Gwynnis instinctively dodged the sword thrust from the door, breaking out in cold sweat. His agility, an impressive 7 points, had just saved his life. Dodging the sudden attack, he kicked the door open and lunged at Gideon, who was hiding inside.
Gideon, at 17, despite his typically carefree demeanor, had never missed the daily training expected of a noble's child. He deftly avoided Gwynnis's attack and retreated, letting two Inverness men take his place.
The battle quickly became chaotic. Although Gwynnis had a long-standing feud with these men from Inverness, it was undeniable that they were the Duke's elite, strong in their own right. Gwynnis, with his 8 points of strength and 7 points of agility, was confident he could defeat any one of them in single combat. However, outnumbered, he began to lose ground, retreating continuously.
Worse, the two Inverness men worked in perfect sync. One deflected Gwynnis's sword, while the other took advantage of the opening to wound him in the abdomen. Gwynnis grimaced in pain and regret, cursing himself for sending too many to the manor and not keeping extra men by his side.
Watching Gwynnis's struggle, Gideon wore a satisfied grin. Meanwhile, Gwynnis was contemplating his escape.
Suddenly, a woman's voice rang out, "Hey, big guys, take this!"
It was Rosalind. Everyone, including Gwynnis, turned towards her. She stood unarmed, right hand raised, index and middle fingers together in a peculiar gesture. Gwynnis, remembering something, quickly turned away, avoiding looking at her.
With a snap of her fingers, a brilliant light burst from Rosalind's fingertips. "Candlelight Spell!" It was as if ten suns rose from her fingers, the intense light engulfing the entire space.
Except for Gwynnis, who had timely averted his gaze, the two Inverness men and Gideon were momentarily blinded as if hit by a flashbang, seeing only large black spots in their vision.
The consequence of being deprived of sight in battle was clear to everyone. The Inverness men flailed their swords in panic, trying to fend off an unseen attack.
Seizing the opportunity, Gwynnis thrust his sword into the mouth of the loudest Inverness man, piercing his brain with a slight angle. The second man, still disoriented, suffered the same fate, a sword through his throat.
Why the throat and not the heart? Gwynnis aimed to recover their chainmail armor.
In a few breaths, as Gideon's vision cleared, Gwynnis's sword was already at his throat. Gideon was furious but dared not move.
"You deceitful villain! Fair and square combat, and you resort to these treacherous tricks!" he began to accuse.
Gwynnis didn't let him finish. Snatching away his sword, he also punched Gideon in the nose.
"Shut up," Gwynnis said firmly.
Gwynnis, without hesitation, thrust Gideon's head against the wall. After several muffled thuds, Gideon lay motionless. Gwynnis released his grip, and Gideon collapsed. Young people, Gwynnis thought, they fall asleep so easily.
Turning to Rosalind, Gwynnis inquired about the situation with Ansem. She reported that it had been a close fight until some of the remaining guards joined Ansem, helping to overpower the Inverness men. She hurried to tend to Gwynnis's bleeding wound, insisting on administering immediate medical attention.
Relieved at the turn of events, Gwynnis allowed Rosalind to treat his injuries. Afterwards, he dragged the unconscious Gideon to the hall, where Ansem's battle had also concluded. The six Inverness men were dead, and Lady Sophia had been bound and gagged by Ansem.
Unable to find Yuliana throughout the castle, Gwynnis eventually discovered her in the Baron's bedroom, seemingly praying. He bound her as well, sending her, her brother, and mother to the dungeon. Despite his initial desire to kill them, Gwynnis was persuaded by Baldwin to spare their lives, considering the serious repercussions of committing fratricide in their medieval society.
After imprisoning the three, Gwynnis returned to the main hall, raising the Targus family sword and announcing the passing of Baron Gwynnt Targus and his own succession as the new Baron of Targus. His proclamation was met with kneeling and pledges of loyalty from those present, echoing with cries of "Long live Baron Gwynnis!"
The guards who had rushed to the manor to "extinguish the fire" returned, confused but joining in the chorus of loyalty. Upon inquiry about the fire, they were informed it was just the mercenaries celebrating with a lamb roast on Gwynnis's orders.
Observing the celebratory atmosphere in the hall and the loyalty sworn by guards and servants alike, Gwynnis knew his rule over the Targus territory had begun. A notification rang in his mind: "Inheriting territory, becoming a Baron, 1000 governance points awarded."
Gideon immediately let out a cry of pain. But Gwynnis wasn't going to let him off that easily. He grabbed Gideon's head and slammed it against the wall. After several muffled thuds, Gideon fell silent and collapsed to the ground. Youth is wonderful like that – fall asleep the moment you hit the bed.
"Perfect timing. How did it go with Ansem?" Gwynnis turned to Rosalyn and asked.
"It was a tough fight at first, but then some of the guards who hadn't left joined Ansem and them. They started beating up the Inverness men as if they had a grudge against them. By the time I got there, they had pretty much taken them all down. Let's not talk about that now; I need to heal you."
Seeing Gwynnis's bleeding waist and abdomen, Rosalyn became anxious.
But Gwynnis breathed a sigh of relief. The situation had gone more smoothly than he anticipated.
Thus, he wasn't in a rush to seize the money anymore.
After Rosalyn helped him heal, Gwynnis, dragging the unconscious Gideon, returned to the hall, where Ansem's battle had also ended. All six Inverness men were killed, some stabbed numerous times, meeting a gruesome end.
As for Lady Sophia, since the guards were reluctant to lay hands on her, Ansem himself gagged her and tied her up. Yuliana was nowhere to be found in the castle until Gwynnis finally discovered her in the baron's bedroom. She sat quietly by the bed, as if in prayer.
Seeing Gwynnis and the mercenaries break in, she wore a sorrowful expression.
Gwynnis ignored her, tied her up along with her brother and mother, and sent them all to the dungeon. Originally, Gwynnis intended to kill them all, considering them future troubles. But the local people seemed to dread the crime of parricide. Under Baldwin's earnest persuasion, Gwynnis decided to spare their lives for now and lock them in the dungeon.
"You mustn't kill them, my lord!" Baldwin insisted. "It's acceptable to lock them in the dungeon for life or exile them, but committing parricide could lead the priests to refuse conducting your succession ceremony. The earl and others might also be displeased."
It wasn't that Baldwin favored Sophia and Gideon. In this medieval context, parricide was considered a grave crime. The church would refuse to recognize such a ruler, and if things escalated, the nobility and the king might intervene.
Without the church's support, a noble's legitimacy would be questioned; without the king's support, their authority would be dubious. Although Gwynnis was a time-traveler, sometimes compromises were necessary.
After sending the three to the dungeon, Gwynnis returned to the main hall. He raised the Targus sword high, reaffirming the news of Baron Gwynnt Targus's death and proclaiming himself, Gwynnis Targus, as the new Baron of Targus. As soon as he made the announcement, people began to kneel and swear allegiance to Gwynnis. More and more joined in, filling the hall with a uniform chant.
"Long live Baron Gwynnis!" "Long live Baron Gwynnis!"
The guards who had run out to the estate to "put out the fire" also gradually returned. Confused, they too joined the chant.
"Long live Baron Gwynnis!" "Long live Baron Gwynnis!"
"And the fire at the estate? Is it out?" a guard whispered.
"What fire? Those mercenaries, on Baron Gwynnis's orders... on the orders of the baron, slaughtered a few lambs and lit a fire to roast them in celebration. They'll be bringing the roast over soon."
"..."
Seeing the mercenaries throwing their hats in celebration and the kneeling guards and servants swearing allegiance, Gwynnis knew that, although the formal succession ceremony had not yet been held, his rule over the Targus estate had begun from that moment.
"Ding." "Inheriting the estate, becoming the baron, 1000 rule points gained."