Third Generation

Olyck simply could not understand what his brother was thinking. Shouldn't they be calling in favors and seeing whether they could get a title with an actual fief from Baron Franz?

"Brother, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We should act quickly, or someone else will beat us to it." Olyck could barely hide his impatience. Recently, the prospect of a title had dazzled him, and all he could think about was taking shortcuts.

Good understood how he felt. He had had his own moments of being blinded by greed.

"Stop thinking about it. If titles were really that easy to obtain, I wouldn't still be just a Baronet." Good shook his head and laid it all out for his younger brother. "Hubble is merely bait they put out to lure everyone into serving him.

Who knew how many people had been tempted at a time like this? The competition is enormous.

Rather than fighting them to the death, we should take another path. Starting now, we'll stockpile supplies and train a group of riflemen. When the time comes, perhaps both of us brothers can earn titles with actual fiefs."

Good's analysis left Olyck dumbfounded. He had never imagined there could be so much involved.

The complexity of politics was beyond his imagination.

Still, he trusted his brother, even blindly so.

Good had built the family fortune they had today from nothing. He himself could be called an inspiring legend.

Olyck knew the limits of his own abilities, so his greatest virtue was that he listened to advice.

"Don't worry, Brother." Olyck's demeanor changed completely as he promised with confidence, "I'll make sure everything is handled perfectly. When the time comes, I'll personally lead men to serve His Highness. I must earn some military merit."

Good wanted to tell him not