(Neuk Barony, Verdanis... Neuk mansion.)
"Are you kidding me? That old bastard still refuses to give me that damn mining ground?!"
Neuk yelled, slamming his hand on the table with a cigarette in his mouth.
Just looking at him, one could tell he was one of those fat selfish money grabbing nobles.
For years, he had been trying to get the Montclair family to give him rights to the mining ground they owned.
But every time he requested for it, he was met with no answer, and most times a flat out rejection.
Surely a low class noble such as himself wouldn't miss the chance to turn big. Salty, he began to attack the Montclair's, he knew they had no way of stopping him, and so he kept at it.
Having a successful barony with over 400 soldiers in number placed him at an advantage.
And when asked if he knew anything about the attacks, he would simply reply to the duchess.
"I'm sorry My lady, but Baron Montclair has been going crazy due to his incoming poverty. He is just confused."
And this would keep them off his back for a while, before launching yet another attack.
'Tsk! Even though I was able to get the Duke Arnor of the house of Dagon to promise to stand by me if I chose to take the Montclair land by force, I can't say for sure Duchess Meren wouldn't fight back.'
Neuk gritted his teeth in frustration.
Then again, there was also the fact a notice of one month was handed to Rashin Montclair. If they mess it up, there would be no need for Neuk to take it forcefully.
"My lord, what should we do?" Asked the general of Neuk's army.
A man said to be a gold-ranked warrior, two times the rank of Ava Isenberg.
Those of gold rank and higher were considered to be powerful people in the kingdom. Those lower, could never hope to match it.
Neuk placed his hand on his chin.
"We don't have to do anything, just keep an eye on their progress. There's no doubt they'll mess it up before the deadline. Those brain dead Montclair don't know a thing about ruling land."
Neuk scoffed, a bold smile on his face.
"On second thoughts, let's pay my old friend a visit; spark the fear in their heart."
The general bowed his head.
"As you wish, my men and I are ready to accompany you any time."
.....
(Montclair Barony.)
"Ava, what rank did you say you were again?"
Alaric asked, seated on the edge of the bed while petting his pet guard wolf, Arthur.
"Are you trying to mock me, my lord?"
"No."
"I find it strange for you to ask such a question."
"You find it strange for me to ask your rank?"
"Yes."
"Ava, what rank are you?"
"Are you trying to mock me, my lord?"
Ava didn't budge a bit, her expression as calm as her words.
"Repeating the same response is really low of you."
"I'm simply being cautious, you can be... surprising."
Alaric raised a brow, "Are you saying I'm stupid?"
"No My lord, I would never say you lack ambition as a human being and you're only good at being a nuisance to society. I wouldn't dream of it." Ava responded.
"Wow, just flat out insulted your lord."
Alaric sighed, "Okay let me ask you another question, how strong is our military?"
At first Alaric could see Ava counting with her fingers; if she had to count the soldiers that they had, it would be both concerning for the barony and her.
"I believe we are 38 strong." She replied.
She was indeed counting the number of soldiers.
Alaric's face turned slightly pale, he couldn't believe how weak his land was.
The former user of the body he was in knew nothing about the barony, hence why Alaric never knew it was this bad.
"Such weak numbers, how on earth did my father let it come to this." He sighed.
"Most of the soldiers under us all left to join higher factions, they felt serving a dying Barony was a waste of their talent."
'They are not wrong, I'd do the same too.'
"The little we have are the weak soldiers from recruitment. I do believe we have only three soldiers that are silver ranked."
Hearing this gave Alaric a bit of hope.
"What are their classes?" He asked.
"Classes? Uhm.. two warriors and a single mage."
'Two warriors and a mage, hmm, this might work out. Even with small numbers, if we have strong enough forces, we should still be able to overcome most battles.'
Alaric stood up, and began to walk around the room in deep thoughts.
'I've decided I want to help my father make this Barony successful so I can live the carefree life I want. But this land is so dead, it would take a miracle to help it. In normal circumstances, I would focus on the financial aspect first. That can't work now, seeing as we have an enemy next door, I have to make sure we can defend ourselves before anything else, especially the mining ground, that's the jackpot.'
In other words, he needed to strengthen the Barony's military strength.
And lucky for him, he had the best test subject as his bodyguard.
"Ava darling~..."
Alaric gave her the 'I'm just flattering you, I'm not suspicious I promise' look as he rubbed his hands.
"Yes my lord."
"What would you do if I said I could make you stronger on the spot." Alaric asked.
"If you said something like that, I would most likely laugh. Then again, I'm used to you spouting out rubbish."
Alaric's expression dulled, "You really don't hold back do you?"
_ahem~_
He sat down.
"I don't do favours for no reason. So here's how this works. We'll have a bet."
"A bet?"
"Yes, if I'm able to raise your rank, you'll do three things for me, I can ask them of you anytime I so wish it, with no exception."
"..."
"But if I'm unable to, I'll do three things for you with no exception."
"Please think this over, if I was your enemy, this would be the best time to pay you back for your evil doings."
Alaric crossed his legs, his hand to the side.
"Exactly, don't you just want to give the joke of the Barony a taste of his own medicine?"
"..."
"Think about the embracing things you can ask me to do, with no consequence to ba-"
"I'll do it."
Ava suddenly had more motivation than she did when it came to her morning training.
"Perfect, now let's get this done."