Chapter 16: The Daring Angler
Ian couldn't figure it out. He couldn't speak for other starting classes, but a hedge knight with armor and a trained horse, if fully equipped, would undoubtedly be able to defeat such a caravan.
However, since Ian was currently unarmored, he didn't dare take any risks.
While Ian pondered, the player exchanged glances with his servant. The lean fake merchant approached Ian, but Ian pretended not to notice their subtle movements and remained silent.
"I'm Damon, a traveling merchant from Brightwater Keep in the Reach."
"I don't care who you are," Ian interrupted. "I only care about this shipment of salt."
"May I ask who you are, ser?"
"Ser Ian Hill." Ian smiled. He didn't pretend to be a trueborn Lannister in front of the player as he had with the stableboy. After all, that lie would be much more difficult to maintain than claiming to be a bastard.
The advantage of pretending to be a bastard was obvious at this point. Unless the other party was desperate to insult you, they wouldn't ask any further questions.
"Perhaps you haven't heard of me, but this shipment is wanted by Ser Kevan Lannister, brother of Lord Tywin, Lord of Casterly Rock. I suggest you don't get any ideas," Ian warned, invoking powerful names.
"Uh," the lean merchant was clearly intimidated again. This clearly went beyond what his companion had just told him to say, so he looked at the heavyset servant again.
Feeling a bit panicked, the fat man hurried forward and explained, "Ser, my name is Harry. My cousin isn't very clever, so I usually make the decisions on all matters within the caravan."
It was a very reasonable explanation, and Ian sneered inwardly. If I were truly some noble's bastard son, I'd have been fooled by you.
"I'm not a lord, I'm just a knight," Ian stiffly rejected the merchant's address (perhaps it was just a slip of the tongue?). "Anyway, let me have this cargo. What compensation do you want? I can arrange to pay you triple the price. Even if you ship it south and sell it in batches, the profit won't be more than that."
"Unless you're trying to evade taxes. Oh, you're not thinking of evading taxes, are you?" Ian bluffed, wondering if he could escape safely if he killed the merchant now.
His conclusion was no, because judging by the slow pace of the salt miners, it was entirely possible the foreman had been bribed.
He might have a chance of simply cutting down the merchant among a few worthless servants and escaping, but if the miners were also bribed, his escape would be difficult.
After all, miners in this era were basically organized labor with criminal connections. Without some muscle, it would be impossible to control such a lucrative business. For a miner, cracking your skull open was no harder than breaking rocks in a quarry.
Furthermore, the merchant's wagons were parked right in front of the mine's gates. To leave, he'd have to circle around them, just as he had come in, increasing the risk of being attacked by the salt miners.
Across from Ian, Harry's thoughts were racing. He wasn't here just to profit from salt; he was after the 3,000 gold dragons and the S-rank NPC. Who knew some bastard would show up and ruin everything?
If he gave up the hunting opportunity here and headed back to Saltpans to make new arrangements, he'd be running out of time. With a hundred players now focused on how to get the first kill, time was everything.
"Of course not! We're legitimate merchants. My family has been law-abiding for three generations. We would never do anything illegal," Harry said, bowing his head respectfully.
"Oh? So, four generations ago, they were criminals? Otherwise, you should say they've always been law-abiding."
"No, no, no," Harry waved his hands quickly. "I don't even know anything about my great-grandfather. I'm an honest man and I never claim things I can't verify."
Damn it! You're an honest man, and I'm the King in the North! "I don't have time for your excuses. Just tell me, will you accept my proposal or not?"
"No, no, no, of course we will," Harry shook his head quickly. "Just have the salt mine return the coin we've already paid. Please give my regards to Ser Kevan."
"Enough! Who do you think you are? When did Ser Kevan ever need a greeting from some lowborn merchant?" Ian scoffed, speaking with Lannister arrogance. "I said I'll pay you three times as much. Take it, and don't try to use this opportunity to gain any favors."
Harry's face froze. He had only said that out of habit, completely forgetting that as a merchant he had no right to associate with the Lannisters. Ian's rebuke finally brought him to his senses, and he forced an awkward smile.
He didn't dare harbor any resentment, knowing that it was normal for nobles in this era to treat commoners this way, even if the person was just a bastard.
Ian looked at Harry, his nervousness now under control. I've ruined your fishing plans. What other tricks do you have left?
Ian quickly noticed Harry giving the foreman of the salt mine a meaningful look. His guess was right! The foreman had been bribed long ago! Fortunately, he hadn't acted rashly.
"Then, Ser Ian, please rest in town. We'll begin inventorying the stock now, and you'll be able to collect all the goods tomorrow morning," the foreman said respectfully, approaching Ian.
It seems he's trying to delay me so they can continue their ambush. Ian's eyes narrowed. "Show me the goods first. Our family's transport wagons will be here soon, and my men will help. We'll try to finish loading by tonight."
"By the way, Harry, move your wagons out of the way first. Don't block our path." Ian glanced at Harry, revealing his true purpose.
Harry's wagons were blocking the salt mine's gate. If he could get them moved out of the way, he could immediately charge out after striking down his target.
"Yes, ser, I'm happy to help you," Harry bowed.
Hearing the news that a transport convoy from House Lannister was coming, he gave up the idea of confronting this bastard knight. Anyway, these Lannisters would leave after hauling salt today. At worst, he could fill sacks with sand and continue baiting players here tomorrow.
So, Harry began to order the servants to move the wagons.
Seeing this, Ian's nerves were taut, ready for a lightning strike.
Now no one here suspected him. He only needed to take advantage of the moment of confusion after killing Harry and charge out. With the speed of his courser, no one here could catch up with him.
However, just as he saw that Harry's wagons were about to clear the entrance, the sound of arrows slicing through air and a sudden scream rang out.
(End of Chapter)
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