Chapter 373: Baron Dylan’s Resentment
The news of Kant’s arrival at the Stone Pa.s.s was no secret.
At the same time, Fatis, who was in the consul’s official residence, had also received the news. He personally led the ten Sarion Lion Knights, who were stationed here with him, and waited in front of the official residence.
Even Baron Dylan and his knights, who were under house arrest, had left the room and came to the door to personally welcome them.
This was not voluntary.
There were guards waiting beside them.
The 150 Swadian Knight were fully armed and staring at them coldly.
Even Fatis and the 10 Lion Knights beside him were secretly on guard against these n.o.bles and knights who were supposed to be in charge of the Stone Pa.s.s.
However, there was no need to worry.
They posed little threat.
They were wearing ordinary clothes. Not to mention mail armor or chain armor, they did not even have a piece of leather.
As for weapons such as lances and longswords, they were even more impossible for these knights who had not chosen to join forces to obtain. The only reason why they were still alive was to ensure the stability of the Stone Pa.s.s.
Perhaps Fatis’s kindness made it impossible for him to wield a butcher’s knife against those who had given up resisting.
This was also due to his personality.
If it was Rolf, he wouldn’t have so many problems.
If he didn’t like Rolf, he would pull out some knights every day and behead them one by one. He would kill until his hands turned soft. He would use completely brutal methods to intimidate the impregnable Stone Pa.s.s. He didn’t even consider the so-called long-term future at all!
Each had their own advantages and their own shortcomings.
But they all knew their limits.
Since Fatis had done so, he could guarantee the following arrangements and long-term benefits.
No one was a fool, and no one was really benevolent. After all, those who had made it out of the chaotic continent of Caradia and made a name for themselves were among the best.
150 Swadian Knights.
10 Sarion Lion Knights.
With just these martial prowess, Baron Dylan and his 50 Knights did not dare to act rashly!
Even though his face was gloomy and his eyes were filled with resentment, Baron Dylan still understood that if anything went wrong, him and the others would really die. Moreover, there were many n.o.bles in the Dukedom of Leo who were still looking forward to his death.
Once he died, they would have an excuse to officially enter the Stone Pa.s.s.
The court of the n.o.ble needed to investigate.
After all, a baron had died in an accident.
The number of barons in the entire Dukedom of Leo was estimated to be less than 30. If one of them died for no reason, it would be a slap in the face. It would provoke the entire cla.s.s of n.o.bles in the Dukedom of Leo!
Of course, the most important thing was still Baron Dylan’s fief, the Stone Pa.s.s!
It was the only gap in the dangerous and windy Senwaya range.
It was the only way to the table salt trade!
As long as Baron Kant was expelled and thrown back into the Nahrin desert, this crucial trade route would be in his hands. A steady stream of silver coins would enter his pockets.
Moreover, as long as he occupied the Stone Pa.s.s, even the salt mines in the depths of the Nahrin desert would be obtainable by chance.
How could those n.o.ble families let go of such a good opportunity?
They couldn’t!
It was just that Fatis was really cautious when he ran the pa.s.s.
This had something to do with his personality.
He did not kill without permission.
Instead, he reduced taxes and won over the hearts of ordinary civilians. He was also trying to win over those small landlords and small merchants, making these small figures, who were everywhere, become his eyes and ears inside and outside the pa.s.s.
As for those big merchants and big landlords, as well as some lords and knights, they were secretly on guard.
The key figures still needed to be isolated.
For example, Baron Dylan and his closest 50 or so knights were placed under house arrest in the consul’s official residence.
Moreover, the entire stone pa.s.s’s troops had already been controlled by a small number of elites that he had sent out. They blended into the gra.s.sroots and middle-level, and were directly controlled by him and 10 Lion Knights as high-level officials.
Another 150 knights acted as the quick reaction force to handle any important matters. Their operations were impregnable.
This not only prevented danger from happening, but also kept the danger within a very small scale.
“They’re here.”
Someone in front called out softly to remind them.
The faces of the people waiting in front of the official residence changed slightly. They stood in their original spots solemnly.
Only Fartis, as the highest commander of the official residence at the Stone Pa.s.s, stepped forward quickly and came to the middle of the road. He saw Kant, who was riding his horse and was under the protection of 30 Lion Knights, and bowed respectfully. “Lord Kant, welcome!”
“Yes.”
Kant nodded calmly.
He approached on his horse Fartis immediately stretched out his hand to hold the reins and help Kant come down. He looked at the people who were lining up to welcome him and smiled. “There are many acquaintances.”
Fathis also smiled. “Yes. When they heard that you were coming, Lord Kant, they all wanted to come and welcome you personally.”
“That can’t be true.”
Kant shook his head and smiled.
Looking at Baron Dylan’s gloomy eyes, the knights around them with all kinds of expressions, Kant smiled and teased Fathis. “I didn’t expect my honest knights to know how to joke.”
“That’s the truth.” Fatis smiled and shook his head. He extended his hand to welcome Kant into the official residence.
“Go in.”
Kant nodded and did not say anything else.
A group of people escorted him into the official residence. It was still a narrow pa.s.sage like a fortress. The hall of the Lord was slightly dim, and there were many terrified female servants inside.
“Welcome… welcome the arrival of Baron Kant!”
The female servants saluted in unison.
However, no matter how they listened, they could hear the panic in their voices.
Obviously, as the servants in the Lord’s official residence, they knew a lot. They all understood that the previous lord had become a prisoner under house arrest. Only the previous lord had secretly laughed at them and did not take them to heart, it was like Baron Kant, who had been sent to the desert to eat sand, had instead taken the initiative.
Those robust male servants had already been fired nd treated as ordinary laborers. Only these pet.i.te and cute female servants were allowed to stay in the official residence. How could they not be frightened.
Especially when these female servants sees Baron Dylan.
That gloomy and silent old face made them panic to the extreme.
At this moment, so many people had entered.
Who knew what would happen to these pet.i.te and powerless maidservants!
“All of you, Disperse.”
Kant waved his hand, indicating that they could leave.
After becoming a superior, his observation skills were honed even more meticulously. Of course, he could guess why this group of maidservants were so frightened, he could not help but smile and said, “Make the arrangementsand prepare the banquet. I will be there to entertain the well-known squire and knights. Follow the most grand banquet standard.”
“Yes… Yes, Baron Kant…”
The maidservants answered in unison.
Behind these maidservants, the fat butler who originally belonged to Baron Dylan also used a linen towel to wipe the cold sweat on his forehead and bowed respectfully together.
Glancing at Baron Dylan s even gloomier eyes, he could not help but shrink his neck.
Baron Dylan’s lingering power was still there.
He was very timid.
However, he attracted Kant’s attention.
Looking at Baron Dylan’s depressed and gloomy face, Kant smiled and said, “The fat butler is still here. Let him continue helping the official residence. After all, he is familiar with this place and I reliable in handling matters.”
“This… this…”
The fat butler’s face turned pale when he heard this.
This was equivalent to putting him on the fire and roasting him. Especially when he looked at the dark face of Baron dilun nanjue, his legs trembled and he did not dare to say anything, but he did not dare to refuse.
After all, Baron Dylan was the zlord of the Stone Pa.s.s in name.
He was protected by the court of the n.o.bles
If Baron Kant was forced to withdraw from Stone Pa.s.s and let Baron Dylan regain his power, then based on the fatbButler’s understanding of Baron Dylan’s brutal character, he reckoned that he would not live until the next day. The barren would be considered merciful if he could leave his body intact, the biggest consequence would probably be to choking or being fed to the dogs!
But how could he refuse the offer? Seeing Baron Kant clearly controlling the situation, it was impossible for him to refuse. He was also afraid that if he really refused, he would also die.
The only difference was whether he would die sooner or later, but he did not want to die so early.
“Yes, sir.”
The fat butler bowed and agreed with a bitter face.
“HMPH! “Baron Dylan snorted coldly at the side. It was obvious that his anger had reached a boiling point.
This butler had followed him for many years.
Now, he betrayed him just like this.
This made Baron Dylan’s face extremely ugly.
Most importantly, seeing that this butler had betrayed them, the knights behind him, who were originally va.s.sal relations, all had different thoughts in mind.
Va.s.sal knights were different from Butler servants, which meant that they were superior and subordinate.
There was no problem for them to change their affiliation.
It was normal.
Baron Dylan controlled the pa.s.s and the va.s.sal knights as well.
But now, Baron Kant was in charge of the pa.s.s. Even Baron Dylan could not defeat him. How could he let these knights be va.s.sals willingly? How could he let them stay on this broken s.h.i.+p!
Even the two Grand Knights had died in battle, leaving only Baron Dylan as the sole commander.
These va.s.sal knights did not care anymore!
“Please take a seat, everyone.”
Kant did not care about the psychology of this group of people at all.
He directly came to the main seat and sat down, as if he was the real lord of the Stone Pa.s.s. He waved to the maidservants beside him. “Prepare dinner. I want to have dinner with everyone tonight.”
“Yes.” The fat butler and the maids immediately responded and turned around to get busy.
“This is our honor!”
The va.s.sal knights also bowed their heads, their att.i.tude was very respectful and humble.
A wise man submits to circ.u.mstances.
However, they did not notice, or perhaps they did noticee, but didn’t take it to heart. Baron Dylan’s face was extremely depressed and gloomy. He looked at them fiercely, as if he wanted to eat them alive!
As a Lord, Baron Dylan did not mistreat this group of va.s.sal knights who were still wandering.
Though he didn’t reward them with land
But his daily missions were being completed with ease.
Now, they were all flatting Kant, and did not take him, the Old Lord, seriously at all!
Baron Dylan’s face was gloomy. He spoke faintly, “Baron Kant and I are close. We can arrange whatever we want here. It doesn’t matter.” He paused and looked at Kant. “Compared to the other n.o.bles in the dukedom, if we do this here, I think the n.o.ble court will have to intervene.”