The Third Son of a Medieval Knight Family Chapter 22 - Knight of the Principality (8)

“So tell me, how are the barbarians managing to rampage this far inside our territory?”

“Hmm… I’m wondering the same thing. As far as I know, they should be fighting in the eastern region…”

Bostov was seated on a hastily repaired wagon.

Beside him, Viktor and Lukovich rode their horses side by side.

Maksim and his subordinates, who weren’t mounted, were diligently following behind.

“Have you heard anything about the war situation?”

“Well, it’s certainly one of the biggest events recently. Everyone’s ears are perked up about it.”

Bostov forced a smile despite frowning at the jolting wagon.

The wagon, forcibly pulled out of the mud, seemed to have a slightly twisted axle as it constantly rattled violently.

“They say the barbarians have burned several pioneer villages and are now plundering the entire eastern region. The lords of that area appear to be in quite a predicament.”

“They must have substantial forces, I take it?”

“They’ve come in numbers comparable to the last great war. In fact, because of this, the city’s situation isn’t particularly good either.”

Bostov let out a small sigh.

“Not only has there been a significant decrease in furs and honey coming from the east, but the trading routes from the south have also been blocked, causing no small amount of loss. Because of this, even I’ve been forced to go out on foot.”

Trade was paramount to the principality.

Without the various goods brought from around the world in exchange for fur, essential commodities that were already insufficient in local production would quickly run out.

‘I wonder if Lord Kobarov has caused too big of an incident.’

Viktor clicked his tongue inwardly.

If this was the case, there was a possibility that Viktor might suffer unforeseen consequences if there were people who knew the truth of the incident.

As he was contemplating whether he should stop using the Kobarov family name from now on, Bostov cautiously asked him a question.

“By the way, Sir Viktor, may I ask why you’re heading to Permikoff?”

In truth, it was uncommon for knights to travel alone.

Of course, this knight Viktor had a well-armed attendant at his side, but that was still insufficient.

Typically, when knights ventured out, they would have at least five or six people serving them as a basic entourage.

A knight without such an entourage could only mean one thing.

Either his family was humble or fallen and couldn’t provide proper support, or he was in disfavor with his family – whatever the case, there was definitely some circumstance!

Yet, despite all this, Viktor displayed a dignity and insight no less than those of well-educated knights, and his physique and martial prowess seemed as formidable as those of renowned knights.

‘Could he be the illegitimate son of a great noble…?’

Bostov secretly suspected that Viktor might be the illegitimate son of a great noble who couldn’t reveal his name.

If that were the case, it wouldn’t be a bad thing for Bostov.

Even if he was an illegitimate son, cast out without proper family support, he was already a complete knight and could certainly do his part. With luck, he might even have a say in succession.

In other words, if he truly was the illegitimate son of a great noble, he would be well worth patronizing.

Viktor modestly began to speak.

“I’ve been traveling the world. I heard that many merchants gather in the city we’re going to, so I thought I might drop by.”

“Ah, I see. Permikoff is indeed famous for its trade. It’s one of the finest cities, no less impressive than Rurik, which is considered the lifeblood of the principality, haha!”

The merchant began to proudly boast about the city.

“Half of the principality’s furs are traded there. The sight of those who have received payment loading their goods and traveling along the river to Rurik is magnificent. When the line is long, it stretches from horizon to horizon.”

Since Rurik was the capital of the principality, he was essentially saying that their city enjoyed prosperity second only to the capital.

“I’m looking forward to it. If it’s such a big city, I might find some work suited for me.”

At those words, Bostov’s eyes lit up.

“Sir Viktor, if you’re looking for work, would you mind if I introduced you to the city administrator? The city has always sought excellent knights like yourself.”

“No, I have nothing to offer, so can I really meet the administrator so easily?”

“What are you saying? Didn’t you save me? I can certainly arrange that much for you.”

‘Well… he says he can directly introduce me to the administrator? Was he a bigger figure than I thought?’

Considering he was traveling with just a handful of mercenaries and two wagons, Viktor hadn’t thought he was such a distinguished merchant, but it seemed his assumption was wrong.

In reality, Bostov was a fairly well-known city noble in the city.

Even now, he had only come out in a hurry because of the barbarians. Otherwise, he wasn’t someone who could be met so easily.

There was a considerable difference between a city noble from a large city and a wandering knight.

If Viktor had met Bostov within the city, the merchant wouldn’t have ignored Viktor who was a real noble, but that would have been the extent of it.

That’s how much their respective powers differed.

Viktor nodded.

“In that case, I’ll look forward to the meeting based on your word. Thank you for your consideration.”

“Haha, I, Bostov, would only be tarnishing my name if I ended my gratitude with just that. When we return to the city, I will truly repay you magnificently. Please look forward to it.”

As Bostov spoke passionately, Viktor felt somewhat awkward about receiving so much in return for merely cutting down four or five barbarians.

That was a reaction possible only for Viktor, who had grown up in the easternmost part of the principality, rubbing shoulders with barbarians.

Most common people of the principality viewed barbarians as offspring born from intercourse with demons.

These longtime adversaries, constantly clashing with the principality’s growth, had killed just as many principality citizens as the principality had killed them, if not more.

For ordinary principality citizens, barbarians were truly objects of terror.

If the members of the Birch Tree Mercenary Company, including Maksim, had been even slightly less brave, they would have been slaughtered before Viktor’s arrival.

Bostov’s gratitude was genuine.

Of course, there was some calculation mixed in as well.

‘I must secure this knight. Regardless of his origin, he’s definitely a proper noble, and his skills are even more certain. The city has been lacking in military strength, so this is fortunate.’

The administrator would surely be greatly satisfied upon seeing Viktor.

These were treacherous times.

Even cities needed to be prepared for survival in their own way.

As their thoughts intertwined, the group slowly entered the city.

****

Eventually, the sun set, and darkness descended.

From behind, Maksim rushed forward and cautiously spoke.

“It seems we’ll have to camp here for the night…”

With the wagon and most of the party on foot, they were moving slower than expected.

If they continued at this pace, they could reach the city before dawn, but Maksim felt it would be better to rest for the sake of his subordinates.

“Isn’t that a bit much with the city right ahead? Those barbarians might attack again…”

As Bostov grumbled with dissatisfaction, Maksim spoke again.

“That’s true, but my men are quite exhausted from the earlier battle. Of course, we’d all love to enter the city and rest, but… in my judgment, it would be better to rest before continuing.”

As Maksim stood respectfully, conscious of the knight beside him, Bostov sneered.

Though small in scale, the Birch Tree Mercenary Company was quite a decent, elite mercenary unit.

Leading such a solid mercenary unit naturally raised one’s pride.

Even in front of Bostov, a member of the veche, Maksim had maintained his pride and spoken candidly up until now.

But looking at Maksim now, he was so quiet that it was hard to believe he was the same person as before.

Maksim was completely overwhelmed by the martial prowess displayed by the knight.

As Bostov, a merchant but with strong pride as a city noble, was about to mock Maksim, Viktor spoke.

“Indeed, they say the more urgent, the more you should take the long way around. You have patience, Maksim. It’s an admirable attitude.”

“Haha, Sir Knight. Though I’m an unrefined mercenary, I have years of battlefield experience. I’m truly delighted by your words.”

When Viktor praised him in a friendly voice, Maksim was both bewildered and extremely pleased.

For Maksim, who had always encountered arrogant nobles and knights, this knight before him was truly an honorable one who respected warriors.

‘What’s with him, acting like a puppy…’

Bostov let out a hollow laugh, finding it absurd how Maksim, who often acted arrogantly towards him, was now behaving like a praised dog before a knight he had just met today.

Maksim addressed Viktor with an even more benevolent expression than before.

“Sir Knight, you seem to have been splattered with quite a bit of blood earlier. Would you like me to have my men tend to your armor?”

“I appreciate the thought, but I’ll remain armed until we enter the city, just in case.”

“Ah…! Truly admirable.”

It was becoming awkward to watch how Maksim would exclaim in admiration at every little thing Viktor said.

Bostov waved his hand.

“Alright, alright, I get it. We’ll camp here for tonight. You can go about your business now.”

As Maksim disappeared with a regretful expression, Viktor nodded.

“What a solid fellow. He knows how to listen to others. You’ve found quite capable mercenaries. As expected of a skilled merchant like you, Bostov.”

At Viktor’s compliment, Bostov also grinned with a loosened expression.

“Hahaha, those guys, despite appearances, are somewhat famous mercenaries in the city. They fight well and are known for working as much as they’re paid.”

“I see. I suppose the knack for judging such people comes from years of trading, right? I’d like to hear your old stories.”

“My, Sir Viktor. If you say so, I’d be more than happy to share them!”

Although he carried himself with the pride of a city noble, Bostov was essentially a merchant.

For him, who harbored a strange inferiority complex towards real nobles, it was invigorating to have Viktor, from a proper family, consistently address him kindly. He began to enthusiastically recount his adventures from his trading days.

From a distance, Lukovich watched and clicked his tongue.

‘The mercenary captain and the merchant look just the same.’

Once again, his master’s eloquence was astonishing.

It was almost magical how people they had just met today were treating them like friends of many years.

‘Did he perhaps receive some power from the witch?’

It was a stark contrast to Viktor’s reputation in the village as someone reticent and inscrutable.

If Lukovich hadn’t met Viktor during his scout duty, he might not have easily believed that his master was more sociable than expected.

Lukovich never considered that perhaps the Viktor of the past simply didn’t want to talk to the villagers and therefore remained silent.

****

The night deepened.

Being a knight, Viktor didn’t have to handle menial tasks like night watch, so he continued conversing with Bostov.

Between them was a portable brazier, with a bubbling pot atop it.

Bostov repeatedly apologized with an embarrassed expression.

“Since we hastily packed food… I’m ashamed to serve such poor cuisine.”

“What are you saying? It’s not easy to have such decent food during a camp.”

The thick stew was filled with salted meat, milk, and a generous amount of vegetables.

For Viktor, who hadn’t had a proper meal since leaving his domain, it was nothing short of a feast.

Viktor emptied the stew with satisfaction and looked around.

“With the city just ahead, we should be encountering other travelers on the highway, but it seems we’re the only ones.”

“Well, that can’t be helped. Most merchant caravans are currently staying in the city. The barbarian invasion is stronger than expected, making it impossible to travel eastward for trade.”

Bostov scratched his chin and continued.

“The merchants from our city are mostly traders or fur dealers, so there aren’t many willing to venture out as leading merchants… If I didn’t have business nearby, I wouldn’t have left the city for now. It will be like this for a while.”

“Hmm… because of the risk of raids, I suppose?”

“Raids… that too… well, there won’t be bandits rampaging near the city. Those we met earlier were unbelievably crazy… Don’t worry. There’s no chance of being raided here.”

When Bostov firmly assured this, Viktor nodded.

Indeed, even in his opinion, with the city just a stone’s throw away, it seemed unlikely that there would be bandits bold enough to prowl the highway.

Bostov placed down his elegantly held utensil and smiled.

“Surely there won’t be more lunatics like those barbarians. Don’t worry and make yourself comfortable! I’ll take good care of you, hahaha!”

‘Like he’s going to fight…’

Viktor was somewhat incredulous at the boasting merchant before him, but he just went along with it.

This level of bravado was small enough to be overlooked.

That’s when it happened.

“We’re under attack!!”

“Damn it, enemies! Wake the men!”

The mercenaries on sentry duty at the perimeter began to shout.

Viktor couldn’t help but look at Bostov.

“Th-this can’t be happening?!”

All of his earlier bravado gone, the merchant cried out, trembling in fear.

“…”

‘How has he been venturing outside until now?’

Though increasingly incredulous, Viktor sighed and picked up the battle axe placed beside him.

The principality’s security seemed worse than he had thought.