No Choice

"Haaa~"

After Count Mori finished telling him some things about Kubant, Havent, overcome with sleepiness, could no longer hold on.

Seeing his son was extremely tired, Count Havent gestured for him to go back to sleep.

Watching his son leave the study yawning, the two fell silent. The only sound in the empty study was the crackling of the burning candles.

"Hadawei!

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

Count Mori suddenly stood up from his chair and quickly walked up to Count Havent.

He poked Count Havent's chest forcefully with his finger, his voice sharp like an injured old cat.

"Turning back? Where would we turn back to? From the moment we were born crying as infants in the North Territory, our fate was sealed.

We people of the North Territory have no right to choose. All that accompanies us is the cold wind and death. Where else can we retreat to?

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

Count Havent, like an enraged Mighty Lion, grabbed Count Mori's collar and lifted the old man up.

"When has the White Lion family ever feared death? But doing this will cause many innocent people to die!"

Count Mori's feet left the ground, but he stubbornly refused to let his body sway, craning his neck to meet Kevin Havent's gaze.

His eyes were like rocks that had been weathered by the cold wind for decades, showing not a single ripple.

"The people of the North Territory, the children of the North Territory are also innocent. They don't have to die in their prime, in their mid-twenties, on the Armor Defense Line where the warmth lasts only seven months a year."

Thump~

Count Mori sat down on the wooden floor. The old man patted his backside and walked over to a nearby cabinet to get a pot of wine.

"Then let future generations judge our decision. The problems must be solved eventually, while we still have the ability."

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

'Woooo~ ah~ da~'

"So noisy. Why are you making such a racket so early in the morning? Aren't you going to sleep?

Ankut! Ankut!"

With a creak, the door opened, and the butler, Ankut, walked in.

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

Havent rolled around on the bed like a wriggling maggot. After a bout of ghostly wailing, he poked his head out from under the covers.

"What time is it?"

"Young master, it is nine forty-five."

Thinking he had slept for less than six hours, he angrily wriggled a few more times on the bed.

"What's happening outside? Why is it so noisy?"

Ankut walked out of the room and returned shortly.

"Young master, the guards said the Dawn Guard has left Baiman City. All the temporary camps outside the city have been dismantled."

Upon hearing this, Havent sat up abruptly. That annoying guy left! But wait, why did he leave so easily?

"Where did they go?"

"Not entirely sure, young master. The guards also said that several noble lords downstairs seem to be arguing about something and are about to come to blows?"

"What? Why is that happening now?

Damn it! These guys are never easy to deal with. My clothes! Where are my clothes?"

After getting dressed, Havent ran down from the bedroom in a few strides. In the square, two groups of people were confronting each other, their swords already drawn at their waists, though there was a slight imbalance in numbers.

"Raven, don't blame me for being ruthless. Times are tough for everyone right now.

The thirty thousand Baka (currency) you owe me can't wait until next year. I'll waive the interest, just pay me the principal now."

"Sicilia, you're taking advantage of my misfortune. You know perfectly well the situation in my territory right now."

Baron Raven, surrounded by Sicilia's men, had a flushed face. He had planned to bid farewell to the Count after dawn, but he ran straight into Viscount Sicilia.

"Well, I can't help that. My situation isn't much better. If that doesn't work, just pay me ninety percent, that should be acceptable, right~"

However, the penniless Baron Raven clearly couldn't come up with the money. He clenched his fists in distress and said to Viscount Sicilia in a humble tone, "Lord Sicilia, I truly cannot afford to pay this sum.

How about this, you maintain the original repayment date, and I'll give you an extra ten percent interest. I'll head to the Armor Defense Line to serve, and I'm sure I can repay your money."

Unexpectedly, Baron Raven's meek plea did not earn him Viscount Sicilia's good favor. Instead, he began to curse loudly.

"Damn it! No, I want it now. If you go to the Armor Defense Line and happen to die sometime, who will I ask for this money?"

Baron Raven was also provoked by Sicilia's words and retorted defiantly.

"Then I can't help you, I don't have any money right now."

Viscount Sicilia, upon hearing Raven's words, didn't get angry but instead laughed.

"Fine, fine, fine~ You can't help it, can you? I'll give you a solution: sell your territory to someone who can afford it.

This way, you can not only easily pay off your debt but also have a large sum of money to recruit soldiers, so you won't have to start as a squad leader when you go to the Armor Defense Line."

With that, he let out a wild and ear-piercing laugh.

Hearing Sicilia plotting to take over his ancestral territory, Raven instantly lost his temper, drew the sword at his waist, and pointed it at Sicilia.

"Damn you, don't even think about it. As long as I'm alive, you can forget about it."

Sicilia narrowed his eyes at Raven and, with a swish, also drew the knight's sword at his waist and pointed it at Raven.

"Wimp, daring to draw your sword. A bit of courage. Too bad it's useless."

The moment Sicilia drew his sword, the surrounding knights also drew their swords and pointed them at Raven.

"Be sensible and put down your weapon. I must get the money today. If you didn't die at the hands of the ghouls, I don't mind you dying at mine~"

"Hey~ Hey~

Stop! Stop! You guys, don't fight anymore~"

Havent, without even properly fastening his pants, ran down while holding them up.

Seeing Havent rush over, the tense atmosphere between the two sides eased slightly.

Havent, now with his belt fastened, squeezed between the two men. Looking at the gleaming sword tips before him, he reached out and pushed them down.

"What is this? It's embarrassing for us nobles in front of the citizens of Baiman City.

Put them down~ Put them down. Can someone tell me what's going on?"

Seeing Havent blocking the front, Raven was the first to sheathe his long sword. His eyes were red, and with a hint of grievance in his voice, he said, "Young Master Havent, Sicilia is bullying me too much and wants to seize my ancestral territory."

Sicilia didn't dare to point his sword at the heir of the Count. He also sheathed his long sword. Hearing Raven's words, he immediately and anxiously retorted, "I didn't! He owes me money, and I just wanted him to repay it early. I'm not charging interest, just ninety percent of the principal.

He refused, saying he'd serve at the Armor Defense Line to repay the debt. Goddess of Harvest above, who can guarantee they'll return from the Armor Defense Line unscathed? I'm afraid he won't be able to repay it if he dies."

After listening to both sides, Havent had a general understanding. It was still a money problem. He immediately clapped his hands.

"Baron Raven's debt, Hailan Territory will take it over. I will notify my steward to pay you later, Lord Sicilia.

As for you, Raven~~~ Live well. You owe me a sum of money."

Upon hearing this, the tall Baron Raven's eyes welled up. 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! Be careful!"