Sighting of a Magical Creature I

This small city, located on a major trade route in northeastern Lir Province, was quite bustling. Freyr and his group even saw a group of about twenty mercenaries escorting a caravan northward, staying at the same inn as them.

Lir Province wasn't a noble's fief but a province directly governed by the empire. There were no high-ranking officials in this small city, and Freyr preferred the freedom of staying at an inn over dealing with local officials. Thus, their arrival did not attract any official attention.

During lunch in the inn's hall, while Freyr and his companions dined, the caravan was also in the hall. Suddenly, urgent hoofbeats sounded outside, followed by a commotion, and the door was pushed open. Three knights in local garrison armor strode in.

The leader, wearing a knight's medal indicating he was a level-four knight, bore the local garrison's armor and insignia, clearly marking him as a senior officer.

This man, flanked by his subordinates, strode over to the caravan and loudly announced, "Ladies and gentlemen! I am Peter, the captain of the second cavalry unit of the Half-Edge Town Garrison! According to the Empire's Local Armament Law, I am hereby requisitioning your escort team on behalf of the Half-Edge Town Garrison! We are currently undermanned and need your team to assist us with a task in the Half-Edge Valley. By imperial law, you cannot refuse."

His voice was loud and firm. He then glanced at the caravan guards. "I know you're mercenaries. I am requisitioning you to join my unit for this task, and the imperial military will compensate you afterward. You have half an hour to prepare your gear and horses! I need everyone assembled at the inn's entrance in half an hour."

The mercenaries, though reluctant, couldn't refuse under imperial law and would be paid anyway.

The caravan, worried about losing their hired guards, tried to negotiate with the officer...

"No!" The knight's refusal was swift and firm. "I'm sorry, but your journey will be delayed. I assure you, however, that it won't be for long. At the latest, your escort will return by this time tomorrow. You can choose to stay in this town for an extra day, and the military will cover your lodging expenses for the additional night. Please don't insist—this is a military task, and I cannot make exceptions. Also, put away your gold; bribing a military officer is a serious crime!"

Having said this, the knight left the merchant leader and turned toward Freyr's group. He had intended to conscript Freyr's entourage as well, but as he approached, he noticed the attire of Freyr and his companions, and more importantly, he saw Andrew and the others behind Freyr.

The armor that Andrew and his men wore was not the standard issue of the imperial army but resembled that of a noble's private military force. Requisitioning another noble's private army was beyond the authority of a mere local garrison captain.

Knight Peter hesitated as he glanced at Freyr. Finally, he gritted his teeth and stepped forward. Bowing formally as a knight, he said in a solemn tone, "Honorable sir, I..."

Peter's voice trailed off as he noticed something he hadn't before: the insignia on the chest armor of Freyr's guards—distinctly the Russell family crest!

Peter had initially planned to use some leverage to borrow the guards, but now, dealing with the renowned Russell family, that wasn't an option.

Russell family members? What are they doing in Half-Edge Town? And without any notice...

Peter sighed internally in resignation.

"Please continue, Sir Knight," Freyr said, lifting his goblet and taking a sip. The mild beer had a pleasant taste, reminiscent of the rice wine from his past life.

"Uh, honorable sir, may I ask if you are from the illustrious Russell family?" Peter's tone grew even more respectful, and he unconsciously bowed slightly.

"Indeed. We hail from the Russell Plains," Andrew responded, stepping forward. His towering frame overshadowed Peter. "This is my master, the eldest son of Earl Edward of the Russell family, Master Freyr."

Peter immediately bowed again, understanding the gravity of Freyr's identity. The son of the Russell family patriarch would be considered an equal even to a provincial governor.

"Sir Knight, may I ask what trouble you are facing?" Freyr inquired with a smile.

"Yes..." Peter deliberated briefly before speaking candidly. "I've received an urgent task requiring about a hundred soldiers. However, with most of the garrison troops currently two hundred miles south for spring exercises, I only have fewer than twenty men available. Thus, under the Empire's Local Armament Law, I have to conscript local warriors temporarily to fulfill this duty."

Freyr nodded. "Oh, so you intended to conscript my guards as well?"

"No, no, I wouldn't dare!" Peter was startled. He had considered it initially, but upon recognizing their identities, he couldn't possibly follow through.

Earl Edward was the second most powerful figure in the empire's military! Conscripting his son's guards? If anything happened to the young master due to a lack of protection, even a hundred executions wouldn't suffice to atone for such a crime.

"So, what exactly is the situation?" Freyr asked curiously. "Since we're here, it would be prudent for us to be informed."

Peter hesitated but then decided to explain. "It's quite strange, actually. The Half-Edge Mountain just outside the town has always been peaceful. It's not a tall mountain, and the forest isn't dense. There were hardly any large beasts, and those that were there have been hunted by our garrison over the years. But yesterday, out of nowhere, a...Magical Creature appeared!"

Freyr's eyes lit up. A Magical Creature?