The bard fantasized again.

Chapter 48 Nobles and Peoples

Please allow me to tell you a brief fact—

Many years ago, when our lord was in his prime, he often stayed at his manor in Starplum Town.

He would always select some able-bodied young men from the town to serve as his temporary servants.

Some carried his quiver, some tended his horses, there were butchers who processed the game, and a hunter who drove the prey into a pre-arranged enclosure for him...

He would organize such a hunting event after almost every harvest festival.

Because only the people of that time were the most leisurely, allowing him to enjoy flattery and praise.

All of this continued until an accident occurred—

Deep in the Dawn Forest, a wounded werewolf stumbled into the hunting camp.

That wasn't really a very dangerous crisis.

He was accompanied by guards and experienced hunters, and the werewolf was seriously injured. In fact, all they needed to do was calm down and work together to resolve this unexpected situation.

But the wild beast charged at him, terrifying him so much that the adult lost his composure and could only flee—

In order to be the one running at the front, he punctured the Achilles tendons of several servants, leaving them behind, and then took advantage of the chaos to mount a fast horse and escape into the town.

While the guards who remained at the hunting grounds and the experienced hunter were cutting off the werewolf's head, our lord had already retreated into the silk bedding of his manor.

The hunt ended badly.

Afterwards, our lord, the moment they fled back to their village, ordered the guards executed for 'negligence in their care.' He also ordered the execution of the commoners who witnessed his plight for 'stealing game.'

Only the hunter survived.

Everyone thought he died at the hands of the werewolves, but he actually hid after being injured, using his experience to his advantage.

After Lord Mel left the town, he secretly came to my church and told me everything that had happened.

Father Lynn described the process as clearly as possible, and stopped abruptly at appropriate times.

"This is actually perfectly reasonable."

In the eyes of any nobleman, his subjects were no different from his cattle, sheep, or even his prey.

This is a societal ill, and I cannot condemn this behavior; I am merely trying to clarify one fact—

When they learned that orcs were about to raid their territory, all they could think about was how to squeeze the last drop of value out of them.

Tang Qi understood what he meant.

Don't expect nobles to empathize with their subjects.

If they didn't take their goods for free, which would leave no one to work in the fields, they wouldn't even leave their men a single copper coin.

Aside from the lack of reproductive isolation, the two are not even the same species.

But whenever they try to leave Starpine Town, they will inevitably encounter the construct on Merad's shoulder.

But once Merard finds out, the town is destined to be razed to the ground.

He could never lead the entire village, more than three hundred people, in a grand migration into the depths of the forest—

It was already merciful of him not to let anyone stop the town and instead escape into the forest alone, so as not to be implicated by such a large and conspicuous group.

"So I will stay by their side as much as possible, and give them a moment of hope when they are at a loss—even if it can't change anything."

The priest waved his hand at Catherine and advised her,
"But this is my duty, not yours."

Child, beg him for mercy, and perhaps you can leave this town with him.

You have inherited your mother's intelligence; you should know the importance of not trying to plead with nobles.

Never, ever make demands of the nobles, and certainly never say anything like 'flee the whole town.'"

Seeing that the priest had made up his mind, Catherine could no longer say anything.
“I know, Father Lynn.”

She knew perfectly well that it was already a great act of tolerance for nobles to allow commoners to accompany them.

The consequence of pushing your luck will be losing everything.

Spreading unnecessary kindness will only add to your own burdens.

She is kind-hearted and doesn't mind doing good deeds in her daily life.

But she wasn't kind enough. When faced with a difficult choice, all she could do was avoid harming others.

"More than goodwill, I care about the safety of the people around me."

I will wake Ambition up and take her with me.

If she also cannot be accepted by Melard, I will choose to stay with her.

"We'll think of another way then..."

“Cut off his goatee!”
"I just can't stand all your human red tape."

The gravel had actually been eavesdropping on their conversation the whole time—

Since Xingmei's theft was exposed early yesterday morning, Black Serpent has chosen to take the blame alone, allowing the dwarf warrior to escape through the manor's window.

After the caravan had hurriedly left, he eventually hid in Catherine's tavern.

Only in this way can we effectively protect this girl.

However, after digging this grave for his friend and placing that simple tombstone on it, he preferred to gaze at it in silence.

It was as if by doing so, one could have another drink with his spirit.

Now, the worries and plans of everyone were tormenting his ears, making him unable to help but shout:

"They're just orcs, right? I'll hang a smashed orc head on my waist and scare them to death!"

Tang Qi added at the opportune moment:
"Judging by their appearance, their tribe has more people than the people of Xingmei Town."

"But no problem, with you drawing their hatred, we should be able to escape before they drown you in their spittle."

"so much?"

Gravel raised an eyebrow, slapped his thigh, and
"Perhaps applying for a job as a guard for that little white pig and escaping together would be a good option."

As strong and robust mountain dwarves, they are tenacious.

It can always adapt to various situations and occasions.

So he patted Tang Qi's bottom and urged him on:
"Then we'd better run away as soon as possible. I'll apply for the position of guard, the poet will apply for the position of messenger, and Catherine will apply for the position of bride. We'll all be considered one of that little white pig's own people!"

But when he nudged Tang Qi, he found the poet looking thoughtful.

He couldn't help but raise an eyebrow:
"how?"

"I will try to get everyone out of here."

"Damn it, remember who you are, you're a poet! How can a poet be kinder than a priest in the Holy City?"

The stone fragments couldn't help but glare and bristle.

No matter how strong he was, he knew it was simply impossible.

Are there rare instances of adventurers being treated coldly by nobles?
"Besides, not everyone in this town is a good person. Even if you do good deeds, there may not be anyone who appreciates your kindness!"

"No one can persuade the nobles, so—"

Catherine hadn't expected this outsider, who had only been in the town for a full three days.

Did he really intend to lead the entire population of Xingmei Town in an escape?

His kindness seemed somewhat...

Naive.

Tang Qi shook his head.

It's hard to say how much goodwill—a desire to 'save the world'—was behind this decision.

The universal values ​​of the past did indeed evoke some pity in him.

But this is more of a utilitarian consideration—

If he succeeds in leading three hundred civilians to escape.

When everything was written in that logbook...

What kind of reward can I get?
(End of this chapter)