Minor Damage, Major Insult

The nightlife of Shining Gold Town had thus concluded, and Raven plunged back into his work.

As someone in a superior position, there were always endless meetings. Yesterday had merely been about confirming the order details, but today, more specifics needed to be ironed out.

"My Lord Baron, are you certain you want three hundred live pigs, and not just any pigs?" the livestock merchant Ham asked.

Raven nodded. "That's right, three hundred live pigs, plus six hundred live chickens and six hundred live ducks, with an equal number of males and females. Are there any difficulties?"

Ham considered his words carefully. "There are indeed some. We'll need a bit more time from your Lordship. A large cart can carry at most eight pigs at a time, and for every five carts carrying pigs, we'll need at least one cart to transport feed. I'm afraid it will be difficult to hire enough people on short notice."

This didn't surprise Raven. After all, there were no cars or trains in this era, and pigs, unlike cattle or sheep, couldn't be herded. Relying solely on horse-drawn carts for transport, the capacity was limited. "Hmm, then at least within half a month, deliver the first batch to me, no less than a hundred head. As long as the order is completed by the end of September, that will be fine."

A sincere smile appeared on Ham's face. "Thank you for your understanding, my Lord. I will definitely deliver the best livestock to you!"

With a bang, the door was kicked open, and a petite woman bustled in. "Are you Raven?"

Raven looked at the girl and his eyes lit up.

She was not tall; even standing, she wasn't much taller than Raven, who was seated. Her light red hair was styled into a high bun at the back of her head, a clear sign of mature women's fashion, yet it failed to convey a mature aura. She looked like a little girl deliberately trying to appear older, and with her chin held high, she possessed a lively and charming demeanor.

Her features were delicate and beautiful, her two amber eyes lively and bright, her nose small, her lips thin and rosy. As she glanced around, two small canine teeth peeked out.

A luxurious silk robe was draped over her, completely concealing her figure, but it couldn't hide the youthful vitality that radiated from within.

"Hey, didn't you hear me?" A hint of dissatisfaction flashed in her eyes. "I'm asking you, are you Raven?"

Raven wouldn't get angry with a child. He smiled and said, "But you haven't told me your name yet."

The girl said indignantly, "Answering a lady's question is the proper etiquette for a noble. Don't you understand?"

"So, that means you are also a noble," Raven's smile deepened. "Then you should know that before asking someone's name, you should introduce yourself first. Isn't that the most basic etiquette for a noble?"

"You!" The girl frowned, then relaxed her expression and said with a flourish, "Fine, then I'll tell you. I am Nancy, Nancy Fox!"

As soon as she spoke, a collective gasp of air filled the conference room. Everyone exchanged bewildered glances.

Someone from the Fox Family had arrived, and so quickly!

Amidst the clatter of tables and chairs, the merchants present all rose to greet her. "Miss Nancy!"

Seeing their flustered state, a proud smile curved Nancy's lips.

She was the youngest daughter of the Fox Family, and she was seventeen years old this year.

An old imperial proverb stated that parents always doted on their youngest child, but this saying did not apply to Nancy.

Her mother had died during childbirth when she was born.

The Countess could have survived, but at the cost of Nancy's life. Ultimately, maternal instinct had triumphed over the will to live, and she had sacrificed her own life for Nancy's birth.

Count Monteril could not accept this. He deeply loved his wife and believed Nancy had caused her death. From then on, he could no longer face his daughter and deliberately distanced himself from her.

People tend to fawn over the favored and neglect the unfavored. Since even the Count didn't care about her, the servants naturally wouldn't treat her well. They would often shortchange her allowance and even try to manipulate her life.

Nancy had inherited her mother's resilience quite well. Instead of silently enduring the oppression, she chose to resist. After breaking the legs of several maids and smashing a young noble's nose with a wine glass, she was summoned by Monteril for the first time for a serious talk.

That was the only time in her life she had spoken more than five sentences with her father.

She was twelve years old at the time.

From then on, her temper became increasingly unruly and fiery. She wanted everyone to pay attention to her, and anyone who slighted her had to pay the price. Whether in words or actions, she showed no mercy to others. And after she became a mage at fifteen, that price became even heavier.

She gained renown in the noble circles of Nord Province, known as the "Fiery Rose of the Fox Family."

Her presence in Shining Gold Town was at the request of Count Monteril; her father wanted her to interact with Hyde, who was temporarily residing there.

She had come with the intention of slacking off. Fortunately, Hyde had left within a few days, so she was happy to enjoy some free time here and had stayed for the time being.

"Raven, Raven Ota Griffith." The man before her wore an annoying, noble-exclusive smile. "It's an honor to meet you, Miss Nancy."

With a snap, Nancy slapped away Raven's outstretched hand. "Stop playing coy with me, Raven. I'm already standing here, and you still won't admit your mistake?"

"Admit my mistake? Why should I admit my mistake?" Raven thought for a moment and then exclaimed with feigned realization, "Oh! You mean I didn't go to greet Miss Nancy in advance? I'm truly sorry, I've been extremely busy lately."

Nancy bit her lip slightly.

This man was truly detestable. He looked young, yet he was as slippery as an old hand. She only felt this way when dealing with her father's old butler.

"As expected of 'Little Bee,' you're quite glib-tongued," Nancy said proudly. "But your smooth talk won't fool me. Don't try to change the subject."

"I'm asking you, did you kill Karl?"

The shameless man before her actually paused, then put on an expression of apprehension. "Oh, Karl. That was indeed a tragedy. When he suddenly lunged at me from his seat, I was almost terrified! If it weren't for my guards risking their lives to protect me, he might have succeeded."

"But rest assured, I know that this assassination attempt by Karl had no authorization from the Fox Family. We are both victims, and I will not seek any compensation from your family."

Not only Nancy, but everyone present was stunned by this statement.

Fili thought to himself, As expected of the Baron. His ability to lie with a straight face is truly unparalleled, and his psychological fortitude is top-notch. No wonder he was able to snatch the baronetcy from Denise.

Nancy's eyes widened. She had never met anyone so thick-skinned.

"Raven! You've gone too far!" Her chest heaved, and she placed her hands on the table, trying to appear taller. "Not only did you kill Karl, but you're also framing us, the Fox Family?! How could a low-born scoundrel like you have such audacity? Who's 'us' between us!?"

"Originally, I only wanted you to kneel and apologize, but now I've changed my mind!" She wrinkled her delicate nose and held up three fingers. "I have three demands."

"First! I want you to kneel before me immediately, right now, and apologize while slapping yourself, until I am satisfied."

"Second! I want you to personally sign a document to restore Karl's reputation and issue a public apology. Post your written apology all over the streets of Eagle Territory."

"Third! I want you to prepare a thousand bottles of Angel's Tear and deliver them to my residence within a month!"

"If you fail to meet even one of these three conditions, prepare to face the wrath of the Fox Family!"

With the three conditions laid out, the entire conference room fell silent.

The merchants dared not breathe, and Fili was overcome with worry, cold sweat already beading on his smooth forehead.

It seemed Lord Raven was destined to lose face today.

Kneeling before a woman and slapping oneself was too humiliating, even if she was the daughter of a Count's family.

It would not only make Raven a laughingstock among the nobility but also completely evaporate the reputation he had painstakingly built in Eagle Territory. The merchants he had just brought under control would start being cunning again.

And he, Fili, would be the unluckiest. He had finally become the guild master, clinging to Raven's coattails, only for those coattails to break immediately. Perhaps his knees would even be crushed by this pathetic worm.

For a moment, he even began to complain.

Raven, oh Raven, you're too young. Killing Karl was just to vent your anger, but now not only are you in trouble, you're dragging me down too!

Even more nervous than him was Eric.

The steel warrior stood behind Raven, his hand gripping his enchanted longsword tightly, but he dared not act, or even speak.

She was the daughter of a Count's family.

Since inheriting his title, Baron… had been successful in his endeavors, but he had never faced an opponent as formidable as this.

Today… would likely be a significant stain on the Griffith family's history.

Eric even felt a pang of self-pity. Why had he chosen to pledge allegiance to the Griffith family? First there was Donald, who was prodigal and dissolute, and now there was Raven, who acted without considering the consequences.

Ah well, no matter what, he is still my master. A Nord man's word is his bond!

His gaze swept over the merchants present as he made up his mind. If any of them dared to spread rumors about Baron Raven from this point on, he wouldn't mind staining his longsword with their blood.

"What, you don't dare? You're a grown man, do you dare to do it but not own up to it?" Nancy's arrogant voice echoed in the conference room, a wisp of flame blooming from her fingertips. "Let me tell you, I'm not just a young lady of the Fox Family, but also a Second-tier Fire Mage. If you don't move soon, I might just lose my patience and set something on fire!"

With the sound of a chair scraping against the floor, Raven suddenly stood up.

Nancy snorted, "An apology requires an apologetic attitude. Who are you putting on a brave face for? Smile!"

Eric averted his gaze. He didn't want to witness what was about to happen, didn't want to see his master humiliated.

Slap—

A crisp sound echoed through the room. Eric couldn't help but close his eyes, his breathing growing heavy.

"Raven! You rat from the gutter, you trash, riff-raff, scoundrel, you—you dared to hit me?!"

That was Nancy's voice.

Eric turned to look and was immediately stunned by the scene before him, his small eyes widening as if they were about to pop.

Nancy Fox, that spoiled and willful young lady, was being held under Raven's arm, a clear handprint imprinted on her silk dress on her backside.

Eric felt his brain couldn't keep up – What happened? Did the Baron just hit Nancy?

"Hit you? Not only am I going to hit you, I'm going to beat you!" Raven exhaled forcefully.

In full view of everyone, he tightened his arm, pressing Nancy's upper body onto the table, pinning her wrists with one hand while raising the other high. Slap after slap rained down. "Apologize, right?"

"Slap your own face, right?"

"Kneel, right!?"

"Then I'll fulfill your wishes!"

Crisp sounds echoed rhythmically, like a drumbeat.

"Raven!" Nancy struggled, twisting her body. However, mages were never known for their physical strength, and Raven's strength was simply too great for her to break free. "I am the daughter of the Governor of Nord Province, Count Monteril! How dare you… Ah!"

Before she could finish, another slap landed. Nancy's face flushed like a small apple, her eyes reddening, filled with shame and anger.

This slap did hurt, but not to that extent.

It was the public spanking that was utterly humiliating; even her father had never hit her like this!

This action caused little physical harm but was extremely insulting.

"Raven! Stop it, or I'll tell my father, and he'll kill you!"

Raven let out a scoff, "You pampered, good-for-nothing noble brats, can't you even speak without your parents around?"

"Do you know why I dare to hit you here, and why I can hit you here? It's because I'm not the son of some noble; I myself am a noble!"

"Today, I will make you understand what the honor of a noble is, and that it is not to be violated!"

Slap—

Perhaps due to the swelling from repeated slaps, or perhaps this one was truly forceful, tears welled up in Nancy's eyes. She said with a choked sob, "Raven, stop! I… I forgive you. Let me down now, and I promise I won't retaliate…"

"What did you call me?" Raven's hand did not relent.

"Raven… Baron Raven!" Nancy said quickly.

But in the next moment, another blow landed. "An apology requires an apologetic attitude. Did you forget your own words? Smile!"

"But… but I can't smile…" Nancy's voice was full of grievance.

Raven almost burst out laughing, but he held a straight face and said, "If you can't laugh, then cry!"

Like a terrified puppy, Nancy said tearfully, "Wuwuwu... I... I was wrong! Baron Raven, I was wrong, please let me go..."

Raven snorted with satisfaction, "What did you do wrong?"

"I, I shouldn't have... shouldn't have interrupted your meeting, shouldn't have rushed in and demanded an apology, and, and... Ow!" Another firm but not too heavy hit landed, and Nancy quickly added, "And I shouldn't have been so willful, shouldn't have made such excessive demands, Karl deserved to die!"

"Mmm... you finally realize it," Raven said, cracking his neck. "It seems you still know right from wrong."

Nancy let out a sigh of relief, thinking she was finally escaping this hellish punishment. But just then, a sharp pain struck again: "Ah! Raven, Baron! I've already apologized, what are you doing?"

"Cough." Raven cleared his throat and released her. "To help you remember."

Actually, he had gotten carried away while hitting. After all, the sensation had been quite good.

Breaking free from his grip, Nancy jumped away like a startled rabbit, covering her backside with her hands, unsure which one was redder at the moment. "Raven... you, you just wait! I'm not done with you!"

Raven raised his hand again. Nancy flinched, turned, and bolted out of the room.

Silence fell over the meeting room once more.

Everyone was stunned. No one had expected that Raven would not only refuse to apologize but would actually discipline Nancy, and in such a heated manner. Even more surprising was that Nancy had left just like that.

Did Baron Raven truly fear no one, not even a Count?

Eric hadn't recovered from the shock. He couldn't understand why Raven dared to do such a thing, and why Nancy had run off after it happened!

Raven had not only defended his reputation but also elevated his prestige.

Eric felt ashamed of his previous thoughts and a little envious of Raven.

He wondered what the backside of a Count's daughter felt like?

Compared to Eric, Fili was even more shocked. Cold sweat streamed down his forehead as he kept thinking of how close he had come to disaster.

He had almost, almost, publicly supported Miss Nancy, as a Count seemed far more influential than a Baron.

But who would have thought that the arrogant and overbearing young lady would be pinned to the table and spanked by Raven like an ordinary girl, just like a senior disciplining a child!

Raven spanking her was akin to slapping the Fox Family in the face.

If he dared to slap the Fox Family's face, what else wouldn't he dare to do?

Thank goodness! Thank goodness he was timid. Otherwise, he might be joining Karl now.

Just then, Raven's gaze swept over him, causing him to straighten up immediately. "My Lord Baron, you are truly brave and decisive! Your authority is like that of a Mighty Lion!"

With him taking the lead, the meeting room erupted in lively chatter as the merchants began to flatter Raven one after another.

"Alright," Raven said, raising his hand to quiet the room. "This is a meeting room. Let's talk about business."

He tapped the table, his gaze sweeping over the assembled merchants with a profound look. "Not a single word of what happened here today is to be spoken outside. If even a whisper gets out—the Fox family is a Count's family, they won't do much to me, but to you all..."

The merchants present immediately fell silent, nodding repeatedly.

Even if Raven hadn't said anything, they wouldn't have dared to mock a Count's family. Were they tired of living?

Raven nodded inwardly at the merchants, who were as quiet as quails, and breathed a sigh of relief.

Nancy's appearance had caught him somewhat off guard. After all, Shining Gold Town hadn't been in his hands before, and he had no idea the Fox family had a daughter here.

However, his subsequent handling of the situation, especially choosing spanking as the method, although an impulsive decision, was the most foolproof method he could think of.

It wasn't purely brute force. Even if some rumors spread, at most they would be treated as ridiculous gossip and wouldn't cause any substantial negative impact on Nancy or the Fox family, thus avoiding a true feud with the Count's family.

On the other hand, it also served as a way to discipline these merchants, letting them know who was in charge in Shining Gold Town.

He clapped his hands. "Alright, let's continue the meeting. Where were we?"

"Livestock, my lord! We were talking about livestock when Miss Nancy came in," Ham said.

A burst of laughter filled the room, and the atmosphere became lively again as the meeting continued.

As time passed, days turned into weeks filled with various meetings, and all matters progressed in an orderly fashion.

On the seventh day after arriving in Shining Gold Town, Raven finally concluded his long series of meetings. Most of the contract details had been finalized, leaving only the delivery issues outstanding.

That morning, after Raven finished breakfast, the temporarily hired Head Maid stepped forward and bowed. "My Lord Baron, after two rounds of screening, we have selected twenty-seven maid candidates. Do you have any instructions?"

"Summon the single, young, and beautiful girls here. I want to choose personally," Raven said, wiping his mouth. "Remember, I need personal maids. I hope you can make that clear to them. If anyone is unwilling, or perhaps too willing..."

"Understood, my lord." Raven's words were cut short, but the Head Maid already understood his meaning. She nodded. "Your will shall be carried out."

Before long, the sound of footsteps approached, and four young maids nervously entered the dining room and bowed in unison:

"My Lord Baron!"

They knelt on the ground according to the etiquette taught by the Head Maid. Their tight maid uniforms, in a black and white color scheme, accentuated their young, full figures, with their curves and bulges especially prominent due to the low-cut necklines.

Raven walked up to them and gently stroked one girl's cheek. "Look up."

A pretty face appeared before Raven, her eyes showing a trace of shock and panic. "How could this be...?"