HTLCCBFT Chapter 218

Has The Lord’s Career Chart Been Filled Today? – Chapter 218

The three-day-long revelry had almost monopolized all conversations about the first month of spring.

Time flew by, and nearly half a month had passed since the end of the Spring Festival. Yet, the laborers sweating in the fields still delighted in recounting the grandeur and joy of those nights, occasionally gesturing animatedly.

Whether it was an illusion or reality, the rich aroma of beer lingered over the three cities for almost half a month before being gradually replaced by the myriad scents of blooming flowers.

It was easy to imagine that the only event capable of replacing the Spring Festival as the new topic of conversation would be the grand Spring Market held on the fortieth day of spring.

In contrast to the harmonious atmosphere in the three cities under Oliver’s governance, life in Riche city remained monotonous and unchanged.

After enduring a long and dreary winter, the people had little inclination to discuss leisure and enjoyment. Instead, they were either seeking new work, busily tilling the gradually thawing fields, inspecting the overwintered crops, or hastily planting new spring crops.

The mood among the serfs and most freemen was far from cheerful.

They were unaware of their lord’s specific political stance and knew nothing of Welph’s covert efforts to intercept and plunder all merchant caravans heading to Gregor city—a scheme that had quickly been discovered by the other side. However, they were well aware that the number of merchants coming to their city from Gregor city had sharply declined since the previous autumn—a situation that inevitably affected their livelihoods.

Riche city was renowned for its skilled artisans and thriving animal husbandry, with vast stretches of excellent natural pastures in the suburbs. Yet, the agricultural output from the city’s cultivated land was insufficient to feed its entire population.

They relied on purchasing grain from merchants from other cities, with the most important and largest suppliers predominantly coming from Gregor city, which boasted extensive fertile farmlands.

Meanwhile, Calward McKenna, who had been residing in Welph’s castle in Riche city for over half a year, was shrouded in gloom and despair.

“Servant,” he murmured softly, unconsciously clenching the silk sleeve of his garment.

As if by doing so, he could truly conceal the slightly pilled and wrinkled edges that betrayed its age, and gloss over his current precarious and awkward situation: “Today… should I really go to see Uncle Welph?”

The relationship between Lord Welph and the McKenna family was distant, separated by several generations, warranting only a polite and formal address of “uncle.”

As for the elderly lady who was said to miss him dearly, she had long since fallen into a state of dementia—and even if she hadn’t, it was impossible for her to miss someone she had never met.

It was only after arriving at the castle that Calward realized it had merely been an excuse fabricated by Welph to placate him during his initial panic.

Staring at his own haggard and timid reflection in the mirror, Calward nervously furrowed his brow and then let out a bitter smile.

In truth, even if Uncle Welph hadn’t resorted to such tactics, he had no other choice.

After Gregor city fell into the hands of that terrifying and cruel duke—who had mercilessly killed his father, a Count—Riche city was his only refuge.

If Uncle Welph were unwilling to offer him protection, his only option might be to try his luck in the royal capital. But what prospects could a landless noble possibly have?

Due to his father’s suppression and control, he had never been able to obtain a noble title. Now, apart from a family heirloom and a small amount of money, the Count’s son had no exploitable value… Even if he went to the royal capital, he would likely be ignored by everyone.

The manservant remained silent for a moment before speaking his mind: “Perhaps there is no need for you to go.

This was already the fourth time the timid and cowardly Calward had rushed about for the same matter.

But during the previous three visits, he had failed to meet Lord Welph, receiving only the expressionless butler’s reply: “The master has gone hunting in the woods with his attendants.”

If Calward had been slightly more assertive, he could have said, “Then I’ll go find my uncle,” or “Then I’ll come again in the evening.” Unfortunately, he was extremely timid and had terrible riding skills, so he could only mumble and return home. Ever since witnessing a knight page who accompanied him being captured by his father, and that handsome boy soon dying covered in wounds, fear had prevented him from practicing riding ever again.

“No, I still must go.”

Calward gazed at his reflection in the mirror, forcing a relaxed curve at the corner of his lips and muttering to himself: “This is what I must strive for the McKenna family, and the only thing I can do.”

When Welph, who was enjoying breakfast in his bedroom, heard that his troublesome distant relative wanted to see him again, he couldn’t help but frown and snort coldly: “He has indeed inherited his father’s greed, along with that annoying shamelessness.”

“After all, that’s poor little McKenna,” his butler said tonelessly, appearing compassionate while subtly lacing his words with sarcasm. “His father unfortunately passed away before teaching him the etiquette, discernment, and knowledge essential for a true noble.”

“You’re quite right.” Welph lazily yawned, his appetite completely gone as he pushed aside his barely-touched breakfast. He complained: “But insatiable greed is a utterly terrible flaw, isn’t it? Even if we don’t expect him to feel grateful for my generosity, he should at least not be so greedy.”

After all, he had kindly allowed Calward to stay in the castle for a full six months without asking for anything in return. He had even sent some men to cause minor trouble for that Duke to fulfill the other’s wishes—though unsuccessfully.

Every banquet Calward attended in the castle was presented as his “nephew,” receiving respect from all guests.

But in reality?

He was indeed the sole heir of Count McKenna’s family. Yet under that old scoundrel whose temper was as twisted as his preferences, he had shamefully failed to obtain even a knight’s title, leaving him with only the awkward designation of “former Count’s son.”

And before receiving recognition from His Majesty in the royal capital, whether he could smoothly inherit the McKenna family’s Count title and corresponding power remained completely uncertain.

It was precisely because of this uncertainty that Welph had always treated him politely yet with reservation. If Calward were acknowledged by the royal capital and recognized as the new Count McKenna, even without immediately obtaining new territories, this young Count would undoubtedly become an ideal marriage candidate in many people’s eyes.

But if he failed to gain approval and was discarded like trash by the royal capital, he would mercilessly cast out the other party who held no further value.

“Hmm……” The butler remained silent, and Welph didn’t mind. After pondering for a while, he decided not to continue avoiding the persistent visitor: “Go and let him in.”

The butler bowed respectfully: “Yes, master.”

Calward never imagined he would actually get to see his uncle!

Into his deeply tormented, gloomy heart, a new ray of hope suddenly shone.

As he followed the butler toward the reception hall, he couldn’t help but recall his previous shameless suspicions about his uncle and felt utterly ashamed.

How could he have doubted his uncle like that?

He completely failed to notice the impatience hidden behind Welph’s smiling eyes. After offering a stiff greeting, he urgently made his request: “I apologize for disturbing you, uncle, but regarding that letter about the knights’ ransom… how do you plan to handle it?

The reason Calward desperately suppressed his fear and the sense of loss from depending on others, repeatedly coming to the castle to seek Welph’s clear stance, was that letter which both shocked and delighted him.

A letter from Duke Oliver – the new master of Gregor city, which once belonged to his father.

When first received, Uncle Welph had let him hold and read it, and the familiar names mentioned in that concise letter had moved him to tears on the spot.

They were the loyal knights who served his father – they were still alive!

What made Calward most ecstatic was that, regardless of what the enemy of his McKenna family – that Duke Oliver – intended, the ransom demand he made was unbelievably low.

All nineteen captured knights, regardless of age or rank, were equally “priced” – only 5 gold coins each to redeem per person!

How could this be!

When Welph first saw this demand, he instinctively believed it was a trap.

While holding absolute advantage, how could that formidable Duke Oliver return a valuable fighting force to them for less than 1/10 of the normal ransom price, almost as if giving them away?

From any perspective, redeeming those captives would bring him nothing but harm: if those people’s loyalty remained intact, only the McKenna family’s strength would increase, which had nothing to do with him as the lord of Riche city. To truly control Calward, he couldn’t let him possess too much power. Keeping him in a state of isolated fear would make him grateful for every bit of favor and allow for the cheapest means of control.

And if those knights had already been turned, then the people they worked to bring back would become genuine threats – putting his Riche city under grave danger!

“So that’s what you’re here for.”

Although Welph had long decided not to agree to bringing those knights back, he showed no expression, maintaining the appearance of a loving uncle.

“Don’t worry, I understand how you feel, and I promise you that we will bring our loyal warriors back sooner or later.”

Before Calward could show a grateful expression, he skillfully changed the subject: “But due to the recent incidents, the relationship between our Riche city and Duke Oliver has become quite tense. His sudden offer to return the knights at what appears to be a friendly ransom price… is truly suspicious.”

Calward froze, his heart slowly sinking.

He wasn’t hopelessly foolish. Even though Lord Welph maintained a kindly demeanor as if considering his interests, he could still detect the opposition in the other’s words and felt a chill run through his body.

Why wouldn’t he agree?

Clenching his fists tightly, he made one last attempt: “If it’s about the ransom itself, I certainly wouldn’t want Uncle to worry—I can cover the cost myself…”

“It’s not about the ransom,” Welph cut him off directly, speaking with apparent patience yet with eyes that regarded him like an unreasonable child. His tone carried a hint of condescending reminder that grated on Calward’s ears: “After what happened to your father, I believe we must maintain the utmost caution when dealing with that cunning yet powerful duke, don’t you agree?”

Calward closed his eyes in despair.

“Yes, Uncle,” he said weakly. “What you say… is perfectly reasonable.”

---