"You don’t have to keep calling me ’Warrior.’ Sounds awkward. Just call me Fenric."
Fenric’s voice was calm but carried authority.
General Shaw paused for a moment, considering his words, then nodded.
"In that case, why don’t we address you as ’Sir Fenric’? It would be disrespectful to call you by your name alone."
"Sir Fenric works," Fenric replied with a faint nod.
The General didn’t waste time. "Sir Fenric, may I ask your purpose for coming here?"
Fenric maintained his composed facade. "After learning from my father that I am of Han descent, I wished to return and see my homeland." Then, with a flicker of interest in his eyes, he added, "But what intrigues me most now are those monsters outside the walls. Where did they come from?"
General Shaw gestured to a man in scholarly robes. "Strategist Lau, explain to Sir Fenric."
The military strategist stepped forward, bowing slightly.
"Those creatures are called Taotie—gluttonous beasts sent by Heaven to punish mankind’s greed. Two thousand years ago, a meteor crashed into Gouwood Mountain, carrying their progenitor. Ever since, these abominations have plagued the earth..."
The Strategist detailed their origin patiently.
Fenric already knew all of this—he remembered the plot of the movie—but he asked deliberately. He had no intention of shouldering the entire war himself. Even with his current strength, facing thousands of Taotie alone was suicide. Cooperation was essential.
Feigning shock, he exclaimed, "Such monstrous beings? If they aren’t stopped, the world will fall into chaos!"
"Sir Fenric speaks truth," General Shaw replied gravely. "We defend the Wall for that very reason. But the Taotie grow stronger with each attack. I fear we may not hold much longer..."
Then his tone shifted to earnest invitation:
"Sir Fenric, your martial prowess is unparalleled. Will you lend your strength for the salvation of the world?"
Fenric’s heart leaped—this was exactly what he wanted—but his face remained solemn.
"It is my duty!" he declared righteously.
"Haha!" General Shaw’s hearty laughter filled the hall. "Sir Fenric is truly a hero! With you among us, hope is not lost!"
Standing to the side, Lin Mei’s gaze lingered on Fenric, her eyes glimmering. In her mind, he now stood as a young hero, mighty and noble, bearing the weight of the world.
Just as admiration warmed the air, a breathless messenger stormed into the hall.
"Report! General, two barbarians have been captured outside the walls. Awaiting your judgment!"
Fenric’s eyes sharpened.
The so-called ’barbarians’... could it be the movie’s protagonists?
If memory served, this was William—the man shamelessly portrayed as saving the Great Wall. A foreigner rescuing the Han Empire? Fenric had cursed that ridiculous script the first time he saw it.
Now, inside this world, he would make sure such an insult never happened.
"Bring them in," General Shaw ordered sternly.
Moments later, two disheveled outlanders were dragged before the assembly. Fenric recognized them instantly—William and his partner.
He let out a soft "Hmph," just loud enough to draw attention.
General Shaw caught it immediately.
"What is it, Sir Fenric? Do you know these men?"
All eyes turned toward Fenric. Lin Mei and Strategist Lau watched him closely.
Fenric nodded lightly. "Judging by their garments, these two are outlander mercenaries."
"Mercenaries?" General Shaw’s brows knitted. "To what faction do they belong?"
"They belong to none," Fenric said coldly. "Mercenaries serve only coin. For silver, they’ll kill without hesitation—men, women, even children. They have no honor, no bottom line."
"!!"
A ripple of disgust spread across the hall. Even without understanding, the outlanders sensed the hostility in the room. Panic flashed in their eyes.
"Hey... what are they saying?"
"No idea. But their faces don’t look friendly."
"Just stay quiet. Don’t provoke them—there’s no way we’re escaping this."
"Damn it... I knew we shouldn’t have come here!"
Among the hall’s occupants, only Fenric, Lin Mei, and the strategist spoke Anglish. The latter stepped forward and addressed the captives.
"Are you mercenaries?" he asked.
The taller man’s eyes lit with relief. "Oh! Thank God, someone who speaks Anglish! Yes—we’re mercenaries! But we mean no harm. Please, don’t kill us!"
"What is your purpose here?" the strategist pressed.
The mercenary feigned innocence. "We didn’t intend to trespass! We were chased here by Khitan riders!(*a hostile horsemen)"
The strategist frowned and translated for General Shaw and others:
"They admit to being mercenaries, claim they were driven here by the Khitan."
The General pondered for a moment, then turned back to Fenric.
"Sir Fenric, what do you make of this?"
Fenric’s tone was icy. "Mercenaries chase profit. Without money, they won’t move a finger. Let me question them."
"Do so," General Shaw granted.
Fenric strode to the captives, his gaze like steel. "Who sent you?"
William swallowed. "Sir, we truly mean no harm!"
"Don’t lie to me," Fenric cut in coldly. "I know your kind. You wouldn’t travel across the world without the scent of gold. Speak truth!"
The two exchanged nervous glances. How could this man know so much about mercenaries?
Fenric leaned closer, voice low, lethal.
"You came for black powder, didn’t you?"
"!!!"
The color drained from their faces. Dead silence followed—because Fenric had struck straight to the heart of their mission.
They couldn’t imagine he knew. But Fenric knew everything—he knew the whole story before it happened. And because of that, these two men were already dead.
Lin Mei had been silently translating every word for General Shaw. At Fenric’s revelation, the General’s eyes turned to killing frost. Lin Mei’s gaze also hardened like drawn steel.
Black powder—the Kingdom’s most guarded secret. No foreign hand could be allowed near it.
The verdict was clear before anyone spoke.
Two barbarians had signed their death warrant.