Chapter 99
Chapter 99
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: Knight's Oath (3)
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Remington Territory.
It was a shabby little town ruled by Baron Remington. No, calling it a town felt a bit embarrassing.
The only thing keeping it afloat was a low-grade magic stone mine nearby, which allowed them to scrape by. Without it, the living standards would have been downright dire—it was obvious at a glance.
But the place Rokan arrived at after riding much farther was a territory nestled even deeper in the mountains.
[You have entered Rinai Territory.]
Rinai Territory.
Half the territory was mountains, its only specialty a scant amount of copper, and even that couldn't be mined properly because of all the monsters. The arable land wasn't fertile enough either, leaving even the lord living in poverty. It was a dying territory.
“What brings you here?”
“I've come to become a knight of this place.”
“A knight, you say?”
The guards protecting the lord's castle were so shocked by Rokan's answer that they jumped in surprise.
[Rinai Territory Guard][Lv 181]
Even these few guards were under level 200.
The guard eyed Rokan suspiciously before darting inside. A response came soon after.
The lord himself rushed out, too stunned to stay put.
“Oh dear...”
Rokan had expected it, but the sight was pathetic.
Just the gear Rokan was wearing probably cost several times the lord's outfit.
The territory was so impoverished that the lord lived frugally, but his appearance lacked any dignity befitting his station.
‘That's why I chose it.’
Rokan had two main reasons for picking this rundown territory and lord.
One was the territory's potential. The other was the ‘fallen noble’ concept.
It wasn't fallen yet, but soon it would be—swallowed by neighboring Remington Territory, only to explode with potential later on.
‘I’ll devour it first.’
Rokan planned to absorb it before then.
The moment he gained noble status, he'd hand over a fortune to the impoverished Lord Rinai—who lived a life unworthy of his title—and buy the entire Rinai Territory.
Buying a territory sounded grandiose, but at this level, 2,000 to 3,000 gold would suffice.
Crossroad's shops were raking in massive profits right now, so that amount was trivial.
“Y-Yes. You've come to become a knight?”
Unaware of Rokan's scheming intentions, Lord Rinai tried to act stern while gauging him.
“Yes. I wish to become a knight of Rinai Territory.”
Seeing the lord say this in his grubby state nearly made Rokan burst out laughing, but he desperately kept a straight face and stayed serious.
“Hmm...”
Lord Rinai seemed troubled.
They desperately needed skilled knights. Monsters from the mountains—which covered half the territory—went untamed, and those that descended on villages caused damage. A knight like Rokan would be reassuring.
Plus, Rokan was a Visitor.
No matter his current level, he'd grow fast. And if he died during a monster hunt, he could just revive.
It was the ultimate cost-performance.
The only issue? Rinai Territory lacked the funds to pay his salary.
‘He must be agonizing over it.’
Sure, monster byproducts could bring profit. But with all the subjugation left to Rokan, they'd still need to give him his share.
And once those monsters were gone, what then?
“Ehem...”
He'd rushed out thinking it was a no-brainer gain, but doubts crept in.
After a long silence, Lord Rinai gave a defeated reply.
“To be honest, our territory can't afford to pay your salary.”
“That's fine. I won't take one.”
Blunt honesty. But Rokan responded with a bold counter, as if he'd anticipated it.
“There must be conditions.”
Lord Rinai wasn't purely thrilled. He could guess there'd be strings attached.
“Yes. Give me land instead.”
“Land?”
Lord Rinai's brow furrowed.
Asking for land from a lord was like asking for everything. Even a portion wasn't easy to grant.
“I'm not asking to own it outright. Just grant me ownership of part of that mountain while I'm your knight here. The contract... let's make it yearly.”
It wouldn't even take a full year. Not until Rokan bought the whole territory outright.
That's why he could say it confidently.
“Like a mercenary contract?”
“Yes. I need to confirm if you're a lord worth serving loyally.”
It wasn't wrong. Why would a knight like Rokan pledge lifelong service to such a lord on faith alone?
Lord Rinai's eyes wavered at Rokan's audacious demand for a one-year renewal or freedom afterward.
His eyes darted as he frantically calculated in his head.
“I'll say this upfront: I won't ask for mines essential to the territory. If a vein is found in my area, I'll return it and take other land.”
“You're not after mining rights?”
Lord Rinai's eyes widened.
He'd worried Rokan wanted the copper veins in the mountains. But no.
“Then why do you want that land?”
“In exchange, grant me full rights to the monsters I hunt there.”
“Ah... I see.”
The lord nodded as if it made sense.
But that was Rokan's feint too. He wanted the lord to think he coveted monster corpses and was scheming shallowly.
Lord Rinai probably imagined Rokan planned to herd monsters there for hunting.
“...Very well. But when you go monster hunting, take three soldiers with you.”
After weighing the practicality, Lord Rinai nodded gravely and accepted, adding conditions: follow his orders and contribute to the territory's growth.
‘Of course. It'll be mine eventually.’
Exactly what Rokan wanted.
“It's an honor to serve.”
“I, Decarn von Rinai, hereby appoint Knight Rokan as my knight.”
They drafted a simple contract—including a clause to end the lord-vassal bond by mutual agreement before term's end. Rokan swore his knight's oath and officially joined.
[You have become a knight of Rinai Territory.]
[A tremendous achievement! You are the first Visitor to receive a knight's title.]
[You have acquired the title 'First Knight.']
[You are the first to acquire this title.]
[First Knight][Rare]
A title given to the first Visitor among all to receive a knight's title.
You are the first to acquire this title.
This title is granted to only one first holder.
[Effects]
-All stats +10
-[Chivalry] effect: All stats +10% during escort missions or defensive battles
A Rare-grade title to boot!
The flat +10 to all stats meant little to Rokan now, but the [Chivalry] effect seemed useful later.
Escort missions were rare, but defensive battles could apply to territory wars or sieges.
Now part of Rinai Territory, Rokan got to work immediately.
The lord still seemed awkward, but Rokan wouldn't let that stall things.
And that was another reason he'd chosen this place.
‘Impossible anywhere else.’
Acting freely under a count-level noble? Only if the noble treasured him or he'd earned massive merit. Otherwise, unacceptable.
Plus, knight orders often had bullying. He might have to forgo leveling for a while.
Past life rumors even called it a dev's malicious slowdown tactic.
The downside? The weak, small territory meant limited monster levels.
‘Thank you very much.’
Some might see it as a flaw, but for Rokan, it was a boon.
High-level 250+ hunting grounds were pie in the sky anyway. This area's 200-240 cap was perfect for his leveling.
He even had secret info on high-level fields and dungeons others didn't.
‘Time to get started.’
Rising from his bow, Rokan’s eyes gleamed. He got the lord's permission and began commanding the soldiers.
“We're starting monster subjugation around the town and mines now. All except those guarding the castle and town—assemble!”
“Yes, sir!”
His booming voice startled the loitering soldiers.
Under his fierce glare, they snapped to attention, forming neat ranks.
To them, Rokan felt like a rolling stone, but the terror and intimidation made their bodies move before their heads could catch up.
“Everyone here?”
“Yes!”
“Short and sharp replies. Understood?”
“Yes, sir!”
Korean reservist sergeant's vibe. The crushed soldiers moved briskly like recruits under his command.
“Then we're off.”
“G-Good luck.”
Even the lord stammered in shock, but Rokan had already led them away.
‘Barricades or sheepdogs at best.’
Rokan didn't plan to use them as combat troops. He'd hunt alone. They'd just guide and block monster escapes.
Their biggest role? ‘Showtime.’
To impress the lord and demonstrate his might to future subordinates.
Grinning villainously, Rokan charged the monsters solo.
“Kraaaaaah!”
His mad roar made even the ‘allied’ soldiers—who were immune—shrink back.
Trembling at the inhuman slaughter, they deeply ingrained fear and obedience toward their new superior.