Chapter 8: 8 Betrayal

Chapter 8.8 Betrayal

Outside the castle, everything for Ronin's departure was properly prepared.

The six cargo wagons, besides carrying grain, were also loaded with books, bedding, and other items. The weight distribution was perfectly balanced, ensuring no horse would be overloaded.

If the wagons' capacity hadn't been limited, Ronin would have even packed the murals from his room to take along. After all, they were possessions of the Black Mountain Castle and could surely fetch some money if sold?

"Lord Baron, the Marquis asks that you return to visit whenever you have the time."

The Marquis Rulan's servant, the castle's old steward Most, was bidding farewell on behalf of the old Marquis. Beside him stood Hallwart, who represented not Viggins, but Diana.

"I will."

Ronin lifted his gaze toward the resplendent castle, wondering what state it would be in when he returned again.

He waved to the two stewards and then ordered Chakhar to drive the carriage, embarking on the journey to Mountain Forest Town under the escort of nine guards.

The Black Mountain Castle was not built within the city of Black Mountain, but rather on a hillside southwest of it, connected to Black Mountain City by the Black Mountain Road.

Along both sides of the road were scattered some manor estates (similar to villages).

Some of these manor estates were directly subordinate to the castle, managed by servants, while others had been granted to knights of merit (the lowest rank of nobility).

Following the Black Mountain Road northeast for about five or six miles led to Black Mountain City.

This was a large city with nearly a hundred thousand inhabitants. Including the residents from surrounding manor estates, the population of Black Mountain City certainly exceeded one hundred thousand.

Since Ronin's predecessor rarely ventured into the city, Ronin himself was eager to witness an otherworldly city firsthand.

Yet, as they drew closer to Black Mountain City, the foul smell in the air grew increasingly intense.

"What's going on? Is there a pig farm nearby?" Ronin instinctively wondered.

Soon, he was stunned by the sight before him.

The end of the Black Mountain Road connected to a broad but crooked, winding long street. Along both sides, uneven rows of houses stood in varying styles, mostly single-story structures, with very few two-story buildings.

If it were only these features, it would merely seem backward and dilapidated. But what Ronin found intolerable was the sanitation!

On this dirt road, various kinds of feces were everywhere—soft, hard, yellow, black, small piles, large mounds—all sorts.

Ronin had the fortune of witnessing an old horse tread over a dung heap, flattening it instantly and pressing it firmly into the soil.

Such scenes directly assaulted Ronin's visual nerves!

"Is this a place for humans?"

Although some buildings in Black Mountain Castle were damp and dilapidated, sanitation was relatively acceptable—at least there weren't feces everywhere. But here... words failed him.

"Is the castle built five miles from the city for this reason?"

Ronin pinched his nose and withdrew his gaze. "Chakhar, why is it so filthy here? Doesn't the castle manage it?"

Chakhar, driving the carriage, seemed puzzled by this question. "Master, why should the castle manage sanitation here?"

Chakhar's astute counter-question left Ronin momentarily unable to answer.

Indeed, why should the castle manage sanitation here?

Could it gain any benefit?

Nobles only cared about their own lives; lords only cared about their taxes.

Commoners or serfs were merely tools of the nobility. They needed only to survive; whether they lived well or poorly, whether the environment was filthy or clean, no one cared.

Like pig farmers who don't concern themselves whether pigs living in pig manure is improper.

Suddenly, he felt distressed.

If even a large city like Black Mountain City was like this, what could his small Mountain Forest Town possibly be like?

Ronin dared not imagine.

"Leave Black Mountain City quickly! I can't bear this odor at all!"

"As you wish, Master!"

Chakhar flicked the whip, and the carriage sped up.

From Ronin's perspective on Earth, what constituted a large city with a population of over a hundred thousand? It didn't even match the population of a county.

Yet, Black Mountain City's area was not small. The convoy traveled intermittently for over three hours before finally leaving the boundaries of Black Mountain City.

As they moved farther from the city, the road surface grew increasingly uneven.

Ronin raised the carriage window and found dense forests flanking the road, unlike earlier when manor estates and fields were visible. Now they had reached a wilderness mountain path.

Considering the horses had traveled continuously for over an hour, Ronin instructed, "Chakhar, stop and rest. The horses are tired, and we need to prepare lunch."

"Yes, Master!"

Chakhar called out and relayed Ronin's orders.

All six wagons ahead and behind gradually halted.

Ronin stepped out of the carriage, breathing deeply the fresh outside air, much more refreshing than in Black Mountain City.

Looking at the distant mountains, he instructed, "Let everyone eat well before we continue."

"Yes, sir!"

Chakhar headed toward the wagon carrying sundries, intending to retrieve the sole iron pot to cook some meat soup.

After giving his orders, Ronin strode into the forest.

He planned to take this opportunity to claim the reward from the first day of the seven-day login.

Thus, among his subordinates, he would gain another knight, enhancing the safety of the convoy.

But before he had walked more than two steps, Chakhar's alarmed cry came from behind.

"What are you trying to do!"

Then came the clang of the iron pot hitting the ground.

What happened?

Startled, Ronin turned and saw Chakhar fallen on the ground, the iron pot dropped beside him, while the guards who should have been busy were instead drawing swords and advancing toward him.

Was this... a rebellion?

Ronin had witnessed grand scenes in television dramas and immediately realized what these fellows intended.

Still, he instinctively demanded, "What do you want?"

"What do we want?"

The leading man smirked scornfully, utterly lacking the respectful attitude owed to a master.

"Sir, Mountain Forest Town is too remote and barren. We don't want to go with you, so we wish to borrow some money from you to leave."

"This is betrayal, betrayal!" Chakhar understood now and grew even angrier. "You are betraying not only Baron Ronin, but also the Black Mountain family! Aren't you afraid of death?"

Not only him, but even Ronin hadn't expected these nine "elite soldiers" to betray him.

In this world, serving nobles within the castle was something many dreamed of yearning for. Betraying nobles typically occurred only among those with power or status.

What do these people have?

Ronin narrowed his eyes: "Are you going to kill me?"

This question startled Cha Har so much that he forgot to accuse them—kill a noble? They actually want to kill a noble?

How is this possible! How dare they do this?

"Hehe, it's said that the Baron is a foolish donkey, but it seems now that you're not that foolish."

The leading guard revealed a cruel smile, "You can only blame your father for looking down on you, giving you so much money but not choosing a loyal knight to protect you."

Upon hearing this, Ronin actually laughed, "That reassures me."

Ronin was naturally reassured.

When he saw the guards wanting to kill him earlier, he instinctively thought this was arranged by Viggins. If a Count was determined to take his life, it would be a terrifying thing.

But from what these people said, it seemed they were motivated by greed, not instructed by Viggins.

That melodramatic plot of a father wanting to kill his son didn’t appear.

So he said he was reassured.

But this statement baffled the betrayers. To them, Ronin was about to die—what could reassure him?

"I think you're scared silly and talking nonsense?"

The betrayer raised his sword, "Brothers, kill him, and the supplies and gold coins on the carriage will all be ours!"

With this encouragement, whether hesitant or trembling with fear, the guards steeled their betraying hearts. They roared and charged toward Ronin.

"My lord, be careful!"

Cha Har, emboldened somehow, drew his dagger and rushed to help, but he stumbled after just two steps, unable to stand as his legs refused to obey.

He was too nervous.

Ronin was also nervous; he had never seen such a scene in his life.

But as a dual-profession superhuman, he wouldn't lose his ability to act from excess adrenaline.

He sneered, turned, and dashed into the woods so swiftly that none of the nine guards reacted.

"Why is he running so fast?"

The guards were puzzled; wasn't it said that the Marquis's eldest grandson was physically weak, drained by wine and women?

The speed he just displayed far surpassed theirs.

At that moment, he felt something was wrong.

But since they had revealed their intentions, there was no turning back—Ronin must die today!

"Kill, kill Ronin!"

The betrayer gathered all his strength, roaring as he charged into the forest.

Suddenly, a burst of light erupted in the mountains, and a steady, resonant voice rang out:

"Maken Saliton greets you, my master!"

(End of Chapter)