Chapter 48: Monbodt’s Resentment
Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Monbodt’s Resentment
"Vigorous Grass?"
The castle’s doctor, Ronald, listened to the Baron’s description, quickly searching his mind for any related medicinal herbs.
But after a long moment, he still came up empty.
"My Lord, I haven’t heard of such an herb,"
he said, pondering. "Perhaps you could try to draw it? I’ve been gathering herbs lately, so I can keep an eye out for you."
’Drawing, huh.’
Duane had no experience in that area, but he couldn’t think of a better solution at the moment.
"Alright, I’ll find some time today and try to draw it."
Speaking of which, Daniels of the Holy Hand Association was probably more familiar with the island’s herbs. Asking him would likely be more effective than asking Ronald.
Unfortunately, Duane didn’t know the man well, and he didn’t want his enemy to know what he was up to.
"Oh, right."
Remembering that Ronald was going out to gather herbs, Duane gave him a special reminder, "The situation here is still a bit uncertain. You’d best stick to the areas our Guards have patrolled. If anyone gives you trouble, be sure to mention my name."
"Also, stay away from Thorn Valley to the south for now. Demon Beasts often appear there."
Ronald thanked the Lord for the warning.
He had been wandering the nearby area for the past few days. After all, there were plenty of mountains and forests here, and he had seen many common herbs.
"Actually, these rarely trodden mountains and forests might hide a great number of herbs, maybe even Magic Plants. If I get the chance, I’d really like to go take a look."
Ronald didn’t have many medicinal supplies with him; once they were used up, he’d need to restock.
Duane was well aware of this. Those areas to the south were all slated for future development.
"Don’t be impatient. That day will come. I believe you won’t have to worry about the threat of Demon Beasts then."
Ronald nodded.
He hadn’t followed Duane for long, but this Lord seemed decent so far. Since he’d said as much, perhaps that day would truly come.
"My Lord, there’s something I’d like to ask your help with."
The castle doctor’s expression turned serious. "Not all the herbs we use can be foraged; some need to be cultivated. I have some herb seeds on hand, but what I lack is land. If it’s possible..."
"No problem!"
Duane agreed before the man could even finish. "You can take this up with Julian. Have him allocate ten acres of land to you to start."
They were in the process of reclaiming Monbodt’s land, so taking ten acres from that for planting herbs was more than enough.
"Thank you, my Lord!"
Ten acres was more than enough for him. He could even plant some vegetables or grains in the unused space.
But as the castle’s doctor, his need for farmland wasn’t as great as others’.
"Remember to tell me before you start planting."
Duane said, "I’ll help you then."
’This is a perfect opportunity to grind my Basic Planting Skill Level. I can’t miss it.’
His words left Ronald stunned. "Are you joking, my Lord? You are the Lord of Black Forest Island. How could I dare ask for your help?"
"Don’t be surprised, Ronald. I’m just interested in planting herbs. Just think of me as your apprentice."
"This..."
Skills like medicine and herbalism were passed down to one’s sons, never easily shared with outsiders.
But if that outsider was the Lord, it was another matter entirely.
Besides, Ronald was currently drawing a salary paid by Duane.
"Very well, my Lord. I will be sure to notify you."
After seeing the doctor off, Duane began his own tasks.
The arranged duel was the day after tomorrow, and he had already finished the phase of frantically grinding attribute points.
For the time being, aside from brewing eight servings of Fire Source Beast Bone Soup in two batches each day, he planned to spend the rest of his time on fishing and Manufacturing.
Both of these Skills were currently at the Entry stage, and they seemed easier to advance than Planting or Brewing.
Speaking of brewing, the five barrels of soaking wheat grains had successfully sprouted.
Under Owington’s guidance, Duane had dried and crushed them, extracted the wort, and filtered and boiled it. Now, it was all fermenting.
The whole process would take at least a month. Until then, Duane’s Basic Brewing Skill Level was stuck at (Initial 93/100).
He probably wouldn’t successfully reach the Entry stage until the first barrel of beer was finished.
While Duane was raising his fishing rod and starting to fish, Monbodt was fuming at home.
He was an old man. He had spent half his life accumulating over six hundred acres of farmland, only to have the new Lord arrive and confiscate more than five hundred of them in a matter of days.
Although Duane had left him with over thirty acres, enough to live on, this was not the outcome he wanted to see.
"Father, are we really just going to stand by and watch them take our land?"
Monbodt’s son, Broo, slammed his fist into the wall. The events of the past few days had left him furious.
Before Duane’s arrival, he had been the one calling the shots in this part of Broken Wave City.
Now that Duane had arrived, Julian, Haien, and the others had taken over everything. He didn’t even dare to ask too many questions.
"He is Nobility, the master of Black Forest Island! He wants to take my land, what can I do?"
Monbodt cursed angrily, "I told you long ago to go train with Bard and the others, but you wouldn’t do it! Now you’re thirty and still just an ordinary person. We don’t even have the ability to protect ourselves in front of the Baron!"
Broo complained, "All these years, you’ve done so much for the Broken Wave Gang and the Holy Hand Association, offered them so many resources and so much wealth. Can’t you get them to deal with the Baron directly?"
Monbodt shot his son a fierce glare and glanced nervously outside. He only breathed a sigh of relief after seeing no one was there.
"Are you trying to get yourself killed, saying something like that?"
He struck his son. "I’m warning you, watch your mouth! If anyone had heard what you just said, I wouldn’t even be able to hold on to these thirty acres!"
Broo seemed to realize his slip of the tongue and stammered, afraid to argue further. "I’m just... resentful..."
"And you think I’m not?"
Monbodt wished the Holy Hand Association and the Broken Wave Gang would just fight Duane directly. He’d even tried to stir up trouble.
But he could see that all three parties were wary of each other, which was why this duel had been arranged.
They were unlikely to come to blows before the outcome of the duel was decided.
"I recently told you to get closer to that group of people under the Baron. How is that going?"
"I’ve gotten to know a few young men. They’re all descendants of the Guards or artisans the Baron recruited."
Broo said, shaking his head. "The Baron must have given them orders; they’re all very tight-lipped. The moment I mention anything about wanting to know the Baron’s past, they clam up."
Monbodt’s brow furrowed. His intuition told him that this young Baron must be hiding something.
But these people were all in the same boat as the Baron; under normal circumstances, they wouldn’t reveal any more information.
What’s more, he, Monbodt, had yet to earn the Baron’s complete trust, so his son was naturally labeled as untrustworthy as well.
"Then keep talking to them."
Monbodt said, "If all else fails, treat them to a meal. Bring wine."
Broo’s eyes lit up. "Now that’s a good idea!"