On the following day, Malron Ganard boarded the carriage of the Grayman family and, accompanied by the steward Ford, left Butuya for Lakeheart Town.
Throughout the journey, Malron was extrely nervous. It was only after they left Baylding and entered the territory of Alda that he visibly relaxed.
Aware of the vassals conspiracy, Malron had beco suspicious and paranoid. The previous night, he had exerted great effort to maintain his composure. Steward Ford continually comforted him along the way, providing so relief.
Upon arriving in Lakeheart Town and reaching the gates of the lords manor, Malron imdiately leapt from the carriage and nearly ran towards the castle. There, he saw Paul waiting in the hall.
Looks like everything went smoothly, Paul thought upon seeing Malron disembark. He was then greeted with a fervent embrace.
My dear brother, I almost thought Id never see you again, Malron sobbed, holding Paul tightly.
Paul didnt imdiately break free, allowing his friend to vent. Malron, at only 16, had endured the alienation and subsequent death of his father, followed by the betrayal of his vassalsa cruel fate for soone so young.
Patting Malrons shoulder, Paul comforted him, Dont worry, no one can harm you here with .
After Malron had vented, Paul spoke with Steward Ford to understand the situation from the previous night. He then took Malron to the study to hear the full account of how he discovered the conspiracy.
That night, after reviewing the docunts they left for , I went to my room to sleep. But I realized I had left my amulet in the study. It was a keepsake from my mother, which I wore every night. So, I went back to the study to retrieve it, and thats when I overheard Steward Angelo and Butler Myles talking quietly.
The study door was ajar. I crept closer, curious about what they would say in my absence. What I heard was shocking.
First, Butler Myles said, The young master has been very obedient lately, diligently reviewing these docunts. Then Steward Angelo laughed strangely and said, It wasnt in vain that we took the trouble to fabricate these docunts. I was puzzled by fabricate. Were all these docunts fake?
Angelos next words confird my suspicion. He said, Imagine his reaction if he found out we made all this up just to keep him busy at ho. He might go mad. Then the butler mockingly added, The young master truly sees himself as a diligent and capable lord. Let him live in that dream a bit longer.
Malron, visibly upset, struggled to speak. Paul, can you imagine how devastated I felt hearing that? How could they they, whom I trusted the most, conspire against , their lord?
Indeed, thats quite hurtful, Paul replied, unsure of how else to comfort him.
Malron continued, Just as I was about to confront them, I heard Angelo say, Dreams end eventually. Once we sort out that matter, the boy will join his dead father. I didnt understand at first, but then the butler asked, Do we really have to go that far? I watched him grow up.
Angelo snorted, Have you forgotten how ruthless his father was? Thanks to us getting rid of him, youve managed to claim quite a bit of land for your family. Had we not, wed be out in the cold by now.
Malrons face showed terror as he turned to Paul. Thats when I realized they had murdered my father. I always wondered how my father, an excellent swimr, drowned. Now its clear they fabricated that story to cover their regicide. From their previous conversation, they plan to kill too. I was terrified and didnt know how to get back to my room.
That night, Malron was unable to sleep, haunted by the fear of soone barging into his bedroom to kill him. After a night fraught with fear and anxiety, he analyzed their conversation and surmised that they were waiting for an opportune mont and wouldnt act against him imdiately. Thats when he rembered the secret letters from their childhood and hurriedly wrote to Paul.
Having recounted his experience, Malron, with tears in his eyes, tightly grasped Pauls hand. Thank goodness you rembered our childhood and sent soone to rescue . Paul, now youre the only one I can trust. You wont abandon , will you?
Paul patted his hand and reassured, How could I ever neglect a friend? Stay here for now. Once Im ready, well lead the troops to settle scores with those traitors.
He then inquired, Are all your vassals involved in this conspiracy?
Malron shook his head, I dont know. Since that night, Ive been suspicious of everyone around . The least suspicious is probably Baron Andrew. He recently led Butuyas troops to the south for a pacification campaign. When the royal commissioner ca to conscript soldiers, the other four unanimously recomnded him to lead the troops, and Andrew was willing. I trusted them then and agreed without hesitation. Now, Butuya is controlled by their private soldiers. Andrew seed upright, but now I know appearances can be deceiving.
If Andrew wasnt involved in the plot, then the remaining four had used the royal conscription as a ploy to send him away, conveniently transferring the direct control of the lords troops to him.
After a mont of thought, Paul clapped his friend on the shoulder, You must be tired from the journey. Rest first. I have a eting later, and Id like you to attend.
He summoned a servant to take Malron to rest.
Paul had nearly resolved to wage war, not only to avenge his friend but also with another crucial objective in mindthe coal and iron mines of Baylding.
While waiting for Steward Ford to summon people, Paul weighed the pros and cons of war. Upon learning about the highly productive coal and iron mines in Baylding, he found a convincing reason to go to war.
Although Alda also had coal and iron outputs, for industrial developnt, these resources were better in abundance.
As for whether Malron would agree to share so of the mines or sell them at a lower price, Paul thought it shouldnt be too difficult considering the help he was providing.
If it werent for the coal and iron, Paul wondered, would he still stand up for his friend? He doubted himself.
However, he didnt plan to dispatch troops imdiately, as it was July and frequent rains could disadvantage Aldas gunpowder weapons. His strategy was to wait until the dry climate of autumn, by which ti the Alda army could be better equipped with firearms.
In the anti, Malron could stay safely in Lakeheart Town. If the traitorous vassals demanded his return, Paul would find an excuse to refuse.
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