No Choice

"Yaaawn~~~~"

After Count Mori told him a little about Kubant, drowsiness overwhelmed Havent, and he could no longer hold on.

Seeing how exhausted his son was, Count Havent gestured for him to go back and sleep.

As he watched his yawning son leave the study, the two men fell silent. In the empty study, only the crackling of burning candles could be heard.

"Hadawei!

Are we really going to do this? Once we do, there will be no turning back."

Count Mori sprang from his chair and strode quickly to Count Havent.

He jabbed a finger hard into Count Havent's chest, his voice as shrill as that of an injured old cat.

"No turning back? You speak of turning back?

What way back have we ever had? From the moment we were born in the Northern Frontier, crying like babies, our fate was already decided.

We people of the Northern Frontier have never had the right to choose. Only cold winds and death keep us company. Where could we possibly retreat to?

Or are you afraid that your son will die in this endless struggle too?"

Like an enraged lion, Count Havent grabbed Count Mori by the collar and lifted the little old man off the ground.

"When has the White Lion Family ever feared death? But if we do this, many innocent people will die!"

Count Mori's feet dangled above the floor, yet he stubbornly refused to let his body sway even once. He craned his neck and stared Kevin Havent in the eye.

His eyes were like Mountain Stone weathered by decades of cold wind, without the slightest ripple.

"The people of the Northern Frontier, the children of the Northern Frontier, are innocent too. They need not die at the peak of their lives, at twenty-five or twenty-six, on the Armor Defense Line, where only seven months of the year are warm."

Thud~

Count Mori landed flat on the wooden floor. The old man patted his backside and walked over to a cabinet, taking down a jug of wine.

"Then let our descendants judge our decision. The problem must be solved eventually, while we still have the ability to do so."

Taking the wine Count Mori handed him, the two friends who had known each other for thirty years drank, then left the study.

'Waaah~ ah~ daa~'

"So noisy. Why aren't they sleeping this early in the morning? What are they making such a racket for?

Ankut! Ankut!"

With a creak, the bedroom door opened and the butler Ankut entered.

"Young master, good morning. What do you need~?"

Havent wriggled about in bed like a maggot. After a bout of miserable wailing, he poked his head out from under the blankets.

"What time is it?"

"Young master, it is 9:45."

Thinking that he had slept less than six hours, he angrily wriggled around in bed a few more times.

"What's going on outside? Why is it so noisy?"

Ankut left the room and returned shortly afterward.

"Young master, the guards said that the Dawn Guard has left Baiman City. The encampment outside the city has now been completely dismantled."

Hearing this, Havent shot upright. That annoying guy had left! No, that was not right. How could he have left so easily?

"Where did they go?"

"I'm not sure, young master. The guards also said that several noble lords downstairs seem to be arguing about something. They are about to come to blows."

"What? Why now?

Damn it! These people never stop causing trouble. Clothes! Where are my clothes?"

After getting dressed, Havent rushed down from his bedroom in a few quick strides. Two groups were confronting each other in the courtyard, their longswords already drawn. The only difference was that one side had a rather significant numerical advantage.

"Raven, do not blame me for being heartless. Times are hard for everyone now.

There is no way I can wait until next year for the thirty thousand Baka you owe me. I will waive the interest; just pay me the principal now."

"Sicilia, you are taking advantage of the situation. You clearly know what my territory is like right now."

Baron Raven, surrounded by Sicilia and his men, flushed bright red. He had originally planned to bid farewell to the count at daybreak, only to run straight into Viscount Sicilia.

"Then I cannot help that. My situation is not much better either. If you cannot manage it, then pay me ninety percent. That should be acceptable, yes~?"

But Baron Raven, who did not have a single coin to his name, clearly could not produce the money. He clenched his fists awkwardly and spoke to Viscount Sicilia in a humble tone.

"Lord Sicilia, I truly cannot come up with that money.

How about this? Keep the original repayment date, and I will give you an additional ten percent in interest. I am about to serve on the Armor Defense Line. I will definitely be able to repay you."

Unexpectedly, Baron Raven's soft-spoken plea did not earn him a better attitude from Viscount Sicilia. Instead, Sicilia broke into furious cursing.

"Damn it! No, I want it now. If you go to the Armor Defense Line and die at some unknown time, who am I supposed to collect this debt from?"

Baron Raven was also provoked by Sicilia's words and replied stiffly.

"Then there is nothing I can do. I do not have the money right now."

Rather than getting angry at Raven's words, Viscount Sicilia laughed.

"Fine, fine, fine~ There is nothing you can do, is that it? I will give you a solution. Sell your territory to someone who can afford it.

That way, you can not only clear your debt easily, but also have a large sum of money to recruit soldiers. Then you will not have to start as a squad leader when you go to the Armor Defense Line."

After saying that, he let out a wild, piercing laugh.

Hearing Sicilia set his sights on his family's inherited territory, Raven instantly lost his mind. He drew the sword at his waist and pointed it at Sicilia.

"Damn it, do not even think about it! As long as I live, you can forget such fantasies!"

Viscount Sicilia narrowed his eyes at Raven. With a hiss, he too drew his knight's sword and pointed it at Raven.

"You coward, you actually dared draw your sword. You have some courage. Too bad it is useless."

The moment Sicilia drew his sword, the knights around him also pulled their blades and pointed them at Raven.

"Be sensible and drop your weapon. I must have the money today. You did not die at the hands of the ghouls, but I do not mind if you die at mine~"

"Hey~ hey~

Stop! Stop! Do not fight anymore~"

Havent ran down while holding up his trousers, which he had not even fastened properly.

Seeing Havent run over, the tense atmosphere between the two sides eased somewhat.

After tightening his belt, Havent squeezed between the two men. Looking at the gleaming sword points before him, he reached out, gripped them, and pressed them down.

"What kind of behavior is this? If the people of Baiman City see this, it will be us nobles who lose face.

Lower them~ Lower them. Can someone tell me what happened?"

With Havent standing in front of him, Raven was the first to sheath his sword. His eyes reddened as he spoke in a slightly aggrieved voice.

"Young Master Havent, Sicilia has gone too far. He is trying to seize my family's inherited territory."

Viscount Sicilia did not dare point his sword at the count's heir, so he sheathed it as well. Hearing Raven's words, he immediately rushed to explain.

"I did not! He owes me money. I only wanted him to repay it early. I am not charging interest; ninety percent of the principal will be enough.

He refused and said he would repay me after serving on the Armor Defense Line. By the Goddess of Harvest, who can guarantee that he will return from the Armor Defense Line in one piece? I am afraid that if he dies, he will never repay me."

After hearing both sides, Havent roughly understood the situation. It was all caused by a lack of money. He immediately clapped his hands.

"Hailan Territory will take over Baron Raven's debt. Lord Sicilia, I will have the butler pay you shortly.

As for you, Raven~~~ live well. You owe me money now."

At those words, the tall Baron Raven's eyes turned red. Just as he was about to say a few words of thanks to Young Master Havent, he suddenly seemed to see something, and his expression changed drastically.

"Young master! Watch out!"