The True Sacrifice

Mr. Baron owned several hundred acres of land and employed more than a dozen farmers to work for him. He had also built an impressive villa on his estate. It was clear that he was fairly well-off.

At the farm's stables, Hobart met Mr. Baron, who was grooming his beloved horse.

He looked to be in his thirties, tall and powerfully built, with the two-part mustache commonly seen in the Loen Kingdom.

Mr. Baron received Hobart warmly, set aside his work, and invited him into the Living Room for tea.

After some brief Small talk, Mr. Baron finally explained the "Legal Aid" he needed. He wanted to divorce his wife, but he did not want to split his property equally with her, which was why he had hired a "professional" like Hobart.

Under Loen's Marriage Law, if the wife initiated a divorce, she would receive none of the property. Often, she could recover only half her dowry. But if the husband initiated the divorce, the wife had the right to demand half the property.

The only exception was if one party had betrayed the marriage. In that case, the other party could file for divorce from a stronger position when it came to dividing the property.

Hobart cursed, Scumbag, inwardly, though he wore a warm smile. "I understand. You want your wife to be the one to initiate the divorce?"

It could not be helped. This was his job, and Mr. Baron was his client. Hobart had already prepared himself for such things the first time he returned from the Magistrate Court.

"In your eyes, I must be a thoroughly despicable man beyond redemption, right?" Mr. Baron rubbed his forehead. "I love my wife very much, but she doesn't love me. I can tell that there has always been someone else in her heart. Maybe that's why she refuses to bear my child."

Mr. Baron then told him the story of himself and his wife. His wife, Penny, had come to the farm as a female worker eight years ago. Penny had been a teenager then, bright and lively, and she had left a deep impression on Mr. Baron.

At the time, Mr. Baron still had a happy family. But in the summer six years ago, his wife died of an illness. Baron mourned for a long time and needed a year or two to emerge from the grief of losing her.

Penny, still cheerful and lively at the time, gradually allowed Mr. Baron to see the beauty of life again. So, three years ago, he proposed to Penny.

Penny had seemed somewhat unwilling at the time, but Mr. Baron did not take it seriously. He simply summoned Penny's parents to discuss the marriage.

Penny's parents had been overjoyed. After all, Mr. Baron was an important figure in the area.

After their marriage, Mr. Baron had dearly wanted a child, but three years of trying had produced no results. Moreover, over those three years, Penny had gradually become quiet and withdrawn, losing her former liveliness and cheerfulness.

Mr. Baron had gradually lost patience with his wife as well. By now, he and Penny could no longer get along peacefully, which was why he had written to the Law Firm for help.

After hearing the story, Hobart did not know whether he should praise Mr. Baron's courage. In this day and age, when an Owner forced a Female Servant or female worker to serve him, he would generally just give her some money and send her away.

A marriage between an Owner and a Servant required tremendous courage. Whether Owner or Servant, both needed courage.

From this perspective, Mr. Baron truly did love Penny. It was just that no one had ever asked Penny what she wanted in this marriage.

After a moment's thought, Hobart said, "Mr. Baron, my advice is this: since you still deeply love your wife, you should give her some property that can support her livelihood during the divorce, or give her a sum of money. That would establish a good image for you and avoid many troubles after the divorce."

"I had intended to do that," Mr. Baron said. "I plan to give Penny the Workshop that processes wool. Its profits are enough for her to live quite well."

Hobart understood. He could give her some property, but he could not split the family assets equally.

He said, "If you are willing to hire me to handle this matter, I will speak with your wife on your behalf."

Mr. Baron hesitated for several seconds before saying, "All right, Mr. Hobart. This step has to be taken eventually. I am willing to hire you as my Lawyer to handle this matter for me.

"As for the payment, I have already discussed it with Mr. Barton in my letter."

Hobart nodded. Mr. Baron was willing to pay a Commission Fee of 10 Pounds for this matter.

That Commission Fee sounded small, but that was only because Hobart's legal career had begun at a high level. Most commissions ranged from 10 Pounds to 20 Pounds.

For a commission like Mr. Baron's, a certain percentage of his assets would be charged as the Commission Fee only if the matter had no choice but to be settled in Courtroom.

Great Lawyer Barton naturally would not handle such a minor commission personally. Even the one corresponding with Mr. Baron had been Barton's Assistant.

Hobart had prepared a standard contract before coming. After the two signed it, Hobart asked, "May I ask where Miss Penny is now?"

Mr. Baron no longer had the hearty smile he had worn in the stables. He forced out a faint smile. "She returned to her parents' home today. Every so often, she goes back to stay with them for a few days. When she returns..."

Hobart said, "I'd still prefer to go to Penny's parents' house and speak with her there."

Speaking with her while the two were apart was the wisest choice.

"However..." Hobart checked his Pocket Watch. "It's a little late today, and it's no longer suitable to visit Miss Penny. Please give me her address. I'll visit her tomorrow morning."

After receiving the address, Hobart rose to take his leave. Just as he had expected, he had to walk a long way before finding a Rental Carriage. More than two hours of the entire afternoon had been spent traveling.

The only fortunate thing was that this was a Law Firm commission, so the Law Firm would reimburse his fare.

Thinking of reimbursement, Hobart suddenly thought of Old Neil. By this point, Old Neil should already have shown signs of Loss of Control. At next week's gathering, Hobart had to find a way to remind "Klein" and see whether Old Neil could still be saved.

On the Southern Continent, night quietly fell. Elliot carried a lantern deep into the woods, arriving at a clearing. He first set up the Wall of Spirituality, then followed the Creator's instructions to draw symbols, light candles, and burn herbs.

Once everything was ready, he began to chant, "Creator in the Shadow of Order;

"You are the source and end of all order; You are the Master of Laws who commands the Clock of Order.

"Your faithful Servant prays for Your gaze; prays that You accept his offering;

"Prays that You open the gates of Your kingdom."

When the ritual words ended, a fierce wind suddenly arose within the Wall of Spirituality, and a black vortex appeared above the simple altar.

The vortex grew larger and larger, as though it would swallow everything around it. When it had grown taller than the surrounding Trees, two Bronze Gates appeared within it.

Elliot was completely stunned by the sight. So this was the Gate of the God Kingdom! Request for monthly votes~