Reggie's brows knitted together as he skimmed through the reports arriving from his territories. His grip on the documents tightened with every line he read, each piece of bad news layering on top of the last.
He scrolled through the messages from his governors, scouts, and overseers. Everywhere, it seemed, the lands were under siege. Marauding orc bands and outlaw groups had cropped up across his territories, striking fear into the hearts of travelers and residents alike. The sprawling villages and towns he governed were bleeding wealth and resources as if the land itself were cursed.
Reports of caravans ambushed, warehouses plundered, and villages sacked filled the pages before him. It wasn't just the goods and supplies; though the losses there were staggering. It was the morale of his people, the faith that he had worked so hard to foster, that was beginning to wither. His face darkened, lips pressed into a grim line as he turned to the final report.
Then, his expression shifted. One last document lay untouched, a report from Harry, his brother, the newly appointed captain. As he scanned its contents, his tense shoulders eased, and the shadow in his eyes lightened.
Unlike the others, Harry had exceeded every expectation. While the other regions faltered, Harry's sector had not only repelled every orc attack but had even struck back, driving invaders into retreat. No passing caravan had fallen under Harry's watch, no supplies had gone missing, and the orcs had suffered heavy casualties. By Harry's tally, he'd led his forces to kill nearly a hundred orcs this month alone, a stark contrast to the minimal efforts reported by others.
Reggie allowed himself a rare smile, pride swelling in his chest. "Harry truly is a top elite," he murmured, admiration clear in his voice. The thought crossed his mind that he should find some way to reward him; Harry had only recently come under his command, yet he'd proven himself invaluable, stabilizing what was once a chaotic frontier region.
His gaze drifted out the window, lost in thought. He knew Harry's abilities well by now, fierce in battle, sharp of mind, unwaveringly loyal. A rare asset like his was worth keeping close. But he also knew what he wanted: the coveted advance Knight's Aura Technique. It was an ancient method, a cornerstone of the Cecil family's martial prowess, reserved strictly for those of the bloodline. In Reggie's mind, only the Cecil family's eldest son, the family's true heir; was worthy of mastering it.
And Harry, though formidable, was not family. Not truly.
With a sigh, Reggie leaned back, tapping his fingers on the desk. If he couldn't give his the Aura Technique, he'd have to find another way to keep his loyalty and gratitude.
A plan formed in his mind. "Send word to the hunting grounds," he ordered his attendant. "Let Harry know he is invited to Lord Senda's banquet."
The attendant's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "To Lord Senda's banquet? Many prominent families will be there. Are you thinking of…?"
Reggie nodded, his lips curving into a subtle smile. "Yes. I want to introduce his to society. Find a suitable match, someone from a good family, well-positioned, with whom he can build a secure future."
The attendant's eyes gleamed with understanding. "Understood, my lord. Shall I inform his that you'll cover the wedding costs as well?"
"Yes," Reggie replied smoothly. "Make sure he knows he won't have to worry about expenses."
Soon, the attendant arrived at Harry's quarters with the message.
Harry raised an eyebrow as he listened to the news. "Lord Senda's banquet?" he repeated, his voice laced with faint surprise. He regarded the attendant thoughtfully.
"Yes, Lady Harry," he replied with a respectful bow. "Lord Reggie has made arrangements for you. He wishes to find you a match among the nobility, someone worthy of your talents." He added carefully, "And he wishes to assure you he will handle all wedding expenses, sparing you any concerns over costs."
A moment of silence passed, during which Harry's expression remained impassive. Then, with a graceful nod, he replied, "Please thank Lord Reggie for his generosity. I'll accompany him to the banquet."
As the attendant left, Harry remained still, his gaze fixed in contemplation. The hall fell silent, but his thoughts were anything but.
Suddenly, from behind a cabinet, a faint rustling emerged, and a burly figure stepped forward. Marlo, his loyal orc companion, had been eavesdropping. He regarded his with narrowed eyes, sensing the tension in his posture.
"Master Harry," he grunted, voice rough yet filled with a rare tenderness for him. "I can see his offer doesn't please you. Do you wish for me to… deal with him?" He gestured subtly with his hand, a gesture unmistakable in its intent.
Harry let out a small, wry smile. Orcs had a straightforward approach to problem-solving, and Marlo was no exception. The idea of simply removing anyone who displeased his was simple and clean, in his mind.
"No, Marlo," he replied, his voice steady and firm. "I won't need you to do that… at least, not yet." A spark flickered in his eyes as he looked into the distance. "Let him think his plans will hold me. I've built a future for myself already."
With that, he rose, prepared to meet whatever scheme Reggie had laid out for his with a strength that he perhaps underestimated.
"Need not worry," Harry replied, shaking his head as he pulled himself back from his thoughts. "It's not yet time to part ways."
He understood the intricacies of their current situation all too well. Reggie's dependence on him was growing, yet the noble lord was reluctant to offer him what he truly desired. Instead, Reggie had devised a roundabout plan; a marriage proposal that masked his intentions.
"Marriage is a complex affair in our world," Harry mused, a hint of bitterness threading through his words. "For commoners, it may be straightforward. But for nobles, it's a tangled web of status and dowries. The costs can be staggering."
His thoughts drifted back to his past, his status as an illegitimate child had always made him an outsider. The likelihood of marrying into a noble family was slim, even if a family was willing. And while Reggie offered to cover the expenses, Harry knew better than to see this as genuine help.
What Reggie perceived as charity was merely a strategic move on his part. Harry had no intention of marrying for convenience; he wanted something far more significant. Contrary to what Reggie believed, Harry was not the penniless rogue he once was. After recent raids, he had amassed a considerable fortune from the spoils taken by Maro and his crew.
"What's the situation outside?" he asked Maro, pulling himself back to the present. "Is everything proceeding as planned?"
"It's going well," Maro replied, a hint of pride in his voice. "With your leadership, we've gained ground. The caravans you chose to target fell easily. The others? Well, they didn't stand a chance."
Harry nodded, pleased. With his guidance, the orc band had transformed dramatically. No longer were they a ragtag group; they were well-armed and organized, their numbers swelling from a mere dozen to fifty or sixty capable warriors. This newfound strength was enough to challenge even small merchant caravans.
"Thanks to your strategies, Reggie's men are completely oblivious," Maro continued. "The way you've handled those raids has left no trace behind."
"Good," Harry said, his voice steady. "But we need to lay low for a while. No more raids for the time being."
Maro frowned slightly. "But the spoils are right there for the taking…"
"Exactly," Harry interrupted, raising a hand. "That's precisely why we need to be cautious. Reggie and his men are becoming more vigilant. If we push too hard, we risk exposing ourselves. I'm not ready to sever ties with Reggie completely just yet, so patience is key."
Maro's expression shifted from concern to understanding. "Understood, my lord. I'll ensure the others train hard and stay alert during this lull."
Harry turned his gaze outward, feeling the familiar energy coursing through him, albeit slowly. He knew that he needed to gather enough worldly energy before he could attempt a journey to another realm. The potential for discovering advanced methods of promotion in those worlds was tantalizing, but for now, he had to be content with waiting.
"Let's bide our time," he murmured, closing his eyes to center himself. "When the moment is right, we'll act."
As days turned into weeks, the world outside continued to move. In the blink of an eye, another half month passed, and the air was filled with the anticipation of a grand banquet not far from their manor. Excitement buzzed in the air, signaling new opportunities and potential alliances that could shift the balance in their favor.