My Glitched World Throne System Came Ten Years Too Early!
Chapter 21: Captain Harris

Chapter 21: 21: Captain Harris

It didn’t take long before heavy footsteps accompanied by clattering metal noises echoed through the streets.

A squad of armored guards pushed through the growing crowds, heading straight for the store.

Leading them was a lean man in his thirties with brown hair and a thin beard. His armor was different from the others, with three silver stripes engraved on each shoulder plate.

As the captain stepped through the shattered doorway, his eyes swept across the wreckage.

Buried beneath it all was Darrel, still groaning weakly.

Then his gaze shifted to the young man calmly standing nearby.

Without hesitation, he stepped forward and lowered his head.

’’Young Master.’’

Roderic smiled faintly and nodded once.

’’Captain Harris,’’ he greeted.

The man standing before him was one he knew quite well. Captain Harris, the leader of the barony’s knights and the only other three-seal knight besides his father.

Years ago, the old Roderic had even learned the basics of swordsmanship from him!

’’May I ask what happened here?’’ Captain Harris asked, glancing over the debris once more.

’’Certainly,’’ Roderic said, a wide smile on his face.

He pointed down at Darrel, his smile only growing wider.

’’This man tried to murder me in broad daylight,’’ he said. ’’I want him and his accomplice apprehended.’’

Captain Harris’s expression stiffened.

’’Attempted... murder?’’

Roderic nodded right away.

He placed a hand on his chest, feigning sadness.

’’He drew his sword completely unprovoked,’’ he said somberly. ’’And with so many witnesses around too!’’

Captain Harris remained silent for a moment.

He wasn’t the least bit amused as his gaze flickered toward Darrel.

’Baron Whitemane isn’t going to be happy about this,’ he thought. ’Even so, attacking the young master in broad daylight... they’ve crossed a line they can’t take back.’

Letting out a deep sigh, he turned to the guards behind him.

’’Bind him,’’ he said, his voice heavy. ’’The rest of you, capture Rick and bring them—’’

’’To the central square,’’ Roderic interrupted with a smile. ’’I want both of them to go to the central square.’’

Captain Harris turned to him with a deep frown on his face.

’’Young Master?’’ he asked strangely.

’’That’s an order,’’ Roderic replied calmly.

He met Captain Harris’s gaze without any fear.

’’Gather the townspeople there too and make sure to notify Rick and Darrel’s families.’’

Captain Harris remained silent for several seconds.

His expression slowly started to grow darker and stranger.

’Is he planning to execute them in front of everyone?’ he thought. ’But that’ll cause a riot amongst the knight families...’

After a long pause, he lowered his head once more.

’’As you command, Young Master.’’

He turned to the guards right away and clapped his hands twice.

’’You heard the Young Master,’’ he barked. ’’Split up into groups and get started!’’

’’Yes, Captain!’’

The guards immediately sprang into action.

Thick ropes were wrapped tightly around Darrel’s wrists before he was dragged free from the wreckage.

Still clutching his stomach, he finally regained enough awareness to understand what was happening.

’’W-What are you doing?!’’ he shouted. ’’Get your hands off me!’’

Even as he screamed and sputtered, he couldn’t prevent being dragged outside.

Meanwhile, Captain Harris looked back at Roderic one final time.

’’Young Master...’’ he said slowly. ’’You do know the consequences of this, right?’’

Roderic glanced back at the captain, his smile remaining unchanged.

’’Don’t worry,’’ he answered with a chuckle. ’’It won’t be as you think.’’

Captain Harris remained silent for a moment.

Then he gave a respectful bow before walking after the guards who had dragged Darrel outside.

’’Oh, Captain.’’

Harris stopped mid-step and looked back.

’’Yes, Young Master?’’

Roderic raised a finger as though he had just remembered something.

’’Prepare two more things for me,’’ he said. ’’One bucket filled with rotten tomatoes. And another with fist-sized stones.’’

’’...’’

Captain Harris blinked once, his head jolting back slightly.

’’Pardon?’’

Roderic simply smiled as he waved him off.

’’You’ll see soon enough.’’

Harris stared at him a moment longer before slowly lowering his head.

With the same bewildered expression, he left the store.

One thought had cemented itself into his mind, though.

The third Young Master had completely changed from his previous self.

...

Roderic quietly watched as the captain and his guards disappeared into the distance.

As the store fell silent once more, he let out a quiet breath.

’’Step one complete,’’ he muttered. ’’But now comes the difficult part.’’

He walked toward the shattered window and glanced out at the bustling streets beyond.

Groups of people followed after the knights toward the central square.

Others ran through the streets, likely spreading the word to family, friends, or anyone they could find.

’Perfect,’ he thought, nodding once. ’The more people that come... the better.’

His gaze slowly followed the guards who were dragging Darrel along. His mind, however, was already completely focused on his next step.

’The perfect balance. That’s what I need to find.’

The knight families needed to hate him enough to remember the day, but not enough to become his enemies.

The civilians needed justice and wanted nothing more than a cruel punishment.

’And I need both sides to leave believing they got the better end of the deal.’

Only then would today become a success for him.

Without another word, he turned and walked toward the central square.