Chapter 18: Does the Lord Know Everything?
Matthew maintained a calm expression, ignoring Ralph's request for approval, and nodded with a smile. Under the soldiers' subtle glances, he spoke loudly:
"Injured and infected, step forward. Clean your wounds under your cloaks, and then we will distribute the spoils."
"Don't worry, I remember each and every one of your contributions clearly."
"Top contributor: Knight Angela."
"She commanded the battle and killed 512 mutated fish-men. For her significant contributions, she is awarded 10% of the total spoils, receiving 50 gold coins!"
"She killed 26 mutated fish-men herself, earning 30% of the kill reward, totaling 7 gold and 80 silver coins."
"She heavily injured 16 fish-men, earning 15% of the injury reward, totaling 2 gold and 40 silver coins."
"For participation in battle, she receives 1 gold, 20 silver, and 96 copper coins."
"Angela's total reward is 61 gold, 40 silver, and 96 copper coins."
"As the top contributor, I also reward her with a healing potion worth 10 gold coins."
Angela, feeling bewildered and overwhelmed, stood under the gaze of her comrades and Ralph's urging glance. She stepped forward and accepted the shiny gold coins and potion in front of everyone.
She never imagined that her first earnings over 10 gold coins would come from this battle during their journey.
However, many soldiers were skeptical. While Angela's contributions were undeniable, Matthew's precise calculation of contributions and rewards, down to the last copper coin, sparked doubt among them.
Even Angela herself couldn't quite recall how many mutated fish-men she had killed or injured during the heat of the battle.
"Is the lord just making things up?" some thought to themselves.
A few soldiers exchanged uncertain glances, their excitement tempered by skepticism.
But Matthew seemed oblivious to their doubts, continuing with calm confidence:
"Second place in contributions: Myself."
"I killed a total of 64 mutated fish-men, earning 30% of the kill reward, for 19 gold and 20 silver coins."
"I heavily injured 51 mutated fish-men, earning 15% of the injury reward, for 7 gold and 65 silver coins."
"For participation in battle, I receive 1 gold, 20 silver, and 96 copper coins."
"Total: 28 gold, 5 silver, and 96 copper coins."
The soldiers watched as Matthew counted out the coins in his hand with precision.
It was now clear to everyone that the lord wasn't just saying things at random. At the very least, he wouldn't tell such easily disproved lies to the entire group.
After all, it wasn't unheard of for nobles to go back on their word...
Yet in their hearts, the soldiers hoped that Matthew was genuinely tracking their contributions and rewards accurately.
Some even reassured themselves that, regardless of discrepancies, at least the collective reward of 1 gold, 20 silver, and 96 copper coins should be accurate.
"Third place: John Karls."
"Fourth place: Sean Radley."
"…"
"Thirty-second place: Medley. You killed two mutated fish-men, earning 60 silver coins."
"You heavily injured four mutated fish-men, earning 60 silver coins."
"For participation in battle, you receive 1 gold, 20 silver, and 96 copper coins. Total reward: 2 gold, 40 silver, and 96 copper coins!"
Hearing his name called, Medley jumped up excitedly, proudly raising his chin as he boasted to his taller comrades:
"Haha, I told you I killed two of those fish-men! Good thing the lord saw it. Hmph..."
His comrades watched as he eagerly stepped forward to collect his coins, their eyes filled with a mix of envy and admiration toward Matthew.
"The lord didn't miss a thing! Incredible!"
"The lord is a mysterious and powerful Arcanist; of course he sees everything we do."
"Exactly! Just like that assassin—Lord Matthew surely sensed his malicious intent long before he fell into the trap."
"Absolutely, the lord's abilities are amazing—he knows everything!"
As each soldier, militiaman, and porter confirmed their rewards without any objections, everyone began to reach a consensus: their mysterious and powerful lord truly knew everything!
Those who had harbored doubts felt relieved, though there were always a few who weren't entirely satisfied.
"…"
"Eighty-sixth place: Catrin. You contributed to one kill, earning 30 silver coins, and one heavy injury, earning 15 silver coins..."
"Wait, Lord Matthew, that's not right! I killed two of those fish-men, and I injured at least three! My comrades saw it!"
Catrin shouted incredulously, scratching his head and looking to his comrades for support.
One of his comrades, wearing a sheepish grin, nodded nervously before speaking up:
"Yes, that's right. Catrin definitely killed two fish-men. I killed three, not two. Gannon saw everything."
Gannon, a tall, skinny militiaman, nodded quickly in agreement.
"Yes, we were all excited at the time, wondering how much gold we'd get for killing those fish-men. But none of us know how to count or write..."
Glancing nervously at the silent Matthew, Gannon's voice wavered as he added:
"It was during the oil-pitching... maybe the fish-men's bodies burned up? Perhaps, Lord Matthew, you made a mistake?"
Instantly, the entire camp fell into a heavy silence.
Everyone stared at the trio in stunned disbelief, occasionally sneaking glances at the lord to gauge his reaction. Matthew stood still, seemingly deep in thought.
Even old John, who was repairing a wagon, paused with a cold smirk on his lips.
Next to him, Leon blinked in confusion before blurting out:
"No way! The lord hasn't been wrong before!"
To everyone's shock, Matthew calmly patted his head and said:
"You're right. I made a mistake."
The camp erupted into murmurs of surprise and disbelief.
Ralph's eyes flickered with a cold gleam as he bellowed, "Silence!"
The group immediately quieted down. The three men instinctively lowered their heads, their faces breaking into small smiles beneath their masks.
"See? He's not all-knowing! Just a kid after all."
"Should've asked for more while I had the chance..."
"Wait... why did he admit it?"
The thoughts varied among them—some feeling relieved, others growing greedy with new ideas.