Being a knight is not easy

Chapter 81 Mercenaries
The old cat narrowed his eyes and looked at Robin carefully, as if trying to judge the truth of his words.

After a moment, he sneered and said, "You said the lord and the wizard teamed up to turn the knight into a puppet? That's an interesting explanation. But do you think the people of Tutankhamun City will believe you? Especially those nobles. They don't care about the truth, they only care about their own interests."

Robin clenched his fists and whispered, "I know this is difficult, but I have no choice. If I can't clear my name, they will catch me sooner or later. Old cat, I need your help."

The old cat was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "It's not impossible to arrange a new identity for you. But you have to understand the rules of Tutankhamun City—there's no free lunch. What can you give me?"

Robin was prepared. He pulled out a gold coin with strange symbols on it and handed it to the old cat. "I found these coins in the lord's secret room. They have special symbols on them. I suspect they are related to the wizard and may be able to uncover the lord's conspiracy. If you help me, this coin will be yours."

The old cat took the coins and examined them carefully for a moment, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. He looked up at Robin and said seriously, "These coins... are indeed something special. It seems the trouble you've gotten yourself into is even bigger than I imagined."

Robin smiled wryly, "That's why I need your help."

The old cat pondered for a moment, and finally nodded: "Okay, I can help you arrange a new identity. However, you have to promise me one thing."

"What's going on?" Robin asked warily.

"When you are strong enough, you must help me do something." The old cat's tone was unquestionable.

Robin hesitated for a moment, but thinking of his current situation, he could only nod and agree: "Okay, I promise you."

The old cat smiled with satisfaction, then pulled out a piece of parchment and a pen from his bosom, quickly wrote down an address, and handed it to Robin: "Go to this place and find a man named 'Grey Mouse'. He will help you arrange a new identity. Remember, don't tell anyone you've seen me."

Robin took the parchment and nodded solemnly, "Thank you."

The old cat waved his hand and said coldly, "Don't be so quick to thank me. We just got what we needed. Remember your promise."

Robin said nothing more and turned away from the old cat's hiding place.

In the darkness of the night, he followed the address on the parchment, walked through several narrow alleys, and finally arrived in front of a dilapidated building. He knocked on the door, and after a moment, a thin man opened the door and looked at him warily.

"Who are you?" the man asked in a low voice.

Robin handed him the parchment, "Old Cat sent me to find you."

The man took the parchment, glanced at it, and then nodded: "Come in."

Robin followed the man into the house, feeling a little relieved.

Robin followed the gray mouse into the house. The room was dark and messy, with all kinds of strange objects hanging on the walls and the table piled with scrolls and bottles and jars.

The gray mouse motioned for Robin to sit down, and he sat opposite him, looking at him carefully.

"Did the old cat ask you to come?" asked the gray mouse with a hint of doubt in his tone.

Robin nodded and placed the parchment the old cat had given him on the table. "Yes, I need a new identity."

The gray mouse picked up the parchment and looked at it carefully, then looked up at Robin. "Old Cat rarely recommends anyone personally. It seems you are in quite a bit of trouble."

Robin smiled bitterly and didn't deny it: "It's indeed not a small matter. I'm wanted by the whole city and I need an identity that can allow me to start over."

Gray Mouse pondered for a moment, then pulled out a thick booklet from the drawer under the table, flipped through a few pages, and asked, "What kind of identity do you want? Merchant? Mercenary? Or just an ordinary civilian?"

Robin thought for a moment and replied, "Mercenary. This identity gives me more freedom and makes it easier for me to move around."

Gray Mouse nodded and quickly wrote a few words in the book. Then he took out a badge and an ID from the cabinet beside him and handed it to Robin: "This is your new identity - Roy Black, a mercenary from the border. Remember, from today on, you are Roy, not Robin Gabriel anymore."

Robin took the badge and ID and nodded solemnly, "I understand." Gray Mouse then produced a set of leather armor and weapons commonly used by mercenaries and handed them to Robin, "These are your equipment. Remember, while mercenary status offers freedom, it also has its rules. Don't cause trouble, and don't let anyone doubt your identity."

Robin took the equipment and quickly changed into it.

Although the leather armor is a bit old, it still fits well and the weapon is well maintained.

He gripped the sword in his hand and felt a long-lost sense of security.

"Thank you," Robin said.

The gray mouse waved his hand and said, "Don't thank me. I'm just following the rules. The old cat has already paid me."

Robin nodded and was about to leave when Gray Mouse suddenly called out to him, "Wait."

Robin turned around: "What else?"

Gray Mouse picked up a small amulet from the table and handed it to Robin. "This is an enchanted amulet. It can help you hide your presence and avoid being tracked. Although the effect is limited, it's better than nothing."

Robin took the amulet, hung it around his neck, and felt a faint fluctuation of magical power.

He thanked the gray mouse again and left the room.

In the night, Robin - now known as Roy Black - walked the streets of Tutankhamun.

He felt a little more relaxed than before, but still didn't dare to be careless.

His enemies would not give up easily, but he did not understand why they would target a little knight like him. Aren't the two wizard apprentices their real targets?
He decided to register with the Mercenary Guild first and officially start a new life as Roy.

The Mercenary Guild is located in the center of the city. It is a tall stone building with a huge shield and sword symbol hanging at the door.

Robin walked into the guild hall, which was bustling with people. Mercenaries gathered in groups of three or four, discussing missions and rewards.

Robin walked up to the counter and handed his ID to the staff. The staff took a look and asked, "Are you a new mercenary?"

Robin nodded: "Yes, I want to register as an official mercenary."

The staff quickly registered the information and then handed Robin a mercenary badge. "This is your badge. From now on, you are a member of the Tutankhamun City Mercenary Guild. You can accept missions here and earn rewards."

Robin took the badge and pinned it on his chest.

He looked at the task board, which was filled with various tasks, ranging from escorting caravans to hunting monsters.

He decided to take a simple mission first to familiarize himself with the life of a mercenary.

Just then, a tall mercenary came over and patted Robin on the shoulder: "New here?"

Robin nodded, "Yes, my name is Roy."

The tall mercenary smiled and said, "My name is Carl, and I'm a senior mercenary here. Since you're alone, would you like to team up with me? I just happened to have a mission to escort a caravan, and the pay is good."

Robin thought about it and felt that this was a good opportunity, so he nodded and agreed: "Okay, I'll join."

Carl smiled with satisfaction: "Then it's settled. We'll gather at the city gate tomorrow morning."

(End of this chapter)