Lord: Starting from the Pit-Dwelling Courtyard

Chapter 107: Nobles

As the drawbridge slowly lowered, the refugees entered the first city wall, only to discover that there was a second city wall behind it.

Even the uneasy refugees breathed a sigh of relief.

Such a defense cannot be breached by mere goblins.

Large numbers of migrants were registered and then sent to work in the inner city.

But at that very moment, an untimely voice rang out.

"I am Lord Baroque, Lord of the Baroque Domain. Where is your lord?"

Hilden frowned slightly as he looked at the other person.

"I'm sorry, our lord isn't here; he's over in the main city."

Upon hearing that the lord was not here, nor the main city, Locke showed a surprised expression.

He had only come to Blackthorn Wasteland this year, and although only half a year had passed, he was already very clear about the living environment of Blackthorn Wasteland.

The sheer size and formidable defenses of this territory speak volumes about the lord's prowess.

Just then, a lackey whispered a few words in his ear.

Locke's expression was grim and uncertain, but he finally gritted his teeth and agreed.

A knight beside Locke hurriedly stopped him: "My lord, you must not be misled by Santis. This kind of thing cannot succeed. What if we are driven out?"

Santis shoved the other man away and sneered, "Kilian, don't think I don't know what you're thinking. You don't want the lord to have an easy time. After obtaining the title of knight, you can't wait to leave the lord and return to Gorubak Castle to find your wife and children."

Santis was an old servant that Locke brought from his home. He followed Locke in the Blackthorn Wasteland for more than half a year. With his eloquent tongue and ruthless heart, he became Locke's most trusted strategist.

Locke's face immediately darkened upon hearing this.

Killian Ford was someone he discovered while passing through a village in the countryside of Gorubakburg. He was a newly promoted official knight, but because he was not granted a sword by a nobleman, he was not officially recognized as a wild knight in Gorubakburg.

Most of the time, such knights could only serve as mercenaries or guards for great lords, and could not enjoy the privileges of a knight.

After all, knights who were granted swords were officially recognized. In addition to the necessary salary, those who hired knights were also allocated land. The taxes paid on those lands were only half those paid by the tenants. This was the knight's benefit.

So over time, many lords preferred to hire those wild knights, as long as they paid them a salary, they didn't need to provide any benefits.

Locke initially used the promise of a swordsman as bait to lure Killian into following him.

As it turned out, Locke's idea was very successful. Even if he were given a hundred acres of land in the Blackthorn Wasteland, he still wouldn't be able to cultivate it. All he had to do was pay him a salary, just like when recruiting wild knights. Moreover, in order to earn the title of Sword Knight, Killian's salary was only one-third of that of an ordinary wild knight.

Locke said angrily, "Kilian, I trusted you so much. Get out of my way. I'll settle accounts with you after I've dealt with things here."

Hilden watched the farce unfold before him, and for a moment, he didn't know what to say.

The next second, Locke smiled at Hilden.

"Your Excellency should be the defense officer of this entire town. Although I am a pioneering lord, my father is a count of the kingdom. If you are willing to follow me and offer this town to me, I guarantee that after I obtain my title, I will grant you the title of lord..."

Before Locke could finish speaking, Thun roared, "Bullshit! If you want to die, get out of here!"

Upon hearing this, Santis immediately stepped in front of Locke.

"Knight, watch your tone. This is a nobleman, a high-ranking nobleman of the kingdom."

Thun was wearing heavy wooden scale armor and a mask, making it impossible to see his face clearly. In addition, he was very tall.

Santis didn't recognize him as a Grimmian at all, and thought he was a knight from the territory.

Thun coldly said, "They're just stray dogs; what right do they have to bark here?"

"You!" Locke was furious, but he knew he was now in a bind. If he didn't subdue these people, it would be impossible for him to take over the territory.

This territory is absolutely perfect.

With rock potatoes hanging on the cliff and towering city walls, there's no need to worry about goblin attacks.

As for the original lord of this town, what can he do even if he is dissatisfied after he takes over the fortress?

There are no rules in the Blackthorn Wasteland; everything is decided by fists.

Locke knew very well that such a fortified city was impregnable unless the Border Lord sent troops.

Locke roared, "Santis, slap him! Make him understand that nobles are not to be trifled with!"

Hilden immediately realized he was in trouble.

As expected, Santis revealed a cruel smile, and two lackey knights immediately stepped forward to grab Thun. The next second, two large hammers smashed the heads of the two knights.

The two large hammers smashed the heads of the two knights to pieces.

Santis was splattered with blood, looking bewildered and not understanding what had happened.

"This is my lord's territory, who do you think you are!" Thun said, drawing his Embroidered Spring Blade.

Locke finally realized something was wrong; dozens of heavily armored men had already surrounded them.

"I am a nobleman, a knight, do you want to rebel!" Locke shouted, pointing at Thun.

"What is rebellion?" Thun looked at Hilden with a blank expression.

Hilden explained impatiently, "It's pretty much the same as betrayal."

Thun laughed in anger. He hadn't even followed the other party, so how could there be any betrayal?

"You've got it wrong, I'm not a knight." After saying that, Thun slashed at Santis with a swift and fierce sword.

Santis had just drawn his knight's sword when his entire body, from shoulder to thigh, was cleaved in two, demonstrating the immense force of the blow.

Locke was so terrified by the sudden dismemberment that he collapsed to the ground.

Killian reacted quickly and immediately shielded Locke in front of him. No matter what, Locke was still his lord.

Killian quickly said, "Gentlemen, we were rude just now, we'll leave immediately."

Locke then realized his mistake and quickly said, "We were being rude just now. It's all Santis's fault for giving me such a bad idea, which made me lose my composure."

Hilden stepped aside to block Thun, and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Sheathe your sword, I'll handle the rest."

Tuen glanced at him, wiped the blood off his embroidered spring knife on the sole of his boot, and put it away.

"Lord Baroque, my companion was too extreme just now. Do you still stand by what you just said?"

Upon hearing this, Locke was slightly taken aback, but his panic immediately turned into delight.

"Yes, of course it counts."

Locke was completely unaware that Hilden had taken the opportunity to get close to him. Just as Killian was about to stop Hilden, Locke pushed him away.

Killian felt a chill run down his spine after Locke's push, and his eyes darkened slightly.

Why is it that despite my unwavering loyalty to the lord, I never gain his trust?