Chapter 284 - 268: How About the Lord of Iron Valley?

After Leech left the field, Radish excitedly trotted over to help him remove his plate armor.

Watching his Lord defeat his opponent and achieve victory on the field, Radish’s admiration for Leech had reached its peak.

’If this were a game, Radish’s loyalty meter would be full by now.’

Sidor Sea Water also came over at this time, handing over a bag of money: "A total of 33 Jinri and 75 Silver Moon."

Adding the 500 Jinri from the victory, that came to 533 Jinri and 75 Silver Moon.

’Sure enough, big cities are full of opportunities.’

’Maybe I should have Hawke Wood add another 4,000 slaves.’ Now that he had money, all Leech could think about was increasing his population.

It was just a thought, though. He would decide after the first batch of slaves he’d purchased arrived.

Unsurprisingly, Leech, the champion of the Knight tournament, became the center of attention.

As he left the tournament grounds, several noblewomen cast seductive glances his way. Some even brazenly lifted their skirts, subtly hinting at a certain proposition.

Leech remarked, "If I were willing, I bet half the noblewomen here tonight would be willing to spread their legs and welcome me."

Radish, walking beside him, pretended not to hear. It wasn’t his place to comment.

"But they’ve chosen the wrong person," Leech said.

Radish nodded inwardly. ’Of course,’ he thought. ’The Lord would never be seduced by beauty.’

Although he had missed out on Iron Valley, the large sum of money he’d acquired was a slight consolation to Leech’s heart.

"Sir Leech!" Sidor Sea Water suddenly called out, jogging to catch up.

"What is it?" Leech stopped.

Sidor Sea Water leaned in close to Leech and said in a low voice, "My father wishes to see you in his study."

Leech raised an eyebrow. ’Could it be that winning the championship caught Leopold’s attention? Is there another reward in it for me?’

’Looks like the Lucky Potion is starting to work.’

"Please, lead the way."

"This way, please."

Leech instructed Radish to go back and pack first. They would be leaving Roaring Castle after he met with the Duke of Shining Sun.

He followed Sidor Sea Water through a few winding paths in the inner castle before finally arriving at a study.

"Please," Sidor Sea Water said, then turned and left.

The illegitimate son had no place in the conversation to come.

Leech raised his hand and knocked gently on the door.

"Come in."

CREAK. Leech pushed the door open.

Inside the room were the Duke of Radiant Sun, Duru Leopold, and standing beside him, his heir, Pine Leopold.

"Good day, my Lord." Leech bowed, his right hand over his chest.

"You’re a lot like Lieder," the Duke said.

His voice was strong and resonant, and his cheeks were ruddy. He was a completely different person from the man in the wheelchair that morning, who had been unable to even speak.

"My father is my role model," Leech said. "I, too, will be proud to serve Leopold, just as he was."

The Duke didn’t respond to Leech’s declaration of loyalty, but he seemed to appreciate Leech’s straightforward expression of fealty.

He asked, "Do you know why I’ve summoned you today?"

Leech didn’t hesitate at all, replying directly, "It must be for a reward."

"Hahaha, why a reward?"

’Because all I want are the benefits. I’m not interested in any of the other bullshit.’

Seeing Leech’s sincere expression of wanting nothing but a reward, the Duke said, "That’s right, it is a reward!"

"Thank you, my Lord!" Leech was always quick with the pleasantries when there were benefits on the line.

The Duke said, "Don’t be so hasty. This is a reward you’ll have to take for yourself."

Leech was puzzled. "Take for myself?"

The Duke said, "How does being the Lord of Iron Valley sound?"

Leech replied immediately, "Thank you, my Lord! I will be sure to develop the territory and bring prosperity to Iron Valley."

Although Baron Ross had been the one to lead the attack on Iron Valley, the final decision on who would be granted the land rested with Leopold. Leech could become the Lord of Iron Valley without deploying a single soldier; it was like taking someone else’s spoils of war for free.

’I’m sure Baron Ross and his men will hate my guts.’

’But that’s not important. As long as the benefits are mine, that’s all that matters.’

’Who would have thought that after all that, Iron Valley would still end up in my hands?’

No matter how much of a role the Lucky Potion played, Leech was willing to give it a five-star review.

However, Leech was also well aware that the more a reward seemed to come without a price, the greater the hidden cost.

"I cannot simply hand Iron Valley over to you," the Duke said. "You need to conquer Iron Valley yourself. As long as you take it, the place is yours."

"But Lord Ross and his men..."

"Don’t worry about them," the Duke said. "They have other work. It’s different from yours."

’Different?’

"Yes!" Leech finally nodded and said, "I will be sure to conquer Iron Wall Castle!"

"Very good." The Duke nodded in satisfaction, then asked, "Leech, what do you think of the East Gorge under my rule?"

"The East Gorge is the most prosperous region on the entire Lu Leiyi Continent," Leech said. "The people have enough to eat and wear, and they all praise your great achievements, my Lord. In many places throughout the East Gorge, I have heard the people speak of their reverence for you."

The Duke smiled. It seemed he also believed he had done a good job as Duke.

He then asked, "What do you think of immortality?"

’Just as I thought!’

Leech gave himself full marks for his earlier guess; the Duke of Radiant Sun really did want to live longer.

He said, "Of course it’s a good thing. If a man like you, my Lord, could achieve immortality, it would be a blessing for all the East Gorge People. Everyone’s lives would get better and better."

As he spoke, Leech subtly glanced at Pine’s expression out of the corner of his eye. Pine did not look pleased.

’Throughout history, has there ever been a crown prince who lasted for forty years?’

’That must be exactly how Pine feels right now.’

’But today’s conversation required him to go along with the Duke. The slightest misstep, and he would be the one in trouble.’

Luckily, Leech had already guessed the Duke’s intentions, so he could answer without faltering, giving the impression that he was speaking his mind without a second thought.

The Duke said, "After you become the Lord of Iron Valley, I need you to help me find a treasure."

At that same moment, Leech thought to himself, ’Here it comes!’ He knew this was the real reason the Duke had summoned him.

"What treasure?"

"Some say there is a mysterious witch in Iron Valley. She has found a miraculous magic potion that can extend a person’s life! I want you to retrieve that magic potion!" the Duke said, his voice trembling with excitement.

’So it really is about living longer.’

’When a monarch becomes obsessed with immortality, it’s never a good sign.’

"I will be sure to retrieve that magic potion for you!" Leech promised solemnly.

"COUGH, COUGH!" The overexcited Duke of Radiant Sun began to cough, and Pine patted his back to help him breathe easier.

"I have always believed in the loyalty of the Porcupine Clan," the Duke said, his face pale from coughing. He looked at Leech. "When you successfully retrieve the magic potion, I will have someone bring a group of people to Iron Valley to help you build it up."

"Thank you, my Lord!" Leech’s face lit up with a look of pleasant surprise.

"If you need anything, go find Sidor."

"Yes, my Lord!"

"You may go."

"Yes!"

Leech respectfully withdrew and closed the door behind him.

Only the Duke and his son, Pine, remained in the room.

"Father, do you really think he can retrieve that magic potion?"

"I never doubt the loyalty of the Porcupine Clan," the Duke nodded. "I was the one who promoted Lieder. He may be a bit of a clever schemer, but he is by no means lacking in loyalty."

As their liege lord, he had absolute confidence.

As long as he was still alive, he believed his vassals would remain one hundred percent loyal.