" Anyways what do you think of my territory, Horace? Although we lack money, we live more fuller than anyone else in this land. We believe that living for today is better than living for tomorrow because who knows when we will turn into corpses."
Gustin laughed loudly, pulling out a wooden dagger that he treasured from his childhood. He always loved showing it to his guests because it was the first gift that his brother gave to him despite being a contender for the title.
In this cursed world, only his brother truly loved him fully as a family member until the end. He was the type of man who would fight for his beliefs and Gustin taught that to his children.
" So, you don't want to get richer or famous. Why do you live like that? If you are a good lord, maybe you might have considered attacking others or creating something in your land."
Horace asked with a calm face, looking at the dagger in his hand. He was a good man but as a lord, he was nowhere near someone like Uther or Magnus who led an entire army to take over a territory in a single night. They rallied the civilians and created loyal territory to their wishes.
" You are straightforward. I like that. We Southerners hate stabbing each other with words.
Like you said I am not a good lord. I am a good father and commander who knows how to kick Frank Lord's bottoms. However, my people trust more than anything in this world because we went through hell to survive."
Gustin sipped alcohol with intoxication, recalling the moments when he had to face enemies with wooden pikes and tools to survive. No other lords gave help to them and neither they asked for it.
" Strange person, indeed. Aren't you afraid that I will stab you? You know I am a skilled fighter, right?"
Horace didn't hide his killing intent, looking at him with a blank face which made Gustin laugh. He slightly patted his shoulders, signaling him to calm down.
" You aren't the type of a person who kills others for money. I can tell it because I saw countless people who dared to take a life of others just to survive."
Gustin didn't hide his confidence in his evaluation skills. Throughout his life, he faced countless threats and fatalities as he learned many skills to survive and one of them was to judge others based on their behaviors.
" Confidence isn't a good thing, my lord. You are right. I don't kill unless I have justification and surely you are a good person.
However, I need to take you away. There are no guards or people to save you because they are in deep sleep."
Gustin fell into silence before raising his hands with a blushed face. He calmly put the dagger on the table, motioning Horace to tie him up with his eyes.
" You are a smart man, Horace. I hope you have considered your choices. One mistake will gnaw your flesh forever."
Horace nodded at his words, pulling out a leather rope from his sack while tying him with it. To avoid hurting Gustin, he pulled down his sleeves which made some sort of barrier against friction.
" I swear that my lord won't hurt your people if they surrender peacefully. We aren't barbarians."
Gustin didn't say a word to him, following him from behind while hiding his face. He didn't blame the poor young man, knowing he was a good soul for a good cause. The only one thing to blame was his birth in a poor household. Otherwise, he might have become a fine person.
Meanwhile near the Sussex border.
" Don't alarm the guards. Silence any person who has a mouth. You may kill them if they have weapons."
Magnus's quiet tone somehow felt like a stern warning to the leaders of each group for he wasn't messing around. He would usually playfully talk with his men to ease the situation but this time it was different. They were reserving their strength to battle against powerful houses and using strength against poor pheasants was the most disgraceful act in their code.
" Understood, leader."
They acknowledged his command, setting out to their respective positions to swallow the entire Sussex.