Chapter 21 Departing (1)

The azure sky stretched endlessly above, while the dark and silent mines dominated the landscape.

The mine overseer had gathered at the foot of the mountain, surrounded by the miners.

In the open space before the mine entrance lay some gruesome remains, remnants from last night’s events. 

In this small town, word traveled fast, and the news of the monsters in the mine and the deaths had already caused panic. Residents with some savings prepared to flee to neighboring towns or slightly more distant cities. 

However, those without money had no choice but to stay. Moving was not a simple matter— it involved finding new accommodations, buying furniture, securing new jobs, and even hiring a carriage for relocation—all substantial expenses. For some, struggling to survive in town was the only option, especially since the town still had the Baron and his family.

A carriage rolled in slowly, its design somewhat exquisite, with rose-shaped copper ornaments adorning the railing along its sides.

Upon seeing the familiar carriage, the overseer recognized it as belonging to Baron Flo’s family.

The overseer’s expression turned serious. He halted in his tracks and quickly moved toward the approaching vehicle.

“My lord,” the overseer said with a respectful tone.

The iron mine belonged to Baron Flo’s family, and the overseers were all servants of the Baron’s family. They had even paid a price to secure their positions.

The blue curtains in front of the carriage were drawn back, revealing a meticulously dressed man with graying facial hair who stepped down from the carriage.

“Steward Dweint,” the overseer stood by the carriage, his back slightly bent.

Dweint was an elderly steward in the Baron’s family, having served two generations of Barons. He held a significant position within the family.

“Lord Baron has already been informed of the situation here. However, he is not feeling well today, so he entrusted me with handling matters here,” Dweint said.

“The iron mine is the economic backbone of the town, and it must resume operation as soon as possible,” Dweint continued. “This is the Baron’s wish.”

“Master Steward, there is widespread panic in the town, and the miners are reluctant to work in the mines. They claim there are monsters inside, and they are afraid to go down for work,” the overseer said with a bitter smile.

“Yes, Lord Baron considered that aspect as well. He has gone to the nearest city of Munster to request a priest and a demon hunter to drive out the monsters in the mine,” Steward Dweint replied.

“But for now, do not halt the operations. Earl Hobbs from the north has purchased this batch of iron ore from Lord Baron, and it must be delivered by the end of the month. Their convoy will arrive by then, and regardless of the means, the expected iron ore production must be met.”

“Yes.”

“Some people wish to leave the town, and Lord Baron is not pleased with it. You should keep an eye out and prevent certain miners from sneaking away. This town belongs to Lord Baron, and its residents are his subjects. No one is allowed to leave the town without Lord Baron’s permission,” Steward Dweint said calmly.

“Understood,” the overseer nodded.

On the other side of the small town, near the main road leading south, a group of five or six constables stood.

The road was blocked by horizontally placed wooden posts in the middle, and constables with swords at their waists and flintlock muskets in hand were inspecting passing pedestrians.

“Isn’t this old Jorik from the town’s tailor shop? Where are you planning to go with all these things?” A constable stopped the old man and used the longsword in his scabbard to tap the carriage behind old Jorik.

Inside the carriage, there were some belongings.

“I’m going to the city to buy some fabric,” old Jorik replied.

“No, today Lord Baron has spoken. No one is allowed to leave the town,” the constable said coldly.

Old Jorik was taken aback. He rubbed his hands nervously. “Lord Constable, I’m really just going to the city to purchase some fabric. My tailor shop is running out.”

“That’s still a no. Go back!”

The pedestrians ahead were thoroughly checked, and the constables were being very meticulous. Even passing dogs had to leave behind a tuft of fur.

And even traveling merchants wishing to head south would undergo repeated inspections.

In the distance, a carriage approached slowly.

Old Kim, who was driving the carriage, saw the roadblock ahead and wore an expression of concern.

This scene was all too familiar to him.

These local nobles in the town were the local bullies. Although decades ago, the kingdom had issued the “Citizenship Decree”, which mandated that citizens who held legal employment and paid taxes to the kingdom were entitled to receive standard treatment and were protected by the law.

This decree expanded the scope of citizenship and garnered a lot of support from the citizens for the reigning king at the time.

However, before that, the concept of citizens was limited to a small group, and only those with power and influence, aside from nobles, were considered “citizens.”

Despite the issuance of these laws, the status of the kingdom’s commoners had only marginally improved. In reality, in some remote areas or in territories ruled by powerful nobles for many years, the decree was practically as good as a blank piece of paper.

Some stubborn, old-fashioned nobles still arrogantly believed that the people within their domains were their private property.

Most of the residents in the town recognized these constables. The town wasn’t that big, so almost everyone knew everyone else.

Even if someone was not recognized, passing pedestrians and caravans had to pay a fee to the constables to pass safely.

“Stop right there,” one of the constables looked up and down at Old Kim, who appeared unfamiliar and not from the town.

The noble’s orders were clear—no townsfolk were allowed to leave. But during such a dangerous time, it was an opportunity to extort others.

At this dangerous moment, there is no guarantee that someone will fish in troubled waters.

“Check the people inside, too,” the constable coldly ordered.

“Master, the people inside are all my guests,” Old Kim spoke up. 

“Whether they are your guests or not, I’ll decide after I take a look,” the constable impatiently replied.

Standing beside him was a slightly overweight man with a ruddy complexion and short eyebrows. He raised his flintlock musket and pointed it at Old Kim’s head menacingly. “You old coot, our captain told you what to do, and you better do it without any more nonsense, or you’ll be tasting bullets.”

Inside the carriage, Lynn, who had been reading his notes by the window, closed his notebook.

Glancing at his teacher beside him, Angley had his eyes closed—clearly, he couldn’t be bothered with such minor matters.

Lynn knew he had to handle these matters himself. Otherwise, if these people clashed with his teacher, he would also be reprimanded.

“Alright, Mr. Constable, we are travelers from the north heading south, not residents of your town,” Lynn peered out of the carriage, pushing aside the carriage curtain.

The constable looked at Lynn’s delicate and pretty facial features and maliciously speculated that this might be some rich person’s boy toy.

“Open the curtain,” the constable ordered.

“My teacher is inside, and he’s older and not in good health,” Lynn said as he handed over several silver coins.

The constable took the silver coins, glanced at them, and weighed them in his hand. Based on his touch and experience, he estimated there were at least seven or eight. It seemed like a fat sheep.

If they were truly nobles, they wouldn’t have just this one person. He couldn’t afford to provoke nobles, but everyone else in town was fair game.

“Why do I feel like you resemble someone from a certain family in town? Let me think,” the constable said as he extended his hand and opened his palm.

His face fully displayed wantonness as he looked at Lynn.

They were like wild dogs on the roadside. The more you pushed them, the more afraid they became, and the weaker you seemed, the more they thought they could bully you.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Lynn’s lips as he put on a gentle smile. “Alright, please wait.”

Seeing the young man before him showing fear, the constable sneered in his heart. Whoever you are, as long as you’re not a noble, you’d better behave in front of me.

Back in the carriage, Lynn took out his staff and peered through the curtain’s gap.

His gaze fell on the constable outside.

He silently chanted a Mental Shock spell.

The light at the tip of the staff grew stronger.

The constable in uniform outside sneezed and rubbed his nose, looking around.

——