Chapter 4 of 100
Chapter 4
16 min read3,978 words
First chapter, a new book is like a light cup of tea, needing to be savored slowly. Many foreshadowings are contained within, and I also request all kinds of support.
City of Kubal
"Sir, you're right. Those damned merchants, relying on their wealth, don't respect you. We can take advantage of this opportunity..." Manager Yuri excitedly planned.
"Yuri, it's best not to do that, because Lady Lori is a mage, a mage, Yuri, not an ordinary person!" Lord Locke immediately interrupted upon hearing this.
"Sir, I understand my mistake." Yuri then realized, the surrounding people were indeed despicable, but this time they were facing a mage. Although Yuri wasn't very familiar with mages, no powerful noble feared mages, and the empire had strict orders that if a mage committed a crime, they must be tried by the Imperial Inspectorate, a powerful institution that wouldn't handle disputes below the rank of Count.
"Hmm, go and prepare! Mages are very picky about food. Manager Yuri, stay at home and make the preparations, while Quif will accompany me to Kubal City, where there is a branch of the Mage Guild. We can invite Lady Lori there. Also, Yuri, prepare enough gold coins. If possible, we can use this opportunity to activate the talents of our new guards." Lord Locke then instructed.
"Yes, Sir!" Manager Yuri and Quif bowed in agreement. The two saw the servant bring in the food and left the dining room on their own, as nobles did not speak during meals.
"Manager Yuri, I'm taking fewer people this time. After all, the territory is key. Besides, although we have a large amount of gold, we don't have any burdens, so we don't need servants. After I leave, Manager Yuri and Deputy Leader Rio should look out for each other and ensure the safety of the territory." After Quif left, he discussed with Manager Yuri.
"Hehe, there's nothing to worry about. The crops haven't matured yet, so bandits won't come to cause trouble. Besides, those cowardly rich people around us can afford to equip those trash guards. I think the titles bought with money are far less important than military titles. As long as the bandit leaders have some sense, they won't provoke the empire's sensitive nerves." Manager Yuri chuckled and explained.
"Indeed, military titles are highly valued by the empire. After all, the empire relies on these soldiers to protect it." Quif also nodded in agreement.
The two chatted for a while longer, then parted ways. Cook was discussing the next day's journey with his sister Lily. Lily, full of curiosity, asked, "Brother! Brother! Is Kubal City far away?"
"Hehe, not far, not far." Cook had no idea what Kubal City was like.
"Lily, don't bother your brother. Let him rest properly." Old Hill, in the dim light of the pine resin, looked at the two siblings and felt a wave of happiness. The pine resin used here was a resin from pine trees, which, when split, was yellowish-brown and very flammable, with decent brightness but emitted black smoke.
"Okay, Father, Brother, Lily will go to rest." Lily obediently said to the two and entered a dark room.
"Cook, here are 10 silver coins. Take them in case of emergencies on the road..." Old Hill fumbled in his inner pocket and took out a money bag, mostly copper coins, two gold coins, and several silver coins. He counted out ten silver coins and handed them to Cook.
"Father, no need. Keep these ten silver coins at home. Now that I'm a guard, Lord Locke provides for my food and clothing, and I can also advance part of my salary." Cook felt a bit uneasy. If his father knew he had two gold coins but traded them for a guard position, he would surely be furious.
"Sigh! Little Cook, you've grown up. As your father, I don't want to interfere too much, but the guard position you bought with two gold coins isn't worth it in my eyes. However, since you're an adult, I don't want to interfere too much. But once you become a guard, you must do your job well." Old Hill's words almost made Cook fall to the ground.
"Father!" Cook felt a pang in his heart.
"Sigh! You have your own choice, though I don't know why, I support you. Take these ten silver coins. When you go to the city, see the world. Father is old and can't move around much." Old Hill pushed the silver coins into Cook's hand and said earnestly.
"Father, I just don't want us to live in this damp wooden house forever. Others are people, and we are people too. Why should we do this?" Cook said loudly.
"Good ambition, good ambition. If Father had your ambition back then, who knows what might have happened, but let's not talk about it, let's not talk about it!" Old Hill, looking at his son, seemed to return to his younger self, tears streaming down his face.
"Father, rest assured. I will make something of myself, at least become a noble." This was Cook's greatest wish now.
The next morning, Cook bid farewell to his family and, in the thick fog, arrived at Lord Locke's castle. The surrounding residents were also there, as after the Lord left, everyone would stay in the castle except for those necessary for patrols and those who needed to go in and out, to ensure the safety of the territory.
"Yuri, after I leave, you might as well let the surrounding people know that Lady Lori is coming. This will ensure the safety of our territory." Lord Locke, mounted on his steed, gave his final instructions to Yuri.
"Yes, Sir, such information will come at a price." Yuri calculated in his mind and replied.
"Do as you see fit." Lord Locke understood Yuri's words and left after giving the instruction. The Lady of the castle waved from the window.
"Cook, you and the others must follow closely. This is also a form of training." Quif and two knights each had a steed and a packhorse, mainly for carrying weapons, armor, and other necessities. One of the knights had a noble's emblem on the tip of his spear, which was Lord Locke's identity emblem, recognizable to any noble.
"Uh!" Cook was very surprised for a moment, as he and the others had to run, and so did Quif and the two knights' respective attendants with the packhorses.
"Alright, Quif, you take the center. Naris! You go ahead, Kidd! You take the rear! Move out!" Lord Locke loudly commanded. Cook saw the two knights move ahead and behind, about a hundred meters apart, clearly in a military formation, then Lord Locke's steed moved forward with practiced steps.
"Damn, we actually have to run!" Cook grumbled inwardly, looking at the other companions, all muscular, while he was weak. There was no choice; Cook knew these guys were just too gluttonous, so they had to join the guard. Although they were running, it wasn't a sprint, as the steeds needed to maintain their combat readiness. However, seeing the knights swaying on their horses, Cook felt uncomfortable and cursed inwardly, but his steps didn't stop.
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