"Three hundred gold coins, that's my absolute limit. Hudson, you should know this is not a small amount, almost catching up with the income of the domain in half a year," argued the Lady Baron, tirelessly. However, Hudson responded with nothing more than laughter, wholly abstaining from the haggling.
If it had been the predecessor, he might have really been misled. Half a year's income from the domain may sound frightening, but there's a huge margin within this statement.
If their income was really as limited, it's likely that the Baron's mansion would be in dire straits. Not many freemen exist these days; the majority of the domain people are serfs attached to the nobles.
There are over ten thousand people in the entire baron's territory. Even with only a middle school level of math, Hudson knows his family's income is not merely what's on the surface.
Under-reporting income is an unwritten rule amongst the noble consortium. Although the King only collects business tax, the church demands tithes!
As devoted believers, it's natural not to resist the church's tithes. Therefore, it's best to find ways to reduce income.
If the annual per capita income of the territory is less than a silver coin, with even feeding on fodder being challenging, yet being able to pay the tithe on time, clearly, the Koslow clan is the most devoted believer of the Lord of the Dawn.
"Three hundred gold coins, plus a superior warhorse and a set of armor. Hudson, you are now a knight, you need your own knight equipment," the Lady Baron promised once again.
Upon hearing this answer, Hudson rolled his eyes. It was clear she was treating him like a child. Becoming a knight indeed requires equipment, but he believed his cheap old man would have it prepared.
As a traditional noble, Baron Redman is extremely concerned about face; there's no way he would make a fool of himself in this respect.
While he does have multiple sons, and his wallet is a little thin, Laisol was a write-off, right?
Not only would it save a significant expense, but the buffer of a few years would also provide ample time to recover, it shouldn't be difficult.
Only the Lady Baron failed to see the situation, still tirelessly advocating for Laisol. In reality, the moment the incident took place, Laisol was abandoned.
Clan resources, don't even think about it. Even if Baron Redman, out of his deep love for his children, was willing to continue the investment, the other members of the Koslow clan would not allow it.
"400 Gold Coins!"
"Hudson, that's all the cash I can mobilize. Any further, and your father will find out," the Lady Baron said helplessly.
Although she officially holds economic power in the mansion, the actual decision-maker is Baron Redman. The money she can move is from, at most, her small private fund, and there's not much in cash.
"Let the remaining one hundred gold coins be offset by items! Demon cores, crystal stones can do, I believe the lady wouldn't go back on this petty amount," said Hudson, pretending to be generous.
That obnoxious expression sparked the suppressed anger in the Lady Baron to flare up again. Before she could burst, Hudson spoke again:
"Lady, go get the money quickly. Please also invite the Baron over. I'll go see poor Laisol first. He has been hanging for almost three days, still injured. If we delay any longer, who knows what could happen."
With that, he turned around and left, not giving the Lady Baron a chance to speak, as if he was confident of her compliance.
With a fervent stomp of her foot, the Lady Baron, who was burning with rage, suddenly calmed down. To marry into a noble family from the merchant class and firmly hold the position of the mistress, her political wisdom might fall a little short, but her skills in managing domestic conflicts were second to none.
Now, regardless of the reason, if a fight breaks out, it's her who stands to lose. Who told her son to trick his mother?
If outsiders mistakenly thought that the switch of Life Essence was her doing, then it would be all over. In this Continent of Aslante, divorce is very difficult, but becoming a widow is very simple.
Unlike an alliance through marriage with nobles, the Lady Baron, unsupported by her mother's clan, simply couldn't withstand such turmoil.
...
Strolling through the ancient castle, Hudson went to where Laisol was bound only after the gold coins were accounted for.
"Hanging", was clearly an exaggerated term. Although the Baron had given such an order, the executing guards were not dull.
After all, he is the baron's son. If anything should happen to him by accident, they would be the ones to suffer.
The original "hang on the post" had now changed to "sitting beside the post", with a maid beside him shooing away mosquitoes, and a plate of fruit nearby.
If it weren't for the rope tying Laisol to the post and his increasingly disheveled appearance, it would be hard to believe he was being punished.
Seeing Hudson approaching, the two guards tasked with watching Laisol immediately felt uncomfortable. Having curried favor with one master, only to displease another, was clearly not a wise choice.
Hudson was not an easy target either, with two elder brothers protecting him. It was no secret that the young masters of the Baron's Mansion were divided into two major factions.
One with the right of inheritance, and the other backed by the Lady of the mansion. If it wasn't for Baron Redman's restraint, a conflict would have already broken out.
Sides to choose?
Don't joke. None of them were fools.
Now they had to please the lady of the house, but in the future, they had to align with the other party. How to choose?
"Young Master Hudson, you're here."
Nodding, Hudson harbored no grudge against the guards. In this strictly hierarchical world, it was not unreasonable for the insignificant ones to side with the powerful for survival.
"What happened? Laisol, my poor brother, how did you end up tied here?"
"What are you standing there for? Quickly untie him and let him down! My poor…"
If one didn't know what was going on, they would think this was an instance of profound brotherly love. But in reality, these two of similar age had been at odds since they were children.
"Enough, Hudson. There's no need for you to pretend here. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been punished by father!"
Now, get lost right now! I don't want to see you, not even for a second!"
Laisol roared angrily at Hudson.
Instead of being annoyed, Hudson's expression showed even more sympathy.
"Poor Laisol, you're so confused that you don't even recognize your dearest brother."
Well, let him down for now. I'll deal with our father. If he were not my brother, I would not allow him to suffer like this!"
…"
Such a touching scene left the guards at a loss, completely forgetting their duties temporarily.
Before they could recover, Hudson had already drawn his Knight Sword, cutting the ropes and proving his sincerity with action.
Just then, a majestic middle-aged man walked over: it was indeed Baron Redman.
Apparently, he had seen everything that happened.
He sternly glared at the guards and kicked Laisol, who was beside the post, into the air and without pausing he said, "Hudson, stay here. Someone take this beast away."
Seeing that everyone was still in shock, Lady Baron, who followed closely behind, hurriedly added, "What are you waiting for? Take Young Master Laisol and treat his injuries at once!"
Even the best pretense couldn't hide Hudson's perception of Lady Baron's anguish. Baron Redman's kick was a heavy one, sending someone flying three to four meters.
If it weren't for Laisol's strong physique and training, a person of normal constitution, even if didn't die, would be seriously injured. It was clear that Baron Redman was genuinely disappointed.
Making mistakes wasn't dreadful, but what was truly terrifying was being unaware of one's own mistakes. In the world of the nobles, stupidity was the greatest sin.
When everyone left, Baron Redman looked at Hudson and said with a hint of satisfaction, "You're progressing quickly, but your performance just now was a little over the top."