Chapter 4 : Chapter 4
Chapter 4: The Golden Traveler Tavern and the Mercenary Squad
Knight Kline sat upright atop a fine white horse, his posture straight as his gaze swept indifferently across the townsfolk who had come to welcome him.
A faint trace of pride surfaced on his face, only to be quickly concealed again. After all, a knight was supposed to maintain proper composure.
For commoners, knighthood was one of the very few chances to break through the barriers of class.
Most knights usually chose to join a mercenary squad or enter the service of a certain lord.
That depended on their personal choice. Of course, some also chose to join the kingdom’s army, earning military merit in hopes of one day being granted noble rank and receiving lands of their own.
Only a very small number of exceptionally gifted knights, if they awakened a holy attribute, would have the chance to become a Holy Knight.
That was the highest honor among all knights.
And at this moment, Knight Kline was merely a newly certified first-tier knight.
Yet even so, in a little town like this, he was receiving reverence unlike anything he had ever known.
“You’re being far too high-profile, Knight Kline. Do not forget our purpose. This is not a family visit.”
The black-robed mage behind him spoke, his voice hoarse and tinged with something cold and sinister.
Knight Kline felt somewhat displeased. This mage served under the lord of Gerson City. He was already in his forties or fifties and still only first-tier. Although the mage class possessed terrifying power, this particular mage would probably never advance to second-tier in his lifetime.
Kline, on the other hand, was still young.
He had limitless hope and possibility ahead of him.
Though that was what he thought inwardly, Knight Kline still nodded and kept a polite smile on his face.
“Do not worry, Mage Orr. I remember the task assigned by Lord Viscount.”
“Of course, it was quite a long journey from Gerson City to this place. We can rest a little at my aunt’s house.”
As he spoke, Knight Kline turned to the three warriors and said with a smile,
“I have heard that the golden wheat ale here is quite good. Perhaps we can have a few drinks.”
“Of course. Everything will follow Knight Kline’s arrangements.” The three warriors shrugged and smiled, showing no objection.
Though outwardly they appeared to be a mercenary squad, they were in truth men directly under the lord of Gerson City.
Normally, a Viscount like the lord of Gerson City was limited in how many private soldiers he could maintain.
But once that limit was reached, some lords would secretly cultivate even more forces.
This was something practically every lord was doing, and the kingdom generally took a tacitly approving stance.
Amid their casual conversation, the group arrived at Mrs. Heath’s residence.
Mrs. Heath had already been waiting at the entrance. Surrounded by the gazes of the gathered townsfolk, the sense of superiority and pride in her heart had reached its peak, reminding her of the life she had once known.
With her servants crowding around her, she hurried over to the group.
Even if this was only her distant nephew, and even if this was only an aunt he had never once met, the two of them nevertheless seemed extraordinarily close from the moment they met, chatting and laughing as they entered the residence together.
The servants, looking proud of themselves, led away the fine horse and followed them inside.
The lively crowd outside was shut out at the door.
Not even the mayor had the status required to attend the evening banquet.
...
“Damn knights. I hate them...”
“No one’s even coming to my tavern for a drink. They’re all out watching the excitement!”
At that moment, inside the cold and empty tavern, Martie sat at the bar counter shouting listlessly.
Then she looked at Jiang Lin, who was wiping down the tables in the hall, a trace of confusion appearing on her face.
“Why didn’t you go out and join the fun?”
Jiang Lin said nothing. With an indifferent expression, he wrung out the rag and looked up at her.
“Then again, it would be stranger if you had gone,” Martie said after a moment’s thought. Then her expression turned more serious.
“But you had better not show your face. If those knights see you, they might mistake you for a demi-human and arrest you on some random excuse just to claim a reward.”
“Is it really that exaggerated?” This was not the first time Jiang Lin had heard the term demi-human. It seemed that in this world, the race known as demi-humans was deeply unwelcome.
That was also one of the reasons the residents of Wheatfield Town treated Jiang Lin so poorly.
“Do all demi-humans look like me?”
“Not all of them. Most demi-humans either have long ears or tails. Some of them do look somewhat like you.’’
“They’re actually all half-breeds, the result of humans having children with other races.”
As Martie spoke, she seemed to realize something.
“Sorry. I did not mean to offend you.”
“There is no need to apologize. I am not some demi-human either.” Jiang Lin smiled, dropped the rag back into the bucket, and lifted it with one hand.
“If everyone treats them this way, then how are those demi-humans supposed to survive? Are they all just captured?”
“That depends on the kingdom. Our Tanner Kingdom, at least, is not very welcoming toward demi-humans.” Martie thought for a moment before continuing,
“Some countries are quite friendly toward demi-humans too. And by friendly, I mean buying and selling them as slaves...”
“I see.” Jiang Lin nodded with grave sincerity and smiled faintly. “Thank you for the explanation, Miss Martie. It has made me dislike this world a little more.”
He carried the bucket back into the kitchen.
Watching Jiang Lin’s reaction, Martie looked puzzled.
“I always thought you were some prince who had wandered here from a northern tribal kingdom. It seems you do not actually know that much about this world.”
“Miss Martie seems to know quite a lot herself.” Jiang Lin smiled and picked up a coarse linen robe, preparing to wrap himself up tightly in it.
“Shouldn’t there be honesty between us?” Martie shrugged, clearly hinting at something.
“Excessive honesty is overstepping, Miss Martie.” Jiang Lin carefully straightened the linen robe.
Martie gritted her teeth, about to fire back, but when she saw what Jiang Lin was doing, she froze.
“What are you doing?”
“Wasn’t it you who said I should not reveal my appearance? I do not want to cause trouble for you.”
Jiang Lin had already finished arranging the robe. Once he pulled up the hood, no one could clearly see his face, though anyone who came close would still be able to make it out.
Of course, the tavern’s dim and ancient kerosene lamps were better for atmosphere than illumination. The little light they provided was enough to make anyone sigh in disappointment.
“Maybe we should just close for the day,” Martie said, falling into serious thought.
This time it was Jiang Lin who paused in surprise. “That does not sound like something Miss Martie would say.”
Before Martie could glare at him, Jiang Lin removed the hood and smiled.
“But I should still thank you, Miss Martie.”
Inside the quiet tavern, the two of them chatted casually.
That was a rare thing. Of course, Martie did not really mind at the moment.
She only felt that this mysterious man’s personality had gradually improved, and that made her happy.
She credited it entirely to her own daily guidance and influence.
Thinking that, Martie giggled, feeling a distinct sense of accomplishment as she looked at Jiang Lin.
At that moment, the door of the Golden Traveler Tavern finally welcomed a customer.
The burly man froze for a moment as soon as he entered. Then, seeing Martie at the counter, he burst into laughter.
“Miss Martie, I thought you’d gone out to watch too. Get me a cup of golden wheat ale—hm, a large one, the kind without any water mixed in!”
As he spoke, he walked with practiced familiarity to a corner of the tavern and sat down.
“Compared to watching the excitement, I’d much rather earn a little more money.”
Martie chuckled as she replied. She turned around, poured half a cup of golden wheat ale, then added half a cup of water, and cheerfully set it on the counter.
Jiang Lin was long since used to Martie’s series of smooth, shameless movements. Pulling his hood back on, he carried the ale over to the customer’s table.
The man was a regular at the tavern, and an absolute slave to drink, though his tolerance was rather poor...
He lifted the cup and gulped it down in great mouthfuls, then let out a satisfied breath. Only then did he notice Jiang Lin as he was now, and he could not help letting out a soft sound of surprise.
“And who is this? Did you hire a new hand?”
Jiang Lin said nothing and turned back toward the counter, only to see Martie laughing softly, mischief glinting in her eyes.
“What new hand? That’s my younger sister.”
Hearing those words, Jiang Lin nearly stumbled. Beneath the hood, his eyes widened in utter disbelief as he shot her a look.
“Oh? Then why doesn’t she show me her face? Miss Martie’s little sister must be pretty too, right?”
Half a cup of ale down, the customer was already looking a little flushed.
“She was disfigured,” Martie said, leaning against the counter and lying through her teeth without a shred of hesitation.
The customer smacked his lips and sighed twice in pity. After draining the rest of his drink in one go, he promptly ordered several more cups of ale and some food.
Under Jiang Lin’s intensely protesting stare, Martie gave him a sly smile and lowered her voice.
“You wouldn’t want those knights recognizing your identity, would you?”
Jiang Lin found himself speechless.
Forget it. He would let her have her way.
Gradually, more and more customers began to fill the tavern.
After Knight Kline and his group had entered the residence, the townsfolk outside, disappointed for a while, mostly dispersed.
Those who needed to eat went to eat.
Those who wanted to drink went to drink.