NOVEL NEXT Chapter 84: Bandits Anger
The discussion ended as the sun went down. Gideon had actually invited Norton to stay at the Baron's residence. However, Norton refused, saying he had to return to Mischo City.
There was a chance Queen Anastasya was still there, speaking with Liam before returning to the capital. If she was, Norton could deliver Gideon's request directly to her.
Gideon escorted him all the way to the front gate of the Baron's residence. Lena had finished her work, as had Luke and Lyra. They walked up to Gideon, asking about the results of his discussion.
"Norton will discuss it with the Queen," Gideon replied.
"Woah, let's hope she listens," Luke said.
"Yes. That will make our plan much easier."
He invited his team members inside the Baron's residence while telling them about Queen Anastasya's request to use Gideon's team's strength. Luke listened, shocked, his eyes wide.
"What the hell? Aren't they strong enough to beat the Sisyla army?" Luke asked.
"It seems not. Morale broke at the western border. Too many defeats, and heavy taxes have worn them down," Gideon replied.
"The Moko Kingdom is on the edge of collapse," Lyra added.
"Are we going to help them?" Lena asked.
"No," Gideon answered, looking at her.
His reply was enough to make Lena and the others feel relieved. That was the right decision. After all, Gideon's team had no real ties to the Moko Kingdom.
"If they want our power, they'll have to kneel before us," Luke joked.
Lyra tapped her forehead lightly, baffled at Luke's confidence. Lena and Gideon laughed. Even if it was a joke, there was truth hidden in Luke's words.
The point was clear: they would have to bow to Gideon and his team's authority. And if that happened, Gideon would have to be crowned the new King of the Moko Kingdom.
"There's no need to talk about that now. You can rest," Gideon said.
Lena and the others agreed and left the lounge to head upstairs to their rooms.
Not long after, Viviene arrived in casual clothes, a shirt and long pants. She had taken off her gown since technically her work hours were over. She came carrying a document labeled as an agreement.
Of course. It was the contract Gideon had ordered her to prepare. She handed the papers to him.
There were two documents in total, detailing everything from the textile factory's identity to its yearly income based on the data she had. Gideon read them carefully.
"This is accurate. Nothing's wrong here," Gideon said.
"Thank you, Lord Gideon."
"Make a copy for us. Hector will sign both documents," Gideon replied.
"I'll make it quickly tonight."
Viviene took the documents back, ready to prepare the copies. But her curiosity got the better of her.
During her time with Nozel, Viviene had noticed he too planned to take over the factory. But his ambition was silenced when Hector promised to pay him a monthly tribute.
Unlike Gideon, he didn't seize the whole factory, nor did he accept Hector's chest of gold. He only wanted half of the yearly profit, a much smaller amount than what Nozel had collected in just six months.
"With that money, what exactly do you plan to do?" Viviene asked.
"The money from Hector? I don't know, maybe help more people and recruit soldiers," Gideon replied.
"Soldiers? Are you planning to expand the Baron's forces?"
"Not exactly. The Baron's troops will remain separate from the regional forces," Gideon answered.
He stood and smiled, stretching out his hand and patting Viviene lightly on the shoulder.
"You don't need to worry. I won't use the money for personal gain," Gideon said.
"Then what do you gain if all of it goes to the villagers? You'll only exhaust yourself," Viviene replied.
"I don't need much. My wish is simple," Gideon said firmly.
"What is it?" Viviene asked.
"To find a way back to my world."
***
Several days passed.
Rockvalley Village.
Not many villagers came to the clinic anymore. Most of them had been treated well. Lena's job became lighter, only making rounds through the village and visiting a few homes for checkups.
Luke and Lyra finished their second and third wells. Now they were working on the fourth and fifth. By Lyra's estimate, all phase one wells would be completed in a month, provided no obstacles appeared.
Ten days had passed since Gideon's meeting with Norton, but there was still no word from him regarding Gideon's request.
Gideon knew he had asked for too much. If the kingdom couldn't fulfill it, then he would have no choice but to build a city and an army on his own.
Early in the morning, Gideon was already prepared, wearing a tactical shirt with his SIG M17 strapped to his waist. He had nothing pressing to do in Rockvalley, so he planned to visit Dergon with Lucas.
"My Lord," Lucas, commander of the Baron's guard, greeted him.
"My troops are ready. We're prepared to leave," Lucas said.
Gideon cleared his throat. He had already spoken to Lena and the others about his plan. They couldn't go with him because of their current work, but if Gideon needed them, they would come.
"This is only field observation. Do not act harshly," Gideon ordered, and his soldiers obeyed.
Mounting his horse, he left Rockvalley heading west. Dergon neighbored Rockvalley, though it was farther than Nemora.
Lena stepped out of a villager's house, turning her head to watch Gideon's column depart. She always prayed for the best in whatever Gideon was doing.
They rode along the main forest road with Lucas leading and Gideon right behind him. After two hours of nonstop riding, Lucas pulled up his horse.
"What is it?" Gideon asked.
"Bandits!" Lucas replied.
"Come out before I cut you down one by one!" Lucas shouted.
He was right. Several men in black bandit garb stepped out of the forest, weapons in hand—sickles, daggers, swords, and spears. There were about ten of them, clearly set on robbing.
"Who are you? Baron Gideon is here!" Lucas declared.
"Baron? Perfect timing. I've been waiting to vent my anger on him," one of the bandits said.
Gideon narrowed his eyes, dismounted, and placed his right hand on his pistol at his waist. The safety was already off.
"Anger? Are you villagers from Dergon?" Gideon asked.
"You have no right to interfere. You failed to protect us!" the bandit shouted.
"If I fail, then who will protect you?"
"We will!" he answered.
Amateurs.
"Attack him!" the bandit leader yelled.
Gideon raised his pistol, pulling the trigger and aiming straight ahead. A 9mm round burst from the muzzle, striking the left chest of the bandit charging him.
BLAST!
The gunshot echoed, shocking everyone. The man dropped dead instantly as the bullet pierced his heart. Gideon still had several mags on him, and his shots never missed.
The bandits froze, trembling as they watched Gideon kill one of their own in a split second.
"W-What the—"
"I'll say it again."
"If I fail, then who will protect you?!"