How a Second Life Knight Lives

4. Suppression of the Bandits

The city of Kalmar is a port located where the river meets the sea.

Trade with the outside world is conducted through the sea, but domestic distribution is done through the river.

The movement of goods through the river is on a scale and efficiency that cannot be compared to transportation by carriage.

So, if something goes wrong with the river, it causes a problem much bigger than a few carriages not being able to operate. Naturally, the livelihoods of the people affected by the problem are also incomparable to those dependent on a few carriages.

“So, the problem that occurred in the Dalraven River is still unresolved?”

“Yes. It seems another problem has arisen.”

“Unqualified people have set up checkpoints and are collecting tolls at will. What other problem could arise from that?”

“They are forcing the serfs to work, and it seems they are building a watchtower. Alongside the watchtower, they have also built a fairly sturdy palisade.”

“Isn’t he crazy? What kind of nerve does a mere knight have to pull such a stunt? What did Patson say?”

“He said he’s sorry, but there’s nothing he can do since he’s completely handed over the rights to the manor.”

“They’re in cahoots. Baron Patson and that knight from the manor are in it together.”

It seemed like the windows were shaking from the loud voice.

When the shouting turned into cursing, the face of the scribe who had come in to report turned pale and then blue. It was as if someone might kick him out at any moment.

At that moment, the door to the lord’s office opened.

“I could hear Master Johan’s voice from the hallway.”

“I’m sorry, Count. I kept shouting unnecessarily and made a racket.”

The person who entered the lord’s office was the Countess of Kalmar.

She had temporarily taken over the family after the previous Count of Kalmar died in an accident a year ago.

“The advisors had already anticipated that they might be in cahoots.”

“That’s right. Everyone knows how sly Baron Patson is.”

The old man who entered with the Countess of Kalmar nodded with a bitter smile. He was Lindstrom, an elder of the Count’s advisory council, who had come to the lord’s castle at the Countess’s request.

“Even though he’s a raccoon-like character, I thought he had some common sense.”

Master Johan said with a sigh. As he got older, everything displeased him. Especially after the previous Count of Kalmar died, it had gotten worse. Now, it seemed even the things that were fine were going bad.

Is it because the times are uncertain?

“He must have held a grudge after his marriage proposal was rejected.”

At the Countess’s words, Master Johan waved his hand.

“Oh no, please don’t say that. If you had considered taking in such a sly and despicable person, I would have laid down and opposed it. I want to be able to face the late Count with a clear conscience.”

“The advisory council also opposed it. Baron Patson is a staunch supporter of Elector Maximilian. It’s not just that he’s in the same faction; he’s an active supporter. We can’t be associated with someone like that. We must maintain strategic ambiguity until the end. That’s in our best interest.”

“I know. I know, but now they’re blatantly putting pressure on us, and I feel like they’re underestimating me. I’ll try my best to endure it, but I don’t know how long I can hold out.”

The Countess of Kalmar sat down in the office chair with a slightly rough attitude. At Master Johan’s signal, the scribe who had been with them and the maid who had followed the Countess left the office. Only three people remained in the office.

“The watchtower must be destroyed.”

“That’s right, Count. And the knight that Baron Patson sent against us must be killed. We need to set an example.”

“But Master Johan, we can’t use the city guards. You know that if the guards get involved, it will become too big of an issue. We don’t intend to support any side, but we don’t intend to oppose them either.”

“Then is there any other way? Sir Lindstrom? That knight has quite a reputation.”

“The merchants will step forward to retrieve the goods that were stolen. A knight who dishonorably resorted to robbery can no longer be called a knight. In the end, the merchants will achieve justice.”

“Are you saying they not only collected tolls but also stole goods? This is beyond acceptable behavior!”

Johan raised his voice in surprise. But the Countess understood Lindstrom’s words.

“No, Master Johan. The merchants are claiming that their goods were stolen. They might even say their ships were sunk. Of course, they will argue that they only collected tolls and never stole any goods, but people won’t believe them. If they had only collected tolls, the merchants wouldn’t be so enraged as to risk their lives.”

“Ah. I see.”

Only then did Johan understand how things were unfolding.

However, the Countess of Kalmar was worried about leaving the problem-solving entirely to the merchants.

“Can it be done with mercenaries? If it fails, Kalmar will be in trouble. Right now, it’s just one watchtower, but if they gain confidence, it won’t just be a watchtower; someone might even build a fortress. We might have to watch as everyone jumps in to tear Kalmar apart. Among them, there will be those we can’t handle even if we put all our efforts into it.”

“Don’t worry. The merchants don’t think they can achieve justice with just mercenaries. They have enough money and understand the power that money holds.”

“I’ll be counting on it.”

*

The punitive force formed by the merchants to sweep away the bandits settled on the Dalaben River and retrieve the stolen goods departed just five days after I met Martin.

Even though Martin vouched for me, the experienced mercenaries eyed me suspiciously as I was parachuted in just before the punitive force set off.

From their experience, such cases were usually for the young master’s experience, but occasionally, the sponsor would collude with the enemy.

However, the three knights leading the punitive force didn’t care about such trivial matters.

They were excited about the opportunity to punish the corrupt knight and subdue the bandits to enhance their reputation. They even had a nerve-wracking competition over who would face the corrupt knight first.

And when they reached their destination, they realized they were in for an incredible battle.

*

“This is ridiculous. They’ve built a castle?”

“It’s just surrounded by a wooden fence. Without a moat, it’s not a castle.”

“If they had dug a moat, it would be a real castle. What I’m saying is that the bandit has prepared well. It doesn’t seem like he’s just trying to make a quick buck by gathering a bunch of vagrants.”

The three knights leading the punitive force couldn’t hide their astonishment when they realized the enemy they had to face was larger in scale than expected.

All three knights had connections with the merchants of Kalmar, so they were dissatisfied with the situation being different from what they had heard before departure, but they couldn’t openly express their complaints.

It was because the battle was imminent. With mercenaries hired with money, causing a commotion wouldn’t do any good. Even if they had something to say later, they had to let it go for now.

Instead, they had to agree with the obvious words of the punitive force leader to boost morale.

“The wooden fence seems well-built. But who knows, it might just fall over if we push it. Do you think those vagrants can dig properly? Vagrants are those who couldn’t settle down and wandered around, right? Can we expect them to act as proper soldiers just because they hold spears and arrows on the wooden fence? What do you think, Sir Liam?”

“Vagrants, no matter how many you gather, are not even as good as peasants with spears. Those without property or family to protect will always think of running away at the slightest disadvantage. There’s nothing else to see. Just focus on the knight. This punitive action will end once we capture the knight who severed ties with Baron Patterson.”

“That’s why we brought you. I trust you.”

The soft words ended there.

The punitive force leader gave orders to the mercenaries who had been listening to the conversation between the high-ranking individuals with pricked ears.

“Did you hear that? All we have to do is drag out the guy hiding with his head on the ground over there. Then the knights will take care of the rest. So, do your job. Let’s go! You drunkards!”

At the command of the punitive force leader, the punitive force began to move towards the distant wooden fence.

*

I was also walking with them, leading my horse.

There was a subtle distance between me and the mercenaries, neither close nor far.

This was because the young master who suddenly intervened became the subject of observation.

How sensitive he might be, whether he could be matched, or if there was any potential to exploit him, and so on.

Still, the mercenaries were very cautious in testing me.

I was armed with the armor and weapons I brought from my hometown. These were either handed down in the family or touched by my late father’s hands.

Although it wasn’t blatantly knightly armor like plate armor, the craftsmanship of the breastplate, the artisan’s emblem stamped on the leather protectors, the common embossed decorations on the sword and breastplate, all gave off a strong knightly impression rather than that of a mercenary.

Moreover, my skills in handling horses and weapons, and my attitude towards the surrounding mercenaries, were those of a veteran knight.

Just because I had returned didn’t mean the experience I gained in the field had disappeared.

I might look young, but the atmosphere I exuded was that of a skilled individual.

From the mercenaries’ perspective, they couldn’t help but think I was a talent who had received good education from a good family and had even experienced real combat.

That’s why their attitude towards me was cautious.

Thanks to that, I could come comfortably without any particular territorial behavior.

And like other knights, I could see the palisade.

And the watchtower.

Only then could I solve the question.

Three knights had gathered, and the scale of the subjugation party was not insignificant, yet the bandits hadn’t run away?

Instead, they set up a palisade and tried to defend this place?

No matter how much of a manor knight there was, were these guys really in their right mind?

There was only one answer.

Because they could win.

Because they could win, they were holding out.

It didn’t matter if there were three knights or the scale of the subjugation party.

Seeing the watchtower, I could remember.

Who was there.

The knight of the Smabasta manor, Kaal.

He was famous for killing three knights in a single fight.

So, the three knights who were now going ahead were originally supposed to die today.

But that death would not happen.

Instead, Kaal, who had been brazenly collecting tolls even under the call of the prince-elector until my neck was cut off, would die.

Before long, the punitive force had reached the wooden fence and began shouting.

On top of the wooden fence, a number of people far fewer than the heads of the punitive force were shouting back.

The warm scene of inquiring about each other’s well-being, going back to the ancestors of the tenth generation, did not last long.

This was because a representative of the punitive force stepped forward and raised both hands, requesting calm.

As the shouting from both sides subsided a bit, the person who had stepped forward shouted.

“I am Bow, a merchant of Kalmar. I also have a voice in the city council. My partners and I have received the right from the Kalmar administration to float our boats on the Dalraven River for transportation and have paid the corresponding taxes. But you, who suddenly appeared on the Dalraven River and are robbing, have hijacked the goods loaded on our boats. To realize justice, I spent my entire fortune to hire mercenaries and sought help from around. Fortunately, the honorable knights, Sir Liam, Sir Bengot, and Sir Sven, heard my plea and decided to stand up for justice. You bandits will no longer be able to rob on the river. If you want to save your miserable lives, throw down your weapons and surrender. Your lives will be spared. But you, Kaal, who dared to break your oath to your lord and ignored the knight’s duty, will face the judgment of God.”

“Don’t talk nonsense!”

Before the merchant’s words, which were shouted as if spitting blood, were finished, a curse flew.

A head taller and twice as large as others.

It was Kaal, the knight of the Smabasta manor.

“It is true that I have collected tolls. That is a fact. But hijacking boats! I have never done such a thing.”

“Who would believe the words of a thief who steals from an honest man? I spent my entire fortune to hire mercenaries and came all the way here. Are you claiming that I am lying? That I spent my entire fortune to lie?”

“If your boat was really hijacked, it must have been done by someone else, not me. At least, it wasn’t me.”

“It was hijacked here, in Smabasta. My boat and my goods!”

“Damn it. You came prepared! City scammer! Let’s see if you can still lie after your tongue is cut off.”

At the moment when it seemed the argument would continue for a long time, a battle suddenly began.

Without any warning, an arrow flew.

The arrow hit Sven and bounced off.

As if that arrow was a signal, arrows began to be fired simultaneously from the top of the wooden fence.

“These cowards!”

“Sir Sven. Are you alright?”

“I am fine, thanks to the full armor. It is made with a new heat treatment method, so such arrows cannot even scratch it. Unless they shoot a crossbow at close range.”

“That’s a relief. But the mercenaries are a problem. Their armor is rather poor.”

“Let’s charge. We outnumber them by far!”

The three knights, who had been having a conversation of sorts, were rather enraged by the sudden rain of arrows.

So they tried to charge towards the wooden fence.

And at that moment, they saw something unbelievable.

*

The moment the first arrow flew, I mounted my horse. And I rode forward.

The arrows that followed the first arrow flew towards the mercenaries as if prearranged. Thanks to that, I could ride without any hindrance.

The enemies on the palisade belatedly noticed my approach and started shooting arrows at me. It was just before I reached the palisade.

The mere fact that I had come close to the palisade caused confusion among the enemies. Some shot arrows at me, while others shot at the mercenaries.

Neither side’s attack was sufficient.

I was not wearing full plate armor.

The only metal armor I wore was a breastplate; the rest was all leather. However, the arrows posed no threat to me.

My body felt light.

The more I moved, the lighter I felt.

I could see very clearly.

I could see each incoming arrow.

I could even distinguish the sharp and blunt parts of the arrowheads as they approached.

I deflected all the incoming arrows with my sword.

Riding on horseback, the palisade was soon within reach. I jumped off the horse and ran full speed towards the palisade.

And then I crashed into the palisade with my whole body.

The palisade seemed to have been hit by a cannonball.

A section of the palisade, more than a yard wide, collapsed all at once. The horizontally placed logs bounced back from the impact.

Unfortunately, the archer who had been on the fallen section of the palisade screamed and rolled on the ground, something broken.

A hole large enough for a group of soldiers to pass through had been made in the palisade.

I turned my gaze towards the enemies, leaving the hole behind me.

Not far away stood the knight of Smabasta, Kaal.

He was the one to die now.

*

“What, what is this!”

“The palisade has fallen!”

“Was there a catapult? There wasn’t, was there!”

“A knight has entered!”

It was a situation that everyone was witnessing.

A young knight-looking lad had charged in and crashed into the palisade with his body, causing part of it to collapse.

The palisade, made by cutting logs and driving them into the ground with supports, was sturdier than it looked.

It wouldn’t budge from a person pushing it.

Of course, if the supports were poorly placed due to the hasty construction, it might collapse.

No, let’s assume that it could be possible.

That way, it makes a little more sense.

But still, a single person doing that?

Not even a siege weapon?

Is that really a human?

Kaal sensed that a life-threatening crisis had arrived.

Cheers were heard from outside.

Three knights on horseback were rushing in with mercenaries.

There were about thirty subordinates huddled behind the palisade.

Most of them were people picked up from the streets.

Night thieves, highway robbers, beggars, swindlers, day laborers.

People who couldn’t be trusted, only suppressed by force and money.

The only ones he could trust were a few manor-born soldiers he had personally trained.

But the ones rushing in numbered over a hundred.

Mercenaries.

People who sold their fighting skills for money.

One of those mercenaries charging in could easily handle two or three of the riffraff on the palisade.

There were even three knights who could be called human weapons.

It was an unfavorable fight by anyone’s standards, but Kaal was confident.

This was a fight of the few.

Not a hellish battle involving thousands or tens of thousands, but a small skirmish with at most a hundred people.

Though rare, a single knight could carry out a one-sided massacre against hundreds.

It’s the magic of overwhelming skill and fear.

It’s something that can happen because the fighters are human, not machines.

Kaal was confident that he was an extraordinary knight.