Chapter 65

"......This is Gozling, isn't it?"

"Do you know him?"

Yuri muttered this as he looked at the head of the bandit leader he had just beheaded. Pence then asked him a question.

"About three years ago, didn't we receive a request to hunt a group of orcs in collaboration with other mercenary groups? This guy was the leader of the mercenary group we teamed up with back then."

Upon hearing this, Pence and Radley, who was nearby, also checked the leader's face in surprise.

"Was his face like this?"

"At that time, we were just low-ranking members, so we didn't get to see the leader of the mercenary group up close."

"I was already a senior member back then, so I had met him. He had a decent talent for magic, so we talked quite a bit as kindred spirits..."

In Yuri's memory, Gozling was never a bad person. He couldn't believe that someone who had once been a bandit leader would degenerate to the point of attacking a village and killing innocent people.

Yuri himself had always been careful not to cross the line when he became a bandit, but if he had strayed from the path, he might have ended up like this.

Thinking this, Yuri closed his eyes for a few seconds to mourn the death of a former comrade-in-arms.

The battle was already over, and the cleanup of the bandits' bodies had begun in front of the gates of Noein.

"You seemed pretty determined, but you were taken down pretty easily."

While using golems to transport the bandits' bodies, Noein spoke to Yuri.

"We had a lot of crossbows. From a good vantage point, firing from the top of the fence, the bandits wouldn't stand a chance... Besides, your golems were unfair."

"Haha, it was my first time using golems in a real battle, but I didn't expect it to be such a one-sided slaughter. It was almost like a massacre."

Despite killing dozens of bandits alone, Noein was smiling calmly.

"Is this your first time fighting humans? Most people cry, vomit, or wet themselves after their first battle, but you seem quite composed."

"...I had some experience with killing in Beneda. Everything is easier the second time around. Besides, these guys were a clear threat to the territory and its people, so I have no guilt or regret."

After confirming that no one else was within earshot, Noein replied.

"I see. Well, if you're okay, that's the best thing."

While having this conversation with Yuri, Noein was approached by Anna, who had already returned to Noein from the riverbank. She was busy tending to the wounded along with other women and children.

"Anna, good work. How did it go?"

"Miraculously, we had no casualties. However, more than ten people were seriously injured. A few of them were particularly bad..."

According to her, two people had lost an eye, three had lost an arm or a leg, and one had lost the use of their lower body due to nerve damage in the waist.

These people would have lifelong disabilities affecting their daily lives and work. Those who lost an arm, leg, or had nerve damage in their waist would no longer be able to farm.

"I see... It's fortunate that everyone survived, but I need to give them compensation and find them new jobs. First, we need to call a proper doctor from Letvik."

"I'll have someone prepare a messenger horse."

"Thank you... It's a bit embarrassing to see you again so easily after we said such a serious goodbye."

"What are you talking about? It's better to be able to meet again easily."

"You're right, of course."

They exchanged a wry smile, and as Anna left, Bart walked over.

"Lord Noein, the prisoners are gathered."

Following Bart's lead, Noein approached the captured bandits.

When Noein appeared before them, the prisoners glared at him with hatred.

It was understandable, as they had been restrained and their hands shot through with crossbows to further weaken their resistance.

Noein, unfazed by the glares of the rough men, said to Bart,

"Quite a few survived."

"There are 42 in total. What do you want to do with them... Surely you're not going to make them citizens, right?"

"Haha, even I'm not that merciful. These guys committed massacres and rapes and attacked our territory. We'll sell them to the slave traders."

If criminals like bandits were sold into slavery, their fate would be miserable. They would be overworked in harsh conditions and die early.

One of the prisoners, perhaps imagining this, tried to escape. He suddenly stood up, grabbed a guard, and tried to snatch a crossbow.

"Whoa!"

Bart quickly drew his sword and slashed the prisoner's shoulder. The prisoner screamed and fell, giving up his resistance.

"They were supposed to be tied up... The ropes were burned through. Magic, I guess."

One in ten people has some magical talent, and "fire magic" is the most common. Even without the skill to be called a mage, many can start a small flame.

This prisoner had apparently used "Ignition" to burn through the ropes and try to escape.

"What do we do with this one? Should we kill him?"

"Just killing him would be too easy... How about cutting the tendons in his legs and leaving him in the forest? The beasts and monsters will take care of him."

"Understood."

When Noein ordered the brutal punishment, Bart calmly cut the prisoner's legs and dragged him into the forest, where he cried, "No! I won't run anymore! Please forgive me!"

"To the other prisoners: If you try to escape, you'll end up like him. If you don't want to be eaten alive by monsters, behave yourself."

Noein left the scene, warning the other prisoners, who were pale with fear, as if he were scolding children.

...

After finishing the work outside the gate, Noein entered Noein.

Approaching him was the merchant, Philip.

"Lord Alquvist."

"Ah, Philip... I don't know how to thank you for not only bringing us the news but also helping in the battle."

"I'm a man, so I thought I should do what I could."

Philip had not only informed them of the approaching bandits but also helped with the battle preparations, such as transporting crossbow bolts.

"By the way, may I ask why you risked your life to bring us the information?"

Noein's expression remained calm, but Philip noticed the caution in his eyes.

Merchants value profit above all else. Noein knew that Philip wouldn't have risked his life just out of kindness.

"...I have a strong ambition as a merchant. I thought that if the Alquvist territory, which I almost monopolize as a traveling merchant, were to disappear, it would be a huge loss."

Philip said this with a resigned smile.

"Besides, I thought that if I brought the news, I could do Lord Alquvist a great favor. I believed that the risk of my life would be worth the profit I could gain from this action."

"Haha, it's easier to deal with someone who is honest like that... Philip, would you like to set up a shop in our territory? We can provide the building. We might even offer a loan. Eventually, you could become the official merchant of the Alquvist family. What do you think?"

"Really?"

Philip's eyes widened in surprise. He had expected to gain a great favor, but being offered a shop and the position of official merchant was unexpected.

"You risked your life for the Alquvist territory, so I trust you. I want you to live here and become the first great merchant of this land."

Noein's offer greatly appealed to Philip's ambition as a merchant.

"Lord Alquvist... I can't think of anything more gratifying as a merchant. I would be honored to accept your offer."

Moved, Philip accepted the offer, and Noein smiled and said, "Thank you. I appreciate it."

After Philip left, Mai, who had been tending to the wounded nearby and had overheard the conversation, approached.

"Lord Noein, is it okay? He was selling our information to Viscount Konitz, wasn't he?"

"That's why I'm bringing him in to make him a part of our territory and turn him into an ally. Besides, he now knows our detailed military strength and about the crossbows... But I really do trust him after this incident."

Noein, who had been smiling with kindness a moment ago, now grinned slyly.

"...You're still the same, Lord Noein."

"Of course, as a lord, I always think about the benefit of the territory. By the way, Mai, are you okay moving around so much? Won't it affect your baby?"

"I can't sit still with everyone working so hard... I'll finish up soon and rest."

"That's good. Yuri is worried about you too."

Noein continued with small tasks—arranging for a doctor, giving instructions for the battlefield cleanup, and overseeing the prisoners—until he finally returned to the mansion and settled down as the sun set.

...

"Phew, I'm so tired."

"Good work, Lord Noein."

In the mansion's bath, Noein sighed as he sank into the tub filled with hot water. Matilda, of course, was also soaking in the tub.

"We won... We protected the people and the territory... Not everyone was unharmed, but..."

"It's wonderful that there were no casualties. That's thanks to Lord Noein's golems and the decision to develop crossbows after recognizing their usefulness."

"You're right... Can I be proud of that?"

"Of course, you should be proud."

As Noein leaned against Matilda and raised his head, Matilda looked down at him and replied.

"Thank you for protecting us today, Matilda. You were amazing. I'm alive because of you."

If Matilda hadn't used her quick reflexes to stand in front of Gozling when he was about to attack Noein, Noein would have been killed.

"It's my duty to protect Lord Noein. You are... very important to me."

"...I love you, Matilda."

"I love you too, Lord Noein."

Noein's expression was not that of a lord but of a man relaxing and being affectionate with his loved one.

Matilda's expression was not that of a loyal subordinate but of a woman trying to heal her loved one.

The night in the Alquvist territory, which had regained its peace after the battle, and the night for the two who loved each other, passed slowly.

This concludes Chapter 2. Thank you for reading! I hope you continue to enjoy the story.

The book version of "The Twisted Lord's Happy Tale" is now available at bookstores and online. The expanded and enriched content, based on the web version, would be a great joy for me as the author if you could welcome it into your hands. Thank you very much.