The surviving merchants and mercenaries came into Kai's view. They were staring at him with expressions of sheer astonishment. As Kai gazed back at them, a man from the group came running toward him in a flurry.
The man wore silk clothes with a gambeson underneath. Unlike the mercenaries who bore the marks of a rough life, his skin was clear, and his face gave off the impression of someone well-educated.
'Is he the one in charge?'
"Sir K-Knight! T-thank you so very much for saving us! I-I am Herdan, the leader of the Herdan Merchant Group!"
'I thought so.'
"Ah, the merchant leader. I am Kai Pendragon. There is no need for such excessive gratitude. Saving those in danger is a natural duty of a knight."
Kai naturally used informal speech. Even if they ruled only the impoverished manor of Newrington, the Pendragons were a knightly family—nobles. Having been raised with a noble's education since childhood, addressing those of lower social standing informally came naturally to Kai.
"Oh! To think such an honorable and kind knight exists! Truly, you are a great knight, just as your majestic stature suggests! I-if I may be so bold, m-might I ask one thing, Sir Knight?"
"I shall allow it."
"Thank you for your permission, Sir Knight! B-by any chance, are you a Paladin?"
"What makes you think that?"
"I saw you use the power of light just now to repel the strength of that nefarious Higher Species. Thanks to you, our minds—which were being polluted—were restored. Furthermore, your appearance is like something bestowed by the heavens, so I wondered if you were a knight who truly upholds the power of God. I am terribly sorry if I have been impolite."
Knights and Paladins were different enough that they were rarely confused. Usually, even if they addressed each other incorrectly, few grew angry, as both were considered nobles regardless.
However, there were those who detested being misidentified. The world is vast, and madmen are bound to exist. Knowing this, Herdan bowed so deeply his waist nearly folded as he asked cautiously. Fortunately, Kai was not a foul-tempered knight. He didn't particularly care and showed consideration by answering sincerely.
"It is not the power of God. It is merely magic."
"Excuse me?"
Herdan's eyes went wide, and his mouth fell open. He quickly regained his senses and asked again.
"M-magic?"
"That is correct."
"Y-you are a knight, yet you use magic? T-that is to say... your lineage must be incredible!"
"…I did not know it myself, but they say an ancestor of my family was a dragon. While that blood has not manifested for a long time, the dragon's power has finally begun to emerge in my generation. Of course, I only recently obtained this power and realized that the lineage had been passed down."
"Oh! The blood of a d-dragon! No wonder your appearance and stature were so extraordinary! W-would you perhaps grant us the honor of hosting you, Sir Knight?"
"I shall allow it."
"Thank you, Sir Knight!"
When Kai nodded, Herdan hopped for joy like an adventurer who had discovered treasure.
Herdan owned a merchant group named after himself. He mostly conducted business at the office in Mesotonia City, but occasionally, he would lead a trade caravan like this. This was one of those times.
There had been rumors that Higher Species had suddenly begun to increase in number lately, but he had ensured safety by traveling with a mercenary group he had a long-standing relationship with. There were thirty people in total, including five C-rank mercenaries.
But oh, dear God, heavens above! To think they would encounter a Higher Species capable of mental attacks! The creature was well-armed and commanded two hundred subordinates. The mercenaries had crumbled under its mental assault. Herdan thought his life was ending right then and there.
However, it seemed it was not yet time for him to row across the river of the underworld. To think a knight would appear and deliver him from hell! The knight had cleared their hazy minds with incredible magic and halted the slaughter on the battlefield with a brilliant light. Then, he had swept through the goblins as they regained their senses with just three thrusts of a spear.
He had erased the Higher Species from the world with a single attack and, finally, crushed the remaining goblins in an instant, as if pressing down on insects with his fingers. He was a knight of immense skill, possessing a divine body that matched an appearance sculpted by a god.
And to think he was a knight born of dragon blood!
'Of course! No wonder he said he could use magic!'
'If it's a dragon's lineage, it makes perfect sense! Did he say his name was Sir Kai Pendragon? As expected, even his family name is extraordinary! But why have I never heard of such a strong knight or his family name?'
Running a merchant group meant traveling here and there, which naturally led to hearing various rumors. One would usually hear the names of famous knights or their families. Yet, Herdan had never heard the name Kai Pendragon or his family name.
'Well, I suppose it's possible. The Ascaria Continent is incredibly vast.'
There were far more places untouched by humans or uncultivated than there were inhabited lands. Monsters were more numerous than people. Thus, it wasn't strange to encounter a knight or a family name one hadn't heard of before.
'Moreover, I've never seen a knight with such excellent manners!'
His way of speaking overflowed with dignity, and respect for others could be felt in his every action.
'I must hold onto a man like this!'
Would he ever meet such a knight again in his life? No. Even if the world collapsed, he wouldn't. His instincts, honed through years as a merchant, told his entire body that he had to secure this knight at all costs.
'Absolutely! Even if I have to become this man's slave!'
It seemed Herdan had fallen for Kai even more than one might expect.
By social status, the nobility possessed the right of summary execution over commoners. That didn't mean they could just kill anyone, but the right was invoked when their honor was insulted. Therefore, one had to be careful when meeting a wandering knight. To those bundles of pride, anyone who insulted their honor was a scoundrel they could cut down without consequence.
The merchants of this era belonged to the Yeoman class. They were higher than commoners but distinct from nobles, so they couldn't be called true aristocrats. Thus, a single slip of the tongue could lead to a wandering knight beheading them on the spot. Of course, money could often correct a mistake, but that varied from knight to knight.
These bastards, who were like parts of nature—coming and going like day and night—all had such distinct personalities. One guy might be happy with 1 gold, while another would draw his sword over 1 gold.
Damn it. If they're going to be like that, they should at least give us the chance to offer more than 1 gold. They don't even give you that much leeway. They're worse than natural disasters.
Of course, there were cases where one could somehow build a friendship with such a wandering knight and turn them into a personal contact. For example, meeting a wandering knight with martial prowess far superior to any other knight one had ever met. If one could coax such a knight into becoming a personal escort, the risk of future trade journeys would plummet.
To a merchant, the success of a trade journey was more important than anything else. Therefore, they had no choice but to put on all sorts of performances to seduce a true wandering knight.
But the opponent was a knight of proven dragon lineage? Even if his personality was trash, it would be worth putting on the performance of a lifetime to cater to his tastes. It would be a gain to associate with him and build a friendship even if it cost hundreds of gold!
Though Kai had made up the ridiculous claim of being of dragon blood, there were many legends in this era about knights and mages with all sorts of lineages, including dragon blood.
'It's not entirely insane talk. So, I can clearly see his intention to build a connection with me at any cost.'
Not that he felt bad about it. On the contrary, it was an opportunity for a wandering knight to increase his honor.
'Plus, since he asked me to join the trade journey immediately, I'll be handed a hefty sum of money. It's killing two birds with one stone.'
He had explained his past-life Hunter abilities as "dragon blood" without filtering his thoughts, but thinking about it now, he felt proud of himself for doing so.
"Ah, right. Now that I think about it, there is something I must say."
While he was feeling smug and satisfied with himself, a thought occurred to him. Kai opened his mouth to tell his thoughts to Herdan, who was smiling as brightly as a full moon.
"Oh, please say anything, Sir Knight. If it's about the payment, I will naturally provide an amount that will not disappoint you."
"No, I trust you will handle that yourself, considering my skills and honor."
"I-I am moved, Sir Knight. Then, what is it you wish to ask?"
"Those monsters. Since I caught them, they are all mine, correct?"
"Of course! Naturally!"
"I would like to ask the opinion of the others, not just yours."
The mercenaries who heard this widened their eyes in surprise. What did that knight just say? Did I get goblin shit stuck in my ear? They wondered if they had misheard.
Among the mercenaries who were filled with all sorts of thoughts because they were so startled, the one who appeared to be the leader stepped forward and spoke with a bow.
"…I am Yanslot, the leader of the Yanslot Mercenary Group, Sir Knight. Naturally, all monster by-products belong to you. Rather, we are so grateful that you would even seek the opinion of people like us."
"I see. I appreciate your consideration."
"…Um… p-perhaps, do you require any assistance?"
"No, it is fine. You all should look after the wounded and focus on the funerals of those who died protecting the caravan. Mourning those who have passed is the duty of those left behind."
Yanslot's jaw dropped in shock. Kai knew instantly why he was so surprised.
'It seems they've been mistreated by knights quite a lot.'
He couldn't deny it. Kai admitted to himself that if he hadn't had the deep-rooted etiquette of a "Country of Courteous People in the East," he would have acted exactly like a scoundrel wandering knight.
"I-in all my life, I, Yanslot, have never met a knight who moved me so. It is simply impossible to watch a knight so noble and honorable butcher monsters alone. Please, grant us the honor of assisting you!"
Yanslot prostrated himself and pleaded. Unable to refuse his earnest request, Kai nodded. A bright smile bloomed on Yanslot's face.
"Thank you, Sir Knight! Mac, Jack, Tom, Mouse. You guys help the honorable knight butcher the monsters!"
"Yes, sir!" "Understood!" "It's an honor, Sir Knight!"
"Sir Knight. These men are experts at butchering monsters. Leave that arduous task to them and please, rest comfortably!"
"Leave it to us!" "We'll have them butchered in no time!" "Let's go!" "Whoo!"
The mercenaries rushed over and began butchering the goblins. In an instant, several were cleanly processed. Kai was impressed by the quick and neat skill of the mercenaries.
'If I had done it, even if I tried to control my strength, everything would have been crushed.'
He supposed this was why people left work to experts.
'Hmm. Still, staying still makes me restless.'
So, he helped organize the luggage.
"My goodness, Sir Knight…" "How could…" "How can such a knight exist…"
Everyone belonging to the merchant group was astonished. After all, when would they have ever seen a knight organizing luggage?
"Sir Knight, the butchering is complete!" "We've properly separated the useful parts from the useless ones!"
Around the time the organization of the ambushed caravan was nearly finished, the monster butchering team also completed their work and approached Kai, reporting with a disciplined salute.
"Oh, and this is the Mana Stone that came out of the Higher Species."
"…!?"
'What? They're giving me a Mana Stone!?'
A Mana Stone referred to a stone with concentrated magical power that was occasionally found only in monsters. They were always found in Higher Species and were an essential item that mages simply couldn't get enough of. Even the lowest grade was easily worth three months' worth of food for a family of four in this medieval era.
The butchering team had handed over such a valuable item to Kai without trying to hide it!
'To think such honest mercenaries existed in this era!'
With a face that couldn't hide his overwhelming emotion, Kai was about to take the Mana Stone held out by the mercenaries when he suddenly furrowed his brow and hastily stepped back.
'My nose!'
The smell was absolutely horrendous!
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