"Watch your words, Gerald."
Rodney also lowered his voice, shaking his head:
"If you have time, come to my manor. We can have a few drinks and chat there. It's better to be cautious outside."
Gerald nodded, watching Don Quixote defeat another freelance knight in the arena, and smiled:
"Ser Don Quixote's strength is probably no less than those renowned knights of White Harbor."
Rodney was extremely satisfied with Don Quixote's performance.
Being able to hire such a skilled freelance knight to guard his caravan...
Even before setting off, he had a premonition that this trip to Barrowton would be relatively smooth.
At least there shouldn't be any major dangers on the road.
The Warden of the North, Lord Stark, was very strict with raiders and robber knights in his territory.
He also paid close attention to such matters.
Therefore, the most one would encounter in the North were loose bands of a dozen or so men.
And judging by Ser Don Quixote's strength, a loose band of a dozen men would be no match for him!
Thinking of this, Rodney smiled and said:
"Gerald, I heard you recently opened up a trade route to Widow's Watch?"
Widow's Watch was located on a peninsula at the easternmost tip of the North, sandwiched between the Bite and the Shivering Sea.
It was a strategic castle on the eastern coast of the North, the seat of House Flint.
It also guarded the choke point between the Bite and the Shivering Sea.
It was the most important trade destination and defensive outpost on the northeastern coast from White Harbor.
Hearing this, Gerald nodded and cursed with a laugh:
"Rodney, your information is certainly up to date. You must be keeping a close eye on me!"
Rodney smiled and said:
"For us merchants, information is our greatest wealth! And our greatest enemy!
"If I didn't keep track of everything happening in White Harbor, I'd have been chewed up and swallowed whole long ago!"
"Rodney, you're as cautious as ever!" Gerald laughed too, lowering his voice:
"Yes, the sea fish, seal skins, sea salt, and furs are quite cheap over at Widow's Watch.
"But they lack grain, iron tools, and cloth. I plan to run between Widow's Watch and White Harbor, trading these goods for a small profit.
"Oh, and stout. That should bring in a bit more."
White Harbor's stout was famous for being heavy and rich.
Especially its core variety—Black Stout—which was sold as far away as Braavos and the Port of Ibben.
It was one of the few Northern brews capable of cross-ocean trade.
With roasted malt, a full body, dense foam, and a lingering aftertaste, it was perfectly suited to the harsh climate of the North.
Black Stout represented the pinnacle of Northern brewing.
Rodney pointed to Don Quixote, who was the only one left facing three freelance knights in the arena, and smiled:
"Then you might want to consider this Ser Don Quixote."
"Actually, I just had the same thought," Gerald admitted frankly:
"Then you'll have to observe him carefully for me this time.
"Although I want to hire a skilled freelance knight, I'm even more interested in hiring one who keeps his promises and values his reputation."
Rodney smiled:
"I will, rest assured!"
————
Time passed quickly.
At least for the freelance knights being defeated one by one by Don Quixote in the arena.
Before long.
Only one freelance knight remained facing Don Quixote.
He held his leather-wrapped sword at an angle, his breathing as steady as if the fierce battle had been nothing more than a morning stroll.
His mail was splattered with mud and dented in many places from blunt impacts.
Although he looked a bit battered.
At a glance, he gave off the calm, heavy aura of a battle-hardened veteran.
The hand of the last knight gripping his sword hilt trembled slightly.
Facing an opponent who had won victory after victory, the knight actually didn't dare to strike first.
The onlookers—White Harbor commoners and sellswords—gradually quieted down. Even the shouting over bets faded.
They knew too.
The final victor was about to emerge!
This made the crowd tense and subdued.
Just preparing for the cheers that were about to erupt.
The first event—the joust—hadn't been very satisfying for the audience, or perhaps a bit disappointing.
But this second event, the melee, was spectacular.
Many spectators were mesmerized, unwilling to look away for even a second!
Don Quixote looked at the freelance knight opposite him, who had suddenly switched to defense and was hesitating to attack, and said:
"If you don't attack now, you won't get another chance!"
"Bastard, don't look down on me!"
Before the words had even faded, the last knight in the arena finally gritted his teeth and charged, his leather-wrapped sword swinging horizontally with brute force.
Don Quixote turned his wrist slightly, his leather-wrapped sword striking precisely against the spine of his opponent's blade.
With a dull clang, the opponent's sword was deflected instantly.
Then he slid his feet lightly, sidestepping the blunt edge, and thrust his sword tip forward, hitting the opponent squarely in the shoulder armor.
When Don Quixote was dealing with the third freelance knight, because the scene was too chaotic and he didn't want to seriously injure other freelance knights with his horse, he had been forced to dismount.
Shortly after he dismounted, the last freelance knight still on horseback also had to dismount to dodge.
Thus began the second phase of the melee event—foot combat!
This was generally the main part of a melee.
Mounted combat in a melee was usually just a warm-up to eliminate those with poor horsemanship.
The knight grunted, lost his balance, staggered a few steps, and fell heavily to his knees, his weapon flying from his hand and rolling far away.
Don Quixote sheathed his sword and stood tall, bowing slightly to perform a crisp knightly salute to his fallen opponent.
Having done all this, he slowly raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the thoroughly noisy crowd.
Cheers, shouts, and the screams of a few bold women.
Instantly surged from all directions of this makeshift tourney ground on the outskirts of White Harbor, almost overturning the muddy earth.
Some shouted the victor's name, others yelled in ecstasy because they had bet on the right winner.
At this moment, the old judge also shouted belatedly:
"Victory! The final winner has emerged!
"It is—Ser Don Quixote of the Bloody Hand Mercenary Company!"
————
Rodney's private manor.
Rodney looked at Don Quixote and smiled with satisfaction:
"Ser Don Quixote, I wish to hire the four of you from the Bloody Hand Mercenary Company!"
As soon as Rodney's words fell.
"Contract updated." Don Quixote's consciousness stirred slightly:
[Employer: Rodney]
[Quest: Protect the fish merchant Rodney's caravan safely to Barrowton and safely back to White Harbor.]
[Reward:
276 Gold Dragons (Unclaimable)
Nightmare Bone (Unclaimable)]
"Two rewards this time? Is it because this contract is a one-time job, rather than a long-term daily or monthly task like the previous two?
"So the rewards are richer?"
Don Quixote guessed silently.
...