Chapter 114 – The Disappointed Knight Commander

“So, how about it? Did those rioters yield much profit?”

The pot-bellied Zweig Kela sat sprawled in an extravagant leather chair, gently swirling his glass of iced red wine while clutching a suffocating maid with his other arm. He condescendingly questioned his sharp-featured, weasel-faced steward.

“My lord’s vision is truly keen! You saw through those lowborn scoundrels’ cunning at a glance. Nothing escapes your notice. Those refugees indeed had hidden resources, and now they’ve finally surrendered them for bread.”

Hearing the steward’s flattery, Zweig burst into hearty laughter, making his chair creak beneath his weight.

“Listen well, Old Kela! Those paupers may appear destitute, but each is like ququ wheat – if you press hard enough, you’ll always squeeze out oil! Hahaha!”

“The master is truly wise! This old Kela could never utter such philosophical words.”

Seeing his master in high spirits, the cunning steward quickly offered another sycophantic remark, showering him with endless praises.

“But our warehouses are still overflowing with stored grain, while those beggars have run out of money. What shall we do next?”

Even the crafty steward felt troubled remembering the grain-packed warehouses. These excessive stocks were last year’s bounty, but the Nobles had conspired to hide them to drive up prices. Now the plague had isolated Doleiz City from other territories.

With five hundred thousand kaki (weight unit, approximately half a pound) about to rot in storage – only partially purchased by the Minohorn Merchant Guild with no other buyers – the Nobles began pressuring their commercial agent Zweig, demanding answers.

Zweig’s laughter ceased as he set down his wine glass. This grain represented the collective property of nearly half Doleiz City’s Nobles. He had paid dearly to secure his family’s appointment as sales agents, yet the current situation left no market for the grain. The mounting pressure became unbearable! If the Nobles decided to reclaim the grain and sell independently, wouldn’t the Kela Family lose everything?

“Very well then. Since those paupers lack money for grain, don’t they have wives and children? Why not have them exchange these ‘assets’ for food!”

Zweig’s eyes lit up as this vicious scheme occurred to him. The more he contemplated it, the more feasible it seemed – reducing the number of “burdens” while acquiring slaves and earning favor with other Nobles. Multiple benefits with one stroke!

“But… but master, the city doesn’t need so many slaves now! Other territories aren’t accepting any beings from Doleiz City either!”

Old Kela spread his hands helplessly, reluctantly pointing out the problem to Zweig.

“This is indeed troublesome…”

Zweig pondered solutions while draining his wine glass in one gulp.

Immediately, he recalled a former business partner he now avoided at all costs. Blinded by greed, Zweig carefully weighed his options before finally speaking covetously:”Don’t worry, I am a merciful noble. Those ‘fortunate’ lowborns will find a good home.”

Zweig finally seemed to reach some resolution, exhaling heavily before restoring his triumphant cruel grin. Baring his uneven teeth with a grotesque smile, he fell into recollection.

Lost in thoughts about that unspeakable path, Zweig didn’t hear the pained cries of the maid being roughly handled by strong hands nearby, nor did he notice the faint, almost imperceptible flicker of delight in Old Kela’s eyes.

——————Divider——————

Unlike the nobles who were smug and delighted after extracting the last bits of property from the poor, Kaiskaser now felt his world had become so dark, filthy, cold and heartless.

After organizing the refugees to set up camp, Kaiskaser immediately rushed to the castle to meet Gollat. Until the moment he entered the castle, he still harbored the fantasy that his Lord might mercifully consider the plight of the people and revoke the order banning refugees from entering the city.

But his Lord was busy amusing himself with his concubines and refused to grant Kaiskaser an audience.

Thoroughly disappointed, the Knight Commander had no choice but to seek help from the Church, turning to the deity he had always worshipped. He hoped the Church of Hyronis, God of Knights, would extend assistance to the starving poor outside the city walls, or at least persuade the nobles to provide some free food and medicine.

However, the priests of Hyronis’ Church clearly told Kaiskaser that Hyronis was a benevolent and Lawful deity. Therefore, while they could send priest apprentices to aid the refugees, they had no right to interfere with the nobles’ “lawful” wishes.

After reluctantly expressing gratitude to the Church of Hyronis, Kaiskaser tried another approach. Working through the night, he led his trusted Signals to rally the commoners of Doleiz City to donate supplies, and called upon every influential merchant and noble to jointly petition the Lord.

But the passionate Kaiskaser was disappointed once again. Many citizens of Doleiz City, misled by the nobles, had completely forgotten the Knight Commander’s past merits and that the refugees outside were their close compatriots just a week ago. They angrily scorned Kaiskaser, resenting him for bringing the disaster “back” to Doleiz City.

The few kind-hearted commoners had no choice but to pray.

Until this moment, almost everyone hiding behind Doleiz’s walls firmly believed that once these plague-ridden “trash” died out, they would not only remain unscathed but could even inherit the dead’s property. They never considered the suffering and despair of those refugees.

Witnessing this scene, Kaiskaser finally lost all hope. He also understood why the nobles who usually opposed him had placed no obstacles in his path this time.

Because they knew his actions from start to finish could only be described in four words – futile effort!

“Probably in those fellows’ eyes, I’m just a foolish clown!”Kaiskaser gloomily found a tavern that remained bustling with business. The Knight Commander, who normally never touched alcohol, bought a large crate of high-proof ale in one go for the first time. He gulped down the beer in large mouthfuls, deliberately halting the circulation of his Battle Aura to neutralize its effects, allowing the alcohol to numb his mind… and that heart filled with guilt for the refugees outside the city.

“Why… why is it like this? Are not only those Nobles but even the ordinary people devils crawling out of Hell?”

Drunk, Kaiskaser wept bitterly like a child, slumped over the table. Large teardrops fell onto his golden armor. His mind conjured the heart-wrenching, desperate cries of refugees torn from their families, the adoring gazes of starving children, and the hopeful eyes of young boys and girls watching him as he went to fight for relief.

“After all, I’m just a worthless knight, destined to achieve nothing in this world overrun by evil spirits!”

Despondent, Kaiskaser muttered to his distorted reflection in the liquor bottle. His mirrored face appeared blurred and twisted, flickering vaguely in the swaying candlelight.

“No, no, no, young man, you’re being too extreme!”

Just as Kaiskaser was on the verge of utter despair, a pale hand gently patted his shoulder. A surge of gentle Battle Aura instantly dispelled the drunkenness in Kaiskaser’s body. A caring, warm kindness, almost tangible, flowed through his heart—this sincere goodwill was exactly what Kaiskaser had been longing for… a warmth he hadn’t felt in so long.

“Allow me to introduce myself—a handsome ranger who takes ‘redemption’ as his mission: Kangkai Nino.”

(End of Chapter)