Chapter 75 Schemes (1/2)
A hundred or so miles east of Wissen Town, there was a forested area filled with towering trees and thorny vines. There were no traces of humans. Even the hunters of the town rarely went there, much less the loggers.
But, as the sun set, many dark shadows flickered through this desolate area. They were like condors gliding over the snow-covered ground, only leaving behind a faint string of footprints, quickly covered by the accumulating snow.
Leaping over some shrubs and confirming that no one was following them, the black shadows who were dressed like warriors crawled into a small space under a piece of granite. A wave of cold air laced with snowflakes blew past, covering any evidence of their passage, from their scents to their footprints.
Behind the granite slab was a giant natural cave with many sharp stalactites. The ground was freezing, covered with a thick layer of ice.
”Lord, I was lucky. I have managed to obtain the latest information about the distribution of manpower and the patrol routes of the Banto forces!” After crawling into a dark green tent, the leading warrior knelt before a young man sitting comfortably in a large chair. He took out a thin piece of hide from within his robes and handed it over to an armed guard.
”Silom, if I remember correctly, you are currently still a baron?” The young man leaning on the chair took the thin hide and looked at the still wet ink, then paused and said, ”I hear that there is still an undeveloped piece of land in the Luya Valley. You have served me for this many years; it's about time you have a piece of land you can rule over!”
Land I can rule over?
”Thank you, Lord, for your generosity!” The warrior called Silom was elated to hear the offer.
According to the customs of the Tailun Continent, a baron held a title but no authority. They were not granted land, nor could their titles be passed on to their descendants. Only after being conferred the title of viscount were they given the authority to rule over land and the right to pass down their titles, truly stepping into the circle of nobles.
Even though the Luya Valley was at the southern tip of the empire and was called the Land of Wilderness, Silom was still incredibly excited. Advancing directly to the title of viscount was very, very rare.
”Silom, that is the reward you deserve!” Seeing the excited Silom, the opulently dressed young man let out a reserved smile. He then looked at the rest of the envious warriors and said slowly, ”We came to Wissen Town in secret to execute a difficult mission. But as long as we successfully complete the mission, each and every one of you will be heavily rewarded!”
”Thank you for taking care of us, Lord!” Silom would become a true noble once he returned home. Seeing that, the rest of the warriors were also excited and filled with hope. It was rumored that the lord was a generous man. It looked like that was true indeed.
”Silom, how are the negotiations going on the rations and armor?”
”Lord, this…” Silom was a little hesitant. He paused for a moment before clenching his teeth and saying, ”Lord, the other party is being too shameless. He asks for five hundred Purple Crystal Coins for a cart of barley. Even an arrow costs ten Purple Crystal Coins. These rates are ten times above the average price, so…”
Silom was covered in sweat as he looked at his leader, whose expression never showed what he was feeling. Silom had just received an unexpected conferment. If he ignited the fury of the lord because of his failure to negotiate the rations and armor, he wouldn't just lose his conferment, he might even have to be subjected to harsh punishment. After all, in the vast Rossi Empire, this Lord's strictness was as famous as his generosity.
It was rumored that once, the Lord took along a personal guardsman when he visited a minister. Before they went, he instructed his guard to change into formal attire. In the end, because the guard was rushing for time, he had not polished a small patch of dirt on the third button of his shirt, to the displeasure of the lord. For this offense, the unlucky guard had been sent to the army to wash the clothes of the soldiers for a whole year!
”Oh, does the other party require crystal coins?” Seeing Silom nervous and covered in sweat, the lord's expression did not change. He had been by his father's side for many years, and the thing that he had learned best was the technique to command his subordinates.
A hundred Purple Crystal Coins might be an astronomical sum to an average person, but to the Rossi Empire and its expanse of land and citizens, even tens of thousands of coins was a small sum. At such a critical moment, the lord did not care that he had to fork out more crystal coins. He was more worried about Yang Ling's motive for supporting them in the first place.
Just like Steve, the lord had also become very interested in Yang Ling and how he had become the main powerhouse in the town. Even though the lord had expended a great deal of effort, he was unable to find any clues regarding Yang Ling's background.