The Lionheart City was still the same as ever, lively.
But the situation because of the raging war between the Humane Kingdom and the Earthen Kingdom had made it even livelier.
The reason being it was far from the frontline and closest to the vast Rainy Mountain Ranges.
Since trolls stopped the cowardly human route toward the common region, the only way left for them was the Rainy Mountain Ranges.
The Humane Kingdom was like a wall between the Rainy Mountain Ranges and the two kingdoms.
For decades, the Humane Kingdom had been blocking the stampedes of animals led by beasts for these two kingdoms like a sentry.
Some humans even believed that these two kingdoms left them here for this exact reason, and it was nothing but a curse.
However, now it had become a blessing because the trolls couldn't block their retreat route toward the Rainy Mountain Ranges even if they wanted to.
Even though the Rainy Mountain Ranges were extremely dangerous for common folks, it was still better than being slaughtered by the Trolls.
However, unlike the common region, humans weren't hastily to retreat into the Rainy Mountain Ranges, especially those nobles.
They were waiting for the news on the front line and hoping that the royals could negotiate with the trolls and stop this unjust war. So, they don't have to leave their homes and wealth.
That's why the barren and weakest Gloria Country became almost congested.
Those who couldn't enter any city or town made camps around them, and most of these people were the actual residents of Gloria Country, who were forced out of their hoses by powerful mercenaries or noblemen.
Even the ruling family of the Gloria Country, the Gloria Family was rumored to force out of their castle and live in a shed of their own territory because a Marquise Rank figure occupied their castle with his family and other high-ranking nobles.
In the middle of the night,
A silhouetted wearing a hood appeared on the Lionheart City's wall as his amber eyes were icy cold as he looked at the brightly lit town even in the middle of the night.
This person was none other than Jacob, who just reached here.
Because the main gates were closed, he had no choice but to climb the wall, which was a piece of cake for him.
There were many camps outside, and some tatter camps with people living in famine. He could understand why they were in such shape. He had seen trolls in already conquered human cities, butchering humans, raping women, and abusing children.
However, he didn't lend a helping hand since it would only make him expose himself, nor he would even if the Killer Skull Society wasn't on to him.
War is part of every nation's history and without the capability of war, a nation can never be called strong.
Even those piece-loving nations are required to have the power to keep the peace, much less a war-mongrel nation like Hob Trolls.
Even without the involvement of the Killer Skull Society, the troll would've started this war because the humans were getting stronger at a terrifying rate, and this wasn't good for goblins as well.
They would've done this kind of slaughter to decrease the human population and cut down their experts.
But Jacob also noticed something strange on his way here. Those trolls were collecting the blood of every human they killed in large containers and then sending them somewhere.
Jacob mused it might be related to the realistic goal of the killer skull society to start this human slaughter.
But he didn't want to get involved and looked the way. He knew since they could send someone as powerful as a dark elf here to oversee this propaganda, they would naturally not let anyone like Jacob interfere.
However, Jacob also saw an opportunity in all this, but to grasp that opportunity he required much stronger power than he currently had, and that's why he came straight to this place to mix with the humans and stay far away from the war as long as possible.
'I wonder if my old house is occupied as well…' Jacob looked in the direction of his luxurious mansion and squinted.
He could hear many powerful heartbeats around the city, but instead of feeling flustered, his lips moved upward into a cold smirk.
He jumped from the wall and landed on the ground. Without stopping, he headed toward lion street where his old mansion was!
Soon, he reached the destination and saw the closed gate of many E-Rank and D-Rank mercenaries camping out the gates.
'It seemed someone powerful had taken over the place after my renting time was over, and they even hired so many mercenary guards.'
Jacob easily leaped over the thirty-meter-tall wall and entered the familiar garden.
He saw the lights of the mansion were still up, and without hesitation, he headed toward it.
Jacob also revealed his face, hid his hood within the collar, and knocked on the door. He didn't mind going from the window, but it would be meaningless since he couldn't remain hidden all the time.
Since the new owner was still up, he decided to get it over with taking over this place.
Soon, the doors opened, and a middle-aged man in butler clothes appeared.
Jacob knew this man, he was the butler of this mansion, Harrison.
Harrison was shocked when he saw Jacob's appearance and instantly recognized him with his silver hair.
"S-sir, you?" He was bewildered.
Jacob has vanished for over a year now, and the new owner appeared recently after his renting contract was over.
Even the head of the Gunsmith Guild once comes looking for Jacob, which shocked Harrison. But since he wasn't here, he left without saying anything.
They even assumed Jacob was dead in the wilderness.
Jacob had a good impression of Harrison and nodded. "Who is living here right now?"
Harrison was snapped out of his stupor and sheepishly replied, "Sir, since you hadn't come back over a year, the landlord rented this house to a C-Rank Mercenary Group, and now it's their garrison place."
Jacob didn't even frown and merely nodded. "Take me to their leader."
Harrison was baffled by this comment, but Jacob had already entered the house and walked toward the hall.
Harrison horridly followed and blurted, "Sir, it might not be a good idea. This Mercenary Group belongs to the Tiger's Den. A B-Rank Mercenary Group under a B-Rank mercenary command.
"They won't take it happily that you barged in like this and might take it as a provocation. Furthermore, I heard them talking that because of the war, the Tiger's Den dominant team might come here with their leader to lie low. You should leave while you can."
Jacob chuckled when he heard Harrison's concerning words. He knew this guy was kind and really wanted him no harm.
"They're already here," Jacob said as he looked at the hall filled with eight people in their night clothes while holding different weapons and firearms.
They were clearly not expecting some guests and were wary about the sudden knock on their door despite many guards outside. Those fellows were ordered to not allow anyone in, so whoever can break past their detection will not be anybody!
Six of them were women, all of them were city-toppling beauties, and two guys were also tall and handsome.
Furthermore, they were all C-Rank Mercenaries!
Seeing Jacob's handsome appearance, those women's eyes lit up while the two men frowned, watching this unknown fellow walking like he owned this place and their butler following behind him with a worried expression.
"Harrison, is this your friend?" The dainty woman in a white nightgown questioned with her blue eyes affixed on Jacob's cold face.
Harrison's heart palpitated when he saw those powerful figures gathering together at the same time. He was about to nod when Jacob spoke.
"I'm not anyone's friend. I was living before you guys in this place and was away for some time. But instead of waiting for my return, the landlord rented this place out." Jacob coolly stated.
The tall man with blond hair frowned and coldly rebuked, "Punk, don't try this nonsense with us. You break into our house in the middle of the night, so you're not here to tell us your punk-ass story, right?" He suddenly pointed his rifle at Jacob while his finger was on the trigger.
"Yellow, don't shoot in the house, or I'll throw you out!" A tall, brown-haired woman with an hourglass figure and a fierce look on her pale white face threatened the blond guy named Yellow.
Yellow trembled slightly and lowered his gun with an aggravated look on his face as he looked at Jacob.
She then looked at Jacob, and her expression became icy, "Leave, or I'll kick your ass out of the lionheart city!"
Everyone smiled wryly when they heard this as if they were accustomed to this woman's temper.
However, Jacob looked the same and merely said one word laced with a ghastly intent, "KNEEL!"
