Chapter 20: The Baron's Wrath
Deep within the night, atop Baron's Manor.
“Smash!”
A pair of pale, ghostly hands slammed down hard onto the wooden table.
"Useless! You're all a pack of useless fools!"
The man roared, spittle flying from his lips. His face was sharp and cruel, etched with perpetual shadow, his thin frame wrapped in a finely tailored suit. On his chest, a small but exquisite medal bore the emblem of an eagle clutching a sword—a mark unmistakably belonging to the Northwind Eagle, the ancestral sigil of the Lakanman Family.
His name was Todd Lakanman, the forgotten son of the late duke—perhaps the twelfth, though no one truly remembered. He had been granted a distant, backwater fiefdom, a petty barony with little honor and less power.
Before him stood Hart, a broad-shouldered, middle-aged man whose past was stained with blood and chains. Once a slave trader, he had clawed his way into the role of steward at Baron's Manor, though his loyalty remained as shallow as his conscience.
"Sir," Hart began, voice strained, "I did what I could—"
"So you tell me the Goblinoid slaves have fled? That the Golden Mine Shaft was abandoned without a fight?"
"No, no, please let me explain—"
"I don’t want explanations. I want gold. Shiny, golden gold! Without it, I can’t maintain this manor, can’t pay my soldiers, can’t return to the family seat to challenge my brothers for power. I’d just be stuck here, starving in this godforsaken wasteland where even goblins won’t defecate!"
Todd’s voice rose in fury. In his rage, he kicked Hart square in the chest, heedless of noble decorum.
Hart staggered to his feet, not a hint of pain on his face—only resignation.
"Sir," he said calmly, "the situation was sudden. Half of our mercenaries vanished without a trace. Those who remained guarding the deeper tunnels reported that their comrades never even had time to cry out before disappearing."
"So... there are monsters in the Shaft?"
"Indeed. And we have no idea what they are. No clue about their habits, no understanding of why they attacked. In that moment, to prevent further loss of life—and of your precious resources—I made the only decision I could: we withdrew."
Todd sneered, eyes narrowing. "That only proves you and your mercenaries are cowards. If you’d been half as strong, you’d have faced them, even if you didn’t know what they looked like."
Hart wiped sweat from his brow, offering a nervous grin. "Of course, sir. We commoners can’t compare to your noble bloodline—the Northwind Eagle himself. You’re a powerful spellcaster. We’re merely peasants."
Todd adjusted his collar with slow, deliberate movements. "Now that was a decent answer. At least you’ve got some sense."
He sank into the leather chair behind the desk, stretching out, hands folded. "Since the damage is done, what’s your plan to fix it?"
"I need a solution. I need accountability."
Seeing the baron’s anger subside slightly, Hart exhaled in relief.
"Sir, we could request reinforcements from the Duke—send a few Eagle Guard units to secure the Shaft. What do you think?"
"Eagle Guard?" Todd’s voice was icy, cutting through the air like a blade. "You really think that’s a good idea?"
"You don’t understand—those are Father’s eyes and ears! Let them enter the Shaft, and all the gold inside will vanish. It’ll be shipped straight to Northwind Keep. Not a single coin for us."
"Forgive me, sir," Hart stammered quickly. "I didn’t mean—my suggestion was foolish. You, of course, have far greater wisdom. I only—"
"Enough. If I don’t see gold by next month, I’ll go myself."
Todd cut him off sharply, his gaze locking onto Hart like a predator on prey. The silence that followed was thick with menace.
"Yes… yes, sir."
"My patience is not infinite. There will be no second chance, Hart. Not this time."
His fingers tapped rhythmically against the table—tap, tap, tap—a metronome of dread.
"I understand, sir," Hart murmured, bowing his head, refusing to meet the baron’s eyes.
"Look up, Hart."
Reluctantly, Hart raised his head.
The baron’s gaze was colder than winter steel. Deep within his pupils, a faint crimson glow flickered—unnatural, predatory. It wasn’t the look of a lord at his servant. It was the look of a man staring at a slab of meat on a dinner plate.
"Sir... I truly understand."
Hart’s voice trembled.
"Prepare. Gather your mercenaries. The useless ones."
"Yes, yes, sir."
"Then I’ll take my leave, sir."
Without hesitation, Hart bowed and fled—like a man escaping death.
“Phew… phew…”
Alone in the corridor, Hart leaned against the door, gasping for breath. He knew he still had value. If he were useless, he’d never have walked away so easily.
Inside the chamber, Baron Todd Lakanman stood before a Dressing Mirror, adjusting his cuffs once more. His tongue darted out, brushing over his lips—revealing teeth far sharper than any human’s should be.
This was another mark of the Lakanman bloodline.
…
"Is this it?"
The Red Dragon stood atop a towering hill, gazing at the distant Mine Shaft, a yawning chasm that seemed to plunge into endless darkness. In his claw, he held a trembling Goblinoid.
"Master… yes… this is it," Jinya stammered, rubbing his scaled head, struggling to shake off the dizziness of high-speed flight.
"Then take me inside."
"My great master… I’m just a lowly Goblinoid. I… I don’t know if I can—"
Cold sweat poured down the creature’s brow. The Mine Shaft was a nightmare for his kind. Most of his kin had been devoured by the monster within. To return? Even with the Red Dragon at his side, the fear gnawed at him.
Dragons didn’t care about the lives of little creatures like him.
"Are you refusing?" Kai Xiusu asked, voice soft, but laced with danger.
"Of course not! I’d be honored to serve you, my lord!" Jinya stammered, trembling. "But… I need a moment… to remember the way…"
Cold sweat dripped from his chin.
Clack… clack… clack…
Suddenly, the distant sound of hooves broke the silence.
The conversation halted. The Goblinoid let out a silent sigh of relief.
From the road below, a group of Stallions thundered forward, riders clad in Leather Armor, crossbow bolts strapped to their belts.
The Red Dragon lowered himself, melting into the shadows. He spoke into the creature’s mind through Mental Communion.
"Who are they? Do you know them?"
Jinya peered cautiously, studying the insignia on their armor, then their faces.
"Master… they’re the ones who enslaved us before. Their leader… I remember—his name was Hart."
"Human slave traders? They’re here to claim the mine?"
"Master… these are scouts. There were about twenty of them earlier. At least a few were professionals. The main force must be behind them."
Kai Xiusu’s eyes narrowed, a slow, predatory smile spreading across his face.
"Fortunate. Perfect timing. Let’s use them to test the waters."
(End of Chapter)
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