King
Chapter 124 - 124 100 The Tragic Gatekeeper_1

124: Chapter 100: The Tragic Gatekeeper_1 124: Chapter 100: The Tragic Gatekeeper_1 As a lord who honored his commitments, upon promising to deliver goods to a client’s doorstep, Hudson immediately set about organizing a transport convoy.

Fortunately, the situations in Layton and Wharton Counties had already stabilized, and the nobles who had been chastised by Earl Piers personally were behaving exceptionally well.

If there had been the risk of being robbed, no matter how ample the rewards, Hudson would not dare take his team away from their stronghold.

Even now, necessary vigilance must still be maintained.

Just because no one dares to act in the open doesn’t mean no one will cause trouble in secret.

In this context, the main force must stay at the stronghold to intimidate would-be troublemakers.

If an unexpected situation arises, they’d be able to organize a swift counterattack.

Under these circumstances, using mercenaries is unavoidable.

Although the opposing party is officially responsible for the freight, the practical operation is a package deal, such as the price of the goods being raised by a certain proportion.

The specifics would have to be determined according to the actual situation.

For instance, the freight should definitely not be the same in the case of needing to fight with the Skeleton Society and not needing to fight at all.

In these matters, nobles are usually very meticulous.

With all the business Hudson did, everyone just discussed a rough estimate, with the specifics relying entirely on good faith.

There were no damages caused, even the stingiest nobles rarely attempted any cunning tricks in these areas.

Of course, the fact that Hudson, as the second party, exerted such strong influence also plays a role.

A seller with a monopoly always has more say in a transaction.

Hudson reined in his inner greed and did not exploit the situation by price gouging, which is also why these transactions could proceed smoothly.

He could not avoid giving a discount price to those he had personal relations with.

Hudson spared no expense in maintaining his connections.

“Tom, send people to deliver these letters separately.

Also, schedule a meeting for me with Baron Katelai—we’ll go hunting in the mountains tomorrow!”

For the transportation convoy, Hudson planned to send only a hundred elite troops, with the rest coming from the hired noble’s private army.

It’s just a matter of money, not all knights carry the same high appearance fee as his “Divine Archery Knight”.

“Yes, my lord!”

…

In the Maple Domain, Baron Katelai, as a good neighbor, couldn’t help exclaiming when he received the invitation:

“What a joke, your lord is inviting me to go hunting, tomorrow?

Nobles going hunting together is not unusual, but arrangements are usually made well in advance.

Setting off tomorrow and only being notified tonight, this kind of last-minute invitation wouldn’t be extended unless the nobles involved had a good relationship.

If the relationship wasn’t good enough, the invitee could refuse by simply stating they didn’t have the time, which would be very awkward.

Recalling all my interactions with Hudson, none of them were pleasant, let alone friendly.

What kind of misunderstanding could have made him think we have a good relationship?”

Baron Katelai was extremely puzzled.

“Yes, honorable Baron Katelai.

My lord said that you will definitely attend, or else you will regret it in the future.”

The messenger’s verbatim message made Baron Katelai even more confused.

It’s just a hunting trip, would missing it cause regret, making it seem as if something significant is truly happening.

Once he confirmed that the soldier delivering the message knew nothing more, Katelai didn’t bother wasting time on him and dismissed him.

“Uncle Holman, what do you think that sly businessman Hudson is up to this time?

He can’t merely be inviting me to go hunting tomorrow just to show off his extraordinary archery skills, can he?”

It was clear that Baron Katelai had no liking for Hudson.

Heroes only admire other heroes, nobody admires a devious merchant.

Being tricked repeatedly, now he even feels bitter towards Mountain Domain, let alone Hudson the initiator.

“Who knows, maybe he wants to show off his archery skills simply.

Actually, none of that matters.

Being able to get a close look and gauge his strength would be a great gain.

Baron Hudson may have other tricks up his sleeve, but since he openly sent an invitation, he can’t be trying to harm you, right?

We don’t have any grievances, and even if we did have a little disagreement, we were the ones at a disadvantage, he wouldn’t need to trouble you.”

Knight Holman casually responded.

Nobles have their rules for their games.

Leading someone to their home to viciously assault them would be a super stupid thing to do, even the most brutal nobles wouldn’t do it.

Forget the fact that we aren’t enemies.

Even if it’s a life-and-death situation, nobody plays like that.

…

“What, your lord invites me to go to Qiaomu County together?”

“My poor cousin must be out of his mind.

He knows full well that the Skeleton Society haunts Qiaomu County, yet he still dares to go there now.”

“What did you say, twenty guards, a round trip of fifteen days for one hundred gold coins, employer covers all expenses along the way, and if a battle occurs, costs will be calculated separately – losses borne by the employer?

Hold on, I think I can consider it.

If there are many participants, we could take the risk.”

It’s not that Knight Adrian was quick to jump at the offer, but the fact that the other party offered so much.

The normal market price for mercy employment would definitely not be so high.

Just looking at the twenty elite guards, each not costing more than a hundred silver coins per day, the mercenary price is just slightly higher.

However, battle expenses are extra on top of that, all damages borne by the employer.

(1 gold coin = 15 silver coins)

The reason mercenaries charges are high is that they are risking their lives – all damages sustained are personally borne.