Episode 134

Even though she was enraged at having her loyalty questioned while imprisoned, she seemed to possess an unbreakable core.

“The belief that Baron Castor would not abandon her.”

Because of this belief, she would have endured imprisonment as a knight turned prisoner, but now that thread has completely snapped.

People can survive the extremes of battlefields as long as they have hope, but the moment that hope is severed…

The backlash she had barely managed to withstand would come all at once and crumble instantly.

Hilde read the letter I had brought over and over again, tears streaming down her face, her eyes vacant.

“It can’t be. This can’t be happening. There’s no way Baron Castor would abandon me.”

She clutched the iron bars, weeping and sobbing.

“Although our family is but a humble knight’s household, we have served the Baron Castor family for generations without wavering in our loyalty. To fulfill our loyalty, my grandfather and father both died honorably on the battlefield.”

In the game’s story, Hilde often talks about her father, appearing as a character who frequently mentions him.

Every time her father’s story comes up, it’s filled with longing for the family she can no longer see and admiration.

Having her lord trample on ‘the dedication of her family and ancestors,’ she couldn’t possibly stay sane.

“Just as they had, I have always devoted my loyalty consistently. And in this battle, I was able to prove the result of my blood, sweat, and training efforts to Baron Castor.”

The monologue she muttered, forgetting I was even there, was laden with deep sorrow.

After venting her emotions, Hilde suddenly started laughing.

“Yes, this is all a lie. It’s a lie, isn’t it? You’re trying to deceive me by forging Baron Castor’s seal and handwriting, Martin Meyer. Even if you attempt to deceive someone, there’s a limit. How dare you engage in such cowardly acts? Do you think Deus will forgive you for such vile deeds, even if you’re a mercenary?”

When humans encounter shocking truths, they initially deny being the subject of such truths.

This is exactly what Hilde is showing now.

How shocked must she have been to show a reaction similar to those diagnosed with terminal cancer and given a finite prognosis?

Seeing her like this even pained my heart, the one who had pushed Hilde to this point.

‘To make Hilde mine, I must completely detach her from Baron Castor now.’

Because once Hilde Bauman decides to serve someone, no matter how unfair the treatment she receives,

Even if it means she meets a miserable death, she would accept her fate calmly.

“Dame Bauman, I fully understand the shock you’re feeling.”

Hilde then hit the iron bars with her handcuffs, grinding her teeth.

“This is your conspiracy, isn’t it! Ah, just tell me the truth now! Otherwise, the moment I get out of this prison, I’ll slit your throat!”

Seeing her unable to regain her sanity from the shock of betrayal, I pondered.

Should I also get angry and yell at her to come to her senses, or should I calmly inform her of the facts like a judge sentencing a death penalty?

‘Which approach would make Hilde more profoundly realize that she has been abandoned by Baron Castor?’

After a moment of contemplation, I carefully opened my mouth.

As I spoke, I momentarily subdued all emotions, maintaining a calm expression and coldly delivering the facts.

“I am merely a captain of a hundred men. How could I possibly have the authority to forge a letter from Baron Castor, sir?”

No matter how strong my desire to make Hilde mine, I don’t have the audacity to forge a document promising payment.

If caught doing such a thing, it’s not just my head that would be at risk, but also Lucia’s and Karin’s.

‘Forging a letter requires specialized skills, which I lack.’

“Please check again. See whose seal is stamped on this letter.”

Hilde looked at the seal stamped on the letter, tears streaming down her face.

“….. So, it really was Baron Castor who wrote this letter.”

Saying this, she immediately gave up on everything, giving me a look of resignation.

“All the other low-ranking knights and mercenary officers are outside this prison, and I’m here alone. Just as you said, Martin Meyer, it’s proof that I’ve been truly abandoned. I never imagined being discarded so vainly after generations of loyalty.”

Hilde’s face bore the expression of someone who had lost all reason to live.

The shock was so great that even the focus in her eyes seemed to have vanished.

“So, why did you bother to tell me this? Did you come to mock me?”

To that, I shook my head.

“Although I’m an uneducated mercenary, I sincerely respect Dame Bauman’s dedication and loyalty.”

“Even empty words are appreciated. So, what happens to me now? Since Baron Castor has completely abandoned me, my accumulated wealth will likely be confiscated. Naturally, I won’t be able to pay my ransom.”

Hilde asked with a resigned expression, sighing.

“Am I, Hilde Bauman, to be sold into slavery now? Being a woman, I suppose I’ll likely end up as a courtesan or a sex slave?”

Even if you’re a woman, if your looks are poor, it’s not uncommon to be sold into slavery for hard labor in mines or on galleys, just like men.

However, Hilde is, frankly speaking, as pretty as an idol in terms of appearance and has a great figure.

So, if she were to be sold into slavery, disregarding her status as a low-ranking knight, she would likely fetch a very high price as a sex slave to a wealthy noble.

‘Of course, I couldn’t bear to see that happen to her.’

“Martin Meyer, can you tell me what will become of me?”

Immediately after hearing that, I took out a document I had brought and handed it to her.

“First off, I bought Sir Hilde Bauman yesterday. So, you don’t need to worry about becoming some strange noble’s sex slave or concubine.”

A very faint smile appeared on Hilde’s face.

“Better to be your slave than a sex slave to some noble whose face and name I don’t know. Even if I hate you, at least your face is somewhat decent, isn’t it?”

Her expression seemed to have completely given up on living.

If I made Hilde my possession as is, it would be like acquiring a beautiful but soulless sex slave.

‘I didn’t go through all this trouble just to get my hands on Hilde like that.’

Therefore, I had no intention of forcibly taking Hilde.

“From Lord Kanosa, I bought Dame Bauman…”

Hilde interrupted me mid-sentence.

“Don’t attach the title ‘Sir’ to me. Aren’t I essentially your possession now?”

I ignored her comment and continued.

“To purchase Dame Bauman, I spent 800 gold coins. In addition, including all the rewards I received as the highest contributor to this castle’s capture, the total cost came to approximately 1,100 gold coins.”

One gold coin is enough to support a peasant family of four for a year, and 100 gold coins would be the annual salary of a fairly decent middle-ranking knight.

‘Middle-ranking knights’ salaries exclude bonuses received for participating in wars.’

And while knights’ salaries mostly come from bonuses and their domain’s income isn’t much, it’s still an excessive expenditure just to buy a fallen low-ranking knight.

“Did you want my body that badly? To think you’re such a lecher.”

I shook my head at that.

“Dame Bauman is beautiful, but your true value lies in your ability to win the hearts of soldiers and your loyalty to your lord.”

“Are you mocking me?”

“Not in the slightest. What I desire is Dame Bauman’s sincere loyalty towards me, the same loyalty and sincerity you devoted to Baron Castor.”

Strictly speaking, I hoped for loyalty so strong that she would willingly die for me and love me beyond that.

I did spend that money partly because I was very interested in her body, but in relationships, no sane person says, “I’m with you just for your body.”

The look in Hilde’s eyes softened; the hostility she had felt towards me until now seemed to diminish.

“Baron Castor may have abandoned me, but Martin, you value me highly. That’s somewhat comforting.”

With just that, Hilde would fight for me if asked and reluctantly offer herself if needed, but the foundation of such actions would not yet be true sincerity.

So, I decided to make a crazy bet with all my wealth to fully win her heart.

“Dame Bauman, I have no intention of forcing you if you do not wish it. Because what I desire is your sincere loyalty.”

“What a romantic man.”

“So, please give me a chance. Observe in the next battle if I, Martin Meyer, am worthy of your service, and if you are satisfied, become my knight.”

Hilde’s face lit up with a very refreshing smile at the proposal that respected her honor and rights.

“Alright, or rather, it’s a deal. Captain Martin Meyer. Since you respected my honor, I will ensure to the end that there’s nothing lacking in me deserving of your service.”

This was essentially as good as done.

“By tomorrow, you will no longer be in this prison but staying in my tent. Now, I must go, as there are other matters to attend to.”

And a few days later, I got the opportunity to prove my worth as I had promised Hilde.