"The past few days, I've conducted a tour of the territory," Baron Leo began, a worried expression etched across his face. "To be honest, things are not looking good. Some villages are frequently plagued by bandit raids, and two towns have been ransacked from time to time. Many merchants are too afraid to do business on our lands. I fear that this year's revenue will be even lower than last year's. Last year, we had earned over two thousand silver coins; this time, we may be lucky to scrape together a mere eighteen hundred."
Richard remained silent, continuing to observe Leo, curious to see what his true intentions were.
Under Richard's scrutiny, Baron Leo at last voiced his real objective: "To stabilize the territory and restore order, I've decided to recruit more knights and soldiers. It's manageable to recruit soldiers as long as there is money. However, when it comes to knights, mere silver coins won't suffice; something more enticing is needed to sway them. Usually, this entails granting them lands. But currently, our lands are too scarce, reserved for only the most loyal knights. Therefore, I need to offer them something else in place of land, so…"
"So?" Richard prompted.
"So!" Baron Leo inhaled deeply and turned to Richard seriously. "My dear son—Richard Angrel, I would like you to forge two sharp knight's swords, the kind you demonstrated to me before that can easily cut through an ordinary long sword. I plan to use them to secure the allegiance of the knights; then, it won't be long before the territory stabilizes."
Upon hearing this, Richard smiled, shrugging his shoulders as he replied, "Alright then."
"Really? You agree!" To Leo's surprise, the expression on his face quickly shifted as Richard added, "But each sword will cost six hundred silver coins."
"Wh-what…?" Leo's expression froze, murmuring, "That… that's exorbitant! It equates to four months' worth of the territory's income!"
"The swords I craft are inherently expensive," Richard stated matter-of-factly.
"Well, I could provide iron ingots, and the blacksmiths in the territory can assist you. It'll only take your word to get it done."
"Then why not simply seek out other blacksmiths? They would surely be too intimidated to charge you, my dear baron."
"You…" Leo trailed off, visibly flustered.
"You must understand," Richard interjected, "the most precious commodity here is my word. If I don't lend it, I cannot craft the swords you desire."
"I am your father!" the baron exclaimed, a tinge of irritation in his voice.
"There's no need to be angry, my lord father," Richard replied calmly. Considering his fifteen-year existence in this world, he continued, "Ever since three years ago, when I was twelve and you resorted to cutting off my allowance to coerce me into abandoning my experiments, I made it clear to you that I would no longer rely on your funds. Every expense in my life has been self-sufficient since then.
In fact, over the past three years, I've earned sufficient money through the two shops I opened in town and have reimbursed you for every last expenditure from the twelve years you supported me, based on current market prices. Later, when you forbade me from commanding the castle's soldiers, I promptly recruited the First Guard myself. I personally rewarded them, ensuring their loyalty to me, while nominally still obeying you.
From one perspective, I owe you nothing. My dear father, we stand as equals, perhaps even adversaries, since three years ago. Thus, if you desire something from me, you must provide me with something of equal value. Just to remind you, the swords you seek are alloy swords, with technology hundreds of years ahead of what this world possesses; three hundred silver coins translates to merely thirty thousand copper bits, a true bargain. Hence, there is absolutely no room for negotiation."
"But I cannot come up with that kind of money right now," Baron Leo said, visibly displeased. Sighing, he added, "Can't you let it slide for now? My son, you are my heir. I admit that my actions three years ago may have been somewhat misguided, but you are bound to inherit my title; soon the entire territory will belong to you. Surely, that is worth more than three hundred silver coins?"
"Ha," Richard laughed, extending a finger. "First of all, I am merely your second heir. Although my 'dear' older brother—Edward Angrel, who is five years my senior, followed tradition and left the territory to serve as a knight-errant in his mother's family's domain, I am well aware that he remains the true first heir, the future baron; this is unequivocal."
"Secondly…" Richard raised a second finger, "I have no intention of inheriting the title. What would I do with it? Plow the land, live modestly, and then recruit an army to conquer the world? Unfortunately, I've never found such pursuits to be remotely interesting. What I desire is far more substantial and considerably more engaging. The things I wish to achieve need not be encumbered by an inherited title, so I will never consider that, nor think about it."
"Lastly…" Richard raised a third finger, "my current stance is not an act of retribution for events three years ago; I am no longer a child. Only children concern themselves with right and wrong; adults contemplate interests. My principle is fair exchange: you provide me with money, and I will forge your swords. Of course, if you truly lack the funds, I would also accept goods as compensation. My experiments require many items not currently found in the territory. I will have Lucy prepare a list for you; whenever you're able to procure those items, I will deliver the swords you seek."
The baron fell silent, reflecting for a long while before speaking again.
"Very well…" Baron Leo conceded begrudgingly, a hint of frustration mingling with resignation in his voice. As he gazed at his fifteen-year-old son, the unease that had lingered deep within him intensified. Many nights, he had awakened abruptly from dreams, standing at the window of the main fortress bedroom, peering toward the lanterns that burned ceaselessly in the side tower, endlessly questioning: Is this truly my son? How did I come to have such a son? What in the world does he intend to pursue?
"Alright, if there is nothing further, I will take my leave. Good night, my father—Baron Leo Angrel," Richard interrupted the baron's thoughts, turning to exit the main hall.
Just then, the baron called out, "Wait a moment."
"Hmm?" Richard paused, turning back to look at the baron and asking, "Is there anything else?"
"I've heard…" Leo inhaled deeply, cautiously organizing his words. "I've heard that before your return from the territory tour, you, along with Tuku, killed a bear in the Black Forest?"
"Mm." Richard nodded.
The baron turned his gaze, hoping to glean more from Richard, but received nothing in return. He had to ask again, "The bear you killed—it was a fire bear, correct? The one of legend, the entire body engulfed in flames, right?"
"Right." Richard's response was brief and to the point.
"Aah." The baron sighed deeply, furrowing his brows in worry, unable to restrain his inquiry. "What exactly do you intend to do?"