HTLCCBFT Chapter 160

Has The Lord’s Career Chart Been Filled Today? – Chapter 160

“Stop, Fosse!”

Before he could fully process the situation, Oliver jolted and blurted out those words.

Fortunately, he had spoken in time.

In that split second, his loyal butler had already drawn his sword without hesitation, its sharp tip aimed directly at the most vulnerable part of the throat.

Oliver certainly didn’t believe that a mere sword could harm a deity—but it could definitely damage the elaborate lie he had painstakingly crafted for so long.

The gleaming blade reflected its owner’s chilling murderous intent.

Though it halted abruptly mid-air at his command, the intense killing aura showed no signs of diminishing.

It was truly a rare sight.

Knowing it wasn’t the time for such observations, Oliver couldn’t help but think: truly worthy of the Cat God.

A simple kiss had made Fosse’s chest heave violently, his usually calm and restrained green eyes nearly bursting with vivid fury.

The Cat God had performed similar surprise kisses on Oliver before.

But for some reason, he faintly sensed that this seemingly identical gesture was fundamentally different.

However, the immediate priority was—

“Fosse,” Oliver cleared his throat lightly, “put away your sword. Don’t forget, this is Jin.”

At least on the surface, he was Oliver’s so-called “brother”—someone permitted to make such intimate gestures.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Remembering Jin’s true identity, Fosse responded expressionlessly.

Had it been otherwise…

Overflowing with rage to shatter the other party, Fosse glared intensely at the blond madman who dared maintain an innocent and unapologetic expression after committing such an outrageous act, then sheathed his sword with sharp precision.

Only the sound of the blade sliding into its scabbard was unusually loud.

—Like violently boiling magma beneath a seemingly dormant volcano.

“Cat God,” Oliver said, subtly trying to push away the blond deity who clung to him as if in cat form, “from now on, don’t do such things outside the bedroom.”

When his efforts proved futile, he added helplessly in a low voice, “Be good, alright?”

Completely unaffected by the butler’s actions, which he deemed utterly non-threatening, the blond deity pondered mysteriously for a moment. Instead of immediately agreeing, he cautiously confirmed, “In the divine realm… is that allowed?”

“That’s fine too.”

Only after making this promise did Oliver finally manage to push aside the immovable figure. “Alright, I’ve seen enough of this place for now. Come back to the camp with me—I want to know if that old butler has made up his mind yet.”

This was merely an excuse he had concocted, and as expected, Ken Spire in the castle still hadn’t given any response.

To prevent the Count from suffering heatstroke, Oliver immediately ordered the knights to bring him back to the camp and place him in the shade.

After all, the display of the hostage had served its purpose.

Approaching the silent Gride, Oliver slightly lowered his gaze and remarked in an elegantly teasing tone, “It seems the butler who supposedly served your family for generations isn’t as loyal as you thought, Gride.”

Although it was still early summer, the midday sun could already be described as scorching.

This was especially true for Count McKenna, who aside from his early knight training, had lived a life of luxury and comfort. Just a few hours of intense exposure were enough to turn his fair skin red and painful.

That tight, burning pain… it must be sunburn.

Even realizing this, after the lessons of recent days, Gride didn’t dare complain at all.

In fact, when he heard Oliver’s teasing words and was finally dragged into the shade by the knight, his face darkened like storm clouds threatening days of rain, his eyes filled with nothing but hatred.

Dead.

This hatred, however, was directed at the person he saw as the root cause of all his suffering and torment – the butler Ken Spire.

“Yes,” Count McKenna finally answered in a hoarse voice after a long pause. “Everything is exactly as you said.”

“Eat something first.”

Although Oliver was deliberately needling him, as long as McKenna still had use value, he certainly wouldn’t let him starve to death or die of sun exposure.

Moreover, since he had already captured the lord, if that butler inside was truly willing to cooperate, he could take this city without shedding blood – no matter what, having set his sights on Gregor City, he had never intended to attack the town from the beginning.

The more damage caused, the more troublesome the repairs would be afterward.

Anyone who considered Gregor City their prize wouldn’t do such a foolish thing that benefits no one.

The people of Gregor, who watched their every move with the wariness of startled birds, carefully observing everything, had no idea that their worries were completely unnecessary.

“Never thought I’d get to eat freshly baked bread while on campaign,” one soldier marveled, though his hands never stopped moving as he tore off a small piece from the large, pale yellow loaf and stuffed it into his mouth with evident enjoyment. “Great Cat God, thank you! I’m so blessed.”

Gennaro glanced at him but didn’t respond, silently chewing his own portion.

But what he was thinking in his heart was actually the same as what the other had said.

The bread crust had that distinctive crispness of freshly baked bread, while the inside was steaming hot and fluffy.

If they hadn’t been in such a hurry, they could have had steaming bean soup to go with it in just a little while.

But…

Thinking of his goal, Gennaro felt a slightly sweet worry.

During the late spring conscription, he had relied on his outstanding performance to successfully defeat many older applicants, becoming the youngest soldier in the guard. What he hoped for was to earn commendations through fearless performance on the battlefield, thereby officially obtaining the status of a Laina freeman.

Of course, if he weren’t in such a hurry, he could wait five years: after completing his service, he would naturally be permitted to join.

But his sister couldn’t afford to wait.

Before ensuring his sister’s happiness, he wasn’t prepared to use the family’s limited assets for other purposes – including himself. Although his sister Sue was still young, she was already past the appropriate age for engagement and needed to find a new marriage prospect.

He was reluctant to let his sister marry so soon. Even if a suitable engagement candidate were truly found, he had no intention of letting Sue marry off quickly.

Yet for some reason, Sue insisted on gaining independence early and leaving his household… No, in truth, he understood clearly—Sue didn’t wish to leave him but rather to avoid becoming a burden.

At this thought, Gennaro unconsciously clenched the bread in his hand.

He would definitely persuade Sue properly.

If he could prove his capabilities to attain the status of a freeman and secure a more substantial income, perhaps Sue would feel at ease?

Moreover, if he could become a commoner before Sue had to be betrothed, she would have better options for a partner, not limited to slaves or fellow Albury immigrants in similar circumstances.

“I must hurry.”

He murmured to himself.

Thus, while others were still cherishing their bread and nibbling slowly, he suppressed the desire to savor the flavor deliberately and finished his portion in just a few bites.

As the lean young man licked the lingering breadcrumbs from his fingers like a well-fed leopard, his sharp, divine-light-filled eyes fixed intently on the direction of the city walls, his mind racing with various thoughts.

What exactly does the Lord intend to do?

He tried to guess.

Because the Albury army intercepted Gregor’s forces shortly after their departure and swiftly returned, catching the gate guards off guard, the castle defenders had no time to implement a scorched-earth strategy, leaving them with abundant food sources.

In conventional warfare, a side with such a significant advantage would typically harvest the crops thoroughly before setting fire to both the town areas and farmland—this ensured that the freemen in the town couldn’t rebel amid the chaos, intimidated the slaves in the territory, and guaranteed that, even if the battle were ultimately lost, the defenders would be left with a devastated land, unable to recover their energy or launch retaliation anytime soon.

But Gennaro was absolutely certain that Lord Oliver would not do this.

The divine messenger is too kind… so kind that he willingly took in even them—the destitute refugees—providing them with the means to live decently and generously allowing them to return to Albury City as freemen.

How could such a gentle and benevolent Lord choose to harm innocent townspeople just to cripple the enemy?

“If we can fully leverage this to win back the people’s hearts, we can further secure the food supply.”

Gennaro casually picked up a dry twig and scribbled a few notes on the ground to remember this point.

However, human hearts are unpredictable. Even if His Highness Oliver spares no effort in showing goodwill, there will always be ungrateful villains who wish to harm him.

To guard against this, troops must be dispatched promptly to secure all outer city gates, preventing anyone from seizing the chance to send messages.

Writing this, Gennaro couldn’t help but lift his head and glance toward the directions of the nearby gates.

Sure enough, the knights had already anticipated this—they had lowered the gates and stationed guards to hold them firmly.

Now, it was only a matter of time.

Your Highness has captured the lord of Gregor City, yet the people inside still refuse to surrender. They must have other plans.

The person acting as steward of the castle’s affairs is Count McKenna’s butler, Ken Spire.

How was he able to persuade the count’s loyal subordinates to take no action?

Gennaro quickly thought of Calward, Count McKenna’s sole heir.

But even if the defending forces in the city are stabilized, it’s only a matter of time before the dominant His Highness Oliver achieves victory.

If the other side persistently refuses negotiations, it can’t be due to loyalty or passive resignation to death—they must have other leverage.

Are they confident that the castle has sufficient provisions and that its defenses, along with the moat, are strong enough to hold out until reinforcements arrive?

Gennaro hesitated for a moment, then marked this conjecture with a question mark.

Based on his general understanding of the relationships between the lords of these cities from his studies at his teacher’s home… the only one with marital ties to the McKenna family and the capability to provide aid is Welph[mfn]威尔夫(wēi ěr fū) – Sounds like ‘wealth’.[/mfn], the lord of Riche City.

Traveling from Riche City to Gregor City takes eight days: it doesn’t sound like much, but factoring in the time for messengers to deliver the news, for Lord Welph to consult with his vassals on whether to send troops, and then to muster and deploy the army… all require significant time.

Would the castle’s provisions last that long?

Gennaro pursed his lips.

Unable to figure this out for the moment, he shifted his train of thought.

Currently blocking their army are this water-filled moat, the lowered iron portcullis, and the raised drawbridge…

While Gennaro was still deep in thought, Count McKenna had just wolfed down two white bread rolls and a full waterskin of water, yet he still felt ravenous.

Licking his dry lips, he hesitated: should he cast aside his already scant dignity and beg Duke Oliver for mercy, hoping to get a little more food?

After learning that the soldiers had all eaten and drunk their fill, Oliver thoughtfully fixed his gaze on Count McKenna.

Seeing the other smack his lips with a look of unsatisfied craving, he smiled slightly and proactively asked, “Still hungry, Grid?”

Caught off guard by the direct question, McKenna paused briefly before smoothly adopting an ingratiating smile: “Your esteemed Highness, just two bread rolls are truly a bit meager for me.”

By his dining standards in Gregor City, a meal would feature at least ten dishes, eight of which were meticulously prepared meats.

This plain white bread, fit only for commoners’ tables, was so coarse it made his teeth ache. Had he not been desperately hungry, he would have disdained to eat it at all.

How could he have ever imagined a day when he’d grovel just for one more of these wretched bread rolls?

Oliver’s smile didn’t fade, but instead of saying “bring more bread” as hoped, he casually inquired, “Then do you know how much food an adult male slave, working a full day’s labor, receives per day?”

McKenna’s smile instantly stiffened.

How could he possibly know such things?

“It seems Your Lordship doesn’t know the answer to that question.”

Oliver gave a faint smile and continued casually, “Then let’s change the question… to increase your motivation to answer, how about this: if you can answer even one of the following questions correctly, I’ll have someone bring you two more loaves of white bread.”

The forced smile had vanished from McKenna’s face. He responded dryly, though inwardly he scoffed.

Even a hopeless fool could see that this young duke seemed to be deliberately toying with him.

Otherwise, as a duke, the other should have been the one most aware of his earlier confusion.

Damn this pretty little thing, he cursed inwardly.

How would a noble high above ever care about the dust beneath their boots?

Thus, when Oliver proceeded to ask questions like “What do slaves eat daily?”, “What are the food sources for slaves in winter?”, and “How much does a freeman earn on average per year?”, it came as no surprise that McKenna failed to answer a single one correctly.

In truth, the question about income wasn’t that difficult—anyone with even slight familiarity with account books could calculate it proportionally. But in Gregor City, taxes had been rising year after year, with no stability for a long time.

After casually giving a wrong answer, Oliver chuckled lightly and left under McKenna’s regretful gaze.

Once Oliver was far enough away, McKenna lowered his head, a flicker of malice flashing in his eyes.

He knew full well that he had been played by this eccentric young duke, completely losing the chance to obtain more coarse bread to fill his stomach.

What he didn’t realize at the time, however…

was that by thoroughly demonstrating his indifference toward the common people, the last trace of warmth in the eyes of the beautiful blond lord had completely vanished.

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