Starting as the Baron of the Lonely Island

Chapter 39: Chapter 39: The Two Sides’ Reactions

Forest Village, in the castle of the Broken Wave Gang.

After returning, Kubatu recounted everything he had seen and heard to Bard, adding plenty of his own embellishments.

For instance, he described Duane as utterly arrogant, showing no respect for the Broken Wave Gang or the Holy Hand Association, and acting as if he’d start a fight at the slightest disagreement.

The more Bard listened, the more his anger simmered.

"Heh, a little brat who hasn’t even finished growing up actually thinks he’s a big deal. A Baron? It depends on where you’re a Baron!"

He toyed with the small dagger in his hand, a cold glint in his eyes.

On this isolated island, who could possibly catch him even if he killed Duane?

Even if the Pruck Kingdom’s army came to avenge their Baron, he would have plenty of time to escape.

The only reason he was seeking peace was that he didn’t want to give up his resources and interests on Black Forest Island.

Vice Leader Gaius was also dismissive of Duane. "I’ve heard that the Nobility is full of degenerates who do nothing but eat, drink, whore, and gamble. Plenty of them drop dead in a woman’s bed at a young age. This Duane is probably one of them."

"The Vice Leader is right!" freewebnoveℓ.com

Kubatu agreed enthusiastically. "Don’t be fooled by his young age. The way that Duane was looking at Kalina, it was like he wanted to eat her alive. I’m telling you, the guy’s a lecher!"

If Duane heard this, he would have absolutely smashed Kubatu’s mouth in.

He had indeed glanced at Kalina a couple of extra times, but that was it. Where did this exaggeration come from?

Gaius seemed to have an idea. "Since he’s such a lecher, why don’t we send a couple of decent-looking women over? Let him satisfy his craving and see if we can get Hardy back."

Bard gave a cold smile.

On Black Forest Island, beautiful women were a scarce resource. They had basically "sampled" them all, so it didn’t really matter if they sent any over or not.

"We don’t need to suck up to him!"

Bard rejected Gaius’s suggestion. "On the contrary, I want him to suffer a little!"

"What are you planning to do?" Gaius and Kubatu asked in anticipation.

A murderous glint flashed in Bard’s eyes.

"Didn’t he want me and Daniels to go discuss the rules of the duel with him? Fine, I agree!"

"Gaius, you go contact Daniels. Set a time and place with him, then report it to that little Lord."

"Got it!" Gaius walked out.

Bard then instructed, "I remember you have a Warrior under you named Iron Hammer, right?"

"Yes, sir."

"Has he broken through?"

Kubatu was a little confused. ’Why would the leader suddenly care about the cultivation progress of a Basic-level Warrior?’ freewebnoveℓ.com

"Not yet, but I think it’ll be soon. Then we’ll have another Middle Level Warrior, and this little Lord will definitely be no match for us!"

"For the next few days, make sure that guy eats and drinks well. Tell him I’m sending Gaius to train him," Bard ordered loudly.

"Er, sir, what are you...?"

"Shut up!"

Bard glared, his aura flaring. "Stop asking so many questions, you useless trash!"

Kubatu fell silent as a winter cicada. He quickly agreed and left the hall, not daring to breathe too loudly.

Meanwhile, back at the Holy Hand Association’s manor, Kalina was also briefing Daniels on her conversation with Duane.

The somewhat aged, white-robed Level 3 Mage sat on his chair and listened.

After a long moment, he couldn’t help but laugh. "This Little Baron really values his pride. Every other word out of his mouth is ’Nobility’."

"Indeed!"

Kalina licked her red lips. "I just don’t know if it’s because he’s young, but he didn’t show much interest in me."

"You’ll have plenty of opportunities."

Daniels glanced up at Kalina. The woman had been in his bed before, but he was no longer interested.

He had better things to do with his time, like researching how to increase his Spiritual Power.

"We’re different from the Broken Wave Gang. We don’t have any direct conflict with that little noble. The Broken Wave Gang is the one that should be worried."

Kalina shook her head. "But this little noble is too greedy. He’s demanding far too much!"

Daniels didn’t seem too concerned. "All Nobility are like that. They want this, and they want that. But how much of what they get can they actually hold onto in the end?"

He paused. "Besides, what we want are enclosed manors, territory, and people."

"Alright~"

Kalina spread her hands. She felt no motivation to show off her good figure in front of Daniels.

’This useless old man no longer interests me.’

"So you agree to talk with the Little Baron, then?"

"Of course!"

Daniels nodded. "I imagine our friends from the Broken Wave Gang will be here soon. You can receive them when they arrive."

Kalina pouted, nodded, and walked out of Daniels’s faintly blood-scented laboratory.

Just outside the door stood a tall man in Chain Armor. In contrast to Daniels’s frailness, this man was burly and strong.

Kalina beckoned with a finger. "Come, Uleir. I’m tired today. I need you to help me relax."

"You’ve worked so hard, my dear."

Uleir stepped forward and eagerly wrapped his arm around her waist. "Are you planning to seduce that Baron?"

"Why do you ask?" Kalina tilted her head, a grin on her face.

Uleir hesitated, then mustered up his courage. "Can you not go? I don’t want to see you..."

Kalina raised a hand to cover his lips. "Shh. Aren’t I doing this for you? For us?"

"That Baron is too greedy. If we don’t get him under control, he’ll devour us sooner or later!"

Uleir looked pained. "But I don’t want to see you sacrifice yourself. If it comes to it, just let me assassinate him!"

"My dear, you’re so silly. I could never let you take such a risk!"

Uleir’s words were heartfelt, but Kalina’s reply was utterly insincere. He, however, believed her completely.

The two entered a room as they talked, and she deftly began to unfasten his armor. "Come on, and love me with all you’ve got!"

Neither Bard nor Daniels saw Duane as a significant threat.

The only reason they wanted to avoid conflict was that they didn’t want to waste their own strength gambling on a potential victory.

However, if a day came when they felt the time was right, they would act without a moment’s hesitation.

Kalina and Uleir were lost in passion for a long time. It was only when someone came to announce the arrival of Gaius, the Vice Leader of the Broken Wave Gang, that she reluctantly kissed the man beneath her and got up to receive her guest.

Kalina and Gaius were both Vice Leaders, so they were reasonably familiar with each other.

They set a time and place as soon as they met, and the Holy Hand Association sent someone to relay the message to Duane—

At ten o’clock tomorrow morning, the three parties would meet at the three-way intersection on the road from Broken Wave City that leads to Broken Wave Bay and Forest Village to establish the specific rules for the duel.

When Duane received this news, he was busy in the kitchen.

The intersection was relatively close to Broken Wave City, so the location wasn’t an issue.

However, considering the men the other two parties would bring, he added an extra condition:

Bard and Daniels were each allowed to bring only two attendants. Everyone else had to maintain a distance of at least five hundred meters. This was a matter of respect for his status as a Lord.

After hearing the condition Duane proposed, the man from the Broken Wave Gang immediately ran back to report it.

But it was already evening. With the time needed for the round trip, plus the time for the Broken Wave Gang and the Holy Hand Association to consider and coordinate, any further notice to Duane would have to wait until tomorrow.

This was good news for Duane. The one thing he needed most right now was time.