Russel wheezed, bending forward, hands on his knees as he sat down on the ground, "Brother... what should we do? We're dead men once they catch us."
"Just take it easy," said Ivan, smirking while he wipes the sweat off his face and taps Russel's back, "Don't worry about it, stand up, just keep walking, we're already close to the capital city."
"I don't like the ambiance of that smile of yours, brother," Russel said, still panting, stood up, and continued to walk.
Ivan laughs, "You'd love it once we're rich."
The sun was almost down on the horizon when both brothers arrived near the capital city, Nurathel. From a distance, the city looks like a fortress that is a force to be reckoned with; everyone outside of the walls would think that this iron fortress is made especially for defending against giants.
Russel fell to his knees, "We actually made it through, sigh... brother, you're such a liar, you said we're already close, it feels like our journey will never end ugh..."
Ivan stood tall towards his ambition, sighed with relief, "Heck yeah, this is it! We arrive before it gets dark."
Ivan extends his hand to Russel and points at the city walls, "Grab it, Russel, come commemorate this amazing with me, this is where our journey begins."
"It looks promising, brother... but I'm already hungry. Where can we get food now? We don't even have money."
Both of their stomachs growled.
Ivan laughs, "Yeah, I guess, I'm hungry too. We should enter the city first."
Russel pointed out, "But brother, take a look at those guards, they are judging people based on their looks. We can't go in there if we approach them, they'll just kick us out."
A nearby guard checks the sacks of goods. Another guard shoved away shady travellers.
"Chin up, Russel, that's a weak mindset we'll never know until we try," Ivan turned around slowly, giving Russel a crooked smile spreading all over his face.
"I don't like that look of yours, brother."
"Loosen up, brother, trust me on this," said Ivan.
"Let's dust off our clothes first, so we'll look at least a bit presentable," Ivan, straightening up his body, full of confidence, "Now, Russel, remember this confidence is key to success."
"We won't walk in as a commoner; we are walking in as a future mercenary. Follow my lead."
The brothers marched at the entrance. A bored guard eyed them up and down. "Country bumpkin kids, huh? What brings you twats here to Nurathel going cause trouble ei? then kick some rocks."
Ivan stood tall in front of the guard and looked him directly in the eye. His voice was clear and strong.
"No, Ser! We are here to become mercenaries, as you can see! We can fill in the numbers. We heard that the mercenary guild was short on men, so we came rushing over here."
The guards snorted while checking the merchants in line, and a few nearby travellers laughed along with them, "You both giant cunts look like a professional when it comes to swinging hoes than swords!"
Ivan frowned. He was clearly offended by his opinion. He walked over to the guard with an intimidating gaze and replied, "But hoes can also take lives too, what's wrong with that, ser?!"
Russel pulls his brother away, whispers, "You idiot, calm down, don't fight with him."
The guard's tone suddenly changes, "Oh ho... really, kid? Have you taken someone else's life yet using a hoe?"
The death of lord Aaron flashed before Ivan's eye, "N-no I haven't ser..."
The guard leaned his face closer to Ivan and grabbed his head, "Then how can you speak of such a thing that you haven't done yet, kid? Answer me, are you sure you can handle the guilt after taking someone else's life?"
"I-I don't know, Ser..." said Ivan, sweating.
The guard sighted and walked off to get the city map and returned, "You see this kid, this is the way to the mercenary guild. If they didn't throw you out, you'll be lucky to live a long life."
"You heard him, brother? That's the opposite if we don't join the mercenary guild," said Russel, shaking Ivan.
"Shut up, Russel, just go," Ivan smiled and pushed Russel to enter the city, "Thanks for letting us in, you won't regret it, kind sir!"
The senior gate guard comes out, "Why did you let those rascals in, Arnold?"
"I can see from that kid that his eyes are burning with ambition. I might be a big part of that, which will significantly impact his future, may the four fathers bless them," said Arnold, looking above from the heavens.
The senior gate guard scratches the back of his head, "I guess you're already getting old. If those two rascals cause any trouble, be sure to kick them out."
Arnold nods, "Right, let's go back to work."
As the brother entered the hustle and bustle of the city streets, voices and people surrounded them. The aroma of freshly cooked foods filled the air, making Russell drool over the stalls as they passed by.
"Yuck, wipe those out, Russel!" said Ivan.
"Well, I can't help it, brother, we are walking through food stalls left and right," Russel replied.
"Oh! Take a look at her, Russel, that lady!" Ivan pointed over the bridge.
Russel squinted, "What about it? I mean, she has a very striking appearance... but looking at you, brother, you're way out of her fucking league," he said, patting Ivan's back.
Ivan shoved Russel's arm away, "The fuck you mean?! She's clearly giving away free food. Come on, let's go over there."
The brothers rushed towards the bridge; neither of them knew how they would speak to the lady. They were reluctant to approach the lady, but after some time, and when she was about to leave, Ivan mustered up the courage to approach her.
"Gulp Um... Hello there, milady, perhaps you are? No, still are, giving are, food is away?" Ivan blurted out while Russel was laughing on the side.
The lady stopped, she blinked in confusion, "Pardon me, I didn't understand you quite well. Perhaps, are you talking to me?"
Russel spoke, "Ahh, yes, milady, my brother over here saw you give some free food, so we hurried over here trying our luck if we can get the blessing too."
Right on time, Ivan's stomach growled loudly.
The lady glanced at Ivan and laughed warmly, "I see, I can treat both of you to a meal, follow me."