Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage Chapter 621: Jadewell and BattleBane

CH621 Jadewell and BattleBane

***

"Quite a number of trained personnel are bustling around... for the private quarters of a merchant company."

As the carriage entered the Jadewell Merchant Company estate, Alex observed.

Udara replied with composure,

"The Jadewell Merchant Company doesn’t exclusively occupy this estate."

"Even relying on their wealth alone, they couldn’t afford such an expansive property."

"Actually, the BattleBane Guild owns this estate."

While explaining, Udara briefly shared the intel her scouts had collected.

Operating as a medium-scale enterprise in the Hollowcrest Wildlands, the Jadewell Merchant Company had its main hub in BloodIron City.

They excelled at sourcing items—especially alchemical goods—from the Wildlands and shipping them throughout the continent.

Particularly to the Celahan Empire.

Curiously, similar to Eleanore’s establishment, Jadewell enjoyed tight links with a major mercenary group in BloodIron—

The BattleBane Guild.

Though not among the city’s top overlords, the BattleBane Guild carried real weight.

It wielded strong sway in the Mercenary Union—

A dominant player not only in BloodIron but throughout the Hollowcrest Wildlands and all of Verdantis.

Truthfully, the Guild’s core control lay in BloodIron’s Union branch.

Yet, thanks to that branch’s key role in the broader organization, BattleBane’s reach stretched further than its size suggested.

Consequently, the Guild earned widespread respect.

As its partner, the Jadewell Merchant Company gained protection... and a subtle shield of intimidation.

Udara went on,

"Regrettably, we couldn’t pinpoint the precise bond between these two entities."

"We only know Lady Rosa Mercier shares family connections with the BattleBane Guild’s leader. Whether spouse, sibling, or far-off kin is unknown."

Alex arched an eyebrow.

"Why’s that?"

"The Guild leader remains a mystery," Udara answered. "Outsiders, even beyond BattleBane, don’t know their real identity.

"That complicates confirming her link."

Alex pondered for a moment.

"What if she’s truly running things?"

Udara denied it with a head shake.

"Not probable."

"She wields influence, sure, but Guild members’ actions under our watch indicate differently."

Alex nodded thoughtfully.

"Got it."

He peered forward while the carriage pressed deeper into the estate.

"Anyway, if all goes smoothly, we’ll uncover it shortly."

As the carriage stopped at the villa’s entrance, Alex looked out the window.

Baron Luth Belloc’s missive had outlined steps to his objective. The BattleBane Guild marked the initial milestone.

Direct contact, however, proved neither feasible nor prudent.

Thus, he opted to start via the Jadewell Merchant Company.

’Step by step,’ Alex thought to himself.

Exiting first, he assisted Eleanore and Udara from the carriage.

Then, he and Udara trailed Eleanore naturally as the villa butler approached to greet them.

Their arrangement signaled Eleanore as the head of their group.

"Lady Rosa awaits you with tea and pastries in the garden," the butler stated post-greetings.

"Please follow me."

During their advance, Alex discreetly gestured for the guards to stay by the carriage.

Just he and Udara would join Eleanore within.

The butler offered a subtle nod, barely noticeable.

Alex’s action was minor—yet significant.

Amid the Wildlands, such caution signaled trust...

Or self-assurance.

Even in BloodIron City, where great powers upheld basic order, threats lingered.

They simply lurked in the dark.

A slight grin curved Alex’s mouth as they traversed the villa halls.

Intentionally or otherwise, their path revealed BattleBane Guild members drilling in a spacious courtyard.

To many, the sight would intimidate.

To Alex, it evoked fond memories.

It recalled Ashen Castle—the day of his transmigration, when his head maid first escorted him there.

’How much time passed... five or six years?’ he reflected. ’I’ve advanced far.’

Once, viewing a Fury knight splitting a dummy afar had awed him...

And sparked slight dread for this unfamiliar realm.

Nowadays, such scenes felt routine and commonplace.

Part of him yearned to enter the yard for a spar.

’They appear sturdy...’ Alex pondered. ’Perhaps they’d allow testing that fresh power I couldn’t fully unleash before...’

’Berserk humans dropped too fast... and mana depleted before deeper trials.’

A hint of combat fervor escaped Alex.

He dismissed it with a head shake.

’Not here, not now.’

’We seek alliances—not to shame their warriors.’

He let out a soft laugh.

Unbeknownst to him, that brief surge of battle desire hadn’t escaped notice.

Instantly, his emerging All-Weapon Intent pulsed faintly outward.

Down below, the trainees’ weapons quivered momentarily.

The fighters scowled, checking their gear.

They briefly suspected illusion, yet the shared response proved otherwise.

Quietly, eyes shifted to their mightiest member.

Motionless, he stared at the far-off hallway—the route Alex had followed.

Wordlessly, he headed that way.

—

Oblivious to the event, the butler guided Alex and his wives to the garden pavilion.

The garden stunned with beauty.

Vivid blooms crowded the area, each more exquisite than the previous.

Unlike their mansion’s plants, these resembled pseudo-alchemical varieties—scarce and tough to grow.

Virtually unsustainable in the Hollowcrest Wildlands.

’No surprise she picked the garden,’ Alex considered.

A quick look exchanged with his wives.

The intent clicked at once.

This served as a understated boast.

Upkeeping such a garden demanded vast riches and skill.

Paired with the prior show of drilled fighters, it broadcast power, fortune, and clout.

’Show of might... and affluence,’ Alex reflected. ’She’s tactful, I’ll admit.’

The butler murmured to some maids.

Soon, two extra chairs arrived, set next to Eleanore’s.

Right before seating, a weighty, somewhat stifling aura neared.

A mature man entered the pavilion, his presence edged with controlled combat will.

Bypassing the butler and others, his gaze fixed on Alex.

Abruptly, he inquired,

"Care to spar?"

***