chapter 6
“Who are you!?”
Gaiden caught the sword in surprise when he saw the shadow suddenly appearing. It was because I thought it was an attack by some scoundrel.
However, the moment their eyes met, both sides stared blankly at each other.
“No, sir Guyden?”
“Sir Roderick?”
While both of them were vassal knights in Count Bernstein’s family. The timing of entering the family was also a motive with little difference.
They came out together when they left the family to find the bastard, so they knew each other’s faces well.
The first to come to his senses was Roderick, who looked at his surroundings.
“Sir Guyden! What the hell is this about? How can you harm the young master!”
“That, that’s…”
While embarrassed by the unexpected situation, Gaiden’s head rolled quickly.
I wondered why the bastard knew his identity, but it was because Roderick had arrived first.
‘Damn it, things are getting more and more twisted.’
Gaiden, who closed his eyes tightly, decided to push through his lies. Because if you want to crush it with a misunderstanding anyway, you have no choice but to pretend to be mistaken.
If the bastard is right, he should apologize for misunderstanding and committing rudeness.
“Kuhm, Sir Roderick must have misunderstood something.”
“A misunderstanding? What do you mean by that?”
“Where is the proof that that boy is a young boy? To me, he’s just a kid who pretends to be an aristocrat in moderation…”
“Gaiden Vorell! Did you dare to insult the young master!”
Roderick roared in anger before he could finish his sentence. It was such a strong cry that the whole mercenary was startled and backed off.
Surprised, Gaiden looked at Roderick dumbfounded.
‘No, what’s wrong with this person?’
The original plan was for Roderick to refute Guyden’s words and provide evidence. After that, you lightly apologize for your mistake and end it.
But isn’t Roderick angry now as if his lord had been insulted?
“Geez, calm down, sir. I didn’t mean to.”
“I didn’t intend to do that? So you’re saying it’s a natural insult? Explain it properly!”
Roderick’s anger did not subside even when Guyden appeared in a low profile. Rather, if he only had a sword, he was ready to pull it out and run.
“Calm down, Lord Roderick.”
It was none other than Luke who saved the bewildered Gaiden.
“Looking at the situation, it seems that this person was mistaken. He must have thought that I was an impersonator of my father’s son.”
“Yes! What a shameful mistake!”
Gaiden nodded coldly at the suddenly lowered rope. Then, as if not to miss this opportunity, he dismounted and bowed his head.
“I apologize for the rudeness caused by my misunderstanding, young master. I am Gaiden, a knight of the Bernstein family.”
A change of posture that makes people watching from the side feel embarrassed. However, he seemed to be struggling with his motive right away, but there was no time to worry about that.
If there are more problems here, it will go far beyond the level that can be evaded.
“Look. Doesn’t Sir Guyden say that too? Calm your anger.”
“If you say so…”
Roderick, who softened at Luke’s words, stepped back again. Seeing that, Gaiden’s mind was confused.
‘How could that be? Aren’t you rolling it in the palm of your hand as if you were dealing with your own vassal?’
The Roderick Guyden knew was a follower of chivalry. In other words, he is a person with exceptionally strong arrogance and authority unique to knights.
But what is Roderick’s attitude now? Aren’t you treating me like a master who serves beyond the level of the deficit or bastard?
“Now, let’s come inside and talk. The weather is too cold to talk outside.”
At Luke’s words, Roderick went inside without saying a word. Gaiden was bewildered but followed.
I felt like I had to figure out what happened first.
“A raid by villagers?”
Gaiden widened his eyes. Rather than anger, I thought ‘Are they crazy?’
You dare touch a noble? The moment it becomes known by mistake, the whole village will be left behind.
“So my weapons and armor were taken away, and my favorite horse was also lost. I can’t lift my face in shame.”
Roderick shook his hand holding the tea. If it wasn’t for Luke’s house, he would break the cup in his hand right away.
“But fortunately, the young master hid me, and when we talked afterwards, everything was in sync. It was truly a meeting like fate.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
Now I can understand a little how Roderick was extremely polite. Considering that he was the lord’s son and lifesaver, it was understandable.
There was even a meeting that seemed like it.
“But what did you do without even recognizing me properly? You should have recognized it at once just by looking at those purple eyes!”
“No, I can’t see that very well…”
“Sir Roderick.”
Again, when Roderick was about to have a seizure, Luke stopped him.
“Stop it. You didn’t do it on purpose, did you?”
“But even if it was a little late, something big could have happened.”
“If Sir Guyden knew, how would he have dared to do such an insolent thing? It’s all a misunderstanding.”
At first glance, words that sound like a cover. However, goose bumps rose from Gaiden’s back.
‘dare? Presumptuous? Is that what you want me to hear?’
Her face was obviously calm, but her choice of words was unusual. I hadn’t even drunk the tea yet, but my saliva went down my throat.
Roderick, who had calmed down again, looked at Guyden as if he had finally remembered it and asked.
“Come to think of it, why did you bring a mercenary? A ranger would be more useful for a search.”
“I know rumors well and I have a lot of heads, so I thought it would be helpful…”
He said so, but in reality it was to pressure the bastard. Wouldn’t it be frightening if there were a lot of tough looking men?
That’s why it can never be revealed now.
“Anyway, since you brought a mercenary, let’s borrow it for a while.”
“A mercenary?”
“Isn’t the village supposed to be punished? Did you mean to leave it alone?”
“That, it can’t be. I was going to do that too.”
I said so, but inside I spit out double curse. After all, hiring mercenaries is all about money.
If something happens, it costs extra money, so why should I pay for someone else’s revenge?
‘I’ll have to take it off after work.’
A humble mercenary anyway. If it were a mediocre wandering knight, he probably wouldn’t have the courage to argue with the Bernstein family’s vassal knight.
After finishing the story, Guyden came out of the cabin. Roderick and Luke were still inside, preparing to leave.
Gaiden shouted at the mercenaries who had been waiting outside.
“I have an extra job. I need to fix the village over there.”
“Knight sir, then it will take more money.”
“I know! Why are you so upset that I will take care of you if you stay still!”
Gaiden exclaimed annoyed at the mercenary’s words. It was the attitude that he did not like the fact that he kept putting money in his mouth.
“Shut up and get ready! I’ll give you money, so don’t worry!”
Gaiden turned his back without listening to the back story. Seeing that, Eric, the mercenary commander, gnashed his teeth.
“Captain, what do you think?”
“It’s obvious. I haven’t seen a guy who gives money properly among those f*cking bastards. Ka-ak, twee!”
At the words of his subordinate, Eric spat and cursed. For more than 10 years, I rolled on this floor and ate knife rice.
Of course, the employer also met all the stars. People who want to save money and people who spend generously have different attitudes.
“What are you going to do? Will you give me a free job for no extra charge?”
“Then, is there any other way? I got the advance payment, my status is clear, and the Bernstein family!”
The Bernstein family is a fairly powerful family in the East. And the area where Eric’s mercenaries were mainly active was the east.
Once filmed, there is a high possibility that future activities will be hindered.
“But he’s not the lord.”
“Stop being stupid. Who do you think will be whispering next to the lord when you hear our names later?”
“···sh*t!”
The subordinate, who was at a loss for what to say at Eric’s words, kicked the floor and vented his anger. Eric also wanted to hit him right away.
As easy as it is, I received a small amount of money, but isn’t it a situation where I will be ripped off?
“Are you mercenaries?”
The mercenaries were startled by the sudden sound from the side. Before I knew it, Luke was approaching and talking to me.
As I was at a loss as to what to answer, Roderick, who was standing behind me, yelled.
“Isn’t the young master asking!”
“Yes, yes! That’s right!”
Eric and the mercenaries quickly lowered their heads. I couldn’t grasp the situation properly, but I didn’t know where to go because of my long experience.
At least he could tell that the little boy in front of him was the seed of a nobleman.
“Are you currently employed by Sir Guyden?”
“That’s right.”
“I see. Did Kyung give the money properly?”
“…”
The direct question made the mercenaries dumbfounded. Are you paying me right? Didn’t you curse about it just a moment ago?
In order not to look bad, I would have to reply with empty words, but I didn’t want to say that.
“Aren’t you paying for it?”
“That, that’s…”
“Sir Guyden had the temperament of a mistress.”
‘driving me crazy. Why are you talking like this?’
The mercenaries’ lips dried up at Luke’s words. There is nothing more troublesome than having superiors mocking each other.
What happens if you respond incorrectly? But if he didn’t say anything at all, that would be a good thing to look bad at.
When the mercenaries were confused, Luke whispered softly.
“I can’t help it. I’ll take care of a little for you guys.”
“Yes? Do you mean the young master?”
Eric asked in bewilderment. If so, I would be grateful, but why?
“That’s right. If you’ve suffered, you’ll have to pay for it. It’s hard to give it right now, so wait for a while.”
“Yes.”
The mercenaries stared blankly at each other. I couldn’t figure out why I was making this suggestion.
The reason Luke wanted to take care of the mercenaries was simple.
‘It’s not my money anyway.’
Money that looks greedy if you take it yourself, but it’s good to pass it on to someone else.
Isn’t that money bag right in front of you? A sharp smile formed on Luke’s lips as he looked at Brick Town.
Luke’s party got down from the cabin and headed to Brick Village. The villagers who saw the knight coming were horrified and ran out.
“Oops, sir! Welcome!”
The village chief, who came out first, bent down as if his forehead was touching the floor. My body shrank from the tension, but deep down I had the confidence to overcome this situation.
‘The reception preparations are complete, and the smooth maiden is also prepared. Just don’t catch the pod.’
The village chief believed in his age, having survived until now. He rubbed his hands together, showing as much servility as possible to satisfy the knight.
“It’s an honor to serve you. Do you want to eat first? Or take a bath? Just say the word.”
“There’s no need for that. You mean to eat and rest, knowing that you did something?”
“What do you mean?”
“Okay. How about asking the person here for details?”
Gaiden stepped back with a cool smile. Then, the figure of Roderick, who had been hidden by words, was revealed.
The blood drained from the village chief’s face when he checked his face.