Lollister realized that he had found trouble for himself.
The troublesome ones were the two to three hundred mountain bandits that had been captured. Even though these mountain bandits had come to block the gates of Fonyata Town, they hadn't been able to attack the town in time, nor had they fought with the guards before they were wiped out by Laurist and the others. With their leaders killed, the only remaining bandit leader, Big Beard, had surrendered. He had turned into Lollister's loyal subordinate and led Josk and the others to attack his own nest.
As a result, the two to three hundred bandit captives became Lollister's personal spoils of war. This meant that before the final decision on how to deal with these bandit captives, Lollister still had to take care of their food and lodging.
The previously bitter face of the garrison captain was now full of smiles. His smile was like a chrysanthemum, and Lollister felt sick just looking at him. He circled around Lollister as if he owed him a hundred gold coins, afraid that he would not be able to take care of him properly.
Lollister was currently sitting on the sofa that the garrison captain had brought over, slowly savoring the tea that the garrison captain had brought over. Beside him, the garrison captain was still urging his subordinates to bring hot water and a towel to wash Lollister's face and dust …
If this was happening on the balcony of the hotel, Lollister would definitely feel very satisfied. However, the problem was that he was facing two to three hundred bandit captives who were either kneeling or squatting on the ground. This made him feel like he was a monkey in a circus, and the bandit captives were all watching him.
"Are you sure you can't take over these bandits?" Lollister asked again.
"Of course, my lord. These people are your captives, and also your spoils of war. We can't trespass on the private property of a noble … "the garrison captain said righteously.
Lollister waved his hand in annoyance, "Then what do you think we should do? If you're not willing to take over these bandit captives, do I still have to spend money to feed them? Do you want me to let them go? "
"My lord, letting them go is your personal matter, but I have to remind you that these are bandits. If you let them go, you'll be allowing them to harass the people. If word of this gets out, it'll affect your reputation …" The garrison captain looked as if he was thinking for Lollister's sake.
"F * ck, if I had known this would happen, I would have killed them all and saved myself the trouble we are in now …" Laurist muttered.
The captain of the garrison shivered. This young noble had such a strong murderous aura. However, he did not doubt Lollister's words at all. Who had ever seen a mere five people wipe out four to five hundred mountain bandits? Furthermore, the Gold-tier mountain bandit leader, the Coiling Mountain Wolf, who had caused the local liege to suffer a great loss twice, had lost his head in just a single exchange with this young noble. The Silver-tier mountain bandit leaders were also almost completely wiped out. This was a fact that had happened in front of everyone. He had seen it clearly from the top of the city wall.
Not only him, but all of the members of the garrison were now revering this young noble as if he was a god. In just one morning, the mountain bandits that had been occupying the area for several years had been annihilated just like that. It was simply a dream.
The captain of the garrison took a step forward. "Sir, why are you in such a hurry? When the mountain bandits were blocking the entrance, I had already sent someone to inform the lord of the situation. In a day or two, the lord will definitely arrive at this town. At that time, you can hand over these mountain bandits to the lord, and the lord will reward you accordingly. The way I see it, these bandits are all gold coins. "
"I don't lack gold coins. What I'm afraid of now is trouble. Tell me, where should we lock up these mountain bandits? Why don't you lend me the garrison's barracks for a while? "
"Uh, sir, that won't do. The garrison's barracks are very small, and can't hold so many people. Moreover, the barracks are in the city. If something were to happen to so many mountain bandits in the barracks, it could easily cause a huge mess. I think the best way is to set up camp here. "The captain of the garrison explained with a bitter expression.
Setting up camp here was indeed a good idea, but this good idea would cost Laurist money. First, he had to pay a camp management fee to the local lord. Next, he had to buy tents, fences, and other supplies. The camp needed firewood and clean water, and he had to pay a resource consumption fee to the local lord. This was someone else's territory, and even a rock was the lord's personal property. If he did not pay the fee, it would be sacred and inviolable. Even though the fee was not much, he still had to go through the registration procedures. This was what Laurist hated the most.
"Damn … …" Laurist stood up and threw a pouch of money to the captain of the garrison: "I've never heard of anyone paying for killing mountain bandits. I don't care anymore, I'm going back to rest. There are more than twenty gold coins in this pouch. I'll have to trouble you to help me buy the supplies and materials needed to set up camp. The rest can be given to the garrison brothers for their hard work. "
The captain of the garrison bowed respectfully: "Don't worry, my lord. I will definitely do it properly … …"
"Redi … …" Laurist shouted: "I'll leave this place to the rest of you. Be careful. Also, get those people to clean up the weapons on the ground. Keep the heads of the mountain wolf and the bandit leaders well. We need to exchange them for the bounty … … "
"Yes, my lord." Redi answered without hesitation.
"Damn it, I can't possibly make a loss by killing a few mountain bandits … …" Laurist muttered to himself.
… …
Laurist returned to the Red Wine and Tired Bird Inn and ordered a sumptuous meal. He also ordered a bottle of the famous local red wine. Even though the battle in the morning ended quickly, it was exhausting, especially when he had to take care of his mount. It made him feel very tired. After eating and drinking to his heart's content, Laurist crawled into bed and slept until the sky was dark.
The next morning, Laurist woke up feeling refreshed. The fatigue from the seven days of continuous travel and yesterday's battle was all gone. He ordered breakfast to be sent to his room. Halfway through eating, he suddenly remembered what Sadkamp said last night. He seemed to have told him to do as he saw fit and went back to sleep.
So Laurist went to Padt and Sadkamp's room to check, but they were not there. He then went to Redi and Joske's room. Redi was not there either, but Joske was sleeping soundly.
Laurist knew that Joske was in the same state as him yesterday, exhausted. Now that he had a good night's sleep, he did not want to disturb him. He went out and closed the door. After thinking for a while, he decided to go outside the city to see how the bandits were doing.
As soon as he left the city gates, Laurist saw the bearded Big Auvecis leading a hundred men. They were dressed in bright armor and were training in formation and sprinting … …
Huh? What's going on?
Laurist looked around and saw a dozen guards standing at the side, watching the show … …
Big Ovikis discovered Laurist's arrival and hurriedly issued an order for the hundred-man squad to stand at attention. He then ran to Laurist and saluted, "My Lord, the guards are currently training. Please give your instructions!"
When did they form a team of guards? Why didn't I know about it? Laurist did not get down from his horse. He pointed at the hundred men who were looking at him curiously and asked, "Where did you find them?"
Big Auvecis puffed up his chest and answered loudly, "My lord, I originally had thirty-eight subordinates here. We had a good harvest from the stronghold yesterday, and Master Sadekamp found another thirty men to help. When we came back, Master Padt said that we should form a small team. My lord is traveling light, and it would be inappropriate for him to not bring any guards with him. So he picked thirty more from the captives and formed a team of one hundred and twenty, and appointed me as the team leader. Master Sadekamp already reported to my lord last night. "
"Hmm … …" Laurist nodded. He did not know what Sadekamp told him last night. He pointed at Big Auvecis' equipment with his whip and asked, "Are they reliable? Also, mail armor on the inside and chain armor on the outside. You're a Silver-tier, but can those people take it? "
"It's fine, my lord. I know these people very well. They only became bandits because they had no other choice, and they did not do anything bad. Especially since they saw my lord's might yesterday. Being able to work for him and leave their position as bandits was something they could not ask for more. This subordinate guarantees that they will be loyal and devoted. They will not betray us. As for their equipment, Master Sadekamp gave them. They have all awakened combat aura, so these two sets of armor should not be a problem for them. Master Padt said that strong defense is the best way to protect you, my lord. "
"Damn, just protect yourselves. Do I need your protection?" Laurist snorted in annoyance.
"Where's Sadekamp?" Laurist asked.
"My lord, Master Sadekamp and Redi went to the city to buy things this morning. Master Padt is in the barracks," Big Auvecis replied, standing straight.
Laurist finally realized that the barracks in front of him was divided into two parts, one big and one small. The big one was guarded by the guards, so it seemed to be where the bandits were kept. The small one must be the barracks Big Auvecis mentioned.
"Alright, since you're willing to be my subordinate, you're one of us. Don't be so polite. But why are there women and children in the barracks? "Laurist asked.
"Well, my lord, the women and children in the barracks are the relatives of my brothers and the guards. The women and children in the big barracks are the families of the bandits. Master Jock is very kind, and he brought them back from the barracks last night and let them reunite with their families. Some of them are the relatives of the bandits and the wives of the Mountain Wolf that you killed yesterday. There are a few beautiful women among them. If you're interested, I'll bring them out to serve you … "Big Auvikis said with a serious expression.
Laurist gave him a slap with his whip, "Mind your own business. I don't need you to be my pimp."
"Yes, my lord!"
… …
Laurist rode into the barracks and saw Padt respectfully sending an old man out of the tent.
Padt quickly introduced Laurist to the old man, "Master Sid, this is Mister Locke …"
However, the old man did not pay any attention to him. He lifted his head and floated past Lollister without looking back.
Laurist got off his horse and watched the old man leave. He turned back to Padt and asked, "Who's that old man? He's so rude."
Padt shrugged, "Can't help it. He's a master. He was kidnapped by us yesterday, so he's naturally rude because he's angry."
"What kind of master is he? Why did you kidnap him? "Laurist was curious. Did Padt and the others become bandits to satisfy their addiction?
"My lord, this old man is a treasure. He's a master armorsmith. You might not know this, but the hundred or so sets of chainmail and two hundred or so sets of chainmail we took from the bandits were all made by this old man in the past three years. He's also an expert in prospecting and finding ores. We found an iron mine near the stronghold. According to Big Beard Overkiss, it was this old man who found it. The iron mined was used by the old man to make armor and weapons. "
"So you kidnapped him and brought him here?"
"Uh, well, Sadkamp said that the family territory needs this Master Sid, so we invited his entire family here," Padt said, a little embarrassed.
"Forget it, let him come. It's a waste to leave him here. He works for the bandits anyway, so he's our spoils of war. We have to deal with him. What did Sadkamp and Reddy go to buy? "
"My lord, it's like this. We obtained a lot of resources from the village and want to transport them back. You saw the other one as well. We've added a small group of guards, their relatives, and Master Sid's family. We need a lot of long-distance carriages and mounts. Sadkamp went to town for this, "Padt said.
Well, another caravan was created.
Laurist looked at Padt helplessly, "Padt, we need to get back to the family territory as soon as possible. Isn't this a little inappropriate? The caravan can transport resources, but it will also slow down the journey."
"No, my lord, I've discussed it with Sadkamp. We've traveled two thousand miles in seven days. Even though there's still more than two thousand miles to go, we still have more than twenty days. We have plenty of time. If we travel one hundred and fifty miles a day, we'll be back in three months. We didn't bring many resources when we left the family caravan last time because we were in a hurry. Now that we've wiped out this village, we can bring these resources back. They're resources that the family desperately needs! "Padt pleaded.
"Didn't we bring gold coins?" Laurist said.
Padt smiled bitterly, "My lord, you'll know once we get back to the north. There's no place to buy these resources even if you have gold coins. Even if there are, the price is at least double the price here. You'll still have to thank them if they're two or three times more expensive, because you can still buy them … "
"Forget it. Do whatever you want." Laurist smiled bitterly as well. From Padt's words, he could tell how remote and barren the family territory was, and how scarce resources were. He wondered if everyone would be disappointed when the family caravan led by Fatty Shi arrived in the north …
Loriste decided not to bother with the mess, leaving it to Pat and Thurcamp, who were happy about it anyhow. The bottle of red wine he had ordered at the Red Wine and Tired Bird Inn yesterday tasted pretty good, and it was delicious when paired with the tender lamb chops. It was almost noon, so he decided to go back and see if Joss was awake.
Since Josk was still asleep, Laurist had to eat lunch alone.
While he was savoring the taste of the red wine, he saw a young woman wearing a black dress, waistcoat, and a black veil coming to the table. She gave Lollister a ladylike bow and said, "Sir, may I trouble you for a moment?"
Laurist hurriedly got up and bowed, then pulled out a chair for her. "May I ask what I can do for you, my lady?"
"I'm very sorry for the intrusion. It's like this. I heard that your servant is looking for a carriage to go to the Northern Lands. I would like to ask if you could give us a ride. We want to go north too, but we can't find a suitable companion, so we're stuck here. Would you agree to this small request of mine, my lord? "The young woman's voice was husky and magnetic, and it was very pleasant to listen to.
"Oh, you're going north too? But the Northern Lands are huge. Which part of the Northern Lands do you want to go to? Are we going in the same direction? "Laurist asked.
"We're going to the Norton Family's territory, the famous Roaring Bear Family in the north. Have you heard of them, my lord? "the woman in black asked.
…
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
