Chapter 24.1: ππ§π’π π‘π, πππ«ππ‘ππ§π, πππ«πππ§ππ«π², ππ₯ππ―π (π)
Chapter 24.1: ππ§π’π π‘π, πππ«ππ‘ππ§π, πππ«πππ§ππ«π², ππ₯ππ―π (π)
βThatβs. . .β
γ €
Even as the owner of the mill, he couldnβt respond affirmatively in this situation. It was too absurd even for him to consider.
γ €
The mill owner changed the topic.
γ €
βHow about we prevent knight dastard from leaving? Just kill him outright.β
γ €
Gasps emerged among the townspeople. The thought of killing a noble was shocking enough, but the idea of how to kill a knight was even more startling.
γ €
βIf things come to that, Iβll be sure to give you the honor.β
γ €
Atanka laughed scornfully. Although they were normally friendly, in this situation, there was no greater enemy.
γ €
βWhat if the knight dies here? What about the other merchants and mercenaries?β
γ €
βT-Them, they too. . .β
γ €
βWhat if we kill the merchant of the Katana Merchant Guild and the knight. . . and then someone from the knight dastard family or the Katana Merchant Guild comes to investigate?β
γ €
β. . .I believe everyone will keep the secret.β
γ €
βWhat if the knight dastard family takes a few townspeople for questioning? Will the secret still be safe then? Huh? You insane fool?β
γ €
Now the mill ownerβs face turned red. But Atanka did not stop. Now was the time to press him further.
γ €
βLook at this situation! You fools! Threats? Does that make any sense? Weβre dealing with nobility! Wake up! If we handle this wrong, weβll all die together!β
γ €
Silence and fear spread. Atankaβs attitude made the townspeople realize the gravity of the situation.
γ €
βWhat we need to think about now is not how to intimidate them with our local militia, but how to appease them. Those who want to try force, go ahead! I wonβt take responsibility. Hey! You. You said earlier we should teach them a lesson? Iβll call the local militia for you. Will you try?β
γ €
βN-No. It was just a thought. Why this reaction, Atanka.β
γ €
βYou! You dared the mercenaries. Will you try?β
γ €
βVillage chief, it was just a thought! Why are you doing this?!β
γ €
The townspeople all backed down. One of them, who had been quiet, raised a hand and asked cautiously.
γ €
βSo what will you do?β
γ €
βFirst, we need to hear what the knight wants. Thatβs how weβll start the conversation.β
γ €
βWhat does the knight want?β
γ €
βMoney, probably.β
γ €
βMoney? Thereβs hardly any in the town.β
γ €
βThink about it, Pra and Burren were already caught. Canβt we settle it with that? Since those two caused the trouble, let them pay for it.β
γ €
βI knew those guys were trouble from the start.β
γ €
The townspeople, who had many grievances, ruthlessly criticized the three young men. Their families were distraught but remained silent.
γ €
βThe mercenaries didnβt do much good either. One of them was enticed to flee.β
γ €
βRight. If we negotiate well, maybe they wonβt have anything to say? Punishing Pra and Burren might settle things for both sides. . .β
γ €
Atanka burst into hollow laughter, then spoke.
γ €
βFrom now on,β
γ €
β. . .?β
γ €
βAnyone who talks nonsense will be brought to negotiate with the knight and forced to repeat exactly what they said.β
γ €
β. . . . . .β
γ €
β. . . . . .β
γ €
βThink carefully and speak out, your excellency~. Itβs me who would negotiate with the knight, not you assholes! Stop spouting such nonsense! What? Settle it with the lives of those already captured? Itβs also our fault because a mercenary was involved? Try saying that yourself!β
γ €
βI-Iβm sorry, village chief!β
γ €
When Atanka glared fiercely, the young man who spoke quickly shut his mouth. Although he was a powerful youth in the local militia, he was no match in front of the village chief.
γ €
βWeβll hand over Pra and Burren. Any objections?β
γ €
β. . . . . .β
γ €
βI agree.β
γ €
βI agree too.β
γ €
βYeah. These two were always useless in farming and always causing trouble. Maybe itβs better for them to die now.β
γ €
The village chief maliciously belittled the two, as it would make it easier to hand them over. It would have been troublesome if later it was said that the βπ·πͺπππ’π¨π¦ π€π©πͺπ¦π§ π₯πͺπ₯π―βπ΅ π±π³π°π΅π¦π€π΅ π΅π©π¦ π΅π°πΈπ―βπ΄ π±π¦π°π±ππ¦.β It was better to create a consensus.
γ €
It was fortunate that the two were always worthless.
γ €
βIβm not sure how much silver to offer. . . If itβs a horse good enough for a knight to ride, any amount wouldnβt be strange.β
γ €
βVillage chief, letβs hand these guys over too.β
γ €
β!β
γ €
β!!!β
γ €
Pra and Burrenβs families stiffened. Burrenβs father, the owner of the mill, shouted angrily.
γ €
βWhat are you talking about!β
γ €
Ton, a town hunter and also a member of the local militia, continued speaking, indifferent. He had a grudge against the miller who had always cheated him out of his wheat.
γ €
βSir Knight wonβt just cut off those two. Obviously, heβll hold someone responsible. If we offer them first, itβll look better. We just need to tie them up and say it was their fault. Thereβs no need to use the money of innocent town people.β
γ €
Tonβs suggestion tempted the others. Handing over Pra and Burrenβs families could be justified as compensation with their properties.
γ €
Most of their properties were in kind. The knight couldnβt take everything, and it was not prestigious, so the remaining goods could be divided among the town people. Plus, if a place like the mill became vacant. . .
γ €
β. . .It canβt be done.β
γ €
β!!!β