The Knight's Audacity
html, body { margin:0; padding:0; } Guardian: Derek Walker 18
What the fuck was this dog barking? I had to fight the urge to swing my club and lop off his head right then and there. My self-restraint barely kicked in, stopping me from instant-killing Pallax on the spot.
Why the hell was I pretending to be injured? To steal Rita's heart, that's why. And this conscienceless bastard was brazenly demanding I hand her over.
'Tough call. Should I just kill him...'
Part of me wanted to end him right away, but that would stir up too much trouble.
Pallax was an official knight in the barony's forces. Tarsion Barony was nothing compared to Count Coolong's territory, but starting a conflict could drag the already busy Coolong County into unnecessary headaches.
'Fine. There are plenty of ways to bury this fucker without killing him outright.'
They say enduring three times can save a man's life. Sure, Pallax would die by my hand eventually, but not now.
"What do you say? I'll give you 10 silver."
This prick was trying to claim my Rita for pocket change. Unforgivable.
I racked my brain, plotting how to deal with him.
When I didn't react, Pallax glared at me, eyes bulging. I met his gaze without flinching. This guy would be dead in ten seconds if we fought.
Caught off guard by my steady stare, he cleared his throat awkwardly. Did he think I was some powerless merchant? Big mistake.
"Ahem! Mr. Walker, this area is under the protection of Tarsion Barony forces."
He was subtly claiming it as his turf. Even a mangy mutt bites harder at home. But to me, this fucker was less than that.
"Is the esteemed knight of Tarsion Barony saying he'll toy with a woman however he pleases? From what I hear, Rita has a fiancé."
I hit him with the straight facts, and his face flushed red.
"Promises can be broken anytime. Especially between commoners. An engagement isn't marriage, is it?"
"But forcing it apart seems morally questionable. I wonder what Baron Tarsion would think if he saw you acting like this..."
I laid on the condemnation thick. He clenched his fists and bellowed in rage. At least he knew shame.
"Look at you, you merchant scum, talking big! I know the Walker Trading Company's reputation, but this is Baron Tarsion's land! Not some pushover place where you can strut around with your nose in the air!"
"You're not Baron Tarsion yourself, are you? You look just like a fox borrowing a tiger's roar. Embarrassing to even watch."
"W-what!?"
His face turned tomato-red as he reached for the sword at his waist. Fancy scabbard, artisan-made. Gem-like ornament on the hilt.
"You got a death wish, flapping your loose lips like that? A mere commoner who doesn't know his place!"
"Oh ho. Planning to slice me with that flimsy thing?"
I didn't flinch even as he gripped the hilt.
No reason to fear. He thought he held the knife here, but it was the opposite. If I wanted, he was dead.
"Grrr!"
He had enough brains not to draw it, even with his hand on the hilt.
Even as a commoner merchant lord, I carried social weight. Killing me here would cause waves. Plus, Walker Trading Company had ties to Tarsion Barony.
Maybe commendable restraint, but he'd gone too far already.
I decided in my heart to kill him. No point sparing a fool who barked without knowing his limits.
"Hmph! Filthy merchant! You'll regret this!"
Unable to contain his fury, he spat on the floor and stormed out, slamming the door. Rita, waiting outside with a glass of water, jumped at the sight of him stomping away. Drobin chased after the raging Pallax, while Rita entered.
She looked worried as she spoke.
"What did you talk about? I heard shouting..."
"Nothing pleasant. Want to know?"
"If it's uncomfortable, you don't have to say."
Rita politely left it to me. Nothing to hide, so I recounted the conversation freely.
Her face hardened like stone as she listened. Realizing she was the cause, anxiety was natural. Catching a power-hungry eye could be a blessing or curse—clearly the latter for her.
"He wants... my body?"
"Don't worry, Rita. You have your fine fiancé Drobin, right? I'll make sure that scum's lust doesn't break your love. I'll protect you both."
I smiled and lied. A white lie. Relief and a faint smile crossed her face.
"Thank you so much. I don't know what to say."
Her cheeks flushed pink as she bowed in gratitude.
"Oh dear. Need to piss again. Come with me?"
"Yes. I'll escort you."
Not really needing to go, but I headed to the bathroom to show Rita my impressive cock.
"Ugh! That merchant bastard!"
Pallax couldn't hide his irritation. A lowly merchant blocking his path? Rage boiled over. He fiddled with his sword hilt, picturing the merchant's face.
'Damn it! Just kill him quietly where no one sees?'
Easy if he wanted. The merchant had skilled guards, but no match for regular troops.
He had five knights and eighty soldiers. He could raze the village if he chose—though against his orders.
"U-um... Captain? Are you alright?"
Drobin asked anxiously. Pallax looked ready to snap. A twisted mood meant trouble for the village. He was their support force, after all.
"Not alright. Oh, right. Something to discuss. You're acting village chief now, yeah?"
"Yes."
"How do you plan to pay?"
Money talk out of nowhere. Drobin stared blankly.
Pay? What nonsense? Allen Village had never paid the barony forces.
"What payment do you mean?"
"Obviously protection money. Protection money."
"Protection money...? We've never paid that before."
Pallax scowled at Drobin's words. Thought him green, but he knew village ways better than expected.
Made sense as youth leader—he'd be involved in village matters.
"Young and clueless, huh? Villages regularly pay tribute to the barony forces. It's only right—we protect Allen from orcs, so we deserve compensation."
"I-isn't that your duty?"
"We have bigger priorities than guarding paupers like you! Pushing those aside to come here means you pay up."
"W-we pay our taxes faithfully!"
Pallax shook his head at Drobin's desperate plea. It was pure extortion from the start.
"Oh ho. A green kid acting chief, trying to dodge with naivety. Fine, no obligation to protect you then."
"W-what?"
Pallax grinned wickedly at the flustered Drobin. Village's fate? Not his problem. Report it razed on arrival to the baron. He held all the cards.
Drobin bit his lip. Pallax's gall screamed bribes. Lamentable, but he had to bend to banditry.
'How does trash like this get captain? Tarsion Barony's future is bleak...'
Wanted to curse him out, but now was time to bow. He chewed his lip.
"How much do you want?"
Music to his ears. Pallax smirked.
"10 gold should cover protection nicely."
"T-that much all of a sudden...!"
"Hey, moving troops costs big. This is a bargain."
Drobin clenched his fists at the shameless reply. Wanted to punch him—but it'd end badly. He stayed silent.
"Understood. We'll manage somehow."
"Bring it now. I hate credit."
Pallax exceeded expectations. Drobin let out a hollow laugh.
"We can't scrape 10 gold instantly!"
"Hm. True. But leniency has limits. No 10 gold by today, we pull out."
"......"
"Well, if no cash, maybe pay in other ways."
Pallax eyed the silent Drobin. Drobin looked up.
"What other way?"
"No money? Pay with body. Standard."
His leering grin screamed third-rate thug, but his authority set him apart.
Support commander Pallax gripped the village's lifeline like death itself. Crossing him spelled doom.
Peaceful withdrawal was best. If dark desires turned blades wrong...
'Would he go that mad?'
If reason remained, no—treason against Baron Tarsion.
But this greedy pig wrecking Allen? Unfixable mess.
Drobin's gut twisted, but he bowed.
"What do you mean by 'body'? Our labor?"
"Tch. Slow on the uptake, kid. No bullshit—that Rita girl. Bring her to our camp tonight. Pre-march party. Can't have a party without women."
Drobin's fists trembled at Pallax's words.