Knight Lords: Infinite Simulation and the Path of Light

Chapter 47 The Road to Adulthood (Please continue reading)

After everyone left the room, Dida moved a chair and sat down next to Wells.
"Commander Wells, we really owe you a great debt this time. If it weren't for you and your men risking your lives to protect me, I probably wouldn't have escaped this fate either."

In response to Deka's thanks, Wells raised his bandaged hand and waved it.

"Mr. Dida, you're too kind. It's our duty. Since we've accepted your employment, protecting you and your cargo is our top priority."

Upon hearing Wells's reply, Dida waved his hand, and then silence fell between the two.

Wells looked at the caravan manager, who seemed hesitant to speak, and his heart skipped a beat; a bad feeling welled up inside him.

Seeing Dida remain silent, Wells, unable to contain himself, could only force a smile and ask Dida.
"Mr. Did you want to talk to me about something?"

Seeing that Wells had taken the initiative to ask the question, the caravan manager, who had hesitated for a long time, looked slightly embarrassed, and then slowly began to speak.

"Well, Mr. Wells, first of all, I am very grateful to you for saving my life. Without you, I might not be able to sit here and talk to you right now. But there are some hurtful things I have to say."

Although the wolf attack on this transport was something none of us wanted to happen, it unfortunately did, causing significant losses and casualties to the caravan and the mercenary group.

None of us can change this outcome. Now your mercenary group has suffered more than half its losses and is unable to complete the remaining escort mission. According to the agreement we signed earlier, I need to end our cooperation.

However, out of gratitude for saving my life, I will waive your penalty for breach of contract and personally compensate you with 10 gold coins.”

Watching Dida speak eloquently, Wells was stunned on the bed, only able to see Dida's mouth moving incessantly, his mind a complete mess.

Without money, how could he compensate his men? They had barely escaped death, yet they received nothing. In desperation, Wells struggled to get out of bed and grabbed Dida's arm.

“Mr. Dida, no, no, please reconsider. We still have half a man. Just give me a few days, and I can recruit the rest. We can continue to complete the commission.”

Dida was startled by Wells's sudden attack and quickly stood up, trying to struggle away.

“Let go, Commander Wells, let go, please don’t get agitated. This is the contract, a contract in black and white. Although I am very grateful to you for saving my life, according to the contract, you are required to compensate for any 20% damage to the caravan’s goods. Now, a full 30% of my shipment is damaged.”

Paralyzed in bed, Wells had lost his former radiance. While Deka tried to avoid him, he was dragged off the bed and, like an old dog with a broken spine, crawled to the ground, his only movable hand clutching Dida's trouser leg, pleading incessantly.

"Mr. Dida, Mr. Dida, you can't do this! Our mercenary group has gone to great lengths for your goods. How about this, we'll waive the original fee, eighty! Eighty gold coins!"

Seeing that Dida remained unmoved, Wells quickly continued.
"Sixty, sixty gold coins will do, Mr. Dida."

Hearing a noise coming from inside, Paimon anxiously pushed open the door and rushed in.

Upon entering, he witnessed a scene that ignited his blood: his uncle being humiliated and trampled underfoot by this disgusting fat man. Enraged, Paimon charged forward, punching Dida squarely in the face. The merchant manager slammed against the wall like a balloon. Just as Paimon was about to utter a few harsh words, Wells's furious shouts rang out.

"You pig, you idiot, you beer-soaked moron, what are you doing?! Get out of here!!!"

Paimon froze on the spot upon hearing his uncle's angry shouts. From childhood to adulthood, his uncle had always been kind and gentle, and had never scolded him once.

However, Wells, lying on the ground, couldn't care less about anything else at the moment. He crawled towards Dida, who was lying on the ground.

"Mr. Dida, are you alright? Paimon, Paimon didn't mean it. He's still young, he might have misunderstood."

The caravan manager, who had just sat up, rubbed his swollen face, spat out a tooth, glanced at Wells lying on the ground pleading with him, then looked at Paimon, who was standing there dumbfounded. He slowly stood up, leaning against the wall, without saying a word. He walked to Wells' side, threw down a money bag, and left without looking back.

Watching Dida leave the room, Wells lay motionless on the floor like a deflated balloon. The team members gathered at the door quickly came in and hurriedly carried Wells to the bed. However, everyone tacitly avoided mentioning what had just happened. Second Captain Oklo waved his hand, signaling the team members to go back and not disturb their leader's rest.

Only when the door slammed shut did Wells, lying on the bed, dare to cry out loud, as desperate as a 40-year-old man who had been laid off, whose wife and divorced child were not even his own.

Haventra led Paimon to a table set up outside the inn and sat down, raising his hand to ask a passing maid for two glasses of wine.

Looking at Paimon, who was silent and whose face was flushed, Haven felt a bit of a problem. Seventeen or eighteen-year-old boys are at the age when their self-esteem is at its strongest. If Haven said the wrong thing today, it would probably be a day of severing ties.

The maid brought over two large mugs of beer. The boy, who would usually admire the maid's figure, was unusually indifferent today. He picked up the beer and gulped it down in a few mouthfuls. Before Havent could even think of what to say, Paimon had already picked up the second beer and finished it.

Seeing that Paimon was still silent, Haven raised his hand again and waved to the tavern waitress. Well, maybe being drunk is a good thing.

"Give me a barrel of strong liquor, a roast chicken, two charcoal-grilled pork hind legs, and two bowls of stewed meat rice porridge."

Soon, the maid brought up everything Haven had ordered. Not wanting his good friend to drink alone in silence, Haven started drinking cup after cup as well.
"Will, am I a really useless person? I can't do anything right?"

After downing seven or eight shots of strong liquor, Haven's mind started to wander. Holding a chicken leg, he mumbled incoherently...
"If you put it that way, then there's some truth to it. You're too straightforward; you act without thinking. Impulsiveness isn't a good thing."

Paimon, emboldened by the alcohol, retorted...
"But they never respected me, always treated my words as a joke, and thought I was still a child."

"So what? We're just kids. Being an adult is tough. Look at your uncle just now. He was groveling before that fat pig just so everyone could have something to eat. And then you punched him and wiped away all the fat pig's gratitude for your uncle saving his life. You're so impulsive. If you're not young, who is?"

Hearing Haven's words, Paimon stared blankly at his wooden wine glass, lost in thought.

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(End of this chapter)