This is fascinating. What a twist of fate.
Noein Earlkvist had already forgotten his previous fear of death, finding joy in meeting these people.
In the past, while confined to a remote part of the Kivileft Earl’s mansion, Noein managed to gather some outside information, mostly through Mathilda’s eavesdropping.
According to her, the Earl of Kivileft was a small-minded miser who didn’t care what happened to the lower classes as long as he benefited. Additionally, as a great noble, when supplying troops for the conflict with the Eastern Palas Empire, he hired many cheap, expendable mercenaries instead of the regular army.
When Noein heard the thieves’ story of being “discarded by the southern nobles,” he guessed correctly. They too had been used and thrown away by his father. It turned out they shared a similar fate.
“I see, I see. You guys were also messed around by that damned father of mine, huh?”
A feeling akin to affection suddenly welled up within him, and he smiled. The thieves, however, took a step back, looking scared. Even the imposing leader seemed intimidated.
Why were they scared? They had been frightening him just moments ago.
“…Hey, what’s up with you?” The leader asked, seemingly determined. Fine, I’ll tell you, Noein thought.
“I’m the son of Maximilian Kivileft, the one who put you in this situation. I was raised confined to a corner of the mansion, and then tossed out here to die in the Bezel Forest, an illegitimate child.”
…
The fact that he could share his hatred for that damned father with someone was astonishing.
With a look of joy, Noein recounted his situation and his grudge against his father. Words poured out like a waterfall. He was surprised at how much resentment he had been holding.
Although his narration was heavily biased by his own perspective and hatred, it worked in his favor by drawing sympathy from the thieves.
“…I see. I get it now. You’re not just some spoiled noble kid,” the leader finally replied, looking disarmed.
“Then… well, we won’t kill you. I’ve lost my drive. I can’t bring myself to kill a kid abandoned to die by that scum of a noble at such a young age. Are you guys okay with that?” He turned to his four subordinates, who nodded with similarly stunned expressions.
“But then, what will you do? You’re young, weak, only have a rabbit person slave and a golem as your followers, and you’re short on money. Are you seriously planning to develop this forest handed to you by your lousy father? Why don’t you just run away?”
Sitting down heavily, the leader asked this half-bewildered. Noein answered with a calm expression.
“I want to take revenge on my father. By living a life filled with happiness and love, a life he will envy.”
“…Huh?”
“I despise my father. That’s why I want to take everything he deprived me of, everything he never had. I refuse to be like him. I’ll create a territory where the people live happily, loved by me and loving me in return. That’s my revenge.”
Yuri couldn’t believe the words he was hearing from this kid. They were too idealistic, too dreamy, hard to accept. But his eyes were unwavering, sincere.
“So, why don’t you join my territory? Become my people? I promise to love you and fulfill my duties as a lord for your sake.”
“…Huh?”
Yuri was even more confused. Was this kid serious?
They had just tried to kill him, and now he was inviting them to his land?
He would love the people who tried to kill him?
“Do you understand that we’re fugitives from your father’s army? And that we were thieves? We never killed or raped, but we survived by stealing others’ goods and wealth.”
“I guarantee you, my shitty father won’t bother to chase a few men all the way to this corner of the kingdom for a few deaths. And so what if you were thieves? In the same situation, I’d have done the same to survive.”
“…We tried to kill you.”
“You didn’t know my situation. But now you do, right? It’s over. It’s a trivial matter.”
He just dismissed his near-death experience as a trivial matter.
“You lost the path to live honorably because of that damn father, right? Then join me in seeking revenge by living a happy life.”
…He couldn’t understand this kid’s words. Unable to grasp them, Yuri stared into his eyes to judge his sincerity. Noein’s eyes were unwavering, still earnest.
…Unbelievable.
The invitation was incredibly tempting. They had been mercenaries living somewhat honorably before. Being thieves, hating the nobles, was abnormal. Returning to an honest life was naturally preferable.
Yuri looked away from Noein to his subordinates. These were comrades who followed him into thievery, maintaining a vow of “no killing, no raping” out of some shred of pride. No words were needed; a shared glance and nod confirmed their intentions.
They had lost everything, fallen to thievery. They wouldn’t lead decent lives constantly on the run. Following this strange kid’s odd words might be worth trying.
He turned back to Noein and made his decision.
“Fine. If you betray us, we’ll kill you. But until then—”
Yuri spun his sword around, planting it in the ground as he knelt and bowed his head. His four subordinates followed suit.
“—we will be your sword against your enemies, your shield to protect you. We pledge our loyalty.”
These were the warrior’s vows well-known in the Kingdom of Lordberg.
In that moment, new citizens were added to the Earlkvist territory.
…
“Thank you. I swear to honor your loyalty,” Noein responded.
As they stood up from the impromptu ceremony, Yuri—apparently the leader—awkwardly started, “So, about what to do next…”
Noein also felt unsure what to say to Yuri and his men, who had so recently tried to kill him but were now his new subjects.
Trying to break the tension, the man whose nose had finally stopped bleeding spoke up.
“First of all, we should untie the rabbit woman—”
Before he could finish, a cry of “Haaah!” rang out, and Mathilda leapt from the bushes, delivering a kick that turned him back into the bleeding man.
