HTLCCBFT Chapter 157

Has The Lord’s Career Chart Been Filled Today? – Chapter 157

Count McKenna knew all too well that if he truly allowed the menacing Fosse beside him to “jog his memory,” he would undoubtedly suffer endless torment at the other’s hands.

He had originally considered whether to try and deceive Oliver, but after such a blatant threat, he no longer dared to play any tricks.

Although he was absolutely unwilling to surrender Gregor City… the most important matter at hand was clearly to satisfy this rather violent and beautiful Duke, so that he would be willing to release him.

As for how large a ransom he would have to pay, that was something that could be negotiated slowly.

After all, McKenna still refused to believe that Oliver truly had his sights set on his territory—as a disgraced, no, as a fallen Duke who was a thorn in the current King’s side, shouldn’t the other be worrying about how to explain to his royal brother about seizing the Albury territory without permission?

How could he possibly dare to go further and target his Gregor City?

Perhaps this was just a tactic to intimidate him into paying more money as compensation.

Thinking this, McKenna relaxed slightly, and a trace of long-absent flattery appeared on his face: “Oh, my deepest apologies, Your Grace. Please forgive my momentary distraction… It’s just that I haven’t lain on cold wooden boards like this for a long time, and the earlier commotion was somewhat loud, leaving my ears still ringing, which is why I didn’t immediately hear your question.”

“Lord McKenna.”

Before Oliver could respond, Fosse spoke coldly: “Are you by any chance criticizing His Grace, and suggesting that… retaliating against your offensive actions with a minor punishment is also inappropriate?”

“Of course not, Mr. Fosse. I fully deserve all this, and the fact that I’m still lying here alive is the greatest proof of His Grace’s mercy. I dare swear by the Goddess Havest worshipped in Gregor City that I am filled with gratitude for His Grace’s magnanimity—how could I possibly harbor any dissatisfaction?”

McKenna’s scalp tingled with fear. After hurriedly offering a few excuses, Oliver leisurely interrupted him.

“Gride,” said the golden-haired Duke, whose every gesture epitomized ‘elegance and nobility,’ his unusually subdued voice carrying a hint of amusement: “You have one more chance to answer my question.”

Yet McKenna inexplicably felt an unprecedented terror.

He swallowed hastily, his Adam’s apple bobbing, and produced a dry, ingratiating sound: “Yes. The one currently guarding Gregor City is my incompetent butler, Ken Spire, Your Grace.”

Oliver nodded slightly.

But then, instead of asking about the specific deployment of the city’s defenses as McKenna had feared, he posed a question that left him somewhat puzzled: “How many years has he been in your service?”

Though utterly confused, McKenna answered honestly: “Ken’s family has served my McKenna family for generations—it has been over six generations now.”

Oliver raised an eyebrow slightly and said slowly: “From what I know of you, the plan to attack Albury probably wasn’t your idea alone, and must have involved your butler’s participation, right?”

A flicker of astonishment passed through McKenna’s eyes before he finally nodded after a long moment, his voice hoarse as he replied, “Yes.”

Oliver asked with a hint of amusement, “Is he always the one handling the city’s affairs whenever you leave Gregor City?”

McKenna: “…Yes.”

Oliver: “For this campaign, have you brought all the siege equipment with you?”

McKenna had just given his affirmative answer when he saw the other party’s exquisitely beautiful face break into a dazzling, mesmerizing smile—one that nearly made him vomit blood on the spot. “Excellent. I appreciate your generosity, Lord McKenna.”

McKenna: “…………”

He felt as though his heart were bleeding.

He thought of how he had spent a fortune throughout the entire spring, recruiting craftsmen and purchasing lumber everywhere, all to manufacture those siege engines with absurdly short lifespans… only to have them painstakingly transported halfway, then entirely confiscated by Duke Oliver—and now they were to be turned around and used against his own Gregor City!

No.

If he really thought about it, perhaps the other party didn’t even need to bother with those cumbersome devices—they could just use those terrifying, bizarre contraptions that were enough to scare him and his army out of their wits.

With destructive power capable of blasting people into the air, wouldn’t it be just as devastating to city walls?

McKenna forced a strained smile. “It is my honor to have pleased you, Your Highness.”

Oliver gave a slight nod, the corners of his lips curling into a pleasing arc of satisfaction. “My lord, the honesty and cooperation you’re displaying now have finally succeeded in dispelling my earlier regrets about accepting your surrender too hastily.”

His mind growing increasingly chaotic, McKenna licked his dry lips and spoke nervously, “Your Highness, I…”

“Unfortunately, this journey back may feel particularly long for you.”

After signaling for the carriage to halt, Oliver stood up, looking down at McKenna lying on the floor. His crystal-clear blue eyes held a faint trace of amusement as he said, “To pass the time, I suggest you start praying now… Pray that he remains as loyal to the McKenna name as his fathers and forefathers were, Count.”

Having delivered these words that left McKenna even more bewildered, he disembarked from the carriage with the golden-haired deity and Fosse.

Indeed.

Compared to the stuffy carriage compartment, he still preferred riding.

For the Gregor army, the experiences of the past half-day felt like a surreal nightmare—they had been intercepted by the Albury army just days after setting out.

They had initially believed the enemy forces were fragile and easily crushable, thinking that the Count’s objectives might be achieved ahead of schedule, allowing them to return early… but they never expected that seemingly delicate, beautiful blond lord to be the most destructive and terrifying presence of all.

Any lingering romanticized notions were utterly shattered by the series of deafening explosions and the sight of bodies—whether alive or dead—scattered everywhere.

Most of them were merely freemen temporarily conscripted into military service, lacking the resolve to fight to the death.

Now that their highest-ranking lord and knights were bound and the other captives taken away… it seemed their only option left was to obediently follow orders.

After all, having witnessed those unimaginably terrifying methods firsthand, no one would even consider risking their lives to resist that beautiful lord.

To their pleasant surprise, this enemy force that had been so brutally direct with the nobles treated them with unexpected kindness: there was no whipping, scolding, stripping them naked, or declaring them slaves.

Instead, after confiscating their weapons, they politely allowed them to continue their previous work—of course, under the supervision of the Albury army, and with the direction of their march turned completely around.

From another perspective, they had actually succeeded in their wish to return home to Gregor City ahead of schedule…

“Your Highness.”

Fosse, who had remained silent for a long time, finally couldn’t resist asking: “Do you suspect Ken Spire’s loyalty and stance?”

Oliver, who had been openly lost in thought, snapped back to attention and couldn’t help but smile: “Ah, have I confused you too, my dear Fosse?”

Fosse nodded reservedly.

“I was just making random guesses to disturb his mood and judgment,” Oliver said lightly. “Since he’s a butler who has served his family for generations, he’s at least superficially loyal and always acts from the perspective of protecting his master’s interests. For such an important matter as expressing submission to the new king and influencing my decision to deploy troops, even if the butler isn’t leading it, he must be involved to some extent. After I pointed it out, McKenna would definitely consider Ken’s role in this matter and become suspicious of him.”

At this, he smiled easily and explained: “After all, blaming others for one’s misfortune is always more comfortable than reflecting on one’s own foolishness, especially for nobles… don’t you agree?”

If Gregor City hadn’t actively provoked him, he wouldn’t have had any intention of attacking them—at least not in the coming years.

Unless faced with an imminent crisis, Oliver, who always considered himself relatively non-aggressive, preferred to focus on developing his own territory rather than expanding outward.

Since Gregor City had caused him trouble, as a small revenge, he had to make sure the relationship between this master and servant—the instigators—was less harmonious. Plus… either don’t fight at all, or fight to completely eliminate the enemy, leaving no chance for a comeback.

For nobles, true death isn’t even physical demise, but the loss of territory and dignity.

Fosse couldn’t help but curl the corners of his lips, pride gradually surfacing in his eyes: “For cowards, everything is exactly as you say, wise Highness.”

“Whether it’s effective or not, I’ll first have that butler consider whether he’s willing to exchange the entire city as ransom for his dear master’s life,” Oliver said calmly. “If he agrees to exchange, that would be perfect—then I’ll return his master, who has lost everything, to him as wished.”

If the other party refuses…

Oliver narrowed his eyes slightly.

Then he merely obtained a legitimate opportunity to kill hostages who held no ransom value.

After all, this seemingly pitiable hostage had long been steeped in atrocities, having tortured numerous delicate young boys over the years.

Fosse’s heart suddenly trembled.

He murmured, “And with Gregor City…”

“With Gregor City secured, as long as we manage these three cities well, we’ll possess the capital to carve out the southern territories of the kingdom and rival my elder brother. Once Gregor City is fully occupied, I hope you, Fosse, will take charge of writing letters to recall all my knights scattered across the lands.”

Fosse’s eyes grew warm, and he nodded swiftly. “Yes.”

His Highness had not forgotten them.

Had not forgotten… the loyal knights who were forced to leave their master’s side that day.

Oliver kindly pretended not to notice the fleeting tear at the corner of the butler’s eye and said innocently, “Though it may seem unfriendly toward Gride, who asked him to shamelessly bully me first?”

The great Cat God could testify for him!

He was merely a pitiful Duke too weak to even stay up late, inevitably collapsing by two o’clock—utterly frail and powerless.

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