Volume 23 Chapter 17 Arrival at Border City Parker
"You made it safely. I'm glad!"
It was the next evening when Al and the others reached Border City Parker. They came by a narrow road through the northern part of the territory's capital. At the city gate, Viscount Parker rode up on horseback and greeted them with a happy smile.
His eyes were dark with heavy bags, and he looked very tired. Had something strange happened here, too?
"Thank you. We managed to arrive somehow. Viscount Parker, we truly appreciate you protecting our merchant guild."
Guildmaster Levy climbed down from the carriage, walked quickly to the viscount, and knelt deeply. His son Edmund stood nearby, along with Desmond and Reginald from the mercenary group.
Al stood next to the carriage, stroking the horse's neck as he listened.
"No need to thank me. A year ago, if you and Naresh hadn't come to support us, the territory would've fallen into chaos. Because of you, things stayed peaceful. Those who ran from Count Senety now live safely in our lands and in Baron Sennett's new territory, which Naresh manages. I've also told the other guilds this isn't favoritism—it's protection. Even if other nobles treat them badly, I'll protect them the same way I protect your guild. So, there's no need to worry."
The viscount gave a firm nod, then passed his reins to a man who looked like one of his retainers.
"Thanks for saying that. I was worried this event might stir up jealousy from the other merchant guilds again. As always, you are fair, Your Excellency."
"Hmm. It sounds like things were rough in Lester."
"Yes. Just as you guessed, I was still young and didn't think ahead enough."
From the way they talked, it seemed the Levy merchant guild had a hard time as a new group in Border City Lester.
Al didn't know how serious the conflict between Viscountess Tara and Lady Agnes had been, but the engagement between Naresh and Ruella probably got tangled in a larger fight for power—between Sanjay and Naresh and between the junior viscounts beneath them.
Though they looked calm now, things must have been very rough.
"Now, what happened to the Viscount Eugene family's people?"
"There were problems, but with help from adventurers Al and Orson, over there, and Mr. Eric's apprentice mage, we defeated them. We also took some prisoners. Should we explain more at the manor or the guard post?"
Viscount Parker nodded at that.
"If there are prisoners, let's go to the guard post. I'll go ahead. Bring the leader of the mercenaries and whoever else he thinks should come."
Guildmaster Levy nodded. The viscount took back his reins and rode off fast. Guildmaster Levy straightened up and turned to his team.
"Edmund, Reginald, come with me. Brenda, take care of the prisoners. Work with Desmond to decide who goes with you. The rest will go to the manor with Desmond. Mr. Eric, what about you?"
GuildmasterLevy asked Eric, who was still sitting in the carriage. After a short talk, it was decided Fitz and Leda would join them at the guard post.
"Can Al and Orson come?"
"Uh—no, I'm not good with important people... and I don't know what to say, so I'll stay."
Orson shook his head fast. Levy gave him a small, wry smile. Al glanced at him, sighed, and said, "I'll go."
* * *
"To beat a mercenary group of over a hundred men hired by Viscount Eugene with just twenty people—and to take out a mage from the Marquis Prentis family... amazing!"
Viscount Parker sat in the guard post meeting room, listening to Reginald's story. He slapped his knee and laughed in delight.
Baron Nicholas, the guard captain, sat beside him, along with two junior officers.
Guildmaster Levy, Edmund, Reginald, Fitz, and Al were there too. Leda had gone with Brenda to hand over the prisoners.
"You also caught Brook, the one running Viscount Eugene's villa, and Cole and Rachel from the Marquis Prentis family?"
"Yes. We also found letters and what looked like military money. They had a large stockpile of supplies and food, but we couldn't carry it all and had to leave it."
"I see. That's too bad, but it couldn't be helped. Give us the papers, and we'll investigate. How much money did you find?"
"About 8,000 gold coins."
That was a huge sum. Al might have added to it. More might still be at the villa. When the amount was said aloud, the viscount's eyes widened.
"I'm shocked so much money was moving. And now that Viscount Morgan is free—that's a big deal. I always wondered why they were so quiet. I didn't think they were being held back. Thanks to you, Viscount Eugene's side is hurting, and we can finally act. Before this, Nicholas and I were talking about holding off the Margrave's knights alone until Prince Theodore came back."
Guildmaster Levy and Edmund nodded hard. If the other viscounts stayed quiet and Lester backed Eugene, that could've really happened.
Al didn't know the full picture, but he could guess things would've gone badly. Viscount Parker went on.
"You also turned over the letters and prisoners. That might uncover a plot—maybe even proof linking to the Prentis family. If that happens, the royal family will be more likely to act. You all deserve a real reward. Write up what happened and what each person did, and give it to Nicholas. But be warned—the reward may take time. We have to wait until Prince Theodore returns. Understood?"
Levy and Fitz both bowed. Al also bowed without complaint.
"As for the coins and goods found on the spot—just turn in a list. Normally Nicholas would keep it and divide it based on work done. But time matters now. I trust you, Guildmaster Levy. You can hand it out to Al and the others. As for Eric, he might feel left out, so make sure he's taken care of."
The viscount paused.
"One more thing. About the gold. It's a lot. If we hand out all 8,000 coins, other nobles might get jealous. Could you donate a part of it as relief goods? Just a portion."
"When thieves are caught, unless the real owner is known, the reward usually goes to the one who caught them."
"Yes, but 8,000 coins is a lot. It might stir up feelings."
Levy nodded without pause.
"We'll donate about 4,000 coins' worth as aid. But we're not sure of the guild's current stock, so we might need some time."
"Half?!" Al looked at Levy in shock. From the viscount's tone, he thought they'd give away maybe 10 or 20 percent.
But Levy stayed calm and even smiled. Parker looked surprised, then grinned.
"I see. As expected of Guildmaster Levy. Smart and steady. I'll be counting on you. But keep quiet about this for now. We're not ready to accuse Viscount Eugene in public. We're still placing guards and building a watch network in case the Margrave's knights attack. We don't want to give them an excuse. Keep this under wraps. I'm serious."
He added that he hadn't slept much because of all this. The bags under his eyes were proof enough.
Since Viscount Eugene hadn't openly joined the Prentis family, the Margrave's knights would need a solid excuse before attacking Parker's city—especially since Parker was just a junior viscount. It's a delicate matter.
Main Group (Al's Side):
* Al – Adventurer. The main POV. Calm, observant, kind of passive. Not a leader, but involved in major events.
* Orson – Adventurer. Nervous, doesn't like nobles. Helps fight but avoids politics.
* Guildmaster Levy – Leader of the merchant guild. Smart, experienced. Political player.
* Edmund – Levy's son. Learning the ropes. Support role.
* Reginald – Mercenary who helped in the fight. Reports details to the viscount.
* Desmond – Mercenary leader. Handles logistics (like prisoners). Not a focus character.
* Fitz & Leda – Eric's apprentice mages. Support team in the fight.
Allies / Friendly Nobles:
* Viscount Parker – Noble who rules Border City Parker. Honest, tired, practical. Likes Levy and defends refugees.
* Naresh – Former partner of Levy. Now manages new land for refugees. Politically important.
* Baron Sennett – Allied noble. Gives land to Naresh to manage. Good relationship with Parker.
* Prince Theodore – Not present, but important. The prince who will bring justice when he returns.
Enemies / Problem Nobles:
* Viscount Eugene – The main villain of this arc. Hired mercenaries, hoarded stolen money.
* Brook – Manager of Eugene's villa. Captured. Helped carry out crimes.
* Cole & Rachel – Nobles from the Marquis Prentis family. Captured. Possibly part of a conspiracy.
* Marquis Prentis – High-ranking noble. Likely the mastermind backing Eugene.
Mentioned (Minor/Offscreen Conflict):
* Count Senety – Old villain. Was overthrown a year ago thanks to Levy and Naresh.
* Viscountess Tara / Lady Agnes – Lesser nobles. Triggered guild drama.
* Sanjay – Political rival to Naresh. Adds to the noble conflict.
Character Notes:
• Reginald - He once protected Naresh when they were attacked by the Blood-Soaked Bandits. Mercenary for the Levy merchant guild.
• Desmond - Veteran adventurer hired by Levy. Based in Border City, Lester.
• Edmund - Guildmaster Levy's eldest son.
• Baron Sennett - Naresh. He was in the same class as Alfred, and he is the second son of Viscount Lester, who was to be Baron Sennett, at the middle school in the capital of Margrave Rain's domain.
• Naresh - He was in the same class as Alfred, and he is the second son of Viscount Lester, who was to be Baron Sennett, at the middle school in the capital of Margrave Rain's domain.
• Ruella - Eldest daughter of the Levy merchant guild. Former classmate of the protagonist in Margrave Rain's capital.
• Agnes - The second wife of Viscount Lester. She gave birth to Sanjay, the legitimate son of the Viscount family, who is also Naresh's half-brother.
• Orson - An adventurer, he was 172 cm tall with a slight limp, which Al had healed, an act for which he was deeply grateful. A seasoned warrior, he often worked alongside Al and made the (Red-Faced Sheep) tavern his regular lodging.
• Eric - Top magician in Lester. Mentor to many, including Leda.
• Brenda - Reginald's female subordinate; skilled in combat and magic.
• Leda - She was an apprentice to Eric. A magician in training.
• Fitz - Eric's assistant, also a magician.
• Nicholas - Guard captain of Parker's border city. Known for his proud mustache.
• Rachel - Late 20s, tall, voluptuous, long golden hair, carefully groomed, wears magician's robes. Bodyguard to Cole, only one detected by magic spells. Resigned/concedes defeat
• Brook - A subordinate of Viscount Eugene, in charge of the team collecting Henry's remains in the beginning of chapters. Described as having short silver hair, about 180 cm tall, and muscular. He is leading the operation at the villa and has been in contact with the carriage group, instructing them to return quickly. He is captured by Al and the others when Viscount's pawns attacked them.
• Cole - A magician serving Marquis Prentis, described as unhinged and around 40 years old. He is one of Eric's captors in the carriage and is involved in the operation to transport Eric and others.
• Viscount Morgan - A potential hostage, ruler of the trading city of Morgan with Guildmaster Levy.
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