Thorn Force, a once-famous mercenary group. Escorts, escorts, territorial disputes, and even national wars against the Rokokans in the Eastern World, this mercenary group, which represents the strongest combat power of the Olem Kingdom, has gained too much glory and honor in the years they have been galloping.

As for their leader, Berosio Sgrano, he has long since become a legend in the ballads of the troubadours. There are many legends about him, some say that he was the son of the god of war, Waldrack, and a descendant of the Erics. Others say that his martial arts come from an unimaginable past, and the mysterious totem on his chest is the best example of this.

But in any case, the peers who competed with him, as well as the patrons who hired them, finally gave him the loudest and most worthy title - the mercenary king of Orem.

is such a powerful team, but ten years ago, it suddenly disappeared without warning, like evaporating from the world, and there was not even the slightest news. This incident caused a great shock in the mercenary world of Orem, accompanied by all kinds of bizarre rumors, some people say that they were quietly strangled by the kingdom, some people say that they died in a foreign land during a mission, and others say that this team that has grabbed a lot of wealth has traveled overseas under the leadership of Berohio and established its own kingdom.

The enthusiasm of the world will always fade with the passage of time. Gradually, the story of the Thorn Force mercenary group and their leader, Berosio was intentionally or unintentionally thrown aside and forgotten, until it became a seemingly inreal memory in everyone's memory, and ten years passed.

Tandra and Berosio once had a relationship, it was more than ten years ago in the Belém Pass, because of the border dispute with the Rokokans, the kingdom even spent a lot of money to recruit the Thorn Force mercenary group. But because of the war that did not break out, the two of them had no chance to become comrades-in-arms who fought side by side after all.

Despite this, Tandra was still impressed by this man who exuded a fighting spirit, because Sirian had told him that this man was very strong.

Fate is always in the midst of fickleness, full of all kinds of helplessness. There are some people who you always want to see again, only to find that that one encounter turned into a goodbye that you will never see again. Some people, you thought you would never see each other again, but found that that the separation actually buried the reunion in the dark.

What's even more sad is that in the face of cruel fate, not all reunions are comforting comedies.

Berohio stepped down the steps and looked at Tander carefully. This tower-like man is very different from the image in his impression, of course, there is an age factor, but more obviously, he sees inexplicable persistence in the eyes of the other party, as well as lingering sadness. "Old friend, you don't look very good," he said with a smile, "and that's not what a commander should be." As he spoke, he glared at the other man's bloodstained and tattered armor.

Tandra smiled wryly and shook her head. "I'm no longer the commander of the garrison. He looked at Belosio and said. Compared with himself, the other party's appearance has not changed at all, as if the years have not left a trace on him, this fact makes Tandra extremely surprised.

Berohio was slightly stunned, but quickly showed a playful look. "Honestly, I should have said congratulations. He continued, "What about Cyrian? That guy isn't going to watch you lose your official position or even become a commoner. ”

Berosio's words made the faces of Essaouiran and the others darken. "He'......" Tandra took a deep breath, "he's dead......"

The smile froze on Belosio's face, slowly turning into indescribable shock, and finally, a flash of sadness flashed in his crystal eyes. "He ......"

The Duke of Junhe, who was always full of justice and always conveyed warmth and enthusiasm to his surroundings, had left a deep impression on Berosio. If it weren't for the other party's aristocratic status, Berosio had no doubt that he would become good friends with Cyrian. It's a pity that such a great man passed away.

"What have I missed in the past ten years?...... Have I been gone for too long?......" Berosio looked a little lonely at the mist that hung over the sky overhead, "Tandra, you know, why would I rather be a mercenary than a noble?"

"Because of that ridiculous loyalty,......" he retracted his gaze and continued as he looked at Tandra, "you gave everything to it, but you would never have thought that the faith you were loyal to was destined to abandon you one day......"

Tandra avoided his head, he wanted to retort, but what about his brother Sirian, the great Duke of Junhe gave everything to the kingdom, but the country owed him so much.

Belosio sighed. "Let this be the end of the story......," he said, "I can let you go, Tandra, and send you to the edge of the swamp at once, as far as I can do." He looked around at his ragged subordinates, "I am the commander of the Thorny Force, and I am burdened with the fate of more than seventy brothers! ”

His gaze faded from all emotion, and he became as cold as before. "Think about your reply, because of what happened after that, I can't guarantee that you will leave the Death Mist Swamp alive," he paused, "That's beyond my control. ”

"I refuse......" Tandra replied without hesitation.

"Uncle Tandra......" Soveran said anxiously beside him, he could hear the danger in Berosio's tone.

Tandra raised his hand to stop Essaouiran's words. "I refuse. He said to Belosio, "In the face of Aiden and Cyrian's request, there is no way I can leave them alone and leave this place alone. ”

"That's not the answer I'd like to hear, my old friend!" Berohio said with a smile, "but I'm not surprised. Tandra, you haven't changed at all, you're as stubborn as a goddamn stone you were a decade ago. Rubbing his chin, he continued, "But that's why among those disgusting nobles, you and Cyrian are the only ones who make me look better. ”

"Come on, say what you think. Belosio said.

"Black Flag Code. Tandra picked up his greatsword and whispered.

Tanderra's words stunned Sovereign, who had heard the name of the Black Flag Code from his mentor at the Knight Academy. It is said that this is a code signed by many mercenary groups in Orem to restrain the behavior of mercenaries. Every mercenary group that applies for registration in the mercenary union must sign their name on the code when joining the union to show compliance.

Of course, the teams that can join the Mercenary Guild are basically well-known mercenary groups in the kingdom, in other words, the Black Flag Code is not binding on those miscellaneous teams that do not enter the stream. But the Thorn Force Mercenary Regiment, there must be their names on the code.

"According to the rules of the Black Flag Code, the captive has the right to challenge the head of the mercenary group and attach their own conditions. Tandra said word for word, "The regimental commander has the right to choose to refuse, but I believe that you will not refuse, will you?"

"Hahaha...... Someone even mentioned the Black Flag Code to me! Old man, this is the most beautiful thing I've heard in ten years! Well, this reunion is not destined to be pleasant. Berosio laughed and said, looking extremely excited, "Of course I won't refuse! As long as I'm still the leader of the Thorn Force! As long as I'm still the mercenary king of Orem!"

"Tell me your terms!" Berohio exclaimed, "If you win, will you leave here with your buddies?" he glanced at Soveran and the others, "I promise you!, but what if you lose?"

"I know that losers are going to die here. Tandra said lightly, "The worst result is nothing more than that, right?"

Berosio smiled and shook his head. "Don't worry, I'm not going to kill you," he continued as he stared at Tandra, "and if you lose, you only need to answer me one question, and give me one thing, that's all." ”

Tandra nodded. "I swear in the name of the Lord God, I accept. ”

"It's your stupidest choice...... My old friend!" Berohio whispered, raising his arm.

Soon, Thule approached with a strangely shaped single-edged broadsword, a confident smile on his face, and even a look of incomprehensibility when he looked at Tandra.

Tandra recognized the single-edged counter-horned sword, which was finely engraved and had only one single edge, but with a sharp barb extending backwards at the tip of the sword, which was the weapon for which Berosio became famous. Like its owner, it is maverick and murderous. The only thing I didn't expect was that I would see this sword again on such an occasion.

Slowly spreading his arms as he grasped the hilt of the sword with the eagle's head cast, his men retreated to the side with Sovereign and the others, giving up the large open space in front of the steps to the two men in the stand.

"Win or lose, be serious," said old Sean softly to Havelan, "there are not many opportunities like this." ”

"Yes!" Sovereign nodded.

There are indeed not many opportunities like this, because of the arrangement of fate, these two strongest warriors representing the kingdom's garrison and mercenary regiment respectively will face each other in the Death Mist Swamp and usher in a duel between life and death. As Berohio said, this reunion is destined not to end in comedy.

"You know, not being able to fight you and Sirian once is one of my few regrets......" The reverse angle sword in Belosio's hand drew several cold arcs of light in the air, "I didn't expect that ten years later, I would have such an opportunity again." The only pity is that your failure is already a predestined inevitability!"

Tandra pointed his greatsword at Berosio. "Come on, prove it to me!"

With that, the two of them moved at the same time, and the air around them seemed to be torn apart in an instant, and an unnatural twist appeared, and the gray-white mist brought a winding trail behind them. In this cold and mysterious land, in this city created by unknown people, two figures pushed by fate, with the swords in their hands, killed each other's past.