With the nice weather and a alluring sweet scent in the air, a toddler greeted me saying that he was the new viscount.
"I thank you for preparing something grand for my arrival. However, I have a question viscount"
"Yes, please ask away baroness"
"I am not the type to beat around the bush so, can we go inside and discuss business matters?"
Just then, an adult step in.
"Forgive me for my rudeness, but baroness, won't it be a good idea to rest first after a long journey? I personally think-"
Tang!
The man was hit by a metal container. I made sure to him hard while staying 'graceful' as Emmanuel advised.
The man lost his balanced and fell down on the ground. Naturally, everyone else other than my escorts were surprise by my actions.
"First of all, you should introduce yourself before talking. Second, I don't think either me or the viscount gave you the right to speak"
"...."
"Well?"
The man then knelt down on one knee and bowed his head.
"I am the viscount's uncle, Edward Kruger. I am sorry for overstepping my boundaries, baroness. I hope you can forgive me for my impatience"
Ho~ Someone decent finally came. Decent in acting that is.
"I will let it slide this time, do reflect upon your own mistake"
Me and the viscount toddler went in to the Kruger's viscount office for generation after generation.
The knights stayed behind in a room and decided to sleep while some eat. Meanwhile, Emmanuel was standing right outside of the room by the door like the other knight who is the personal knight of the current viscount.
"Shall we get started, viscount?"
"I am sorry to say this but I am unable to answer any of your questions, baroness"
"...."
"Baroness, as you can see I am nothing but a child, only adults are allowed to go negotiate and continue the business of the family"
He is more direct than what I thought. Since the viscount's uncle was in a hurry earlier, I thought that their plan was only to make this kid greet me. But right now, this child doesn't even care about the fact that he is being used. What's more shocking is that he knows about it.
To think that they have already 'tutored' him to this extent... how disgusting.
" I see. If that is the case, I shall go to my room to rest"
I left the emotionless child behind and quietly closed the door. Or so they thought.
'Almas, make sure to go see what that child is doing. If anything happens, you are free to use any means to protect him. You can also show yourself if necessary'
-Understood. I shall take care of the child then, master.
"Emmanuel, let's go"
The two of us went to the room where the imperial knights were. I opened the door and a somewhat nostalgic but totally not comfortable memory came up as I saw the knights inside.
It was like a fraternity gathering in college.
Shock to see that I came in their room too early than what they thought, everyone was in a rush to grab their shirts to wear it.
"Stop. I don't mind, you guys can just relax"
As if they inherited John's thick skinned trait, the knights who was frantically trying to wear their shirts went back to their position when I entered while not giving a fuck about the situation since I told them not to.
"Listen you all, something smells foul here. So, let's do them a favor shall we?"
The imperial knights who looked like some sort of college guys in a gathering turned into dogs, wagging their tail for the treat I am waving.
Since they were working under John they also inherited John's crave for blood.
I laid out what they need to do. A simple plan where everyone have their own roles.
After a few hours, a maid came by to inform me that the entire Kruger family wishes to meet me.
We followed her and entered the room where most elders and those who have a high influence within the household are present.
"Is something the matter?"
"Baroness, forgive me for-"
Shing.
I unsheathed Emmanuel's sword and pointed it to the man.
"I ask "Is something the matter?" did I not? I do not want to hear your excuses. Now, I will ask again for one last time, is something the matter?"
"...."
The man adjusted his posture as he held up his head high.
"We would like to talk with you about the passage in your town"
"That's more like it" I returned the sword back to Emmanuel and sat down. "I did not came here to have some talk over tea. So I would like for you all to be direct as much as possible"
Everyone glanced at each other, asking who will be the one to ask me about their business matters.
A woman raised her hand and stood up after getting my attention.
"Baroness, as you have said we will be direct with you"
She took a pause to breathe so that her nervousness would subside before talking again.
"Why did the baroness killed the previous viscount as well as my brother, the one who was on a mission to renew the toll passage for the town?"
"The previous viscount died because he broke the nobles' law. As for your brother, he died due to treason"
"Treason?"
"Yes, treason. He dared to point his dagger at me that day because he didn't want to pay a mere seventy five silver coins when we had a meeting regarding renewal of the contract. It was an amazing sight honestly"
"I understand"
She sat down.
This time, an old woman raised her hand and stood up when I turned towards her.
"Baroness, will it be possible to make another contract with you?"
If I say I don't they will most likely steal the cards from the companies that were able to make a contract with me. But that does not mean I will though.
"No. Why should I? There is nothing for me to gain if I were to make a contract with you. And, let us not forget, my impression for the Krugers is not that good"
"Because of what, baroness?"
"Not only did the first one tried to kill me..."
He failed though.
"The second one who committed a severe crime"
Because he was an asshole.
"Now, the Krugers even made a child into the new viscount. A child who wasn't given any power whatsoever at making decision for the family at that"
"That is because of the twenty third law of nobles that was put into play by the king centuries ago, baroness"
A young man stood up and tried to make the situation better. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough to stop me.
"Really? It is true that the twenty third law says that only the offspring of the previous lord can inherit the title if the previous lord was not able to appoint an heir or leave his will. But that does not change the fact that you all took away his authority! His work as a noble!"
I stood up and walk to the center of the room, mad at their own greed.
"Not only that, but the current viscount is now being treated as a mascot! If you all really acknowledge him as the new viscount, you all would have taught him how to do his job!"
"...."
Everyone was silent. They cannot reject my words as it is the truth. Had they been more careful about going through this entire charade of theirs, they might have succeeded on making me believe that the child did had authority over the place.
"I will be taking that child with me"