Shining Gold Town's nightlife came to an end just like that, and Raven threw himself back into work.
As a superior, he always had endless meetings to attend. Yesterday, they had only confirmed the order's contents; today, they had to settle even more details.
"Baron Raven, are you sure you want three hundred live pigs, rather than pork?" the livestock merchant Hamm asked.
Raven nodded. "That's right. Three hundred live pigs, plus six hundred live chickens and six hundred live ducks, with the males and females evenly divided. Is there any difficulty?"
Hamm considered his words. "There are indeed some difficulties. You'll need to give us a little more time. A large wagon can carry at most eight pigs at once, and for every five wagons transporting pigs, we'll need at least one more wagon carrying feed. I'm afraid it'll be very difficult to hire that many people on short notice."
This was not unexpected to Raven. After all, this era had neither cars nor trains, and pigs could not be herded along like cattle or sheep. With transportation relying entirely on horse-drawn wagons, their carrying capacity was naturally limited. "Then bring me the first batch within half a month at the latest. No fewer than a hundred pigs will do. As long as the order is completed before the end of September."
A sincere smile appeared on Hamm's face. "Thank you for your understanding, my lord. I'll definitely deliver the finest livestock to you!"
With a bang, the door was kicked open, and a petite young lady strode in, full of energy. "You're Raven?"
Raven sized up the girl, and his eyes lit up despite himself.
She was not tall. Even standing, she was only slightly taller than Raven, who was seated. Her pale-red hair was twisted into a high bun at the back of her head. Though her style was clearly that of a mature woman, she lacked a mature air, resembling a little girl deliberately pretending to be an adult. Combined with her high-raised chin, she possessed a lively, adorable charm.
Her features were delicate and beautiful. Her amber eyes were bright and mischievous, her nose small, and her lips thin and pink. When she glanced around, two tiny canine teeth peeked out.
A gorgeous silk robe draped over her, completely concealing her figure, yet it could not hide the youthful vitality radiating from within her.
"Hey, didn't you hear me?" A trace of displeasure appeared in her eyes. "I'm asking you, are you Raven?"
Raven would not get angry with a child. He smiled and said, "But you haven't told me your name yet."
The girl puffed out her cheeks. "Answering a lady's question is the etiquette expected of a noble. Don't you know that?"
"So you're a noble too?" Raven's smile deepened. "Then you should know that before asking someone else's name, you ought to introduce yourself first. Isn't that the most basic etiquette among nobles?"
"You!" The girl frowned, then relaxed and waved her hand. "Fine, I'll tell you. I'm Nancy, Nancy Fox!"
The moment she said this, a chorus of sharp inhalations rang out in the meeting room. Everyone looked at one another.
Someone from the Fox Family had arrived—and so soon at that!
A chaotic clatter of tables and chairs broke out as the merchants present hurried to rise and salute. "Miss Nancy!"
Seeing their flustered expressions, Nancy curled her lips into a smug smile.
She was the youngest daughter of the Fox Family, and she was already seventeen.
An ancient imperial proverb claimed that parents always doted most on their youngest child, but that saying did not apply to Nancy.
Her mother had died in childbirth when Nancy was born.
The countess had originally had a chance to survive, but the price would have been Nancy's death. In the end, maternal instinct overcame her will to live. She gave up her own life, allowing Nancy to be born.
Count Monteriel could not accept what had happened. He had loved his wife dearly and believed that Nancy had caused her death. From then on, he could no longer face his daughter and intentionally or otherwise kept his distance from her.
People were accustomed to flattering the powerful and trampling the weak. Since even the count did not care about her, the servants naturally showed her no kindness. They often deducted her allowance and even tried to manipulate her life.
Nancy had inherited her mother's resilience. Faced with oppression, she did not silently endure it. Instead, she chose to resist. After breaking the legs of several maids and smashing a noble youth's nose with a wineglass, she was summoned by Monteriel for the first time and given a serious talking-to.
That was the only time in her life she had spoken with her father for more than five sentences.
She had been twelve then.
After that, her temper grew increasingly willful and fierce. She demanded that everyone take her seriously, and anyone who slighted her had to pay the price. Neither her words nor her actions left anyone any room for dignity. After she became a mage at fifteen, the price grew even heavier.
She became famous among the nobles of Nord Province, earning the nickname "the Fiery Rose of the Fox Family."
The reason she had appeared in Shining Gold Town was Count Monteriel's request. Her father wanted her to make contact with Hyde, who was temporarily staying there.
She had come intending to idle away her time. As it happened, Hyde left on his own after only a few days, and she was happy to enjoy some free time here, so she temporarily stayed behind.
"Raven, Raven Ota Griffith." An obnoxious, distinctly noble smile appeared on the man's face. "It's an honor to meet you, Miss Nancy."
With a sharp slap, Nancy knocked away Raven's outstretched hand. "Stop grinning at me, Raven. I'm already standing here, and you still haven't apologized?"
"Apologized? Why should I apologize?" Raven thought for a moment, then suddenly understood. "Oh! Is it because I didn't go out to greet you in advance? I'm terribly sorry. I've simply been too busy lately."
Nancy bit her lip lightly.
This man was truly irritating. He looked young, yet he was as slippery as an old hand. She only felt this way when dealing with her father's old steward.
"No wonder they call you 'Little Bee.' You're certainly glib." Nancy spoke haughtily. "But your tricks won't fool me. Don't even think about changing the subject."
"Let me ask you. Were you the one who killed Karl?"
This shameless man actually froze for a moment, then even put on a frightened expression. "Oh, Karl. That really was a tragedy. When he suddenly leaped from his seat and lunged at me, I was practically terrified out of my wits! If my guards hadn't protected me with their lives, he might well have succeeded."
"But don't worry. I know Karl's assassination attempt had absolutely nothing to do with the Fox Family. We're both victims here, so I won't demand any compensation from your family."
It was not only Nancy who froze at those words. Everyone present was stunned.
Fili thought to himself, As expected of Lord Baron. His ability to lie with his eyes open is truly unparalleled, and his composure is first-rate. No wonder he managed to seize the baronial title from Denise.
Nancy's eyes widened. She had never seen anyone with such a thick skin.
"Raven! You've gone too far." Her chest heaved as she planted both hands on the table, trying to make herself look as imposing as possible. "Not only did you kill Karl, you're trying to frame the Fox Family?! You're a lowborn thug. How dare you act so boldly? Who's 'we' with you?!"
"I originally only wanted you to kneel and apologize, but I've changed my mind!" She wrinkled her little nose and raised three fingers. "I have three demands."
"First! I want you to kneel before me right now, slap yourself, and apologize until I'm satisfied."
"Second! I want you to personally sign a document restoring Karl's reputation and publicly apologize. Post your apology throughout the streets and alleys of Eagle Territory."
"Third! I want you to prepare one thousand bottles of Angel's Tear and deliver them to my residence within a month!"
"If you fail to fulfill even one of these three demands, prepare to face the wrath of the Fox Family!"
After the three conditions were announced, the entire meeting room fell silent.
The merchants did not dare even breathe loudly. Fili was especially worried, cold sweat already beading on his smooth forehead.
Lord Raven was probably doomed to lose face today.
Kneeling before a woman and slapping himself was simply too humiliating, even if she was the daughter of a count.
It would not only turn Raven into a laughingstock among the nobles, it would also evaporate the reputation he had painstakingly built in Eagle Territory. The merchants he had only just begun subduing would start playing tricks again.
And Fili would be the unluckiest of all. He had finally become chairman and latched himself onto Raven, only for that thigh to be severed at once. The knee might even come down on poor him.
For a moment, he even began complaining inwardly.
Raven, Raven, you're still too young. You killed Karl for a moment's gratification. Not only are you in trouble now, you're dragging me down with you!
Eric was even more nervous than him.
The steel warrior stood behind Raven, gripping the Enchanted Longsword so tightly his knuckles turned white. Yet he did not dare act, or even make a sound.
That was the daughter of a count.
Since inheriting the title, Lord Baron had never met with failure. But none of his previous opponents had been as aggressive as today's.
Today... would probably become a major stain on the history of the Griffith Family.
Eric even felt somewhat self-pitying. Why had he chosen to pledge loyalty to the Griffith Family? First there had been Donald, who squandered everything, and now there was Raven, who acted without regard for the consequences.
Forget it. No matter what, he is the master I serve. A Nord man's promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold!
His gaze swept over the merchants present. He had already made up his mind. If any of them dared spread rumors about Baron Raven from now on, he would not mind letting his sword taste blood.
"What's wrong? Don't dare?" Nancy's arrogant voice echoed through the meeting room. A flame blossomed from her fingertip. "You're a grown man. Do you dare act but not take responsibility? Let me tell you, I'm not only a young lady of the Fox Family, I'm also a Second-tier Fire Mage. If you don't move, I might just have to burn something!"
The sound of a stool scraping across the floor rang out, and Raven shot to his feet.
Nancy snorted. "An apology requires the proper attitude. Who are you glaring at with that stiff face? Smile a little!"
Eric turned his gaze away. He did not want to see what was about to happen, nor did he want to watch the master he served suffer humiliation.
Smack—
The crisp sound echoed through the room. Eric could not help closing his eyes as his breathing grew heavy.
"Raven! You filthy gutter rat, trash, thug, scum! You—you actually hit me?!"
That was Nancy's voice.
Eric turned around and was instantly stunned by the sight before him. His eyes widened to the size of popcorn kernels.
Nancy Fox, that willful and spoiled young lady, was clamped beneath Raven's arm, and a clear handprint marked the satin fabric over her little backside.
Eric felt his mind fail him. What happened? Lord Baron actually hit Nancy?
"Hit you? I'm not just going to hit you—I'm going to beat you!" Raven exhaled a breath of foul air.
In full view of everyone, he tightened his arm and forced Nancy's upper body onto the table. One hand clamped both her wrists securely while the other rose high and came down again and again. "You want an apology, right?"
"You want me to slap myself, right?"
"You want me to kneel, right?!"
"Then I'll satisfy you!"
The crisp smacks rang out rhythmically, like a drumbeat.
"Raven!" Nancy struggled and twisted, but mages had never been known for physical strength, while Raven was simply too strong. She could not break free. "I'm the daughter of Count Monteriel, the governor of Nord Province. How dare you—ah!"
Before she could finish, another slap landed. Nancy's face flushed like a little apple, and her eyes reddened with shame and fury.
The slap really did hurt, but it was not unbearable.
Being spanked in front of everyone, however, was far too humiliating. Even her father had never hit her!
The physical harm was minor, but the humiliation was extreme.
"Raven! Stop, or else—otherwise I'll tell my father and have him kill you!"
Raven sneered. "You pampered, ignorant noble brats. Can you not speak once you leave your parents' protection?"
"Do you know why I dare to hit you here? Because I'm not some noble's son. I'm a noble myself!"
"Today, I'll teach you what it means for a noble's honor to brook no violation!"
Smack—
Perhaps the repeated blows had made the area swollen, or perhaps this one had truly been harder. Tears suddenly welled in Nancy's eyes, and she said in a choked voice, "Raven, stop! I—I forgive you. Put me down now. I promise I won't take revenge on you..."
"What did you call me?" Raven showed no mercy.
"Raven... Baron Raven!" Nancy hurriedly corrected herself.
But the next moment, another blow landed. "An apology requires the proper attitude. Have you forgotten your own words? Smile!"
"B-but I can't smile..." Nancy's voice was pitiful.
Raven nearly laughed, but kept his face taut. "If you can't smile, then cry!"
Like a frightened puppy, Nancy whimpered, "Waaah... I... I was wrong! Baron Raven, I was wrong. Please let me go..."
Raven hummed in satisfaction. "What were you wrong about?"
"I—I shouldn't... shouldn't have interrupted your meeting or barged in and demanded an apology. And—and..." Another blow, neither light nor heavy, landed, and Nancy quickly continued, "And I shouldn't have been so willful or made such outrageous demands. Karl deserved to die!"
"Hmm... You finally understand." Raven rolled his neck. "So you do know right from wrong."
Nancy inwardly let out a long breath. At last, this hellish punishment was about to end. But then another burst of pain struck without warning. "Ah! Baron Raven! I already apologized. What are you doing?"
"Ahem." Raven coughed and released her. "Teaching you a lesson."
In truth, he had simply gotten carried away. The sensation had actually been rather satisfying.
Once freed, Nancy leaped away like a startled rabbit, covering her backside with both hands. For a moment, it was impossible to tell which of the two was redder. "Raven... you—you just wait! This young lady isn't finished with you!"
Raven raised his hand again. Nancy's body trembled, and she spun around and bolted out of the room.
The meeting room fell silent once more.
Everyone was dumbfounded. No one had expected Raven not only to refuse to apologize, but also to discipline Nancy himself—and so dramatically at that. Even less had they expected Nancy to leave just like that.
Did Baron Raven truly not fear even a count?
Eric still had not recovered. He simply could not understand why Raven had dared to do such a thing, or why Nancy had run away afterward!
Raven had not only defended his reputation, he had elevated his prestige even further.
Eric felt ashamed of his earlier thoughts, and somewhat envious of Raven.
I wonder what the count's daughter's noble backside feels like?
Compared with Eric, Fili was even more shocked. Cold sweat streamed down his forehead as fear lingered in his heart.
He had almost—just a little more—and he would have publicly supported Miss Nancy. After all, a count sounded far more convincing than a baron.
But who could have expected that the haughty, arrogant young lady would be pinned against the table and spanked by Raven like an ordinary girl, as though an elder were disciplining a child?
Raven had spanked her, which meant he had slapped the Fox Family in the face.
If he dared slap the Fox Family in the face, what was there that he would not dare do?
Fortunately! Fortunately I'm timid enough. Otherwise, I'd probably be joining Karl down below right now.
Just then, Raven's gaze swept over him, making him sit up straight in alarm. "Lord Baron, you're truly courageous and decisive. Your majesty is as imposing as a male lion's!"
With him taking the lead, the meeting room instantly grew lively. The merchants began praising Raven one after another.
"All right." Raven raised a hand and silenced the room. "This is a meeting room. If we're here to talk, then let's discuss serious business."
He tapped the table, his gaze sweeping deeply over the merchants present. "Not a single word about what happened here today may leave this room. If even the slightest rumor gets out—The Fox Family is a count's family. They won't do anything to me, but as for all of you..."
All the merchants immediately fell silent with fear and nodded repeatedly.
Even without Raven's warning, they would never have been so bold as to mock a count's family. Did they have a death wish?
Looking at the merchants, now as quiet as quails, Raven nodded inwardly and finally relaxed.
Nancy's appearance had caught him completely off guard. Shining Gold Town had not previously been under his control, so he had not known that the Fox Family had another daughter here.
As for how he had handled the matter, especially choosing to spank her, that had been an impulse, but it was also the safest method he could think of.
It was not purely crude violence. Even if word spread, at worst it would be treated as a ridiculous rumor. It would not cause any real negative impact to Nancy or the Fox Family, nor would it truly make an enemy of the count's family.
At the same time, it allowed him to pressure these merchants further and tell them who was truly in charge in Shining Gold Town.
He clapped his hands. "All right, let's continue the meeting. Where were we?"
"Live pigs, my lord! We were discussing live pigs when Miss Nancy came in," Hamm said.
Laughter erupted throughout the room, and the atmosphere grew lively again as the meeting continued.
As time passed, the days went by amid various meetings, and every matter proceeded in an orderly fashion.
On the seventh day after arriving in Shining Gold Town, Raven finally finished his long stretch of meetings. Most of the contract details had been finalized, leaving only the delivery arrangements.
That morning, Raven had just finished breakfast when the temporarily hired Head Maid stepped forward and bowed. "Lord Baron, after two rounds of screening, we have selected twenty-seven maid candidates. Do you have any instructions?"
"Bring the single, young, and attractive girls here. I'll choose personally." Raven wiped his mouth. "Remember, I want personal maids. Make sure you explain that clearly to them. If anyone is unwilling, or too willing..."
"Understood, my lord." Raven had not finished speaking, but the Head Maid already understood his meaning. She nodded. "Your will shall be carried out."
Before long, footsteps sounded, and four young maids nervously entered the dining room and bowed in unison.
"Lord Baron!"
Following the etiquette taught by the Head Maid, they half-knelt on the floor. Their snug, cow-patterned maid uniforms outlined their young, full figures, especially the open necklines that emphasized their ample chests.
Raven walked up to them and reached out to stroke one girl's cheek. "Raise your head."
A handsome face appeared before Raven, shock and panic flickering in her eyes. "How could it be...?"
Before you continue