"Wait. Let me get this straight. A royal tax collector was traveling with a caravan in guarded? Is the king mentally okay?"
Lucas didn't sugar coat it. That was idiotic to do. That's literally begging for someone to come and take the money.
Sir Alen just laughed before he started to turn red.
"I've actually told you a state secret on accident" Sir Alen chastised himself. "Well there's no point in hiding any more from you. You see the king actually has two types of tax collectors. Ones with guards that make themselves known and the real ones hidden. The fake ones do collect the tax, but pass the money off to the real collector in secret. Once the real one has the taxes from wherever they are they leave with a trading caravan to maintain their cover.
It's actually the way my father uses to collect taxes. The king learned of this idea and implemented it for the entire world! It's one of the reasons we are granted some of our privileges. Along side the king is actually saving more tax money. Before the kings caravans were attacked constantly and he'd lose one in every four caravans. Now he only loses one in every ten. Thanks to that the planet is in an age of gold and growth. King Algro will be known as a great king in history."
Sir Alen seemed extremely proud of himself and his father. As though he and his father are the two responsible for the kings success. He isn't wrong, but Lucas felt as though he was being a little conceded about it all. But that wasn't his problem. Lucas was more interested in academy's hopefully he'd be able to attend a class or two. He'd love to learn more advance spells.
Sir Alen held the chest close to him. He wasn't sure how to ask a question without upsetting Lucas. He swallowed his spit and decided to be blunt.
"Lucas you are the rightful finder to this chest. I know you've saved my life and my brides, and you'll be rewarded, but I have a favor. Would you be willing to forgo your rights to the tax chest? My father and I will be able to reward you."
'That would be great' Lucas thought 'I don't want to get in the eyes of the king of this planet. I'm sure something would happen and I'd be stuck here. I wasn't to explore and learn about the universe.'
While he was thinking Sir Alen gave him a puppy dog look.
'I can't be shameless. I don't know much about the world. Better to have friends then rich and alone.'
"Sure Alen. You can do that. I don't want to be in the spot light. I was actually traveling to your city to enter the academy. If I'm able to. I just wanted to attend some classes and learn."
"My father and I can more then help with that! We both love magic and the nurturing of talented people. Wether they come from noble or common background. Magic is what makes us all equal!"
Sir Alen was filled with pride. He clearly truly enjoyed magic and help those in need. Lucas was glad to have rescued a noble who was good and not some spoiled brat who looked down on others.
Just before Sir Alen started to collect things in his personal dimension locket Lucas grabbed his arm.
"Alen I have a favor to ask. I'd like this to stay between us."
Sir Alen nodded. He noticed the focused look Lucas gave him.
"Any thing for someone who saved my life. Name it. I'll do my best to figure something out."
"During my travels I found a special lockbox. I have no way to open it, but I know it's very high tech. Do you know someone who can unlock such a thing?"
Sir Alen placed a hand on his chin and started to pace himself. He dug through his memories of if he knows someone. After a few minutes he remembered.
"Ah ha! I do know someone! I can't quite remember his name, but I know my father recently hired a Technomancer. Father is worried about security lately and hired this Technomancer to install a better security system. He's known as the Machine Barron. Extremely talented in drones and machines."
"Sounds great! I'd love to meet him. Do you know when he arrives?"
"He should be here within the week. Solar travel can be slow at times. But before all that I think we should head to Illumance. I was supposed to be back hours ago. I'm sure my father has sent guards out.
"Think that's a good idea? It's dark now. I'm sure monsters will be prowling the woods. We can rest here for the night. We have plenty of food and space to sleep. Your brides can take this room and you and I can take the bunk."
"That's a good idea. We are safe now. We can move the bodies outside the camp and then hide in here. I'm okay with that."
The two agreed and headed towards the main room. Susan and Mary were both asleep on one of the benches laying on the table.
"Oh you two" Sir Alen said in an endearing voice with a smile. "Mind helping me Lucas?"
He nodded
Sir Alen picked up Susan while Lucas picked up Mary. She was lighter then he expected. The two carried them to the bandit leaders room and placed them on the bed. Sir Alen kissed their foreheads as he tucked them in. They left as quietly as they could.
It only took the two men half an hour to dispose of all the bodies outside the camp. Lucas was surprised that Sir Alen wasn't too disturbed my the blood and gore.
After every body was removed the two went back into the main camp area. They did their best to clean up and relit the camp fire. The stuffed pig that was cooking was still slightly warm and had dirt on it. The two didn't seem to mind and wiped it off to eat.
"Ya know" Lucas spoke with a mouth full of food. "I didn't expect a noble like you to be able to rough it like this. I thought nobles would be more snobby"
Using part of his tattered suit like a napkin as he finished eating his food.
"A lot of nobles are" he said with dissatisfaction in his voice. "I'm not sure how much you know, but I'll give you a brief history lesson."