Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 12: Escort (3).

The rain that started on the first day fortunately stopped the next. The sky regained its original color, and the group journeyed smoothly.

The occasional passersby seen on the first day had completely vanished by the second. Surrounding them were only the endlessly stretching green meadows with their small undulations.

Now, the only thing passing by was the caravan of carriages. Very rarely, one could see a person, looking like an ascetic with just a backpack, walking along the road.

Their skin, tanned black by the sun, and their skeletal figures made them look like they were barely surviving, yet they did not hitch a ride even as the carriages passed. Worshipper Manuel, watching them grow distant, fell into deep prayer.

“I wonder if it’s really okay to make money this wayㅡ.”

Bald Dolkin yawned widely, as if his mouth would tear, and muttered so. The atmosphere was peaceful, a stark contrast to the previous subjugation mission.

However, the group leader Allen was never at ease. Having escorted caravans thousands of times in Guild Master, there were hardly any instances where the mission ended peacefully without any incidents.

Just as there is an ugly darkness behind the dazzling lights on Earth, there was a bottom worse than a cesspool here. …At least on Earth, there was something like the slogan of human rights, but here, there was nothing of the sort.

Only money and power ruled this world. That was the way of Guild Master—.

And here, the most vivid example of such ugliness was, indeed, these bands of thieves. As the merchants, which showed not the slightest bit of compassion or consideration, flourished, those at the bottom fell into even more miserable depths, becoming either beggars living off alms or bandits living off plunder. …The Pomwell Trading Company, with its history of over a hundred years, must have produced no small number of beggars and thieves as well.

In fact, the difference between mercenaries and thieves was paper-thin. If one was unlucky and had gotten themselves caught, they were a thief; if not, a mercenary. …Of course, there were certainly a clean few among the mercenaries.

“Don’t let your guard down too much. If there were no danger, why would we spend so much on hiring guards?”

Though the south was considered peaceful, that was only relative to other regions. Here too, the swarms of bandits were just as rampant.

“They’re coming. Without a doubt.”

No beast would just pass by when they smell the waft of the delicious scent of prey.

It had been five days since they had left the mid-sized city of Bere.

The group was still journeying smoothly.

As the sun began to set, it was almost time for the procession to halt.

“A carriage is coming, my lord.”

While everyone was discussing the desired menu for dinner, a window connecting to the coachman’s seat slid open, and a sun-tanned, dark-skinned coachman informed them. It was because Allen had ordered him to report anything he saw, no matter how trivial it may be.

Allen, who climbed up to the coachman’s seat, had no suspicions until then.

…Hmm…?

If there was anything that was most crucial to remember when escorting a merchant convoy,

It was to ‘suspect everyoneㅡ’.

[Traits]

♦ Common

♦ Deception

♦ Ambition

♦ Sadism

♦ Half-wit

[Notes]

(Act so the trap isn’t discovered. Hoping this surprise attack succeeds. Indulges in erotic fantasies. Feels the urge to urinate. …)