How to Live as a Knight After the Ending - Chapter 5
Only Noblemtl
Episode 5. Suspicious Proposal (1)
The inside of the tavern became chilly as if ice water had been poured over it.
Ossian, the only person involved in the incident, was enjoying the food that had been prepared.
It was so delicious that even people who ordered the same dish thought, ‘Was that dish that looked so delicious?’
But they soon had no choice but to abandon such frivolous thoughts.
A fight broke out.
Fights had been a common occurrence inside taverns, but this was no ordinary tavern to begin with.
It is a place where back alley troubleshooters and mercenaries come to buy and sell information.
Naturally, there were rules of the underworld within.
Fighting is allowed, but it is prohibited inside.
If you were going to do it, you had to go outside and do it.
Of course, even so, there are times when we fight and get into fights. In that case, we tend to be flexible and tolerant to some extent.
But it is certain that a knight who appeared out of nowhere and knocked down three people was not flexible enough.
Because it was unprecedented.
It is true that the three Dutri brothers started the fight first, but it was naturally Ossian who made the first move.
The heads of the people inside the tavern were spinning quickly.
If the rules were applied, Ossian would have been speechless even if he was attacked by everyone in this place.
It’s the same even if you come here without knowing.
In this industry, there is no such thing as ignorance. If you didn’t know, you should have died.
But the mercenaries hesitated.
It was because of the incredible power that Ossian had just shown.
‘I didn’t see him draw his sword.’
When Ossian blows up the eldest son and then deals with the second and third sons.
Ossian swung his sword before the two men could draw their guns.
It was not visible when he picked up the sword or when he swung it.
All they saw was a sawed-off shotgun.
‘I blew that Dutri eldest son away like a doll.’
‘What the hell kind of physical ability is that?’
What made everyone hesitate was Ossian’s incredible physical abilities.
I just thought he was a weirdo with a weird head, but his skills were real.
Naturally, the people inside the tavern couldn’t help but share the same thoughts.
‘That human. Is he a mutant with enhanced physical abilities?’
‘It’s dangerous if you’re a mutant. But if you let it go like this, you’re breaking the rules.’
When the guests were troubled, some of them slowly put their hands on their waists as if to calm their minds.
I thought it might be possible if I shot from a distance without approaching them openly.
At that moment, Ossian, who had finished eating the lamb and drank the soup in one go, put down his plate with a thud and opened his mouth.
“I warn you, I don’t want you to draw your gun.”
At those words, the mercenaries who were about to put their hands on their guns flinched.
Ossian spoke as if he knew my intentions, even though he didn’t look back.
“I just knocked down three people because they insulted me first and picked a fight with me. I let them off with just one punch. But if they draw their weapons again here, then it will be really hard to expect mercy from my sword.”
Ossian’s attitude of warning, saying that he had overlooked his actions just now, could only be seen as a bluff if viewed only in words.
But perhaps because of the unique pressure in his voice, no one took those words lightly.
Gulp.
The mercenaries swallowed and rolled their eyes, looking at each other.
Should I do it or not?
They seemed to be wondering who would shoot first, or if everyone would just pretend like nothing happened.
But in the end, the conclusion began to lean toward enforcing the rules of this floor.
Ossian sighed as the hostility slowly began to boil like bubbles rising from beneath the surface of the water.
I had such a delicious meal, but who would have thought I’d see blood again?
However, running away was not befitting of [chivalry].
Ossian immediately prepared to draw his sword.
At that moment, the atmosphere reached its peak.
“I personally recommend not drawing your gun.”
People’s eyes turned to one side at the sudden sound of a voice.
A corner table in a tavern.
There was a young man sitting in front of it, quietly sipping wine.
The squinty-eyed man smiled softly at the countless gazes flying at him.
Unlike the bar people who had a fierce look and were dressed in dirty attire, the squinty-eyed young man was wearing a neat, wrinkle-free suit.
No matter how you look at it, he looks far removed from someone who uses fists and violence.
The young man took a soft sip of wine and placed the glass on the table.
“Even if you all draw your guns, you won’t touch a single hair on that guy.”
At first glance, those words were enough to scratch the pride of the mercenaries here, but no one was angry at them.
Rather, some people seemed surprised by those words and took them to heart.
‘hmm.’
Ossian also looked at the squinty-eyed young man with curiosity.
The other mercenaries were listening intently to what the man, who seemed far from violent, was saying.
‘Are you a one-man show?’
It was clear that at least he was a household name in the industry.
“Ronan Rolland.”
One of the mercenaries who had been listening quietly opened his mouth.
Ronan Rolland. The squinty-eyed young man who was called that answered with a smile.
“Yes, Mr. James.”
“Is that true? To be honest, it’s hard to accept. Of course, it’s not like we’re taking your words lightly. But… … .”
“I understand. I guess the question is whether that statement is really credible.”
A mercenary named James nodded at Ronan’s words.
Everyone’s attention naturally turned away from Ossian and towards Ronan.
“I just heard some interesting news.”
“What’s the news?”
“Are you aware of the recent strike in Ward 43?”
James responded to that by saying he didn’t know.
Some of the mercenaries who heard the story then replied that they had heard it before.
“You mean the cotton mill strike?”
“That would make the story easier. One of the workers at the factory was seriously injured, and the employer fired him without even paying compensation. So the workers went on strike.”
“What does that have to do with the current situation?”
“If you listen to it, you will understand. To finish the story, the employer did not let the workers go on strike. He hired some hired workers with a lot of money. Some dangerous jobs.”
“Gang.”
Ronan nodded as if agreeing with what someone muttered.
“Yes. A gang of 40 men attacked the workers in the middle of the night. The workers fought back, but were powerless. Of course, the enemy was holding a gun.”
“So what does that have to do with the current situation… … .”
“But, you know. They say that those 40 gangsters were defeated by one person who suddenly appeared.”
Ronan said so and looked at Ossian.
The gazes of the people inside the tavern were also turned towards Ossian.
“They say that the man, wearing armor and holding a single sword, showed incredible bravery against a gang of more than 40 men. He was not only able to cut bullets with his sword, but also dodged the bullets flying at him with his eyes.”
“… … !”
At those words, the people gathered in the tavern opened their eyes wide in shock.
The mercenaries knew better than anyone that Ronan would never lie about something like this.
And the reliability of the information he brings is by no means low.
Everything Ronan just said was true.
Everyone’s eyes turned to Ronan, then back to Ossian.
Ossian stared at Ronan, ignoring their gazes.
“News comes quickly.”
That statement was an affirmation of Ronan’s words.
Ossian was honestly quite surprised, considering how calm he sounded.
There must have been others watching, but Ronan’s intelligence to immediately figure out what had just happened was once again admirable.
Ronan nodded at Ossian’s words.
“Thank you for the compliment. A broker who lives off of information has no choice but to be faster than anyone else.”
They were called brokers and were agents who arranged work for mercenaries and troubleshooters and took a commission in the process.
Ronan opened his mouth and looked around the tavern.
“It’s a fun drinking party, but I don’t want to get into a fight. So, how about we just move on from here for today?”
“That depends on how they come out.”
“I see. What do you think, Mr. James?”
“Ronan. If you say so, then it must be true. But look. Three people were hit. You wouldn’t say you didn’t know the rules here, would you?”
Despite James’ words, Ronan still maintained his inscrutable smile.
“It was the three Dutri brothers who started the fight first.”
“But you didn’t make the first move.”
“Instead, no one died. Sir, you… … Oh, what is your name?”
“It’s Ossian.”
“I see. Mr. Ossian pulled out his sword, but it was only in self-defense, and he actually used his bare hands. He only pulled out his sword to cut off the gun. I believe that fistfights are tolerated in this tavern.”
“Isn’t this unprecedented?”
“Then this must be the first time. I will leave it to Mr. James to set a good precedent.”
James kept his mouth shut at Ronan’s words, who naturally pushed the burden on this side.
Here, it would be difficult to argue that Ossian was different because he was an outsider, but the knight who had just taken over a seat in the tavern was acting unusually.
“… … Shit.”
James let out an annoyed sigh and removed his hand from his waist.
At that action, everyone in the tavern put down their weapons and started to focus on their meal again.
The tavern quickly returned to its original lively atmosphere.
Ossian watched the sight with great curiosity.
Ronan then got up from his seat and sat down next to Ossian as if he was naturally joining the party.
“Can I sit down?”
“Haven’t you already sat down? I don’t have the right to kick you out.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Ronan chuckled and ordered another drink from the bartender.
Ossian didn’t pay much attention to the sight, then glanced at Ronan as he looked at the glass in front of him.
“This is a gift for you, sir.”
“… … I will accept it gratefully.”
Since he had already been thinking about drinking, Ossian did not refuse.
But even so, his vigilance towards Ronan did not let down.
There was only one reason.
‘This kid is cross-eyed.’
Since ancient times, people with crossed eyes have always had something fishy behind them.
They intentionally hide their identity, or when they open their eyes, hidden powers suddenly flow out.
‘It’s more likely that he’s a hidden talent.’
However, no matter how much I looked, I couldn’t find even a trace of hidden power in Ronan.
Is it because they hid it so well that no one can tell, or is it because they really have no power?
As an Ossian who couldn’t figure that out, I thought it was necessary to be wary of Ronan first.
Of course, I was genuinely grateful for the help.
But that’s it, this is it.
“So what do you want with me?”
“Oh. Were my actions too obvious?”
“It’s at a level that can easily be overcome with one glass of alcohol.”
“Then I guess I’ll have to order more.”
Ronan said so and nodded to the bartender.
The bartender casually placed the entire bottle of liquor in front of Ossian.
Ossian raised an eyebrow slightly at Ronan’s blatant behavior.
‘You’re trying to bribe me with alcohol right now?’
It’s a funny story. What kind of person in the world would be bribed with alcohol?
Then, Ossian drank the wine poured into his glass in one gulp.
As if to show that the drink you are giving is only the first drink.
“Good.”
But what came out of his mouth was completely the opposite.
The alcohol was so delicious.
Even though it was strong alcohol, the knight’s body, which wanted alcohol, accepted it very well.
In reality, he avoided even drinking soju at a drinking party, but this article’s body could drink strong whiskey or rum like it was water.
Above all, this body loved alcohol very much.
Ossian naturally looked at the empty glass, then grabbed the bottle next to him and poured some into his glass.
“… … Let me hear the story first.”