Chapter 54: Under the Side-Quest Ceiling of the Novel World

‘You’re… right, for once. I’ll let it slide,’ Draxel was on the verge of unleashing a torrential back-and-forth with the system, but given the urgency of the situation before him, he chose to drop it.

“My father was kidnapped by a group of people, and they hurt my mother too. I’ve sought help from the mayor already,” the little boy’s words grew increasingly sorrowful, culminating in loud weeping.

“Hey, don’t be upset. Uncle Count here promises to bring your dad back. You’ve got to be brave now. Stay here and take care of your mom, I’m off to see the mayor for more details.”

Comforting kids wasn’t exactly Draxel’s forte, but he recognized that rescuing Old Aubrey was the pressing matter. He immediately set off toward the mayor’s office.

Coincidentally, the mayor was also en route from the lord’s hall to Old Aubrey’s home, leading to a direct encounter.

“Oh! My esteemed lord, I went to the lord’s hall looking for you but didn’t find you. Turns out you had already come over.”

“Cut the preamble, what exactly happened?”

“Old Aubrey’s been taken.”

“By whom?”

“People.”

“I know it was people. What do you think, some monster, ghost, or maybe the neighbor’s dog ran off with him?”

“But lord, you advised me to skip the unnecessary details.”

“Damn, the crucial information isn’t unnecessary! Fine, start from the beginning, will you?”

“Alright, here’s what happened… subsequently… um… Got all that?” The mayor, while speaking, made gestures with his hands, eventually providing a clear account of the events.

“So, a rogue faction from the Khergit Khanate heard about the might of my Sword of the Wolf King, and knowing it was Old Aubrey who forged this sword, they came wanting him to craft weapons for them. When he refused, they took him, correct?”

“Yes, that’s precisely the case, my esteemed lord.”

“Where are these renegades now?”

“Just leave Uxkhal and head in this direction.”

At that moment, the system activated, providing Draxel with navigation. Riding swiftly on his horse, guided by the pathfinding system, he soon discovered the hideout where the renegade soldiers were sheltering.

Draxel was about to forcefully kick down the door of the hut, envisioning a valiant rescue of the blacksmith, when cries from within halted him, cries unmistakably of a woman in distress.

“Ah… go easy… ah!”

This time, Draxel was quick to realize someone inside was likely suffering from an arrow wound and attempting to remove it. Without hesitation, he kicked open the hut’s door.

“Strike while you’re vulnerable, take your life! You’re busy extracting an arrow, healing, huh? Well, I… damn, it’s really…”

He hadn’t anticipated finding a scene so vile. Several despicable, barely clothed renegades, assaulting a helpless woman. The hut’s male owner lay murdered, his body discarded to one side, while Old O was tied up, kneeling near the deceased.

Fury overtook Draxel as he roared, “Such utter disregard for humanity, I shall enact justice on heaven’s behalf!”

[System Alert: Buddy, are we channeling “Water Margin” here? Playing the role of a hero from Liangshan? Be careful with your language.]

‘Ah, come on… I’m just trying to add a bit of flair to completing this side quest. Let’s not get too serious.’

Draxel internally replied to the system, though he conceded the system had a point, prompting a slight tweak in his battle cry.

“You bunch of vagrants lacking any knightly honor, prepare to meet your end at my hand.”

With those words, Draxel swiftly swung his sword, cutting down the renegades who, caught off guard and without their weapons, met their end swiftly. Regrettably, Draxel’s intervention came slightly too late. Although he dispatched the marauders, the woman of the house had already succumbed to her ordeal, leaving this world behind.

He managed to save Old Aubrey, and together, they respectfully clothed the deceased husband and wife, laying them to rest side by side.

“My lord, I hardly know how to thank you. You saved my wife and child before, and now, you’ve saved me,” Old Aubrey began, his voice thick with emotion as he knelt before the Count, preparing to bow deeply in gratitude.

The Count gently lifted Old Aubrey from his kneel, earnestly saying, “Old Aubrey, you chose the safety of Uxkhal and my well-being over yielding to their demands to forge weapons. Had you complied, perhaps this tragedy could have been avoided. It’s I who owe you thanks.”

As Old Aubrey stood, his face twisted in discomfort, hesitating as if he bore a weighty secret.

The Count noticed his unease and said, “What troubles you, Old Aubrey? You can speak freely.”

“Lord, you once promised me a decent post in town after the war… Does that offer still stand?”

“Absolutely, what’s on your mind? Ready to embrace a better life?”

“It’s not that. I’m not one to shy away from work. It’s my hand.” 

With that, Old Aubrey showed his right hand to the Count.

Where once there were five fingers, now only two remained–a grim souvenir of the renegades’ threats and violence.

With such an injury, Old Aubrey’s days as a blacksmith, wielding hammer and anvil, were undoubtedly over.

Draxel felt a surge of anger, a fierce desire for retribution against the renegades flaring within him. Yet, a voice of reason cautioned against any act of vengeance upon the dead.

“Old Aubrey, don’t worry, come back to Uxkhal with me. I’ll make sure your family is well taken care of,” Draxel assured.

Shortly thereafter, Draxel, along with Old Aubrey, returned to Uxkhal. Upon their arrival at his home, Old Aubrey’s wife was regaining consciousness from her ordeal. Their child, too young to know how to dress wounds, watched as Draxel provided basic care for both Old Aubrey and his spouse.

Reflecting for a moment, Draxel proposed an ideal arrangement, “From today on, your family will live in my lord’s hall. I’ll assign a servants’ quarters to you. Your responsibility will be to prepare meals. Old Aubrey, your wife excels in this, doesn’t she?”

Old Aubrey’s family, deeply moved, knelt to express their heartfelt thanks to the baron.

“Certainly, certainly! We’ll ensure to prepare delicious meals daily for you and everyone else. My left hand remains, aiding my wife with the vegetables will be no trouble at all. I’m still here to lend a hand.”

In a time when men were often prioritized over women, Old Aubrey’s eagerness to support his wife fully was a rare and commendable quality.

Draxel earnestly wished for their family’s future to be peaceful and safe, free from further misfortune.

He mulled over additional matters, then inquired, “What’s your child’s name? I’d like to offer him mentorship. You surely envision more for him than just becoming a chef.”

“My esteemed lord, his name is Aubrey Masonde.”

‘Hmm… That name bears a striking resemblance to Merchant Marnid. Perhaps he could take the boy under his wing. Yet, the name is a tad complex; let’s call him Little M for simplicity. It might also be beneficial for the boy to learn about commerce. Perhaps this could lead to a unique storyline for Marnid, enabling a transformation akin to Safiya’s, from dragon girl to dragon mother.’