Volume One: The Forest Knight Chapter 56: Bounties and Protection Fees

From the day he arrived at Norland Castle to the eradication of the three major bandit gangs on the southern bank of the Karl River, Berrion had spent less than a year. He felt a certain pride in this small achievement. Not only was he proud, but from Eomer and Mark down to the newest vassals who had only recently joined Norland Castle, everyone took pride in following a lord with such illustrious military exploits.

The corpses of the bandits hanging on either side of Knight’s Avenue, though a grisly sight, gave the people of Norland Castle an unprecedented sense of security. They knew they no longer needed to fear marauders storming into their villages, pillaging their homes, and leaving their families without food for the winter.

Just as his subordinates and subjects were brimming with hope and industrious spirit for their future, their lord, Sir Berrion, began his own holiday, spending nearly a week at a lakeside cabin in the woods. Designed by Liano, the cabin had transformed into a beautiful solid-wood villa. Berrion woke up naturally each day, then went running around the forest lake with Bran and his personal guards. After a midday nap, he would spend the afternoon fishing, and in the evenings, he feasted by the bonfire with Eomer, Mark, Liano, Gamlin, and others, sharing ice-cold beer—a life of leisure and pleasure.

Compared to Berrion’s idyllic holiday, Gu Huaiyang and Tur had a far less easy time. They led a squad of Norland infantry and former Hound Gang bandits to sweep the remaining small and medium-sized bandit groups from the forests on the southern banks of the Karl River. With Gu Huaiyang’s familiarity with the region and their absolute superiority in numbers and skill, they wiped out five bandit strongholds within a week, rescuing many captive youths and children, and seizing a trove of money, grain, supplies, livestock, and poultry.

When Mark registered and catalogued these spoils, he could barely contain his joy. When he first followed Berrion to Norland Castle, Berrion had discreetly told him the total amount of gold and silver in their coffers, but Mark hadn’t been optimistic. He knew transforming a barren wasteland into a true knight’s fief would require huge expenditure, and without a steady income, they would surely run out. They couldn’t just sit and eat away their capital.

But recently, Berrion had crushed the three major bandit gangs, reclaimed Maple Leaf Manor, and seized a vast amount of loot. Beyond that, he had improved the soap and colored pottery, ensuring a stable annual cash flow for the fief, one that would only grow as new markets opened.

Not only that, the population of Norland Castle had just exceeded two thousand, making it a bona fide knight’s fief in terms of scale. Six thousand mu of farmland had already been cultivated, with more to come next year, and the territory could now be self-sufficient in grain.

Thinking of all this, Mark ran a hand through his hairline, which had been steadily receding these last six months, and thought that perhaps, at last, he could keep his hair.

After a week of leisure, Eomer returned from Amding City, where he had delivered the heads of the bandits and reported their victory to the county governor. With him came Father Dunshire, merchant Gamgee, and his caravan.

Father Dunshire had come for his routine business from the bishop before happily spending two days drinking in Norland Castle.

Gamgee, for his part, came to collect the goods Berrion had prepared for him, ready to take them to Yanvikshuo and make a large sale through his own channels.

Berrion valued Gamgee, his first commercial partner and a veritable god of wealth, and personally greeted them at the road. Gamgee was flattered. After some pleasantries, Berrion took Gamgee straight to his lakeside cabin.

In early autumn, this place was the height of comfort and pleasure. Gamgee was smitten and couldn’t help but marvel at how this young lord truly knew how to live.

Mark and Gamgee’s men handled the goods exchange while Berrion and Eomer accompanied Gamgee by the lakeside, drinking and chatting. After draining half a mug of beer, Gamgee produced a wooden box and placed it before Berrion, then reclined contentedly in one of Norland’s signature wicker chairs.

He closed his eyes and said, “Sir Berrion, when we parted last, I was still puzzled at your confidence—how you could promise to eradicate the Bear and Hound Gangs south of the Karl before the autumn planting, gangs that not even the lords and county soldiers had managed to destroy for nearly a decade.

To be honest, I thought you were boasting. But the truth is astounding—you actually did it.

By the Fire God, I still feel like I’m dreaming.”

Berrion burst out laughing. “Gamgee, my friend, ever since I was a child, my father taught me that a true knight must keep his word and see his deeds through. One must keep any promise made, and if you can’t guarantee fulfillment, then don’t make promises to others. Since I told you I would do it, I was always going to make it happen.”

“Sir Berrion, I truly admire you. I’ve never met a knight or lord like you—you are a remarkable man.” Gamgee’s praise was genuine, if a little flattering.

Fortunately, Berrion, who in his former life had often engaged in business flattery, was immune to such compliments. With a calm smile, he opened the small wooden box Gamgee had set before him. Inside was a pile of silver coins. Berrion grabbed a handful, let them fall back in, then looked at Gamgee, who was lazily patting his ample belly, and asked, “What’s this about?”

Gamgee, eyes still closed, replied languidly, “There are five thousand denars here—a reward from our Amding Merchants Guild to you, my lord. We offered five thousand denars for the heads of those three gangs, and after more than two years, we’ve finally had reason to pay it out.”

Eomer, seated nearby, chuckled, “Gamgee, you merchants really have more money than you know what to do with.”

Gamgee opened his eyes, gazed at the calm lake, and said frankly, “Five thousand denars to solve the bandit problem—now the road from Yanvikshuo to Amding will be safe. The losses we suffered from raids and the extra cost of hiring guards are worth several times that amount.”

Berrion joked, “Seems you merchants really are shrewd. You’d better hurry back and have your guild raise another five thousand denars, or else I can’t guarantee your caravans’ safety.”

Gamgee could tell Berrion was joking, but he quickly sat up and beamed, “My lord, after you had Eomer deliver the bandit heads to the governor, our guild met and decided we’ll pay you an annual protection fee of one thousand denars going forward.

But you must guarantee the safety of this trade route and provide assistance to any caravan flying our Amding Guild’s banner if they encounter trouble. Would you be willing?”

Berrion turned his colored pottery wine cup in his hand and nodded. “Very well, I accept.” He raised his cup and clinked it with Gamgee’s.

A thousand denars was not a huge sum, nor a trivial one. With his current wealth, Berrion didn’t care much for the money—he cared about the Amding Merchants Guild. By forging ties through bandit suppression with this powerful northern guild, Norland Castle could ensure outlets for its goods, and the merchants’ comings and goings would bring prosperity and growth to the territory.

Gamgee then shared his plans for his upcoming trip to Yanvikshuo. When Berrion learned that aside from business, Gamgee was going to watch the annual tournament, he immediately sat up in his lounge chair.

He quickly asked, “The tournament? Is it really that exciting?” For Berrion, who only remembered two such events being held in Valonbray City—once when he was posted on outer security, and another when he was on duty—he’d never actually seen one and had no idea what it was like.

Gamgee looked puzzled. “My lord, you never saw it in Valonbray?”

“Ha, duty as a royal guard—I never got the chance.” Berrion replied, a little annoyed.

Gamgee guffawed. “My lord, with your martial prowess, you shouldn’t just watch, you should compete. Why not come with me? See Yanvikshuo, and perhaps enter the tournament as well.

You’ve already bested Sir Sorg in a duel at the governor’s mansion—winning the tournament should be no problem. And if you do, there’s not only a generous prize, but also a banquet with Count Grib, lord of Yanvikshuo, and his family—a great chance to meet important people.”

Berrion was tempted. Since his arrival in this world, he had never truly traveled or explored. This was the perfect opportunity to do so.

He made up his mind and answered decisively, “Very well, I’ll go with you—though I won’t enter the tournament.”

“Why not? You’re the Dawnsword’s disciple, you’ve beaten both Sir Yellen and the former champion Sir Sorg. If you enter, you’re sure to win,” Gamgee asked, perplexed.

“I’ve been in the spotlight too much lately, and I need to keep a lower profile. It’s not wise to attract more envy now. Besides, as you said, I’ve already offended Sir Yellen and Sir Sorg—why go out of my way to make more enemies? I’d rather just enjoy the spectacle,” Berrion explained.

Gamgee sighed. “Sometimes I wonder if you really are under twenty. This composure in dealing with people and affairs—many of us who are well into middle age could not match it.”

“When my teacher was alive, he told me: the tallest, straightest trees in the forest are the first to be felled by the wind; among lords, those with the greatest ability and most frequent exploits attract the most jealousy and criticism. One should never lose oneself in success, and when one stands out too much, one must learn to hide, to avoid undue attention. That’s the only way to endure and become the ultimate winner.” Berrion once again quoted lessons he’d heard in his previous life, this time through the mouth of his master.

Gamgee nodded repeatedly. “Sir Logan, the Dawnsword, was truly extraordinary. It’s a pity—a knight among knights, and now gone. Were he still alive, I would surely seek him out in person.”

He added, “Though I can’t witness the Dawnsword’s glory, it’s enough to know his finest pupil and call you my friend. That alone is worth a lifetime.”

At these words, Berrion and Eomer exchanged smiles, and soon the three fell into idle conversation until the bonfire banquet began in earnest.

This time, Gamgee was wise. Except for Berrion, he drank only a single cup with each person who toasted him, refusing any more. His last experience with drunkenness had left a deep impression.

That night, though Gamgee himself kept a clear head, his caravan’s captain and vice-leader, both invited to the feast, drank themselves into a stupor and had to be carried back just as Gamgee had been the previous time.

Berrion laughed and asked Gamgee why he hadn’t warned his men, letting them get so drunk. Gamgee answered honestly, “My lord, they’ll be coming to Norland Castle often. If I warn them, they might not heed me, but after drinking like this their first time, they’ll know to be as cautious as I am in the future.”

Berrion nodded approvingly. Having lived two lives, he understood that some lessons must be learned the hard way.

Though the next day’s hangover was unpleasant, there was no denying that alcohol could bridge the gap between strangers and draw people closer. After a few rounds, Gamgee and his men were much more familiar with the people of Norland Castle, as though they were old friends rather than recent acquaintances.

The next afternoon, once Gamgee’s men had recovered, Berrion, accompanied by his personal guard and riding in a carriage modified by Hamar himself, joined the caravan bound for Yanvikshuo to witness the tournament of this world.

All affairs in the fief were managed by capable hands now, running smoothly and in order, so he had nothing to worry about.

As for Gu Huaiyang, who had only recently sworn allegiance, Berrion had no concerns about betrayal. For a man who had already betrayed his former companions and spilled their blood, he was likely to be even more ruthless in killing them than the soldiers of Norland Castle.

Moreover, through a strategy of appeasing upper ranks, winning over the lower, and striving for the support of the base, Berrion had already left Gu Huaiyang with few loyal followers. Should he attempt treason, his former subordinates would probably be the first to tip off Eomer and the others. After all, once a lackey becomes a traitor, he spares no effort in selling out his former master.