Alaric had completed his task as the Tavern.
Somehow, he had managed to get the pub master to clear the debt by signing the contract.
"Good, with this I can just show Mother and rest in my room for as long as I want."
"Do you not intend to build more wooden fridges?"
Ava spoke, tailing behind him as they walked down the mansion halls.
"You have business sense too, you're talented."
"..."
"My entire plan was just to prove to my family that I do feel remorse for what I did. And I've done that by cleaning the debt, there's nothing more for me to do."
He was right. He knew if his family kept looking at him as a problem, the peaceful life he was trying to attain would be impossible.
But now that he had done what his parents never expected, they should show him a little respect and leave him alone.
"The pub master looked really happy though, usually you're always making me mad and fed up with life. This is strange."
"What can I say? My motto still stands. If I don't have to, I won't do it. And if I have to, I'll deal with it quickly."
Ava was a bit surprised to hear that coming from Alaric of all people.
This was the same man that would intentionally run away from his duties and responsibilities, even though he caused half of them.
Has Alaric Montclair really changed?
[Your bodyguard has grown a bit of respect for you.]
[You have been rewarded with 800cp]
Alaric noticed the templates in front of him.
'Now that I think about it, this also came up when I got the man to sign the contract. Are you saying I can earn Cp through people's adoration?'
[In simple terms, yes.]
'You should have made that clear from the start. Junk'
Alaric was a bit bothered, though he didn't dwell too much on it.
And then from nowhere, a maid was standing in front of him.
"G-Good morning...l...lord Al..aric." she trembled.
It doesn't take a genius to tell she was terrified.
"..."
"Uhm...so... M..master Rashin is... requesting for you..."
'She can't even look me in the eye.'
Alaric wasn't all that surprised since he remembered the initial owner of the body slapping the maid on the cheek with his dick.
"I understand, I'll be there in a sec." That was the best response he could give, despite not wanting to go.
The Baron himself asked to see him, so it wasn't like he could just flat out say no.
Swallowing his pride and laziness, Alaric headed towards the main room where his farmer awaited.
.....
"Kika was right, you do look different."
The Baron, Rashin Montclair said as he looked across the office table where he was seated.
Alaric was on the guest chair, staring back at his father.
The Baron was supposed to be in Forgeino, but due to his job there having no effect, he decided to come back.
Flipping open a book, the Baron spoke again -
"What did you do to the pub owner? Rumours have been going around that you made him sign a deal with you."
The questions felt more like attacks than curiosity.
People always immediately judged him for his previous behaviours.
So regardless of whatever rumours they heard, they were forced to ask stabbing questions.
Did Alaric bribe the pub master?
Don't tell me he is trying to start another problem.
Not that anyone could blame them.
"He had issues with his wine and I helped in exchange for my debt. Is there an issue?"
"Issues?"
"Seems the rumours were not that explanatory. He wanted a way to cool down his wine and I did just that. It's simple business."
Alaric made sure to remain calm throughout. Too much and his father could suspect he was not his real son. Parents had talents for guessing the weirdest things.
"So you are not causing trouble again?" Asked the Baron.
"I am not. Can I go now?"
Alaric was already half way up from the seat.
"No, sit down, I have something to discuss with you."
Alaric paused, noticing the seriousness on his father's face.
"Listen, I want you to take these words close to your heart and make sure you never ever take them for granted." Rashin's voice was low.
'i can already tell this is not going to be good.'
With a deep breath, Rashin lowered his head on the table, almost as if on the brick of tearing down and was only holding it back.
"The mining ground we own, I'm planning to sell it off to the Nuak barrony."
When Alaric heard those words, it felt like he was suddenly being pulled out of Henry and then trapped as the son of the Baron.
"What?!" He jerked up, "You can't be serious Father!".
The mining ground was one of the valuable assets the Montclair had, if not the only one. Not many land can brag about owning their own mining ground to generate minerals for trading.
Rashin was shocked his son reacted like that, but then again, it was big news. Even someone as unserious and irresponsible as Alaric could understand that.
"Father think about this, if the mining ground goes, we won't have anything to negotiate with. Why do you suddenly want to sell it? Did Nuak threaten you again?"
Alaric kept thinking of himself as he spoke, why am I worrying about this?
"Nuak has threatened to take it by force, the duke has also given him the pass. If I'm not able to maintain the mining ground in the next month, Nuak will have control over both it, and my estate. This could be the end for the Montclair family." Rashin revealed.
'If that happens, then we'll have to live as commoners, and in this century that means more work?! Do I really want that? Wait, that's not it, it's not about living as commoners or working. I'm trying to convince myself it is but it isn't...sure it's part of it, but... Who the hell does that bastard think he is trying to take my land!'
Alaric was almost raging. He could remember back in his old world, how people in the military institution with higher status wouldn't think twice before taking from the weaker ones.
He had always hated it, so much so, he was once suspended for beating up a senior.
"Don't take what's mine!" Were his final words as he punched the senior on the ground.
Weakness was a disease. And he wanted none of it.
Walking over to his father desk and slamming his hand in it, Alaric looked Rashin in the eye -
"Screw that, we are not selling our mining ground. If he wants it, then he can come take it from our cold bloody hands."
"Alaric? What has gotten into you?"
"You said one month, correct?"
"Eh?"
"If we are not able to maintain the mining ground in one month, Nuak is allowed to take it, correct?"
"Y...yes."
Rashin was shocked, was this really his son? Radiating with so much confidence?
"Good, then leave it to me, I'll take care of it myself."
Alaric expression hardened.