Shattered Innocence: Transmigrated Into a Novel as an Extra

Chapter 114: The Plan

The next morning, the inn was already bustling with early risers. As I descended the stairs to the common room, the scent of fresh bread and bacon filled the air, along with the hum of quiet conversation. I made my way to a corner table, sitting down as a few curious glances flicked my way from the other patrons.

I ignored them, my focus drifting to the task ahead. The bandits were still scattered, but now that I knew their locations, it wouldnʼt take long to start making my way through them.

As I waited for breakfast, snippets of conversation floated over from a nearby table, catching my attention.

”Did you hear? The Baronʼs sonʼs been kidnapped by Korvanʼs men,” a man whispered, his voice barely audible over the clatter of dishes.

”Yeah, I heard. They say Baron Edris is offering a huge reward for anyone who can take down Korvan and bring his son back.”

”Gold and land, no less! Every fighter within a hundred miles is going to be flocking to Rackenshore to try their luck. Itʼs going to be chaos.”

My lips twitched into a faint smirk as I leaned back in my chair. ʼSo, theyʼve finally started to make their move,ʼ I thought, mildly amused by the desperation of the baronʼs offer. Of course, gold and land would attract all kinds of riffraff, but none of them would be capable of doing what needed to be done. Still, it was amusing that they were willing to go so far.

Just then, Greta approached, a warm smile on her face as she set a plate of food in front of me. ”Good morning, sir,” she greeted cheerfully. ”Is there anything else youʼd like?”

I nodded toward the table of gossipers. ”Whatʼs all this talk about a decree?” I asked casually, picking up my fork. ”Something about a reward?”

Gretaʼs smile faltered slightly, her eyes darting to the other table before returning to me. ”Oh, yes,” she said quietly, lowering her voice. ”Baron Edris Wyndhallʼs son was kidnapped last night. The baronʼs offering a reward to anyone who can bring him back and put an end to Korvanʼs bandits.”

She paused, her brow furrowing in concern. ”Itʼs dangerous business, though. Korvanʼs men are... well, theyʼre not to be trifled with.”

”Dangerous,” I mused, taking a bite of the bread. ”And yet, thereʼs a reward.”

Greta nodded, her hands fidgeting nervously. ”Yes, a large one. Gold, land... enough to set someone up for life. But... it wonʼt be easy.

Those bandits have terrorized this town for years, and now, with the baronʼs son taken, theyʼre more vicious than ever.”

I glanced at Greta, her concern genuine. ”And what do you think will happen?” I asked, leaning back slightly.

She hesitated, glancing around the room as if to make sure no one was listening. ”I donʼt know,” she admitted softly. ”But I fear that things will only get worse before they get better. With so many mercenaries and fighters coming into town, itʼs bound to bring more trouble.”

Her words hung in the air, but I could sense that there was something more, something she wasnʼt saying. ”It seems youʼre worried about something else,” I noted, watching her expression carefully.

Greta bit her lip, then sighed. ”Itʼs just... the baronʼs son, Ron... heʼs not exactly... well, people say heʼs... how do I put this politely...”

”An arrogant fool?” I finished for her, raising an eyebrow.

Greta winced but nodded. ”Yes. Heʼs... made some enemies, even among those who should be helping. If it wasnʼt for his fatherʼs influence, well, letʼs just say heʼd be in trouble more often.”

I hummed thoughtfully, absorbing her words. So, the baronʼs son wasnʼt exactly beloved, even by his own people. That made things more interesting. Still, none of that mattered in the grand scheme. The bandits were my concern, not the boyʼs personality.

”Well,” I said, finishing my food, ”thank you for the information.”

Greta smiled, though it was more subdued this time. ”Of course, sir. Be careful out there.”

I gave her a nod and stood, heading for the door. ʼA bounty, huh?ʼ I thought, amused at the idea of being rewarded for something Iʼd planned to do anyway. ʼIʼll take care of the bandits... and the rest will fall into place.ʼ

As I made my way toward the door, Vitaliaraʼs voice echoed in my mind, her tone laced with amusement. [A reward for something you were going to do anyway? Sounds like youʼre about to make an easy profit.]

”Seems like that,” I replied, adjusting the grip on my estoc. ”Although Iʼve already taken care of two of Korvanʼs subordinates, Lothar and Loren. Itʼs only a matter of time before the rest of them come looking for revenge.”

[They will,] she agreed, her tail flicking lazily as she perched on my shoulder in her cat form. [Though I have to say, these humans are quite interesting. Youʼve already done the hard work, and now theyʼre scrambling to throw gold and land at you.]

”I doubt they know I was the one who killed Lothar and Loren,” I mused. ”And if they did, they wouldnʼt be so eager to offer a reward. After all, who would pay a man whoʼs already taken care of half the problem?”

[True,] Vitaliara purred, [but itʼs amusing, isnʼt it? The baron is desperate to save his son, and yet he has no idea that youʼve already done more than any of these so-called mercenaries could dream of.]

I smirked at her comment. ”Humans tend to rely on grand gestures when theyʼre cornered. They donʼt realize the quiet work is already being done behind the scenes.”

[Still,] she continued thoughtfully, [youʼve drawn more attention than I expected. With the baron issuing this decree, itʼs only a matter of time before more people start sniffing around. Not just for Korvan, but for you.]

”That was the main point.”

[The main point?] Vitaliara asked her tone a mix of curiosity and surprise.

I glanced around, noticing how more and more people were gathering in small groups, clearly buzzing about the baronʼs new decree. ”The reason I asked for an identity and a letter of recommendation isnʼt just for convenience,” I explained, my voice lowering slightly. ”Itʼs about legitimacy.”

[Legitimacy?] she echoed a soft purr accompanying her question. [Youʼve never seemed too concerned with how others see you. Why now?]

A small smile tugged at my lips as I considered her words. ”Itʼs not about how they see me, but how I position myself in the world,” I said. ”My reputation will spread, especially after dealing with Korvan and his men. Thatʼs part of the plan—build a name, attract stronger opponents, and rise through the ranks.”

[But without legitimacy,] she added thoughtfully, [youʼll just be seen as another outlaw. A powerful one, but a criminal nonetheless.]

”Exactly,” I nodded. ”If I donʼt establish myself with proper recognition, Iʼll constantly be hunted, not just by enemies, but by the authorities. Iʼd spend more time running than fighting, and thatʼs not what I want. Thatʼs why itʼs crucial that this whole series of events—the baronʼs decree, Korvanʼs downfall—spreads far and wide. Itʼll give me the legitimacy I need.”

ʼAnd it is also important for me to have legitimacy and connections so that I can enter the academy.ʼ

This world is a world of romance fantasy, and it is from a book named Shattered Innocence.

ʼFor the sake of the promise, I must enter the academy.ʼ

At first, I did not want to have anything with the main cast or the storyline of the novel, but then, after Master was involved and requested that I look after his daughter at his last breath, it became a promise.

ʼAnd while I am at it, I will also close those ends.ʼ

Family…..

It was indeed a word that I did not like.

But at the same time, it was something that I would eventually need to face.

That is why I need to build a reputation.

ʼSo that you can understand what you have lost.ʼ

The revenge I want to take.

I donʼt want to destroy those who abandoned me.

That would be too shallow.

What I want is different.

ʼThat will be my path.ʼ

But before that, I need to talk with someone.

”Letʼs go and meet that Roderick. He owes me an explanation.”

I need to be informed of what happened, and I am sure that he wants the same.

********

The morning sun cast a pale light over Rackenshore as I made my way to Roderickʼs quarters, the city still bustling with the baronʼs newly issued decree. Whispers of mercenaries and hunters filled the air, the scent of greed and desperation lingering like an invisible fog.

Vitaliara padded softly at my side, her ears twitching at every hushed conversation we passed. [You seem troubled,] she remarked, her voice sliding into my thoughts. [Thinking about your next move?]

”More like thinking about how Roderick managed to get this tangled mess started,” I replied. ”Issuing a decree like that while Ronʼs still in enemy hands—itʼs reckless.”

[Do you think theyʼll retaliate?] she asked, her tail flicking behind her.

”They will, without question. Korvanʼs men are no fools. If any of them hear about this decree, theyʼll realize the baronʼs playing a dangerous game. And that puts Ron in serious danger.”

We reached Roderickʼs quarters, the guards standing aside as I pushed open the door. Inside, the knight sat behind his desk; a map spread out before him, his brows furrowed in concentration.

”Roderick,” I called out, my tone firm. ”We need to talk.”

He looked up, his eyes narrowing as I approached. ”Lucavion. I was expecting you. I assume youʼve heard about the decree?”

”I have,” I replied, taking a seat opposite him without waiting for an invitation. ”And I also know youʼre smart enough to realize how reckless it was.”

Roderickʼs jaw tightened, but he remained composed. ”Reckless? We had no choice. Baron Edris is desperate to get his son back, and we needed to make a bold move. The decree will draw in the kind of manpower we need to finally deal with Korvan.”

I leaned forward, my gaze piercing into his. ”And what happens when Korvanʼs men, or worse, Korvan himself, find out about this? What do you think theyʼll do when they realize the baron is calling for their heads? Theyʼll kill Ron. Youʼre gambling with his life, and you know it.”

Roderickʼs expression faltered for just a moment, the weight of my words sinking in. ”We… weʼve taken precautions,” he said.

I shook my head, letting out a frustrated sigh. ”Youʼre dealing with bandits, not fools. If there are any of Korvanʼs men within the city—and Iʼm certain there are—theyʼll know soon enough. Theyʼll put two and two together, and when they do, Ronʼs life is forfeit.”

”We know that.”

”Then….”

”There is someone amongst Korvanʼs men that is working with us.”

At that moment, a bomb was revealed.