Westminster Bank

Chapter 34: Chapter 31: Baron Camberra

On the way to the Baron’s Mansion, Baron asked the farmers for some information about Baron Camberra.

To this end, he dismounted and walked, mixing in with the farmers.

The farmers were rather flattered. In their eyes, Demon Hunters were all high and mighty figures.

This was especially true for someone like Baron. He rode alongside the Lord Marquis and had single-handedly faced the Blood Demon with his sword; he was clearly not a man of low status.

For a man of his stature to lower himself and approach them—mere farmers—was unusual. Whether he was just fishing for information or not, compared to the way other Demon Hunters avoided them like the plague, he could certainly be called approachable.

Baron, for his part, was unconcerned with such things.

’Status? What status? In his past life, he’d grown up under the red flag of a new era. Everyone was just a person—two eyes, two ears, one mouth, one nose. It wasn’t as if they were different species, defined by their station.’

’Besides... his own mother was a farmer.’

The farmers all spoke at once, as if presenting a tribute, recounting Baron Camberra’s past deeds—a mix of splendor and glory, of loneliness and immortal moments.

They said he grew up in Mundra, and his father had him dedicated to the Black Moon Church from a young age; by twelve, he was already writing poetry and songs.

They said he had once participated in a Hunter expedition to Haiwede and, during the War of Faith, had plunged his sword into the chest of a Forgotten Knight. It was that same war that earned him the title of Baron, granted by the Empire.

They said he was the biggest medicinal herb merchant in Fude City and at one point had monopolized the supply for all the surrounding towns, so even the City Lord of Fude City had to treat him with deference.

They said his wife was once the most famous prostitute in Steel City. After a high-ranking member of the First Hunter’s Guild set his sights on her, he fled with his wife to the countryside of Mundra... fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓

As the farmers chimed in, each adding another detail, Baron gradually formed a preliminary impression of Baron Camberra.

The image was of a middle-aged man of immense talent, dashing and debonair, yet utterly devoted in his love. A man who always wore a crisp, magnificent military uniform, his beard and sideburns trimmed with meticulous care...

This fantasy lasted until the estate gates opened, and a pot-bellied, wrinkled-faced, middle-aged man leaning on a cane stood on the tree-lined path and introduced himself:

"Defoe Camberra. Welcome, Lord Marquis, to my humble estate..."

Shattered.

Camberra looked at Baron, who was mixed in with the farmers, his smile crinkling his face into a mass of wrinkles. "You must be the Mr. L who solved the Divine Punishment Fire case..."

"You’ve met me before?" Baron asked.

He didn’t remember ever meeting Baron Camberra.

As soon as he said this, the gazes of both Yalilan and Andre snapped to Baron Camberra. They, too, sensed that something was amiss.

’It was one thing to know about Yalilan in advance, but how could he, with no prior intelligence, recognize Baron at a glance among a crowd of farmers?’

Baron Camberra laughed heartily. "Hira told me all about it."

As he spoke, the Baron stepped aside, and the young maidservant gave a reserved bow.

She had been behind the Baron the whole time, hidden by his large frame, so no one had noticed her.

Seeing Baron looking at her, the young maidservant blushed, lowered her head, and said, "The Church doesn’t have a place for maidservants to sleep..."

Baron gave a wry chuckle.

"The night grows late. Please, you two, come into the mansion for a chat and a moment’s rest."

The Baron gestured for Baron and Yalilan to enter.

Andre coughed.

The Baron looked as if he’d just had a realization and smiled at Andre. "Please rest assured, we also have thoughtful service for Lady Yalilan’s Attendant. There will be wine and bread."

Andre: "..."

...

The interior of the mansion was not as magnificent as its exterior suggested, just a conventional three hundred square meters.

Hira poured black tea for Baron, Yalilan, and the now-unsmiling and mysterious Andre.

The Baron sat in the host’s seat and mused, "A blood-sucking Blood Demon? I never would have expected this. Mundra has always been peaceful. Now that a Blood Demon has appeared, I’m afraid we’ll have to trouble you, Lord Marquis."

Noticing that Baron had, ever since entering the house, been repeatedly glancing at his trouser-covered right foot, he then smiled and explained:

"It’s from the war. During the Second War of Faith, the 72nd Emperor ordered the extermination of the Pure Church in Haiwede. A Forgotten Knight cut off this foot of mine. Although an Alchemist later reattached it... I’ve still lost almost all mobility in it."

"My apologies," Baron said.

"It’s nothing. Blood Demons can indeed disguise themselves as humans. Mr. L was only acting to protect the people," the Baron said cheerfully.

As soon as he said this, Baron and Yalilan had little reaction, but Andre felt as if he were sitting on pins and needles.

’He was being so frank and open. It seemed they had been the ones unfairly judging a gentleman by their own petty standards.’

But to everyone’s surprise, just as the Baron finished speaking, Baron pressed his advantage:

"Since you know I was acting to protect the people, Lord Baron, may I ask you some questions?"

The Baron was a little surprised, but he still nodded.

Baron didn’t mince words. "I’ve heard that your wife is renowned for her virtue and grace, yet since we arrived, you haven’t mentioned or introduced her.

It’s still quite early, so your wife probably hasn’t retired for the night... Would you be so generous, Lord Baron, as to allow us a glimpse of your wife’s famed elegance?"

"COUGH COUGH..."

Andre choked on his black tea.

’Although he knew from last night’s display and this morning’s battle that this Feinan was anything but useless, he never imagined Baron would be so audacious. To ask if another man’s wife was in bed, just like that?’

"Andre, mind your manners!" Yalilan glared at him. "This is the Baron’s home! How could you be so rude!"

’You... I... He...’

Andre’s eyes widened. He glanced between Baron and the Baron, looking as if he wanted to say something but stopping himself. Finally, he reluctantly mumbled a quiet sound of assent.

"I was rude."

Baron tilted his head back, took a sip of the black tea, and then discreetly spat it back into the cup when no one was looking.

’It was just a suspicion, but it paid to be cautious.’

"It’s not rude at all. It’s just that my wife has been unwell lately... but since it’s Mr. L asking, you must have your reasons..."

The Baron stood up. "Please follow me."

...

The Baron pushed open his wife’s bedroom door.

What greeted their eyes was a pale-faced woman who looked somewhat frail and withered.

She sat quietly on the bed, her hands resting over her abdomen. She watched the arrival of these uninvited guests—Baron and the others—with an air that was both poised and dignified.

’If not for the farmers’ gossip, who would have known that the famous and noble Lady Baroness had once been a prostitute?’

The Baron squatted apologetically before the bed and explained the purpose of their visit to his wife. His wife just nodded, then pulled the covers over her head.

The Baron said, "Eliza is a mute. Her throat was poisoned by the brothel madam on the day we eloped... The only way to get the antidote was to go back, but Eliza still chose to leave with me."

"People say Eliza used to be a prostitute, but I don’t care about that. Eliza had two children to raise. She wanted to live, and she had no other choice but to sell her body."

The Baron said, "And yet there are women who appear pure and innocent on the surface but are mercenary and selfish. They cheat on their husbands, keep lovers, and even run off with their husbands’ property.

But because of their high status, in people’s eyes, those women are far nobler than Eliza and the countless other prostitutes like her."

He said melancholically, "Such is reality." freewebnoveℓ.com

Andre said, "Those two children..."

"They were killed by Demon Fiends on the road while we were eloping." A sorrowful expression appeared on the Baron’s face. "Because of that, I have wronged Eliza. I told her I have decided to punish myself for my sin by living my entire life without an heir."

He pointed at the dolls scattered all over the floor of his wife’s bedroom. "My wife buys these children’s toys to ease her loneliness."

Yalilan and Andre’s expressions grew heavy as they listened. Only Baron, and only Baron.

After glancing at the clothes in the open wardrobe, he suddenly pointed to the floor and said cryptically:

"Do you hear that? It sounds like someone is crying from below."

Someone’s crying?

At his words, the gazes of Andre and Yalilan sharpened.

Baron made a shushing gesture at Andre and Yalilan. He tilted his head to listen for a moment, then continued:

"It sounds like a child crying."