Chapter 256: Poaching
"That’s exactly what I’m trying to figure out."
Ezra replied in his usual calm tone, though there was a trace of thoughtfulness hidden beneath it.
He remained seated on the sofa with his arms folded loosely across his chest, his blank black eyes resting on the polished wooden table between them. His mind continued piecing together every detail he had seen since entering the Baron House of Wellston.
"Your friend mentioned that the family owes money to another Baron House."
He paused for a brief moment before raising his eyes toward Lucy.
"And from what the guard at the entrance shouted..."
His words naturally trailed off.
Lucy immediately understood what he was trying to say.
"They owe Baroness Orvain."
She completed his sentence without hesitation.
Ezra gave a slight nod.
"First..."
He calmly adjusted his sitting posture, leaning back against the sofa.
"Meet Baron Wellston himself."
His gaze shifted toward the closed door of the waiting room.
"Observe him to see if he’s truly is the reason behind his family’s decline...Then everything becomes much simpler."
He paused again before continuing.
"But if he isn’t..."
His fingers lightly tapped against the armrest.
"...then we’ll have to investigate House Orvain instead. I want to understand what really happened between both families before drawing any conclusions."
Lucy nodded slowly.
"Okay..."
She understood the logic behind his decision.
However...
Another question quietly appeared inside her mind.
She tilted her head slightly.
"But..."
She looked at Ezra curiously.
"Why are you interested in helping this family, Master?"
Her tone carried genuine confusion.
She knew Ezra a bit better than most people.
Since she now spent the most time with him, eating and sleeping under the same roof.
If it hadn’t been because Gwen was her childhood friend...
Ezra wouldn’t even have treated Blake, He would have basically continued his journey back to the hotel.
Helping strangers wasn’t something he normally sought out.
Yet now...
He was voluntarily planning to involve himself in another noble family’s problems.
That was unlike him.
Ezra quietly looked at her.
His expression remained as calm as ever.
"I’ll tell you later."
His answer remained short.
Lucy blinked helplessly.
Again...
Master is still keeping things to himself.
Before she could ask another question...
Ezra’s eyes quietly shifted towards the door.
He had already sensed several people approaching long before they arrived.
The door slowly opened.
The elderly male servant entered first before respectfully stepping aside.
Immediately afterward...
A guard wearing the military uniform of House Wellston walked into the room.
His dark-blue coat was neatly buttoned.
The Wellston family crest had been embroidered onto the right side of his chest.
His posture remained disciplined.
Every movement showed years of military training.
Only after the guard had entered did another figure appear.
Baron Wellston himself.
He calmly walked into the waiting room.
Behind him...
A young maid pushed a serving trolley carrying fresh cookies alongside a crystal bottle of wine and several elegant glasses.
The aroma of freshly baked pastries quietly spread throughout the room.
The Baron smiled politely.
"Greetings."
He greeted the two young guests before taking his seat opposite Ezra.
Ezra immediately stood.
"Greetings, Baron."
Ezra lowered his head in a respectful bow.
Beside him...
Lucy performed a proper maid’s bow.
While lowering his head...
Ezra quietly sensed the flow of Cognis coming from the guard standing beside the Baron.
Binder Rank...
He reached his conclusion almost instantly.
Lucy also sensed it.
She briefly glanced toward her master.
Ezra subtly met her eyes.
Neither of them spoke.
The silent exchange lasted only a heartbeat before both calmly straightened their posture after the Baron gestured for them to rise.
The Baron rested both hands on his knees.
"I truly want to thank both of you for saving my son."
His voice sounded calm.
However...
The exhaustion hidden beneath it couldn’t be concealed.
Dark circles rested beneath both eyes.
His hair looked slightly unkempt despite clearly having been combed earlier.
Even his smile appeared forced.
He was trying his best to maintain the dignity expected of a Baron.
But the burden weighing on him had already begun showing itself.
Ezra simply nodded once sitting back down.
"I understand."
The Baron smiled faintly.
Then...
The smile slowly faded.
"...However..."
His expression gradually became serious.
His gaze fixed itself upon Ezra.
"You appear to be a young noble."
He carefully chose each word.
"Especially judging from your bearing. But..."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Your face remains hidden. And considering the timing of your appearance...I can’t help becoming suspicious."
He let out a tired sigh.
"I’m truly sorry. I know these words sound ungrateful toward the people who rescued my son. But..."
He slowly placed both hands together.
"I no longer have the luxury of trusting mysterious people inside my household."
As he finished speaking...
He subtly glanced toward the guard standing behind him.
The guard immediately understood.
His right hand quietly drifted toward the Space Bag hanging from his waist.
Not enough to draw attention.
Yet close enough to react instantly if Ezra or Lucy made any suspicious movement.
Ezra calmly observed everything.
He had already expected this reaction.
Since, till now, his face remained hidden beneath both his hood and scarf.
On top of that...
He and Lucy had appeared immediately after Blake had been attacked.
Any cautious father would naturally become suspicious.
The Baron looked directly into Ezra’s eyes.
"Please tell me..."
His tone became firm.
"Who are you...And what exactly do you want with my family?"
Silence filled the waiting room.
The Baron watched Ezra carefully.
Ezra calmly returned his gaze with his usual blank expression.
Behind the Baron...
The guard remained prepared.
His fingers rested only inches away from his Space Bag.
Meanwhile...
Lucy quietly watched the guard.
Her body remained relaxed.
Yet she was already prepared to react the instant he made a hostile move.
The maid standing beside the serving trolley unconsciously swallowed.
She could feel the invisible pressure building inside the room.
Even breathing suddenly became difficult.
After several quiet moments...
Ezra finally spoke.
"Please forgive my mistake, Baron."
His voice remained calm.
He slowly reached up.
First...
He lowered the hood covering his head.
Then...
He gently pulled his scarf down, revealing his face.
"My name..."
He gave another polite bow.
"...is Ezra Ashenlocke."
The moment his face became visible...
The Baron’s eyes widened.
The guard froze.
Even the maid gasped softly.
Every one of them immediately recognized the young face before them.
Not because they had met him personally, but because his face had spread across Britannia.
Articles on Skynet.
Newspapers.
The live broadcast of the Phantom Rolls Auction.
The rising young inventor of House Ashenlocke.
"Ezra... Ashenlocke..."
The Baron whispered in disbelief.
"The inventor of the Phantom Rolls...And...A member of Duke Ashenlocke’s family."
Realization struck all three of them at once.
The guard immediately lowered his head.
The maid hurriedly bowed as well.
Even Baron Wellston quickly adjusted his posture.
His entire attitude doing a complete 360.
"It is an honor..."
He spoke respectfully.
"...to welcome a member of House Ashenlocke into my home."
A trace of panic entered his voice.
"I sincerely apologize for my earlier words. I had no idea such a distinguished guest had come to Velcryon. Much less the young inventor whose name is already spreading throughout Britannia. I have truly spoken out of turn."
He lowered his head apologetically.
Ezra gently waved one hand.
"It’s alright, Baron Wellston."
His tone remained exactly the same as before.
Calm.
Flat and unchanging.
Hearing that emotionless voice...
The Baron slowly looked into Ezra’s eyes.
Those blank black eyes quietly met his own.
For some reason...
That made him feel even more guilty.
He couldn’t shake the feeling that he had unknowingly offended someone he absolutely shouldn’t have.
Normally...
When a Lowline member of a Duke Family... whether they were an ordinary guard, servant, craftsman, or worker serving one of the Duke’s industries... met a noble from a lower-ranked house that wasn’t affiliated with any High status Noble family...
The lower-ranked noble would usually show extra respect.
It wasn’t because of the Lowline member’s personal status.
It was because of the powerful family standing behind them.
No sensible Baron or Viscount would willingly create unnecessary friction with a Duke Family over something so trivial.
Now...
Ezra wasn’t simply a Lowline member of House Ashenlocke.
He had already become one of Britannia’s most talked-about young craftsmen.
His name had spread throughout the kingdom because of the Phantom Rolls.
On top of that...
He was also recognized as one of the promising young Alchemists of the Ashenlocke Family.
His value was far beyond that of an ordinary Lowline.
"Baron Wellston."
Ezra spoke calmly, noticing the Baron’s worry.
"As I said before...It’s fine."
He lightly waved one hand.
"This is simply how I speak. So please don’t mind it."
His voice remained as flat as ever.
Baron Wellston looked at the young boy with mixed emotions.
He still couldn’t understand how someone could speak so calmly without revealing the slightest emotion.
Yet...
After thinking about Ezra’s achievements...
He unconsciously convinced himself there was a reasonable explanation.
Perhaps...
This is simply the confidence born from success.
After all...
He’s accomplished things many adults could only dream of.
The Baron quietly sighed inwardly.
My son...
Even admires this child more than anyone else.
I wonder what Blake’s reaction will be when he wakes up and discovers that the person who saved his life...
...is actually his idol.
The thought alone brought a small smile onto his tired face.
"Mr. Ezra."
The Baron spoke again.
His shoulders had visibly relaxed compared to earlier.
"I want to thank you once again...for saving my son."
This time...
He slowly stood from his seat.
Then...
He gave Ezra a proper bow worthy of his gratitude.
Even Lucy couldn’t help blinking in surprise.
A Baron personally lowering himself before someone younger than his own son...
Wasn’t something she could ever see happen in her life.
The Wellston guard also looked slightly stunned.
He had served Baron Wellston for years.
He knew how much dignity the man usually carried.
Yet today...
He willingly bowed without hesitation.
Ezra quietly watched him.
Then...
He spoke before the atmosphere could once again turn into another lengthy exchange of gratitude.
"Baron Wellston."
His voice remained calm.
"Let’s get straight to the point."
"Hm?"
The Baron slowly raised his head.
Confusion immediately appeared across his face.
What could someone like him possibly want from my family?
He wondered silently.
The Wellston guard beside him also glanced toward Ezra.
Curiosity had replaced the caution that had filled his eyes moments ago.
Ezra calmly met the Baron’s gaze.
"I heard...that your son is an aspiring inventor."
The Baron nodded subconsciously.
"Yes..."
Ezra continued without changing his expression.
"I’m interested in capable people."
His blank black eyes remained fixed on the Baron.
"Especially young people around my age. I prefer seeing talent before it fully blooms."
His tone stayed steady.
Almost as though he were discussing today’s weather.
"So... I’m here to poach your son."
He paused briefly.
"And...If he meets my standards...I plan on offering him a contract."
Silence.
The waiting room became completely quiet.
Even the maid who had remained standing near the wall couldn’t help staring at Ezra.
Baron Wellston blinked once.
Then again.
A third time.
His thoughts completely froze.
...My son?
Blake?
Caught the attention of Ezra Ashenlocke?
His breathing unconsciously became uneven.
No...
No...
This can’t be real.
His eyes remained fixed on the calm young boy sitting opposite him.
Wait...
Why...
Why does this child sound like the chairman of some enormous company?
He’s only around Blake’s age.
Yet he’s calmly talking about recruiting people...
About contracts...
About poaching talent...
What kind of thirteen-year-old speaks like this?
No, he should be Fourteen now, right?
But that doesn’t change the level of maturity his showing.
The Baron’s thoughts became increasingly chaotic.
Another realization quietly surfaced.
His older sister is already studying at Ash Academy.
She’s trying to earn a place within the Ashenlocke Scholar Division...
If Blake truly receives this opportunity...
His heart began beating faster.
After remaining speechless for several moments...
He finally rubbed his forehead with one hand.
"Honestly..."
A helpless laugh escaped him.
"I don’t even know what to say."
His voice carried genuine amazement.
"You don’t need to be overly excited just yet."
Ezra replied in the same flat tone.
His expression still hadn’t changed since the conversation began.
"I still need to evaluate your son."
He calmly laid out the conditions.
"If he meets my standards... then I’ll recruit him, and...I’ll also help your family resolve its current situation. So I will be staying over for some days if you don’t mind Baron."
He spoke as though discussing an ordinary business proposal.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
Baron Wellston’s pupils trembled.
His hands instinctively tightened into fists.
Excitement surged through his chest.
For the first time in what felt like months...
He saw a genuine ray of hope.
He desperately wanted to celebrate.
To laugh.
To immediately forcefully wake Blake and tell him everything.
Yet...
Years of noble etiquette held him back.
He slowly took a deep breath before regaining his composure.
Then...
He gave Ezra another respectful bow.
"Thank you...Mr. Ezra."
His smile this time carried far more warmth than before.
"Thank you for extending such an opportunity to my family."
He turned toward the maid standing nearby.
"Please...Immediately prepare guest rooms for our honored visitors."
"Yes, My Lord."
The maid lowered her head respectfully.
Without wasting another second...
She quietly left the waiting room to carry out the order.
Baron Wellston looked back toward Ezra and Lucy.
"Please...Make yourselves at home."
He slowly rose from his seat.
"I need to inform my wife...The family elders...And the members of our High Board about today’s events."
He smiled gratefully.
"Once again...Thank you for your kindness."
He bowed politely once more before turning toward the exit.
The Wellston guard also respectfully bowed toward Ezra and Lucy before following behind his lord.
Lucy returned the bow with proper etiquette.
Meanwhile...
Ezra simply watched them leave.
His expression remained unchanged.
Yet inside his mind...
The first piece of his future plans had already quietly begun falling into place.