"Wait, at this time only Laine's identity is suitable for negotiation." Teresa was riding on a horse, with the long coat tails almost covering her long legs, revealing only the tips and heels of her high-heeled boots.
The Jialan Council is just an organization recognized to exist, without the power to directly interfere in national affairs. Strictly speaking, Teresa is not a noble of the Nord Kingdom, so matters within the system are better resolved internally.
A guard stopped Laine: "Hello sir! Entering the town requires a fee of five silver dinars, and we will issue you a pass that is valid for five days... Good morning! Lord Kingdom Knight!"
Laine displayed the White Wolf Knight Badge, and the guards immediately saluted.
"What's going on?"
"Well... Lord Knight, yesterday the City Lord announced a sea ban, prohibiting any ship from sailing out." The guard lowered his head and whispered.
"No way to sail out from here?!" Laine vaguely realized something and frowned at the guard, scolding: "And the City Lord didn't notify or post a notice? Taking the entry fee only for people to find out they can't sail out? What's the reason for the sea prohibition?"
Even so, five silver dinars is quite expensive, Laine thought this City Lord indeed taxes heavily.
Charging such an exorbitant entry fee while prohibiting sailing, it's clear extortion from those who want to sail out, after all, once money is in the pocket, it's as if it's one's own. No sailing means no sailing, this is my territory, and you must play by my rules, right? If you don't like it, don't come!
This is the most typical lawful evil way of doing things.
"Are the inns still open?" The argument at the city gate had nothing to do with Laine, and he didn't want to wade into the muddy water.
"They're open, my lord, since there are not many guests, many inns have reduced their prices. If you're planning to stay, because of the sea prohibition, almost all places in the city are full. The Butter Beer Inn in the city center might still have rooms, their luxurious suites are definitely in line with your knightly status, although you could also notify the City Lord..."
"Swish!" A sound of air being torn reached him, and Laine instinctively looked towards the city gate, where the conflict between the caravan and the guard captain had intensified to a boiling point. At the command of the guard captain, the guards on the city wall directly drew their bows and fired, an arrow landing in the dirt before the caravan.
The guard captain was smug, thinking you people really don't understand your place. Do you dare to act arrogantly here?
"Whoosh!" At this moment, an unforeseen change occurred. A cloaked person from the caravan suddenly drew an arrow from the quiver on their back, deftly notching it in a bow. Almost instantly, the helmet of the guard shooting from the city wall soared into the air, though the guard himself was unharmed, merely so frightened he fell sitting on the wall.
This skill! This is the power of an elite ranger! And furthermore, likely of the elite high-tier level! Laine now became interested, pulling his horse close and watching the farce at the city gate with great curiosity.
Under the cloak, the ranger's slightly pointed ears and slender face revealed his half-elf identity, his face filled with arrogance, even giving a disdainful smile to the Guard Commander, who instinctively took a step back, looking very troubled. He, being only of elite initial tier strength, wasn't sure he could take down such a strong ranger without significant losses.
If things really came to blows, and he lost his life or that of a dozen subordinates, the Lord would surely hold him accountable, and he couldn't remain as Guard Commander!
Collecting taxes is minor; my life and career are what's important.
The Guard Commander instinctively glanced around and quickly noticed Laine, who was watching nearby.
A Kingdom Knight!
"Lord Knight! These treacherous merchants do not abide by our nation's laws! They are openly defying the City Lord's rules!" The Guard Captain immediately identified this as a National Knight, so he quickly approached seeking help, not only bowing deeply but also offering a sycophantic smile to please Laine, while casting a hateful look at the caravan group, as if bearing a bitter grievance.
Laine raised an eyebrow, the people in the caravan were busy arguing, only now noticing him. Many guards showed wary and uneasy looks upon seeing a Kingdom Knight present, the half-elf ranger gripping his longbow tightly, shooting unfriendly glances at Laine, while all the merchant's guards clutched their sword hilts, with the mercenary group appearing a little hesitant, as no one really wanted to offend a Kingdom Knight.
As a Kingdom Knight, Laine indeed had an obligation to uphold the Nord Kingdom's laws, even if such laws were unreasonable. Seeing the matter finally spill over to him, Laine gently lifted his warhammer, speaking in a displeased tone to the Guard Commander: "Oh? Is the five silver dinars entry fee stipulated by Nord law? Your City Lord really is harsh with taxes, almost forcing even me, a Kingdom Knight, to pay it."
"Terribly sorry, sire, but it's the City Lord's command; we have to obey!" The Guard Commander quickly apologized.
"Exactly! Lord Knight, didn't we come here considering the taxes on bulk goods would supposedly be lower than other ports? But now we're required to pay such high entry taxes only to be told we can't sail out! Surely that's unfair!" Oliver also stepped forward to argue.
Ultimately, with Laine mediating, everyone settled on a three silver dinars entry fee, with Teresa covering the Mercenary Corps' fee. Though several dozen silver coins meant little to a female sorcerer, everyone gradually entered the city, with Laine greeting them before he swiftly rode towards Kaltenhaven's Lord's Mansion.
The Lord of Kaltenhaven resided in a large wooden longhouse in the city, a three-story building where the first floor served to receive guests and as a dining hall, and the upper two floors were private spaces, mostly made of wooden structures. Laine reported to the gate guards and quickly located the secretary to inquire about the sailing records.
"Indeed, Mr. Laine, yesterday there was a tall, thin person who only made it into the town as the gates were about to close. He didn't stay long and immediately sought a ship to Marinburg. The ship-owners initially refused, but the individual offered fifteen gold dinars to sail out, many times the normal price to Marinburg, so one ship-owner decided to take the money." The Lord's secretary turned over the sailing records, telling Laine.
"Darn it, lost him!" Laine said irritably, having had a premonition before that being delayed by beastmen might mean he wouldn't catch up with Belte.
"But why is there a sea prohibition now?" Laine asked further.
"Because, this morning, the High Priest of the Ocean Church informed the Lord that a considerable number of sea monsters had gathered in the nearby waters, and Northern Barbarian fleets were continually raiding merchant fleets. Considering safety, the Lord ordered the sea ban for the time being," the secretary continued.
"Alright, I understood." Laine realized he wouldn't catch up with Belte now, even if he convinced the Lord to arrange a special ship for his group, the risks would be too high. For now, he could only strategically plan further, and first report to Archbishop Innocen.
Exiting the tower, it was now noon, the rare moment when the clouds parted allowing a few rays of sunlight to pierce through, providing a little warmth to the earth. It was already so cold in November, so it was hard to imagine how long the sun would stay hidden by the Winter Festival.
"Archbishop Innocen, I lost Belte." Laine said helplessly, while pressing the gemstone on his bracelet.
"I know, Belte left Nord on a ship yesterday while we were delayed. It's not your fault; when I informed you it was already two days after the fact, and..." that authoritative voice sounded somewhat weary: "Now is not the time to focus on Belte, the Northern Barbarians are mobilizing significantly, with at least twenty thousand soldiers gathering. For now, let's set this matter aside."
What? Are the Northern Barbarians invading south again?
This is certainly not good news.