Chapter 9: The Fugitive Brad

“But… but, Lord Noyan,” pleaded an elderly villager, his voice quivering with fear and indignation, “we just paid our taxes the day before yesterday. My entire annual income is barely 30 Denars. This tax is too excessive.”

His plea was met with a cruel response. A whip cracked through the air, striking the old man’s back sharply, leaving a vicious, blood-red mark. His body crumpled to the ground in a heap, his breaths shallow and labored.

“Anyone else who dares to complain will suffer more than just a lash!” Noyan Tu Lu bellowed, his voice laced with menace. “I’ll slaughter any dissenters and feed their corpses to the vultures. Do all of you understand?”

This violent act ignited a fire in Draxel. He had always despised bullies who preyed on the weak. “You heartless brute, Noyan Tu Lu! Stop harassing these innocent villagers. If it’s money you want, I can give it to you,” he exclaimed, stepping forward, his voice firm with resolve.

Noyan Tu Lu sneered dismissively at Draxel’s offer. “What can a penniless lord like you offer?”

But then, he seemed to remember something and revealed a sinister smile.

“Alright, let’s strike a deal,” Noyan Tu Lu proposed slyly. “Xiko Village falls under the jurisdiction of Dark Castle. There’s a fugitive on the run there with a bounty of 2000 Denars on his head. Bring me his head, and we have a deal.”

“Deal,” Draxel responded quickly, his mind already racing with plans. “But on one condition, you must not harm these villagers until I return.”

Noyan Tu Lu’s laugh was cold and mocking. “I despise your interfering nature, but for the sake of money, I’ll agree. But remember, Count, you have only three days.”

“I’ll return within three days,” Draxel assured, determination etched in his expression.

The system chimed in his mind as a comforting warmth enveloped him.

[You bravely stood up to protect the villagers. Strength +1, Reputation +5, Honor +1.]

[Current Reputation 30, Honor 3.]

[Current character status: Draxel]

[Level 31, Strength 22, Agility 21, Wisdom 21, Charm 22.]

[Assessment: Your noble actions are commendable. The deduction in charm has been reinstated. Keep up the good work.]

Draseil thought to himself, ‘Thank you, system.’

However, Noyan Tu Lu swiftly introduced a new condition to the deal.

“You must leave your troops behind,” Noyan Tu Lu demanded with a sly twist of his lips. “How can I be sure you’ll return in three days? What if the fugitive kills you? I can’t have my time wasted without recompense.” His eyes glinted maliciously as he continued, “If you don’t return, your troops will be mine to enslave. Likewise, if you return without that wretched head, the same fate awaits them. Let’s meet here, in Xiko, at noon in three days. Seems fair, right?”

“Noyan Tu Lu, you are really… shrewd,” Draxel conceded, biting back the words ‘shamelessly unscrupulous old fox’ that threatened to spill out.

With a dismissive sneer, Noyan Tu Lu replied, “Spare me your flattery. One last thing, the fugitive’s name is Brad. Now, off you go.”

Draxel glanced at Safiya, his eyes heavy with unspoken concern and uncertainty, a sentiment clearly visible to all present.

“It’s okay, you should go. Owens will look after me, don’t worry about us,” Safiya reassured him softly.

“I’ll return as quickly as I can,” Draxel promised, his voice carrying a tone of resolve.

With that, he set off alone into the night, bound for Dark Castle, leaving behind a trail of dust and determination.

As Draxel’s figure disappeared into the distance, Noyan Tu Lu couldn’t hold back his laughter anymore. His boisterous guffaws echoed through the air, raising the hairs on Safiya’s neck.

“What’s so funny, you bearded oaf?” Safiya snapped, her patience wearing thin.

“Such foolishness,” Noyan Tu Lu chortled. “I’ve just returned from Dark Castle. Word has it that Brad, the fugitive, has fled here.” His laughter grew louder, filled with derision and contempt.

“What!? You despicable man!” Safiya’s eyes widened in shock and anger. “Owens, we must bring Draxel back immediately!”

But before she could utter another word, Noyan Tu Lu swiftly muffled her protests with a cloth, his actions as ruthless as his words.

“I have no desire to stir trouble with the Kingdom of Swadia. It’s too early to move against you,” Noyan Tu Lu declared, his voice laced with a hint of smug certainty. 

He seemed fully convinced that Draxel would undoubtedly fail in his mission to capture the fugitive. Following his declaration, Safiya, along with Draxel’s remaining soldiers and Owens, were apprehended and incarcerated in the local jail.

Meanwhile, Draxel, unbeknownst to the deception, was tirelessly making his way when the system unexpectedly activated.

[New Mission]

[Capture the fugitive Brad, currently believed to be in Xiko Village.]

“Damn it, this shameless old bastard, he tricked me,” Draxel cursed under his breath, realizing he’d been duped.

The system’s timely alert had snapped him out of his stupidity. He chastised himself for not being more cautious, a reminder that this land thrived on cunning and deception.

Boiling with rage, Draxel instantly reversed his course, heading straight back to Xiko Village. This unexpected round trip had cost him an entire day.

Upon his return to Xiko, Draxel found the village relatively calm. Noyan Tu Lu had somewhat honored his word, refraining from collecting harsh taxes from the villagers. However, there was no sign of his troops or Safiya.

The night was still and quiet.

Moving like a shadow, Draxel made his way to the village chief’s home. The chief’s residence, modestly opulent, was still lit by a flickering candle, casting a soft glow inside. As he approached, a swift shadow darted past, startling the village chief, who nearly tumbled off his bed in fright at the sudden appearance of the Count.

“Don’t worry, I’m only here to ask about Safiya and my soldiers,” Draxel reassured the village chief, his tone calm but firm.

“Honorable Count Draxel, you’ve shown great kindness to our village, and in gratitude, I will speak the truth. They have been confined by Lord Noyan Tu Lu in the prison, but I assure you, they haven’t been harmed,” the village chief replied earnestly, his voice tinged with a mix of respect and concern.

These words caused Draxel’s brows to knit together tightly, a storm of anger brewing within him.

“So, he thinks I won’t be able to capture the fugitive, and considers my people as his own possessions already?” Draxel muttered bitterly, his voice laced with barely contained fury.

“I can’t say for certain, Count. Lord Noyan Tu Lu rarely trusts or communicates openly with me. However, I do have knowledge of the fugitive’s location,” the village chief confessed a hint of cautious relief in his tone.

Upon hearing this, a spark of hope ignited in Draxel’s eyes, quickly transforming into a look of steely determination. “How did you come to know this?”

“As the Count, I’ve lived here for more than fifty years, watching over the comings and goings in our village. It’s not hard to notice a stranger, especially one who sticks out. He’s hiding in the stable right now,” the village chief revealed, his voice steady and confident.

“Your honesty is much appreciated, village chief,” Draxel acknowledged with a nod, a mixture of gratitude and urgency evident in his voice.

The village chief offered a respectful nod in return, adding, “No need for thanks, Count. We are grateful for your help with the wild beasts.”

In no time at all, Draxel found himself cautiously approaching the stables. The odor that greeted him was almost overwhelming. “Such a pungent stench… How does anyone bear staying here?” he wondered, his nose wrinkling in disgust.

Hidden among the strong, elegant horses, a figure lay sprawled in the filth. It was a young man, evidently destitute, engulfed in a nauseating stench that permeated the air.

[Fugitive Brad]

[Level 5, Strength 5, Agility 15, Wisdom 3, Charm 3.]

[Skills: Plundering 2, Horsemanship 2]

Observing the fugitive, Draxel couldn’t help but think with a tinge of envy and frustration, ‘Even this wretched thief possesses horsemanship skills. When will my time come to master such an art? Damn it all!’