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Mr. Barron owned several hundred acres of land and employed a dozen farmers to work for him. He also had a grand villa built on his property, indicating that his financial situation was quite good.
At the farm's stables, Hobert met Mr. Barron, who was grooming his beloved horse. Barron looked to be in his thirties, tall and strong, sporting the typical mustache common in the Feynapotter Kingdom.
Barron warmly welcomed Hobert, setting aside his task and inviting him into the parlor for tea. After some casual conversation, Balam finally revealed the legal "assistance" he needed. He wanted a divorce from his wife but did not wish to split his assets with her, which is why he sought the help of a "professional" like Hobert.
According to the Loen Marriage Act, if a wife initiated a divorce, she would receive no property, often not even half of her dowry. However, if the husband initiated the divorce, the wife had the right to claim half of the assets. The only exception was if one party had betrayed the marriage. In that case, the wronged party could gain the upper hand in dividing the assets.
Hobert internally cursed him as a "scumbag" but kept a warm smile on his face. "I understand. You want your wife to initiate the divorce?"
There was nothing he could do about it—it was his job, after all. Barron was his client. Hobert had prepared himself for such things from the moment he returned from the Sheriff's court.
Barron , rubbing his forehead, sighed. "I must seem like an irredeemable villain to you, don't I? I truly love my wife, but she doesn't love me. I can sense it—she's always had someone else in her heart. Maybe that's why she's refused to bear my children."
Barron then told the story of how he met his wife, Penny. She had come to the farm as a worker eight years ago, full of energy and cheerfulness, leaving a strong impression on him. At the time, Barron had a happy family, but six years ago, his wife died of an illness, and Barron mourned for a long time. It took him a year or two to recover from the grief.
During this time, Penny, still lively and upbeat, helped him rediscover the beauty of life. Three years ago, Barron proposed to her. Although Penny seemed somewhat reluctant, Balam didn't pay much attention to it and went straight to her parents to discuss the marriage.
Her parents were overjoyed—after all, Barron was a significant figure in the area. After they married, Barron yearned for a child, but after three years of trying, nothing happened. During that time, Penny became increasingly withdrawn, losing the vivaciousness she once had.
Barron's patience with her waned over time, and now they couldn't even coexist peacefully, which led Barron to write to the law firm for help.
After hearing the whole story, Hobert didn't know whether to admire Barron's courage. In these times, when a master forced a maid or servant to serve him, they would usually just pay them off afterward. A marriage between master and servant required tremendous courage on both sides.
In this respect, Barron truly loved Penny. However, no one had ever asked for Penny's opinion on the marriage.
After thinking for a moment, Hobert advised, "Mr. Barron, since you still love your wife, why not offer her some means of livelihood or a sum of money when you divorce? That way, you'll maintain a good reputation and avoid future troubles."
"I've already considered that," Balam replied. "I plan to give Penny the wool processing workshop. The profits from it will be enough for her to live comfortably."
Hobert understood. Barron was willing to give her something but not half of the estate.
"If you're willing to hire me, I can discuss this matter with your wife," Hobert said.
Barron hesitated for a few seconds before saying, "Alright, Mr. Hobert. It's time to take this step. I'll hire you as my lawyer to handle this matter."
"Regarding the fee, I've already discussed it with Mr. Barton in the letter," Balam added.
Hobert nodded. Barron was willing to pay a commission of 10 pounds for this case.
Though this fee seemed modest, it was only due to Hobert's high starting point as a lawyer. Most commissions ranged between 10 and 20 pounds.
For a case like this, a higher fee would only be charged if it had to be settled in court, based on Barron's assets.
Naturally, the great lawyer Barton wouldn't handle such a small case personally. Even the correspondence with Balam had been handled by Barton's assistant.
Hobert had come prepared with a standard contract, and after both parties signed it, Hobert asked, "Where is Mrs. Penny now?"
Barron's cheerful demeanor from earlier had faded, and he forced a smile. "She's visiting her parents. Every once in a while, she stays with them for a few days. When she returns…"
"I think it's better if I visit her at her parents' home to discuss this," Hobert interrupted.
Speaking with her separately was the wisest course of action.
"However," Hobert checked his pocket watch, "it's a bit late today. It wouldn't be appropriate to visit Mrs. Penny now. Please give me her parents' address, and I'll visit them tomorrow morning."
After obtaining the address, Hobert stood to take his leave. As he expected, it took him quite a while to find a cab, and he had spent over two hours commuting throughout the afternoon.
The only consolation was that this was an official assignment from the firm, so his travel expenses would be reimbursed.
Thinking of reimbursement, Hobert suddenly remembered Old Neil. By now, the signs of his imminent loss of control should be apparent. At next week's gathering, Hobert would need to remind Klein and see if there was still time to save Old Neil.
...
On the Southern Continent, as night quietly descended, Elliot carried a lantern deep into the woods to a secluded clearing. He first constructed a wall of spirituality and then, following the instructions of "The Creator," began drawing symbols, lighting candles, and burning herbs.
Once everything was ready, he started chanting:
"Oh, Creator in the Shadow of Order;
You are the beginning and the end of all Order;
You are the Lord who governs the Bell of Order.
Your faithful servant beseeches Your gaze;
He prays for You to accept his offering;
He prays for You to open the gates to Your realm."
When the chant ended, a fierce wind suddenly stirred within the spiritual wall, and above the simple altar, a black vortex appeared.
The vortex grew larger and larger, as if it would devour everything around it. When it had grown taller than the surrounding trees, two massive bronze doors appeared within the vortex.
Elliot was utterly stunned by the sight. So, this was the "Gate to the Divine Kingdom"!