Big Ray was about to curse out the guy who had pumped him when he saw a familiar face that he hadn't seen in a while. His lips twitched in annoyance, "You did it intentionally, didn't you?"
"I might have," Lucian confessed, chuckling, "How have you been, Big Ray?"
Big Ray worked for the Duremont house, but there were no rules for knights to compete in the hunting competition.
"You know, same old, same old," Big Ray replied, "You, on the other hand, have become even more famous since the last time we met."
The knight stage training must have steeled his heart. He was no longer hot headed and angry like in the past.
They walked together, chatting about their experiences, catching up on the latest news, and discussing the upcoming hunt.
Small tents, which belonged to commoners, were located in the far corner of the area, stacked closely to each other. They were made from simple cloth and had no decorations or special features.
Big Ray came from lower nobility and was the only one who managed to become a knight among his siblings.
Lucian used this chance to subtly steer the conversation towards the topic of marriage.
His question was met with a laugh.
"I can't afford a wife yet, Lucian." Big Ray shook his head, his expression wistful.
Most knights were in debt to the nobles who had paid for their education and training, as the cost of becoming a knight was astronomical. Big Ray had been fortunate enough to have his family support him, but he wasn't debt free.
Anything below gold rank knights had to live on a strict budget to survive. They were a glorified workforce until one reached gold rank. Only after reaching the gold rank would real money making opportunities start to present themselves.
Lucian was a good listener and Big Ray had a lot of things on his chest.
"You need to unwind once in a while," Lucian suggested jokingly, "I've got some connections, maybe I can hook you up with someone… The Queen of the Night, perhaps?"
Big Ray laughed in dismissal, "Don't even joke about it. She's way out of my league." When he saw Lucian's serious expression, his smile disappeared, "Are you serious? How do you even know her?"
"Lady Lily was a bit persistent in getting to know me better," Lucian replied, making Big Ray roll his eyes at him for showing off his popularity among the ladies, "But it didn't work out in the end. We're still on good terms, though. I can introduce you to her, if you're interested."
Big Ray bobbed his head up and down, his eyes shining with excitement as they passed by a few groups of knights. Among them was Lando Turan, who had his ears open upon hearing Lady Lily's name.
"Lady Lily owes me a favor," Lucian continued leisurely, "She has a good head on her shoulders and is not the type to marry for status or money. I'm sure you two will get along well."
"What's the catch?" Big Ray asked, his enthusiasm slightly dimming, "I know your prices, so don't think you can pull a fast one on me."
Lucian moved his eyes to Lando Turan, "He was an iron rank when he borrowed money from me, and now he is silver, so there's not much my people can do to him, except wait for him to return to his senses. I think that's all I need to say."
Big Ray followed Lucian's gaze and noticed the man he was referring to, "Lando Turan?"
They served the same house, and Lucian didn't want to assume that they were on good terms just because of it, but Big Ray's reaction confirmed that they were.
"Could you remind him of the debt he owes me? I'm sure he will listen to you."
Big Ray used to be part of Lucian's gang, and knew how dangerous it was to cross the Badass gang.
"You got it," Big Ray nodded eventually, cracking his fingers, thinking that all he had to do was threaten the crap out of Lando, and he would get Lady Lily's attention.
They were the same rank, but Big Ray had more 'friends', and thus the upper hand.
Lucian leaned over to whisper, "I still want my money back, so if he finds a way to repay his debt by tomorrow morning, let him off the hook. I don't care if he steals or borrows money from someone to pay me off, but I want it in coins, not in favors."
Big Ray's lips pulled into a smirk, "You're still the same as I remember. It's good to see that you haven't changed."
"Unlike your master," Lucian commented humorously.
Big Ray laughed, trying to slap him on the shoulder but failing to do so because Lucian had already moved away from his reach, "..."
He shrugged it off, following next to Lucian, "I can't praise our young master Mathieu enough for turning over a new leaf. The bad rumors about him will disappear in time, he is no longer the trash that everyone knew."
Lucian didn't pause, "Oh? Did he advance?"
"Ah..." Big Ray realized he shouldn't share that information with anyone and stopped himself from confirming it.
Lucian didn't know why Young Master Mathieu would want to hide such an achievement from the world to begin with, but Big Ray was not going to risk exposing him it seemed.
"I'm sorry, I can't tell you," Big Ray scratched the back of his head in apology.
Lucian didn't comment further and let the topic drop.
Big Ray stayed in a cheaper camp, so they had to separate for the time being.
Lucian invited him to the more expensive campsite to drink and enjoy himself.
The more expensive camp was a place where nobles mingled with each other. Nobody was allowed to step in unless they were accompanying their master or were running errands for them.
Big Ray happily accepted the offer.
Lucian didn't forget to mention Lady Lily again before they parted ways.
He felt Lorano's nervous gaze on him, and when their eyes met, Lorano quickly looked away, pretending to be busy with something else.
Lucian rarely had to step in to assist his people with demanding money. He was usually the last resort, the final nail in the coffin.
'Well, that should take care of that,' Lucian thought, walking away from the scene, satisfied with the outcome.
If Lorano chose to target Mathieu, that would be even better.
'Maybe a little extra push will do the magic.'
╔═══ Author's note ════╗
You know how there's always someone picking up fights with certain MCs like they have a death wish? 😏 I present you: Birth of cannon fodders, Lucian style! 🗣
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