The guards were wary of me, but when they heard the word 'friendly' they eased up a little. But I'm sure they didn't understand the pun, and they surely didn’t understand what 'neighborhood' means.
"If your purpose was to help us, we are thankful… Do you require any rewards? We can provide you with some gold coins for your aid." Said the martial artist guard, trying to be polite. It’s as that saying tells, only crazy people would punch someone smiling at them… Even though I wasn’t smiling, nor could they see my face.
Hearing that, I started stroking my chin, as if in deep thought.
"Well… My primary intention was to kill bandits to get their corpses and money. I just helped you because I wouldn't have to go out of my way to do so… Well, but if you insist, I shall accept."
After saying so, I waved my hand and the undead behind me disappeared into my hands after going back to their core-form.
Seeing the undead disappear, only leaving Albert behind, the guards visibly showed some relief and sheathed their weapons as well.
"Please wait for a moment. I will ask Sir Artmer to give you some gold coins as a reward." Said the martial artist with a solemn demeanor, also sheathing his sword.
He then went back to the main carriage of the caravan and came out with a young man soon after.
The man was tall, with blonde hair and blue eyes, wearing fine clothes adorned with jewelry, the man possessed a noble bearing. He seemed to be a noble, as well as a merchant, but being so young he was surely not a Magus yet.
"Thank you for your help Sir Vrygewig. Were it not for you, we would have lost all our merchandise." He said with a bow, showing a dashing smile.
Seeing the young man, I remembered a portrait I saw in one of the books that I copied for Lord Angus. Fortunately, drawing a portrait is much easier than a Magic Circle, otherwise, I would have been fired if I drew it as I did on earth. However, I was surprised since I knew this man’s identity isn’t simple…
"It was just proper for me to do so. Building a good relationship with the Black Gold family is helping myself." I said, bowing back respectfully.
Hearing that, an astonished look appeared on the young man's face.
"You know who I am?" He asked.
Yes, I knew exactly who that man was. In Golden State Duchy, and the lands of the eastern Argent Kingdom, one of the four biggest merchant guilds was the Bosta Merchant Guild, that was responsible for Large-scale trading across the duchy and possessed many mines, they also dealt with black market trading, but weren't specialized on that. Even though the Black Gold Family was a family of Barons, they were as powerful and influential as the Dukes because of the huge amount of money they possess.
Seeing that I knew him, a strange glint shone on his eyes, that was the same weird glare of the guy that wanted to sell me my computer for three times its worth had when I told him I didn't know anything about computers (Obviously a lie, ended up getting a discount.). That was the glare of someone seeing a huge profit.
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"Sir Vrygewig is indeed an uncommon Dread Lord to be able to recognize someone like me, you aren't an uncouth ignoble peasant like most. It seems that you can truly be reasoned with." He said, obviously inferring that I was of noble origins.
"You are too kind in your assessment sir Artmer. If I were of high status, I wouldn't have to resort to becoming a Dread Lord. My background is just slightly better than most peasants, and I don't even have two pennies to my name." I said, feeding him information. With that, he would surely understand I am a bastard son that needs money. I had gotten used to this kind of exchanges after watching Baron Angus dealing with nobles, it is roundabout but that’s how politics work, pretty much a different language altogether.
Hearing what I said, a big smile appeared on Artmer's face.
"Even still, someone such as you is definitely exalted now, with your current power." He said before pausing. "I think we could form a profitable relationship indeed… if Sir knows what I mean."
When he said so, he took out a pouch from his waist and threw it at Albert.
After opening, he counted and verified that there were fifty gold coins inside, which along with the money I have, was enough for me to buy the Crystal Fiber Flower instead of hunting for one.
Looking at the money, I smiled underneath my mask.
"You really are something boy! You managed to get some big fish to be interested in you? You seem to be better than expected indeed." Said Sixth, patting my shoulder with a smile on his face.
Ignoring Sixth, for now, I continued listening to Artmer.
"Sir Vrygewig, we are currently in need of an escort to get to Golden State City. But for some reasons, we need to do It covertly, so we couldn't get our best experts to come along or have more people to guard the caravan, which is why we were disadvantaged against those lowly bandits.” Artmer explained, many things were implied in his words and it seems their cargo is extremely important. “But with you Sir Vrygewig, we can surely go unnoticed and arrive at the city without any problems. I wonder if Sir would accept to come along for another hundred gold coins?" He proposed.
"If Sir Artmer insists, I will be happy to oblige, as long as sir keeps my identity as a Dread Lord a secret during the trip… I would also like to buy a Heart Fiber Flower in Argent Heart city, if you would be so kind as to stop there for me to buy it."
Artmer smiled and brought me to his carriage where we chatted.
We traveled for two more days before arriving at Argent city, we were attacked by another two bandit groups on the way, however, they were instantly slain by the five ghouls, adding another forty-two skeletons to my horde.
The ghouls' abilities were much better than a Martial Artist's since Ghouls never tired and could regenerate by eating flesh, their necrotic energy was also passively regenerated while fighting and hardly ran out of energy like Martial Artists, the rate of regeneration was not that big though, so big attacks in succession would exhaust it.
We arrived at Argent Heart city without any major happenings. I had removed my Dread Mantle but kept a hood over my face to hide my facial features, there were many people with deformed features they couldn’t afford to fix, so that wasn't too conspicuous.
Artmer noticed I was probably young because of my voice but was still surprised when he saw I looked about the same age as he did, after all, most Dread Lords are at least middle-aged and many of them are old men.
It is said that the younger the Dread Lord, the bigger the possibility of them getting to higher ranks. It is rumored that the Dread King of the western continent was twelve when he became a Dread Lord, and now he became a Fourth level existence, which is the highest a necromancer ever reached since the Dread Emperor that ravaged the world on the Dark Ages. Though no one knows what relation age has with necromancy since that's something only a necromancer would know, and the answer is that there is no relation at all.
After arriving at Argent Heart City, we stayed in a big Inn where I got my own private room that was by the side of Artmer's room.
I bathed and then slept, still with my mask on, while letting two ghouls stand watch outside my room, and another two by Artmer's room, while Albert stayed with me.
Closing my eyes, tiredness embraced me before I fell asleep.