Atlas Battle Song

Chapter 1I.Oasis and the Vulture

A boy is sitting on the side of the road.

The scorching sun on the western plateau has just set, and the temperature has not cooled down yet.

The boy was in a daze, playing with a cloth belt absently.It was actually the leggings of his sandals.Strips of tattered cloth hung loosely around the child's bronzed calf.The straw soles were frayed.The boy's only pocket was also torn, without a single coin.

The sound of horseshoes can be heard far away in the valley.

The boy looked around and saw a convoy heading for the big city.The guards and servants crowded in front and back, and the carriage in the middle looked very luxurious, it should be the old governor's car.

The Western Plateau is prosperous in commerce, rich in gems and spices, and relies on supplying the empire for stability.Perfumers are always proud to say: Any luxury place must have the fragrance of the West Plateau.From the bathroom of the Omega Palace, the censer of the pope's hall, to the scarlet curtain of the empire...ambergris, frankincense, agarwood, musk, in order to indulge in the luxurious and fragrant night, beauties flock to it, and kings spend a lot of money.

If gold is a symbol of all values, then the commodities sold in the West Plateau are "desires": food, fine wine, short cigarettes, women... Merchants will not let go of any means to make a fortune.In the West Highlands, there is no imagination that cannot be bought with gold.

In the depths of the oasis, there are beauties like a forest, with different styles, anyone can choose.Nobles from all over the world also like to come here to have fun.Rose water, honeysuckle dew, lotus dew, tamarisk dew...Hundreds of wines are served in bright and charming glass cups, all of which are filled with ice cubes and sugar. Guests, and finally offer a sweet kiss.In the dark of night, the light was flowing, men were having fun, the camel caravan took away the goods, and the gold coins flowed into the pockets of the gentlemen like a steady stream of spring water.

The little boy sighed, and took out his holed pocket again, and indeed there was not a single copper coin left.

When he was in a daze, two travelers came on horseback, full of dust.

The traveler reined in his horse and stopped.

"Boy, which way is the road to the 'Golden City' Calder? Left or right?"

"I... don't know..." The boy hesitated.

"Your attire looks like a local. Calder is the largest oasis city nearby, so you probably don't know it." The other party smiled heartily, flicked his thumb, and a silver coin landed on the boy's knee. "It's a consulting fee. Go make a pair of shoes, give your mother the money, don't spend it on booze and women, you're not old enough."

"Thank you, sir..."

Startled, the boy looked up to observe the two travelers carefully.

It was a handsome man who spoke, as proud as a lion under the scorching sun.

The man's complexion was as dark as a West Plateau man's, bronzed and oiled in the sun.But he was clean-jawed and beardless, and his eyes were light-coloured like a northern lord.Probably half-Sybyl of mixed blood.

It was strange to say that such a man with a strong physique, a warrior among warriors, had eyes like a dancing girl.Long eyelashes, moist emerald green pupils, and tear moles at the corners of the eyes.If anyone has been gazed affectionately by such eyes, it is easy to have the illusion that they will be burned by the flames of love.In fact, the man himself is well versed in this way, flamboyant, like a male peacock, like a juggler skillfully playing with a sword in his hand.

The men's clothes are very bold.

The saddles and boots are made of high-quality carved leather, the scimitar inlaid with gold and rubies is hung on the waist, and the exquisite thin open shirt is worn. I am afraid that just one elbow of cloth will cost three gold coins.Three necklaces hung from her strong bronze pectorals, a tooth necklace, an emerald pendant, and a large gold chain.Basically, it is a blatant announcement to the bandits: I am too rich, come and grab me!

"It seems that the man is probably a wealthy businessman." The young man thought to himself.

And beside the half-Sybyl, there is a mysterious young man.

The sun is fierce, and the youth wears a cloak and a hood.The boy couldn't see his face clearly, except for occasional glimpses of pale skin beneath the hood.Based on his experience of watching slaves in the black market, the boy concluded that this was definitely a beauty.The boy used to work as a helper in the sex industry, and had seen the underground auctions of human traffickers.A huge golden birdcage was covered with a velvet curtain. The human traffickers gently lifted the curtain with a whip, and the expressions of the buyers changed instantly.A white arm stretched out from the dim cage and was gently held by someone.Like a pearl in the dark.And the young man in the cloak in front of him gave the boy this impression:

Quiet, the light and shadows on the moon are also dangerous.

The cold temperament of the youth frightens the child.It's like seeing a beautiful flash of light in the grass, but when you get closer, you find it's a venomous coral snake.

The young man didn't speak, just pulled the rein.Delicate skin peeks out from under the carved lambskin gloves.

"Oh, here's a real Sybyl," thought the boy.He is familiar with the hands of nobles.For what beggars and poor people desire most, whenever a carriage passes the street, is a hand, a hand with a ring of authority, stretched out of the window to give them silver coins.

The boy looked at the two travelers with mixed feelings.But he made up his mind, "Sir, go straight on the road on the left, go south at the next fork, pass through a date palm grove, and you will reach the oasis city of Calder."

This is the truth.

"But I don't advise you to go that way," the boy said again.

"why?"

"Because it's getting late now, there is a bandit camp over the date palm grove. They are being aggressive recently. The old governor is about to leave office, and the empire will send a new governor. People have spread the word that the new West Plateau The governor loves money and sex, and he is a greedy man. So now all kinds of robbers, businessmen, and landlords are all coming to the oasis. Those who bribe intend to bribe, and those who rob take advantage of the opportunity to make a fortune. I think you are probably here too with your appearance Those who offered bribes did not bring guards...if they meet the coyotes over there, I am afraid they will lose money."

"Bribe?" The man was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "You are such a sharp-eyed boy, you have seen it all. That's right, I intend to bribe the new governor, and the gift I want to offer is this A beauty."

The boy couldn't help talking: "But he's a Sibyl...Will the empire be angry..."

"Let's see if the new governor is worthy of such a beautiful and sharp dagger." The man smiled.

The young man who had been silent all this time suddenly said, "I'm so hot. You people from the West Plateau are all like this. Do you like to chat awkwardly under the sun?" The boy and the rich businessman showed embarrassing expressions at the same time.West Plateau people do like to chat.Even passers-by who met each other once, as long as they have a conversation, no matter how difficult the surrounding environment is, they can continue to talk openly.

The boy said: "Ahem, don't go that way anyway, there are bandits. I can show you the way and go around to the other side."

"Can you make it tonight?"

"can."

"Let's make the way, kid. I'll give you another silver coin as a consulting fee when we get to the oasis."

"Thank you sir."

"Don't call me that. I was born in Yaxu, and I was similar to you when I was a child." The man weighed it up, and then said:

"My name is Trand."

Well, it is indeed an ordinary name.In a great Caldian city there may be five hundred men named Trande: three hundred cobblers, one hundred soldiers, fifty merchants, fifty beggars.But this "Trand" was very different. He was the kind of person who was born outstanding-smiling green eyes, bronze skin, soldier's figure, and officer's bearing.

"It should be a big man." The boy thought for a while, then said shyly, "Then call me 'Fox', that's what all my friends call me."

The sun gradually set, and night fell on the western plateau.

The wind and sand blow, finely broken like gold, until the afterglow is completely extinguished.The rocky mountains and deserts are silent, but the golden city of Kald in the depths of the oasis is brightly lit, looking like a mirage from a distance.The mountain road is winding, and three figures are walking.

"Boy, this is not the direction to go to the oasis." Trand said.

"It's just a slight detour to avoid the bandits."

"Okay, then I trust you."

Hearing this, the boy hesitated.But he thought of his friend, and made up his mind to continue to lead the two travelers on the wrong road.

"You were sitting on the side of the road just now, looking sad, what happened?" Trand asked.

"..."

"Has something happened at your house?"

"My friend is missing..." the boy whispered, almost sobbing, "Yesterday we played together, and we parted in the evening, but today the adults said he was missing... I went to the ones we used to go to I searched everywhere and asked people, but no one knows where he went. I suspect..." The boy almost missed the word, and quickly shut up.

"You suspect he was kidnapped."

The boy turned his head and found that the mysterious young man had already taken off his hood——

A black-haired young Sybil, a leopard-like icy beauty, with fair skin, double eyelids, and a pair of razor-colored eyes that shine brightly in the night.

"I suspect that he stole the master's money and ran away." The boy hurriedly told a lie.

"It doesn't matter, just steal more. I'll just go to other places to make a living in the future." Trander thought for a while and asked, "Fox boy, do you have a home?"

"There is a mother and four younger sisters."

"Then you are my brother. What do you do? Where do you help?"

"I do odd jobs, and my mother is a laundry woman. There is food at home," the boy shrugged, "I want to be an apprentice cobbler, and the cobbler should find a job, right? Look at your gloves, boots, saddles, and reins. I am a good carver. I am dexterous and control my strength well, so I should be able to do it. Besides, my sisters are still young. If I start their careers earlier, I can find a good family for them to marry. But I can’t marry a rascal and alcoholic again, just like me That damned daddy."

Trander couldn't help laughing: "The young man is really nice, I admire you! You have to protect your mother and sisters, and come to me if you have any difficulties in the future."

"Even if I'm exhausted, I won't let my younger sister go to the Fengchen Field to ask for a living. I used to help there... Those older sisters are really nice people, and the guests are probably bastards!" the boy said angrily.

"Yeah..." Trande lowered his head and smiled wryly, "I grew up in a brothel when I was a child, and supported myself by doing chores and playing snakes. My sisters are good people, they always give me food, teach me how to sing and dance, Tell me the stories they heard from whores/clients."

After hearing each other's life experiences, the boy and the man became sympathetic to each other.

The boy endured it, and suddenly stopped, "Masters, I seem to remember the wrong way. It's not this way... Let's go back, I'll take you to the Golden City right away."

He regretted it and didn't want to deceive the good-hearted people.

"do not."

Said Sybil Young.

"?"

"If you have something good, show us there." The young man smiled.

"No..." The boy showed a terrified expression, took a few steps back, and shook his head desperately: "No...you are good people, sir, I can't harm you!" After finishing speaking, the boy ran away and disappeared on a rocky beach In the shadows, only the two travelers were left in place.

It was completely dark.

Trander sighed: "Ah... I wanted to enlighten this child not to do bad things and go astray, but he ran away. You can see it too? A child is sitting in the wilderness, not a beggar It's not a shepherd boy, who guards the fork where travelers will ask for directions... In this case, it is likely to be a liar, leading travelers to the den of thieves. When the thief finishes killing the person, we will share the spoils with the thief. We take care of this kind of dirty work people called 'Vultures'."

"He also told some truths."

"I suppose so. It must be true what was said about his family and his friends."

"The bandits are targeting the new governor's appointment to block the road and rob. This information is also true. Look at it, Trander, just because of your new job, so many businessmen will be cheated of money and sex." The young man played with Trander with great interest. "What are you going to do? Silly lion."

Trand grabbed the young man's wrist, pulled that hand over forcefully, and kissed his lover's knuckles. "Okay sweetheart, then go and fulfill the wishes of the bandits and let them rob a real governor. This is my first job after taking office."

He smiled, like a boy inviting a partner to play a prank.

"Hahaha." The young man also laughed happily, and drew out his sharp sword: "Let's go and play. I can smell where they are."

"Try not to kill."

Said the new Governor of the Western Plateau, the head of the Royal Knights of the Empire, and the Star of the Oasis--Trand Muawia.