Iron Harvest: When Farming Becomes Conquest

Chapter 413: Chapter 17: Kill and Build Jingguan

Jora absolutely did not want to become a slave, but resisting was a foolish act, a provocation to the lord’s authority; the best choice was to wait for judgment.

But waiting for judgment meant losing the initiative.

Jora disliked being passive. Seeking life in death by thinking and acting more was why he became a legendary mercenary. However, individual force could not reverse the situation on the battlefield, which led him to this predicament.

And the bright young girl before him might be his only chance for escape.

She might not be a traditional noble, as nobles with black hair and brown eyes were rare, but her status must be high—those steel soldiers who wreaked havoc on the battlefield were respectful to her, almost as if they were seeing their mother.

She directly called the ruler by name, clearly someone beside the lord, wearing soft white linen undergarments and a knitted long dress, leading a donkey, standing there gracefully. Her demeanor and poise must have been nurtured by favor.

Jora did the right thing.

Gwivelle, due to Bo Ge’s influence, had conflicting feelings toward mercenaries, and was immediately filled with compassion.

She said, “This profession is not good.”

The mercenary countered, “Miss, between someone with a sword and someone without, who do you think is in the wrong?”

Gwivelle thought for a moment and said, “A person without a sword isn’t considered evil because they can’t protect themselves nor harm others. As for those with a sword… it depends on the direction they swing it.”

Gwivelle’s answer was not within Jora’s expectations. He thought a naive aristocratic girl couldn’t have profound insights, but clearly, that was not the case.

Jora seized every opportunity, and he suddenly knelt on one knee like a knight and said, “I petition All Gods for a trial by combat, to let Them judge my guilt.”

The guard immediately shouted, “Lady Gwivelle, trial by combat is a knight’s rule, where the victor is forgiven all sins. This old mercenary is crafty; I don’t think you need to agree to him!”