Pogente

Many nobles were gathered in the central castle. They all sat silently at the table, waiting for something. Their servants were standing behind waiting for orders.

A very decrepit old man in noble clothes assessed everyone present with his eyes. All the nobles shrank in fear and humility. Nodding, the old man signaled to the Servant. He nodded and opened the scroll and began to read aloud.

-By order of His Majesty, it is necessary to assemble an army within three months. The main cause of concern is nomads. Royal Astrologers suggest that winter will be very painful. This means the attack of the nomads is inevitable! His Majesty hopes that you will take this seriously and gather as many warriors as possible! But not to strengthen the border network of castles, but to invade the steppes! His Majesty wants to organize an invasion of the Khanate by the end of spring!

- So, what do you think about it?

As soon as he finished speaking, the noise filled the hall. Many have discussed how appropriate this is. One nobleman couldn't stand it anymore and stood up and said loudly

-I'm sorry, Duke, but in my opinion, His Majesty is acting a little irrationally. - Then noble said softly -Duke, please try to dissuade him from such actions. Although the nomads are not such a big threat, why should we go on a counterattack? This will be their territory. Wouldn't it be better for us to defend ourselves with a network of castles?

- I do not know why His Majesty wants this, however - the Duke looked hard at the nobleman - You must understand, the Emperor will not be able to do this with his guard alone. No matter how strong the divine artifact is, without our help, His Majesty will have a hard time. As his faithful servants, we need to be ready to help him. Unless of course... you want to renounce your oath of allegiance.

- N-no of course! Excuse me! I said it without thinking! Count Montegre is ready to lend his forces to the Emperor!

-B-Baron Shinkui is ready to lend his forces to the Emperor

As one, everyone began to shout out their willingness to provide assistance

- Ok. I am glad to hear your energy. Let's discuss how to implement all this in the best possible way.

...

A few hours later, all the people left the room. The old man exhaled and said softly

-I'm too old for that. Pour me some tea

The servant, who looked to be the same age as the old man, quickly poured him tea and said

- Master, what do you think Emperor is trying to achieve?

- I'm just an old Duke whose strength scares the kid too much. Why would I mess with this? Death invites me to heaven anyway.

-You shouldn't say such things, sir.

- That's enough. - The old man looked limply at the ceiling - Why did I devote so much time to magic? I paid too much attention to her because I could have been distracted at least a little by a longer-term business

- All may not be lost for you. You still can have a child, I'm sure

- I'm tired of hearing that Gustav. Also, enough of the formalities, my friend. We pass through a lot, through a too lot.

-You're right, Victor. Old age is not the best time of life. It's hard to do the usual work with my bones.

-Yes. Our whole life has been spent in Akanum. Protection of the border city, whose wealth is not inferior to many cities * pearls* of the central region

-Can't help but say, the trade route is very profitable. I also think that the baby has gone crazy. Apparently, having reached level 9, he starts thinking he is the center of the world.

-I hear from an alive legend. Only a few can call His Majesty a baby. -Gustav chuckled.

-Like you're nameless,- the old man chuckled. -The Great Warrior, equal in strength to Diva.

-You know yourself that I was lucky to meet an unprepared Diva, if he were armed, he would easily kill us, even if we were armed to the teeth and there would be 5 of us.

At this moment, they fell silent, remembering the hard fight. Gustav unconsciously touched his chest.

- Okay, enough about past affairs. I heard there's some pet dealer that all the nobles are after.

- Yes, no one was able to catch him. It looks like they have a good network of spies or good luck. Or maybe both. I have serious doubts that they will be able to leave the city alive. Marquis Bondu already tightened inspections at the gate. It will be hard to run with all money.

- Hmm. Our people have nothing to do anyway. I will order the reconnaissance squad to catch them alive and bring them to me. Preferably with all the limbs in place. If I like them, maybe I'll let them leave the city.

- I'll tell them about it. They will do everything properly.

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…

PoV John

I was packing in a small room, the only light in the room was dim moonlight. When I put everything together, I suddenly heard in my head

*We are being watched*

I stopped for a second, but came to my senses and picked up the suitcase, at the same time asking

*How many are there? Can you distract them?*

*The exact number is unknown. I'll try to keep them as long as possible. But you must understand that I won't keep warriors for long. *

*I understand it. I leave through the doorways to a pre-agreed place. And then I leave the city.*

* If I can survive, I will continue to do business. As soon as we get out, you leave without giving a sign. *

Following the plan, I went out and turned the corner. Murad stayed in the shop.

Walking through the back alleys, I felt the observation from the back. Taking a deep breath, I ran. The nooks and crannies were very complex, like a spider's web. Turning in one direction, then in the other, I got rid of the pursuers.

I was breathing hard from running fast. Finally making sure that there was no one behind me, I went towards the nearest horse stable. There I hired a coachman and he took me out of town.

Exhaling, I already began to think about how many coins were left in the city. We hid most of it in different places. Maybe the lucky ones will be able to find a couple, but I hope they won't plunder everything. I have no more than 7 kroons with me. An astronomical sum that in the past I could only dream of.

I took a one-kroon coin out of my bag and looked at it. It consists of almost a third of gold, and the rest of copper. It had a color somewhere between yellow and copper color. In comparison, the coins of the divided kingdoms have a larger amount of gold in their composition, therefore they are more valuable.

- We've arrived. -The coachman's voice interrupted my thoughts

- What does that mean? I told you to take me out of town! We didn't go through the gate.

- Why would you leave the city? My master wants to meet you. Get out of the carriage- The coachman opened the door with an evil grin and a sword in his hand.

You can't just keep a sword in the city like that. Only nobles, mercenaries, guards, and servants of the highest nobles have permission. It's dangerous to mess with any of them. So I made the best decision.

Raising my hands, I humbly got out of the carriage.

- Well done. We've been chasing you for a whole month. For that, I'll take the favor.

As soon as my foot touched the ground, I received a blow with the pommel of the sword.

I began to shake, my vision blurred. After not standing on my feet for a long time, I fell powerlessly to the ground.

…

Meanwhile

PoV Murad

Pulling my sword out of its scabbard I said

- Who's here? Show yourself!

- Impressive. Although you are not a warrior, your perception is quite strong.- A man in a noble robe came out in front of me, which did not hinder his movement. -My name is Gilburt Von Gullo, but you don't have to remember my name. Just follow me, and I promise I won't kill you.

The circumstances are not in my favor. But it looks like John had run away from his pursuers. I just need to detain him and the man behind. He is at a distance of about 40 meters, while only watching.

- What if I refuse?

-I'm sorry, but you have no right to refuse me. If you refuse, I'll just drag you by force.

The streets were not very spacious, it would be difficult for me to fight in a narrow space with my sword and shield. The width of the road is about two meters, wide attacks are impossible. I have chain mail under my clothes, so I can afford to take some damage.

However, I am alarmed by the enemy's weapons. In one hand he held a rapier, in the other a swordbreaker(1). It's going to be a tough fight. Strong stabbing attacks can pierce my chain mail.

I also was worried about the lack of information. I know little about the noble style, as well as about the ways of fighting in urban conditions.

Gilburt raised his rapier and said

-Well, it looks like I'll have to show you your place. -The nobleman began to shorten the distance.

Even though I don't have a tower shield, I decided to use the blockinia's fighting style.

Coming to a close distance, Gilburt lunged. Blocking with my shield, I tried to stab him in the chest, but he easily parried the sword with a dagger. Grinning, the nobleman made another lunge. Raised the shield I barely blocked the blow

- * Knock!*

Bad news, it's a warrior. Even if I had the right weapon, I'm not sure I could win. And in the current conditions, my weapon is ineffective.

Raising my sword, I made a horizontal strike.

-*Swoosh* *Ding!* -The nobleman again easily parried with a dagger, at the same time stabbing me in the chest, although I was able to defend myself at the last moment, his sword was knocked into my shoulder. Fortunately, the shield absorbed most of the inertia, and the chain mail protected me.

While his sword was still in his clothes, I tried to attack him in the throat, but this time he blocked the blade with the teeth that were on the back of the dagger. The teeth gripped the blade so tightly that I couldn't pull it out.

Gilburt placed his thumb in the side ring in the dagger and pulled the blade down with all his might.

-* Crack!* *Crack!!* - The blade of the sword broke off with a loud crack.

- Give up. You will never defeat me, a level 2 warrior. - even though I was open to attack, he did not finish me off.

Instead of answering, I just silently threw away the sword. Now it is useless as a weapon. Instead, I took out a dagger from under my clothes. It looks like this body can't be saved.

Gilburt understood everything without words. Raising his rapier he said

-I'll just try to scratch a little.

I won't survive, so I don't need to act carefully anymore. Without thinking about protection, I ran to Gilbur, at the same time throwing a shield in his direction. As expected, he easily blocked it. Taking advantage of the moment, I grabbed his clothes, he quickly pierced my arm. The blade went through the body.

Well, the best of all probabilities happened. Because his rapier is stuck in my hand, he can only defend himself with a dagger.

Raising my dagger, I pretended as if I was going to attack, but while his eyes were looking at my hand, I swung my head at him. From such a surprise, he was confused and fell to the ground.

Sitting on top of him, not giving him a chance to recover, I raised the dagger and pointed it at his neck. He shouldn't have time to react.

-*Swoosh!* *Ding!* *Crack!*

Something hit the dagger so hard that the blade instantly came off. At the same moment, I felt the blade on my throat.

- Get up slowly. Without sudden movement, otherwise, you will die. - I heard a voice from behind. Very strange, he has been about 30 meters away from us.

Hm? The head sent me a message that John had already been caught. Following his orders, I slowly stood up. I need to try to save John.

Gilburt holding his bleeding nose with his hands shouted

-Y-you're crazy! How could you try to do such a thing!? Are you suicidal!? -He said that pointing at my hand, his sword still here.

- Shut up Gilburt! To save you, I was forced to use mana. However, how selfless. I recognize your bravery. Heh -The man smiled. He was wearing a similar noble outfit. -Well, tell me where you hid your friend? Our master wants to see you.

-He has already packed all his belongings and fled the city.

-You sure? Our executioners can make you tell the truth.

-I have no reason to lie.

-Fine, I will believe you. It means now we have to chase a running rabbit!

Hmm, so they didn't catch John. Thinking about it, I decided to try to persuade them to save him.

- Maybe the nobles caught him. You weren't the only one following us today.

- Hmm… I'll try to find it later. But now, we will go to the castle.