Overpowered Extra Noble in a Novel

35.

“So! We’ve come to pick up those supplies! This merchant seems to not understand what we’re saying.”

At the hairy dwarf’s words, Cardro clenched his fists.

His face flushed red, as if he was about to scream at the disrespect he was enduring, but then—

Thud. Thud.

“Is it so clogged up that you can’t do business? Should I teach you?”

The armor protecting his vital points, the handaxe on his waist. Catching a glimpse of the mercenary’s equipment, Cardro took a deep breath, as if he’d been injected with a tranquilizer.

Tossed by the hairy dwarf’s hand on his shoulder, he nearly staggered.

When the hairy dwarf’s speech finally came to an end, Cardro calmly reached into his robes and took out a piece of paper.

“In the end, how many times must I say it! We are carrying out our duties under the request of the Southern Administrative Office. We are authorized to assist in administrative duties. This is an official duty.”

The paper fluttered as he pulled it out.

Cardro continued after offering the document so the hairy dwarf could see it properly.

“The contract entails escorting the supplies to the designated area and working together with the local collaborators to distribute them. There is nothing in there about picking them up. How could you possibly expect us to hand over the supplies on sudden request from a band of mercenaries!”

The hairy dwarf nodded while scratching his ear, then crumpled up the piece of paper after Cardro finished speaking.

“Hah… this little brat.”

At the growl of the hairy dwarf, Cardro took a step backward.

“So. We’ve come here to pick up supplies as per the orders of the noble lord.”

Something was pulled out roughly from his robes and tossed.

The hairy dwarf gave up trying to smooth out the crumpled piece of paper, then threw it back at Cardro like a wad of trash.

“Alright! The signed paper from the noble lord. Is that good enough?”

“What is—”

Cardro looked shocked, unfolding the crumpled paper.

Ignoring the bewildered Cardro, the hairy dwarf turned around and indicated behind him.

“We need to borrow your moment, merchants.”

“Let us just do a quick inspection.”

Mercenaries with half-drawn weapons approached the wagons.

They moved between the wagons that were parked in a row, inspected the goods, and then signaled to each other with large waves of their arms.

‘Hmm.’

Instead of anger, the sudden chaos unfolding made him feel somewhat awkward.

“This is… unexpected.”

To dare to hijack an event directly administered by a government agency?

Had they all lost their minds? The central nobles and bureaucrats? This is supposed to be under the Empress’s orders.

‘Am I underestimating this world?’

Who would’ve guessed brazen thievery in broad daylight?

Unless… they’ve entrusted the job to the merchant’s guild in order to make things look natural. And then they simply raid it?

Mercenaries going rogue and selling out nobles? That can’t possibly be true.

This is clearly the doing of some noble with either tacit approval or on his own orders.

Looking at the annoyed expressions of the other mercenaries, it seems this was routine business.

It wasn’t just one or two times.

‘No issues have arisen on the side of the Gluen Guild.’

Sending supplies throughout the empire made the cooperation of the merchant’s guild almost mandatory.

Since the Inner Palace had formally submitted the official document, merchants didn’t refuse even if they had complaints.

There was indeed enough risk in this world, but so far, things had been quiet.

‘Gluen is under Lucanov’s command. Even then, it seems too much to tamper with the hands of a duke. So, is a smaller merchant’s guild the target?’

Occasionally, we would receive request forms detailing large quantities of supplies.

I was occupied with other matters and failed to check, could this have been the cause?

They likely requested whatever surplus remained after the main allocation to be sent to impoverished areas.

News travels slowly when you’re stuck in the city.

“…When we distance ourselves from the field, this kind of problem arises.”

Letting out an irritated sigh, Cruel glanced back.

“Should we handle it?”

I waved my hand and moved forward.

The hairy dwarf and Cardro were still conversing.

Mostly, Cardro was expressing his difficulties, and the mercenary didn’t even bother to listen.

“Huh, shi—.”

Did the dwarf start to get annoyed?

Suddenly muttering a curse, he gripped the handle of his axe.

The menacing glare was as if he was about to split someone’s head open right there.

“Just leave on your own or keep causing trouble?”

Cardro collapsed to his knees from the menacing posture.

The dwarf’s pupils dilated, and the muscles in his arm tensed up, ready to swing the axe.

Pre-attack signs. He might be thinking of making an example by killing one.

Before Cardro’s head could be split, I lunged forward.

“Hey, Malek! There’s a strange one here!”

“Hey! Long one! Another move and you’re dead!”

At his comrades’ calls, Malek, who had been glaring down at Cardro, looked up.

“Huh? Shit. What is it!”

As his eyes met mine, the hairy dwarf stepped back one pace.

“K-Knight sir…!”

“What? A knight?”

Cardro’s cry from where he had collapsed.

At Malek’s reaction, he rolled his eyes.

The scrutinizing look, checking the two swords on my waist and sizing me up, then gave a sidelong glance.

The mercenaries who had been watching the situation carefully drew their weapons and began moving slowly.

Are they emboldened because their comrades are behind them?

Malek, called as such by his comrades, spoke confidently.

“What knight? Does a big guy automatically mean knight? Can’t you see straight?”

Seems he’s irritated because he took a step back.

Instead, Malek steps forward and starts tapping my chest confidently.

Naturally, this minor force has no impact on me at all.

Given the level of his taps is like a cat kneading, I didn’t budge at all.

That clearly annoyed him, and he finally drew his axe.

“What the hell…!”

As Malek got excited, the mercenaries approached, brandishing their weapons.

Even the ones checking the wagons had evidently drawn their weapons as sharp metallic sounds rang out from all directions.

Among the merchants who screamed in shock and tried to shrink back.

The mercenaries started to advance slowly.

I grabbed the wrist of Malek who was becoming too irritating and twisted it lightly.

“AAARGH!”

Dropping the axe, Malek writhed in pain.

Witnessing Malek’s cry, the expression of the mercenaries hardened.

Before they could yell out, I twisted the wrist a bit more, causing Malek to writhe like he was having a fit.

“The closer your comrades get, the prettier your wrist will turn.”

“GHAAA! Stop! No one, don’t… don’t come! Damn it, stop!”

Their movements froze at Malek’s frantic yell.

For a while, I skillfully maintained the pressure to continue eliciting Malek’s cries.

The rough types like these mercenaries need to be immediately dominated.

You must clearly show the superiority in strength. Only then will they stop resisting.

There was some information I wanted to confirm. This should be enough.

As I loosened the grip on his wrist, I began speaking.

“When did mercenaries switch to robbery as a profession?”

“Pl-please… What… raid? What… AAAGH!”

“If you enjoy pain, keep lying.”

Twisting Malek’s wrist again, I asked again.

“Judging by your actions, this isn’t the first time you’ve done this. That kind of behavior is dangerous.”

Now, Malek, in tears, began speaking.

“Wh-what are you talking about? We… AAAGH!”

“Your words are too curt. Lie one more time, and I’ll cut off your arm.”

“—We aren’t robbers. We’re handling the formalities.”

“Formalities? You? Who is it?”

“This is food and supplies distributed by the Imperial Palace. It moves directly through the Merchant’s Guild or a religious order in various regions of the empire. No one is assigned to take it over midway.”

“It’s true. We are the Brion Mercenary Group, working with the noble of Bahrun. It’s purely about supporting the empire’s business.”

Malek’s words were intriguing.

Bahrun.

It’s a small city at the entrance to the southern region we’re heading to.

I vaguely suspected when I saw the insignia on the mercenaries’ shoulders, but I only knew they operated near the capital. Is Bahrun their base?

“The Brion Mercenary Group? I’ve heard of them.”

At my thoughtful statement, Malek gained a little confidence. Let me test him a bit more?

“Indeed. With such a prestigious mercenary group engaged in a request from a small-city noble, it must undoubtedly be an important task for the empire.”

As I nodded and spoke, Malek’s face brightened.

When I eased the pressure on his wrist, he quickly stepped back.

“The fact that someone is employing mercenaries at their own expense day and night for the welfare of the empire is truly admirable. A model noble indeed. I’d like to know their house name.”

“Of course, Knight sir.”

The relieved Malek began speaking.

“Lord Geyllan. He’s one of the nobles in Bahrun and has close ties with the southern Margrave.”

“Hum. Lord Geyllan, is that?”

Nodding as if approving the willingly provided information.

I’ll visit the mercenary group and then proceed to the noble’s manor for the rest.

These guys seem familiar with plundering. They’ve probably killed a few merchants, though it seems they haven’t touched the religious order yet.

“Cruel.”

At my words, I swung an arm.

The swift slash of the sword gently grazed Malek’s neck, and his head fell off with an arrogant expression still on his face.

Thud.

Malek’s head hitting the ground.

The sudden event was met with a deafening silence.

“Malek!”

“Damn it! You never even planned to spare him!”

Enraged mercenaries tightened their grips on their weapons and started moving.

And then, louder commotion erupted from behind them.

“Arrgh!”

“What the hell is this!”

“Help… Gah!”

Echoing across the area were screams and the horrifying sounds of flesh being cut.

Cruel had swiftly dispatched the mercenaries weaving through the wagons and then quickly leapt forward.

“Shit! Die!”

“What are you… Gah!”

The mercenaries tried to swing their weapons swiftly, but …

Cruel avoided the attacks easily and slashed their necks.

Thud.

Ten seconds.

That’s how long it took for all the mercenaries’ heads to fall to the ground.

Cruel spoke with his breathing entirely steady.

“Small fry, I’ve taken care of it.”

“Good job.”

With Cruel bowing his head and returning to the wagon,

I sheathed my sword, mission complete.

‘Not bad.’

The beatings I’ve received back at the training grounds were only because my opponent was me.

Cruel, worthy to lead as an order, clearly has the skill to handle lesser enemies.

With proper guidance in the future, he should easily surpass knights of equal level.

“Cardro. We have a long way to go. Let’s hurry.”

“Yes, yes! We shall depart immediately!”

And so, leaving the merchants who stared at us in stunned silence, we continued our journey as if nothing happened.

*

“This is Bahrun. We greatly appreciate the courtesy of Sir Cain and Sir Cruel!”

After arriving at the small city of Bahrun, we bid farewell to the merchants with the promise of a future visit to the Syen Merchant Guild.

“Oddly fatigued.”

“It seems to be from the combat during our travel. I’ll go scout for a place to eat and rest a bit.”

Cruel disappeared,

And as I wandered around, enjoying the leisure, I took a look around.

A scene much different from the capital.

Sparsely scattered buildings, fewer people wandering the streets.

A few buildings with the mercenary group’s flags lazily fluttering were quite impressive.

Generally, the relaxed ambiance makes my heart feel peaceful.

“Quiet, isn’t it? It’s nice.”

If the northeast can be likened to an outback setting,

The south stands as a lagging city with a modest population supporting it.

The south is relatively deserted.

Indeed, compared to other regions, the south has relatively fewer villages or cities.

The most bustling areas are the fiefs of the Margraves or the three small towns.

This stems mainly from geographic constraints.

The south is dotted with mountains and gorges, making the terrain rugged overall.

However, thanks to mining facilities and local specialties, the region has more exchanges compared to the northeast.

Among them, Barhen, one of the small towns, has the second largest population in the south.

It’s relatively close to the capital, with the mercenary business flourishing being the main reason.

Hence, various mercenary groups who have this place as their base are constantly quarreling for influence over Barhen’s interests.

The Brión Mercenary Group supported by the nobility has been the most powerful so far, or so they say…

“Guess not anymore.”

Looking at the various insignias of the scattered mercenary offices, I turned my head.

“Captain. I’ve found a decent place. This way…”

Cruel’s expression brightened as if he’d found a suitable spot.

He must have been quite tired, though he didn’t show it.

After all, not long after returning from touring the whole country, we were on the move again, leading to accumulated mental fatigue.

‘Time to give them a vacation after this.’

Just because I don’t rest doesn’t mean you guys shouldn’t, I’m not one of those tiresome people.

Balance between work and life must be maintained.

To prevent overwork, taking enough breaks and consistent physical conditioning is important.

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