My Glitched World Throne System Came Ten Years Too Early!
Chapter 40: Knight Commander

Chapter 40: 40: Knight Commander

Roderic stared at the disgruntled knight commander.

Behind the man stood over a dozen knights, several of whom were already staring at the severed heads uneasily.

Gareth’s words instantly flashed through his mind again.

’So these are the bastards he paid off,’ he thought as a cold glint flashed through his eyes. ’They’ve got some fucking guts.’

There was nothing more he wanted than to deal with them on the spot.

Unfortunately, though, there was no way he could beat thirteen trained knights, especially considering the injuries he had.

Besides, fighting the authority figures in the middle of the street would be stupid regardless.

There was no easier way for civilians to lose their trust in the upper class, after all.

Just then, the knight commander stepped forward once more.

’’Young master,’’ he called out seriously. ’’What is the meaning of all this?’’

Roderic snapped out of his thoughts.

He glanced up at the knight commander with a deep frown.

’’What?’’ he asked in a low voice.

The knight commander cleared his throat once.

’’I need to know what happened here,’’ he said, glancing at the corpses again. ’’This is simply... unheard of, after all.’’

Roderic’s brows slowly raised, almost amused.

’’You need?’’ he asked, letting out a chuckle. ’’Who exactly are you to question me?’’

The man’s expression stiffened.

’’Young master, I merely meant—’’

’’Are you of higher status than me?’’ Roderic interrupted coldly.

Roderic didn’t give the man a chance to respond, continuing right away.

’’Are you perhaps a noble just like me?’’ he asked again. ’’Or do you perhaps see me as some sorry criminal you caught on the road?’’

Silence immediately fell between them.

Several knights glanced at their commander uneasily.

The commander’s jaw had tightened, his earlier confidence completely gone.

’’Forgive me, young master,’’ he finally said, lowering his head. ’’I spoke out of turn.’’

’’Good,’’ Roderic said, nodding his head once.

Then he pointed toward the heads displayed outside the tavern.

’’As for the answer to your questions. These men were producing and distributing illegal drugs throughout House Whitemane’s territory. They were poisoning our citizens for profit.’’

His gaze narrowed as he glanced over the knights.

It didn’t seem like all of them were in on it, judging from the surprised expressions flashing across four faces.

Roderic made a mental note of their faces before continuing.

’’I discovered their operations,’’ he said coldly. ’’And executed all those responsible.’’

He then pointed at the two remaining workers.

’’Those two were working in the production chamber beneath the tavern,’’ he continued. ’’Take them to jail. I’ll decide what happens to them later.’’

The knight commander glanced toward the workers.

For a brief moment, he seemed like he wanted to say something.

But after what had just happened, he clearly thought better of it.

’’Understood, young master.’’

Two knights immediately stepped forward and grabbed the workers.

Roderic watched them silently.

Tomorrow, Edmund would arrive with the guards from the estate. They could simply clean out this place for him.

’Hell, I might fight along for the experience,’ he thought. ’But that depends entirely on these stupid wounds.’

Regardless, these men would meet their end tomorrow.

With that in mind, Roderic turned around.

’’Frederic.’’

’’Yes, young master!’’

’’We’re leaving.’’

Frederic quickly followed after him.

Roderic had barely taken a few steps when another sharp pain shot through his ribs.

’Damn it all,’ he cursed, shaking his head.

...

By the time Roderic reached the nearest inn, he felt like absolute shit.

The pain in his ribs had only grown worse with every step, while his wounded shoulder had started throbbing again.

All he wanted to do was lie down.

After paying for two rooms, Roderic and Frederic slowly made their way upstairs.

Roderic stopped in front of his door.

’’Get some rest,’’ he said, glancing toward Frederic. ’’We’ll deal with everything else tomorrow.’’

Frederic remained silent for a moment.

Then he lowered his head slightly as if he was about to say something.

’’Something wrong?’’ Roderic asked.

Instead of answering, Frederic suddenly dropped onto one knee.

A smile grew on Roderic’s face, recognizing what was happening right away.

’’Young master, please allow me to become your knight.’’

Roderic remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

Frederic clenched his fists tightly.

’’I know I’m weak,’’ he said, lowering his head even further. ’’And right now, there’s nothing I could possibly do to repay the grace you’ve shown my family.’’

His expression slowly grew more determined.

’’But I don’t want that to remain like that.’’

Frederic looked up at him.

’’I want to become stronger. Strong enough to protect my family and be of use to you someday.’’

Roderic stared at him for a moment longer.

The determination in Frederic’s eyes was completely different from that of the nervous young man he’d met only a few hours ago.

’’I accept,’’ he said with a smile.

Frederic’s expression lit up right away.

’’Thank you,’’ he said, filled with sincerity.

But Roderic didn’t hear him.

Instead, his gaze had already moved on to the blue panel in front of him.

[Congratulations! Host has recruited his first retainer.]

[Retainer panel has been unlocked!]

Roderic’s eyes widened slightly.

’Another one unlocked?’ he thought. ’That makes two in a day!’

Now that he was in an inn anyway, he wanted to open it immediately.

Unfortunately, another sharp pain shot through his ribs not even a second later.

’Fuck that...’ he thought, wincing.

Whatever was inside could wait for tomorrow.

Roderic dismissed the system with a thought before looking back at Frederic.

’’Now get some rest,’’ he said. ’’We’ll talk about everything else tomorrow.’’

Frederic bowed respectfully right away.

’’Yes, my lord!’’

Smiling faintly, Roderic turned and entered his room.

The moment the door closed behind him, his smile disappeared.

’’Ugh...’’ he let out painfully.

He stumbled toward the plain and ordinary bed before slowly lowering himself on top of it.

Without hesitation, he closed his eyes for some well-needed rest.

’All those rewards... they can wait until tomorrow!’

Within minutes, he was fast asleep.