Chapter 63

Chapter 63

***

At the southwest entrance of Ehrenberg City, the Horse Market was just opening. It was bustling with people.

A wide vacant lot stretched straight, winding gently around a hill, and beside the lot, various horses existed inside temporarily built stables and fences. From ponies to packhorses, multi-purpose horses, to riding horses nobles or rich people ride.

In the wide vacant lot, horse dealers walked around holding reins once in a while. That had the meaning of promoting horses too, but was also about boasting their own horse management skills.

Managing horses was work needing tremendous know-how and skill. Especially training methods and breed management methods possessed by the Emperor or King, or Great Noble's Master of the Horse, corresponded to almost state secrets. To the extent of suffering terrible execution if divulging carelessly.

Horses existing in the Horse Market were mostly packhorses or multi-purpose horses, and well-managed riding horses weren't many. Warhorses couldn't be found even if you washed your eyes and looked; maybe one or two existed?

Here and there existed people bargaining with horse dealers. Among them existed people buying because they really needed one, and people buying for breed crossing too.

Or not knowing how the story goes, there were people who came out to sell a horse becoming property of the family too. Although not that good a breed to sell at even a little better price by washing properly after a long time and combing, they tried to maintain a maximally neat appearance.

By the way, suddenly, a person riding a horse running to the vacant lot from somewhere existed. The fluttering red cloak was impressive.

Clop! Clop! Clop! Clop!

"Woah, woah!"

"He, Hey you!"

People holding reins turning in the vacant lot bustled, surprised. An animal called a horse had to be handled carefully. Because the day a traffic accident occurs, value falls rapidly.

"Sorry. Urgent."

The person who appeared riding a horse was exactly Rickart. Rickart walking around the vacant lot here and there riding on top of the horse.

Very majestic appearance but, at first absurd horse dealers looking soon had their gaze stolen to the horse Rickart rode. They were expressions as if they fell in love at first sight.

The horse Rickart rode was balanced and agile in body type, and bulging muscles were vivid. Just looking, it was a Warhorse.

From Warhorse, differentiating track with other horses, price soared sky high. Because the breed was also a minority, and had to pass special training from young times.

Warhorses weren't herbivores anymore. Ferocious bravery and patience enduring even when stabbed by spears and swords, obedience to master and loyalty had to be equipped thoroughly.

There, acceleration and endurance, direction change, reaction speed kind of parts until equipping, went until a state one cannot buy with money.

Of course difficult to equip all that, and if equipping all, the Emperor also cherished and rode it.

A horse was start and end regarding a Knight, Honor itself and Life. So a story exists that a King in old days bought a Famous Horse even selling a castle.

Of course, such horses come out at a rate of one head among a thousand Warhorses, and if meeting the era well, wrote down Legend together with a Hero.

The horse Rickart rode wasn't that degree but, now in the Horse Market, it was the best definitely.

"Quick sale! Person to buy! Quick sale!"

Rickart running around coming and going in the vacant lot as one pleases shouted. Actually, the vacant lot was a place having to walk slowly in order strictly deciding order, but Rickart didn't care for such things.

And no person pointed that out either. Because the horse was too cool, so everyone had their minds stolen.

Among them, a man wearing silk clothes surrounded by people existed. Was a person with a beard coming down to his chest and appearance is very good.

He stared at Rickart walking around as one pleases from far intently, then walking fearlessly talked.

"Hey, young man."

Rickart turned his head to the sound calling himself. That time just Bori-bori came panting holding a horse rein, handing over the rein, and walked to the man.

"Actually selling horses are two heads. If possible hope you buy all at once."

The shape speaking abruptly, whoever listened, absolutely wasn't a merchant. So the man wearing silk clothes spilled a smirk.

He stroking the neck and head of the horse Rickart rode calmly, examined the state.

Very excellent. Was to the degree the manager's utmost sincerity was felt. Just looking knew. Whether a horse was handled carelessly usually, or a horse treated with love and affection.

The horse Bori-bori brought compared to the horse Rickart was riding lagged behind a little. Still wasn't a bad horse.

The man in silk clothes after examining the horse state, looking up at Rickart asked.

"Knowing what horse this is, doing quick sale?"

"Quite a good horse, right."

"This is a Warhorse. The horse Knights ride. Warhorses are divided into Coursers and Destriers. From Courser, compared to other horses, they receive a much more expensive price. But, a Destrier compared to a Courser receives a much more expensive price again. Asking do you know this."

Even among Destriers, grades varied until Legendary Famous Horse and horses ordinary Knights ride.

The horse Rickart is riding judging by physical body belonged to quite a good side even among Destriers. Of course bravery or patience kind have to try testing to know.

"Know that degree. My father's riding horse was a Destrier."

"......Hmm."

If his father was a Knight, it meant he was a child of a Knight family. However even so, the man of silk clothes didn't get intimidated at all, and didn't care much.

"Combining two heads will give 180 gold coins."

"400."

"Hahaha! Big scale is good but too preposterous, you. I heard quick sale clearly?"

"I see. As quick sale let see, give about 390 only."

"Thank you for letting me watch a good horse. Look for other good masters."

As Rickart called a big price too uselessly, the man of silk clothes hitting the horse neck 'tuktuk' turning went just.

Rickart followed him quickly.

"Good. 200."

"180. Don't want to bargain anymore."

"Understood. Give 180."

Rickart getting off from the horse said. Then the man beckoned someone with a finger, and he brought a money bag quickly. He handed somewhat big bags two, and small bag one.

Rickart opening the bag checked the money. Just rummaging with fingers several times counting the number accurately. Was 180 gold coins right.

"Ri, Ricky, what to do. We became rich."

Seeing money of a degree transcending imagination from the side, Bori-bori's eyes became round and holding Rickart shook recklessly. Whether living without when young, Bori-bori liked money secretly.

By the way at that time, running horse hoof sounds urgently were heard.

Clop! Clop! Clop! Clop!

No hat usually worn on head, and was Marconis revealing half peeled head.

"Hey! Hey! That isn't a selling horse!"

He running hastily stopped in front of Rickart and the man of silk clothes. And got off from the horse hurriedly. In his eyes Rickart holding the money bag was seen. Calculation ended already.

"Hey, that horse isn't a selling thing."

Marconis looking at the man of silk clothes said. The man of silk clothes looking alternately at Rickart and Marconis, snorted.

And not answering, blowing a whistle Hwiik!, flicked finger 'ttakttak' to the side where people exist.

Then some people who got on horses existing inside the fence 'urureu', approached this side. Although lightly armed, holding spears or swords like some bandits.

Moreover, appearance was another race. Heard by word only, eyes small and nose bridge low seemingly Nomadic nation living somewhere in the land of Salamander people far away over there.

Rickart and Bori-bori seeing Nomadic nation first time while living eyes became big as lamps. Mercenary? What?

But whether doing or not ones riding horses holding weapons glared at Marconis chillingly. Actually nothing fearful as much as people words not communicating with.

Moreover regarding Nomads ominous rumors existed. Story riding horse like ghost eating person.

As such they glaring, Marconis swallowed dried saliva in the midst of urgent tension.

"1000."

The man wearing silk clothes said shortly. Meaning if buying again pay 1000 gold coins.

Whoever listens seemed calling a preposterous price intentionally. Marconis pressed by spirit couldn't answer.

"If no money get lost."

The man of silk clothes said firmly.

Then Marconis moving mouth only as if trying to say something, couldn't say any word. Because felt he would die somehow if moving mouth wrongly.

To him who is a merchant, guts worth risking life kind cannot exist. So he really couldn't say any word, retreated again.

Whether remaining lingering attachment even leaving the Horse Market looked back continuously.

Rickart looking at the leaving Marconis, asked the man of silk clothes.

"What, this horse actually was 1000 gold coins?"

Then the man of silk clothes smirked.

"Good horses apart from price if connection doesn't reach cannot meet. So pricing is foolish work."

"But as a Horse Dealer wouldn't you know appropriate price kind?"

The man of silk clothes looking at Rickart smiled stealthily.

"Do I look like a merchant?"

"......Yes?"

"Whether you stole the horse or how, as obtained necessary, our transaction isn't satisfactory mutually."

While doing so the man walked clomp clomp. Following his instruction Nomads also got off from horses.

Rickart thought that uncle never simple Horse Dealer kind. Real Bandit Boss?

Anyway as disposed of the horse, ran to the dock with Bori-bori. And meeting Mason who is Master of Stonemasons' Guild said.

"Unpaid money is how much?"

Actually Rickart not knowing how much unpaid money is recklessly invaded robbing horse sold.

"If doing until transport fee is 120 gold coins."

Rickart gave 120 gold coins on the spot, Mason whether honestly didn't expect big receiving real money eyes became round.

"Th, this, how......?"

"How is, just invaded taking away horses sold."

"......"

"Originally when receiving unpaid money have to do execution of skill. Pressing on dock is insufficient."

Whether bold or shameless, Rickart said as if natural. But this was reality. Except execution of skill unpaid money was difficult to receive.

Rickart saw people spreading mats on the dock pressing sitting still. Now won't have to live outside, thought. Just with that meaningful work.

"But didn't we not write contract yet?"

Bori-bori asked. Looking so was so. But verbal contract also was formal contract.

Verbal contract difficult to nitpick when problem occurs only, if executing contract safely didn't matter.

"Money remains."

Was state gold coin 60 heads remaining as much as. Calculating resolving request one in time not becoming one hour earned 60 gold coins.

But Rickart looking down money bag full of gold coin blankly, said to Bori-bori.

"How much should calculate interest?"

"Mm...... First I heard yesterday didn't pay for third day? Then today is fourth day."

Interest rate depends on deciding, but generally 10% (1 Hal) per day.

Was era interest very harsh. So if possible best not borrowing money, and if borrowing whatever work exists had to pay in time.

And compared to malicious usury 10% was very reasonable side.

"As 12 multiply 4 so Gold 48. Let's return rest."

"Eong? Why?"

"We also must have thing called principle. Just as much as worked should receive. If not different what with thief?"

"Mm...... Seem correct."

Bori-bori regretful sign was vivid but followed Rickart's word.

Rickart hearing word Mason said keeping tradition and principle, considered that word correct.

Loot obtaining fighting taking all doesn't matter probably, but regarding reward according to request thought have to keep accurately.

So headed to mansion again with Bori-bori immediately.

Arriving mansion due to self fuss occurred was disorderly. By the way person concerned made that fuss appearing again, people existing in mansion remaining dumbfounded blinked eyes only.

Rickart grabbing anyone asked.

"Where exists Marconis Merchant Guild Master?"

"Ye, yes? Th, that why."

"Came to return remaining money."

"......Exists in 2nd floor office though......"

Rickart as if frequenting own house entered mansion just. And going to 2nd floor office, opened door abruptly.

Then Marconis sitting wrapping head at desk shouted suddenly.

"Said anyone don't enter......!"

However he knowing person entered office is Rickart, surprised flinching couldn't shout all.

"Selling horse received 180 gold coins? Among them returned 120 coins to Mason Guild, and decided we eat interest. As didn't pay money for four days calculating daily interest 10% each we eat 48 coins, and return remaining 12 coins."

Rickart spread 12 gold coins on desk clattering.

Marconis looking at such Rickart blankly, whether absurd spat empty wind only.

"......Ha!"

"Why? Unfair?"

"......Do know that horse is what horse on earth?"

"Don't know."

"What?"

"Do I have to know? Thing I know is Merchant Guild Master didn't pay money, and we took request will receive that money instead of Mason Guild. Originally unpaid money is receiving with execution of skill isn't it? If person doing business will know well."

"Ha...... No okay, let's say that word correct. But thinking I am what? I am member and chairman of Ehrenberg Merchant Guild. Doing such work think passing over just? Element called Common Sense exists. This is what on earth? Gold 12? Ha! Joking!?"

Marconis seemed losing reason gradually. Cold and cunning he also, seemed regretting horse. While not Knight fighting battle.

But even not Knight necessarily, to men usually romance exists. Representatively sword and horse. So undeservedly Marconis rode Destrier.

Rickart stared at Marconis breathing roughly as if cannot understand blankly.

"Merchant Association so what? If not staying still will do what? No Common Sense? If I was Mad Dog Steiner seem your neck attached now? Show what is really no Common Sense? Absurd indeed."

Hearing name Mad Dog Steiner Marconis trembled flinching. Only then mind returning a little, realized again boy existing in front is what person.

Rickart glaring Marconis chillingly, raised killing intent.

Then Marconis heart pounded thump-thump, and cold sweat flowed by itself. Moreover unknowingly inside head thought dying soon started filling. Wasn't human's eye.

"Listen my story straight, Marconis. If merchant do business. People having much money necessarily thinking self became something cross line, doing so dying. Not other reason exists. You Knight? Will go out directly riding horse to battlefield fighting? Horse really important as much as life? Not right. If dislike dying know limit. Understood?"

Rickart leaving warning as if killing really, went out office with Bori-bori. Bori-bori before going out office bowed head once showed.

As Rickart went out Marconis only then blocked breath seemed opening. Was tremendous pressure. Realized anew fact that boy executed Ehrenberg 5.

By the way thinking by self, Rickart also wasn't normal. Marconis looking at 12 gold coins spread on desk, thought lunatic of different kind with Mad Dog Steiner.

If taking take all, what meant returning 12? From beating own daughter, until robbing horse returning remaining gold coin filled with conduct cannot understand.

Marconis realized suddenly. Thinking self can conciliate beast killed Ehrenberg 5, can tame was illusion.

Seeing beast like lion or tiger very charming. Looking at gait walking leisurely and appearance lying leisurely elegant, beautiful, majesty exists.

But as charming if approaching close trying to touch, terrible work could occur. Because revealing powerful claw and tooth tears person.

Bloody blood, flowing down internal organ, crushed and torn limbs.

If tiger disappears in mountain fox or wolf gains power bound to be, Marconis realized self was exactly that fox or wolf.

No matter smart person if going well time losing sense existed. Self was so.

In world, really beast-like ones existed. Touching them was truly foolish act.

Marconis used to say like habit always. Before making what work calculate profit and loss first necessarily.

However, before calculating profit and loss had to keep in mind from fact can die.

Chapter 12 - Tiger of Mountain. End.