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𝐊𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭, 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲, 𝐒𝐥𝐚𝐯𝐞 (𝟗)
“That’s. . .”
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Even as the owner of the mill, he couldn’t respond affirmatively in this situation. It was too absurd even for him to consider.
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The mill owner changed the topic.
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“How about we prevent knight dastard from leaving? Just kill him outright.”
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Gasps emerged among the townspeople. The thought of killing a noble was shocking enough, but the idea of how to kill a knight was even more startling.
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“If things come to that, I’ll be sure to give you the honor.”
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Atanka laughed scornfully. Although they were normally friendly, in this situation, there was no greater enemy.
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“What if the knight dies here? What about the other merchants and mercenaries?”
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“T-Them, they too. . .”
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“What if we kill the merchant of the Katana Merchant Guild and the knight. . . and then someone from the knight dastard family or the Katana Merchant Guild comes to investigate?”
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“. . .I believe everyone will keep the secret.”
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“What if the knight dastard family takes a few townspeople for questioning? Will the secret still be safe then? Huh? You insane fool?”
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Now the mill owner’s face turned red. But Atanka did not stop. Now was the time to press him further.
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“Look at this situation! You fools! Threats? Does that make any sense? We’re dealing with nobility! Wake up! If we handle this wrong, we’ll all die together!”
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Silence and fear spread. Atanka’s attitude made the townspeople realize the gravity of the situation.
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“What we need to think about now is not how to intimidate them with our local militia, but how to appease them. Those who want to try force, go ahead! I won’t take responsibility. Hey! You. You said earlier we should teach them a lesson? I’ll call the local militia for you. Will you try?”
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“N-No. It was just a thought. Why this reaction, Atanka.”
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“You! You dared the mercenaries. Will you try?”
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“Village chief, it was just a thought! Why are you doing this?!”
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The townspeople all backed down. One of them, who had been quiet, raised a hand and asked cautiously.
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“So what will you do?”
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“First, we need to hear what the knight wants. That’s how we’ll start the conversation.”
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“What does the knight want?”
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“Money, probably.”
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“Money? There’s hardly any in the town.”
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“Think about it, Pra and Burren were already caught. Can’t we settle it with that? Since those two caused the trouble, let them pay for it.”
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“I knew those guys were trouble from the start.”
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The townspeople, who had many grievances, ruthlessly criticized the three young men. Their families were distraught but remained silent.
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“The mercenaries didn’t do much good either. One of them was enticed to flee.”
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“Right. If we negotiate well, maybe they won’t have anything to say? Punishing Pra and Burren might settle things for both sides. . .”
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Atanka burst into hollow laughter, then spoke.
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“From now on,”
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“. . .?”
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“Anyone who talks nonsense will be brought to negotiate with the knight and forced to repeat exactly what they said.”
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“. . . . . .”
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“. . . . . .”
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“Think carefully and speak out, your excellency~. It’s me who would negotiate with the knight, not you assholes! Stop spouting such nonsense! What? Settle it with the lives of those already captured? It’s also our fault because a mercenary was involved? Try saying that yourself!”
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“I-I’m sorry, village chief!”
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When Atanka glared fiercely, the young man who spoke quickly shut his mouth. Although he was a powerful youth in the local militia, he was no match in front of the village chief.
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“We’ll hand over Pra and Burren. Any objections?”
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“. . . . . .”
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“I agree.”
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“I agree too.”
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“Yeah. These two were always useless in farming and always causing trouble. Maybe it’s better for them to die now.”
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The village chief maliciously belittled the two, as it would make it easier to hand them over. It would have been troublesome if later it was said that the ‘𝘷𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘦𝘧 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘯’𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦.’ It was better to create a consensus.
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It was fortunate that the two were always worthless.
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“I’m not sure how much silver to offer. . . If it’s a horse good enough for a knight to ride, any amount wouldn’t be strange.”
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“Village chief, let’s hand these guys over too.”
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“!”
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“!!!”
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Pra and Burren’s families stiffened. Burren’s father, the owner of the mill, shouted angrily.
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“What are you talking about!”
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Ton, a town hunter and also a member of the local militia, continued speaking, indifferent. He had a grudge against the miller who had always cheated him out of his wheat.
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“Sir Knight won’t just cut off those two. Obviously, he’ll hold someone responsible. If we offer them first, it’ll look better. We just need to tie them up and say it was their fault. There’s no need to use the money of innocent town people.”
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Ton’s suggestion tempted the others. Handing over Pra and Burren’s families could be justified as compensation with their properties.
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Most of their properties were in kind. The knight couldn’t take everything, and it was not prestigious, so the remaining goods could be divided among the town people. Plus, if a place like the mill became vacant. . .
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“. . .It can’t be done.”
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“!!!”