The Bloody Valkyrie

This walled city held an important strategic importance for war. As someone controlling a considerable amount of the food trade, Bardo was one of the most influential merchants in the city.

When an army numbers in the tens of thousands of people, the logistics involved with transporting provisions and rations takes quite a lot of time and effort. The Kingdom’s strategy was to march its army there with minimum supplies and provide the army’s need in this city. Which meant this city wasn’t quite like the other commercial, cities since merchants dealing with food or weapons held quite a large amount of influence and authority inside this town.

Someone with such authority within the walled city of Re-Lantier shouldn’t be talking to Sebas just because they both happened to eat at the same restaurant. He should have an ulterior motive for trying to converse with him.

However, this was also one of Sebas’ goals.

“Sebas-san, that man is no good.”

“Is that so?”

While speaking with Bardo, Sebas changed his expression for the first time since the whole incident began. He revealed a courteous smile because he understood exactly who the merchant was speaking of.

“That guy is known as untrustworthy and dishonest, I cannot understand why Sebas-san is hiring a guy like him.”

Sebas quickly thought this over to find the best reply for this situation.

He couldn’t reveal the reason they had hired Zach to Bardo. If Sebas told him he hired Zach because he didn’t knew of his character, his evaluation might be lowered and his judgment could be questioned.

Though we’re certainly leaving this city soon, I should still avoid the possibility of Bardo lowering his evaluation of me. In the near future, there may be the possibility that we will have to use him.

“Maybe you’re right, but no one introduced himself as shamelessly as he did. Though his character might be flawed as a whole, ojou-sama quite appreciates his enthusiasm.”

Bardo showed a troubled bitter smile. His evaluation of her was probably lowered by another notch.

It was for their goal that he had asked her to play this role, so it couldn’t be helped. He felt quite bad that she had to play such a spoiled character.

“I overstepped myself, I hope you can forgive my remark. Maybe it’s better to hint and advise this to your lady?”

“Perhaps you’re right. But considering the help and support milady’s father had given me, I just cannot bring myself to…”

“Though loyalty is very important too…”

Bardo muttered a sentence, but the subsequent words could not be heard clearly.

“Would you like for me to recommend you some trustworthy men?”

“No need to be so considerate, Bardo-san.”

Though his tone was gentle, he firmly rejected of his proposal. Detecting the iron will under his statement, Bardo tried another approach.

“Is that so? I still think it would be better if proper bodyguards were to follow along. The road to capital is far. Unlike the Baharuth Empire, the Kingdom of Re-Estize's roads aren't very safe. I could help you to find some trustworthy mercenaries.”

Safety of the road is being maintained by the nobles of the area, and they charge a toll fee for people traveling their roads. It’s one of many rights of the nobles, but it’s only a means for them to collect revenue. Many parts of the roads weren’t maintained nor properly patrolled, with many gaps in security. Therefore, it was common for travelers to be assaulted by bandits or mercenaries that have turned to banditry.

In order to solve this problem, under the efforts of the “Golden Princess,” the soldiers under the king’s direct control started patrolling the roads. But due to their small numbers, there weren’t any notable differences. The number of the patrolling troops was also small due to the constant meddling of the nobles who were scared of their rights being infringed.

Since it became like this, the country itself didn’t really have the power to maintain the order and security of the roads.

Merchants who needed to travel on the roads normally hired a team of adventurers or mercenaries to protect themselves. A powerful merchant like Bardo should know some elite and trustworthy mercenary groups, but Sebas still couldn’t accept his proposal.

“Maybe you’re right again, but ojou-sama doesn’t like to be surrounded by many people. I wish to follow ojou-sama’s wish to the best of my abilities.”

“So it’s like that?”

Bardo exaggeratedly furrowed his face and showed a troubled expression. It was the face of an helpless adult confronted with a child’s tantrum.

“My sincere apologies, for us to be so inconsiderate towards your goodwill.”

“Please don’t say that. To be honest, I just wanted to sell you a favor. If it can’t be done, I at least want to improve our relationship.”