Chapter 42: Surrounding The Knight Station!
It didn’t take long for Roderic to get ready.
After changing into a fresh set of clothes and strapping both hooked blades to his waist, he followed Frederic downstairs.
The moment he stepped outside the inn, he immediately spotted Edmund.
The chubby middle-aged man stood beside several horses and a carriage, surrounded by more than a dozen knights wearing the familiar colors of House Whitemane.
’’Young master!’’ Edmund happily called out.
Roderic smiled faintly as he waved at him.
’’You’re finally here,’’ he said.
Edmund let out a chuckle.
’’I came as quickly as I could,’’ he said. ’’Though judging from what young Frederic told me, you certainly didn’t wait around for us.’’
Shrugging lightly, Roderic couldn’t help but glance at the knights.
’’I see you’ve brought quite the men with you?’’
Edmund’s smile immediately grew wider.
’’Of course!’’ he said proudly. ’’You asked me to bring capable men, young master!’’
He stepped aside before gesturing at the knights behind him.
’’Twelve trained knights under Captain Harris were personally sent here,’’ Edmund continued. ’’And more importantly...’’
His gaze shifted to a slightly chubby knight standing near the carriage.
Unlike the other knights, the man wore a full suit of steel armor with two badges pinned to it, while a huge greatsword sat on his back.
’’Sir Roland wished to come along!’’
Even underneath all his armor, Roderic recognized the man immediately.
Roderic almost couldn’t hold back his smirk.
’Oho, that arrogant knight commander is going to get it,’ he thought. ’He stands absolutely no chance against a two-seal knight!’
At the same time, Sir Roland walked over and took off his helmet.
As he reached Roderic, he lowered himself onto one knee.
’’Young master,’’ he said seriously. ’’I know this isn’t enough to repay the favor you’ve shown me. But I’d like to show this to you as a start.’’
Roderic stared at the kneeling knight for a moment.
Then a smile slowly appeared on his face.
’’I’ll gladly accept that,’’ he replied calmly.
Sir Roland raised his head and nodded firmly.
’’Thank you, young master.’’
He stood back up and placed his helmet underneath his arm.
Edmund watched the interaction with a wide smile before clapping his hands together.
’’Well then!’’ he exclaimed. ’’Should we head over to that tavern first? Young Frederic told me there was quite a mess to clean up.’’
Roderic immediately shook his head.
’’No,’’ he said. ’’That can wait.’’
’’There’s something more important we need to deal with first. And it needs to happen discreetly.’’
For a moment, silence fell between them.
Edmund couldn’t help but stare at Roderic questioningly.
’’We’re heading for the local knight station,’’ Roderic continued. ’’The man distributing drugs admitted he’d been paying off most of the knights here for a long time.’’
The smile on Edmund’s face instantly disappeared.
And it wasn’t just him.
The twelve knights from the estate and Sir Roland had their expressions darken too.
Being a knight under House Whitemane was what they considered the greatest honor and what they prided themselves on.
But hearing that others were making light of that very honor... to say they were furious was an understatement.
Sir Roland immediately stepped forward.
’’Leave it to us, young master,’’ he said coldly. ’’We’ll detain those who surrender, and kill those who won’t.’’
Nodding in satisfaction, Roderic couldn’t help but smile.
’’Good,’’ he said. ’’But I’m coming with you.’’
Sir Roland raised an eyebrow.
A hint of worry and uncertainty flashed through his eyes.
’’Young master, there’s really no need for you—’’
’’I know there’s no need for me to be there,’’ Roderic interrupted. ’’But I need more combat experience myself.’’
He paused for a moment.
’’How else could I lead on the battlefield one day?’’
Sir Roland stared at Roderic for a moment, his eyes widening with newfound respect.
After a moment, he quickly bowed down.
’’Apologies, young master,’’ he quickly said. ’’I should’ve never questioned you.’’
A grin spread across Roderic’s face.
’’That’s quite alright,’’ he said, waving him off. ’’Let’s not waste any more time though.’’
Just like that, they slowly began making their way towards the knight station.
Roderic calmly walked at the front beside Sir Roland and Edmund, while the rest of the knights walked behind them.
Civilians parted ways for them wherever they went, whispers ringing out all around.
It didn’t take much longer before the knight station appeared ahead.
Roderic immediately slowed down, his gaze flickering back to Edmund.
’’Clear out the civilians nearby,’’ he ordered. ’’I’d prefer to keep this under wraps.’’
Edmund nodded without hesitation.
’’Of course, young master,’’ he replied, already turning around.
He quickly pointed toward two of the knights.
’’You two, come with me. Frederic, you as well.’’
’’Yes, sir!’’
As the four of them began clearing the surrounding streets, Roderic continued toward the knight station.
The remaining knights silently spread out around him.
Roderic stopped directly in front of the entrance before pulling out both of his hooked blades.
THUNK!
He planted them firmly into the dirt in front of him.
Almost immediately, the estate knights began forming a wide circle around the entrance.
There was no way anyone was getting out unnoticed.
Just then, a familiar screen popped up in front of Roderic.
[Territorial Quest]
Host has detected a severe problem inside the territory. A group of corrupt knights has been taking bribes to keep illegal activities unpunished.
-Kill or capture the eight corrupt knights
Reward: Noble Bearing Trait + 500 Throne Coins
——————
Roderic’s eyes lit up instantly.
’There it is,’ he thought, eager to rub his hands together. ’Oho, what a beautiful system!’
Now all he had to do was clean up the knights.
Quickly dismissing the screen, Roderic cleared his throat and glanced back at the knight station.
’’Knights stationed within!’’ he shouted loudly. ’’As the third young master of House Whitemane, I, Roderic Whitemane, order every knight inside to come out immediately!’’
For several seconds, complete silence fell.
The knights all around him tensed up, their weapons raised.
Finally, the doors slowly opened.