Lord Of Doom!Reincarnated Into a Novel as the Strongest Side Character-Chapter 72: Conquest Begins

"Alright. Offload everything," the Captain of the ship, a middle-aged man, commanded his crew as they began to unload the items. Merchants quickly surrounded them, eager to purchase some of the goods. A small boy rushed down the ship alongside Gojin, carrying a large backpack filled with various items. It was heavy, causing him to walk slowly until he finally reached the ground.

The boy, with jet black hair and hazel eyes, was short and frail, standing at about 5’4". He struggled and grunted as he followed his master. The shore was filled with all sorts of sounds: merchants bargaining for goods straight from the ships and travellers setting off to explore Eden Peak City, England’s second major city.

The Captain advanced, his expression a blend of relief and profound gratitude. He bowed deeply, his brow creased in genuine appreciation for saving them from the tempest. His eyes glistened with sincerity, and a warm, almost wistful smile spread across his weathered face. Gojin chuckled, returning the Captain’s gesture with a show of gratitude, offering thanks for the Captain’s safe navigation and considerate treatment over the past two months. Their arrival had been remarkably swift; what had been expected to take four or five months had been achieved in a mere two.

The middle-aged Captain proffered a handful of coins and some goods as a token of thanks, yet Gojin politely declined, urging him to reserve them for more pressing needs. His gaze lingered on the Captain, noting the subtle lines of anxiety etched into his features. Despite his rank, it was clear the man carried burdens of his own, and accepting such tokens would only exacerbate his sense of guilt.

Gojin’s unexpected compassion was a revelation to Toki, who watched in silent awe. He had never realised the depth of his superior’s empathy. This same man had recognised Toki’s potential not as an Exorcist, but as a Potter. Gojin had always believed that Toki could bear more responsibility than he currently did, even though Toki possessed Ki and had received some training. This, it seemed, was all he could manage at present.

After their exchange, filled with playful banter and friendly words, they made their way into the city, finding their way through the throngs of bustling citizens. The townsfolk were attired in a range of medieval garments. Many of the men wore knee-length tunics made of wool or linen, often cinched at the waist with a belt, and paired with breeches that reached just below the knee or longer trousers. Woollen cloaks, fastened with brooches for added warmth, were common, and leather boots or shoes completed their attire.

The women’s attire consisted of long, flowing dresses that cascaded to the ground, tightly fitted at the bodice and flaring into voluminous skirts. Many had aprons draped over their dresses, both practical and ornamental. Cloaks or shawls were often worn for warmth, and leather shoes or simple sandals were the norm. Married women typically concealed their hair beneath a wimple or veil, while younger women might wear their hair loose or in braids.

The vivid colours of their garments, often decorated with intricate patterns, denoted their social standing and occupation, lending an air of vibrancy to the streets.

They ventured deeper into the city, the sounds of laughter and the enticing aroma of freshly baked bread filled the air, adding to the lively, welcoming atmosphere. They were headed toward a designated meeting place, marked on the map Gojin carried, where their contact awaited. At the shore, they had encountered several guards clad in medieval English armour—gleaming metal breastplates reflecting the sunlight, chainmail draped over their shoulders, and crested helmets atop their heads. Yet, these guards appeared more engrossed in their tankards of ale, laughing boisterously and wholly neglecting their duties.

Walking for a while, navigating through various intersections and dodging persistent salesmen, they made their way through the city. Tall concrete buildings and ancient churches dotted the landscape, and eventually, they found themselves heading towards a tavern. They had notified the receiver a week prior about their impending arrival, hoping the message had arrived early, delivered swiftly by the birds, better known as "stocks."

At last, they arrived at The Falcon’s Roost.

The tavern’s frontage was a mix of weathered stone and dark oak, with a wooden sign swaying in the breeze, depicting a falcon in mid-flight. Above the entrance, the stone arch was adorned with ivy, while lanterns hung on either side, casting a dim, welcoming light. As they entered, the heavy wooden door creaked and groaned on its hinges.

Inside, the atmosphere was hazy and faintly smoky, lit only by the warm glow of candlelight and a hearth in the far corner. The tavern was sparsely populated—just a handful of bedraggled patrons, most of whom were slouched over in their seats, some lying unconscious on the tables or the floor. Bottles of ale and mead were strewn about, some broken, with splashes of amber liquid staining the wooden tables. The musty scent of alcohol and worn leather filled the air, blending with the occasional sound of snoring.

Behind the bar stood a young, beautiful maiden, her black silk hair cascading down to her waist. She was dressed in a simple but elegant gown, her movements graceful as she tidied up the scattered bottles and arranged them neatly on the shelves. She shot a brief, knowing glance at the newcomers, then returned to her task, her fingers tracing the edge of a glass as she carefully cleaned it.

"Aye. Senior Gojin, this place reeks of alcohol," Toki whispered to Gojin, who stood tall above him. Gojin grinned, the blindfold vanishing from his eyes as he activated his Runo. He preferred not to draw attention with the blindfold, especially since many had stared at him while they walked through the city.

He pulled a fine piece of white cloth from his Hakama pocket and covered his nose with it. Then, he said to Toki, "Deal with it. We’ll be out of here soon."

Toki sighed, dropping the backpack he carried onto the floor and taking a seat, breathing heavily and weary. Sweat trickled down his brow. Meanwhile, Gojin made his way to the bar, offering the bartender a respectful smile.

The beautiful young lady, surely older than Gojin, smiled back at him, her black silk hair cascading down her back in soft waves, and greeted him warmly. "Hello, handsome lad. How can I help you? You sure ain’t here to drink, aye?"

Gojin’s eyes twinkled as he returned her smile, his voice light and engaging. "Ah, you’ve got me figured out already, haven’t you? I’m not here for the ale—though I’m sure it’s fine stuff, given the state of the place!" He chuckled, taking in the atmosphere.

She raised an eyebrow, eyeing him curiously. "You don’t look like one of the regulars, that’s for sure. You’re not from round here, are you?"

Gojin gave her a wry grin, tapping his nose with a finger. "Not exactly. You could say I’m a bit of a wanderer," he said, his voice rich with amusement. "But, I like to think it adds to the charm." He paused for a beat before adding with a mischievous glint, "Not that I’m here to share tales of where I come from—don’t want to bore you too soon."

She laughed softly, clearly enjoying the exchange. "Well, you’ve certainly got a way with words. What brings you to The Falcon’s Roost then, if not for the drink?"

"Ah, just business," Gojin replied with a shrug, making a show of being casual. "You know how it is. Sometimes you have to wait for things to come to you." He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. "But don’t worry, I’m not one for secrets. My name’s Gojin, by the way."

She smiled brightly, clearly entertained. "Gojin, huh? Well, I must say, you’re not what I expected when I saw you walk in. Not at all."

Gojin laughed, his energy contagious. "Well, I do like to keep people on their toes! Keeps things interesting, don’t you think?"

"I am Averyl."

"Nice to meet you, Averyl."

The conversation flowed easily, with Gojin keeping things light and engaging, his charm drawing her in. He answered her questions with enough detail to satisfy her curiosity, but never enough to give too much away, maintaining an air of mystery about him. She didn’t press him, seeming content to simply enjoy the banter.

A few minutes later, the door creaked open, and a knight stepped inside.