Chapter 101:

Chapter 101:

Chapter 101

The group had been camping and traveling north from Malmu for several days.

As they marched on as usual today, braving the suddenly cold wind, Kyle squinted his eyes and muttered.

What is that?

Coleman, who had been handing carrots to Ruon and Caliban as a sign of goodwill, while watching a gray rabbit disappear into a burrow in the distance, turned his head at the same time.

Huh?

Something was hanging from a large tree that looked miserable without any leaves. And there was a lot of it.

Ruon, who had the best eyesight among the group, realized that they were corpses that had been executed and furrowed his brows. Kyle and Coleman also couldnt close their mouths at the horrific sight.

The corpses, whose necks were tied with ropes, regardless of their age or gender, were covered with large and small wounds all over their bodies, as if they had been tortured cruelly when they were alive.

Ruon spotted a signpost next to the tree. He walked over to it and scanned the words carved into the wooden piece.

<The village chief of Black Rock Village, Herelon, and twenty-three others have committed the crimes of hiding, destroying evidence, aiding escape, inciting and conspiring with the vicious barbarians. Therefore, they are severely punished by execution.>

What the hell.

Ruon let out a hollow laugh.

The crimes listed were too outrageous to believe that they were committed by ordinary villagers.

Besides, treason? Did these village folks have some crazy idea of taking over the kingdom? Moreover, among the dead, there were even old men who looked at least eighty.

Colin also clicked his tongue.

I dont like barbarians, but this seems a bit forced, dont you think?

Kyle also shook his head and added.

This is not really an execution. They just killed them and hung them up, right? Look at this person. He has a hole in his chest, for crying out loud.

Just then, an old man who was pulling a cart on the other side of the road saw the group and shouted in surprise.

Get away from there. Right now!

He ran over to them and looked around nervously before opening his mouth.

If the earl hears you talking nonsense here, youll all be beheaded.

The old man was flustered by the indifferent reaction of the three sullen men.

Didnt you hear me? Youre in big trouble.

Coleman, who was picking off the lint on his leather armor with his nails, asked.

What did we do to deserve beheading?

The old man, who belatedly noticed the unusual size and armament of the group, answered in a trembling voice.

Do you really think these people hanging here died because they committed all these crimes?

His eyes were very gloomy and shaky at the same time, so the group tried not to scare him.

Ruon, who had been silent, spoke calmly.

Thank you for your concern. Well be on our way soon, so dont worry too much.

The old mans face, which had been shriveled like a rat, relaxed a little.

Thank you for saying that.

Then, Kyle, who had been carefully observing the changing color of the sky, turned his head.

The sun is setting faster than I thought Excuse me, sir, is there a place nearby where we can rest?

The old man sighed and glanced at the corpses hanging from the tree.

There used to be, but now all the villagers are hanging here.

At that, Kyle rummaged through his pocket and took out four silver coins and handed them to the old man.

Then, can we stay at your house for just one night? I think well freeze to death if we camp out today.

The old man blinked his eyes in surprise at the considerable amount of silver piled up on Kyles palm. It was a profitable deal to rent a room for a day and get five silver coins.

It was also a small gesture of kindness from Kyle for the old man who might be reluctant to let the unusual group into his house.

Th-this

The old man looked back and forth between the silver and the groups faces, and his wrinkled hand folded over Kyles palm.

Follow me.

After finishing his words, the old man led the way with his cart, and Kyle shrugged his shoulders.

How about that? This amazing negotiation skill.

Coleman scratched his nose and said.

Brother, couldnt you have taken one out? Four silver coins would have been enough to show your sincerity.

Nice to meet you.

Ruon poked the childs cheek with his index finger and then spoke to the old man who was still holding her.

Dont worry, the baron wont bother you.

The old mans eyes fluttered at his calm voice. He soon calmed himself and said.

Is that true?

Ruon nodded silently and rummaged through his backpack and handed the child a few pieces of dried meat.

The girl exclaimed and bit off pieces of the meat while sitting.

Coleman muttered as he looked down at the girl.

This child has barbarian blood mixed in her.

The old man staggered to his feet and slumped into a chair. His face looked ten years older as he murmured.

The woman who angered the baron was my daughter. She had the prettiest smile in the world.

He chuckled weakly and stroked the girls hair.

She left Adley with me once a week. The old man must have cared for me so I wouldnt be lonely. Whats so pretty about an old man living in the mountains

Soon, tears streamed down his wrinkled eyes. Then the girl, Adley, wiped her grandfathers face with her fern-like hand.

Dont cry.

Yeah, dont cry.

The old man forced a smile and continued.

The count somehow found out and was looking for Adley. He seemed determined to kill this bastard and ease his anger. Thats why he wanted to take this child and get out of here. He stopped by the village one last time, hoping to find his daughter and son-in-laws belongings.

Kyle recalled the old man who came with a carriage from the direction of the village and shook his head.

Well leave tomorrow. So please turn a blind eye for just one day.

The group nodded their heads in response to the earnest plea.

Coleman clenched his teeth as he watched the old man patting the shoulder of the child who had fallen asleep from exhaustion.

Damn it, this is why I joined the war. Hoping to earn some merit and get a title. This damn world is too stingy to live in. There are always lunatics everywhere. Most of them are nobles. Bastards.

Kyle muttered quietly.

Coleman, the kid can hear you.

So Coleman whispered back.

The bastard baron.

Thats when it happened.

Kyle clenched his teeth and muttered under his breath.

Coleman, the kid can hear you.

Coleman hissed back in a low voice.

The bastard baron. He deserves to rot in hell.

Suddenly, a loud bang echoed through the hall. They turned around and saw a cloud of smoke and debris. Someone had blown up the door.

Heeeyyy-!

The sound of Calibans nervous howl, tied to the fence, reached his ears.

At the same time, the crimson light of the flickering torches poured into the window.

Bang bang bang!

Open the door, we know youre in there!

Two!

He pushed the lock and released the latch, then grabbed the doorknob.

One!

He flung the door open with explosive force.

Bang!

The man who was hit in the face by the sudden opening of the door staggered and fell on his butt. He spewed out bright red blood from his broken nose and screamed in pain.

Ugh, you bastard. Who are you! Do you want to d-die-ack

The man who was spitting blood was overwhelmed by the cold eyes looking down at him and could not finish his words. A gulp sound escaped from his stiffened mouth.

Ruon ignored him and shifted his gaze to the dozens of men who surrounded the shack.

He said.

Shall we?