"Shh, all those noble daughters are , acting so proud on the surface. Just scare them a bit, and they’ll tremble like little animals, handing over whatever you ask for."
"If you ask me, since the Baron has given his word, it won’t be a big deal if we rough her up a bit. After all, she’s just a fallen noble. Without showing that damned girl some color, she won’t know who we are."
"What do you know, can you trust what nobles say? They’re worse than underground devils with their honeyed words——"
The group emerged at the stairwell’s corner, coming face to face with Brand, Batom, and the others—exactly eight, everyone dressed in brand-new pale grey Security Cavalry uniforms. They clearly didn’t expect anyone to be up here, and surprise was visible on almost every face.
Their gazes fell first on Antitina behind them, then on Brand and Batom, and finally on the Limp Man blocked in the rear.
"It’s you! Limp Man, what are you doing here?" the leader frowned and asked.
Brand stopped the Limp Man and turned back to ask, "Who are they?"
"Thugs from Hude District. Didn’t expect after a few days they’ve gotten all spruced up in such a uniform." The Limp Man’s eyes flashed as he answered, glaring at the Security Cavalry uniform. Seems he didn’t think highly of these people either.
"Hmph, nothing good ever comes from a dog’s mouth," one of the people cursed.
But the leader stopped his companion; Brand’s action indicated he was the head of the trio. This made the person suspicious; although the Limp Man wasn’t a notable figure, he was known for sticking to himself. Now he was mingling with two unknown people, what did this mean?
Especially, they were with the daughter of a fallen noble, which complicated things.
"Who might you be?" he considered for a moment and decided to probe.
Brand glanced at him but didn’t respond.
Turning back, he saw Antitina gripping the door frame tightly, her knuckles turning white. The girl hung her head, but the subtle actions made the young man sense her inner fear and tension. He thought for a moment and asked, "Are they here to cause you trouble?"
"They say my father owes money to their lord."
"Your father isn’t a gambling addict, is he? Everyone seems to owe money——" Unaware of the situation, the Limp Man muttered from behind. But frightened by the girl’s eyes blazing with anger, he paused and swallowed the remaining words instinctively.
"Does your father owe them money?" Brand asked.
Antitina frowned and shook her head: "My father would never associate with people like them."
Brand thought for a moment and then turned back: "Who are you guys?"
His voice was steady and powerful; plus, seeing he spoke with confidence, the leader already felt a bit intimidated, thinking this young man must have some backing—they couldn’t see Brand’s face hidden under the hood but could guess his age from his voice—the leader hesitated and dared not pursue Brand’s earlier slight. He carefully organized his words and replied, "We are Security Cavalry under Hader’s command, I am ’Owl’ Jon, these are my brothers, we are here by the order of Viscount Test to collect debts."