The Mad Dog of the Duke's Estate

Chapter 22

Sabina left Azureocean Castle at dawn. There was no grand farewell ceremony. She simply grabbed the reins of her horse and set off for the North Sea. As she left, however, she said a brief goodbye to her family.

"I'll be waiting for you at the North Sea. Take your time getting there. Since that place is like my home, I'll have some good liquor ready for you."

It was a farewell truly befitting Sabina. Though she had been Caron's steadfast support for the past three years and was now leaving, there was no reason to worry.

"Two boys from the great ducal house cleared out bandits that sullied neighboring lands... Isn't this headline a bit weak for the empire's top morning newspaper, Leo?" Caron asked.

"... Well, it's still on the front page. I like it," Leo replied.

During those three years, Caron had solidified his position at Azureocean Castle.

He walked through a corridor, smirking as he read the morning newspaper. The front page was filled with the previous day's events at the Belrus Barony. It covered everything, from the way they had eradicated the bandits to the emperor summoning them to commend their deeds. True to its reputation as the Imperial Daily, the newspaper emphasized the emperor's summons.

"With this, our story will probably spread throughout the capital's social circles," Leo muttered with a slightly flushed face.

Caron looked at Leo with a hint of disdain and asked, "Leo, do you remember the promise we made when we first met?"

"What promise?" Leo asked, confused.

"You promised to grow up as a good and respectable young man," Caron answered.

"O-Of course I remember," Leo replied, shivering as the brutal memories of that day came back to him. He soon asked, "Why are you bringing that up right now?"

"I'm worried you might cause trouble in the capital. Perhaps getting involved in scandals with young noble ladies or something like that. It would just ruin the family's reputation. That's my job! You remember that too, right?" Caron asked.

"I know, you crazy bastard," Leo grumbled.

"Thanks for the compliment," Caron replied.

Leo was someone Caron couldn't take his eyes off for even a moment. If he wasn't kept in line, he could stray onto the path of a troublemaker.

Caron figured that during this trip to the capital, it would be best for only him to earn the title of troublemaker. His concern was how exactly he would earn that title...

...I'll figure something out, he thought.

If things didn't go as he planned, he could always cause a ruckus at the Imperial Palace. With so many eyes and ears in the capital, he could definitely add some wrinkles to Halo's forehead. With Sabina gone, this seemed like the perfect opportunity to stir up some trouble.

While the two cousins were harboring different dreams about their upcoming trip to the capital, a middle-aged man soon appeared before them. His commanding voice echoed through the hallway as he said, "Walking around while looking at things is unbecoming of a noble. Be more careful in the future, Caron."

It was their eldest uncle, Dales. His perfectly-fitted casual attire and impeccable grooming seemed to reflect his meticulous personality. Both Caron and Leo bowed simultaneously.

"Hello, Uncle Dales," they said in greeting.

Dales nodded slightly in acknowledgment, then said, "Good morning. Are you both prepared for the trip to the capital?"

Dales was Halo's eldest son, and unlike his brother Raphael, he was known for his cautious nature. He was also considered the strongest contender for the next head of the Leston family.

It's been a quiet three years, Caron thought.

During the time Sabina had promised to protect him, his uncles had refrained from taking any action. Sabina's protection was nearly absolute. As the official second in command and a legendary figure in the Leston family, her reputation alone was daunting for anyone, even his uncles. But now, Sabina was gone. Though her influence hadn't completely vanished, it was time for his uncles to start making their moves.

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Caron smiled at Dales and replied, "Do we need to prepare anything? Everyone else is preparing and taking good care of us. As the children of the Leston household, all we need to do to be ready is carry a sword by our side."

"Haha, that's a good answer. Carrying a sword anywhere in the empire is a privilege granted only to our household. We can even carry them in the Imperial Palace, although that naturally does not apply when we are meeting His Majesty," Dales said.

This was a privilege symbolizing the authority of the Leston household. Dales observed his nephew closely and thought, He has grown again.

For three years, ever since Caron had obtained the sword of the first ancestor of the family, Dales had kept a close eye on him. At first, he had seen Caron as merely an annoying obstacle, who had appeared just when Dales was already irritated by his greedy younger brother. But now, Caron had grown into a rather formidable presence.

It wasn't just his talent with swordsmanship; the boy was also clever. Considering the negotiation skills he had displayed in the Belrus Barony at the mere age of thirteen, Dales could no longer dismiss him as just a kid. On the other hand, he had no plans to act differently right after Sabina left Azureocean Castle. Unlike his foolish younger brother, Raphael, he wasn't that reckless.

"Caron, may I ask you a favor?" Dales asked.

"Yes, Uncle Dales," Caron replied.

"When you go to the capital, try to stay out of trouble. I'm well aware of the various incidents you've caused here, both big and small," Dales said, subtly indicating that he had been watching Caron's actions all along.

"In the capital, there are many who wish to bring down our family. If you ever gave them a reason to bring us down... I would personally punish you severely on behalf of the family," he continued.

Dales was the eldest son with the highest chance of becoming the successor, while Caron was just a child and was also the youngest member of the family. Through this conversation, Dales intended to impress that difference on Caron. While it seemed to merely be a matter of an adult advising a child, Caron was smart enough to grasp the full meaning behind Dales' words.

Furthermore, Dales didn't need to personally make a move. Rumor had it that his younger brother's wife was scheming something in the capital. All he had to do was watch and wait.

"Thank you for the wise words, Uncle Dales," Caron said.

"I'm glad to hear that," Dales replied.

"I'll make sure to behave according to your expectations," Caron added with a bright smile as he looked at Dales.

Now this is getting interesting, Caron thought.

He appreciated having been able to grow up comfortably under Sabina's protection, but he had to admit it was boring. The thought of Dales' annoying face twisting in frustration seemed quite amusing.

That moment was when Caron found a new source of entertainment in his life.

***

After meeting with Dales, Caron and Leo were summoned by Fayle to the reception room. When they entered, they found a familiar face waiting for them. It was Rohan, the heir of the Belrus Barony.

Rohan had brought gifts to thank the young heroes who had saved his territory. But the problem was the size of the gift.

"We will hand over five percent of the Belrus Barony's share in the mana stone mine to the two young Wolves," Rohan said.

The size of this gift left even Caron speechless.

The share distribution that had been agreed upon for the joint venture had been eighty to twenty, with the Belrus Barony holding eighty percent and the Leston Duchy holding twenty percent. Even though the exact value depended on further exploration of the mine's deposits, the twenty percent share alone promised substantial financial gain.

Fayle, the negotiator for the Leston Duchy, had been ready to wrap up the deal satisfactorily when Rohan unexpectedly added this new term. He struggled to hide his surprise as he asked Rohan, "... Young Baron Rohan, has Baron Belrus approved this?"

"Of course. This decision was made after a thorough discussion with my father," Rohan confirmed.

"Haha." Fayle let out a dry laugh and glanced at Caron. It had been a while since he had seen Caron with a shocked expression. It seemed that even his clever son hadn't anticipated this situation.

Five percent didn't sound like much, but the revenue it would generate could easily surpass the annual budget of a provincial territory. Even assuming the smallest possible size for the mana stone deposits, the profit would be substantial. And if the deposits were plentiful, the revenue would be almost unimaginable in terms of personal use.

"We also intend to cover the taxes on the profits for both of you," Rohan added.

"Haha," Fayle chuckled again. The young man in front of him was far from ignorant of the value of the mana stone mine. Fayle had dealt with Baron Belrus several times, and he knew Rohan was a capable individual who had graduated with top honors from the imperial academy. Rohan had to understand the worth of what he was offering.

There's no way he doesn't know, Fayle thought.

This was an unnecessary gesture of goodwill. The twenty percent share alone was more than adequate payment for their mission.

Fayle paused and studied Rohan, then said in a low voice, "Young Baron Rohan."

Fayle's voice echoed through the office as he addressed Rohan, who bowed respectfully and replied, "Yes, Count Fayle."

"I usually don't accept favors without a reason. Taking such favors often leads to trouble. It seems to me that a twenty percent share is already more than generous enough. Why do you insist on giving additional shares specifically to these children?" Fayle asked.

It was a loaded question, but Rohan responded with a gentle smile.

"Giving twenty percent of the shares to the Leston Duchy is merely payment for the task. Calling it a gift would be inaccurate," Rohan explained.

"A gift?" Fayle repeated.

"Yes. Shouldn't we show special appreciation to the two heroes who saved our territory?" Rohan replied as he glanced at Caron.

Though Caron was only thirteen years old, Rohan had heard many stories from the survivors of the Belrus Barony. They recounted how this young boy had fought through elite military-trained bandits and taken their boss hostage. The decision to offer this gift hadn't been difficult for both Baron Belrus and Rohan. And it wasn't merely to show gratitude, either.

"It seems too much for a simple gift. Surely there must be another reason, is that right?" Fayle pressed.

"I won't deny it," Rohan admitted.

"Gifts are given to win someone's favor, so are you and your father trying to win the favor of my son and nephew?" Fayle asked bluntly.

"Yes, we are," Rohan replied just as directly.

"But even so, this is a very expensive gift," Fayle remarked.

"It might seem that way if you just see it as a gift... But I believe that you understand the intentions behind it," Rohan said.

After Fayle heard Rohan's words, his expression finally relaxed. He asked, "Was this your plan?"

"I devised the plan, and my father added his experience to it," Rohan explained.

"Baron Belrus is fortunate to have such an amazing son," Fayle remarked.

"He can't be compared to you, now, can he?" Rohan responded.

"Haha! That's good to hear. Alright, I understand that you want to make an investment in advance," Fayle said, laughing heartily.

He then looked over at Caron. The Belrus Barony was attempting to win favor by giving away five percent of their mine's shares, likely because of his extraordinary son. Though Rohan's underlying intentions were apparent, Fayle didn't mind. In fact, it made him happy.

If they were willing to invest five percent of their mine's shares to gain favor, it meant they recognized his son's exceptional talents. And what father wouldn't be proud to hear their son's abilities being praised?

"The owner of the mine is exercising his rights, so there's no stopping that. However, we should hear from the ones involved. Leo, Caron, what do you think?" Fayle asked.

The focus thus shifted to Leo and Caron. Caron noticed that Fayle had deliberately passed the decision to them, signaling that he wouldn't interfere with whatever they decided.

Leo, who hadn't spoken a word since entering the office, whispered, "Uh... Caron."

"What?" Caron replied.

"I know the mana stone mine is valuable, but... I don't really understand its worth. How much is five percent?" Leo asked.

Leo struggled to grasp the value because he usually avoided reading and studying. Caron sighed, then explained in simpler terms for Leo to understand.

"You know those social events you've been so interested in lately?" Caron asked.

"Yes," Leo replied.

"You could probably host one every month," Caron said.

"Wow." Leo gasped.

Caron shook his head at his cousin's naivete and turned to Rohan. This gift wasn't just a gesture of goodwill.

If it had been about pure goodwill, they would have given precious gemstones or gold coins, he thought.

While giving away precious gemstones or gold coins would be a one-time gift, owning shares meant maintaining a lasting connection with Baron Belrus' territory. In other words, it was a roundabout way of saying they were in this together.

Despite the fact that the Belrus Barony had been a backward rural town, the situation would change completely once the mine was developed.

I didn't think this man would miss such an opportunity, Caron mused.

Rohan had shown great insight by deciding to invest in Caron, and just as much decisiveness by coming straight to Azureocean Castle. He seemed like someone who could truly transform his territory with that money.

Making a swift decision, Caron bowed respectfully and said, "Thank you for the generous gift. I will gladly accept."

Rohan beamed at Caron's response and replied, "I hope we can continue this good relationship in the future."

"I look forward to it," said Caron.

With those words, the final terms were added, and the negotiation concluded.

"This will be a mutually beneficial opportunity, Young Baron Rohan. I look forward to our continued cooperation," Fayle said.

"We are equally pleased to maintain good relations with such a prestigious family," Rohan responded.

As the adults wrapped up their conversation, Leo quietly asked Caron, "We're splitting the shares fifty-fifty, right?"

"Seventy-thirty," Caron replied.

"Sixty-forty," Leo suggested.

"Eighty-twenty," Caron countered.

"... Fine, eighty-twenty..." Leo conceded.

Caron had no intention of sharing this treasure generously with Leo. In his previous life as a slave, he hadn't even considered the concept of private property, but in this life, it was different. He grinned widely as he stared at Leo.

"Alright, ninety-ten. Honestly, giving you ten percent is generous," Caron continued. The answer was already decided.

"That doesn't make sense—" Leo started.

"If you have a problem with that, follow me to the training yard," Caron interrupted.

"... Never mind. It makes sense," Leo said as he glanced at the determined gleam in Caron's eyes. No matter how much money he could have, he knew it wouldn't be more valuable than his life.

Having concluded their private negotiation, Caron cheerfully said to Fayle, "Father, we're done talking."

"Good. Even within the family, financial matters must be clear. So, what's the share ratio? An equal split of fifty-fifty would be—" Fayle began.

"I get ninety, and Leo gets ten!" Caron interrupted.

Fayle, surprised by the ratio that his son mentioned, responded hesitantly, "Ninety-ten? Did I hear that right?"

"Yes! Isn't that right, Leo?" Caron pressed.

"... Yes, Uncle Fayle. Ninety-ten is... correct," Leo confirmed reluctantly.

Fayle was momentarily left speechless by Leo's response.

Then Caron added in a childish voice, "It's a good thing that Grandfather and the uncles aren't here. Right, Father?"

That was the moment when the Duke's youngest grandson, who dreamed of becoming a troublemaker, secured substantial financial backing.