Transmigrated Into A Fantasy World As A Paladin 2 Chapter 2: Veronica And Richard

Just the thought of Ronny's ragged figure telling the fortune of a n.o.ble caused Leon to giggle. After all, it was doubtful that a poor man would be able to see the future.

With such thoughts in mind, a small smile formed at the corner of Leon's lips; a contrast to his usually expressionless countenance. Feeling rather affable due to Ronny, he looked up toward the sky to see a sun gradually descending below the mountains. The stars in the firmament were just beginning to become visible, and even the silhouette of the moon could be seen.

"I suppose there's still some time," he muttered under his breath, slicking his oily hair back.

Sul'tharra was separated into five sectors, and Leon happened to live in the centermost region. And, although his hut was located in a deserted alleyway, he wasn't too far away from the town hall. Subsequently, this also meant that quite a few stragglers periodically stumbled across his little home.

Thankfully, dusk was when things calmed down to a certain degree, giving Leon the perfect opportunity to go out and enlist. As such, after making sure his pants were b.u.t.toned, and his tunic didn't have any traces of last night's meal, he trodded out of the alley. It was a simple action, but when he left, a few of the other beggars began to stalk his tent. They may not have the physical capabilities to mug someone, but it was quite common for them to scavenge through Leon's canopy whenever he left. Though, as sc.u.mmy as they seemed, it was to Leon's delight that they willingly left his bed, most of the time.

Moving through the streets, Leon weaved through the huge crowds of people. A plethora of merchants set up shops on the sides of the road, selling their merchandise to the residents. The aroma of well-cooked food and deserts wafted into the air, mixing with each other and causing Leon's stomach to grumble in protest. One of the highlights of the city was its fantastic street food.

Ignoring his hunger, Leon soon made it to one of the more grand buildings in Sul'Tharra. It may be a few levels lower than the church, but it was still great nonetheless. Bricks were layered atop each other, forming a dome-like shape that enclosed the most critical doc.u.ments of Sul'Tharra. Housing, financials, and even citizens.h.i.+p certificates were stored inside.

It also happened to be the place where one would enlist into the military — the town hall. Standing in front of the broad door, two armored knights watched the entrance with a hawk-like gaze. Once again, that same lion-like sigil was etched onto their breastplate, but Leon didn't pay it much mind.

Since he wasn't a criminal, he walked up toward the door without much change in expression.

"Halt!" The man on the right roared, placing his hand on the hilt of his blade.

As ordered, Leon stopped dead in his tracks, letting the sentinel of the left check his body for weapons. The st.u.r.dy gauntlets caressed Leon's worn-down pockets and b.u.t.tocks, only moving to a halt once it pa.s.sed over most of his body.

"He's good!" The man said after a moment of hesitation, glancing back at his companion. "Though, he's a bit dirty for the mayor's taste..."

Bored, the knight who had been on the right, rolled his eyes. "Who cares?" He asked, lazily. "We were only ordered to check for potential threats, not filthy beggars."

"I suppose you're right," the body checker replied, allowing Leon pa.s.sage with a conflicted expression.

It wasn't as though Leon were deff; it was just that the two knights held little to no regard for his presence. In fact, almost no citizens would care about the life and death of a beggar. That was just how things worked.

Smiling wryly, Leon thanked the guard with a nod of his head and walked through the door. The insides weren't very unusual, and he glazed over them. Instead, his attention was focused on the front desk, upheld by a beautiful clerk. Standing just a few paces away from the wooden podium, her voluptuous body and vixen-like facial structure could not be shrouded by the gla.s.ses resting on the bridge of her nose. With back hair cascading down her shoulders and flowing into what seemed to be the most serene of lakes, the likes of her beauty could be found far, and few in between.

Unfazed by such an appearance, Leon walked up to the podium. Back on Earth, amazing women would be shown on television and magazines all of the time, so it wasn't anything special. Furthermore, it was improbable that a world still settled in the medieval era would have advanced beauty products such as the ones on Earth. Therefore, such a city toppling appearance was nothing special to him.

"Excuse me, miss," Leon greeted. "I'm looking to enlist into the military. I heard from a good source that we'll be venturing into Bloodthorn Forest in just thirty days from now."

Turning her head, the woman scrunched up her nose and glanced down at Leon with disdain. "Before that, you should think about taking a shower," she responded, irked. "The mayor hates nothing more than a beggar brat scrounging for sc.r.a.ps of silver and food, beat it!" She snapped, unwilling to look at Leon even for a second longer.

Annoyed, Leon took another step forward. "I don't care about how bad I smell. I know you need soldiers, and I fit the criteria!" He pleaded, gripping both of his fists.

Even more piqued than before, the clerk was just about to call a few guards when a tall man waltzed inside the building. His face couldn't be considered handsome, but the rough edges made out for a very masculine display. Adorned in expensive garbs, he was allowed pa.s.sage even with a colossal battle-ax strapped to his back.

"What's the problem here, Veronica?" He asked after glancing around the room.

In response, the clerk, Veronica, exaggeratedly sighed into the palms of her hand. "Oh, Richard, this poor boy wants to become a soldier. Quite poetic, isn't it?" She said sarcastically.
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Frowning, Richard scrutinied Leon's dirty face and tacky clothes, nodding a second after. "The church has been looking for promising new recruits." He admitted. "Whether they are of poor or n.o.ble background is of no matter when joining the military, so just let him be, Veronica."

"But Richard, you know Alex is going to deny him entry, just look at him!" Veronica protested with a shrill voice, jabbing her finger into Leon's face.

Stroking his chin, Richard shook his head. "Alex has a somewhat twisted personality, but he can differentiate between trash and treasure. Give the boy a was.h.i.+ng, and I can guarantee that he won't be too hard on the eyes."

Doubtfully gazing over at Leon, Veronica harrumphed and turned her head away, unwilling to argue any further. In her hands was a piece of parchment with multiple words inked onto it. Although Leon could not read them as of now, it was still easy to understand just what the doc.u.ment was.

"Thank you!" Leon bowed his head toward Richard, seizing the paper just a moment after. Naturally, it was the contract that entailed his future occupation — a soldier for the Empire.

Leon glazed over the unfamiliar language and found his gaze lingering toward the empty s.p.a.ces, unsure of where to sign. Not to mention his lack of writing utensils, Leon had no idea where to even begin.

"See? I told you he was just another country b.u.mpkin. He can't even read, nor write!" Veronica sneered.

Hearing this, even Leon reached the limits of his patience. Although he had been treated as pa.s.sing wind for a while now, it was with considerable power of will that he hadn't stepped up and smacked the gal across the face. It was the firm belief that a man should never harm a woman that he forcefully held himself back, but even he was nearing complete insanity.

To his luck, however, Richard stepped in before Veronica took it too far. "Settle down, Veronica, nearly all of the poor men and women are illiterate. h.e.l.l, even the late Duke of Silundar started off as a commoner." He interjected, s.n.a.t.c.hing the doc.u.ment from Leon's hands.

Afterward, he got down on one knee and flashed a smile toward Leon. "Here, this is where you sign your name, and these are the terms," Richard patiently explained, not missing a single detail.

"So, I will only have to work at the Empire for a total of four years. Then I have to sign another agreement if I wish to remain enlisted?" Leon questioned, stroking his chin, which was absent of hair.

"Indeed. Still, if any mishaps were to occur, you will be effectively discharged or imprisoned!" Richard warned with a stern voice, handing a nearby quill pen to Leon.

Taking the pen, Leon readily signed his name onto the doc.u.ment. If it were Veronica informing him of the terms, he might have been a little doubtful, but he trusted Richard. After all, he was the first "kind" person after Ronny that he had met thus far.

Besides, Leon was well-aware of most of the terms due to Ronny, so it was more of a test than anything. So, after signing, Leon handed the piece of paper back to Veronica. "What's next?" He asked, a little excited.

Richard patted Leon on the back and couldn't help but heartily laugh at the sight. "Silly boy, you'll have to go through training before truly becoming a soldier!" He informed, grabbing Leon's frail shoulder.

"I'll lead you to the training grounds so that you can get acquainted with the new squadron," Richard spoke while dragging Leon out of the town hall. "But first, you'll need to take a bath!"

Smiling, Leon nodded his head. If he was being candid, his nose had long gotten used to the rancid odor. Two weeks of no bathing and being surrounded by other beggars was an experience he would've never imagined himself being in. On Earth, it was strange for anyone to go without showering at least once every two days. In most cases, especially for those that perspired a lot, two showers a day were not uncommon.

"I'll let you use my barrel for the night, so you can be in top shape, come morning," Richard offered, leading Leon through the crowded streets.

Thankful, Leon shook his head. "You've already done far too much for me as it is, so I'll have to decline your gracious proposal."

He had met many people in his life, and very few of them helped others for nothing in return. It was a rare trait, and better left unabused, so Leon had no plans to overstep his bounds. "Thank you again. But, I must go on my own way for the night. Shall we meet back at the town hall tomorrow at daybreak?"

A bit tongue-tied, Richard reluctantly nodded his head. "Very well, but you must be safe." He replied.

Chuckling, Leon began wandering his way back to the little hut. "There's nothing much in Sul'Tharra that'll harm me, but thank you for the reminder!" He waved back, soon leaving Richard's line of sight.

It was not as though he didn't want to bathe, but it was a bad idea to involve himself too much with an influential figure. He was still unaware of the current power structure, so it would be harmful to step into the political scene at the very beginning of his journey. Additionally, Leon just wanted to obtain his d.a.m.n cla.s.s. Based on his limited knowledge, magic and sorcery were widespread things in this world!