Chapter 67: The old days continue (1)
7q3smuwA city surrounded by walls. Sturma.DXy
FMWnklThe owner of the territory, Peter Bayezid, stroked his chin as he looked at the beautiful armor in front of him.muAQykY
57SXdn“According to Joseph’s report, Lord Ramund has already arrived in Soara. They say he seems to be interested in the squire there.”MRRwgD
v4dVYt“Good.”28i5B
hvmkdQdPeter thought, thinking about the moment when Knight Ramund returned to Sturma for the first time.OnE
Z1KIrRamund, the former head of the family, was a difficult person to deal with, as much as he was himself.SrbFr
VmbaOThe fact that he returned after seeing the state of the vassals here made Peter feel a bitter taste.Om0q1w
TE8t“Should I say that at least I have compensated…? Or should I lament that this is all I can do?”kSF
RYvvRagmus remained silent as he watched Peter’s eyes grow sharper and sharper.7oV4esp
PKPuOriginally, Bayezid was a family that had a special ability to raise not only knights but also worthy squires.Yimu11H
g8SRamund, who returned with a sigh, had risen from squire to knight back then, so seeing the level of the squires now must have felt like the old self of Bayezid had collapsed.4wf
7SNzThe Bayezid he had seen wouldn’t have been like this.kne0
QUgasF6“Times have changed, haven’t they?”e0Ok
K7yIA2E“Although times have changed, there are some things that shouldn’t change.”8jz
Pv7qUgwIt could have passed for a simple complaint from an old man, but Ramund’s harsh advice clearly affected Peter too.nyni2P
hnxxOf“It seems I have neglected the perspectives in the north too much.”SZwqY
SgPEpMeanwhile, the quality of the knights was improving due to increased external recruitment, but the quality of the vassals was actually decreasing.FfTzwO
7iSF2IThis also meant that the color of Bayezid was fading, so it was definitely something Peter had to worry about.2Tcv
GAKP“…”XRASXb
PFHSAn armor shining in the sunlight.KUv
cvYxxPeter’s gaze, which was reflecting, automatically turned to that place.xyRc
Lr1It was armor sent from San Rogino, a diocese in the north.r9S
ul8vKThe brief letter that came with the armor included the circumstances for sending the armor and the name of a known boy.C08o
0H0“It seems you’re impressed.”GA0f
FVo8wy“It even received external recognition like San Rogino. Nothing offers more reliability than cross-verification.”Fc8Vc
XAxbgPeter listened to Ragmus and nodded.ETJVamO
uyXIEven the selection of the Holy Knights of San Rogino and Lord Ramund, a knight from the old times.YtfLpGL
vuzFgYp“I guess we should send him to Soara.”TI0w
mhtMYrF“That’s right.”jJOz
849aNtFortunately, Bayezid’s ancient traditions still held.c2qqt1I
IQHYHTSeeing this, Peter felt very relieved, although he didn’t show it.5lp
XFYfThe strong walls of Sturma were built following these traditions.mR3m
0hs8Rb***nzVSz
spe0Y“Stop…”pXZfvL
P2Q2f3Vlad opened his eyes on the bed with a groan.kLk9UXP
m3ZGfFVlad’s eyebrows furrowed as he felt the lingering headache.9iZVs
X0EIdLs“How did I end up here?”IrXN
flGFgJudging by the damp towel covering his forehead, it seemed like someone had been taking care of him while he was unconscious.3fnCEiA
OT3pl“I had a fight with an old man I didn’t like…”zIp0TX0
YQyNVlad frowned and sat up on the bed, pondering yesterday’s events.RkhBCw
f6OThe memories were intermittent, as if he were drunk, but there were still strong recollections coming to Vlad’s mind.ETLtw
NrGRRBright forehead.MxcER3J
ygwIt was a bright forehead with ruthless power.wFgM
Ro6“That’s it.”rs9f
g7iXp3TThey say the world is vast and filled with many strange things, but when I actually experienced it, I almost laughed.8TFg
7zW5zThe old man’s forehead, strengthened by Aura, was so hard it would have been better to hit a wall.UAQhrO6
CsZcx5“Can it be used like that?”mH6msSy
5ZxuO[Because a person’s talent is revealed in various ways.]QKX
6zL4Judging by the fact that the voice didn’t say it had seen it through to the end, it seemed like it had never seen such a thing before.RNO
slFOr maybe it was in its memory but forgotten.tJc
L0ab“Well, since I’ve done so much, I guess I’m still being treated well.”L5oeu
PdA8R[Yes. He’s definitely someone you can learn from.]XSBr
jWpPVlad quietly approached at the voice’s words.CBAw3bQ
WEJU7He was an old man whose name and identity were not easily revealed, but Vlad could guess through his intuition.QgP
gjQA retired knight of Bayezid.c3jtMYp
IWP9sYes, now he’s retired and wandering here and there.dNdWr
Ioy4JIt seemed like he was performing some sort of ritual that only a knight could perform, but to Vlad, who was still just a squire, it was difficult to guess exactly what he was doing.nBXzo
4bsAR“Why are you mumbling to yourself like that?”mt65t
zaKZu6“Please knock before entering.”c2Tn
LzRtcMAs soon as Vlad came to his senses and got up from the bed, someone entered and opened the door abruptly.2VKgWp
yLovHBdIt was a short person who couldn’t even be seen in the face because he was wearing a bunch of clothes.aVSFWmB
rQulRIf“You should have a hand to touch before you hit.”V7p
e8hKLEcZemina seemed annoyed and threw the pile of clothes he was carrying onto the bed.kiUgT
R85OzYWThese were all the clothes Vlad used to wear.MBMo
6nE“If you leave me alone, I’ll take care of it, but it’s okay.”obFVP
jqcYRAx“Customer. All these are services provided by our inn.”T76iL
C7mTZemina looked at Vlad with a cruel smile that tried to seem friendly.bGpqPek
SygrYZemina’s teeth, which looked sharp today, seemed sinister to the boy for no apparent reason.2H3
tvRa“Because you’re a precious guest staying on the expensive fourth floor. This is something we have to do.”Emq
92n“…”YbP
R2CmJVlad knew that what Zemina was saying was not just a joke.s0c
bH7XFbeRose’s smile, which was no different from Marcella’s alter ego, was transforming into an inn rather than a warehouse according to her will.qSfPri
vEBGrxMarcella was doing her best to survive at a crossroads in her life that came about due to Jorge’s absence.hIXLN
uHOwm“I don’t have that much money yet.”JLGh
olx“They say you’re free. Just being here helps.”JIo5b
8Ls8WLkMarcella gives the boy a comfortable place to rest, and the boy lends Marcella the value of his name.WcNnTT
E9HC“Can I have one?”BDW
MyNlml“That’s for Marcella to decide.”J9cY0VZ
diJZ5lfVlad, who had been watching the struggle between organizations for a long time, was worried that only he could repress them, but from Marcella’s perspective, it seemed quite plausible.wJcG7ND
k8Akl9Since he’s a talented person admired by the mayor of Soara and the second son of the Bayezid family, he may not be known anywhere else, but at least within this city, he’ll be a worthy name.jsbB6RD
dyMlNj9“Come to the restaurant. I heard Marcella prepared lunch.”y2DpR
Pi6vBqaZemina, who was busy leaving the room, returned with a regretful expression and reached out to Vlad.qZjpv9f
2vbb“I forgot this. Take it, sir.”fGtcd
jw7lM“I’m still not a knight. You don’t need to do this for me.”bHj5vZg
8eUX7Vlad was about to say something to Zemina, but he kept his mouth shut when he saw the handkerchief she handed him.tcaK1qv
NEHOCRIt was a handkerchief made of luxurious silk with someone’s name engraved in golden embroidery.WaC84
MsbH“It seems clear that you’re Lady Alicia’s knight.”Pw4iI0
Udn1“This… It was something I couldn’t avoid…”lRtZ09A
1r1uCgnVlad wanted to explain in detail if possible, but he kept his mouth shut when he saw Zemina with a forced smile on her face.cfhr
VA8tbeTThere is a time for everything, and now was not the time to resolve misunderstandings.o28lrL
iFl9Cn“It was gratifying to have the opportunity to wield the sword while cutting even the hair. You’ve had great success.”lu4
PGRTPA“I appreciate it…”PdV39
cSyXJBang!thJ
a46YBefore he could finish speaking, Vlad raised both hands and shrugged as he saw Jemina leave and close the door.BqgM8
QW0NbV“It was happening. Always.”IL3ws
g34h0Vlad looked towards the door through which the girl had left and scratched his neck.OT2
9WPShe wouldn’t know that Lady Alicia was the Baroness of Deirmar, nor would she understand that the handkerchief she handed him was delivered through intricate political calculations.glYbt
TlqEven if she knew, her reaction probably wouldn’t have been any different from what it was now.xNFtcb4
BKXJ“She even ironed the clothes.”gLaoGN
iIpGu3YOn a cold winter day, Vlad remembered the sacrifice Zemina had shown him as he looked at the clothes on the bed.eYsdTl
q5hXo2QThe feeling of the red-haired girl’s hands on the clothes given to him by the lady was comforting.9SkA
XCo7awD“…”qZ9lqz
U9jxVlad took off the clothes Zemina had given him, having not been outside for a long time.VqF
S2pP9QAlthough the feeling of the fabric was different, the warmth that the girl radiated hadn’t changed since before.GBZM
wpJ1PIt was good to be back.wD46
rv5Vlad thought so as he stretched his neck.uwk8F
1PQ***dyPJqtz
FYH“I said I’m sorry.”qYfr6NI
GanIBO“…”HxrG
judOc“I’ll buy you. Something reasonable.”xKRg
9bUQ6“There are things money can’t buy…”aix
BCK3GchVlad sat at the same table where Jorge always had breakfast, taking up the spot.OAotKt
Xy8baHowever, even though he was eating Marcella’s soup, which he missed, the boy couldn’t easily calm down.8TX2aHI
7LeHThe torn leather armor he wore seemed to protest, giving the boy that impression.NOE7Zr
1htA6aA“I liked this.”rAZ
Mwyrqd“Yeah. It’s a great armor.”gEF6
2j9aThe old man, who perfectly understood the boy’s feelings, simply removed the soup in front of him.DNvAMP
UOrAs the boy had said before, the leather armor gifted by the Bayezid family only to promising seeds was an item that couldn’t be replaced with money.sDjP
g13cVThe old man also vividly recalls the excitement he felt when he received the armor when he was young.28OUCG
Vbc9v“So, come with me to the town hall later.”kEy0
maf“Why?”fRsve
m2lzHqtThe old man wanted to throw away the soup plate the boy was eating upon the boy’s blunt response, but he held back.yO7lPC
gXCUDcIt was true that he had started the fight first, and he had not been able to control his strength properly, injuring the boy and even breaking the Bayezid armor, so it could be said that he had committed a great sin.pORaTYO
QwNpTM7“Shouldn’t you prove your worth to your lord again? Do you think your disastrous evaluations after a week of probation won’t haunt you again?”MREXCLl
Z2dUpon hearing the old man’s words, Vlad, who was nervous, began to sink into his thoughts.d7dgQ1
DrdiKUndoubtedly, there would be no better way to improve his evaluation than to show results.xp6tsj
aPxRfKFurthermore, given Joseph’s determined approach in dealing with the old man, even if he followed his words, he is unlikely to praise or criticize his decision.0yUH8al
SAFlI“So, let’s work together. I’ll give you a generous raise after seeing it.”4Pl
sswBzj“What’s it about?”2uE
iGX“If you ask Jager or Bordan for something, they’ll at least give you one thing.”rgz45O8
I31“…Do you want me to cut you some bread?”iFxCx
aXXnqcThe old man was speechless as he watched the boy instinctively knowing when to step back and when to step forward.ZSke
u2J“But why did you act that way then?”2cCU65T
TMV“When?”x2Z
4tGlhY“Then, cut the bread.”rBGC
4RXBiThe old man could only click his tongue as he saw the boy open his eyes as if he didn’t understand what it was about.zubCob
UL1AY“It won’t be easy to handle him.”c4z5H8
hfsgThinking about the boy’s mischief, the old man felt sorry for Joseph, who would have to deal with him.xzfA5
thL8q“Anyway, you’ll have to compensate for the value of the armor you broke.”CC5
LTUwm5J“…”Gg7HE
ODn9However, since he was the one who had that clever boy in his hands right now, the old man had to pay for it.UEeW
B9UlTr***yDWO6g
RwNrdDue to the probation order, Vlad couldn’t enter the town hall, so he found an establishment outside and settled in.HBbYj
9f1“Are you feeling okay?”2J4
MPVUdz3“I feel better after resting for a bit.”x5EEn5
H2ZUHh“I was very worried until I got here.”PlOl
uIOBThere, Goethe, who was now in charge of Soara’s stable, welcomed Vlad.V9izeD
bG6“Is it worth it?”KRz
5ZK2n“What’s wrong? They pay me a lot of money, plenty of food, and a good place to sleep. Plus, there will be a special allowance this time.”Z3Wd
kQtY72“…How much do you get?”eFkY
o3oqIn response to Vlad’s question, Goth wagged his finger and said:8pXFy
Ef3“No matter how close we are, I don’t ask about things like that.”VZO
ug3ibZ3“Sneaky.”K3rBeI
IszgKWhen Goethe said they paid him a lot of money, Vlad felt jealous for no reason.ebs9X
HELVlad’s formal status was that of a squire, and the position of squire in the Bayezid family was that of assistant and apprentice to the knights.7Nb
G90V53In other words, Vlad had never received any salary other than the pocket money given to him by Joseph.99nYVR2
KLw“But the captain received a lot of this and that. Something like armor or clothes.”iVon4d
pOR“…”iec
gKS7But, as Goethe said, Vlad also had nothing to say.No4S
kEQLcXTThe tangible and intangible support that Oksana and Joseph provided to the boy was worth something that couldn’t be measured in gold coins.Tgt
9O4Just because he was Jager’s squire, it was an opportunity for some family to come to him with hundreds of gold coins.b2MOg
ZKx2“What’s been going on these days?”C48yO
x2658“It’s been a few days since I came in.”E6JX
AsjtJ4RGoethe, who was sweeping his horse as if he didn’t care about the question, confirmed that there was no one around and quickly turned his head to whisper to Vlad.meC9NXd
GnFmc“There are rumors.”I9M4
ixcG“…Rumors?”NxvA
IiGkCThe relationship between the two, like the crocodile and the crocodile bird, remained valid. Vlad’s mouth began to lift at the corners when he heard Goethe’s whisper.Gz9
IJ58“The guards on night duty saw something strange.”IXljej
rx4Gu“Say it.”6jMQn
YSAxaAlthough it was said to be an uncertain rumor, there was definitely something to say about what Goethe said.xaUIajd
GhZ“They say a black horse is constantly watching the gate from afar. But when you get closer to see what’s going on, it suddenly disappears.”GASzoI
7giTU“Horse?”BfTQGlM
5kcSAK4Vlad seemed to know why Goethe was whispering.5JO9F5
xKn6A scene I saw in a foggy village started to come to mind.eOu2
XY7vIa“I heard that back then there was a headless knight riding something like a ghost horse.”f9hn
w6zekmQ“…He did.”fNvC
6yEeBA black horse watching Soara in the darkness of the night.40DQ
DplnFEAnd even if they tried to check it, it would disappear.tmRjU0f
sgAdGoethe’s guess certainly made sense.EgM
xt8“Maybe that’s it.”I5Sx5ZC
0cRy“Be careful. You’re still on probation.”75z
aYbxAfter hearing Goethe’s words, Vlad quickly got up from his seat.N71x6
Okfz4N“I’m on probation, but I think I’ll work anyway.”m97N
jLu4QI“Eh?”Wqx
qJjsz“You too, get ready.”oUT
vZSju“If?”66VOzM7
SVdVlad put his hands on his hips and looked at the approaching old man in front of him.asycfI
dnnThe afternoon sun shone on the forehead of the old man, which was almost completely peeling off.NDQ
5W2Otn“You bastard, let’s go!”F5SO5
aN0IU3“Please call me by my name.”z78NrO
FbrpBJsAn old man smiling as he says he’s found work.ULZM5
OEeU5POn the paper, the old man held a picture of a black horse watching Soara.6gSVa
YQlV4h“It would be nice to receive more special allowances.”SvAu
7yUPw05“No…”2iitFr
xALrOKLooking mischievously at the boy, Goethe tossed the brush he was holding into the bucket.gCMu7
stWh“I couldn’t even rest much!”pgNRM2
lvg“Me neither.”MvlGD
vhuVNkGVlad broke Goethe’s sweet rest and smiled cheerfully.zRyHd
cKbmVCIf you don’t know how to ride a horse, you can ride someone who drives a horse.HK9
4mihThat was the boy’s decision.WUt
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