Free Web NovelChapter 36: Chapter 36: Presenting a Gift
Bard and Daniels did indeed view Duane’s estate as a dragon’s den.
If they were to come in person, they would have to bring a large force, which would certainly put Duane on high alert.
A misunderstanding leading to immediate conflict was not something they wanted at this stage.
And so, after meeting at the bridge and receiving instructions from their respective leaders, Kubatu and Kalina made their way to the Baron’s "castle."
In addition to delivering gifts and negotiating, they were also observing the Baron’s defensive arrangements.
First, they sensed they were being watched while still far from the castle. When they advanced further, they saw patrols.
This meant he had already established a defensive line and arranged for patrols.
Kubatu and Kalina immediately sensed these men were different from anyone they had encountered before—they were professional and disciplined.
’As expected of a noble’s forces,’ they thought. ’Far more organized than our own.’
Beyond that, Raymond’s very presence was a source of pressure.
He was said to be the second-strongest Warrior under Duane. They had been skeptical at first, but his calm composure and self-assurance convinced them it was true.
"Please wait here. My Lord will be here shortly."
Raymond led Kubatu and Kalina to their seats in the main hall, then took up a post by the inner doorway.
Jasmine had a servant bring out prepared fruits. Despite the bad blood between them, since the guests had arrived, they would be received with proper hospitality.
Kubatu and Kalina accepted the fruit and juice but didn’t touch them, whether out of fear of poison or simple lack of appetite.
They waited for over ten minutes.
Duane hadn’t made them wait intentionally; he had simply taken a quick bath and changed into clean clothes.
He came down from the second floor. Raymond saw him and bowed immediately. "Lord, they have arrived."
Hearing the voice, Kubatu and Kalina immediately looked toward the inner staircase, just in time to see Duane emerge.
Golden-blond hair, sky-blue eyes, and a handsome face—he looked like a Prince who had stepped out of a painting.
Most importantly, he exuded an air of nobility, an aura that neither Bard nor Daniels, despite being leaders on Black Forest Island for many years, possessed.
For a moment, both Kubatu and Kalina were stunned. Kalina even licked her lips unconsciously.
"Heh. Welcome, honored guests. Please, sit."
Duane nodded politely and took the main seat, then gestured for them to sit as well.
All the while, he was observing his visitors.
The full-bearded Kubatu was dressed much like the captive Hardy, wearing Chain Armor with a Great Sword at his side. Beyond that, there was little worth noting.
Duane was more curious about Kalina, the Vice Leader of the Holy Hand Association.
This Female Mage had a mane of fiery red hair draped casually over her shoulders, giving her a passionate and unrestrained look.
Her eyes were bright, her skin was fair, her cheeks were taut, and her figure was voluptuous.
Most surprising was her rather revealing attire. The robe, made from some unknown Beast Hide, was cut low, revealing deep cleavage.
’I didn’t expect to find such a beauty on Black Forest Island,’ Duane thought.
"I hear Lady Kalina is a powerful Mage?" he inquired.
Kalina smiled and nodded. In this savage land, it seemed, there was no concept of formal greetings.
She keenly noted that the young Lord’s gaze had lingered on her for a long time after he appeared, even dropping to her chest.
This pleased Kalina greatly. Her figure was one of her greatest assets.
"Yes, Baron. I am an Elemental Mage."
She added, as if offering a reminder, "Though I’m only a Level 2 Mage, my Magic is quite powerful. Even an Advanced Warrior wouldn’t be able to handle a direct hit from my Fireball Technique~"
As the son of a Kingdom Knight, Duane had naturally encountered Mages and seen them cast Magic.
While their spells were powerful, a Mage’s weaknesses were also obvious.
While using their Spiritual Power to construct a Spell Model, their movements were restricted, giving a Warrior a perfect opening.
That is, unless the Mage was powerful enough to cast spells instantly and restrict a Warrior’s attack.
Otherwise, in combat, a Mage was little more than a turret that needed to be protected.
Duane couldn’t tell if Kalina was just showing off or trying to intimidate him by demonstrating the Holy Hand Association’s strength, but he didn’t care.
"The power of Magic is indeed formidable. I hear Daniels, the leader of the Holy Hand Association, is a Level 3 Mage. It’s a shame he couldn’t come today. I would have loved to witness the power of Magic firsthand."
Kalina was surprised. The Baron had shifted the conversation to Daniels instead of continuing to talk about her.
As the most beautiful woman on Black Forest Island, she was supremely confident in her own charms.
’Could it be that this new Lord has no desire for a beautiful woman on this remote island?’ she wondered.
She deliberately shifted her posture, even pushing her chest out slightly. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
"Lord Daniels is conducting some magical research and can’t get away at the moment, which is why he sent me."
It was obviously an excuse, but Duane didn’t call her on it.
He gave Kalina a deep look before turning his gaze to Kubatu. "Is Bard conducting research as well?"
Kubatu’s expression was conflicted. ’What kind of research would a Warrior be doing? Research on how to torture people?’
Of course, he didn’t dare say that aloud.
"Lord Bard had business in the mountains today. Before he left, he specifically instructed me to come with gifts to apologize for Hardy’s recklessness."
As he spoke, he glanced at the two attendants behind him, signaling for them to open the parcels they were holding.
"These are three fine mountain Wolf Hides. I hope you like them, my Lord."
Kubatu continued, "Furthermore, there are fresh fruits and furniture outside, as well as a few hoes we specially selected for you. We hope they will help improve your digging efficiency."
Duane chuckled. The man’s last sentence was clearly a veiled jab.
’Looks like Bard already knows about me pulling weeds,’ he thought. ’You really can’t keep a secret in a small place like this.’
"Owington, take the gifts from Bard."
Duane ordered, "These three Wolf Hides seem to be in good condition. Give them to Zuona tomorrow and have her make them into three capes or coats."
"Ralph is in poor health, so give one to him. As for the other two, we’ll see who works the hardest and makes the most progress by the end of the year, and I’ll award them as a bonus."
In the eyes of some, Wolf Hides were indeed quite valuable.
But to Duane, who owned clothing far more precious, they were nothing special. He had no lack of them.
By casually giving the gifts away to his subordinates right in front of the giver, he was sending a clear message: these things held no value for him.
Unfortunately, Kubatu failed to grasp the point. He pressed on, "So, about Hardy..."
Duane glared at him. "Hardy not only brought men to challenge my position and dignity as the Baron of Black Forest Island, he also threatened my life with a Longsword. According to Kingdom law, I have every right to execute him on the spot."
He sneered. "What? You think bringing me a few Wolf Hides and a pile of trinkets is enough to make me let him go?"
Duane snorted coldly. "The honor of the Pruck Kingdom’s Nobility isn’t that cheap!"
"You..."
Kubatu couldn’t believe it. This Baron was showing him no respect, openly mocking and rebuking him.
The Broken Wave Gang had run roughshod over Black Forest Island for years, and Kubatu was a man of considerable standing. Islanders usually cowered at the mere sight of him. When had anyone ever dared to scold him to his face?
Anger flashed across his face. He was about to retort with a curse, but a piercing gaze stopped him cold.
Raymond’s aura made his heart pound, but it was Kaelon, who then walked in to stand behind Duane, that made him swallow the words on the tip of his tongue.
Kubatu composed himself. "Baron, my leader said this is all a misunderstanding! The Broken Wave Gang, like everyone else, are your people. Please, just tell us what it will take for you to release Hardy!"
’Oh? Giving in already?’ Duane thought.
’Hard to say if Kubatu is a poor negotiator, or if these were Bard’s actual instructions.’
In any case, it was clear the Broken Wave Gang wanted to avoid conflict for now. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have been so quick to call themselves his "people."
"Go back and tell your Lord Bard that Black Forest Island is my Territory. Everything produced here belongs to me!"
Duane didn’t beat around the bush. "As the Lord, I demand that he cede control of Lingang Village and Broken Wave City, and hand over at least seventy percent of the shares in the oak and iron ore!"
’I was going to demand ninety percent,’ he thought, ’but that felt a little unrealistic, so I settled for seventy.’
’Is seventy percent a lot?’
’It is a bit much.’
’But an outrageous demand is the only way to show I have the upper hand and am not afraid.’
"This..."
Kubatu’s eyes widened, the rage in his heart finally boiling over. "Baron, are you sure you can bite off that much?"
Duane’s eyes turned to ice. He said nothing.
Kaelon took a step forward. Fighting Qi erupted from his body, creating a gale that forced Kubatu to raise a hand to shield himself.
In that instant, furniture in the hall shook and toppled over. A tense atmosphere filled the room.
It was the first time ordinary men like Owington had been subjected to the oppressive pressure of Fighting Qi. A chill ran down their spines, and they broke out in a cold sweat.
Just then, Kalina quickly stood up, chuckling. "Baron, please don’t be angry. I’m sure we can discuss this calmly."
Duane waved his hand. Kaelon instantly retracted his projected Fighting Qi, and the atmosphere in the hall eased slightly.
Kubatu sat stiffly in his chair. A moment ago, he had felt as if he were enveloped by the aura of death itself.
The sense of danger from Kaelon was intense, a feeling he had only ever experienced from Bard.
’It seems this Baron really does have an Earth Tier Warrior by his side!’
Now, he sat carefully, not daring to make another presumptuous move.
Duane glanced at Kalina. "Did you have something to say?"
