Chapter 89
In this world, horses possessed great value.
Even with untad wild horses, commoners never got to touch one in their entire lives.
Even considering an entire village, there were more places that could not even raise a single foal.
Furthermore, the horse before my eyes was not a wild horse.
That was a well-managed warhorse.
There were two in total, equipped with saddles and reins.
As expected, Count Norton.
He did not disappoint my expectations.
“Sir Joshua, I don't know if it is okay to say this, but about those horses, they are the ones you are receiving as a reward, right?”
The quick-witted Gavinu spoke after seeing the horses.
Not only him.
Leo and Talleon were also drooling, completely captivated by the horses.
“Yeah.”
“As I thought!”
“We are finally getting horses too.”
The knight unit mbers gathered among themselves and whispered.
“We will talk in that house over there.”
Barosh pointed to a house located inside the village.
I nodded and scanned the rear.
The rcenaries who had been chasing us from the main gate were no longer visible.
I turned my head.
I counted the number of knights in front.
Seven people in total.
I thought it was a reasonable number to transport supplies safely.
However, for so reason, it was also an unsettling number.
I ordered [Clever] to retrace the scenario of Vilne.
“I will take the lead and guide the initial conversation. You stay nearby, and when I give the signal, co closer and act as the knight’s conversation partner.”
After hearing Barosh’s words, we took a break for a while.
“That guy sure is good-looking. Heehee.”
Leo stroked the horse’s back with a relaxed expression.
He poured out lavish praise that he did not even give to the female students in the sa group.
“Leo, you are confident in horsemanship, right?”
“No way, are you thinking of giving one to ?”
“Just answer the question.”
“I have been learning horsemanship since before I entered the Academy. I have not ridden recently, but if I just get on, I will get used to it quickly.”
“Understood.”
As I waited outside, Barosh called .
I went inside.
Several knights took off their helts and revealed their faces.
Among them, I found a noticeable individual.
It was a man nad Balderk.
Of all people, the worst man among Count Norton’s commanders had co.
He enjoyed the trust of the Countess.
[Hidden Quest - Balderk’s Pursuit]
Clear Objective: Be liberated from Balderk by any ans.
Difficulty: B-
Reward: 30 Coins
A quest appeared.
The possibility arose that this would lead to a scenario where Balderk killed .
Even though only a few days had passed since finishing the Eria Lake quest.
I was placed in a position where my life was threatened once again.
But I smiled.
This world sent various assassins to kill .
Every ti that happened, there was , trying to take the profit.
“Nice to et you, I am called Balderk.”
“I am Joshua.”
“Right, I have heard the story. That you solved the Count’s commission?”
“I was lucky.”
Balderk’s eyes went wide.
“I also have experience hunting variants. Those guys are not enemies you can face with just the word 'lucky'. Besides, you are a student. I have never heard of a student killing a variant before.”
“I don't have anything else special to tell you.”
“You are humble. If I had accomplished such a thing at your age, I would have gone around spreading the rumor to every neighborhood.”
Laughter erupted from everywhere.
I thought it was a harmonious atmosphere.
However, the conversation with Balderk was still before getting to the main point.
“There is sothing I want to ask.”
“Please speak.”
“About the variant you struck down. What did it look like?”
“If you are asking what it looked like?”
“I am asking if it was not different from ordinary zombies. For example… that it was another race instead of human.”
“It was an elf.”
Balderk continued to observe this side without changing his expression.
“I see. Did she not make any sound?”
“What kind of sound are you referring to?”
“Anything is fine. Because zombies that have beco variants sotis talk about stories from when they were alive.”
Balderk was trying to check.
Whether I knew about the affair between her and the Count.
It was probably the Countess’s order.
She wanted to hide the fact of her husband’s infidelity.
“Well, she only made groaning sounds when I t her.”
“……I see. If anything cos to mind, I want you to let know. It is an important matter.”
“I don't know what you are asking . If you are asking how I struck it down, I can tell you.”
“Ah, that is fine. What I am concerned about is not that kind of thing.”
He showed a pleasant smile.
Haha, I will never tell you.
I knew I would not see anything good by speaking.
The problem was the case where he and his knights made a guess on their own.
Balderk intended to stay in Vilne for a few days under the pretext of rest.
And while doing so, there was a possibility he would monitor this side.
“According to the report, it is written that you cooperated with the young ladies of the Rainwood and Grace families, but I don't see the two of them?”
“My companions are resting.”
“And those guys outside?”
“They are the sa.”
“I see.”
Balderk scanned the knight unit while looking out the window.
“I am sorry. The atmosphere has turned strange.”
“It is fine.”
“I brought two warhorses as written in the commission. They are among the best even among the horses managed by the family. If it were not for a world like this, they are not guys to be given to others.”
“I will use them gratefully.”
“Right, and the Count told to give this as a bonus.”
The bundle he handed over contained seed potatoes.
With this, I have obtained two types of crops including the radish seeds I already had.
It was beyond moving.
With this, the new base will take shape more quickly.
“I will use them well.”
“Right, thanks again. Leave now.”
I scanned his expression once more right before leaving.
He did not withdraw his doubt.
He had a thorough personality.
There was no way he would let it go with this kind of Q&A.
I needed to caution the female students who knew the truth.
“Those people are strange.”
Leo spoke as soon as we ca out.
His expression was serious.
Hiding the gaze that was overflowing with honey, he looked at the knights beyond the window.
“What is?”
“Our eyes t a mont ago. I felt murderous intent in his gaze.”
As expected, Leonard.
His ability to read the reactions around him was top-tier.
Even though the other boys were still completely absorbed in the horses.
As the captain, he never let his guard down.
“Are they enemies?”
“I don't know yet.”
“How about requesting protection from the Branch Manager?”
“It will be difficult. The Norton family is one of the guild’s major clients. If they have to take a side, it is that side, not us.”
Leo knit his brows as if he had a headache.
I smiled.
“Hey, I’m desperate to help sohow you know.”
“No, I’m thankful.”
“Are you serious?”
“Of course.”
“If a good sche cos to mind, I will tell you. Do wait.”
“Understood.”
* * *
“Don't let the story from the cave out of your mouths.”
I called the female students to the room and warned them.
They nodded cautiously.
“I am also a noble, but I think nobles are quite a troubleso bunch.”
Adela let out a sigh as if exhausted.
The other two also nodded as if agreeing.
“You think so too, right?”
“Yeah.”
“By the way, am I included among the nobles you think are tiring?”
“I cannot say you are not.”
Adela clicked her tongue while wearing a dissatisfied expression.
“Then would it not be better to leave the village? Before any unnecessary trouble breaks out.”
Tania offered an opinion.
“I intend to do so. Rodwell should have arrived at Saint Stalia by now. By the ti we reach, the base will be completed.”
I had obtained everything I needed to get in Vilne.
The coins obtained from completing commissions, the horses, and the seed potatoes.
This was enough to move on to the next step.
“Adela and Tania, the two of you need to help a bit.”
“How are you going to do it?”
“I have a plan. While I am gathering information, hide yourselves.”
“Understand.”
They nodded and scattered.
I also went down outside to scan the atmosphere of the village.
I heard the sound of footsteps from behind.
When I turned my head, there was no one following behind.
Oho.
It seed Balderk had his subordinates follow .
He was skilled at hiding his presence, so he must be a capable individual.
“……Hmm.”
I did not feel any murderous intent.
It seed investigation was the purpose to the end.
However, depending on the results of this investigation, they could harm .
[Cool] revealed unpleasantness.
“Rather, it is better this way.”
Last night, I completed the plan to leave the village along with [Clever].
That plan was about giving Balderk a big middle finger.
If the other side acted that way, I had nothing to feel sorry about.
I opened the coin shop.
The total coins obtained from completing the Eria Lake commission were 320.
Among them, I spent 100 to purchase the acquired trait called [Horsemanship].
[Horsemanship - Gain the ability to handle mounts.]
I had no intention of spending ti learning horsemanship.
Coins existed to be used at tis like this.
The next thing to do was information gathering.
The place where Balderk stayed.
Where did he deploy the knights?
The ti zone they were active and the ti they slept.
If information was gathered, he would regret the command he gave today.
* * *
A few days passed.
Balderk no longer attached a tail.
He would probably conclude through today's eting.
That there was 'no suspicion'.
“Ugh.”
Talleon was sitting atop a horse holding the reins.
“Why is your posture like that for a guy who is a knight apprentice?”
Leo, who was instructing the boy from below, grumbled.
“I am normal, it is just that the Captain is unusually good at riding.”
“Heh, I have been practicing ever since I was young.”
“Is now the ti to brag?”
Talleon looked at Leo with a resentful gaze.
“I know it is an unreasonable request. But I am in a position where I just have to do what I am told from above.”
Leo replied while glancing at next to him.
This bastard.
Recently, his skill at passing things off using rank as an excuse was increasing.
“There are only two horses, so what is the reason for trying to teach Talleon how to ride as well?”
“We need more people who can drive horses.”
“More than now? Since it is possible for , you, and even Adela, that is three people already.”
“That is not enough.”
Leonard looked this way with an anxious complexion.
“You, are you perhaps planning to cause trouble?”
“Trouble?”
“I am asking because I have a hunch for so reason.”
“Don't worry. There is a justification for the action I will take.”
“Justification?”
“Yeah.”
I shrugged my shoulders.
“Have you not seen the guys who were following our tails for the past few days?”
“I did.”
“And did you check who they were?”
“I stayed still because I did not know who the enemy was or the numbers.”
“They are Balderk’s subordinates.”
Leo let out a long sigh.
It was a reaction that showed he had guessed to so extent.
“Are they not crazy? If they ca to give a reward, they should just give it nicely and leave. Why the surveillance?”
“It seems they have sothing they are guilty about.”
“Is it sothing the Count initiated?”
“No, if he had ordered it, there is no way he would have co all the way here to bring horses. This is soone else’s order.”
Leo swallowed a groan and placed his hand on my shoulder.
“Should we strike first?”
I shook my head.
Even if the group’s combat power grew stronger, combat was always the last resort.
If you fought, it would not be strange no matter what happened.
Whether the opponent had poison.
Or the case where they possessed special items must also be considered.
“I have a plan.”
“Ah, is that why you told to teach Talleon how to ride?”
“Yeah.”
Leo soon accepted and shifted his gaze to Talleon.
“When are you going to execute the plan?”
“It is tomorrow.”
“……You an teach Talleon how to ride within tomorrow?”
“Did you not say you have to do what you are told from above? Make it happen sohow.”
“Damn it, no sleep for tonight huh.”
* * *
Joshua sought out Gunter before executing the plan.
“I intend to leave Vilne tonight.”
He nodded while fiddling with his beard.
“Are you not in too much of a hurry? You can stay a bit longer.”
“It is because there is an interloper.”
“Are you talking about Sir Balderk?”
“Yes.”
Gunter opened his eyes wide as if surprised.
He himself was closer to the people of the Norton family than the boy.
If he conveyed his words to Balderk, it was certain the boy would be in danger.
“If it is a request for to block that person, I cannot grant it.”
“I know. What the guild’s position is.”
“If not that, what is the reason for coming all the way to see ?”
“I intend to cause a small commotion tonight.”
“Commotion?”
“Yes, I would like you to overlook it.”
Gunter fell into thought.
He had no reason left to grant the boy’s request.
“Why should I do that? From my perspective, I think helping Balderk by sending people now is more advantageous for protecting the guild.”
“I will continue to cooperate with the guild and survive afterward. Of course, that target could be another branch, another person, instead of you, Mr. Gunter.”
“You an you are telling to make a choice?”
Gunter frowned.
Which side was advantageous for future survival?
Assuming correctly, this matter was not sothing the Count plotted.
If the mastermind was not the Count, there was nothing to fear.
“If I turn a blind eye, I want you to grant my condition as well.”
“What is it?”
“I would like to exchange contact with you occasionally through carrier pigeons.”
Joshua tilted his head.
It was a simpler and more trivial condition than he thought.
For instance, it was a conversation about getting to know each other's contact information.
“Is that all?”
“Ahem, that is it.”
“If it is that, I can do that easily.”
“T-Thanks.”
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