The difference between awareness and illusion (6)
Baba, who had made a big turn around the barn, made footsteps while keeping a suitable distance from the men.
Only then did the men notice the presence and turn around in surprise.
"What, what is it!"
As Baba stood still in fear, the men surrounded him with a menacing aura.
"What the heck, you little punk! Where did you come from following us! Huh?"
"...I'm so hungry."
The men paused at the pitiful voice.
"What?"
"I heard you bought a lot of food downtown... Can you take care of me just for today?"
Baba lowered his head as if embarrassed. The man's eyes were drawn to the long neckline and straight collarbone revealed by the torn shirt.
The men exchanged quick glances. Soon, a mean smile formed on their lips.
They wondered what this was. Judging from his behavior, he looked like a runaway prostitute, but his appearance was exactly the boss's style.
The boss was already extremely nervous, saying that he was tied down by the knights.
They thought they were going crazy from taking all that frustration out on him, but they could see how happy the boss would be if they took him away.
If they do well, they might be able to avoid having to run errands.
"Well, the situation seems dire, but I can let you stay for a day or two. As long as you pay for your meals properly."
"But there's nothing I can do. I'm weak and I've never held a sword before..."
"Do you think we should make you do that? Just do what you're good at..."
"What?"
"You're a whore."
"..."
"We don't care, but the boss is over there. If you serve him well, we'll make sure you don't have to worry about food."
When Baba did not answer, the men became impatient.
"I went downtown to buy some drinks, but we have a lot to eat. I bought some in advance and stocked up. I can buy you whatever you want to eat."
Baba bit his lip tightly. Then he nodded with a look of resignation.
"All right..."
"Good idea. Let's go in."
Baba was led into the brewery by the men.
Ian, who had been watching the scene from behind the barn, began to move silently.
The back door was boarded up. The only way into the brewery was through the front door. Two men stood guard at the main gate. The sound of muttering could be heard clearly.
"Hey, did you see the face of the kid the kids brought? Boss is going to be in big trouble today."
"Don't say anything because it's annoying. Everyone else is having a good time drinking and watching the show, so why are we the only ones doing this?"
"What, were you interested in guys?"
"Whatever it is, isn't it better than standing guard here without being able to drink?"
"That's true..."
Ian stood close to the outer wall of the brewery, hiding in the shadows for a moment before the furry sentry on guard stood up hesitantly.
"Damn. I didn't even get to see the beer, but why do I keep having to pee? Come on. I'll go and poop."
"Isn't it a fight..."
"Hey, it stinks, go far away and poop."
The furry man grumbled and went into the forest.
Ian followed him, and in a reasonably secluded place, he put his arms around the neck of the man who was pulling down his pants.
Boom!
As Ian grabbed his neck and turned him around in one motion, his heavy body sagged.
He hugged the man who was about to fall and laid him quietly on the ground before approaching the remaining sentry.
"Hey, why isn't this kid here? Is he going to go somewhere and sleep?"
Ian covered his mouth as he spat out thick curses.
"...!"
"Quiet."
He dragged him into the woods and stuffed a handkerchief into his mouth. Then, when he pressed on his vocal cords, the thing suddenly stopped struggling and grabbed Ian's arm.
Ian brought his face close to him as he gasped for breath and opened his mouth.
"You know who I am."
The man's eyes widened as if they were going to tear apart as he met his golden eyes.
"If you lie or make a fuss from now on, each of your fingers will be broken. Nod if you understand."
Nod.
"What floor is the child on? 1st floor, 2nd floor..."
The man rolled his eyes and nodded once on the second floor.
Ian didn't ask again. He just calmly covered the man's mouth and snapped his little finger.
Crunch crunch-.
"...!"
The man squeezed his eyes shut in excruciating pain. He couldn't even groan through Ian's hand. The thick tendons on his temples stood out.
What was scarier than the pain was Ian torturing people with his expressionless face.
It feels like he's seeing a mercenary who's been through a lot, not a knight who shouts fair and square.
A man with eyes like these would not hesitate to kill a man. The gap between the man's trouser legs was dyed yellow.
Ian's dry voice continued.
"Again, 1st floor, 2nd floor. 3rd floor, 4th floor."
Nod, nod! Nod, nod!
As Ian and Baba suspected. Luther was trapped on the fourth floor.
"How many guards are there? One, two, three..."
The man nodded absentmindedly among the three.
Only three people are watching Luther? Fewer than I thought.
When Ian showed a look of doubt, the man shook his body as if having a seizure.
At the look in his eyes that seemed to indicate he had something to say, Ian held the dagger to the bastard's neck and pulled the handkerchief out of his mouth.
"I, really. I'm not lying. Boss, the Boss likes to show off. He, he ordered everyone to gather...!"
The foul words pouring out of the man's mouth suddenly stopped. Ian grabbed the man's chin and turned him around in one breath.
The guy whose neck was twisted and died collapsed helplessly.
Ian hid him well next to the furball and sneaked into the brewery.
The guys were gathered in a circle on the second floor, drinking. They were all drunk and heckling the man who was the boss.
"Ow, boss, what are you doing! Are you going to use it if you can't catch one?"
"I'm going to stay up all night like this. Ah, catch him quickly!"
"This is how you get more thrill when you catch it, you idiots. If you don't know, just shut up and watch!"
The boss was making his men stand there as if they were onlookers and pushing Baba around in the middle.
Ian swallowed his disgust and quietly climbed the stairs. When he reached the third floor, he heard the boss's loud shout from behind him.
"Got it!"
"Ohhh!"
Ian's feet quickened. In an instant, someone blocked his way as he reached the fourth floor.
"Wait, who are you?"
Ian covered the man's mouth and pushed him against the wall. The half-rotted wall could not support their weight and broke with a loud noise.
A loud thud echoed through the fourth floor. Ian doesn't know if it was heard on the second floor, but it must have been heard on the same floor.
A look of embarrassment appeared on Ian's face, then disappeared in an instant. The moment he calmly took the man's life, the door at the end of the hallway flew open.
"What were you talking about just now!"
The dagger that flew out quickly struck the man between the eyebrows.
A third guard appeared behind the leaning man, frozen like a block of wood.
Their eyes met. The man who realized Ian's identity in an instant opened his eyes wide.
The next moment, the two of them ran toward the door at the same time.
But it was natural that the guy in the room would arrive at the door before Ian.
Just as the guy was about to close the door with a grin, Ian put his left arm through the crack in the door.
Crunch!
Even though his arm was stuck in the door, Ian's expression didn't change. The guy twisted his lips and snickered.
"What should we do? Our little lord has become a rat trapped in a cage. Keep doing that until all the kids below come up."
Red blood flowed down the door. Ian, who was watching the man through the gap, smiled softly.
"Ha, are you laughing?"
The man let out a hollow laugh at that bizarre smile. That was when the strength with which he was pushing the door slightly loosened.
Ian put his right hand through the crack in the door, wrapped his arms around the man's hair, and pulled hard.
"Ugh!"
The guy who had hit his forehead exactly on the corner of the door rolled backward.
After snapping the unconscious man's neck and checking the inside, he saw a boy huddled in a corner with his hands and feet tied up.
Luther, who had been trembling, recognized Ian and began to shed tears.
"Oh, my lord..."
"Shhhh."
Ian signaled Luther to be quiet, then took out a flare from his bosom and threw it out the window. The bright red light dyed the night sky red.
Soon, a light came up from beyond the dark forest. It was the signal from the knights waiting to sortie.
Only then did Ian free the child's hands and feet.
"Luthers, lock the door and stay here. Don't let anyone open it until I get back. Can you do that?"
"No, I don't like it! I, I want to go too! Take me with you!"
"It's because someone important is in danger. I'll just save that person and come back."
"Oh, are he the little Duke's friend?"
"No, a subordinate of a precious person."
Luther was no longer stubborn. He didn't understand everything Ian was saying, but he felt he shouldn't be held back.
"Uh... Oh, I understand. I'll lock the door and hide. But, Your Highness, your arm is bleeding..."
"It's okay."
Ian patted Luther's forehead and stood up.
His sword, which had never been used even once, finally came out of its scabbard.
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