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nFlandre appeared in poor spirits, her eyes seemingly marked by the trails of tears.

nThe initial exchange between the two was filled with polite small talk, though Howard dared not inquire about Flandre’s recent wellbeing.

nFlandre soon revealed her purpose for visiting: she had come on behalf of Kaido.

nHoward felt a conflict within himself as Flandre took his hand and explained, “Living with Kaido, I am not exactly oppressed, but I do wish for a harmonious relationship with him. He is upset with you for not granting him a title and has been unpleasant with me. Please, listen to me and bestow an additional title upon Kaido.”

nHoward had anticipated this conversation and had prepared strategies accordingly.

nHowever, seeing Flandre’s distress, he began to regret his prior decisions.

nAnnoyed, Howard criticized Kaido, “When I met Kaido, I thought he was a man of knightly virtue. But now it seems he’s nothing more than a petty person who uses familial relationships to extort favors! You are his wife, a lawful couple! Does our strained relationship justify his taking out his frustrations on you? He lacks responsibility!”

nFlandre remained silent, feeling torn between Kaido and Howard.

nShe asked Howard why he was so cold towards Kaido, to which Howard candidly shared the facts.

nAlthough Flandre was well aware of Kaido’s numerous family-trained light cavalry, a thought struck her.

nShe said to Howard, “It’s true that Kaido is at fault, but now that I am married to him, the more titles he has, the more prestigious it is for me. Please, for my sake, grant Kaido a title.”

nWith Flandre’s words reaching this point, Howard understood clearly that she was determined to secure a title for her husband, no matter what.

nResigned, Howard assured Flandre that the grant would be forthcoming and advised her not to worry.

nAfter all, he felt obliged to maintain her dignity, but his disappointment in Kaido was unmistakable.

nUpon hearing Howard’s assurance, Flandre’s demeanor settled, and she gradually regained her composure.

nHoward suggested that Flandre stay at Fernsouth Castle for a while, but she declined.

nWithout even staying for lunch, she left the castle.

nNora later remarked to Howard that Flandre’s heart was entirely with Kaido. 𝑖.𝘤ℴ𝘮

nHoward responded pragmatically, “After all, she is married to him. She has to think for herself too.”

nNora inquired, “So, what are you planning next? Will you give Kenfa Village or Pitz Village to Kaido?”

nHoward shook his head, “Neither.”

nNora stepped closer and asked, “Then, are you planning to bestow Nok or Fernsouth on Kaido?”

nHoward replied that wasn’t the case either.

nNora understood.

nHoward wouldn’t cut from his own to feed others. As for the land to be granted, it would likely be sourced from another vassal.

nWith this realization, she left the room.

nThe scene shifts to Gokasu Castle, where Bosiden, standing outside the castle, presents his diplomatic credentials before entering.

nUpon seeing Bosiden, Hof immediately launches into a tirade, accusing Howard of planning to strip him of his title, and defiantly declares that he won’t give it up without a fight.

nBosiden, with a smile, produces the document given to him by Howard and begins to read.

nHof, initially smirking in disbelief, gradually realizes that the message is not an order to revoke his title but rather a reassignment of a vassal to him, effectively granting him an additional title.

nEven Hof, typically unflappable, shows a face full of surprise.

nAfter Bosiden finishes reading, Hof, pointing at himself, asks incredulously, “Me? A new title for me, not a revocation?”

nBosiden nods, his face alight with amusement.

nHof’s jaw drops, his head tilts in disbelief, still struggling to accept the reality.

nHe muses aloud, “Could it be that Lord Howard appreciated my leniency in the last war and, instead of reprimanding me, has decided to reward me covertly?”

nBosiden, raising his thumb in approval, praises Hof, “Baron, your insight is indeed keen. This is precisely the intention of my lord.”

nConvinced and overjoyed, Hof eagerly inquires about the identity of the vassal being reassigned to him.

nBosiden reports truthfully, further elevating Hof’s spirits.

nKnown as the ‘Viper’, Hof’s mind already starts to scheme against Knight Mibo.

nWhile internally plotting his next move, Hof orders his servants to prepare a lavish banquet to properly host the emissary of Lord Howard.

nBosiden, aware of Hof’s underlying intentions but remaining silent, observes as Hof blissfully falls into the trap, unaware of his own entanglement.

nDuring the banquet, Hof incessantly inquired about Howard, to which Bosiden provided ambiguous responses, leaving Hof with a mix of accurate and misleading information.

nThe lavishness of the feast made Bosiden question where Hof had acquired such wealth.

nPreviously, Hof had borrowed an amount equivalent to three years of tax revenue from Gokasu Barony from lenders, nearly driving him to bankruptcy.

nObserving the abundance of goose, beef, and lamb at the banquet, Bosiden sincerely asked, “Baron, has fortune finally favored you? Have your debt issues been resolved?”

nHof’s eyes darted around before he responded, “That need not concern you, emissary. I will handle it myself.”

nInternally, Bosiden cursed Hof as an old fox, sensing that Hof’s nickname as the ‘Viper’ might not be unearned.

nHof insisted that Bosiden stay the night, offering him a well-arranged room.

nThroughout the evening, Bosiden inwardly chuckled at Hof’s seeming thoroughness, yet he knew that Hof was no match for Lord Howard.

nOnce the trap was sprung, Hof, with only his baronial title, would soon find himself reduced to a commoner.

nThe next morning, Bosiden, despite Hof’s insistent persuasion, set off for his return to Fernsouth Castle.

nAbout five minutes after Bosiden’s departure, Hof hastily summoned his confidants to the lord’s hall for an urgent discussion.

nAs a baron, Hof’s subordinates included nobles of the knight class.

nHe had five knights under his command, but ever since his failed assault on Fernsouth Castle, only one remained unswervingly loyal – Mambaton.

nMambaton was a tall man with slightly dark skin.

nWhile others showed a facade of loyalty to Hof but harbored different sentiments, Mambaton’s allegiance was simple and uncomplicated.

nIt stemmed from his personality – a staunch loyalty.

nWhen others’ fidelity fluctuated and was negotiated in secrecy, his remained as steadfast and unchangeable as his preference in clothing.

nIn the meeting, attended only by Mambaton, Hof laid out his plans.

nThe other four knights, although summoned, did not show up.

nSince it wasn’t a time of war, they felt no obligation to heed Hof’s call.

nRubbing his hands together with anticipation, Hof revealed his scheme to Mambaton, “A knight will soon be reassigned to me, and that knight is none other than our former lord, Mibo. He’s been stripped of his earldom and now holds only a knight’s title. But I won’t let him off easily. I plan to concoct a plot, accusing him of attempting to murder me. This will allow me to seize his title. Mambaton, I need your help.”

nMambaton, known for his high loyalty but average morals, agreed without hesitation, “Alright, I’ll be part of it.”

n…

nBefore Bosiden’s return, Howard paid a visit to the newly transferred prisoners in Fernsouth Castle’s dungeon – Mibo and his son Ivan.

nMibo sat against the wall, while Ivan lay in a corner.

nUpon seeing Howard, Mibo remained composed.

nOver the past few days, he had reflected deeply and adjusted his state of mind, now regaining a level of rational thought.

nIvan, upon laying eyes on Howard, snorted derisively and taunted, “Well, well, look at the grandeur of the new Earl. Your velvet red robe certainly makes you look the part of a noble, quite a leap from someone who could barely afford black bread.”

nHoward, unfazed, simply told Ivan, “Be quiet.”

nTurning to Mibo, Howard crouched down and inquired, “How long do you think I’ll keep you here?”

nMibo replied calmly, “That depends entirely on your grace’s wishes.”

nHoward was pleased with the former lord’s submissive tone.

nDeciding not to beat around the bush, he informed Mibo about the reassignment of Seasalt Village and the impending release. 𝘪𝘳.𝒸𝘰𝑚

nMibo, who had been speaking with half-closed eyes, now opened them fully.

nDespite his age, there was still a glint of sharpness in his gaze.

nMibo spoke, “Howard, even if you’re reassigning a vassal, there’s no rule stating that this vassal must be free. You could continue to imprison me and yet reassign me to Hof.”

nHoward responded candidly, “Let’s speak frankly. Since you’ve been so honest, I won’t hide my intentions. I’m releasing you to ensure you and Hof inflict mutual damage upon each other. Hof is a petty man, and given your past conflicts, he will surely seek to harm you once you’re in his grasp.”

nMibo’s expression relaxed as he proposed, “My lord, would you consider making a deal with me?”

nHoward, despite Mibo’s current status as a knight, still held the Ferret family name in high regard.

nThe prestige of their lineage was undeniable.

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