The standard equipment of the Imperial Guard Corps soldiers was actually very simple. There were six pieces of bronze helmet, bronze vest, bronze breastplate, brown leather shoulder pads, brown leather short skirt, brown leather boots, and brown leather wristguards. In particular, the bronze helmet was an antique. It was flat and cylindrical, with a T-shaped gap on the front, revealing the eyes, nose, and mouth.
It was said that there was only one copper mine in the Haneabada Archipelago. After the pirates established the kingdom, they did not find any iron mines. In addition, the coastal countries imposed an embargo on the mineral resources of the Haneabada Kingdom, so when the second king, Luther the First, established the Royal Guard Corps, he could not provide metal armor. In the end, someone came up with the idea of casting bronze helmets and breastplates, barely giving the soldiers of the Imperial Guard Corps standard equipment.
Decades had passed, and the Imperial Guard Corps had not encountered any major battles. At most, they had suppressed the resistance of the slaves and put on a show during celebrations. Therefore, even though the current Haneabada Kingdom had the ability to change the equipment of the Imperial Guard Corps, considering the cost, it was left unsettled in the end. In any case, this set of equipment was old enough, and it was just right for future generations to respect the tradition left behind by their predecessors.
Stam and Lollister walked through the dark passage like two soldiers patrolling.
Lollister held a semi-circular bronze shield in his left hand and a spear with a bronze spearhead in his right. This was also the standard weapon of the Imperial Guard Corps soldiers. Stam did not wear a helmet, only a bronze breastplate and a longsword by his side. He explained that he was a veteran, so he did not need to equip himself neatly and always hold a shield and spear.
There were two torches on the wall of the passage in front of them, and two soldiers with spears and shields stood below. Seeing Stam and Lollister come over, one of them was surprised. "Hey, Brother Stam, didn't you go back to rest? Why are you here again … "
Stam pointed to the ceiling in a bad mood. "That bastard said that there are fewer people tonight and that we have to pay special attention to safety. He wants me to temporarily be on duty and patrol again …"
The two soldiers giggled, and the soldier who had just spoken shook his head. "Our platoon leader is getting more and more against you. Brother Stam, why don't you transfer to another platoon?"
Stam replied vaguely, "We'll see. If I go to another platoon, I'll have to be a soldier again for a few years …"
After turning the corner, two rows of iron fences appeared in front of them. There were four soldiers on duty in the middle. But with Stam leading the way, the two were unimpeded. After passing through the two rows of iron fences, Lollister found a staircase leading underground.
After going down the stairs, there were two more rows of iron fences and four guards in front of them. Stam then used the excuse that he was forced to patrol by his superiors to bring Lollister through. In front of them was an underground plaza. Stam softly explained to Laurist that this was the basement level, where the slave servants and the female slaves who rewarded the slave gladiators lived. The slave gladiators were imprisoned two levels below.
Laurist grabbed Stam and pretended to be nervous as he asked, "What's going on? Why is our young master locked up here? Isn't he under house arrest? "
Stam shrugged. "I can't do anything about it. It's your young master's fault for offending Master Swordmaster Benag. He was originally locked up above, but in the evening, when people from your Chamber of Commerce came to investigate, Master Swordmaster Benag ordered him to be escorted to the lowest level to suffer. I was the one who led the escorts."
After passing through the plaza, there were two more rows of iron fences and four guards in front of them. After passing through the plaza, there were two more rows of iron fences and four guards in front of them. However, the second underground floor was different from the first underground floor. It was full of small rooms that were separated by bluestone. In front of the small rooms was a row of iron fences that were as thick as a fist. Some of the rooms were empty, and in some of the rooms, with the light of the torches on the walls, one could vaguely see a dark figure sitting or lying inside. They were all slave gladiators.
A dozen or so fully armed guards came out from one of the limestone compartments. The leader of the guards was stunned when he saw Stam and came over to ask him the same question.
Stam pointed up and grumbled a few words. The leader of the guards burst into laughter, and the other soldiers also laughed at Stam's bad luck.
Stam said, "Alright, I'm quite unlucky. Now that I'm done with my mission, I still have to go back to sleep. Why don't you come with me to patrol? "
The leader of the guards shook his head. "You can go down by yourselves. We just came up. Right, Master Swordmaster Benag is also down there. Be careful not to provoke him. "
"Hm?" Stam was startled. "What is Master Swordmaster Benag doing here so late at night?"
"Isn't it because of that kid who came here to practice his swordsmanship? I heard that someone came looking for him today. Master Swordmaster Benag might be anxious, so he came at night to force that kid to become his disciple," the leader of the guards said.
Stam looked at Laurist, who nodded slightly. Stam said, "Forget it, it's none of my business. I just need to complete my patrol. I'll pretend I didn't see anything else."
When they reached the third underground floor, Laurist found that the space here was much smaller than the second underground floor. Stam explained, "The third underground floor of the arena locks up the most dangerous gladiators, or the ones who can't be trained or controlled. The security here is also the strictest. Brother, I didn't know that Master Swordmaster Benag would come here at night. If you have the chance, make your family's young master admit defeat and save his life first.
Master Swordmaster Benag is one of the two Master Swordmasters guarding our arena. He has a strange temperament, is greedy and lustful, and is extremely savage and narrow-minded. Once, our original captain had a dispute with him for some reason, and he actually killed nearly a hundred slave gladiators in one go. He said that these slave gladiators were rioting, and our original captain was accused of incompetence and was demoted to the city defense brigade.
"That's why when you see Master Swordmaster Benag, don't be impulsive. Otherwise, even if your old brother has the life to bring you in, I won't have the life to bring you out. If something happens to your family's young master, you have to endure it. Send the news back to your family and have them send a few Master Swordmasters over. At that time, you can propose to His Majesty that you fight with Master Swordmaster Benag. That is the true solution to this problem. Do you understand what I'm saying? "
Laurist nodded. Only then did Stam feel reassured and lead him forward.
With the light from the torches on the walls, Laurist saw the black rope at the top of the wall. His right hand moved the spear to his left hand, which was holding the bronze shield, and he took a few steps back. His right hand swiped at his waist, and a three-edged dagger appeared in his hand. He poured his inner strength into the dagger, and with a light flick of his right hand, the dagger flew out and silently nailed the black rope at the top of the wall to the stone wall.
He took back the spear with his right hand and quickened his pace, once again keeping up with Stam. Stam had no idea what Laurist was doing, mainly because it was too fast. Laurist had completed it in two or three blinks of an eye.
This was the fifth dagger nailed to the black rope. Originally, Laurist didn't understand what the black rope was used for. Only when he passed through the two rows of iron fences at the bottom of the stairs did he discover that the rope at the top of the wall was a small copper bell used to warn the police.
No matter which floor the accident occurred, the guards in the two rows of iron bars only needed to pull a rope hanging down, and the small bronze bells would ring, which would be transmitted to the top floor. The guards who received the alarm bell would be on alert and wait for reinforcements from the guards to come down to suppress or resolve the accident.
Stam was right. The third underground floor was indeed the most heavily guarded area. Apart from the two rows of iron fences and four guards at the bottom of the stairs, there were also two rows of iron fences and four guards at the corner of the passage ahead. After passing through this checkpoint, he saw the light of torches in the distance and heard faint voices.
The structure of the third underground floor was very different from the second underground floor. At the very least, the path between the two rows of limestone cells was very wide, and there were a few square pillars. The light ahead came from the two torches stuck in the middle of the passage. As he got closer, he could even hear a rough voice mocking something.
"Who is it?" A sharp voice rang out, clearly having heard Stam and Loriste's footsteps approaching.
"Esteemed swordmaster Benag, I am Stam. We are patrolling under the orders of the platoon leader." Stam stopped and respectfully bowed in front of him. Laurist also followed his movements and saluted.
"What's going on with Papela? Is there a need to patrol so diligently? "The sharp voice snorted in dissatisfaction.
Papela was the name of the platoon leader that Stam hated.
"Lord Benag, I don't understand why the platoon leader asked us to patrol, but the platoon leader said that the security has to be stricter today. We only have two squads here, so everyone has to be vigilant …" Stam said.
"Forget it, you two can come over and help me with something …" The sharp voice said.
Stam led Lollister over.
Laurist's emotions surged with every step he took. With the help of the torches, he discovered that most of the limestone cells on both sides were his family's soldiers and guards. Although he couldn't remember some of their names, he was very familiar with them …
When they reached the brightest part of the torches, Laurist not only saw Aire, but also Fatso Shi, Jim, Torc, as well as a few family knights …
Fatso Shi's upper body was bare, and he only wore a pair of tattered shorts. His originally somewhat fat body had become more muscular, and there were bloodstains from whipping. His hands and feet were shackled with black handcuffs and anklets. At this moment, he was sitting cross-legged in front of the thick iron fence, and was furiously glaring at an old man in luxurious clothes who was standing in the middle of the corridor.
Jim's cell was right next to Fatso Shi's. However, Jim's body was wrapped in dirty bandages, and he looked a little dispirited. He should have not recovered from his injuries. Further away were Torc, Kerimbo, and the others …
Aire's cell was right next to Fatso Shi's. However, Aire was still wearing clothes, and did not have any handcuffs or anklets on him. He just leaned against the limestone wall, completely ignoring the old man in luxurious clothes who was standing in the corridor.
Laurist looked at the old man, who was the great swordmaster Berg. Under the illumination of the torches, Berg's face looked exceptionally sinister.
"Brat, I'll give you one more chance. As long as you sign this agreement, put your fingerprint on it, and worship me as your teacher, I guarantee that you will advance to the gold-rank within 3 years. Otherwise, don't even think about leaving the arena …" The sharp and ear-piercing voice sounded.
Ell spat on the ground and didn't even look at Master Swordsman Benag.
"Hahaha, brat, well done. This big rat wants you to worship him as your teacher? He must be dreaming. Advance to the gold-rank within 3 years? Even without his teaching, you will advance in 2 years. He even charges 2000 Gold Merit Coins as a tuition fee every year. He's really greedy and crazy about money!" The rough voice sounded behind Great Swordmaster Berg again.
Yes, Great Swordmaster Berg's eyes were like that of a rat's. He really did look like a big rat.
Laurist turned around and saw 5 or 6 slave gladiators standing in front of the cell opposite him. They were laughing and mocking Great Swordmaster Berg. The iron chains on their bodies were much thicker than Fatso Shi's.
Great Swordmaster Berg's face turned pale, but he ignored the mocking words of the slave gladiators behind him. He continued to talk to Aire, "Brat, you don't know how to appreciate favors, do you? Very well, I'll release these bastards who are on good terms with you and skin them alive in front of you. Let's see if you agree! "
Laurist's eyes narrowed, because Great Swordmaster Berg was pointing at Fatso Shi and Jim's cell.
A voice behind him scolded angrily, "Big rat, you're a Great Swordmaster in vain, but you're only looking for Silver and Iron rankers to fight. Do you have any shame? If you have the guts, let me out. I'm only a gold-rank, not a Great Swordmaster like Brother Hugh. Do you dare to fight me? What a stupid little rat! "
Great Swordmaster Berg was furious. He turned around and scolded, "What does this have to do with you? Do you want to get beaten up?"
The slave gladiators opposite him roared with laughter, "Yes, we want to get beaten up. Big rat, come in and beat us up!"
Great Swordmaster Berg was so angry that his face alternated between red and white, but he could not say anything. He turned around and vented his anger on Stam and Laurist, "Did you two not hear what I said? Hurry up and go to the guards and get the keys to these cells …"
Stam pulled Laurist back and said, "Yes, I'll go immediately."
After walking for a while, Rostam said, "We're unlucky. Great Swordmaster Berg is going to kill a few slave gladiators to vent his anger. We'll have to deal with them later. It'll be disgusting."
Laurist asked curiously, "Who are those people who are laughing at Great Swordmaster Berg behind his back? Why doesn't Great Swordmaster Berg vent his anger on them?"
"Haha, that big rat doesn't dare. Oh, I'm wrong, it's Great Swordmaster Berg who doesn't dare. Those are all gold-rank slave gladiators. The first one to speak was a Great Swordmaster called Hugh. He's a legend of our arena. He became a slave gladiator from the Silver rank, and after seventeen years of fighting to the death in the arena, he became a Great Swordmaster. The royal family once wanted to recruit him, but he refused. He's still in the arena now. It's said that the third rank Great Swordmaster of the royal family used him as a tempering stone to advance to Sword Saint …" Stam said.
"No, apart from that Hugh, aren't the others gold-rank slave gladiators? Then why doesn't Great Swordmaster Berg teach them a lesson? "Laurist asked.
Stam snorted disdainfully, "Haha, would he dare? This was the first time Great Swordsman Benag wanted to teach a lesson to a Gold Rank Gladiator. As a result, he was seriously injured. Although he was saved, his right ear was bitten off by the slave gladiator. In terms of swordsmanship, perhaps Great Swordmaster Berg has the upper hand, but in a life and death battle, he's not a match. That's why Great Swordmaster Berg only dares to find trouble with the silver-rank and iron-rank slave gladiators … "
As they spoke, the two arrived at the two rows of guards at the entrance of the tunnel. As soon as Stam spoke, the four guards gave him the keys with sympathetic expressions, and even pretended to say that they wanted to stay at their posts and not leave.
"Pah! Aren't they just afraid that they'll have to clean up later? What are you pretending for? " Stam grumbled as he took the keys and led Laurist back. Very quickly, they returned to the prison cells.
"Go, open those three cells and pull out those bastards." Great Swordmaster Berg pointed at Fatty Shi, Jim, and Torc's cells as he spoke. He then turned to look at Aire, "Kid, I'll show you how to practice swordsmanship. It won't be your soft and feeble way of fighting. You'll soon understand what it means to hit a vital point and kill a person in one blow. After I demonstrate, you'll understand that only by becoming my disciple will your swordsmanship improve greatly. "
"Haha, learning swordsmanship from you isn't as good as learning how to dig holes. That's your specialty …" The slave gladiators' mocking laughter came from behind him.
Great Swordmaster Berg took a few deep breaths, forcefully suppressing the anger in his heart. He turned to look at Stam and Laurist, "What's wrong with you? Why aren't you doing as I say … "
Stam shivered, and pointed at Fatty Shi's cell while stuttering, "Last time, when the steward wasn't here, didn't he say that these slave gladiators weren't ordinary and had to be investigated? Great Swordmaster Berg, why don't you just pull them out? Is that alright? "
"Investigate my ass!" Great Swordmaster Berg exploded, "They'll be going to the arena in a few days anyway, and they'll all die in His Majesty's Wargod Sacrifice. It doesn't matter if they die a few days earlier. Hurry up and do as I say!"
"Alright, alright." Stam pulled Laurist, and the two walked towards the cell.
… …
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