Chapter 71.

Seon-Hyeok felt alive looking out into the plains, where nothing obstructed his view. He couldnt help but occasionally express his admiration when he saw the sun setting beyond the open plains or the stars s.h.i.+ning brightly.

Ugh. Im sick and tired of it.

However, his admiration didnt last more than a couple of days. The plains he saw today were no different from what he saw yesterday, and he already knew that hed be greeted with the same exact scenery the following day.

Im sick of it. Im really sick of it.

Traveling in this world was boring, unenjoyable, and repet.i.tive.

It wasnt just boring. It was uncomfortable camping out on the plains, where the mornings were cold. It took a lot of work, and there was nothing about it that he liked.

Ugh. Im going to get sick at this rate.

Hansen and Jona.s.son seemed to agree, as they constantly complained. Only Jackson and Julian remained enthusiastic.

Look at the sky. Isnt it beautiful?

Stop talking nonsense, and go grab some firewood.

Jackson admired the sunset every evening as the party set up camp. It seemed that he, at least, didnt get sick and tired of the sight. And every time, Hansen and Jona.s.son would angrily grumble at him, telling him to hurry up and help set up camp.

Crackle. Crackle.

Hansen began preparing dinner once they had gathered firewood and started a bonfire. Cooking entailed putting powdered grains into a boiling pot along with a fistful of dried meat specifically intended for travel purposes.

Bleh.

The food was nothing more than sustenance. For Seon-Hyeok, a n.o.ble recently able to enjoy fairly fine dining, the meals were terribly unappetizing.

Hansen reached out when he saw the foreigner pick at his wooden bowl.

My lord, if youre not going to have it, please give it to me.

Uh. I think Ive seen this scene somewhere

Seon-Hyeok blurted out, feeling dj vu.

Hansen ate your leftovers yesterday. And the day before. And you responded the exact same way yesterday.

Seon-Hyeoks expression darkened at Julians sullen words, but Hansen and Jona.s.son laughed. However, the laughter soon died down, and all that remained in the campground were the sounds of burning firewood and Hansen wolfing down the leftover stew.

The distinction between days blurred during the repet.i.tive journey. Just as Julian said, the scene at the campsite was exactly the same as it was the previous day. Everything repeated itself during the tedious journey, and so Seon-Hyeok antic.i.p.ated what Julian would say next.

My lord

Get ready.

Seon-Hyeok had already gotten up in advance. Julian put down her bowl and picked up two sticks as she stood up.

Thank you in advance.

Seon-Hyeok accepted one of the sticks and a.s.sumed his stance. It was the basic starting position for Standard Kingdom Swordsmans.h.i.+p.

Land a hit today, Julian!

Kick his a.s.s!

After removing their military uniforms and entering a contract as Rheinperle soldiers, Hansen and Jona.s.son started calling Seon-Hyeok lord even in private settings. However, their crude manner of speaking didnt change, and this especially came out during the evenings entertainment.

Such foul language in front of a child.

Seon-Hyeok clicked his tongue and shook his head before turning his gaze to Julian. Holding the stick with both hands like a sword, Julian waited for him to announce the start of their duel.

Come.

As soon as he spoke, Julian approached and forcefully slashed down with her stick. It was an impeccable strike towards the head, and Seon-Hyeok lifted his stick horizontally to defend.

Thwack.

At the moment of impact, he used his wrist to try a horizontal cut. The young squire swiftly pulled back like a squirrel before rus.h.i.+ng in again with a stab.

Keok.

However, Julians attack was nullified before she could even try to hit him. Seon-Hyeok had kicked her in the stomach.

Boo. Kicking is unfair.

Is there anything you wont do against a child?

The men booed, but Seon-Hyeok and Julian didnt pay attention.

You know that there are no rules in battle, right?

Yes, I understand.

After rubbing her stomach with a grimace, Julian rushed towards him. She was kicked, hit, and repeatedly ended up rolling on the ground, but each time, she jumped back up and attacked once more.

Wow. Our lord can be really cruel. Isnt he being too harsh to a kid?

Seon-Hyeok smiled bitterly at Jona.s.sons comment. This was how he himself had learned, so he had no choice but to use this ignorant method to train his squire. He felt sorry for Julian, as she had become a squire to someone who wasnt even practiced with the sword.

This training is more than enough. Thank you very much.

However, Julian looked livelier than ever. Since her goal was to become a knight, she was thrilled to gain experience by any means necessary.

Then Id like to ask you for a fight as well.

Once his training battle with Julian had concluded, Jackson took her place.

Jackson Hamilton. He may be a b.a.s.t.a.r.d, but he was raised like a n.o.ble because his family didnt have a proper heir. If anyone in your territory is to become a knight, its most likely going to be Jackson. You might face problems down the line if he decides to claim that right of succession, but you should use him well until then.

Clark had told him about Jacksons background and how Jackson was talented enough to become a knight. He had advised him to guide the young rider well. In fact, Jacksons abilities exceeded his expectations. His talent had gone unnoticed until now because he was more skilled with a sword than a spear, and on foot than on horseback. In other words, his talents were unrelated to those of a rider.

Then Ill attack.

Julian and Jackson both used the same textbook swordsmans.h.i.+p. The only difference was that Jackson was more physically mature, and thus, his attacks were sharper and more threatening.

Keok!

Even so, he was nothing compared to Seon-Hyeok. The teacher hit Jackson in the side with his unarmed fist, and the student rolled on the ground, screaming in agony. The young man, lacking the swordsmans.h.i.+p of even an apprentice knight, was no match for the man who had defeated the Judge of House Laylark.

- Your leaders.h.i.+p has increased by 1.

As a side benefit, training battles also seemed to improve his leaders.h.i.+p, and his stat occasionally increased.

Good. Good.

Seon-Hyeok smiled in satisfaction as he concluded the nights training. With that, another day pa.s.sed on their journey to Rugenburg.

***

An unexpected event occurred during their tedious travels.

Drop your bags and horses and leave.

Well spare your lives if you do as youre told.

Seon-Hyeok celebrated as he heard the stereotypical phrases used by bandits.

Thank you! If it werent for you, I mightve gone crazy with boredom!

He was thrilled that something happened during the boring journey. However, this little incident was resolved far too quickly.

W, were sorry. Please spare our lives.

The bandits were overpowered by Hansen and Jona.s.son before Seon-Hyeok could even fight them himself.

Why! Come on! Why cant you fight more?

Seon-Hyeok was hoping for a tense situation and grew angry with disappointment.

What should we do? They must be complete idiots to jump at armed riders with those numbers. The village were planning to spend the night in is pretty large, so perhaps we can turn them in there. If were lucky, we might even get a reward.

The band of bandits begged for mercy at Jona.s.sons words, but n.o.body showed them any sympathy. They all believed that bandits were stuck in their ways.

The security here in the south isnt particularly good.

Even after their encounter with the twenty or so bandits, the party intermittently found themselves face to face with other groups of thugs.

Its strange. I heard that the southern territories are affluent as a result of the maritime trade.

It looked as though the poor had become bandits in order to make ends meet.

From what Ive heard, the merchants contributing to the wealth of these territories are quite harsh towards the common people. Its said that half of the wealthy port cities are slums, so we should be careful from here on.

Julians words proved to be true. They reached Rugenburg after nearly two weeks on the road, only to find a city where light and darkness coexisted.

People dressed in fancy clothes were followed by those wearing rags. There were no signs of life in the eyes of the peasants.

You b.a.s.t.a.r.d! You dare stand in my way?

Ack! Sir! Please show mercy! I am a worthless human with poor eyesight and couldnt see my way!

Oh? What useless eyes. Since theyre so useless, I dont think you need them.

Before Seon-Hyeok could realize what was going on, the poor old mans eyes were gouged out in the middle of the road. Surprisingly, none of the people walking around paid attention to the commotion. In fact, even the soldiers leaning against the walls turned their heads and pretended not to notice.

What the h.e.l.l

He stood there gaping at the scene. He felt nauseous at the sight of a n.o.ble incapacitating a man for no good reason.

Those arent n.o.bles. No matter how crude the southern n.o.bles may be, they arent that violent. Hes most likely one of those merchants I mentioned before.

The territorys soldiers stood and watched as a common man, not even a lord, harmed another. Seon-Hyeoks first impression of Rugenburg was that it was a violent city lacking law and order.

I think we should inform the lord here of your visit and ask for a.s.sistance.

Seon-Hyeok nodded at Julians words. He already noticed people staring maliciously towards their party.

Lets wash up and change first before we get unwanted attention.

Their clothes were dirty after having traveled for two weeks, and it was likely that misunderstandings would occur. Though people were generally unaware that he was a n.o.ble, and, in fact, though he never flaunted his position, Seon-Hyeok felt it was necessary to demonstrate his authority here.

Ill go straight to the sailors guild and find out about the sea serpent.

As Jona.s.son left and the number of people in his party decreased, people stared at them even more.

My lord. Im afraid well have to deal with some nuisances.

I know.

They had asked a pa.s.serby for directions to accommodations, but it turned out that he had bad intentions. While they pondered what to do after reaching a dead end, dozens of people appeared to block the only path.

What a mess.

This is why I was against you traveling alone.

Julian reprimanded him as he sighed, wondering how it was possible for people to openly aim bows at others within city limits.

You b.a.s.t.a.r.ds! Do you even know who he is?

Who cares? Youre all going to die anyway.

An arrow flew towards them before they could say another word.

Atiya.

Yap!

With a shout, Atiya appeared and altered the trajectory of the arrow flying towards Stella. At the same time, more than a dozen men carrying scimitars rushed towards them.

Ugh. I really just wanted to rest today.

Seon-Hyeok stopped Hansen and the others from stepping forward.

Well, guess I have to do what I have to do.

The displeasure he felt after his arrival in this lawless city was expressed in his fury.