Karte was very happy right now. He felt he was like an important person among the residents. Since people could see what was different about him, they misunderstood and started to believe that he finally found his
own backer. Since everyone knew Karte, they wouldn't believe he got much money
to buy all those things. Although there was a possibility, people in the town wouldn't waste money just to enjoy delicious food in abundant quantity. It was stupid if a person just spent all his salary for one day consumption. Because of this, they could conclude that the servant might run the order from his lord.
There was temptation to ask further but since it was just the first errand, they believed there would be many chances at later days to find out the truth. Despite the curiosity, people around just let him go for
now less making him uncomfortable from their overly questioning. While the good
people congratulated him, the bad people were full of jealousy. From the side of the road, few thugs were watching Karte silently. In the dark alley, the life was completely different from outside. It wasn't strange to begin that in each country, there would be a kind of people like them who could only steal money from the weak. Harassing someone was common since they often broke the law.
The public security should be good around the academy, but it was another story if the area was further away from it. Compared with big city or capital, there were only several watchmen which patrolling in the packed area. For the example, the academy, the market, the merchant association, and
any other place at the center would become a priority. That was why the cost would be greater if someone opened a store for business at this commercial area rather than picking the faraway place. It was a matter of course since people would look for stable and secure area to live and do the business.
Despite the carefulness from the servant when he finally brought all the things, Karte didn't realize several rough men were following him from far away. Just looking the expensive food and drink he bought, the
servant must have a big money inside the pocket. The thugs didn't think further since it was just a small town here. Moreover, Karte was heading to deserted place which made their usual operations easier. He focused too much on bringing a perfect treatment to Baston so he didn't realize a few thugs had already blocked the road ahead. When he finally bumped at them, he realized it was
already too late.
"What are you doing? You dare to block someone in daylight?" Karte was nervous, "I warn you that the watchmen around the town won't let you go."
"Ha… ha… ha… Do you think you can scare us?" one of the thugs came forward, "The place is far from the center. They can't rush here quickly. It's better to hand over all the money you have or else, you will be disabled forever."
"Ha… ha… ha… It's true…" the other man added, "Rather than being useless for a lifetime, it's better to lose your money. You can earn it back after working again for years, right?"
"You are despicable!" Karte gritted his teeth, "If you dare to touch me, young noble won't let you go. He will torture you everyday until
death. You already know what fate is waiting for you if you offend nobles."
As the commoner, Karte knew the background was very important to survive in this harsh world. Many people wouldn't dare to touch someone if they had strong backer. Even though Baston wasn't a noble, he
believed it would be no time until the fat boy got his nobility. Strength spoke louder so with his ice magic and good development; Baston would reach higher than him at least. Surely, the thugs started to waver once they heard Karte was working for a noble. Despite of him being alone right now, his lord would
avenge him once something happened.
The lackeys were afraid, but the big man behind came forward. He only gave Karte a smirk before showing off his dagger. This one man gave a bad vibe to Karte since unlike the others, he seemingly didn't give a
damn about what the nobles were thinking about.
"Don't lie to us! Who was in the right mind live in this dilapidated area? Only a poor and commoner around here while nobles surely
despise the place. There's no way you have a noble lord. I guess the best one must be a merchant class…"
The big man continued while moving toward Karte, "We might not dare to fight against nobles, but it's different story if your lord is
lower than that."
With his confidence, other thugs gained courage to follow him. If someone thought further, it seemed what the big man uttered made sense since the nobles would be unlikely staying here. Once they realized the man in front of them made a fool out of their thinking, they gnashed their teeth. The
thugs simply felt stupid because they just believed Karte's words. The servant wanted to run, but he was afraid that he would spill everything he bought. It was all coming from Baston's money so once the fat boy felt disappointed in him, the good days would be long gone.
"Listen here, my patience is limited. Hand over all you have before…"
The big man threatened Karte imposingly before suddenly, an ice shard manifested in front of him. As a veteran in the town, he quickly stepped back before it could reach him. He didn't have magic inside his body,
but he was aware what it could do to his life. The magic in this world could almost do anything, so just having a small dagger clearly wasn't enough to counter it. Once everyone stepped back, a fat boy came up behind Karte. It looked like this boy was the one that the servant mentioned before.
"Are you alright?" Baston asked expressionlessly.
"I'm fine, young noble. I'm sorry that I waste too much time to bring the food back," Karte beamed with smile since his savior stood before him.
"Magic, huh? Then, he must be a noble then. But this place is very deserted. What is he doing here?" the big man pondered.
The thugs halted their steps since it was a fact that only a noble who was eligible to learn magic at the academy. As for non-elemental magic that poor, class, or merchant class used, they never treated it as the real one. Only elemental magic like Baston used that was considered dangerous. Slowly, they wanted to escape but the fat boy quickly held them down. At the bottom of their legs, it started to freeze until the knee. The thugs soon wailed terribly, thinking their lives would soon end.
"Young master, please forgive us!"
"We're sorry! We thought your servant was just a nobody!"
"I promise I won't rob from you again, young master. Please, let us go! I have a wife and children to feed at home!"
Baston felt strange at this time. At the beginning, he would surely let them go easily. Not only he was afraid of troubles, he didn't dare to fight one to one if the thugs faced him directly. Everyone knew the
consequence of confronting such people. They usually strolled around in group and was just a small part of big gathering. There must be one biggest head behind them and that person would surely take revenge. Because of this, many people didn't dare to report them. The best they could do was to inform the public security anonymously.
Since the matter of the little girl, it gave a big impact on Baston's life. He felt if he did nothing and just watched, many children would suffer and ended horribly. Although he wasn't a saint, he believed he could make a small difference in his action. After killing the dark wizard, he gained a confidence to act against such people. Baston sighed and handed over the thugs to Karte, telling him to report them so they could get punishment. He hoped they would stay in jail for a long time.
"Excuse me, young noble, but…" Karte looked hesitated, "The thing is many thugs around have strong backer. They might be apprehended for a while, but as soon as they get their freedom back, I'm sure they will after you. Even though the academy is safe and nobody will take risk to break in, but
I'm afraid they will make a trouble as soon as you go outside."
Baston frowned, "Even the kingdom doesn't dare to touch them?"
"The kingdom surely won't be afraid of little thugs like them, but since they have bigger problem to concern, it's up to local security
to do their job. Most likely, some of them are already bribed so as long it doesn't cause big ruckus, no one will make a fuss."
"I see…"
Thinking about the matter, it seemed right that whenever you lived, there must be always a problem regarding criminals. The government couldn't always focus on simple matter, so only the local residents who could
take over the problem. Baston heard some thugs had strong person from behind, either a merchant or noble. Whatever it was, he couldn't face them directly since his own status was the lowest. If he wanted to solve it, he had to kill the mastermind secretly. When he was thinking more, the old book gave a tremor as usual. It should be a new quest. Baston went to secluded place before he opened the book.
"Kill the boss behind the thugs. The man is an exclusive supplier for the academy…"
Baston sighed, lamenting his fate over the damn quest. Right just after killing the dark wizard, he must kill another one. Despite the
difficulty, he had to finish it or else, another penalty would soon strike him. The thing was the dark wizard from before was a public enemy, so it was easier to make everyone move together and eliminate her. It was different this time since the target was a merchant. Not everyone would hate this person if he or she could behave well in society.
The fact that the mastermind was an exclusive supplier meant it would be very hard to kill. This person should have a good reputation outside while playing secretly in the dark. Baston called Karte to know more
about this one person. Since he worked for few years, he should have the information regarding this exclusive supplier. When the servant explained, Baston started to have a headache.
His name was Mr. Levan, a simple and humble merchant who known by a lot of people. He already made a good impression despite his dark secret. Over years, he attended many charities while building his own connections. Many people gave a rumor that it wouldn't be long until he had his own nobility. However, the wait still continued until now. Even though people were certain such a good man should climb higher, but the reality didn't run as they wanted to. Despite the unfair treatment, Levan still smiled amicably. He still amassed many supports from people around.
"This type of person is quite dangerous and cunning. If I have to kill him, I have to plan thoroughly…"
Baston was pondering what the best way to finish the quest. He then went back to Karte and the half-frozen thugs. They were still waiting for his judgment. In their minds, they were sure Baston wouldn't kill them because
they had strong backer. The fat boy himself ordered Karte to go back first and prepared all things he bought at there. When the servant had already gone, Baston turned his sight back to the thugs.
"Release us right now or you will pay the consequence!" the big man snarled.
"You don't want to beg for your life anymore?" Baston sneered, "I thought you were pleading much more before. Now, you dare to threat instead pleading again."
"Why I have to? I heard what you and your servant whispered. You might not know who is our backer, but I assure you that a little fat boy like you can't face our boss straightforwardly. You better release us quickly!"