The guards were looking at the pheasants like normal days. The long boring line of people who were looking for a place to live in this shithole of a city was regular sight for them.
In the end, they would either die in the winter or be killed by harsh conditions. However, they didn't care because they only cared about themselves. As long as they can have some fun or value in this God-forsaken land, it was good.
" Halt! What are you carrying in that carriage?"
He lifted the cover, looking at the huge stack of berries with a frown on his face while rubbing his big belly to show his desire. Perhaps, Halfdan who was among the crowd, understood his gesture as he slipped some coins in his hand while nodding at the other guard.
" Tsk, we raised the tax. You need to give me more. Look at yourself, you must have more since you are this giant."
Halfdan was considered one of the giants in this place because of his height and he wasn't skinny like others, so guards knew he was well-off and well-fed.
" How much?"
His tone grew colder at his remark as he looked at them with despise in his eyes. The shabby-looking armor and weapons which hadn't been maintained for a long time and their greasy hair them were proof of their incompetent nature.
Behest of all these superficial facts, he gritted his teeth and reached for his pocket until Uther grabbed his hand. He shook his head to signal that it wasn't worth it as he took out his badge.
" I am Knight of Kent. I demand a free pass and no inspection."
The guards looked at each other with a hint of displeasure as they lifted the spears with reluctance. In front of the nobility there was only little they could do and they wanted to protect their heads from rolling.
" You got lucky, giant."
The young guard grinned at Halfdan while the latter didn't say anything toward him except his fierce gaze. He observed the people behind his back, pitying them for they were forgotten like herds of beasts without home, forever being locked in the desolate land of crimes.
" Straighten your backs and don't look back. Our goal is to take control of the southern gate. We will move around sunset. Until then survey the area and find out about the local soldiers and people. This place shall be painted with the blood of mannerless beasts."
Uther commanded his loyal 5 knights with Vikings as they got out from the carriage and headed toward different directions.
Halfdan and his two friends formed a group while Halfdan took overall control of the entire infiltration unit.
" Do as the lord says. Remember to not provoke them even when they start. However, if you think you need to clean some garbage do it cleanly."
Vikings grinned at his command while dispersing into 8 directions. Halfdan looked at the back of his men with acknowledgment, knowing they wouldn't cause trouble.
" Harold, Arne, we will head toward the southern slum and take control of the area. I think your weapons will be painted today."
The duo burst out with laughter while following him from behind. Their humongous bodies easily attracted the attention of the others but they didn't dare to approach them out of fear since they wore armor and had weapons on them.
No fool would dare to mess with such strong men with such good weapons unless they were insane.
The slum wasn't far away from the eastern gate as they reached their destination in a couple of minutes even without guidance. The filthy smell of dirty water reached their nostrils, almost making them puke with disgust.
" What a disgusting place! Should we burn this place and rebuild this area?"
Harold pinched his nose with a green face, thinking about how to change this area because he felt it would be an easy battle.
" Don't be foolish. There are people in this area. We will clean this area and demolish these shabby houses."
Halfdan hit his shoulder while reminding him to be more civilized, saying that he was too barbaric.
" Then we will waste tons of our resources. How are we going to have a war in the future?"
Arne asked with a blank face, imagining shirtless Vikings with wooden swords.