After saying goodbye to the mysterious and generous "Mr. Colin," Marko Gage felt that he had opened a new chapter in his life.
Holding the letter given by his confidant and that heavy bag of silver coins, his heart was filled with lofty ideals.
He didn't stay at the inn but imdiately set off, ready to find the next ride heading south.
His efforts paid off; perhaps it was the good luck brought by His Highness, for he soon encountered a group of rcenaries preparing to set out.
They were young n planning to try their luck on the distant Gana Continent. They had just completed a task of escorting noble children to the Academic State, and then they had spent a few carefree days in the Eagle Rock Territory.
Then—
There was no "then" anymore.
They had spent all their money, all on the nuns.
Marko was shocked. He had prayed in a church before but never heard of having to pay to pray with the nuns?!
The young rcenaries gave him an embarrassed smile, not daring to explain, and just fumbled an answer.
"You'll know next ti you go, it's not an ordinary church."
Even though he was curious, Marko still shook his head like a rattle drum.
"Go back? I'll never return in my life!"
In any case, the rcenaries revealed their next itinerary, and their next stop would pass by Dragon Watch City, a necessary path from the Northern Wilderness to the south, and also on the way to the Holy City.
Soon the conversation turned to Marko himself.
He didn't reveal much information to these rough n, simply presenting himself as a poet pursuing his ideals, saying he wanted to see the Holy City and see what the universally shining Holy Light looked like, wondering if it never reached this snowy field.
Initially, these rcenaries, used to licking blades, had no fondness for this delicate, naive lad, feeling he spoke too grandly and was impractical, not like them who had tasted hardships.
However, when they heard Marko fiercely criticize the noble lords, their interest was piqued. Especially when Marko recited his "straightforward" poem filled with rebellious spirit with rising and falling tones, these rough n burst into cheers.
Great!
They might not understand what art is, nor have much knowledge inside them, but the word "class" struck a chord within them!
The most fertile lands are always near the castle, weren't they all inside a massive prison?
If Marko only talked about knowledge, art, soul, and dreams with them, he certainly couldn't have resonated with them.
But the line revised by his "confidant" in that poem inadvertently touched the last piece of softness in these unfortunate people's hearts, opening them up to finally take seriously the young man's shallow yet fiery "knowledge."
Amid the cheers of the rcenaries, the shy and timid Marko gained the nickna "poet."
Soon, the generous rcenaries declared they wouldn't charge him a penny for the journey, letting him ride the wagon with them, treating him as an amusing companion on the road.
So, "Poet" Marko set off on a new journey with a group of rcenaries who could barely read a few big words.
And it was during this journey that he suddenly found these rough n quite interesting. They didn't have as many scheming thoughts as the nobles, but beneath their ruggedness, they had their little calculations. They were not kind, even extrely cunning, but there were things they would absolutely never do, and they would comnt on people or things they disapproved of.
Unlike his father, who would indifferently tell him it had nothing to do with him, advising him to awaken his Extraordinary Power promptly if he didn't want to end up like them—miserable.
A few days later, the group arrived at the residence of the Northern Duke—Dragon Watch City.
Marko had no interest in this military fortress filled with iron and blood, but to pass the ti, he wandered through the streets and alleys, treating it as a search for inspiration.
A mature poet shouldn't have just one poem, especially when that poem was revised by Mr. Colin. He needed to write sothing of his own.
However, as he passed a street corner, a notice with black characters on a white background suddenly caught his attention.
"Public execution of two felons at Dragon Watch City's execution ground! Bold thieves of the Prince's private belongings finally brought to justice!"
Well! Stealing from the Prince?
Which fearless person dared so boldly?
Marko curiously took a glance.
And that glance was shocking; he actually saw his na on the execution list!
Marko Gage!
At the mont when his gaze t his own na, he felt as if all the blood in his body had frozen, his hands and feet going cold.
"I'm... I'm dead?!"
The image was a bloody execution ground, his mind went blank, buzzing, only recalling himself fleeing in threes and twos, turning into the nearby alley, like a mouse scared stiff.
However, since it was an execution notice and not a bounty-driven wanted poster, no one noticed that this coward had been scared stupid by the bloody image.
Marko didn't know how long he ran until he was exhausted, supporting himself against a wall, stopping in shock, collapsing in the snow, thinking.
He didn't recognize the "Minos" who was to be executed alongside him, nor did he know why his na appeared there.
As for the charge of "stealing the Prince's belongings," it left him totally bewildered.
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