These quests could be set aside for the time being; as long as one of the quests was completed within a few days, there likely wouldn't be any punishment.
He dragged the battle-axe to a remote and deserted corner, pondering how he would carry the longsword and battle-axe around in the future, when he noticed the Brand on his chest emitting a faint golden light.
Immediately, the longsword, heater shield, and The Grey Knight's Battle-Axe in his hands turned into three beams of golden light, like beams of blessed guidance, flying into the Brand on his chest and disappearing.
This wondrous scene made Nidhogg quickly realize what had happened.
He stretched out his hands and silently thought "longsword" and "heater shield" in his heart, and two beams of golden light flew out from the Brand on his chest, landing in his palms and manifesting into a longsword and a heater shield.
"So that's how it is. I can use the Brand to actively store and retrieve weapons and shields. They have already become a part of me; perhaps there are even more things that can be done this way..."
Nidhogg thought for a moment and did not put the longsword and heater shield back into the Brand. Instead, he searched the battlefield and found a suitable scabbard, putting the longsword into it.
He then scavenged two leather straps, strapped the longsword to his waist, and tied the shield to his back. This better suited his outfit as a wandering knight; otherwise, it would be too startling to suddenly pull a sword and shield out of thin air later on.
After tidying up, Nidhogg heard bursts of cheers from inside the castle.
Sir Knight rode his horse, moving slowly and haughtily past the mercenaries, holding the blood-stained head of the castle lord in his hand.
Seeing this head, the defenders, who were already low in morale, looked at each other and then all put down their weapons, choosing to surrender.
Sir Knight directed the archers and knights who had entered the city to occupy various parts of the castle, and also had someone cut off Bazuso's head to hang it on the city wall along with the lord's head for public display.
After making all the arrangements, Sir Knight spurred his horse to Nidhogg, dismounted, and waved his hand. Someone brought over a cloth bag and presented it to Sir Knight with both hands.
Sir Knight took the cloth bag and shook it, the sound of clinking coming from inside: "Here! This is 7 gold coins, a reward for you!"
He tossed the bag over.
Nidhogg thought that if it's offered, he might as well take it, especially since he would have to live in this world from now on and couldn't do so without money. So, he caught it, opened the bag, and counted—it was exactly right.
Sir Knight suddenly became a bit curious: "What is your name? Bazuso seemed to say you are our scout? Why do I not have any impression of you?"
"You are a noble, how could you have an impression of an ordinary scout?" Having received the money, Nidhogg's attitude was as good as it could be. "I was just lucky; I caught Bazuso off guard and killed him."
Sir Knight unexpectedly nodded in agreement: "Indeed, you are very lucky, after all, that was Bazuso... However, your courage is commendable. Don't be a scout anymore; join my ranks instead."
Nidhogg did not want to get tangled up with Sir Knight, nor did he want to directly decline Sir Knight's invitation, so he said: "Thank you. I will go back to report now; I imagine my superior will allow it."
He nodded to Sir Knight and turned to leave.
If he didn't leave now, this so-called "scout" identity would be exposed, and who knows what kind of trouble that might bring.
Sir Knight was stunned, watching Nidhogg step out of the castle gate. It took him a while to realize he hadn't even asked what this person's name was, or who his superior was.
But it didn't matter; he figured he would know how to come find him later.