Wildness and Masks

Chapter 17 – Ogre's Junior Brother

"Money isn't an issue. As long as it's not too excessive, feel free to ask. If Ogre needs anything, just say it here," Foucault said with a slight smile.

Of course, he wasn't a fool. There were limits to what wasn't considered excessive.

Letting Ogre speak up was also a way to test his appetite.

Having money doesn't mean being stupid.

What does Ogre want most? He wants many things, like expensive drake hatchlings (which are top-notch food materials).

Or convenient spatial items, or perhaps powerful artifact equipment.

But he couldn't say these things out loud. After thinking it over, Ogre pointed at Lange and said, "I want his breathing technique."

This was the most direct and valuable thing Ogre could think of at the moment.

His breathing technique was indeed somewhat outdated and basic. The breathing techniques taught by Yard were the most fundamental because the Dawn Breathing Technique of the Church of Dawn was not to be spread outside.

It was enough for building a foundation, but adapting to subsequent physical enhancements was almost negligible.

At most, it could only be used to adjust frequency and rhythm.

A good breathing technique could still provide some help in improving strength, especially for Ogre at this time.

He would either not change his breathing technique or switch to a good one.

Lange's breathing technique was clearly of a high level, able to train his body to be stronger than Ogre's, which wasn't something that could be achieved by knight bloodline alone.

"What are you saying?!" Lange glared at Ogre, his actions were nothing short of provocative.

"Lange's breathing technique is not to be shared," Foucault's voice turned colder.

"Then I want a more advanced breathing technique," Ogre compromised.

"This would also help in enhancing strength for the upcoming tasks, wouldn't it?" Ogre added.

He indeed needed things that money couldn't easily buy.

The empire's control over breathing techniques and magic was very strict, which was also a way to force wild professionals to join factions.

"I can agree to this request. I'll bring you a new breathing technique tomorrow." Foucault's expression improved somewhat with Ogre's concession.

However, this also slightly strained their relationship.

But Ogre didn't care about these things. The path he was destined to walk wouldn't have many friends.

Ogre firmly believed that as long as he didn't have anyone he particularly cared about, he wouldn't get hurt again.

Ogre never believed in the friendship of nobles; he only cared about whether he achieved his goals.

Clearly, he succeeded.

When you directly make a request, the other party might refuse, but if you make a more excessive request first, the chances of achieving your goal might increase a bit.

"Let's go then, I'll take you to meet my 'junior brother,'" Ogre said nonchalantly.

"Alright, boss, the bill please."

...

Foucault's words were indeed tempting to Thrandic. Unlike Ogre, he hadn't seen much of the world and didn't have a strong sense of caution towards others.

Compared to seasoned individuals like Foucault and Ogre, Thrandic and Lange seemed more like what their age should be—easily letting passion override reason.

"I agree."

Perhaps it was trust in Ogre; perhaps it was Foucault's assurances clouding his judgment; or perhaps Thrandic's hatred for goblins was too overwhelming to digest.

He didn't even make any excuses and sold himself out.

This made Ogre almost want to cover his face—he had hinted for Thrandic to ask for a set of better armor, yet the kid didn't even mention it.

Maybe he had pushed too hard earlier.

But Foucault, being a young master, probably wouldn't mind spending a bit of money, and his generosity shouldn't be lacking.

"Very well, but I still hope you can have a match with Lange. Although you're a knight recommended by Ogre, I trust your strength, but I still want to see how you perform so I can assign you the appropriate tasks."

Foucault made a reasonable request, and he opened a spatial item, taking out a small pouch of gold coins from the Void Pocket: "Regardless of the outcome, this money is yours."

"No, no, I can't accept money without doing any work." Seeing Foucault take out money, Thrandic refused without a second thought. The weight of the pouch suggested it contained no less than fifty gold coins.

Yard and his childhood teachings made Thrandic hesitant to accept such a valuable gift.

But his actions made Foucault turn to Ogre with a different look in his eyes.

That resentful gaze seemed to question—were you two really taught by the same teacher?

Ogre never hesitated to accept things.

"Take it, it's your rightful reward," Ogre said, feigning innocence as he rubbed his nose, unfazed.

He believed he was worth that price.

Seemingly encouraged by Ogre, our golden-haired boy Thrandic finally accepted the small pouch.

"Do I need to take off my armor?" Lange asked, looking at Thrandic, who was also a knight.

He did look down on martial artists, but he respected the paladins of the Church of Dawn, even if it was just a trainee.

"No need, the teacher taught me—when facing real enemies, they won't talk about fairness with me." Thrandic wore a martial artist's attire that allowed for easy movement.

He didn't fully utilize the knight's endurance advantage of wearing armor, instead taking a martial artist's stance.

"Not using weapons? Then I won't either." Lange set his weapon aside.

He thought it would be unfair to bully the opponent while wearing armor.

He didn't know he would soon regret this decision.

"Who do you think will win?" Foucault asked from the side.

"My junior brother," Ogre replied with a mysterious smile, confident in Thrandic's strength.

If it weren't for the dynamic vision boost, Ogre might not have been able to win against this honest kid.

"Though I think Lange will win," Foucault looked at the knight who would be bound to him for the rest of his life and finally said, "But it's a good thing to teach him not to underestimate his opponents."

"Indeed, it's something that needs to be changed. Not everywhere is as rule-abiding as the city," Ogre replied, looking up.

Meanwhile, as they conversed, the two knights had already completed their pre-battle rituals, and the duel between knights was about to begin.