The vige chief asked in a trembling voice. If a knight visited with soldiers, the responsibility of hosting themy solely on the vige. If the number of soldiers was small, they could manage, but if it was arge group, it would be an enormous burden.


    How long they stayed in the vige was also a concern.


    ''If it''s only for a short time, it''s fine, but if they intend to stay for a long time, the vige will be ruined.''


    The vige chief''s mouth felt dry. Just thinking about the behavior of the soldiers and the costs involved made his legs tremble.


    "There were no soldiers."


    "What? No soldiers? The knight came alone?"


    "Yes !"


    "Huh…"


    The vige chief''s mind raced after hearing the young man''s response. If the knight hade alone, it was unlikely that he was a vassal knight serving a specific noble family. He was probably a wandering knight searching for a lord or a mercenary knight earning his keep by intervening in other people''s wars.


    "Then, did you see a family crest? Like a picture of an animal?"


    "No, there was nothing like that."


    "Hmm!"


    Not using a family crest meant there was a dishonorable reason behind it. In that case, it was highly likely he was a mercenary knight. Someone without backing, without connections, merely surviving day by day through mercenary work.


    ''That changes things.''


    A mercenary knight without backing or connections was no different from a mere traveler.


    There might be a difference in status and strength, but if they handled it quietly, no one woulde looking for him.


    Watching the vige chief''s eyes dart around, Ss clicked his tongue internally.


    ''So he ns to kill him secretly and steal his belongings.''


    In truth, it was not umon for mercenary knights or travelers without connections to disappear like that. In fact, Brick Vige itself had done this to travelers a few times. The problem was that the vige chief was making a huge mistake right now.


    The person in question was not a mere mercenary knight but a vassal knight of the Corleone family.


    "Ahem, Ss, you should head home for now."


    The vige chief waved Ss away as if shooing him off. It was a gesture indicating he had no intention of sharing the spoils after dealing with the knight.


    "Yes, then take care."


    "Right,e by againter if you have anything you''ve hunted."


    After saying that, the vige chief turned away and began to whisper. He seemed to lower his voice, but Ss''s keen ears caught everything.


    "Prepare some good food for the knight. And don''t forget to put plenty of that stuff."


    "Don''t worry. One sip and he''ll be out cold."


    "Good. I happen to know a fence who can…"


    Ss almost let out a snicker. It was pathetic how greed had blinded them to the danger they were walking into.


    ''I''d better prepare to cover the traces.''


    Recalling events before his regression, Ssrushed back to his hut. Tonight was the night the knight would escape ande to his hut.


    * * *


    In the dark dawn, Ss lit a fire around the hut and organized his tools. He prepared items to erase footprints and bloodstains and cleared out the underground hideout.


    ''He should be here soon.''@@novelbin@@


    "Catch him!"


    "Don''t let him escape!"


    As soon as the thought crossed his mind, he heard the raucous shouts from the vige. Torches lit up the entire vige as shadows moved frantically.


    Amidst themotion, a figure on horseback headed toward him. The horse copsed as if it had been hit by something, and the rider tumbled to the ground.


    "Ugh, cough!"


    ''He''s here.''


    The one who arrived at the hut was a young knight. Dressed in in clothes as if his armor and sword had been taken, his shoulder bore a wound from a pitchfork.


    "Hey, youmoner! Hide me!"


    ''Seriously.''


    Even when he was near death, he spoke in such a manner. Ss already knew about the nobles'' sense of superiority, but he couldn''t help but shake his head.


    "If you hide me, I will reward youter! If you want... !"


    "That''s not necessary."


    "What!? No...!"


    The knight''s face turned pale as if he took it as a refusal. Ss opened the door to the hut and gestured for the knight toe in.


    "I don''t need a reward, so pleasee in. There''s a ce to hide."


    "Th-thank you!"


    The knight hurriedly stumbled into the hut. Ss opened the cleverly hidden door to the basement.


    "Go in."


    "I won''t forget this favor. I swear on my name..."


    "This isn''t the time for that."


    There was no time to listen to thanks. Ss pushed the knight in and urged him.


    "Whatever happens outside, you must note out. No matter what happens, stay put."


    "I understand. I swear."


    Ss felt a slight sense of relief at the knight''s resolute eyes. The worst-case scenario would be if the knight decided, ''I''d rather die fighting!'' and ran out in the middle. If that happened, Ss wouldn''t be able to escape suspicion either. Fortunately, it seemed this knight had enough sense.


    ''Let''s hurry.''


    Ss quickly cleaned up the area with the tools he had prepared. He erased the bloodstains, wiped away footprints, and left a few fake traces. As soon as he finished the final task, the vigers gathered outside his hut.


    "Ss! Come out here!"


    The vige chief''s angry voice came from outside. Ss poked his head out with a bewildered expression.


    "What''s going on at this hour?"


    "Did anyonee here just now?"


    "Oh, now that you mention it, someone dide."


    "Is that so?"


    The vige chief''s eyes gleamed with hostility. His nerves were on edge from losing track of the knight. Ss began to give the response he had prepared.


    "He knocked on my door, demanding Ie out."


    "And then?"