Mercenaries and Adventurers

Keir's thoughts started to change rapidly, and he suddenly realized something after combining all the information he had learned in the other world.

A noble can only be killed by another noble.

He was a knight, not even a real knight, and defeated and killed the last member of a noble family who was originally a baron. This was very wrong in the local social power structure.

When he thought of this, Keir raised the corners of his mouth and pretended to make a joke: "Haha, you misunderstood. I drank too much just now and said some bragging words. Haha."

There was no smile on his face, and Mr. 'Dry Oriel' said solemnly: "Young knight, this is best a joke. You are a person from the north and may not know enough about local affairs. Let me reveal some information to you. , the person behind the ridiculous name of 'King of White Walls' has actually always been implicitly supported by some big shots on our side."

Kil took a deep breath and unconsciously tightened his hand on the hilt of the long sword at his waist.

"Calm down, calm down."

Mr. Deripari, who also felt bad, secretly glanced at the palm of the young man opposite him. He felt cold unconsciously. Although the warm spring breeze around him was blowing on him, he still felt chilled from the bottom of his heart.

Experience told him that his life was in danger at this time.

The danger, of course, comes from the young man in front of him who was smiling just a minute ago.

Mr. 'Dry Oriel' carefully considered his words, and then in the stiff atmosphere, he tried to change: "I am a reliable person, Knight Kiel. At the same time, both of you and I drank a lot tonight. , it must be normal to talk nonsense after drinking, right?"

Kil's mouth twitched: "Yes, after drinking, you will naturally talk nonsense. Things like burying people in the ground are just the imagination of drunk people."

After saying that, he slowly let go of his left hand, and at the same time, he folded the magic lighting pendant on his belt without leaving any trace, and put it inside the belt to cover it.

This thing was seized from the 'King of White Walls'. Although it has no magic power and is no longer working, it would still not be good if it was recognized by others.

Keir said in his heart that he was lucky. He had not put the two magic rings that were also seized from the 'King of White Walls' on his hands before, just to show off. In fact, he was afraid that others would ask him to show them on the spot, but he did not activate the magic rings. He gave the secret order, but did not use their abilities, and wore these two rings to show off at this banquet.

Now that I think about it, the ring is definitely more noticeable than the pendant on the waist, so it's a good thing that I'm not wearing it.

"So, Mr. Deripari, let's talk more about Barney the mountain wolf? How about that? I'm quite greedy for those bounties."

Mr. 'Dry Oriel' also wanted to change the subject, so he nodded: "Of course, talk about something that makes everyone happy. So, do you have the head of Barney the mountain wolf? Or, after defeating him, do you have Didn’t he get some important items that prove who he is?”

Kil was dumbfounded. Only then did he remember this incident with regret: "Oops, I have already set the body on fire, along with the other robbers I killed at that time."

"What about the keepsake? Is there anything that can prove the identity of Barney the Mountain Wolf?"

Faced with the question of Mr. 'Dry Oriel', Keir looked embarrassed: "That guy is as poor as a ghost, and I haven't found his real lair yet, it's just in a bandit lair near the trade road." He broke his neck, and he only had a few belongings with him, just ordinary items."

The middle-aged businessman looked embarrassed: "That's it. It's such a pity, Knight Kil, but if this is the case, you can't collect the large bounty from Barney the Mountain Wolf here in Dorne Town. Although I personally believe that you did this It’s something, but unfortunately, it’s not okay for others not to believe it.”

Keir looked desperate. After all, he had hundreds of golden and wonderful gold coins at his fingertips. So many coins were about to be parted from him for no reason.

He turned his brain desperately, trying to find a way: "Well, can we rely on witnesses to prove it?"

The middle-aged businessman opposite was also a seasoned guy. He knew what the young knight wanted to say after hearing just half of the sentence. He shook his head and said: "If you are talking about the refugee youth in your team, they are not counted. After all, at this moment They all look to you for leadership.”

"Where are the others? The businessmen I rescued?"

"If you are kind to them, it doesn't count."

"Let me see, rescued civilians?"

"Ha, if I take out a copper coin, I can make any civilian outside the banquet hall cheer for me, not counting them. Knight Kiel, it is not impossible to have a witness. It must be someone with guaranteed status. Use their social status as a guarantee, and after a long period of confirmation, it is true that after you declared that you killed Barney the mountain wolf, the other party never came out to do evil again. Only then can most people think that you are indeed He killed the cunning fox and because of his carelessness, his head was not left behind."

Keir thought carefully about whether there was such a person to prove it.

He grimaced and drank the ale in his hand.

Mr. 'Dry Oriel' was relieved. With such an interruption, they finally ignored the previous matter about the 'King of White Walls'.

In fact, he himself does not want to get involved in such aristocratic affairs, especially since he is only in his thirties. In the next ten or twenty years, he may be able to climb up. If there is support from the nobles in the future, It might be possible to become the president of the Chamber of Commerce, or even the president of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce in Dorne Town.

He himself rose from a small businessman, and not many people know about the hardship and bitterness involved.

Being rashly involved in the murder of a down-and-out nobleman may bring him some popularity and make it easier for him to do business in the future, but the chance of climbing up will definitely be gone. If the nobles have a choice , no one will pay attention to his involvement in killing nobles.

Even if it has nothing to do with him.

But the young knight in front of him was not a local. He slapped his butt and fled back to the Northwest Province, but he still had to stay in the local area.

"So, Knight Kiel, I'm sorry."

"Yes!"

Just as the middle-aged businessman wanted to comfort the capable but unlucky young knight, the knight opposite said excitedly: "Yes, yes! I have a witness who can prove that I killed Barney the Mountain Wolf."

"Oh? Who is it?"

Kil explained: "After defeating the bandits who attacked at night a few days ago, both our side and the bandits lost a lot of people, about two hundred people."

"loss?"

"They just died and were killed by each other. Of course, I killed less than half of them."

"Well."

"After daybreak, when we decided to burn the corpse, a group of priests from the Church of the Dead God in the White Stone City Wall came over looking for something to smell."

"Ahem, that's not how you describe it, Knight Kiel. It's the mysterious induction of the priests."

"Yes, mysterious induction. Anyway, they came at that time. There were several of them, and there was also a leading priest who looked very powerful. He must have a high status. They can definitely prove that I led people to kill Barney the mountain wolf!"

"Is this it?"

Mr. 'Dry Oriel' hesitated: "If they are a few priests of the God of the Dead, their status is enough. But after all, they are from the White Stone City Wall Pass, not the Church of the God of the Dead in our town of Dorne. , I don’t know if the other party is willing to testify after coming back. Moreover, even in normal times, Knight Kiel, proving matters in such a remote place will involve delays for a long time. You know, there are only a few people in the town to the west now. The major chambers of commerce, mainly the Burning Chamber of Commerce, are still sending armed caravans between them."

"One percent!"

"What?"

"How about I give you 10% of the final reward?"

He looked at the young knight who was looking over with his mouth puffed up in anger. Mr. Deripari still smiled: "Okay, Knight Kiel, this is not about money. It's just that you are not a local. This matter comes from time to time to verify, and later It will take several months to prove that Barney the Mountain Wolf is dead, and it will take a long time. How will you get the money? You must be on the battlefield in the south by then, right?"

"I leave the matter to you. I don't care how long it takes. But as for the money, it can be deposited directly in the town's treasury and temporarily stored in the head office, right?"

The middle-aged businessman thought for a moment. If Barney the mountain wolf was indeed killed by Knight Kiel, it is not impossible to do it. The reward would be 500 gold coins. If 10% of the reward was at least 50 gold coins, it would be more than 50 gold coins. It’s not that I can’t keep busy.

"Okay, Knight Kil, leave this matter to me. I will help you handle the payment of the reward for defeating the bandit mountain wolf Barney. But you need to produce a document to prove it, so that I can When you leave this place to go on an expedition, I will handle this matter on your behalf and communicate with the priests of the Church of the God of the Dead at the White Stone City Wall Pass to testify."

"Well, at least it won't be in vain."

Kil exhaled heavily, feeling that the cooked duck had been picked up by him again, even if it was picked up in the future.

Later, Mr. Deripari called the attendant at the banquet hall and asked him to bring an official instrument for writing documents. As the main place for businessmen to discuss matters, the banquet hall naturally has a full set of business contract documents for signing.

On this terrace, neither of them moved their feet. The waiters brought a small square table, an oil lamp for lighting, a high-standard scroll-type business document writing carrier, and good color-fast ink, exquisite Gold-encrusted quill pen.

Mr. Dripari is an old businessman and has obviously dealt with similar matters before, so he wrote the documents entrusted by Keir in just a few strokes.

At the end, he signed his name, and used fire paint to brand a seal on his ring that represented himself, as well as a seal that represented the senior manager of the Fortune Fruit Chamber of Commerce behind him.

It was much easier for Keir. He still used his hand as a pen and wrote down his luminous life energy with his fingers 'easily'.

"You are indeed a knight. The name left like this is far more reliable than a signature or seal."

The middle-aged businessman looked envious. Over the years, he had naturally seen the methods of knights and felt envious of its convenience and uniqueness.

When doing business, their merchants also have more complicated and cumbersome methods for some contracts involving larger amounts, but they are far inferior to simple methods like the knights.

He lightly touched the name left by Knight Kiel with his finger. As his fingertips became numb, he could feel the obvious presence of Knight Kiel.

Shaking his hands, he nodded: "That's good. Let's have a drink, Knight Kiel. I wish you a long career in martial arts, and the great God of Wealth bless you."

Keir felt much more relaxed. He picked up the fine ale that was no longer cold and delicious, and clinked glasses with the middle-aged businessman: "I also hope that the God of Wealth will bless you, my friend."

"Of course God has blessed me. You may not know that when I was young, my father was just the manager of a shop that sold linen clothes. He even opened the shop in partnership with other people. But he, me and my family People are all devout believers in the God of Wealth.”

"We chase wealth, but it's not just the pursuit of wealth itself. More than that, I believe that there are far more priests in the church than my father. Ha, his skills are actually very limited, but he lets me know who to trust. .When I was young, I helped some young priests of the Church of the God of Wealth because of my family’s faith. From them, I learned a lot of skills. Including the valuable business experience passed down from father to son only in small and medium-sized chambers of commerce, as well as the broader and Gaoqi’s insights.”

Mr. Deripari had a smile on his face, and it was obvious that those days were a very happy and satisfying boyhood for him.

"Of course, the divine spells that the familiar priests personally cast on me before each business trip are even more important. Because of those powerful and effective divine spells, I have avoided illness and food poisoning more than once. And several times The ability of eloquence that I was blessed with this time allowed me to convince one after another of the cruel robbers."

Keir chuckled: "Perhaps your own ability is the key?"

"There is this reason, but confidence, do you understand? Confidence, confidence! When everyone else was frightened and panicked, I, who had been blessed by divine magic, had the confidence to take a brave step and persuade the bandits and enemies with words. . It was those magical arts that gave me confidence."

"Confidence is far more important than other things. With it, people can take that brave step. Even if many people see that step, there are only a few people who really dare to take it and have the ability to make it through. Hum, I am That kind of person."

Keir raised his glass and toasted to Mr. 'Dry Oriel' for his domineering speech.

The atmosphere was so good that they almost forgot the dangerous and tense moments before.

-

At this time, the most enthusiastic rose music has ended, and Mr. Deripari's little daughter also got her wish and ended her beautiful dance with the popular minstrel.

She covered her face in excitement and trotted to the terrace.

"Woo, hee hee."

The little girl happily cuddled up to her father's side and quietly showed off to the two people on the terrace about the dance they had just shared and the gentle kiss the bard gave her on the cheek after it ended.

"That bastard!" Apparently Mr. 'Flat Ollier' didn't think so: "I'll make him look good. Next time, hum, next time he's taken away because of his face, don't let me take him away." Redemption is coming!”

Mr. Scott came over at this time: "Haha, in this case, our town of Dorne will lose an outstanding talent. Those ladies who are tortured by loneliness every night will definitely complain about you."

Rolling his eyes, Mr. 'Dry Oriel' complained: "Without this passionate seed, those resentful women will find new toys. Little Cornina, you have to stay away from that bard. You will marry someone from a noble family in the future, and that doesn’t mean you can’t get to know someone with that status, but!”

The little girl held her ears pitifully with her fingers: "I know, I know, everything has to wait until after marriage! Father, I understand."

Kil sighed. It seemed that this seemingly innocent girl clearly understood her meaning and role. I don’t know if it’s sad or deplorable.

Mr. 'Dry Oriel' said goodbye to Keir for the time being, and then walked away and went downstairs with his dancing and contented little daughter, arranging for someone to take her home.

Mr. Scott came over holding a wine glass: "Ah, Knight Kiel, I just saw from a distance that you seemed to have reached more than one deal? Both of you seemed satisfied?"

Keir raised his glass and clinked it: "Of course, you should know that when I led people through the western trade route, I was attacked by a group of bandits. During the battle, I killed the leader of the bandit group, Mountain Wolf. Barney!”

"Oh! This is something worth celebrating! We will never be able to catch this nasty guy, but we didn't expect that he would die in the hands of a knight like you. It seems that those so-called bounty hunters, but They are all guys with only false reputations. To be truly reliable, you have to be a powerful knight like you."

Kil smiled, no one disliked being complimented, and he was no exception.

The two toasted again and talked for a while, mainly Mr. Scott talking about the dancing scene just now.

"Haha, you must not have seen the faces and eyes of the women at the banquet when little Cornina danced with our bard. Everyone wished they could take Little Cornina's place. Young girls envy her status - because little Kenina has a powerful father. And middle-aged ladies are particularly envious of little Kenina's youth and beauty. If, I mean if , they can have a bottle of magical potion that can change their bodies with other people, I believe those people will use it without hesitation."

Keir laughed: "It's interesting. What you said."

Mr. Scott raised the wine glass. He used a special gold wine glass. Although it was not inlaid with gems, the goldsmith carved a devout prayer to the God of Wealth, which still made this wine glass very popular among businessmen.

At this moment, he raised his glass and said to the young knight: "So, young knight, after reaching a mutually satisfactory cooperation with that dry guy in Deripari, is there any opportunity for you to share it with me? I believe it. Me, as a new friend, I’m very reliable.”

"Business cooperation can be anything no matter how big or small, the main thing is to make a friend!"

Keir smiled. He was more cautious this time and did not dare to reveal anything about the 'King of White Walls' to a third person. After thinking about it, he raised his glass and touched the other person's wine glass lightly: "Then, I do There are some private matters that require the assistance of reliable friends. Especially new local friends.”

Mr. Scott smiled and patted his chest and assured: "Believe me, I am the most reliable new local friend. Tell me what troubles you."

Kil swallowed the cold ale that the waiter added and said: "A few things. The first thing is that I want to add a strong leather armor to my war horse. You know, I am a Kendall from the north. Just like the Baron, I will catch up with the young refugees after arranging them to participate in the southern border war. He is a good horse and needs some reliable protection. "

"Oh, this is something I can help with. Leave it to me, but if you only need to complete the armor and protection of a war horse during the two days your team is here, it will require several craftsmen and more apprentices. Let’s go into battle together. You’ll have to pay a little more in terms of price.”

"Of course it should be." Keir nodded, as long as it can handle the matter, and the price is not too outrageous.

"Then the second thing, you know, I am now managing and leading hundreds of people who have nothing. Although they got some supplies today by selling in exchange for previous loot. But it is not enough! I need more, Donkeys pulling carts, more carts, second-hand trucks, ropes, farm tools, cloth, etc. The key is that they are cheap. They are not my subjects, so even if I help them, I am not willing to pay too much of my property. .”

Mr. Scott smiled and said: "I know what you mean. I happen to know a place with a lot of things and cheap prices."

"Oh, can you tell me more about it?"

"You know, Dorne Town is a town where merchants operate trade. Most, most of the goods are goods that can be circulated normally on the surface, but there are still some things that cannot be traded openly and can easily cause trouble. .”

"so?"

"So we need a safe and reliable place. Of course, this is for the people who come and go. In fact, that place is quite random. Things are not formal, and the people who come and go are not formal either. They can only trade in secret. This place , we always call it - the underground black market."

"Are you interested? Knight Kiel, if you are willing to cover up and bring money, you can buy a lot of things cheaply somewhere in the town that can be used but cannot be sold normally."

Keir winked: "Of course, when?"

"How about tomorrow during the day? You come to the Burning Furnace Chamber of Commerce to see me, and I will arrange things for your horses."

"Very well, one last thing. You have to keep this a secret."

While Kil was speaking, his right hand casually flicked the necklace and black wood carving on his chest.

"I'm a reliable person. Trust me, there's no one in this town more reliable than me."

"Really, then, I need help carving a batch of wood carvings for me, and a few literate people to help me write some words on the paper."

Mr. Scott narrowed his eyes: "This is dangerous, knight, and the priests in the town won't like it."

"I am not a local, Mr. Scott, and the matter will not involve people from Dorne Town. How about it? Can the most reliable person in Dorne Town handle this matter?"

"Humph, it's easy, as easy as earning every coin in the farmer's pocket." Mr. Scott said angrily.