"You all know that wandering knights need money too, and they need it more than you do." Aik stammered a bit, but he gradually overcame his shame and fear. His expression began to relax, and he sighed deeply: "So sometimes we also do some unspeakable things, like asking passersby or caravans for some food, or attacking bandits to seize their spoils. Sometimes, some people become bandits themselves..."
"Very well, so Goodson asked you to join the discussion because these wandering knights had their sights set on the Sea Heart Stone?" Laine nodded and continued to ask.
"Exactly, Goodson and the others need some money because... none of us are well-off, and it's almost the Winter Festival. Soon we won't have any jobs, so Goodson and the others planned..." Aik didn't say the rest, but Laine and Alfred both understood.
These wandering knights intend to seize the Sea Heart Stone under the cover of night!
"So, you didn't join their plan?" Laine raised an eyebrow, filled with doubt.
Aik simply raised his family crest: "The honor of the Albrecht Clan is not to be defiled. They can hide their family crests, they can take on a false name and parade around, but I cannot. From the moment I became a wandering knight, I vowed never to abandon my real name, never to discard my surname. I am Aik Albrecht, and I will uphold my name with my life. I may die, but I will never disgrace my family's name!"
The belief emanating from the wandering knight made the two of them moved.
"So you didn't join them, but unexpectedly, they decided to go at it alone? That's why they were all armored up in the middle of the night." Laine nodded, estimating that the wandering knights did not anticipate the Beastman's ambush.
With this, everything made sense.
"Then, in such a situation, you're still willing to seek Laine's help for that despicable wandering knight?" Alfred looked a bit puzzled, but the Paladin had already released his grip on the sword hilt.
"Goodson just... had some difficulties in life. He owes the Dwarves some money, and recently the Dwarves have been pressing him for repayment. He was momentarily confused... He is a good person, well, what I mean is he saved my life." Aik now couldn't clear his own name.
"That still doesn't justify his plan for robbery!" Laine's voice rose, and the White Wolf Knight immediately nodded: "Since you have spoken the truth, I'll take you to see Lady Dietlinde, but how you explain to her is up to you."
"Okay! Thank you so much!" Aik felt his mouth dry up and hastily bowed in gratitude.
The three of them walked up together, and Laine's perception of Aik had changed.
This young wandering knight may be greedy, perhaps ambitious for fame and fortune, an unadulterated person with a strong utilitarian streak, but his character was not without its flashes of nobility. Given that he still had a moral baseline and was willing to swallow his pride for the sake of his comrades to ask for help or even scheme and deceive, Aik couldn't be dismissed as a useless individual.
The importance of reputation to a wandering knight is self-evident. From Aik's perspective, he had ample reason for his actions at the time, utilizing the situation was his politically wise best judgment, and the outcome was as he wished—Laine helped, successfully defeating the bear spirit.
However, the final outcome wasn't as he expected, and Laine's refusal to pursue left Aik's hopes dashed. It's understandable for him to be vexed and ashamed; reciprocally, if Laine had to make a choice himself, he would not necessarily be any wiser than Aik.
After years of travel and knowledge from his father, Laine understood that humans are complex animals. Such animals cannot be distinguished by simple notions of good and bad. One cannot conclude that because a person is a certain way, they must be good, or because they are another way, they must be bad. Read full story at N0veI.Fiɾe.net
Literary people always like to pass final judgments, seeing the world in black and white terms.
Wrong, the world is grey.
Shaking his head, Laine led Alfred and Aik to the corridor of the third floor and knocked on the room door: "Lady Dietlinde? Teresa?"
"Coming! Laine?" Teresa's voice quickly came from the room, followed by the sound of high heels striking the floor.
After confirming it was Laine standing at the door, it opened.
Teresa wore a white wool sweater, which was prominently raised at the chest, forming a perfect curve. Her black hair draped over her shoulders, slipping off like silk.
A delicate belt cinched her slender waist. Teresa wore a knee-length tube skirt today, which showcased her tall and slender stature to the fullest. Below the tube skirt were her long and straight legs encased in black stockings, and on her dainty feet were black, low-cut, thin-heeled high heels.
"You're here? It's really early..." Initially, there was a glint in the female sorcerer's eyes when she saw Laine at the door, but she immediately noticed the Paladin and the wandering knight standing behind Laine.
The light in her eyes quickly faded, and Teresa's chin lifted. Pulling up her neckline, her tone shifted from cheerful to slightly annoyed: "I don't recall inviting anyone other than you, White Wolf Knight?"
Laine's gaze swept over the sorceress's black stocking-clad legs and feet, then shrugged: "Uh, I have some business with Lady Dietlinde. Aik's wandering knight friend has contracted tetanus and needs treatment."