Chapter 77. The Executioner of Westfalen (2)
Brock.
Raines.
Ambrose.
Ziegler.
Lawrence.
The five Westfalen knights traveled by ship through Aquitaine.
From there, they traveled overland through Toulouse and entered Perrier.
Many people from Westfalen now lived in Marcel.
If the knights sailed directly into Marcel Port, someone might recognize their faces immediately.
So they approached from the west.
Inside a tavern in Perrier’s lord’s city, the knights regrouped after gathering information separately.
To anyone watching, they looked like five large men drinking beer and chatting.
For security, however, they whispered in Germanian rather than the Common Language.
“Did you find anyone you know?”
“Apparently, Marcel recently reinforced its knight order.”
“Probably nothing but random Free Knights.”
“Most likely. We’ll follow the original plan based on our existing intelligence.”
“Then the only person we truly need to worry about is Sir Pierre. Martin and Knight Commander Axel are no match for us.”
Westfalen had lost contact with the spies planted inside Marcel.
Their intelligence was several months out of date.
The general composition of a knight order was easy information to obtain.
But Westfalen was a distant territory in another country.
Rumors traveled much more slowly than expected.
And until someone confirmed them, rumors could not be treated as reliable intelligence.
“You intend to attack while he is traveling rather than infiltrate the lord’s residence at night?”
“Yes. Night infiltration has too many variables. Sir Pierre is also extremely experienced in chaotic combat. We cannot underestimate him.”
“True. But when Eric travels, he probably won’t bring any high-level knights. Open terrain benefits us much more.”
“Let’s cross the Rhône tomorrow and keep moving. Finish this quickly, then take our vacations.”
“There is never an easy assignment. Damn it.”
The five knights stood.
They returned to the inn they had chosen as lodging.
One person watched them leave.
Orian Lechaux.
He had once been a Free Knight from Aquitaine.
Now he was traveling around Perrier under orders to investigate the soil between the Rhône and Perrier’s lord’s city.
Orian happened to know a little Germanian.
By pure coincidence, he had overheard the Westfalen knights.
Terrifying. They speak about Sir Martin and Sir Axel as if those two are beneath them. But why are such powerful knights discussing the names and levels of Marcel knights? They seem to be heading toward Marcel. What should I do? Write a letter to His Lordship? Or abandon my mission and return immediately?
Orian considered writing a letter.
Then he decided to run directly back to Marcel.
His instincts told him this was urgent.
* * *
Early the next morning.
On the Perrier side of the Rhône.
Orian waited for the ferry.
Peddlers and pilgrims stood nearby, staring endlessly toward the opposite bank.
A grumbling peddler started a conversation.
“When the hell is that ferry coming?”
“Relax. It’ll arrive eventually.”
“Damn. My wife is going to nag me because I’m late.”
“At least you have a wife. I don’t even have a girlfriend.”
“I envy you. Listen carefully. Never get married.”
“Why?”
“If I say don’t do it, just don’t, you little...”
Orian laughed.
Then he spoke to the peddler.
“You have family in Marcel?”
“Yes, sir. But haven’t I seen you somewhere?”
“I don’t believe so.”
“Ah? Wait, aren’t you a knight? I once went to your manor to sell goods.”
“Really? You have a remarkable memory.”
They continued chatting.
Then five men appeared from the direction of Perrier.
The Westfalen knights.
They were also heading toward the river to enter Marcel.
The moment Orian saw them, his heart dropped.
He had hurried so much.
How had they still caught up?
They’re already here. Damn it.
The clueless peddler kept talking.
“Sir Knight, why were you visiting Perrier? If I remember right, your manor in Marcel looked newly built.”
“......”
“Oh! The ferry is finally coming. May I visit your manor again sometime? I recently obtained an excellent vitality medicine...”
Orian began sweating.
The five knights had heard the conversation.
They slowly spread around him.
Five large, powerful-looking knights formed a loose encirclement.
Sweat soaked Orian’s hair as if he had been standing in the rain.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then one knight noticed Orian’s tension and laughed.
“Pfft. Country bastard. Look how scared he is.”
The knight named Brock walked directly in front of him.
“You’re a knight of Marcel?”
“...I am.”
“Then why are you nervous after seeing us?”
“Ah, well. You appear stronger than me.”
Brock reached out.
He grabbed Orian’s shoulder and squeezed.
Pain shot through Orian’s body.
“Ghh...”
“Why are you enduring it? You know something about us.”
“I, I know nothing. You simply frighten me...”
“Don’t treat me like an idiot, country knight. I saw you at the tavern last night. You overheard us.”
Brock drew his sword and looked toward the others.
The remaining knights nodded.
Then all of them drew their swords.
Several people who had been preparing to board the arriving ferry were cut apart instantly.
Screams erupted.
“Aaaaaah!”
“Murder!”
“Please! Spare me!”
Orian shouted in horror.
“Why are knights killing innocent people?!”
“Why ask when you already know? We’re eliminating witnesses.”
“You wicked bastards! You are not knights!”
“You’re next. Then Eric. Pray while you wait.”
“His Lordship? Why?”
“You talk too much. Shut up.”
The five knights slaughtered more than twenty ferry passengers in seconds.
Then they turned toward Orian.
“Now for the country knight... Hm? Where did he go?”
“There! In the river!”
Orian was already swimming across the Rhône.
He moved like a seal.
He had already traveled more than fifty steps from the bank.
“That bastard!”
One knight prepared to jump into the river.
Brock stopped him.
“Wait. I’ll throw my sword.”
Brock filled his longsword with mana.
