Chapter 32 Tricked (1/2)
Nobody moved, and nobody made a sound. Everyone was both shocked and confused at Eisen's blunt words. Even Hendrick stopped in his step and looked around himself, trying to figure out if Eisen was joking.
But he just stood there, with a gentle smile on his face, scratching his beard, reading through the notification he just received.
[Quest Failed - Hendrick's Duel]
[Description] After defending a Fey-Kin from Hendrick, he felt offended and requested a duel. You don't know what's to gain or to lose from this.
[Reward] Hendrick will run around town naked and embarrass himself, making chicken noises and yelling at passers-by
[Failure] You have to give Hendrick all of your current belongings
[Under the Authority of Lord Belrim McBarthon of Melroe, you have to hand all your current belongings over to Hendrick Argon within 24 hours. If you do not oblige, you will be punished accordingly]
”Eisen, what are ya doin'?! Ya just want to hand over yer sword and tools ta that bastard over there?! Did ya lose yer honor as a craftsman?!” Denmir yelled with a deep frown.
[Reputation with Denmir Dimhide has decreased significantly]
”Who cares about those damn tools?! What about your beautiful clothes, Eisen? Your suit was such fine craftsmanship! I would throw up even seeing a hint of Hendrick in that!” Folmirra followed up angrily.
[Reputation with Folmirra Brighthood has decreased significantly]
”Tsk, and I thought ya were a good guy. How can ya do something like this? Just look at the prick, all smug like that!” Jekyll interjected at last.
[Reputation with Jekyll Jackson has decreased significantly]
”Hah… haha…. Hahahaha! So you understand, old man? That you will never be able to beat me in a fight?!” Hendrick yelled out with a maniacal laugh and handed his sword and shield to some of his goons, stomping over to Bree with an evil grin.
”Now all of your belongings are mine! Including your slave here!” He yelled out and held out his arm to grab Bree, who quickly dodged. Everyone else was quite shocked, of course. Most of the people in this town loved Bree, and as such were angry at Eisen, who placed one of those cold, disgusting slave collars on her.
However, none of them knew that said collar was the broken metal ring that Eisen borrowed from Morrom the day before. And it was all part of Eisen's plan.
Thus, Eisen walked up to Hendrick and pulled him away from Bree. ”I don't know what you're doing, you're getting what I currently own, and that's all.”
”Yeah, that's why I'm taking your… slave… wait, why can she take off the fucking collar…?” Hendrick asked, staring blankly at the metal collar that Bree now happily held in her hands.
Eisen smiled at Hendrick and shook his head, ”Sorry, I think you might have misunderstood something here. Bree isn't my slave. She's my friend.” He said and scratched his beard with a smile.
”Tsk, fine! Then I'll take your items at least!” Hendrick yelled out and grabbed the Zweihänder that Bree was holding in her hands, but once again, Eisen stopped him. Scowling at the old man in front of him, the human adventurer frowned angrily. ”What do you think you're doing? This is mine now! My men were watching you for the past few days! I know what Items you made! Some dumb clothes, armor, and this sword!”
Eisen shook his head and began to laugh. ”Yeah, I made them. But, yesterday I came across a little bit of money, you see? So I decided to pay Bree for helping me out so much.” He smiled and slowly grabbed the bottom of his shirt, pulling it off of his body. Of course, everybody was confused, and Hendrick just grew completely agitated.
”You see, it just so happened that Bree's help was worth exactly the amount of money I had on me, so I was short on money for the Inn last night. So, I decided to sell my items to her for a fair price.” Saying these words, Eisen also stripped out of his pants and placed them into Hendrick's arms together with his shirt.
”How much was it? 10 Copper?” Eisen asked as he turned around to face Bree, and she nodded, her red face hidden behind her hands. ”So after paying for the Inn, and for the food and drinks I had, I am now left with a single copper.” He smiled and placed the small coin into Hendrick's hand.
”Now, I hope you'll at least leave me with my underwear, except if you wish to see this old man as he was born. Although before that, I would have preferred if you bought me dinner.” Eisen smiled gently, his eyes closed as he scratched his beard.
Hendrick looked at the pair of pants, the shirt, and the copper coin in his hands and instantly dropped them to the ground, his face twisted in anger. ”What the fuck are you talking about?! This is against the rules!” He yelled and turned to look at Belrim. ”Apprehend him! He's refusing to abide by the rules!”
Belrim, who was barely holding himself back from collapsing on the ground because of immense laughter, instantly turned away his face and grumbled in annoyance. ”What are ya talkin' about kid? I don't think me friend over 'ere did anythin' wrong. Jamie, you tell 'im.”
A short young man about the height of a Dwarf, but with a much less stumpy build and no beard to speak of, opposed to every single Dwarf that Eisen saw, stepped forward from amongst the guards. ”Y-Yes, M'Lord! According to the rules of the duel, in the case of the duelist Eisen losing the bout, he would need to hand over all the items in his possession at the start of the Duel. However, as the transaction of the items between Eisen and Bree has been confirmed by both parties to have happened before these terms were even set, there was no case of anyone having broken any rules.”