Chương 22: Obtaining Ironware

Now that they were down to business, Li Qinwu released his grip on Lord Lance's throat, letting the boy collapse to the ground in a fit of violent coughing. Li Qinwu's mind raced: What should I demand in exchange for this brat? This "Lance" fellow seemed important to the people in the castle, yet at the same time, he wasn't that important. He existed in a state of "Schrödinger's Importance." If Li Qinwu asked for too much, they might just cut their losses and let the boy die; then he'd get nothing.

After a few minutes of contemplation, Li Qinwu opened his mouth.

"100 axes and 100 hoes for your Lord's miserable life!" Silence fell over the three leaders on the wall. Several minutes passed before Hana shouted back, "Impossible! We will not provide any iron tools to you monsters!" The refusal was firm. The iron in the hands of Li Qinwu's tribe was limited; if they handed over such a large quantity of strategic materials, the goblins' combat power would skyrocket. Even if they got Lance back, they wouldn't survive long against such an upgraded foe.

From their perspective, it was better to let the boy die and huddle in the castle for a few more weeks of survival. Li Qinwu promptly gave Lord Lance a vicious kick, sending him sprawling.

"You really are useless, aren't you? Did you pinch your subordinates' wages too much? They won't even trade a few rusty axes for your life. What a failure of a man!" Lance wailed in pain and terror. He screamed toward the ramparts, "Miss Hana! What are you saying to him? Don't provoke him! Give him whatever he wants! Just get me out of here!!" Hana looked conflicted, but Knight Leo whispered to her, "Don't communicate with the Young Master yet. The less we seem to care about him, the lower the price will drop.

Trust me on this!" Hana agreed and ignored Lance's desperate cries. Seeing that even the "cute" Hana was ignoring him, Lance fell into absolute despair. He thought they were abandoning him. He began sobbing hysterically, calling out the names of everyone he knew in the castle, begging for salvation. The soldiers on the walls looked on with growing unease. This was their sworn liege, after all. Watching him beg in the dirt while they stood idle was a shameful sight that ate away at their morale.

Furthermore—and most importantly—they actually had the 100 axes and hoes. They had plenty! When they first set out for exile, their party numbered over 300, and they had brought over 300 sets of axes, hoes, and other tools. Knowing they were heading into the wilderness, Lance had spent almost his entire fortune on pioneering equipment. However, they hadn't anticipated the lethality of the Magic Forest.

Only about 100 people had survived the journey; the surplus tools were now locked away, gathering dust in the warehouse. To let their Lord suffer because they feared "arming the enemy" made many of them feel a deep sense of shame. Li Qinwu stayed in the stalemate for a while. The humans refused to budge on the iron, instead offering "10 bags of grain" and a "precious but useless glass goblet." Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. Li Qinwu lost his patience.

He broke into a string of curses.

"Do you think I'm a three-year-old child?! A damn glass cup for a Lord's life? Are you joking with me?!" The castle remained silent. Li Qinwu cursed a few more times without a response. He was fuming, but suddenly, a "yellow lightbulb" flickered above his head. He had a plan. He hauled the kneeling Lance up and patted his face gently, a dark, meaningful smile spreading across his lips. Lance's stomach churned. Before he could beg for mercy, Li Qinwu had the Hobgoblins pin him down and stretch out his right arm.

Li Qinwu drew his masterwork longsword and mimed a few chopping motions over the boy's limb. Lance shrieked like a dying pig. On the wall, the garrison became agitated. Hana screamed, "Stop! Do not harm Lord Lance!" Li Qinwu chuckled.

"Don't worry, I won't kill him. I'll just take his 'Five-Finger Maiden' (his right hand) as a souvenir! After that, I'll let him go." The people on the wall were confused. Take his hand and then release him? What's the catch? The quickest mind among them was Steward Monde. His face went pale instantly, and he broke into a cold sweat. Is this really a goblin? How can a monster think of something so wicked? Li Qinwu shouted toward the wall, "Think about it.

Once your Lord loses his hand, imagine how much pain, despair, and resentment he will feel. When I release him and he finds out his 'loyal vassals' refused to trade a few axes for his arm... how much do you think he will hate you? Jie-jie-jie-jie! I can't wait to see how he treats you when he gets back!" The three leaders turned white as Hana translated. Knight Leo, the hulking man in plate armor, actually began to tremble. Damn, this goblin hit him right in the vitals!

If a one-handed Lance returned and found out it was Leo who had suggested holding onto the tools, Lance would likely have him executed on the spot.

"M-Maybe... maybe we should just give it to him," Leo stammered.

"The Young Master's... health is paramount!"

"Yes, yes!" Monde chimed in frantically.

"The Young Master's safety comes first! I'll immediately have the men pick out 100 of our most worn-out axes and hoes for these monsters. Let's just get him back!" Monde was terrified. He was the one who had originally suggested not rescuing the boy. If he didn't show some loyalty now, he feared his life wouldn't be worth a copper when Lance returned. Hana was speechless at their sudden change of heart.

They didn't care when his life was at stake, but the moment their own heads were on the line, they were practically tripping over themselves to comply. Regardless, she was relieved he was coming home. She shouted to Li Qinwu, "Stop! Do not harm him! we agree to your terms! But how do we know you will keep your word?" Li Qinwu sheathed his blade with satisfaction and promptly gave Lance two stinging slaps, knocking out one of the boy's teeth.

"Understand this, lady: I am not the one begging you. You are begging me! Bring the items out now, then take your useless Lord away. Or I can send him back to you in a 'battle-damaged' version and let him bite you to death!" Driven by fear, the garrison began tossing 100 axes and 100 hoes over the walls. Li Qinwu sent his Hobgoblins to collect the precious ironware. Then, with a mocking laugh, he gave Lance a final kick in the rear and led his troops back toward the forest camp.

Lance, finally free, sobbed uncontrollably. He scrambled toward the castle gate, screaming, "Open up! Let me in! Let me in!!" The wooden gate creaked open just enough for him to squeeze through. Hana, Leo, and Monde were there to meet him. Lance lunged forward like a giant gecko, wrapping himself around Hana and sobbing into her shoulder, wiping tears and snot all over her robes. Hana felt a wave of disgust but gently stroked his hair.

"It's alright, Lord Lance. You're safe now." Knight Leo cut in, "Lord Lance! After our grueling negotiations and desperate bargaining with those monsters, we finally secured your release! Thank heavens you are unharmed, or your humble servant would have had to die to atone!" Steward Monde took off his own coat and draped it over the naked, shivering boy, his face wrinkling into a smile like an old chrysanthemum.

"Do not worry, Young Master. It is over. We will protect you."

"Everyone! It's so good to have you! Waaaaah!!" Lance wept piteously, and the three of them offered their "sincere" comfort. It was a beautiful scene of a wise ruler and his loyal ministers. Only, behind the boy's back, the three of them exchanged a glance—and all they saw in each other's eyes was sheer, unadulterated guilt.