Time Travel? Rebirth? I Win This Time!

In stark contrast to the grim-faced Mike Bai, who had been hearing the tale of the "Legendary Knight," Ginn hummed a cheerful tune, clearly satisfied with the story.

"Ginn, you don't seriously believe such a ridiculous story, do you?"

If Ginn had answered yes, Mike Bai would have likely given him a knock on the head, just to see what might be rattling inside.

"Of course not," Ginn said, giving Mike Bai a curious look. He couldn't understand why Mike Bai would ask such a foolish question.

"The story talks about thunder and old men in the mountains—how could that possibly be true?"

As Mike Bai spoke, his expression shifted slightly, as if two parts of that story might actually be true.

Ahem. Mike Bai cleared his throat theatrically. "Ginn, is it possible that I might actually be Mike Bai Adler?"

"Hahaha!" Ginn sized Mike Bai up from head to toe, then burst into laughter, clutching his stomach. "That's the best joke I've heard all year!"

Seeing Mike Bai's face darken, Ginn finally managed to stop laughing, his chuckles trailing off. It took a moment for him to regain his composure. "Sorry, Enno. I didn't mean to laugh, but that was just too funny."

Mike Bai crossed his arms and scowled. "So, you're saying there's no chance I could be Mike Bai Adler?"

"Even if the story isn't quite as it was told, a knight named Mike Bai should be tall, handsome, and incredibly strong. But you..." Ginn stifled another laugh, eyeing Mike Bai's height, which barely touched 5 feet, and his scrawny arms, paired with an adorable face. Ginn chose his words carefully. "Enno, maybe you should wait a few years before you start impersonating a knight."

Mike Bai, fuming, raised a small fist and chased after Ginn, their laughter echoing along the country road. But today, Ginn, usually meticulous about covering their tracks, forgot all about hiding their presence.

The next day, a rotund tax collector rode slowly down the road on a small donkey, two guards in heavy armor, armed with spears, trudging along behind him. The sweat-drenched tax collector wore a sour expression, despite successfully collecting over 100 silver dinars in taxes and a 20-silver dinar bribe from Miramas town. Still, the amount fell short of his expectations.

"Those bathhouse girls were something else," he mumbled, reminiscing about the pleasures he'd indulged in, saliva practically dripping from his mouth. But that also meant his little savings were quickly dwindling.

As he continued to scheme about where he might find a little extra, his sharp eyes caught sight of wagon tracks leading into the depths of the forest.

"Damn poachers, they're probably hunting in the lord's forest again!" The tax collector shouted in apparent outrage, though his mind was already calculating his next move.

"Let's go! We'll make sure these tax evaders pay ten times the usual amount," he ordered, leading his guards through the tracks toward the forest.

After a while, they came upon a clearing with a small wooden cabin where Ginn was chopping firewood.

The tax collector observed the scene for a moment, then subtly signaled to his guards. One of the guards, quick to cooperate, crept forward, though they were far too clumsy for stealth. They stepped on a broken branch, snapping it loudly.

"Who's there?" Ginn immediately tensed, raising his axe in defense.

With no point in hiding now, the tax collector arrogantly stepped forward, his two guards flanking him, and declared, "I am the tax collector for this forest, in the service of Baron March!"

"Ah, it's the tax collector!" Ginn's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't expected his carelessness yesterday would result in him being found out today.

"And you, boy!" The tax collector barked. "Have you paid any taxes for hunting in the lord's forest?"

The guards closed in menacingly, their spears jabbing the air, forcing Ginn to feel the weight of their presence.

"Uh... I'm not sure how much I'm supposed to pay," Ginn stammered, sweat pouring down his palms as the situation grew tense.

The tax collector snorted in disdain, his large nostrils flaring. "Poachers like you are required to pay a fine of at least 50 gold nomis."

"Wait, what? That's a mistake!" Ginn exclaimed, disbelief in his voice.

Just then, Mike Bai, who had been resting inside the cabin, heard the commotion outside. He stepped out, trying to assess the situation.

"And now, two of you?" The tax collector's eyes narrowed at the sight of Mike Bai. "That'll be at least 130 gold nomis!"

"Huh?" Mike Bai was still confused, unable to understand what was going on.

"Enno, what's happening?" Anna, now moving around with more ease, peeked out from behind Mike Bai, looking at the scene curiously.

The tax collector, originally planning to offer a discount in exchange for a bribe, now had a new idea upon seeing Anna. Her delicate features, pale skin, and flowing chestnut hair made her stand out. The air around her was filled with an aura of innocence and charm that the tax collector found irresistible.

A sly grin spread across his face.

"I bet you two can't afford it, but maybe we can settle this another way," he sneered. "I'll take her as payment."

He slapped the back of one guard's head, signaling him to seize Anna.

"No!" Ginn shouted, trying to intervene, but before he could say more, another guard punched him hard in the stomach, cutting off his words.

"Run, Enno!" Ginn cried, struggling to catch his breath.

"Get inside!" Mike Bai urgently grabbed Anna's arm, pulling her toward the cabin.

But the guards, seeing the wooden cabin with no windows, slowed their pace, their footsteps growing more deliberate as they entered.

Inside, Mike Bai and Anna huddled together in a corner, as if the wall could somehow offer them courage. The guards, meanwhile, looked at Anna with greedy eyes, their minds already imagining a dark future for her.

The firelight in the corner flickered, casting their shadows long and ominous, as they closed in, unaware of the cold, calculating glint in Mike Bai's eyes and the mischievous glint in Anna's.