The Value of Lord Hudson's Friendship

"Earl, Sir Anthony, heir to the Laibolong Family, has come to pay a visit."

Perhaps seeing Hudson's confusion, the captain of the guard added, "It's a boy from the caravan we rescued on the road a few days ago."

Accompanying him was an old Magister. We've already confirmed with Viscount William that they are indeed from the Laibolong Family.

Hudson might not care about their identities doesn't mean his subordinates won't. What if the master asks someday and they know nothing? That would be embarrassing.

Upon arriving at Flying Bear Fortress, Tom immediately went to Viscount William to verify his identity as a "caravan member".

As expected, Viscount William, who had not had time to communicate beforehand, completely betrayed them.

It was originally reported, but the timing was unfortunate, coinciding with Hudson's busiest time. It was simply treated as an unimportant trivial matter and left to his subordinates to handle.

Out of retaliation for these guys concealing their identities, Tom simply pretended not to know and provided them with treatment befitting their status as businessmen.

The actions of the Lake of Deception have confused the nobles in the city. Before knowing Hudson's true intentions towards the Laibolong Family, no one dared to approach rashly.

Aside from providing limited assistance with their daily lives, no one went to see them, as if they were truly treated as businessmen.

"Bring Sir Anthony in!"

Hudson said expressionlessly.

From the outbreak of the war, the number of impoverished nobles increased daily. If Hudson were to attend to them all, he would be overwhelmed.

If it weren't for the loud explosion at Bertley Fortress, he might not have even remembered the Laibolong Family.

Having an impression of someone doesn't mean you need to interact with them. These days, the only things outsiders should remember about the Laibolong Family are their family lineage and their guards.

There's no need to consider the guards; they're either members of the Laibolong Family or assassins trained by them, so there's no possibility of recruiting them.

The inheritance of a great noble family is indeed something to be envious of. But the principled Lord Hudson is not the kind of person who would abandon morality for profit.

Even if you're going to resort to underhanded tactics, you should wait until order collapses!

The Moxi Duchy still exists, and the rules of the game continue to operate normally. If word gets out that you're bullying a fallen noble family, how will you ever be able to maintain your reputation in the social circle?

Hudson wouldn't risk losing everything for a small gain. Even if he wanted to inherit a noble lineage, he would wait until later in the war to take action.

By then, there will be many more impoverished nobles, and they won't attract as much attention as they do now. As long as their behavior isn't too disgraceful, it won't cause a stir.

"Your Excellency Count Hudson, Anthony, the current head of the Laibolong Family, sends his greetings!"

Judging from the young man's appearance, he was no more than twenty years old. At such a young age, taking on the heavy responsibility of reviving the family, the pressure he was under was unimaginable.

LoveChinese. net

There's no time for sympathy. No matter how down on their luck the Laibolong Family, they're still a force to be reckoned with.

Even after losing their foundation, their remaining strength, when gathered together, is still stronger than 99% of the minor nobles, and even surpasses some of the bottom-ranking middle nobles.

Hudson has no right to pity such a down-on-his-luck family. Without him supporting them, the Coslo Family would be worse off than them!

"Welcome Sir Anthony."

I have long admired the Laibolong Family, and the name of Primus the Saint of Magic is renowned far and wide.

I had originally planned to visit Count Landon and pay homage to the ruins of the Holy Law, but unfortunately, things didn't go as planned, and Bertley City suddenly suffered a great calamity.

It's all because of those despicable Beastfolk!

We must settle this deep-seated hatred with them sooner or later. Only by eradicating the Orc Empire from the continent can we truly quell our resentment.

Well then, since Sir Anthony has made a rare visit today, let's not dwell on these painful topics for now.

It's all my fault for being so inconsiderate and neglecting our distinguished guests. I'm truly sorry!

Tom, send word to arrange accommodations for Sir Anthony. Treat him with the courtesy due to an earl.

After the loud explosion in Bertley City, Hudson did some research and studied the history of the Laibolong Family.

The ability to create an explosion with power exceeding most Forbidden Spell by combining and linking self-destruct Magic Array is definitely not something an ordinary person could accomplish.

Ultimately, their target was Primus the Saint of Magic, the first head of the family. (9)

This legendary mage was once renowned throughout the continent. Even though they lived in different countries, he was mentioned in the records of the Coslo Family.

Even the most powerful figures cannot escape the erosion of time. After more than a hundred years of glory, the nearly three-hundred-year-old Archmage passed away and met with the Lord of Dawn.

Our ancestors were so amazing that it's difficult for future generations to produce outstanding talents when they live in their shadow.

Without the legendary Archmage, the Laibolong Family quickly began its decline. In less than ten years, they fell from being the leading family in the duchy, and continued their downward spiral.

By the time of Count Landon, although the Laibolong Family was still among the top five noble families in the Moxi Duchy, it had become just an ordinary noble family, no longer possessing its former superior status.

Frankly, Hudson doesn't enjoy discussing history, after all, he doesn't have any illustrious ancestors to boast about.

The Coslo Family has been able to survive for a thousand years simply because they have many children. Even if the main branch is wiped out, there are always collateral branches to take its place.

The only evidence of its long history is the surname Coslo. As for the family lineage, it has been lost countless times along the way.

The Laibolong Family is praising Primus the Saint of Magic so much right now is simply because they are in a very awkward position. Apart from their illustrious ancestor, they have absolutely nothing else to boast about.

Although one could boast that Count Landon sacrificed himself for the greater good of humanity, severely damaging the Beastfolk army.

However, Hudson's emotional intelligence wasn't that low. No matter how much he boasted, Bertley Fortress ultimately fell, and the Moxi Duchy was thus placed on a strategic defensive.

In a sense, the current predicament of the Laibolong Family is largely a consequence of the fall of Bertley Fortress, which led to the principality's strategic passivity.

While tragic heroes are certainly worthy of praise, it is a pity that the number of noble lords who died in Moxi Duchy while fulfilling their lordly duties exceeded three digits.

When everyone regards sacrifice as an obligation, it is no longer something to be praised; pragmatic nobles value effectiveness more.

Regardless of the cause, the Laibolong Family must take responsibility for the passive situation that has led to the strategic predicament of the Moxi Duchy, and at least bear some of the responsibility.

Count Landon's refusal to let them go to the Royal Capital was not only due to his lack of confidence in the Moxi Duchy, but also because he was worried that they would be made scapegoats.

The forces stationed at Bertley Fortress included not only the private armies of the Laibolong Family, but also the private armies of nearby minor nobles, as well as reinforcements sent by the duchy.

Now that all the nobles who were defending the city have been wiped out, only these people have escaped. How could the families of the fallen not have something to say?

It's fair to say that before they even had a chance to do anything, the Laibolong Family and their group had already attracted a huge wave of hatred.

"Your Excellency, there's no need for such trouble. It was all Anthony's fault. He was suddenly struck by disaster that day and had no choice but to conceal his identity in desperation."

I've come today primarily to express my gratitude to Your Excellency the Earl for saving my life. If it weren't for your timely intervention, my Laibolong Family, would likely have been wiped out.

Anthony said with a grateful expression.

However, his gratitude was mixed with a hint of apprehension. He was clearly taken aback by Hudson's enthusiasm, and according to his prior analysis, he had prepared himself for a cold reception.

Hudson's enthusiastic performance, as if the two families were old friends, was something Anthony couldn't understand.

After a pause, Anthony took out a parchment scroll and a Projection Stone and handed them directly to Hudson.

"Your Excellency, this is a recipe for refining the Life Essence, along with an introduction to the refining method."

The Laibolong Family has suffered a great calamity, and we have no way to repay your life-saving kindness. We can only offer you this recipe as a token of our gratitude.

Clearly, Anthony had done his homework beforehand. He had found out what the Coslo Family needed so he could give them a targeted gift.

Such a deep understanding of human relationships and social customs is clearly not something a young boy possesses; it is most likely something taught to him by his elders in the clan.

Hudson glanced at the parchment and the Projection Stone, shook his head, pushed them back, and said with an air of righteous indignation, "Sir Anthony, you are too kind."

Helping those in distress is a quality that knights like us should possess. Moreover, fighting Beastfolk is a shared duty of all humankind; how could we possibly be greedy for rewards?

The Life Essence is priceless; in peacetime, such a reward would be enough to repay a life-saving debt.

But now it is wartime, and the Life Essence that was once regarded as a treasure is no longer so unattainable.

The recipe for the Life Essence was among the conditions the Moxi Duchy had recently offered him in its recruitment offer. If Hudson was willing to bring his people to develop the region, he could obtain it immediately.

Frankly speaking, Chris IX's offer was indeed quite generous.

Not only the Life Essence, but also a super-large, officially sealed earldom, the size of which is comparable to most of the Southeast Province, and the duchy is even willing to pay for the post-war reconstruction.

The only problem is the location of the territory, which is a tiny bit off. It happens to fall just outside the already fallen Augsburg defenses, right on the front line of resisting the Beastfolk invasion.

Hudson knew his own limitations very well. Let alone most of the province's fiefdom, even if Chris IX gave him the entire northern region, it wouldn't be enough to stop the Beastfolk's advance.

Hudson is still young and doesn't want to die young. Based on past experience, it's highly likely that he'll encounter a second or third full-scale Beastfolk invasion in his lifetime.

Being neighbors with Beastfolk is dangerous not only during total war, but also during peacetime when Beastfolk tribes often come to plunder.

It's practically impossible to farm peacefully. Production development is poor in all the noble territories bordering the Beastfolk.

Even setting aside the threat of the Beastfolk, the post-war north was a no-man's land, and simply restoring the population was an enormous challenge.

Chris IX's promise to provide post-war reconstruction funds for the Duchy is just a story to be taken with a grain of salt. After this war, the Duchy of Moxi Duchy's treasury will be so empty that even rats would weep.

The Alpha Kingdom is very experienced in this regard; every time they drive out the Beastfolk, the entire country is exhausted. The central government has to beg for donations from all over the country just to barely keep things running.

Anthony was sweating bullets as he couldn't deliver the gift. Everyone in aristocratic circles knew what this meant.

"Your Excellency, we sincerely wish to repay your life-saving grace. Please give us a chance to show our gratitude."

Please feel free to make any requests. As long as it's within the Laibolong Family, we will certainly not disappoint you.

Anthony tentatively said.

Having your life and death in someone else's hands is not a pleasant feeling at all.

Expressing gratitude for saving his life was merely a pretext. His true purpose in coming here was to gain his freedom.

In theory, as long as one's noble status is revealed, the charge of unauthorized entry into the war zone will no longer exist, and one can leave Flying Bear Fortress directly.

In reality, quite the opposite is true; as the commander on the front lines, Hudson wielded considerable power.

If we don't appease this boss, and he dares to resign, a recall order will be issued immediately.

Of course, as the heir to the earldom, Anthony himself didn't need to worry about being conscripted, but the other members of the Laibolong Family couldn't escape it.

It's incredibly easy to kill someone on the battlefield. Anthony didn't dare gamble on Hudson's integrity, so he simply laid his cards on the table.

"Ha ha..."

"Sir Anthony, rest assured, I have no interest whatsoever in your family treasures."

You've probably heard that I'm a magician. Like all magicians, I'm also full of curiosity about the unknown.

If it is convenient, I would like to borrow some of the nobleman's book collection.

Magic, alchemy, continental secrets, ancient legends... I'm interested in all kinds of knowledge.

Sir, you can rest assured that I will strictly keep the secrets of the nobility confidential.

After the war ends, I will return to the Alpha Kingdom. This knowledge will be taken with me and will not affect the Laibolong Family in any way.

This was the first time he'd ever heard someone put the desire for inheritance so elegantly. Anthony felt his brain couldn't keep up.

The only consolation was that Hudson only asked for knowledge and didn't try to take their family treasure.

The inheritance of great noble families usually consists of two parts: one is the pure inheritance of knowledge, and the other is the reconstruction of the family's treasures.

For Hudson, knowledge was certainly more important. But for Anthony, who desperately needed resources to rebuild his family, knowledge could be copied and reproduced, but treasure was unique.

Apart from a few family secrets, most of the knowledge about the Laibolong Family is not unique.

There are countless noble families across the continent who possess this knowledge, so adding another one wouldn't have much of an impact.

Anyway, Hudson doesn't operate in the Moxi Duchy, and the two families are thousands of miles apart, so the possibility of a conflict between them is virtually zero.

"Your Excellency, given the friendship between our two families, I should not have refused your request to borrow books."

However, due to the war, most of the Laibolong Family's books were not able to be brought out. Although the family had backups outside, they were not in my possession.

So if you want to see it, you'll have to wait a few more days.

Anthony said with a complicated expression.

If he couldn't refuse, he could only accept reality. Deep down, he could only comfort himself: exchanging the inheritance of knowledge for the Laibolong Family was not a loss.

"No problem, Sir. You just need to lend me what you have to see first. As long as the rest is delivered to me within three months."

Of course, to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings, we'd better sign a friendly pact, Laibolong Family in the city should sign it!

Use the gentlest tone to say the harshest words.

Anthony's expression changed drastically in an instant. He had only intended to use some basic knowledge to make up the numbers and fool the enemy. The appearance of the contract completely dispelled his wishful thinking.

Looking at the densely packed small characters on the suddenly appearing parchment, Anthony couldn't help but curse.

The details were incredibly comprehensive, and all the restrictive clauses were aimed at them. The penalty for breach of contract was very simple: take their souls.

The only reward for sacrificing family heritage was gaining the friendship of Lord Hudson.

As for the specifics of the friendship, they weren't mentioned in the contract. The right to interpret them clearly belonged to Lord Hudson.

Just as Anthony was about to raise an objection, a glance at Hudson's ambiguous smile instantly dispelled the terrible idea.

For some reason, he couldn't help but recall the war from a few days ago. Hudson's expression when he shot the Behemoth general was very similar to his current one.

Coincide?

He prefers to believe that this is a silent warning.

Deep inside, a voice kept telling him that if he refused to sign the contract now, the next time they met, it wouldn't be here.

With a heavy heart, Anthony signed his name on the parchment, and instantly felt a sense of constraint on his soul.