webnovelfull Chapter 103 Borrower VI
Chapter 103 Borrower VI
Chapter 103 Borrower VI
Chris unfolded the parchment in his hand, narrowed his eyes, and carefully read through all the contents of the letter of recommendation.
Suddenly, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, and a sigh escaped his throat:
"Thus comes the Tathagata."
He then rolled up the parchment and stuffed it into his tuxedo.
For Chris, there is still much work to be done.
However, we need to leave Emblem City as soon as possible and find a quiet and private place first.
Just then, he touched something hard.
Upon taking it out, it turned out to be a book.
The book title was written in beautiful cursive on the cover, and Chris unconsciously read it aloud:
"A Guide to Destiny Interpretation"
This book was given to him by that pretty little girl.
That girl seemed to be a disciple recently being groomed by Joseph Sanders, a renowned instructor at the Herald Academy.
If Chris remembers correctly, her name should be Anne Booker.
However, Chris still doesn't understand why Anne gave him this book.
Chris, too, didn't understand what those intriguing words meant before parting.
But interpreting fate
A mocking smile appeared on Chris's face.
fate?
What is destiny in this world?
In this world, bullies and thieves can roam freely, while honest people live miserable lives.
If there truly is destiny, why would God and all the gods arrange things this way?
Is it that the Creator does not distinguish between good and evil? Or is fate inherently illusory?
However, Chris never dwells on these kinds of questions for too long.
He worships the gods who give him freedom, and the destiny he seeks is simply to live day to day.
"snort!"
Chris stared at the book in his hand and gave a contemptuous sneer.
Then, with a casual flick of his wrist, he tossed the book, "A Guide to Determining Fate," into the grass by the roadside.
But after walking a few steps, Chris stopped and looked back at the book.
After considering for a few seconds, he immediately went back, picked up the book, and muttered to himself:
"Books—they're only worth a little money anyway."
Chris dusted off the book, preparing to find an opportunity to sell it.
Afterwards, Chris hitched a ride on a carriage that was going the same way, and they arrived at a small town located west of Emblem City.
By the time he found a hotel and checked in, it was already late at night.
This was a room on the top floor, a cramped space with a cone-shaped ceiling that resembled a trap ready to snap shut, or a crow's beak, filling Chris with intense fear and unease.
It would be difficult for Chris to get a good night's sleep in this room.
Fortunately, he has no intention of going to sleep for the time being.
Chris pushed open the wooden window, moved the table under the window, and then lit the candle on the table.
By the light of the moon and lamp, Chris took out his tools.
Pen, ink, paper, scraper, dye, perfume bottle, and most importantly, the letter of recommendation I just tricked from the Herald Academy.
Chris was not an assistant to the herald or a court clerk; he was just a conman who roamed the streets and would do anything to make a living.
About two weeks ago, Chris's scam was exposed. To avoid being beaten to death or taken to the lord, he chose to flee overnight.
He decisively left the city before the city gates were sealed off.
Chris understood, of course, that this was by no means a rational decision.
Black is the most ominous color, and a night dyed black is undoubtedly dangerous.
Many bandits and robbers roam at night; ferocious beasts often reverse day and night; moreover, there have been frequent cases of demonization recently, and the night is a breeding ground for evil.
But since Chris chose this profession, he has to get used to and accept these things.
For a con artist, making a clean getaway is a skill even more important than deception.
Despite knowing the dangers of the wilderness, he had to get out on the road immediately that night.
Late into the night, Chris was so exhausted that he found a big tree by the roadside, leaned against it, and fell asleep.
But not long after, he was suddenly awakened by a sound.
He opened his eyes and saw a carriage with a lantern hanging on it, moving slowly forward.
Unfortunately, the carriage was going in the opposite direction from where Chris was heading, otherwise Chris would definitely have asked for a ride.
Chris yawned, preparing to go back to sleep, when suddenly he seemed to hear some other strange sound, slowly approaching—
"Gah~"
"Gah~"
That was the cawing of crows, but the sound was too mournful and sorrowful, and also too noisy and dense.
Chris realized it was a large flock of crows.
He was still relatively relaxed at this moment, but the next moment...
A large flock of crows flew in from behind him and was split into two by the large tree behind him.
The two flocks of birds continued on their way and headed straight for the carriage.
Then, Chris witnessed a horrifying scene.
The flock of birds rushed toward the horses and the coachman without giving way.
And when they pass by, they will bite off a piece of flesh from a living creature.
The horses neighed in pain and ran around wildly.
But he quickly lost the ability to move due to muscle damage and fell to the ground.
The coachman, too, did not escape the tragedy.
No matter how arrogant and intimidating he was, or even how he brandished his whip in an attempt to fight back, he could not escape the fate of being devoured by the flock of crows.
See? Fate never shows mercy to those who work hard.
Chris, who witnessed this scene, was so frightened that tears streamed down his face.
But he dared not make a sound, and could only cover his mouth tightly with both hands to avoid being noticed by the strange crows and becoming their new target.
The crows didn't pause for a moment, swooping past the carriage.
As they passed by the lantern, Chris was able to see clearly that the eyes of these eerie crows had long since blended into the darkness.
After all the crows had flown away, Chris got up, shook the liquid off his trousers, and cautiously approached the carriage.
When he saw the scene before him, Chris almost vomited.
The coachman and the horses were left with nothing but bones, not a single piece of flesh or blood.
The crows devoured every edible part of their bodies.
It's like a locust swarming across a wheat field.
The only difference is that these strange birds don't eat vegetarian food.
Chris turned around and looked at the tree he had just been leaning against.
If he had been lying directly on the ground without any obstacles behind him, he would probably be even thinner than the groom.
Chris mustered his courage and opened the carriage door.
Because the windows were not closed, a flock of crows entered, and the passengers inside were also not spared.
From the thick, well-made robe covering the skeleton, though riddled with holes, Chris could tell that this passenger was no ordinary person.
It seems those crows don't eat metal, and money is useless to the dead.
Embracing a spirit of thrift and making the most of everything, Chris began digging into the corpses.
The result, however, greatly disappointed Chris.
Among the passenger's belongings were a few silver coins, but not a single piece of gold.
However, Chris found a piece of parchment.
By reading the contents of the paper, he learned that the deceased was a herald who was about to take up a post at Lakeside Castle.
Chris, a top-notch con artist, suddenly had a flash of inspiration.
Since the real herald master is dead, and his body has been gnawed beyond recognition by crows, no one can identify him from these bones.
So, could Chris impersonate this herald and enjoy a life of luxury in the nobleman's castle?
After a moment's thought, Chris felt it was feasible.
No one in Lakeside Fortress should have ever seen a real herald; as long as his speech doesn't give him away, no one should be able to tell that he's an imposter.
And how could a conman not have a soft, flexible tongue?
The only problem is how Chris can prove that he is the herald sent to Lakeside Castle by the Herald Academy.
The letter of recommendation, which served as proof, had been destroyed by crows, and only the remaining parts could be used to guess its general content.
Most importantly, the sealing wax on it has also disappeared.
Although Chris was confident he could concoct a story to temporarily convince the lord of his words.
But if the other party becomes suspicious and writes to the Herald Academy for verification, Chris will inevitably fail and might even lose his head.
Therefore, Chris decided to come to Emblem City first.
He spent several days gathering relevant information.
After gathering sufficient intelligence, Chris immediately devised a plan to commit fraud.
Because he didn't know who the recommender of the emblemist he was going to replace was, Chris could only choose the famous mentor Joseph Sanders as his target for fraud.
He wrote a letter to Joseph in the name of Joseph's famous student, Jonas Farrell, saying that his letter of recommendation had been lost and requesting that his mentor send him a replacement.
However, a flaw in the plan was that Joseph might recognize Jonas's handwriting.
Chris already knew that Jonas was the Chief Herald of the Royal Heraldry.
Chris had once visited the capital and had the opportunity to read the edicts personally written by Jonas, which were posted at the city gates.
He planned to imitate Jonas's handwriting to swindle people in the royal city.
However, his scheme was quickly exposed, forcing Jonas to flee the capital and never dare to return.
Chris never expected that the failure would become the perfect inspiration for this sketching trip!
Chris then successfully obtained the letter of recommendation by using a forged letter and skillful persuasion.
Of course, this letter of recommendation is of little value to the average person.
However, Chris did not intend to use it directly. Instead, he began to imitate Chris's handwriting and writing style to forge a brand new letter of recommendation.
He changed the name of the recommender and the recommended location to João Álvarez and Lakeside Castle.
Then, he heated the sealing wax on Joseph's letter of recommendation over a candle for a while.
Once the sealing wax showed signs of melting, Chris immediately picked up a scraper, cut off the entire piece of sealing wax, and transferred it to the forged letter of recommendation he had created.
After further refinement to ensure the color and smell are correct, a brand-new, forged invitation is complete.
Chris carefully checked every detail, and finding everything correct, he nodded in satisfaction.
By this time, the night was already past midnight, and drowsiness was creeping over him.
Although he didn't like the room, he still planned to take a short nap.
So I closed the window and lay down on the bed.
When he woke up, it was already noon the next day.
Never mind, I'll just stay up a few nights, it shouldn't be a big problem.
Chris found a carriage, and the rest of the journey became much easier.
After traveling for nearly twenty days, Chris finally arrived at Lakeside Castle. He presented his letter of recommendation and was soon granted an audience with the lord of the castle.
Count Bentley Berger embraced Chris warmly and whispered in his ear:
"Oh! Master Hao, you've finally arrived."
Hmm, it seems the recommendation letter was forged quite successfully and wasn't suspected.
Chris said, "I apologize, Your Excellency. We encountered a magical beast on the way, which delayed us a little."
"Warcraft? Oh my god, Master Hao, are you alright?"
Chris shook his head: "I was resting under a tree when the monsters didn't spot me and I narrowly escaped. But the horses and the coachman didn't survive; they were eaten to the bone in an instant."
"Oh God, may the Lord grant them rest. What kind of monster was that?"
"Crows, a large flock of crows."
Even the most docile animal, once corrupted by demons, becomes abnormal and bloodthirsty.
Earl Bentley seemed to believe Chris's story wholeheartedly, nodding repeatedly as he spoke.
"Anyway, Master Hao, it's so good that you're alright. I've been looking forward to your arrival for a long time."
Chris smiled. "Really? Is there some matter in your territory that needs to be addressed, and you need to consult with someone?"
"That's right."
Bentley nodded and gestured in one direction.
"Come, Master Hao, this way please, let's sit down and talk."
Chris followed.
He naturally lacked governance skills and was unable to offer any useful advice when faced with the complex problems within his territory.
However, Chris was very confident in his deception.
He will say some seemingly profound but ambiguous things, leaving Bentley to figure out the meaning for himself.
If Bentley's insights lead to success, then it's Chris's doing.
However, if this led to a worsening of the situation, it was entirely due to Bentley's misinterpretation of Chris's words.
Therefore, he was not afraid to talk to Bentley.
The two had barely sat down when a servant brought them hot black tea with honey, as well as some baked biscuits.
Chris's mouth immediately filled with saliva.
However, he was not very familiar with aristocratic etiquette, so even though he was very tempted, he did not immediately reach for the snacks and drinks.
It wasn't until Bentley picked up his teacup and took a small sip that Chris realized there didn't seem to be any particular rules.
Bentley said, "Hmm—where to begin—"
"Let's start from the beginning, sir."
With that, Chris picked up a cookie and put it in his mouth.
Mmm, smells so good.
These are cookies baked with butter and have fruit juice added, giving them a very rich fruity flavor.
"Indeed, then I must first explain the cause of death of the previous Herald."
"Please speak, sir,"
Chris picked up his teacup again and took a big gulp.
Wow, so sweet!
The black tea was at the perfect temperature, with a very pure and refreshing aroma, and the flavor of honey was perfectly integrated into it!
"As you know, Lakeside Fortress's main economic product is fertilizer. The fertilizer produced here is not only abundant but also of superior quality. Few in the entire kingdom dare claim their fertilizer is superior to Lakeside Fortress's."
Earl Bentley explained in detail, "And the sales target for fertilizer is naturally those territories where agriculture is the main industry. And our biggest customer is undoubtedly the Lorraine Plain, which has the widest wheat fields in the kingdom."
Chris nodded as he stuffed a cookie into his mouth.
He rarely eats desserts, although he can earn a considerable sum of money once his scam is successful.
However, a single scam often requires a long period of preparation, and it can only be carried out once every six months.
Naturally, one cannot afford to spend the income earned recklessly; one must consider the expenses during this period of financial hardship to avoid starving oneself.
Therefore, Chris rarely drinks alcohol, let alone desserts.
However, although he was frugal in his food and drink, he was never stingy when it came to clothing.
Clothes make the man; if you're dressed in rags, few idiots will fall for it.
His clothes were quite expensive, and the fact that Chris sat opposite Bentley without ever showing him a look of disdain was the most direct proof of that.
Bentley's presentation continued:
"But this year, the weather has been terrible, and fertilizer production in the territory has decreased. Therefore, we must raise prices to avoid losses. However, the contract with the Lorraine Plains was signed three years ago, and this year is the last year, so I cannot adjust the price."
Bentley said, scratching his head anxiously.
"And that's my biggest customer, Master Hao. You should understand that if Lorraine Plains buys my product at the previous price, I'll have to raise the price to an extremely high level for other customers. This will inevitably lead to unsold products, and even if they are sold, it will cause them to distrust me."
Chris nodded: "Mingbai."
Upon hearing this, Bentley frowned, seemingly because Chris's voice was too muffled and his mouth was full of cookies, and said:
"Master Hao, don't rush, eat slowly."
Upon hearing this, Chris immediately realized he had lost his composure, and in his haste, he inhaled cookie crumbs into his trachea.
He involuntarily began to pant and cough, spitting out all the biscuits in his mouth.
Just then, Bentley's voice rang out: "Quickly, Master Hao, have some tea first!"
Chris took the cup of black tea that was offered to his lips and took a big gulp.
But he choked, not stopped, so drinking tea naturally didn't help.
He coughed for a while before gradually recovering.
Looking at the carpet he had dirtied and Bentley's puzzled expression.
Chris knew he had messed up, so he had to say something immediately.
As a conman, he was adept at adapting to changing circumstances:
"Oh, I'm so sorry, sir. I've been traveling for so long and I'm starving, so I'm making a fool of myself here and even getting your carpet dirty."
Upon hearing this, Bentley was taken aback, then slapped his forehead hard:
"Oh dear! Look what I've been doing. I'm sorry, Mr. Hao, I started talking to you about business as soon as you got out of the car. I really didn't think it through. I should have prepared lunch for you first. It was my oversight."
"It's alright, business is more important, sir, let's continue our discussion."
"Oh! Chef Hao, you're so responsible, but I can't let you go hungry. Shall I have someone prepare some dishes and staple food for you?"
"No need,"
"I want it," Chris thought to himself, "but I can't have it."
"Let's talk about it after dinner."
"Since you put it that way—alright, shall we continue?"
"Um,"
Chris nodded slightly; he dared not eat too fast anymore.
"So, as long as the contract with Lorraine Plains continues to be executed, Lakeside Fort's fertilizer will face only three fates: unsold stock, losses, or loss of customer trust."
Fate, Chris thought, why do I keep hearing this word lately?
Chris asked, "Then what's the necessary connection between this and the death of the previous emblem master?"
Bentley nodded and said:
"I was just about to say that, to avoid those fates, I had no choice but to send someone to negotiate with the Duke of Lorraine Plains, requesting that they amend the contract to slightly increase the purchase price. This was the job of the heraldic officer, and I never imagined it would lead to his death."
Hearing this, Chris finally showed some interest in the matter and asked:
"What happened?"
"Alas, he went to the Plains of Lorraine and met the Duke, but I think he probably offended him—"
Chris found it odd: "Was that herald officer short-tempered, or not good at negotiating?"
"No, he's not usually like this, it's just..." Bentley hesitated, then stopped.
"only?"
"He just finds it difficult to maintain the right attitude towards that person."
"Hmm? Why?"
"throat,"
Bentley sighed heavily and shook his head, saying, "From what I understand, most heralds who come from the Herald Academy have one problem: they are extremely discriminatory towards women, and that Duke is an exception."
"—It's a woman!"
Chris picked up the conversation, suddenly remembering that he had heard about this before.
Although he had never been to the Golden Wheat Plain, he knew that the lord there was a duchess.
“That’s right,” Bentley nodded. “I suspect that my predecessor, when he arrived and met that person, was not only not humble and friendly, but may have even been rude and humiliating. — Chris, upon hearing this, felt that the herald had only himself to blame.”
However, although he was not a true herald master, he had heard of them.
Heraldsmen who go to negotiate are granted immunity; if the opposing lord kills a herald, it is undoubtedly an unjust act.
Bentley therefore broke the contract, and in theory, he should have received a lot of support and backing from the nobles.
Bentley seemed to notice Chris's thoughtful expression and immediately said:
"Master Hao, I know what you're thinking, but I can't protest to the Duke because of the Herald Master's death."
"Why?" Chris asked, puzzled.
"Because there is no evidence."
"evidence?"
"Perhaps I haven't explained it clearly. That herald master didn't die under the other party's roof, but rather in Lakeside Fortress."
Bentley said,
"He fell seriously ill just two days after returning from the Plains of Lorraine. Strange black spots appeared on his body, and he died bleeding from all seven orifices. Although I suspect the Duke was behind it, I cannot confirm it."
Upon hearing this, Chris couldn't help but swallow hard.
He had recently witnessed a monster incident, and as an ordinary person, he had no desire to get involved with these extraordinary beings.
However, he remembered that Bentley seemed to have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the new herald.
Chris had a vague, ominous feeling—
"Master Hao?"
Bentley's sudden call sent a chill down Chris's spine.
"Hmm? Your Excellency, what are your orders?"
"The last negotiation fell through, and the problem remains unresolved and urgent," Bentley said. "The delivery date is fast approaching, and if we want to salvage the situation, someone must go and negotiate immediately."
"Huh?! This..."
"I know this is hard on you, Master Hao, but it's a matter of utmost urgency, and we need your help."
"But I've only just arrived," Chris tried to decline, "and I don't know anything about what's happening on this territory."
"Don't heralds know the situation of all the nobles in the kingdom?"
"Ah, well, that's right," Chris shifted in his chair, "but we have to analyze each case individually. For example, I knew nothing about your contract with the Plains of Lorraine. It would take some effort to investigate. Therefore, sir, I am by no means the right person."
"ha!"
Bentley listened, then suddenly laughed.
Chris, however, felt a vague unease upon hearing the laughter.
"Master Hao, I had already thought of this problem. So while waiting for your arrival, I had already compiled all the details of this contract into written materials. You can read them on the carriage to the Lorraine Plain, ensuring that you will have a thorough understanding of the contract before you arrive."
"But-"
Chris thought quickly; he felt like his head was about to steam.
"I've just arrived here and am exhausted from the journey. I need to rest for a while, otherwise, the negotiations will surely fail if I go in this condition."
"Don't worry, Master Hao, I've prepared the best carriage for you. I guarantee you'll find it more comfortable than sleeping in a bed."
"Can·-."
"—Alright, Master Hao,"
Bentley interrupted Chris.
"A herald must be absolutely loyal to his master, even unto death. That is why heralds are valued and favored by the great lords. This is your duty. I know you have difficulties, but this matter is indeed urgent. Master Hao, I will make it up to you when you return."
Upon hearing this, Chris understood that if he were to refute it again, it would inevitably arouse suspicion.
All he could ask was, "When do you want me to leave?"
"The sooner the better," Bentley said. "Ideally, now."
When Chris came to his senses, he was already inside a luxurious carriage.
Then the horses began to gallop, and the silhouette of Lakeside Castle grew smaller and smaller behind them until even the lake itself was barely visible.
Chris rested his hands on his knees, held his head in his hands, and dug his fingers deep into his hair.
He recited aloud:
"How could it have turned out like this—"
Clearly, the scam went very smoothly, and he successfully fooled everyone.
He didn't reveal any flaws, nor was he suspected by anyone.
And the person he deceived was a local lord, a noble count.
Chris had planned to impersonate Joa Álvarez and spend his life living the life of a privileged person in Lakeside Castle.
Being a herald is much more comfortable than being a precarious conman.
At the very least, they should make a fortune and leave with a large bag of gold on their backs.
But what is the reality?
Damn it, damn it! Chris cursed inwardly, "I've never even had a single good day!"
Aside from a few tattered biscuits and a few sips of hot black tea, he got almost nothing.
The crucial point is that the cookie almost choked him to death.
Now, he is about to go and negotiate with the very Duke who killed the previous Herald Master with strange power.
If the duke still remembers that humiliation and takes his anger out on him, wouldn't he lose his life?
That's incredibly unlucky!
destiny--
If this is his fate, then he will never accept it.
Chris doesn't believe in fate, so he can't just accept it.
He hasn't reached the Lorraine Plains yet, so he still has a chance to salvage the situation.
The carriage traveled for several days, and Chris observed it silently throughout.
He figured out the habits of everyone—the coachman, and the four knights who escorted him.
One night, he seized the opportunity and quietly opened the carriage door.
And taking advantage of everyone's inattention, he quietly rolled off the carriage that was rushing on its way.
He rolled a long way on the hard ground, and each time he hit the ground, it felt like a seven-foot-tall man was punching him hard with his fist.
Despite the excruciating pain, he desperately tried to remain silent so as not to let his escape be discovered by those people too soon.
Chris scrambled to his feet, feeling utterly exhausted, but he dared not linger.
He immediately started running.
He didn't know where he was going or what lay ahead.
Who cares where it is!
Damn it!
Anywhere is better than the Lorraine Plains!
Chris couldn't understand how a successful scam could lead to the biggest miscalculation of his life.
He continued walking briskly straight ahead, never daring to stop for a moment.
Soon, his feet started to ache uncontrollably.
He knew he was nearing his limit.
Just then, the sky brightened.
Hmm... the night is almost over.
Suddenly, he saw a house not far to the side.
He approached and discovered it was an abandoned monastery.
He needs to rest now, otherwise he will definitely be exhausted.
If it's just a matter of changing how he dies, he might as well not have run away.
He went into the monastery, hid behind the statue of God, and lay down to sleep at God's feet.
I don't know how much time passed—
Chris suddenly woke up—
There is movement!
Something's come in!