Chapter 724: Forced Purchase Turns to Robbery
I completely understand the adventurers’ anger. They risk their lives hunting monsters, enduring harsh conditions, and sometimes tracking for days to find them.
Today’s experience was no exception. Any monster encountered by the adventurer groups here would have been a near-death situation, and even our strong combined forces were precarious.
Both the pursuit by the beehive and the battle against the Shrieking Shaman were overcome by my quick thinking, and Lair and the others were all injured.
Under these circumstances, the materials we brought back could sell for hundreds of gold coins in the black market, but these soldiers at the gate would only offer a dozen gold coins. The price was more than a hundred times lower, practically extortion.
Furthermore, the soldiers wouldn’t accept bribes or give a partial payment. After all, the profit from buying low and selling high, combined with the rewards from the City Lord, was far greater. So, they insisted that the adventurers hand over all their spoils and even threatened to search them.
Therefore, I can fully understand the adventurers’ desire to find an alternative route. However, Cando City only has five gates. If other soldiers also had this idea, they could block all five gates.
Even if they went through the dungeon, wouldn’t there be risks? That place is a lawless zone teeming with otherworldly beings, chaotic and prone to robbery and murder, even more so than the upper city. The soldiers set up checkpoints at the outer wall precisely to block the relatively safe entrances to the dungeon. This forced adventurers to enter the Underground World from more distant and dangerous caves.
But compared to being extorted here, most people would at least try. And if all else failed, they could just climb over the wall. Anyway, the outer city only has wooden walls, and finding a secluded spot to cross wouldn’t be too difficult for adventurers. The militia are less difficult to deal with than these personal guards of the City Lord, and at worst, a small bribe would suffice.
However, seeing people constantly leaving to find alternative routes, the soldiers became agitated. At first, they just set up checkpoints, smugly waiting for people to willingly hand over their spoils. When they discovered these adventurers daring to bypass them, their share of the spoils would be insufficient.
So, these soldiers actually came out and started surrounding the adventurers at the city gate. Now, they weren’t even accepting money; they were directly robbing them of their spoils. Those with quick reactions turned and ran, while those who were slow were directly caught.
They all dared not speak out in anger or resist. Although most adventurers possessed strength exceeding the average soldier, the latter were numerous and well-equipped. Who would dare offend the local soldiers in Cando City?
“Please, kind sirs! Don’t rob us! I have a sick child at home, and we need this to buy medicine!” “Don’t hit me! Stop it! I’ll give it to you!” “At least give us something! I’ll sell it to you! It’s not too much to ask for a little money, right?”
Those stopped by the soldiers pleaded in various ways, but the soldiers paid no heed. They simply snatched the spoils, kicked them out, and cursed them for not knowing what’s good for them.
Thank you, for helping to raise my blood pressure. These soldiers are worse than bandits; bandits know to operate in secret, but these thugs robbed in broad daylight. There’s only one word for it: disgusting!
Not just me, but the others looking on also felt their blood pressure rise, especially Lorna, who has very high moral standards. Lair was also furious, and Milti just shook her head, “That’s why I often feel I truly don’t understand humans.”
“There are good and bad people everywhere. Don’t elves also have Dark Elves and fallen elves?” I gave an awkward laugh. Although these soldiers’ wickedness was indeed low-class and disgraceful.
“Hey! You lot, you’ve got quite a haul, eh? And so many beautiful women too.” At this moment, the soldiers finally noticed us. While so many people around were running away, we remained in place. The four carts trailing behind us, laden with monster materials, were too conspicuous.
We didn’t reply, observing with cold eyes. Lair looked at them with disdain and asked coldly, “Are you really the guards of this city gate? Who is your leader!?”
The soldiers seemed momentarily taken aback by his sudden shift from victim to aggressor, then burst into laughter, “Kid, you think you’re fit to ask our identity? Hand over your spoils obediently, and perhaps we’ll let you pass if we’re in a good mood. Oh, you have quite a few beauties here, and an Elf too…”
Some soldiers’ eyes flickered with lecherous light. The female adventurers we had just rescued felt extremely uncomfortable. They had endured nightmarish memories in the beehive and had hoped to return home to recuperate and soothe their wounded hearts. However, upon returning to the city, it felt like they had fallen into a tiger’s den again, and their previous experiences resurfaced.
Lorna’s expression turned icy, as did Milti’s. If Lair wasn’t in front, they might have wanted to kill them directly. After all, they weren’t from Cando City; they could just kill and leave. These thugs didn’t seem unbeatable. They possessed fine equipment but were outwardly strong and inwardly weak.
“Oh? You dare to demand my things? Do you dare to rob the spoils of the Count’s son?” Lair asked coldly. To a noble, someone stealing their honor was a profound humiliation.
“What?!” The soldiers were instantly shocked. At first, some disbelieved, until they saw Lair pick up a shield emblem. This was his family crest and proof of his noble status. The shield emblem depicted a golden tree and a palace.
“This! No, we dare not! Please, my lord, you may pass!” The soldiers were instantly petrified. They never expected to encounter a nobleman’s son. Although they weren’t sure if it was true, they dared not take the risk. If it were true, they would all die.
As expected, they were a bunch of bullies who preyed on the weak. I thought they would eventually face repercussions for their actions. But the risk of doing such monopolistic things was too small compared to the great reward. They likely believed that letting him pass would end the matter, and they could even continue to block the gate afterwards.
“Alright, now can you tell me? Your affiliations and superior officer. I saw everything you did today. I will definitely report this to the City Lord another day.” Lair clearly had no intention of letting them off the hook.
“My lord, spare us!” A group of soldiers immediately knelt down with a clatter, their faces covered in sweat, utterly terrified. Only now did they consider the consequences?
Even if the City Lord were foolish, he would never forgive their actions. The Emperor had already ordered the extermination of monsters. Not only were these soldiers not going out to exterminate monsters, but they were here robbing adventurers of their spoils. This would discourage adventurers from hunting, leading to an increase in monsters.
They had been so confident before, probably thinking that ordinary adventurers couldn’t possibly complain to the City Lord, and even if the City Lord found out, they could argue their way out of it.
But would the words of an ordinary adventurer carry the same weight as those of a Count’s son? The City Lord himself was only a Baron.
