Ch.17: The Knight
The interrogation doesn't last long. Led by the Vice-Captain, several veteran rcenaries dragged the innkeeper Darmitz into a back room, and after so screaming, they erged, wiping blood from their hands.
"So you're saying he embezzled the money because of a territorial war?"
"Yes. It seems Baron Kendal and Count Radakia are preparing for a territorial war. However, since Count Radakia's territory isn't ready for war, they've been recently collecting money from the residents. That bastard apparently needed money for the sa reason."
"Hmm, I understand, but... It's not enough reason to embezzle 30 gold coins. That's not a small amount."
"It seems he wanted to secure a position."
"Then what about the warning text Calix ntioned?"
"He says there were many difficult words that he couldn't read properly in the first place."
While the Captain and Vice-Captain are conversing, the rcenaries' gazes are actually directed toward Calix. Various eyes contain a mixture of suspicion, curiosity, and jealousy about his origins. The person in question, however, is currently suffering under the care of healer Ella.
"You've truly done an admirable thing. I should have stepped forward earlier... As a priestess, I can't deeply involve myself in the rcenary company's affairs, so a big problem nearly occurred."
"It was sothing that had to be done."
"You're modest. Oh, the Kriya Order also distributes scriptures translated into Niboria. I think it would be good for you to consider having faith."
"That's..."
She has such a gentle and benevolent appearance that Calix struggles to decline her recomndation to read the Kriya scriptures. Perhaps it's because he thinks of the Elvra Holy Empire that borders the Niboria Empire. Or maybe it's because he read storybooks about fanatics when he was young.
In any case, having truly contributed to the mission, Calix is soon called before the captain.
"Calix, thanks to you, we received great help."
"You flatter ."
"Hehe."
"...?"
In a corner of the inn. When his counterpart lets out a hollow laugh, Calix shows a puzzled expression, and soon a brief apology follows along with an excuse.
"Sorry. I don't an any harm. It's just that the word 'flatter' sounded unusual, so I couldn't help but laugh. There were guys talking behind your back, saying you seem to imitate noble behavior, so I guess this is why."
"...I should be more careful."
"Mm, yes. It wouldn't be bad to speak a bit more roughly."
Had it been showing from before? Despite his life as a mine slave, traces of the Marquis' house seed to remain, so Calix resolves to be more careful about his conduct in the future. He's already receiving excessive attention. Standing out more than this would be worse than not doing anything.
"Anyway, is there anything you want?"
"Sothing I want..."
"If you've achieved 'results’, you should receive a reward."
"..."
"I played a prank with conviction, but your reaction is underwhelming. But it's not all a prank. Thanks to you, we were able to recover the loss of 30 gold. And the information provided by the central guild, too."
Captain Royce points out Calix's contributions one by one. Especially the information that ca down from the rcenary guild.
"The fact that the cargo loaded on the carriage is suspected to be military supplies, the fact that other ard forces might interfere because of the identity of the military supplies, and that if we peek at the carriage contents or let information leak outside, we could be exposed to the client's fatal retaliation. If we had gone in without knowing, one or two lives wouldn't have been enough, would they?"
"..."
"So I'm asking. Calix, what kind of reward should I give you?"
Calix falls into thought for a mont. There was one thing he wished for most.
'Mother.'
He's curious about whether his mother is doing well. How the tragedy that occurred in his family was concluded, whether his mother is safe, where she is, and so on. There are many things he wants to find out. If he asked, there would probably be a possibility of getting information through safe ans.
But is the rcenary captain soone he can trust? Will he keep secrets? From what he's observed so far, it is certain that he receives the full trust of the veteran rcenaries. However, voicing this feels sowhat premature, so Calix suppresses his emotions and promises to address it later.
Right now, focusing on improving his abilities was the priority.
"...I need training partners."
"Training partners?"
"Yes. I'm learning swordsmanship from Gregor, but I want to practice against other opponents with various weapons. I don't have anything to offer as paynt for sparring when I ask directly... Zahira or Basim, anyone would be fine."
"..."
"Is it perhaps too much to ask?"
At this unexpected answer, an unusual light appears in Captain Royce's eyes. Actually, he had expected a material request. Sothing like waiving the cost of pre-issued equipnt or directly handing over silver coins. So there's no reason not to be pleased.
"It would be difficult right away. I need to ask Zahira or Basim if it's okay. But I promise. I'll arrange sothing in the near future. If that doesn't work, I'll make ti myself."
"...Yes, thank you."
"There's nothing to thank
for. We always pay a fair price."
"Yes."
"Excluding outsiders, just among ourselves."
"..."
The last words were probably the captain's characteristic joke. Calix decided to believe so.
***
The Mountain Rabbits finished their punishnt by removing the 'rcenary Guild Certification Mark' attached to the inn, and imdiately began moving toward their destination.
The northwest is a place where desolation and abundance coexist. Along the path following the river, countless vegetation grew, but just a little away, barren land where even weeds had died appeared. As they got closer to their destination, the number of fishern on the river increased.
anwhile, Gregor is busy tapping an iron plate with his finger. The identity of the iron plate was a new shield that Calix had received as a surprise gift from the captain.
Tang-tang-
"This isn't a very well-made plate!"
"...Old man, that's a shield."
"Huh! Butt, what do you know!"
"My na is Volga, Volga! How many tis do I have to tell you?"
Whether Volga gets angry or not, Gregor gives his overall assessnt in a manner unbefitting an old man who has lost his mory.
"Cook comrade, this plate makes different sounds in different parts. This would have been the best you could get from a small village blacksmith. But being made of solid iron is definitely an advantage. It would have cost more than most swords."
"It's not a small village, but a Count's territory-"
"You little bastard! I'll spank your butt!"
"Hit ! Just hit ! I'd rather take one hit and be done with it!"
The two resu their argunt, unable to bear it any longer, and Hadiya watches this while holding her stomach and laughing.
At this, Calix... Quietly nods his head.
"It's true. Instead of just saying 'get hit', he uses the expression 'get beaten up'..."
"...?"
"Get beaten up, get beaten up, get beaten up. The feeling the word gives is definitely savage. Sothing between a bandit and a rcenary feeling. I should say 'get beaten up' from now on, too."
"...Damn, why are you like this, too?"
That's right. Changing his noble-sounding speech was one thing, but Volga was definitely fun to tease.
"But, cook comrade, the plate is banned for the ti being."
"Yes, I know. Swordsmanship cos first."
"Excellent. So I'll use this plate. I was just thinking I needed one more anyway. Having to eat twice each ti is quite troubleso."
"..."
Perhaps Calix himself might be the sa.
***
The aftermath of 'knowing how to read' continues to have an effect even after arriving at the destination.
A small fishing village by the river. Captain Royce instructed so personnel to interrogate the villagers to find traces of the trade carriage, and Calix was included in that small group.
"Kid, just trust . Why do you think they paired us two up? A pale and pretty face like yours is good for attracting human females, but it's useless for interrogation. But there's no need to be discouraged. I'll handle the males, you handle the females. Isn't this perfect partnership?"
"Yes, Basim. Please take care of ."
"I told you to drop the formalities. You're a full mber now, damn it."
"I'll gradually drop them."
"Ah, boring kid."
Calix's partner is the dwarf Basim. True to his words, with his bushy beard, large axe, and various repair tools, the village residents showed frightened expressions. That was until they began what was called 'interrogation'.
"Good. You say you saw that trade carriage leaving?"
"That's right. I saw it clearly myself."
"Then were you at the scene?"
"...Huh? Oh, yes. I told you I saw it directly."
"So I'm asking if you were at the scene when that carriage left the village! You have to be honest! I really hate lies!"
"..."
The poor villager sends a helpless look with an expression of 'what the hell is this nonsense'. Just as humans can't be good at everything, dwarves apparently aren't omnipotent either, Calix tries to remind himself. Still, he should refrain from interrupting right after the interrogation starts.
"Good, phew... Let's move on to the next question. So how many soldiers were escorting the carriage?"
"About 20 to 30."
"How many of them were n?"
"Almost all were n, right? Since they were soldiers."
"Then how many won were among them?"
"..."
He should refrain...
"You keep trailing off. This is troubleso. Then at least tell
the appearance of the commander who was leading the soldiers at the front."
"Hmm. He was about a head taller than , had a sword scar on his left cheek. Ah! His thick beard was impressive. That's about all I clearly rember."
"Mm-hmm, yes! Answer honestly like that! Then what was that commander's gender?"
"Uh... I hope... He was male?"
"Hopes he was male. So it's a woman in disguise as the commander... This isn't easy."
"...That's right, sir. It really isn't easy."
This is enough. If he left it alone, Basim's reputation in his mind would hit rock bottom, so Calix begins to calm his partner while stepping forward in earnest.
"My colleague got excited because he has a passionate personality, normally. We're just collecting information, and you don't need to feel burdened. If you cooperate with us, we'll leave imdiately without causing any harm to the village."
At this, the villager lets out a relieved breath and nods, and Calix steps closer and asks gently.
"Did the armor worn by the commander or soldiers have any particular characteristics?"
"Hmm, the armor was ordinary silver. The chest part was like fish scales, and I saw black decorations on the shoulders."
"If it was black, was there a specific pattern or design?"
"I'm not sure about that... Ah! I think I saw a snake shape on one soldier's armor."
When proper reasoning brought forth information like a waterfall, the dwarf Basim also signals by poking his side with a tuk-.
"Calix. That's exactly it. A snake coiled around a sword. It's the crest of the House of Saitz."
The direction seems to be correctly identified.
"Then were there any unusual features of the carriage? For example, designs carved on the body, wheel tracks, or the number of spokes, the type of horses pulling the carriage, etc. Anything is fine."
"Uh... Well. The carriage went northwest along the riverbank, but the cargo compartnt was covered with cloth, so I couldn't tell. The cloth was white, and it was tightly bound with rope, so it looked like there was a lot of cargo."
"...If it followed the river, there should be traces left. Did you also check the wheel tracks?"
"Yes. Co to think of it, that's strange. It looked like it was fully loaded with cargo, but the wheel tracks pressed into the mud were shallow. The horses also looked large and strong, and seed well-maintained... As you say, sir, the more I think back on it, it's definitely strange."
With this, enough pieces have been gathered. From the carriage's direction of movent and wheel tracks, to the cloth's color and design, the number and armant status of soldiers, and even the weight of the transported goods. Now, if they just go to the riverside and compare the villager's testimony with the carriage's traces-
"...Wait. Sir knight?"
"Yes. You are a knight, aren't you?"
"..."
"You are, aren't you. Aren't you?"
"..."
"No way, that can't be. You are a knight. Uh... Are you really not?"
While Calix's expression becos subtle, the dwarf Basim lets out continuous loud laughter of uh-ha-ha-ha-. He's found sothing to tease the smart guy with.
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