Both sides exchanged money and goods, and the process was simple and easy.
"Countess Latifa, actually, the nobles who truly gained something should have already returned. If you want to continue trading Half-Orc heads, you can wait in Baltahan.
"Most of those still with the legion have large numbers of poor-quality private troops and are just there to make a living."
Henry's words were not meant to offend anyone; he was simply stating the truth. A great noble from the north, though far away, was still worth befriending.
Latifa nodded, indicating that she would consider it.
After the Countess left, Henry kicked Boman and complained speechlessly, "Can't walk when you see a woman, huh? Aren't you already married?"
Boman rubbed his backside and said indignantly, "What? I only took a few looks. So what?"
A few looks? Your eyeballs were practically about to pop out and start dancing!
"Everyone, it's safe from here on. You should go ahead. I have a lot of things, so I'll be slow. Don't delay your return to your fiefs."
"All right, then we'll be on our way first." After bidding Henry farewell, Boman and Fas turned and left with their men.
Henry did not linger long in Baltahan either.
Along the way, Henry and Bain continued chatting idly.
"This trade saved both time and effort. It spared me from having to find customers myself," Henry said with satisfaction.
Audoh did not have enough customers to buy the Half-Orc heads in Henry's possession.
Even if there were some, they would not be as generous as Latifa. When it came to such matters, Henry preferred to haggle as little as possible.
"Yeah, and that Countess Latifa really is beautiful," Bain suddenly remarked on her appearance.
"Hm? Bain, what do you mean by that?"
Bain chuckled and said nothing more, only hoping they could return to his lord's fief as soon as possible.
Four days passed in the blink of an eye, and Henry successfully arrived at the Audoh that was not loyal to him.
Henry looked toward the Gatehouse from afar and asked doubtfully, "Bain, take a few cavalrymen and see what's going on. Why isn't there anyone here?"
Could Earl John have gone out as well?
Then... Henry discovered that it was actually true!
Earl John Hoyland was actually wearing an Imperial Robe and waiting at the Gatehouse to receive him with his court ministers and knights!
What was going on? Wasn't this a little too grand? Henry quickened his pace and hurried over with several of his important subordinates.
"Earl John Hoyland, thank you for receiving me. I am honored."
John looked at the greatly changed Henry before him, deeply shaken.
His appearance had not changed, but his temperament had! That bloodthirsty, invincible bearing was far too glaring.
"Henry, your fame has already spread throughout the borderlands. Who hasn't heard how you displayed your military might on the battlefield and slaughtered Half-Orcs until their heads rolled?
"There had been news that your forces appeared in Baltahan and Autongard, so I told the patrolling Light Cavalry to keep a close watch."
Henry nodded. This gesture from John was a great show of respect.
"Earl, let's go inside and talk... I need to make arrangements for my army. I plan to send some of them back first. You know, I've been away from my fief for a long time, and I don't know..."
John gave Henry a look and said, "I sent people to look after your territory. No bandits have disturbed it. Come, I ordered a table full of food prepared. We can eat and talk."
Henry noticed John's look, and the corner of his mouth lifted slightly as he gave orders to his troops.
Claude and Vasco would return with the army and the spoils, while Bain, Philip, and the cavalrymen would remain as escorts.
The group headed to John's Earl's Mansion. Returning to this familiar place stirred no particular feelings in Henry; he was only imagining what his own castle would be like.
The two entered the Banquet Hall, where the maids brought out dish after dish to display John's wealth and extravagance.
This was merely a private banquet for two people, yet it was so lavish. Nobles were just like that, always wanting to show off in every way under the guise of dignity.
"John, thank you for helping take care of my territory."
The two clinked glasses and drained them in one gulp.
"Pedro is dead."
Pedro's death meant that the castle on Henry's fief had been completed.
The Faction Panel also refreshed successfully at this moment. Was there some sort of delay? Wait? This was...
Henry did not care yet what Tommy had done to cause such a massive change in the panel. What he needed to do now was deal with John.
Henry shook his head and sighed. "Sigh, I regret Baron Pedro's death. What a pity. He was a qualified merchant."
John smiled and cut a piece from a steak before eating it.
Henry seemed to recover quickly from his "grief" and said with a smile, "But fortunately, Baron Pedro had several sons. At least he left behind a bloodline."
John's knife and fork paused for an instant as he gave Henry a deep look.
"They were too grief-stricken and followed their father."
Only after receiving the answer he wanted did Henry pick up his knife and fork and begin eating. A castle that cost 170,000 Denars, perhaps even more, and combined offense and defense—it was his!
"Henry, your strength exceeds my imagination. I am not a greedy man. I only need you to help look after my youngest son.
"He has already obtained proof of his status as a Pioneer Noble. I provided him with one attendant, twenty Shielded Arbalists, and two hundred serfs. He chose a place south of your territory, neither too close nor too far."
"Of course. Providing suitable protection for your youngest son was something we agreed upon long ago."
There was nothing important in the conversation that followed, just idle chatter. Henry mainly told John gossip from the academy, while John told Henry about how this or that nobleman's wife had taken a lover.
It was already afternoon by the time they finished eating. Henry did not stay long and set off on the return journey with Bain and the others, catching up with Claude's group, who had departed earlier, by noon the next day.
The faster he could go, the faster he went. He only wanted to return to his fief as soon as possible and kick Chamberlain Tommy in the backside with his boot.
He had written to Tommy, telling him to buy some serfs and Herding Serfs to establish a Forest Hunting Ground and pastures. He had not told him to make such a huge move.
Tommy had only been a Chamberlain before and did not have much experience with administration. Hopefully, he had not messed things up.
Seeing Henry constantly lost in thought, Claude stepped forward and asked, "What is it, my lord?"
"Nothing. I'm just worried that Tommy will exhaust himself managing so many people all at once."
Claude smiled and reassured Henry that there was no need to worry. Tommy's family had served the Chas Family for generations, and he was highly capable.
After two more days, Henry's group finally returned to the fief. Without even stopping to rest, Henry went straight to find Tommy and ask what had happened.
Before you continue