42: John and George

The bonfire flickered in Randall's eyes like a crimson vortex, his chainmail glinting with angry red light in the firelight.

"I swear! In Tom's name!"

He turned his head fiercely towards the two men and roared, "No matter where you flee, I will kill you both! Go to hell with my money!"

Randall raised his sandbag-like fist again and swung it forward violently.

The heavy punch stirred up a fishy wind, and sparks danced wildly above the bonfire.

The two men had already been retreating towards the door, and seeing Randall lunging again, they immediately bolted out.

Randall followed closely behind, chasing them out.

As a result, all three of them were, of course, trapped in the mist.

I heard Randall constantly cursing.

Judging from Randall's account of the events and the reactions of the two men, Randall's story was likely true.

I also despised their actions, but I still wanted to hear the two men's side of the story myself.

Thinking of this, I led one dragon, one dog, and one Black Little Leopard into the mist.

The two men were noisily asking why the fog was so thick and why they couldn't get out.

When we led the two men across the bonfire and into the dog kennel, they heard Randall's curses still nearby and turned pale with fright.

"You need not fear, he cannot find this place," I said.

Only then did the two men breathe a sigh of relief.

One of them spoke up and asked, "Child, thank you for saving us. Are you a wizard?"

The other person echoed, "You must be a wizard. We also have a wizard living in the forest to the west near Goresberte."

"What are your names? Is Randall's account entirely true? I also wish to hear your version."

Although they understood some of what I said, they eventually grasped my meaning.

Then, they recounted their experiences.

These two men were originally local farmers from Goresberte, named John and George.

They had seen many adventurers and mercenaries traveling north and south, and greatly longed for a life of adventure.

One day, John's cousin, a retired veteran, found them and said there was a simple task: escorting a child to Candlekeep.

Following the Wan'an Highway north, there was little danger on the way, and if they joined to make up the numbers, they would each get one gold coin and a set of second-hand equipment.

Although the money wasn't much, hearing that they could also get equipment and that the journey wasn't too far, these two fools excitedly began their first adventure in their lives.

The rest of the story was similar to what Randall had said.

When the mutated thorns appeared, they were truly terrified and didn't hear what Randall was shouting.

The two men originally intended to run back to Goresberte, but Randall caught up with them halfway, claiming he would kill them to avenge the child.

They fled all the way, running into the forest in a panic.

The three of them ran for several days and nights, and then encountered heavy snowfall.

They also encountered wild beasts several times along the way, and miraculously, they all escaped safely, while Randall, who was chasing them, killed many beasts.

Finally, they were cold and hungry and collapsed in the snow.

"These two have really good luck," I thought to myself.

Their act of fleeing was indeed dishonorable, but they couldn't be entirely blamed.

These two big fools were also tricked into it, and they hadn't received professional training after all.

Normal ordinary people usually instinctively avoid danger when they encounter it.

It could be considered that there was a reason for it, and it was not a capital offense.

After dark, the cursing outside also stopped.

I went out to check and Randall had collapsed again.

I asked John and George to help carry Randall into the house, but they were afraid.

I told them that I would help intercede with Randall, and that I would get them food after they moved him.

Only then did the two agree.

I dispersed some of the local mist and, with the two men, carried Randall back to the wooden hut.

Afterward, I led John and George back to the dog kennel again; it was better for them to stay separated for now.

I returned to the Wizard's Hut, and while feeding myself and Black Little Leopard dinner, I told the professor about the situation with those few people.

"Holy Knights are all blockheads," the professor sighed with emotion.

After quickly finishing dinner, I went to the dog kennel to feed the dogs.

Then, outside the wall of the new dog kennel, I took out two large bowls filled with meat and plant root stew and carried them inside.

Amidst the two men's repeated thanks, I went out and headed to that wooden hut.

Similarly, I prepared a large bowl of stew outside the hut and carried it inside.

I went to Randall's side and placed the stew next to him.

Randall had a high fever; he was already injured, and after waking up in the afternoon, he had been through a lot of turmoil, was emotionally agitated, and had stood in the cold outdoor wind for half the afternoon. It would be strange if he didn't fall ill.

I thought for a moment and took out a bottle of healing potion from my system space.

I first pried open his mouth and poured the healing potion down, then gave him hot soup.

After a few sips, Randall woke up.

"Thank you, child. What's your name?" He looked at me with some confusion and said.

"My name is Rhyne," I replied, continuing to feed him.

"Rhy...Rhyne, may...may Tom bless you. I'll do it myself." Randall sat up and took the wooden spoon.

"What about those two? Where did they go? I clearly chased them out, but I couldn't find any trace of them," he asked.

"They have already died once! As have you," I said.

Randall suddenly looked dejected.

I continued, "I asked them, and they said this mission was a deception, that they were originally farmers and had not received formal training. I think, given the circumstances, it is normal for ordinary people to flee when startled, and their crime is not punishable by death."

Randall's expression softened somewhat, but he still said indignantly, "But they took my money, so they should..."

"One gold, they only received one gold, plus the second-hand equipment on their bodies," I said.

"One gold coin!? But I gave..." Randall murmured.

"If you don't believe me, tomorrow morning I will have the two of them come and confront you," I said.

"Good, I want to hear what they have to say," Randall said.

I looked steadily into Randall's eyes and said, "You shall not kill them before hearing their explanation."

Randall looked at me, and after a long while, he closed his brown eyes, and tears flowed out again.

He swallowed several times and spoke with difficulty in a hoarse voice, "Tom above! I swear, I will not kill them before hearing their explanation tomorrow."