However, Lorist soon noticed something amiss. The noble coalition's representatives were far from jubilant over Count Cobry's downfall. Instead, they turned their spears against the
The representatives demanded that Lorist immediately withdraw from Gildos City, as well as Williams Mills Castle and Borduk Manor, seal off all supplies and assets, and await the noble coalition's reception and disposition. Among them, an old man with a goatee nearly poked his finger right at Lorist's nose in outrage. He believed that nailing Count Cobry to a cross was an affront to the dignity of the nobility, a provocation against every noble in the Kingdom of Redelis — no one could tolerate a noble being hung on a cross for public display like some lowly thief.
"Who are you?" Lorist was so furious he actually laughed, staring at the goateed old man before him who was jumping up and down, spitting and gesticulating wildly without the slightest restraint.
"I am Viscount Shinafu. As a noble, I demand that you, the head of this merchant caravan, show me the respect I am due. What right do you have to sit in the seat above us nobles?" the old man replied haughtily.
"Very well, Viscount Shinafu." Lorist stood up. "I consider your actions an insult to the Norton Family, and this is unforgivable. On behalf of the Norton Family, I hereby declare war upon your family. This will not end until one of us is destroyed."
"Sir Ross..."
"Present! I follow your lordship's orders!" Rod Wells stepped forward.
Studying the map, Lorist chuckled. "Viscount Shinafu's domain isn't far from William Mills Castle. I'll give you three days. Take your heavy armored lancer squadron, rendezvous with the forces at William Mills Castle, and sweep his territory clean. Don't let a single member of his family slip through.
"As you command, my lord! Your will is our mission!" Sir Ross cast a contemptuous glance at the seven representatives of the noble alliance, then strode out with his head held high and chest puffed out. Before long, his loud shouts could be heard from outside, along with the clamor of men and horses mustering. Soon after, the thunder of hooves rumbled forth and gradually faded into the distance.
The great hall fell deathly silent. Viscount Shinafu, whose arrogance had been so blustering moments before, had gone limp on the floor. He pointed a trembling finger at Lorist, his face deathly pale, unable to form a single word.
The remaining six representatives of the noble alliance looked ashen-faced, as though they had just realized they had overlooked something…
Finally, another elderly man with streaks of grey in his hair rose to his feet. "My lord, are you… are you not a merchant caravan?"
"Heh, I'm glad someone has noticed. Didn't you bother to inquire properly before coming here? We are not a merchant caravan. I am Baron Norton Lorist, head of the Norton Family of Northland. I am leading my family's caravan through these lands, heading north back to our domain," Lorist said.
"But my lord, as a noble, nailing Count Cobley to a cross like that is hardly befitting of noble status. Viscount Shinafu's accusations were not wrong," the grey-haired elder said with considerable courage.
"You raise a fair point, but I did not carry out that punishment in the capacity of a noble. The man I nailed to that cross for public display was none other than Redbeard, the bandit who once robbed and plundered merchant caravans across Porto Orgue province, committing countless atrocities. Perhaps you find that hard to believe, so please, take a look at this diary. It is a firsthand account written by Count Cobley himself, detailing how he robbed merchant caravans in Porto Orgue province. There are several more like it. Reddy, show these diaries to the lords," Lorist said.
The evidence was ironclad, and the six representatives of the noble alliance had nothing left to say…
"My lord, is the Norton Family the same Roaring Bear that once guarded the empire's northern frontier? And how did you come into conflict with Count Cobley?" Another representative, this one portly of build, rose and asked.
Lorist nodded. "Yes, our family is the Roaring Bear of the Northland. I spent ten years studying in
"It was precisely these prisoners who revealed that Count Cobley was none other than Redbeard, the bandit who once terrorized Porto Orgue province. If any of you are interested, you may examine the records on Redbeard kept in Porto Orgue province. Seven years ago, our Norton Family's merchant caravan encountered Redbeard and was completely wiped out. For all these years, our family has been searching for Redbeard, and we finally found the trail. For this reason, we declared war on Count Cobley and successfully captured him and all his bastard sons in one sweep."
"My lord, it was our misunderstanding. We assumed you were a merchant caravan, which is why we objected to your occupation of Count Cobley's territorial city. Ignorance is no crime — please let Viscount Snav go. He will apologize to the Norton Family for his inappropriate behavior." The portly noble alliance representative pleaded on Viscount Snav's behalf.
He took several letters from a box on the nearby table.
"You may examine these letters. After capturing Geldos City, we discovered them in Count Cobley's study. The sender is signed as Viscount Snav, who informed Count Cobley of the noble alliance's movements and plans on multiple occasions, and expressed that he would do everything in his power to undermine the alliance's unity, provoke internal strife, and so on. I had originally intended to hand these letters over to you during this meeting, so you could root out the venomous snake hiding among your ranks. I never expected him to show up right before my own eyes — isn't that just seeking his own death?"
The six noble alliance representatives stared at the letters in their hands in utter disbelief, their bodies trembling...
Suddenly, the white-haired old man flung the letters aside, lunged at Viscount Snav who had collapsed on the ground, and began beating him savagely about the head. Punching and kicking wasn't enough — he actually opened his mouth and clamped his teeth down on one of Snav's ears, drawing a piercing shriek from the viscount.
The other representatives rushed over and struggled to pull the two apart. The white-haired old man was truly ruthless; he had bitten clean through a piece of Viscount Snav's ear and swallowed it whole. Sitting there with a blood-streaked mouth, he wailed: "My son, my Benny, you died so unjustly..."
The portly representative explained to Lorist with a bitter smile: "Baron Doukla is overcome with grief. His son, Sir Benny, once led a squad to attack one of Count Cobley's warehouses, only to fall into an ambush where his entire force was wiped out. It was only when Baron Doukla read the letters just now that he discovered the attack had been leaked by Viscount Snav — that was how Count Cobley knew to set the ambush..."
Lorist expressed deep sympathy for Baron Doukla. "Being betrayed by one's own, resulting in the sacrifice of a loved one, is indeed a very hard truth to bear. Please convey my condolences to Baron Doukla and ask him to restrain his grief. As for Viscount Snav, I will hand over his family and territory to the noble alliance to deal with. So many unexpected situations have arisen today that our meeting clearly cannot continue. I suggest you all rest for a few days before we resume our discussions."
The portly representative bowed deeply to Lorist. "Your Lordship Norton, may I presume to ask what you wish to discuss with us?"
Lorist returned the bow courteously. "And you are...?"
The portly representative straightened up, pushing out his large belly. "I am Baron Henderson. My family crest is a sharpened spearhead."
"A pleasure, Baron. What I wish to discuss with the noble alliance is the matter of Count Cobley's territories. Our Norton Family convoy still needs to press northward, and I have no desire to leave a mess behind us. Furthermore, we have rescued seven noble young ladies whose entire families perished. As a noble, I cannot turn a blind eye — I must lend my aid. Once all of this is settled, we will be departing Goldos City," Lorist said.
"Um..." The portly Baron Henderson was somewhat stunned. By the unwritten customs among nobles, when two territorial lords waged war, the victor claimed everything and naturally held the right to dispose of the defeated. Lorist was a noble who had defeated Count Cobley, so he naturally possessed the victor's prerogative over the conquered territory — it was all his spoils of war. So when the noble alliance received word that the armed leader of the convoy that had defeated Count Cobley wished to discuss matters with them, they had naturally assumed the convoy belonged to some merchant guild — that was why they had been so arrogant, believing their noble status placed them above the rest. They had even dismissed the family crests and the rage bear banner borne by the light cavalry escorting them as mere guild insignia.
"Lord Norton, you mean to say you intend to leave and abandon Goldos City?" Though Baron Henderson was fat, his mind was sharp enough, and he grasped the implications quickly.
"Yes. My family's territory lies in the northern wastelands. The Norton Family has always upheld the oath to guard the empire's borderlands. Though the empire no longer exists, I still intend to return to the Northland. We passed through here and destroyed Count Cobley's family — partly to settle an old grudge, and partly out of indignation at his cruel treatment of the territorial nobles. Now that Count Cobley's family has been reduced to ashes, our Norton Family convoy must continue northward. As for the thirteen territorial lords' lands that Count Cobley swept away, as well as Williamsmirs Castle and Goldos City — how these should be handled, I believe I ought to discuss it with you distinguished members of the noble alliance. After all, your alliance was formed specifically to resist Count Cobley, so you have every right to have a say."
Lorist's words fell upon the alliance representatives like a pie from the heavens. Even Baron Doukla, who had been sitting on the ground wailing, stopped crying and sat there with his mouth agape, staring blankly at Lorist.
Fatty Shi walked over, gave a knight's salute, and helped the old man to his feet. He then had the servants bring a washbasin and fine linen towels for cleaning up. After that, he waved for the guards to drag Viscount Snav — who lay curled on the ground clutching his ear and whimpering — away to a holding cell.
Baron Henderson was the first to recover. He bent deeply at the waist once more. "Respected Baron Norton, your character is bright enough to rival the sun and moon, and it shames us vulgar folk. We wonder, however, what the noble alliance might do for you in return? If there is any way we may be of service, please do not hesitate to say the word."
This time, Baron Henderson automatically disregarded the fact that Lorist had not yet inherited his title, dropping the honorific "Your Excellency" and directly pinning the Baron title on Lorist. Moreover, Baron Henderson knew the meaning of the saying "there's no such thing as a free lunch," and got straight to the point, asking Lorist what his demands were.
"Friends and relatives. Unfortunately, the Terboli Viscount's family suffered a catastrophe, and now only Mr. Tim carries the bloodline. During our caravan's battle with Count Colbey, Mr. Tim rendered us great assistance. Therefore, I have decided to have Mr. Tim become the heir to the Terboli Viscounty, to carry on the Terboli family's bloodline. I hope this will be recognized by the noble alliance, so that Mr. Tim can smoothly inherit the viscounty."
"Absolutely no problem. Many of us know Mr. Tim. Since the entire Terboli Viscount family perished, it is only natural for Mr. Tim to carry on the bloodline and inherit the viscounty." Baron Henderson agreed without hesitation.
"Second, the Baron Enler whose territory adjoins the Terboli Viscounty also lost his entire family, leaving only a Miss Enler who was imprisoned. We have now rescued Miss Enler. She and Mr. Tim are fond of each other, so I have decided to have them wed as husband and wife. I hope this newly married couple can receive everyone's blessings…"
"That is only right. We shall bless them and send wedding gifts." The six noble alliance representatives spoke in unison.
"Third, as everyone knows, the Terboli Viscounty and the Enler Barony have suffered Count Colbey's devastation time and again. The territories lie in ruins, devoid of all life. Therefore, I have decided to hand over the Bodoke Manor Castle territory to the Tim couple as compensation. I hope this too will be recognized by the noble alliance, with an oath sworn not to encroach upon it, so as not to disturb this couple's peace after all their hardships. Of course, as compensation, I shall hand over William Mills Castle and Gerdos City to the noble alliance, along with the title deeds of thirteen territories whose lords have been lost, and six noble ladies who were likewise imprisoned by Count Colbey and whom we have rescued. Oh, and the nearly ten thousand relatives of the fallen soldiers under Count Colbey's command may also be handed over to you for disposition."
Baron Henderson felt his throat go dry, unable to speak. He exchanged a glance with the other representatives and said, "Lord Norton, if you have any further demands, please present them all at once. This is beyond what we can decide. I shall report your demands to the members of the noble alliance and invite them to convene here for a noble council to deliberate on how to handle these matters. Would that be acceptable to you?"
"Certainly. My final request is that our family caravan remain in Gerdos City for a while longer — roughly one month. Given the caravan's enormous size and vast scale, a great deal of preparation is needed before we can continue northward. I hope you will understand. Of course, our caravan has brought along a great deal of weaponry and equipment. If any of you are in need, we can provide them at favorable prices."
……
After Baron Henderson and the other representatives sent out their letters, noble after noble arrived at Gerdos City over the following days with their retainers in tow. Meanwhile, Bodofinger and Sir Ross led the heavy-armored lancer squadron in a surprise raid that swept away the Snav Viscounty, making the noble alliance all too aware of the Norton Family's formidable might.
Seven days later, the noble council finally convened in Gerdos City. On the first day, every participant in the noble council agreed in full to Lorister's demands. Lorister then handed over half the control of both Williamsmills Castle and Gerdos City to the council, along with the title deeds and documents for six noble young ladies and thirteen lordless fiefs. He also transferred to the council nearly ten thousand relatives of the soldiers of Count Cobley who were being held in the slave camp — even that Viscount Snav and his entire family were handed over to the council for disposition.
From that day onward, the noble council plunged into a state of daily bickering and fistfights. The only decision they managed to make was to execute Viscount Snav and the male members of his family as a warning to traitors. But how to handle the Snav Viscounty sparked yet another round of arguments within the council.
Fatty Shi had been having a wonderful time these past days. He was only too happy for the council to fight as viciously as possible — nobles had been streaming to the caravan in an endless procession to purchase weapons and equipment, and grain, horses, cloth, and other supplies were pouring steadily into the caravan's warehouses.
Lorister now commanded four heavy-armored lancer squadrons and two pikeman battalions. Even the gold-ranked mercenary Zeno Falea had been persuaded by Josk to agree to follow the caravan north. Lorister appointed him as the battalion commander of the newly formed pikeman battalion. Just as Fatty Shi had said, with the caravan's current military strength, crushing any short-sighted territorial noble would be a trivial matter — hardly worth mentioning.
February arrived, and after bidding farewell to Fatty Shi, Bodofinger, Ald, and the other Family Knights, Lorister quietly departed the caravan and set out on the northward journey. He brought only Sidekamp, Patty, Reddy, and Josk — the latter insisting on coming along no matter what.
……