“I’m surprised, Baron Winslet. You’re quite famous in the royal capital.”
“What surprises me is that my name wasn’t already known here.”
“Hahaha, it’s even more surprising because that doesn’t sound like a joke.”
Anton, the mayor of Maronford, felt slightly tense before the nobleman standing in front of him.
A man hailed as the second person in Laurencia’s history to reach the 7th Circle of magic and widely expected to succeed Court Mage Wendrick.
A master of ice magic, his cold-based spell techniques had greatly impacted the kingdom’s refrigerated logistics network.
Even Maronford’s river transport guild paid him a considerable amount in royalties each year, so it was impossible to guess how much wealth he had amassed over the past five years.
Regardless of his social status, this man carried a charisma that could freeze those who looked at him.
Still, since Anton hadn’t gambled his way into the city’s highest decision-making seat, he took a deep breath and calmly steered the conversation.
“The reason I requested a private audience with you, Baron, is to discuss the handling of the thirteen prisoners you handed over to us. Just to confirm…were you truly the one who subdued them? And alone, at that?”
“That’s right.”
Hard to believe, but true.
The captured Lofield cavalrymen had testified as much, and a subsequent search party had discovered the battlefield in the forest, along with the recovered weapons and warhorses of the cavalry.
As an added bonus, they had also found the cavalry’s camp and uncovered evidence of poaching. This incident had been nothing short of a stroke of luck for the free city.
“You’re a savior to our city, Baron. The Lofield Cavalry weren’t just a nuisance.”
They were a private armed group born from the conflict over commercial interests between the lords of Lofield and Maronford.
The free city held independent commercial rights and tax policies.
But the lords of Lofield, envious and resentful of that fact, had secretly funded the cavalry and incited them to raid civilian homes and plunder merchants within Maronford.
Then, brushing off the cavalry’s actions as the uncontrollable mischief of unruly youths, they would subtly demand tax negotiations as compensation for “resolving the problem”.
This had enraged the free city, and the city council members who had long been sharpening their blades over the atrocities committed by the Lofield lords were thrilled at the opportunity that had finally come their way.
Anton got to the point.
“We’re very eager to take custody of the thirteen prisoners. However, I’ve heard that you’ve withheld your decision, Baron.”
“That’s correct.”
“Since the incident occurred within Maronford territory, we have the judicial authority. If you wish for them to be punished, it would be best to hand them over to us.”
“But I’ve changed my mind. I’ll be taking them back.”
“May I ask why? Did you receive some kind of request from the Lofield lords?”
“Let’s just say… they’ve become useful.”
“Please hand them over to us. In addition to the bounty placed on them, we can offer you a separate reward. If needed, we can even grant you Maronford citizenship or provide various other benefits.”
“You know full well, Mayor, that none of those hold any value to me.”
“…Even so, they’re currently locked up in the underground jail beneath city hall. What will you do if we refuse to hand them over?”
“If I say I’ll take them, do you think you could stop me?”
Gulp.
The mayor swallowed dryly.
This was the mage who had taken down the cavalrymen as if handling children.
And he had done it alone, in under a minute.
Anton felt no shame in admitting that even if every soldier in Maronford were mobilized, they couldn’t stop this man.
That was what it meant to be a 7th Circle mage.
Winter Winslet was far too powerful for Maronford to bribe or pressure.
Baron Winslet spoke.
“I have a plan, Mayor.”
“May I hear it?”
“I came to Maronford on my way to the Winslet County.”
“I know that you are the eldest son of the Winslet Count’s family, the one who left the house ten years ago, Baron. It’s been a long time since you’ve returned home.”
“Seems the family isn’t too thrilled about the prodigal son making a comeback.”
“I heard there was an unfortunate incident ten years ago. That must be the reason.”
“But just because they don’t welcome me doesn’t mean I can’t go back.”
“……”
“If the door is shut, I’ll break it down. And if they shut their eyes and pretend not to see me, I’ll pry their eyelids open if I must.”
“Now I’m starting to understand your plan… and why you need the prisoners.”
After some consideration, Mayor Anton spoke.
“Still, I doubt you need all the prisoners. If you could hand over just the ringleader, Francis Duville, and the soldiers from House Duville, we would be forever in your debt.”
“That’s acceptable.”
“In exchange, may we also have the opportunity to interrogate the others?”
“One day. I can’t delay longer than that.”
“Understood. Thank you for your generosity.”
Mayor Anton respectfully extended his hand, and Baron Winslet shook it without hesitation.
The mayor asked,
“Is there anything else we can assist you with?”
“Spread the word among the merchants traveling between this city and Winslet County that the heir of House Winslet has returned. Ah, and also, prepare the finest stationery and some perfume to scent the letter. I have joyous news to deliver to the lords of Lofield.”
At that, Mayor Anton barely managed to suppress a laugh.
The letter the lords would receive would likely be a ransom note from the kidnapper.
***
Boom!
The doors to the lord’s office in Winslet Castle burst open, announcing the arrival of a visitor.
A woman with flowing blonde hair stormed in and demanded in a bold voice:
“Father, is it true?! That bastard… that man is coming back to our house?!”
“Anna, my daughter.”
“You told me! You said no matter what, that man would never return to this family!”
“Calm yourself. I’ve already summoned Sir Joseph about this matter.”
The graying middle-aged man who was also Count Winslet said with a sigh, before turning to the man who had entered earlier.
“Sir Joseph, could you explain the situation to Anna?”
The Count’s loyal knight bowed deeply.
“First, about the sudden rumor spreading… there is a group that’s intentionally spreading the word that Baron Winslet is returning to the family. The speed at which the news is traveling is far from normal.”
“Who would do such a thing?”
“Most likely the Baron himself.”
“For what purpose…? No, it must be to make his return seem inevitable.”
“Exactly.”
“And we just sat back and watched?”
The Count gave a small cough.
“I’ve already spoken to the lords of Lofield. I told them to come up with any excuse necessary to block Baron Winslet from passing through.”
Lofield was a stretch of plains between Maronford and the Winslet County.
Anyone sailing down from the royal capital to reach Winslet lands would have to pass through that region.
“But now those very same lords have invited him into their castles and are throwing a grand banquet to celebrate his return.”
“What?!”
“They’ve been our allies for a long time, but if they’re acting this way, it makes me suspect that Baron Winslet has gotten hold of some leverage over them.”
“How could someone who’s been away in the capital for ten years suddenly get dirt on provincial lords?”
Seeing the Count’s expression that showed he had no answer, Anna could no longer press the issue.
But her resolve remained firm.
“Don’t let that man set one foot in Winslet County. Mobilize the soldiers and block every route!”
Sir Joseph answered in the Count’s place.
“That would be the right move… if he weren’t bringing an army with him.”
“An army…?!”
Anna Winslet furrowed her brows.
“They say the lords of Lofield are sending their troops to join Baron Winslet wherever he goes. The number of soldiers gathered has already exceeded four hundred.”
Anna Winslet’s face turned pale.
“Are the lords of Lofield trying to start a war? Do they mean to overthrow us and install that man, Winter Winslet, as their puppet?”
“We’re not ruling out that possibility.”
“This whole business is making my hair fall out in clumps. Anna, the least you could do is stay calm. You storm in here and nearly burst my eardrums…it’s hard to bear.”
“I’m the heir to House Winslet. It’s me, no one else. You know exactly what I’ve sacrificed for that.”
“Yes, I do.”
“You won’t waver just because Winter Winslet is back, will you? You’re not going to put him back in the line of succession, are you?”
“You know where I stand.”
“Even if outside pressure comes?”
“That will never happen.”
The Count spoke firmly.
His voice carried such resolute conviction that Anna couldn’t bring herself to ask again.
“You have to keep your word.”
Bang!
Just as abruptly as she had appeared, Anna Winslet slammed the door shut and stormed out.
The two who remained in the office let out a heavy sigh.
“She may be the heir, but she’s being far too unreasonable. My lord, I fear you may have spoiled her too much.”
“She grew up all alone, without any family. I should be stricter with her… Still, I didn’t expect her to react so strongly to the news of her brother’s return.”
“She has her reasons for clinging so tightly to the heir’s seat. My lord, forgive me for asking, but… if Baron Winslet returns and claims his birthright as the firstborn—”
“That won’t happen. Winter… That boy has had a reason since birth…one that makes it absolutely impossible for him to ever become heir.”
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