Don Quixote glanced at Ethan's figure in the distance and asked:
"What was Captain Liam's attitude?"
Nathan recalled for a moment before answering:
"He didn't seem angry, so he probably bought mine and Vincent's story.
"Hey, My Lord, we even hinted that Ethan had a beef with you.
"Captain Liam probably thinks Ethan was just trying to smear your name!"
...That didn't matter.
He hadn't deliberately hidden his tracks in Castle Cerwyn anyway.
Anyone who poked around would easily find out he'd abandoned his post.
What really mattered was Liam's attitude. If Liam didn't want to dig into it...
And since no trouble had broken out at the trade market yesterday...
Then the whole thing would just blow over.
If Liam reported it up the chain to Ser Kyle or even Earl Medger...
There was still a decent chance he could get fired.
"Got carried away. Spent a bit too much time rolling in the hay and lost track of myself."
Don Quixote had been far too active in the bedroom yesterday.
Exhausted both physically and mentally, he really hadn't wanted to go on patrol anyway.
"Living under someone else's roof sucks. I need to build up my own faction as soon as possible!"
Realizing that his fate rested on someone else's whim made Don Quixote suddenly feel a surge of irritation.
"Forget it, no point overthinking it. Whether I stay or go, I have options.
"With the System on my side, there's no need to stress myself out."
Don Quixote quickly adjusted his mindset, looked at the quiet Nathan beside him, and asked:
"Captain Liam—what does he usually like?"
"...Ah."
Nathan, caught off guard by the sudden question, froze for a second before snapping back and lowering his voice:
"My Lord, Captain Liam likes drinking at wayside inns, and he likes money."
Don Quixote smiled:
"Thanks for your help this time. Take these 10 Silver Stags and split them among yourselves—exclude Ethan."
Nathan's eyes went wide as he stared at the Silver Stags in Don Quixote's hand.
He swallowed hard and said eagerly:
"Thank you, Lord Don Quixote! Don't worry, My Lord, my lips are sealed!"
Two Silver Stags was almost half a month's pay for him.
He wasn't a freelance knight scraping by on mercenary work.
Life as a regular standing soldier wasn't too bad.
Aside from room, board, and equipment provided by the lord, they also got a steady wage.
That was better than a lot of the temporarily conscripted levies.
They only got food, shelter, weapons, and winter gear from the lord, but no actual pay.
Of course, if they saw battle...
There would be bounties and spoils of war afterward.
After hesitating for a moment, Nathan asked:
"Does Shane get a cut too?"
Don Quixote thought about it and replied:
"Give him 1 Silver Stag. At the very least, he kept his mouth shut.
"You take the extra Silver Stag for yourself. No need to tell the others."
Hearing this, Nathan grew even more excited:
"Thank you, Lord Don Quixote!"
After taking the 10 Silver Stags, he suddenly added:
"My Lord, I'll keep a close eye on that bastard Ethan from now on. The second he steps out of line...
"I'll report it straight to you!"
Don Quixote nodded:
"Good."
————
Time seemed to slow to a crawl, passing bit by bit.
As soon as the day's patrol was over...
Don Quixote handed things off to Liam and hurried back to Castle Cerwyn.
Outside Windsor's Lodge.
Having been thoroughly acquainted with the exact same 'pipe' as Adele, Lady Ella seemed much more amicable now.
She affectionately smoothed out the thick, new dark-grey wool cloak Adele was wearing.
Then she whispered:
"You need to be careful and cautious by his side from now on.
"For smallfolk like us, slightly upsetting the high lords means suffering.
"You never know what day you might be cast aside, or even killed.
"And even if that happens, no one will stand up for us.
"The only people we can rely on are ourselves! Remember! Be cautious! Always have a backup plan!
"Go on, Adele.
"He's here."
...Are you smallfolk too, My Lady?
Adele looked at Lady Ella's fair profile, feeling both confused and envious.
Adele replied obediently:
"Mhm, please take care of yourself, Lady Ella!"
She didn't really understand what Lady Ella meant.
Careful?
Cautious?
Weren't those instincts baked into her very bones since childhood?
Why did Lady Ella feel the need to emphasize them?
Suddenly, a wave of panic washed over Adele.
It felt as though she wasn't stepping into a hopeful new life.
But into a terrifying abyss that would swallow her flesh and bone.
Adele stared blankly as Don Quixote's burly figure atop his tall horse drew closer and closer.
...I'm so scared.
Her heart suddenly filled with overwhelming uncertainty.
Lady Ella shot Don Quixote a cold huff:
"Take good care of Adele, or I won't let you hear the end of it!"
With that, she turned and walked back into Windsor's Lodge.
Don Quixote swung down from his horse and walked over to Adele.
Noticing her vacant stare, he asked in confusion:
"Adele, what's wrong?"
Hearing Don Quixote's gentle, familiar voice, Adele snapped out of her irrational, fear-filled daydream.
She forced a smile and replied as obediently as ever:
"I'm fine, My Lord. I guess I'm just a little overwhelmed about suddenly leaving the only place I've ever known."
Don Quixote nodded, offering a comforting smile:
"A person only truly grows when they step out of their comfort zone.
"Back in the day, I was barely ten years old when I left my home behind to follow a knight.
"I spent so many nights terrified.
"Terrified of angering some high lord, terrified that someone was waiting to ambush me in the dark.
"Worried that I'd be grabbed and killed the very next second."
"...Ah."
Adele was stunned. She looked up at Don Quixote's youthful yet slightly chiseled face:
"Was your past really like that too, My Lord?"
Don Quixote grabbed Adele's luggage and chuckled:
"Yeah, I used to not even dare look those noble lords in the eye."
Adele asked curiously:
"And now?"
...Now, of course, the plan was to crush them beneath my boots, or utterly destroy them.
With no family in this world and the System at his disposal, Don Quixote hadn't fully mapped out his future yet.
But perhaps upending the established social order of this world would be an exciting endeavor to look forward to.
Amidst his swirling thoughts, Don Quixote offered a slow smile:
"Now, they're nothing special. They're no longer worth my fear!"
Adele's beautiful, round eyes went wide. It was the first time she'd ever heard such radical talk.
This was something she wouldn't even dare to fantasize about, let alone dream of.
Don Quixote looked at Adele's startled expression and took her hand.
As they walked, he said:
"Adele, one day you'll understand.
"Those nobles are just people. If you wanted to, you could put a sword to their throats too.
"You'll understand that! You'll dream of it! And you'll work hard to make it a reality!"
Adele walked alongside Don Quixote in a daze, letting him lead her by the hand.
She suddenly forgot all about her previous uncertainty and fear.
She even forgot that her esteemed Lord Don Quixote was carrying her heavy bags for her.
Listening to Don Quixote's bold, repetitive, and radical words...
An immense sense of thrill bubbled up from deep within her heart.
They walked a long way.
She listened to him speak for a long time.
She didn't even notice when a teenage boy joined their group.
Nor did she realize they had already left Castle Cerwyn.
A long while later.
She suddenly allowed herself to actually think about it:
"Those noble lords who have played with and dictated the fates of the smallfolk for generations...
"What makes them so special?
"Why! By what right! Do they get to be born with the power to control and manipulate the destinies of others!"
The more she thought about it, the more terrified she became—and the more she thought about it, the more intensely exhilarating it felt!
...