Pedro's Death, I'm Very Sorry, It's Such a Pity

The transaction was simple and easy, with money and goods exchanged hand in hand.

"Countess Latifa, actually, the nobles who truly made gains should have already returned. If you want to continue trading in demihuman heads, you can wait in Baltahan.

Most of those who stayed with the Legion have large numbers of low-quality private armies and are just there to get by."

Henry's words weren't meant to hurt anyone; he was just stating the truth. A great noble from the Northern Territory, though far away, was worth befriending.

Latifa nodded, indicating she would consider it.

After the Countess left, Henry kicked Boman and complained speechlessly, "Can't move when you see a woman? Aren't you married?"

Boman rubbed his backside and said indignantly, "What? I just looked a few times, what's wrong with that?"

A few times? Your eyeballs were practically dancing!

"You two, it's safe here. You go ahead. I have a lot of things, so I'm slow. Don't let me delay your return to your territories."

"Alright, then we'll go ahead." Boman and Fas said goodbye to Henry, turned around, and left with their men.

Henry didn't stay in Baltahan for long either.

Along the way, Henry and Bain continued chatting.

"This transaction saved time and effort, so I didn't have to personally look for customers," Henry said with satisfaction.

In a place like Audoh, there weren't enough customers to buy the demihuman heads Henry had.

Even if there were, these people wouldn't be as generous as Latifa. On this matter, Henry's attitude was to argue as little as possible.

"Yes, and that Countess Latifa is really beautiful," Bain inexplicably brought up her appearance.

"Hmm? Bain, what do you mean by that?"

Bain chuckled and said no more, only hoping to return to his Master's territory as soon as possible.

Four days passed in a flash, and Henry successfully arrived at Audoh, which was not loyal to him.

Henry looked at the City Gate from a distance and asked in confusion, "Bain, take a few cavalrymen to see what's going on. Why is there no one?"

Could Earl John have also gone out?

And then... Henry found out that he really had!

Earl John Hoyland was actually wearing an Imperial Robe, bringing his inner court Minister and Knights to welcome him at the City Gate!

What was going on? Was this a bit too grand? Henry sped up, bringing a few important subordinates with him.

"Earl John Hoyland, thank you for your welcome. I am honored."

John looked at the greatly changed Henry before him, his heart filled with shock.

His appearance hadn't changed, but his temperament had! That bloodthirsty, invincible demeanor was too dazzling.

"Henry, your prestige has spread throughout the border. Who doesn't know that you displayed great military might on the battlefield, killing demihumans and sending their heads rolling?

There was news before that your team appeared in Baltahan and Autongard, so I told the patrolling Light Cavalry to pay extra attention."

Henry nodded. John's action was a great show of respect for Henry.

"Count, let's go inside and talk... I'll arrange my army. I plan to send some of them back first. You know, I've been away from my territory for a long time, and I don't know..."

John gave Henry a look and said, "I've sent people to look after your territory. There have been no bandit disturbances. Come, I've ordered a feast to be prepared. We can eat and talk."

Henry noticed John's look, a slight smile playing on his lips, and issued orders to his troops.

Claude and Vasco returned with the army and the spoils of war, while Bain, Philip, and the cavalry stayed to accompany him.

Everyone went to John's Earl's Mansion. Henry, revisiting the familiar place, felt nothing, only imagining what his own castle would be like.

The two entered the banquet hall, and maids served dish after dish, showcasing John's wealth and luxury.

This was just a private dinner for two, yet it was so extravagant. Nobles were like this, always wanting to show off in every aspect, calling it 'dignity'.

"John, thank you for helping to look after my territory."

The two clinked glasses and drank them dry.

"Pedro is dead."

Pedro's death meant that the castle on Henry's territory was completed.

The faction panel also refreshed smoothly at this moment. Was there a delay or something? Wait? This is...

Henry didn't care what Tommy did to make the panel change so much. What he needed to do now was deal with John.

Henry shook his head and sighed, saying, "Alas, I regret the death of Baron Pedro. It's such a pity. He was a qualified merchant."

John smiled, cut a piece from a meat chop, and began to eat.

Henry seemed to quickly recover from his "sadness," and with a smile, he said, "But thankfully, Baron Pedro has several sons, so his bloodline has been preserved."

John's knife and fork paused for a moment, and he looked deeply at Henry.

"They were too sad and followed their father."

After getting the response he wanted, Henry picked up his knife and fork and began to eat. A castle that cost seventeen thousand Denar, or even more, combining offense and defense, was now his!

"Henry, your strength is beyond my imagination. I am not a greedy person. I only need you to help look after my youngest son.

He has now obtained proof of being a Pioneer Noble. I have provided him with a squire, twenty Shielded Arbalists, and two hundred serfs. He has chosen the southern part of your territory, not too close and not too far."

"That's fine. Providing appropriate protection for your youngest son is something we agreed upon long ago."

The rest of the conversation was not important, just idle chatter about this and that. Henry mainly told John gossip from the academy, while John told Henry about whose wife in the vicinity had found a lover.

It was already afternoon when the two finished eating. Henry didn't linger and set off on the return journey with Bain and the others, catching up with Claude and the others, who had left earlier, by noon the next day.

He would speed up whenever possible. He just wanted to return to his territory quickly and kick the butt of his internal affairs butler, Tommy, with his boots.

He had sent a letter to Tommy, asking him to buy some serfs and herding serfs and establish a Forest Hunting Ground and Pasture, but he hadn't asked him to make such a big move.

Tommy was only an internal affairs butler before and didn't have much experience in government affairs. He hoped he hadn't messed things up.

Claude saw Henry constantly spacing out and stepped forward to ask, "What's wrong, Master?"

"Nothing, I'm just worried that Tommy will be exhausted from suddenly managing so many people by himself."

Claude smiled and comforted Henry, telling him not to worry, stating that Tommy's family had served the Chas Family for generations, and he was very capable and not bad.

Henry and his group finally returned to the territory after two days. Henry didn't rest and immediately went to find Tommy to inquire about the situation.