Chapter 73: Two Terrifying Words
Chapter 73: Chapter 73: Two Terrifying Words
In the reception hall of the private courtyard, Bard sat in a chair. Beside him were the desserts and juice brought by the Baron’s servants.
Perhaps because he was so used to the simple food on the island, the Baron’s fare tasted much more refined and had an excellent texture.
Bard took a few more bites.
But as the wait dragged on, the food lost its appeal.
"Why isn’t the Baron here yet?" he couldn’t help but ask.
Kaelon and Raymond exchanged a look. They were his hosts, and they had already spent the past hour making all sorts of small talk. If the Baron didn’t show up soon, they would be completely out of things to say.
Raymond replied, "The Baron is busy with matters outside, but it’s getting dark. He should be back soon."
Kaelon said with a smile, "If you’re bored, how about we go outside and have a sparring match?"
’To be honest,’ although Kaelon’s injuries hadn’t fully healed, he was itching to let loose and have a real fight after his breakthrough.
Unfortunately, while Bard could move around, he was in no condition for a strenuous battle.
Therefore, regarding the offer to spar, he simply shot a cool glance at the man who had injured him, paying it no further mind.
A few moments later, Duane’s figure appeared outside the courtyard.
"My Lord!"
"My Lord!"
Kaelon and Raymond immediately rose to greet him. Bard stood up as well. "Baron."
"Sorry to keep you waiting!"
Duane had already bathed and changed into clothes suitable for receiving a guest.
"I just heard from my steward that you brought quite a variety of items this time."
Bard replied, "I’ve been in negotiations with the Holy Hand Association. Based on our combined past profits, the Broken Wave Gang needs to pay you a contract fee of two hundred and forty Gold Coins."
Two hundred and forty Gold Coins. This was no small sum.
It had cost both the Holy Hand Association and the Broken Wave Gang more than half of the wealth they had accumulated over the years.
"Please, sit."
Duane gestured with his hand. "I appreciate you delivering the full contract fee so promptly. Bard, how are your injuries?"
"Thank you for your concern, Baron. I’m recovering quite well."
Duane nodded to himself. ’The constitution of an Earth Tier Warrior truly is impressive.’
He also noticed the change in Bard’s attitude.
The first time they met, the man had been aloof and dismissive;
After losing their duel, Bard had displayed resentment and withdrawal;
But today, his attitude was far more subservient.
’Indeed, might makes right.’
Only after you beat someone do they truly recognize their place.
An attitude that could change could also be an attitude that could be won over.
However, Duane had no intention of actively recruiting a bandit chief like him. He would wait for Bard to bow his head first.
Although the end result—getting him to work for him—was the same, the method of recruitment would determine his future attitude and status.
"Bard, I heard from Monbodt that you’re a fugitive who fled to Black Forest Island."
Duane asked, "Can you tell me what crime you were accused of?"
Bard’s brow furrowed. The Baron’s question brought memories of the past flooding back like a tide.
He was silent for a long moment before answering, as if with great reluctance.
"I was once the Vice Commander of a Mercenary Corps in Lapland Province. During a mission to escort valuable materials, the commander framed me for theft, and I became a wanted man."
A vicious expression crossed his face.
"I killed the commander, stowed away on a merchant ship while wounded, and after a few twists and turns, I ended up here by accident."
Duane stroked his chin. ’Judging by his expression, he doesn’t seem to be lying.’
’If that’s all there is to it, then his crime is hardly unforgivable.’
"Lapland Province... Isn’t the Bloom Clan’s territory located there?"
"Yes. Besides them, the Smith Clan is also in Lapland Province."
Duane nodded.
The current Clan Leader of the Bloom Clan was none other than Earl Orlando, the man who had accused Carter.
As for the Smith Clan, its Clan Leader, Sean, was the Pruck Kingdom’s Marquis Iron Blood.
"Which noble has a warrant out for you?" Duane asked.
"The Bloom Clan."
Duane grunted in acknowledgment, then said thoughtfully, "As long as you are willing to work for me, I will grant you my protection, even if the Bloom Clan finds you in the future."
He had a major grievance with Earl Orlando as it was.
Now that Bard lived in his Territory, he was naturally under his protection.
Even if they did come here to arrest someone, they would first need his permission as the Lord of the Territory.
Of course, this was just talk.
In reality, the Bloom Clan had probably given up on capturing Bard long ago.
But to Bard’s ears, these words meant something entirely different.
He hadn’t dared to leave Black Forest Island precisely because he was a wanted fugitive.
This was also part of the reason he was so wary of the Lord of Black Forest Island.
So for Duane to not only show no intention of helping another noble hunt him down, but to even offer him protection... it came as quite a surprise.
’After all, the Nobility sticks together.’
’But if I really could get his protection... maybe I’d have a sliver of hope of returning to my homeland someday and reuniting with the family I haven’t seen in years?’
"Thank you for your promise!" he said, his voice full of gratitude.
Next, Duane asked him several more questions about Earl Orlando.
The Bloom Clan controlled two Secret Realms.
One was supposedly a ruin-type Secret Realm, from which they had apparently obtained the recipe for Magic Malt Beer.
The second was supposedly an Element-type Secret Realm.
Though the outside world didn’t know which specific Element it was, rumor had it that this Secret Realm was extremely beneficial for the Planting of Magic Wheat.
The two Secret Realms allowed the Bloom Clan to produce a top-tier Magic Malt Beer that sold well throughout the Pruck Kingdom and even in neighboring kingdoms, bringing them immense wealth.
Through their conversation, Duane could tell that Bard was very familiar with the local Nobility, famous landmarks, and even a few celebrities.
This further proved that he was indeed from Lapland Province.
As they talked, the evening banquet was prepared.
Duane brought out his finest wine and hosted the leader of the Broken Wave Gang with the same courtesy he had shown Simone.
During the meal, glasses were raised and cups were drained in a lively atmosphere.
It was hard to say whether it was the fine wine that had won him over, or if their conversation had stirred up old feelings, but Bard became increasingly respectful toward Duane.
"Baron, there’s actually something else I came to tell you."
The corners of Duane’s mouth lifted. ’I knew he came in person for a reason.’
"Go on."
Bard glanced left and right, his expression seeming to ask if the others in the dining hall should be dismissed.
Besides Kaelon and Raymond, the steward, various maids and footmen, and the guards Jack and John at the door were also present in the dining hall.
"They’re all my people. Speak freely," Duane said.
Bard nodded. "Before I continue, I’d like to ask: did Daniels happen to give you something about the size of an egg, with a dark exterior?"
Kaelon and Raymond, who were standing to the side, were startled. ’Isn’t he talking about the Sauce Meat Fruit?’
Duane was also surprised and confused, a sense of alarm rising within him.
"Is there a problem with it?"
Bard understood. The Baron’s response meant he did have the item in question.
He said, "If he really did give you that, I urge you not to eat it."
"Oh?"
Duane’s heart skipped a beat. "Why? Is it poisonous?"
He had been afraid it was poisonous back then, which was why he had Benur eat it first.
Only after waiting a long time and seeing no ill effects did he have Kaelon consume it.
Now, nearly a day had passed, and neither of them showed any negative symptoms.
’Logically, it should be fine.’
"It’s not that the thing is poisonous."
Bard’s expression was strange. "It’s just that the ingredients used to make it are... unusual."
Duane, however, breathed a sigh of relief. ’Just unusual ingredients? Nothing strange about that.’
He had taken some traditional medicines in his past life.
Some of their names sounded quite elegant, but in reality, they were things like animal droppings or corpses.
Anyone who knew the truth probably wouldn’t dare consume them.
Kaelon, however, didn’t know any of this. His face tightened as he hurriedly asked, "What kind of ingredients is it made from?"
Bard glanced at Kaelon, then turned his gaze back to Duane. In a low voice, he said, "You might not believe this, but that thing of his is mixed with..."
He paused deliberately before slowly spitting out two words: "Human flesh."