Translator: Cinder Translations
...
Viscount Ankiro treaded cautiously through the corridors of the castle. Despite having visited many times before, he still hadn't grown accustomed to the environment inside.
Dark, eerie—these characteristics resembled an underground dungeon inhabited by creatures from horror stories. Why would the master of this place prefer to live in such surroundings?
Earl Kent, truly a man shrouded in mystery in every aspect.
Concealing his thoughts, Ankiro turned a corner and stopped at an empty spot.
He adjusted his attire and approached a grand and ornate door.
Flanking the doorway were two halberd-wielding guards. As Ankiro approached, they swiftly crossed their weapons, blocking the door.
The guards coldly scanned Ankiro up and down, their gaze making him feel like a lamb stared down by hungry wolves.
Remember, he was a nobleman, and these were just two soldiers. He was a guest of their lord.
Regaining some of his pride, Ankiro tried to sound resolute, projecting the confidence he had cultivated in his position as the Chamberlain's steward:
"I am Ankiro, Viscount and Steward of the Byerldine, invited by Earl Kent."
Damn it, he had met the Earl several times already, yet these two personal guards acted as if they didn't recognize him at all.
Ankiro was not only angry but also wounded in his pride, sensing a lurking fear within himself.
The hope he had when he first came seeking refuge was now gone, replaced only by a nervous unease as a guest under another's roof.
The two guards remained unmoved, still blocking the door with their weapons.
Ankiro closed his eyes and waited silently.
One minute, then two—every moment felt like an eternity.
Finally, a voice came from behind the heavy wooden door, "Come in."
Ankiro let out a quiet sigh of relief.
The guards lowered their weapons, and one of them gently pushed open the door.
Adjusting his mindset, Ankiro walked slowly into the room.
A loud "thud" behind him as the door closed made Ankiro involuntarily shudder.
This was Earl Kent's study. Despite its spaciousness, the atmosphere inside was even more eerie than outside.
Though it was broad daylight, thick curtains tightly covered the windows, blocking out even a sliver of sunlight.
In such a large room, the only illumination came from a floor-standing candelabrum, casting a faint glow. A man sat beside the candelabrum on a wicker chair, completely absorbed in flipping through a thick book.
"Can he even read the words on the pages?" Ankiro wondered, just as the man on the wicker chair spoke, though he didn't lift his gaze.
"Viscount Ankiro, please, take a seat."
Earl Maltz Kent gestured towards another chair beside the candelabrum.
He was a man with pale skin and a forbidding countenance—sharp nose, faint dark circles around sunken eyes. Despite being in his prime, his hair was already thinning at the crown.
"Thank you, Lord Kent."
Ankiro swallowed hard, bracing himself on weak legs as he approached the wicker chair and sat down. He wasn't sure why his legs felt so weak.
"Well then, Viscount Ankiro, let's talk about the matter concerning Byerldine," Earl Kent casually said, his gaze still fixed on his book.
Finally, the topic of Byerldine was brought up. Ankiro felt like crying.
In the few times he had met the Earl, he had been dismissed with just a few words each time. The longest encounter had been a lunch where the Earl didn't say a word.
This time he had to seize the opportunity.
"My lord Kent, Lord Paul Grayman of Alden has arbitrarily detained our lord, Earl Malon Ganard."
"And for the honor of Byerldine, we rose up against this brutal lord, but ultimately, we were no match."
...
Ankiro spent nearly half an hour recounting the "causes and consequences" that led to his exile.
"You acted bravely and faithfully, rushing to arms against him despite your lord being in his hands. Admirable!" Earl Kent suddenly remarked, with a clear tone of mockery.
Ankiro blushed, then said seriously, "Indeed, we were clouded by his atrocities and slanders at the time. Surely, you received a copy of his announcement—what kind of shameless deceit could fabricate such baseless accusations?"
"So, why have you come to me...?"
"My lord, please intervene on our behalf, help us reclaim Byerldine! We... we have nowhere else to turn."
Then the room fell silent.
Ankiro waited, increasingly restless. Finally, Earl Kent spoke:
"So, what do I gain from this?"
Nakedly and unapologetically.
Ankiro's anger surged, recalling how much wealth he had lavished to secure this powerful ally. Now, in his time of need, the Earl was demanding a lion's share.
But he dared not show his anger even slightly, and maintained a humble tone, "Lord Kent, I cannot offer you anything right now."
Kent shook his head. "I'm not talking about now, but in the future. Once you secure the position of Lord of Byerldine, what can you offer me then?"
Ankiro was shaken. "My lord, Malon Ganard is still alive, I... I..."
"Hmph, why hide it? Except for your irresponsible young master, do you think you can keep Lord Ganard's situation hidden from anyone? Since you've taken the first step, there's no turning back."
In just a moment, Ankiro was drenched in cold sweat from the Earl's words.
Earl Kent didn't rush, quietly waiting for his response.
"My lord Kent..." Ankiro finally spoke:
"If you help me secure the position of Lord of Byerldine, I will grant you the land of a town."
There was no immediate response from Kent.
Ankiro gritted his teeth and continued to raise the bid. "Two towns!"
After an awkward pause and still no response, he persisted, "A baronial estate!"
...
After several unsuccessful attempts to raise the bid, Ankiro was on the brink of collapse. The Earl's appetite was too great.
But he couldn't give up. If he didn't seize this straw, he would have nothing left. Looking back, he had sought allies everywhere, and only this one had responded. Now, he realized how blind he had been.
He reluctantly uttered the words that pained him deeply, "Half of Byerldine's territory—this is my final offer."
Earl Kent's finger moved, tapping slowly on the armrest of his chair, seemingly considering Ankiro's words.
Ankiro noticed that the Earl's nails were long and pointed, sending chills down his spine.
With a heavy heart, Ankiro continued, "My lord, if I concede more, Byerldine will only have the city of Butuya left."
"Very well! That settles it."
Finally, Earl Kent agreed. Ankiro breathed a sigh of relief, though his heart ached immensely.
"Go back now. I'll notify you when I'm ready."
The Earl dismissed him, and Ankiro had no choice but to comply. He bowed respectfully and left the room, walking away slowly.
He knew he couldn't rush things now.
From the moment he entered the room until he left, Earl Kent never once lifted his gaze from his book, never looked at him.
After the door closed behind him, Earl Kent finally closed the book, placing it gently on a small square table beside him.
Then, he picked up a cup from the table.
It was a porcelain cup, exquisitely crafted, depicting a lifelike rose.
Instead of drinking, Earl Kent continued to toy with the cup in his hand, clearly enamored with the vessel.
He murmured to himself, staring at the cup, "Now, let's see who offers a higher price."
(End of the Chapter)