Chapter 98: The Bandits’ Insight

The moonlight was hazy, and insects chirped in the grass. Claude sat by the campfire, staring blankly at the distant forest, which lay silent and dark, hiding dreadful monsters within.

He and his paladin squad had been trapped in this crude camp for over twenty days. In that time, some had departed, while more arrived. What began as a camp of just over a thousand now held more than two thousand.

Claude was bewildered. He had always followed the teachings of the paladins, striving to help everyone in need, yet his efforts had only plunged these people into deeper hardship. There was a shortage of clothing and food, and even the shelters were insufficient; many simply slept exposed on the ground. Claude had to admit, compared to here, the shantytowns of Blackfort were far superior.

Recently, the camp’s food rations had been reduced again—each person received barely half a piece of black bread and a single root vegetable, leaving most hungry. Claude knew the baron was doing his best; after all, supplying eight hundred loaves of bread each day was a heavy burden for a young pioneer lord. From the lord’s guards, Claude learned their total subjects numbered less than twelve hundred. Now, those twelve hundred not only had to feed themselves but also the two thousand in the camp—each person supporting three.

Claude knew even more would gather here, and if the problems weren’t solved swiftly, disaster was inevitable.

He also knew the matter was no longer about the ferocious wolves, but about persuading the baron to abolish the labor-credit system. Otherwise, free citizens would continue to pour in, and the lord would never be able to sustain so many.

As Claude pondered how to convince the lord, the sound of approaching footsteps reached his ears.

“Captain Claude, here you are! I’ve been searching everywhere for you.”

The familiar voice made Claude set aside his war hammer. “Green, you haven’t slept yet?”

A young man sat cross-legged beside Claude, chuckling. “I couldn't sleep, so I came to chat.”

Leaning in, he whispered, “I caught a fat field mouse earlier today and kept it hidden until now. Let’s roast it—half for each.”

The youth skillfully skewered the plump mouse with a branch and set it over the fire, turning it constantly. Claude felt a warmth in his heart.

Green was somewhat frail, with a pale complexion, fiery red hair, and bright, lively eyes. His face was always adorned with a friendly smile, making him look both energetic and likable. He had joined the camp ten days ago, now replacing Baidy as Claude’s assistant.

Baidy was dead; not long after arriving, he had secretly led several men to venture into the lord’s territory, only to encounter the ferocious wolves. Baidy became the first to die under their fangs. Afterwards, many bold souls tried to venture deeper in groups—some died, some managed to escape, others simply vanished. At least, according to the lord’s guards, none reached their camp.

The rumors of the wolves were confirmed—there were at least three—and from then on, no one dared leave the camp. The restless free citizens began to beg the guards to escort them to the baron’s castle, but were coldly refused. They then turned to the paladins, and Claude, in a moment of foolishness, agreed. A riot broke out over the coveted spots to accompany him. The paladins were helpless before the chaos, the lord’s guards watched indifferently, but fortunately, Green led a group wielding sticks and whips to quell the disorder, thus taking Baidy’s place and bringing order to the camp.

The three-pound field mouse roasted over the flames, gradually turning golden. Drops of fat sizzled in the fire, releasing a tempting aroma that made Claude swallow involuntarily.

Green produced a small knife, deftly splitting the mouse in two, handing the smaller portion to Claude. Claude took the fragrant meat, hesitated, then bit into it hungrily. He marveled at how delicious the unseasoned roasted mouse tasted.

“Green, can you believe it? It’s been over half a year since I’ve eaten meat,” Claude said, swallowing the succulent morsel.

Green blinked in surprise. “Is life as a paladin really so hard?”

“Not exactly. Our meals are decent, but when we arrived at Blackfort, we gave our meat rations to the children in the shantytowns. You know, those little ones are growing and need more nutrition.” Claude smiled.

Green curled his lip, tore off a large piece of meat, and muttered, “You’re truly a noble soul.”

“I’m simply doing what I ought. We paladins grew up in the monastery, where the monks taught us that it’s the people who support us, so we must be merciful to them. Only then will we not lose ourselves to our strength and ultimately become monsters.” Claude sighed.

Green nodded solemnly. “Your teacher must be wise. Power is a double-edged sword—it can harm others and oneself alike.”

Claude’s gaze sharpened. “Green, you don’t seem like an ignorant free citizen. What did you do before? Why come to this remote place?”

“Actually, I’m a noble’s son. Would you believe it?” Green grinned.

“I don’t,” Claude replied, shaking his head.

Had he truly noble blood, he would never have ended up a free citizen; even if no family would take him in, wealthy vassals would gladly have him as a son-in-law. Claude knew that much.

“You saw right through me. I wish I were a noble’s son, but I’m just the youngest child of a vassal. I once served a noble lord as a page, but before I could make something of myself, our lord was imprisoned by the emperor. So I remained a free citizen. Now, I’ve come here to try my luck—though I never expected so many others.” Green smiled bitterly.

Claude was silent for a moment, then muttered angrily, “Damn war. I just don’t understand why these lords don’t use their power to expand their lands, instead of fighting among themselves.”

The two lapsed into silence, the fire crackling between them.

After a while, Claude spoke. “Green, you’ve served nobles. Help me think—how can I persuade Baron Victor to abolish the labor-credit system?”

“Why?” Green frowned.

“I know you want to join the labor-credit system, hoping to become a vassal in a few years. But look—the land here is still undeveloped, ferocious wolves roam, and the baron can’t even eliminate them, only huddle with his people in the castle. If things drag on, it’ll be chaos.”

“I’ve thought about leading everyone past the wolves into Victor’s heartland, but then what? There aren’t enough fortifications to protect two thousand people. Should they be scattered outside, only to be dragged off as wolf dinner each night? Suppose we do wipe out the wolves, the baron still can’t feed so many! There’s not even much farmland.”

“Green, the root of the problem isn’t the wolves, but the labor-credit system. As long as it remains, people will keep coming to try their luck—three thousand, four thousand, perhaps more. It’s a disaster. Only abolishing it will avert catastrophe.”

Claude spoke with righteous conviction, his eyes shining. He had pondered this matter deeply and finally saw it clearly.

“Why?”

Green’s calm question stunned Claude. He couldn’t understand how someone as clever as Green could still be fixated on joining the labor-credit system. Why? Was averting disaster not enough?

“Why destroy some people’s hope for the sake of others? Did they do wrong? Did the lord’s subjects and guards do wrong?” Green’s gaze suddenly sharpened, making Claude tremble. Faced with the challenge, he was speechless.

“Because we don’t have it, no one should? Like last time—you wanted to escort some to the baron’s castle, but others couldn’t go and rioted, so in the end, nobody went! If someone has a child and others don’t, what then? Kill the child so no one has one? You’d hang such a person, wouldn’t you?”

Green’s questions hammered at Claude’s convictions, shattering them.

“You—you really think that?” Claude stammered, his mind a muddled mess.

“Yes, Captain Claude, I do.” Green nodded solemnly. “Look, Victor, as lord, has the right to issue orders in his domain. His subjects and guards support him as their duty. We have traveled here in pursuit of a brighter future—that is our own choice. None of this is wrong.”

“Is it the wolves’ fault? But those beasts are too swift, darting into the purple cane woods where we can’t find them.” Claude rambled.

Green almost spat out his food, but for the sake of his mission, explained, “You can’t catch the wolves—Victor’s lands are vast, the terrain complex, with wild boars making ideal habitat for wolves. But that’s not the point. You said it yourself: wolves aren’t the root problem! The issue lies with you.”

“Me? Me?” Claude gaped, greasy fingers pointing at his nose in disbelief.

“Yes, the problem is you! You’ve taken on responsibilities you shouldn’t, giving these people hope they shouldn’t have.”

“But I protected them. I’m a paladin—it’s my duty.”

“Your duty isn’t to protect these people so they can compete for bread. Look around—who are these people? Take me. I’m a former page, can’t farm, have no trade, couldn’t find work in Blackfort, so I came here to try my luck. Look at the others—anyone able to endure hardship wouldn’t have ended up here.”

“These people aren’t fools. They know the labor-credit system can’t accommodate everyone, so they hover here, not only wanting to join, but also hoping to keep others out. That’s why there was chaos when you led a team out. If you hadn’t set up a camp and protected them, they’d have returned to Blackfort, and the crowds wouldn’t keep growing. Captain Claude, no one can be responsible for their choices—they must be responsible for themselves.”

“Why are you still here?” Claude asked hoarsely.

“I’m like them, trying my luck. But you asked, so I told you my view. That’s all.” Green said carelessly, gnawing at the roasted mouse.

“What should I do then? I can’t sit by and let disaster happen,” Claude murmured.

“You should decisively return, take those willing with you, and tell everyone else the truth about this place. That’s the best choice. The longer you wait, the worse it gets.” Green advised, his eyes glinting.

“Even without this camp, people will still come.”

“Yes, they may succeed in joining the system, or be eaten by wolves, or escape—but they won’t linger here. Everyone should be responsible for themselves, right?” Green shrugged.

“If I lead people back, how many will follow? And what about the food?” Claude asked, frowning, already convinced.

“Life here is tough. If you announce your return to Blackfort, many will join you. Food can be left to the lord—Baron Victor will find a way.”

Green had heard that the lady had given Victor fifty thousand gold sol; the young baron was certainly wealthy, and a little food was no problem.

“You’re right! I’ll go speak to the baron’s guards now.” Claude turned to leave, pausing to say sincerely, “Thank you, my friend.”

As the paladin vanished from sight, Green’s expression grew complicated. In a barely audible whisper, he muttered, “Such a sincere fool.”

Green was the leader of the Blood Fox thieves, acting under orders from Earl York, blending in with the free citizens alongside a dozen men. To accomplish the York family’s mission, Green had to control this camp, and the paladin was his obstacle—so he schemed to drive Claude away. Now, he had succeeded.

“That young baron really is lucky—after I robbed him, the lady gave him fifty thousand gold sol, and he became her little lover. The free citizens stormed the land, wolves conveniently blocked the way, and once I control this camp, he’ll be completely safe. He’s probably cuddling that pretty girl asleep right now. Ah, my fate is bitter; there’s nothing here, just mice to chew on.” Green thought, feeling a twinge of envy.

A gust of wind blew, a mass of dark clouds covering the moon. Rain was coming.