Lord of Rot

She would personally deliver the consequences, giving the rebels something to think about.

Only a terror they could see would make them fall in line.

The old fossils immediately began to whisper amongst themselves. A few wanted to speak up, but they didn’t have the nerve.

But from the incessant buzzing, like the droning of flies, Lady Jie Lin could guess what they were thinking. Destroying a village outright was too great a sacrifice for Longship Castle at present. It would be better, they thought, to divide it among them and let them lead it to prosperity.

’They have one foot in the grave, yet they’re still so insatiably greedy.’

Lady Jie Lin wondered if it had been a mistake to summon this bunch of old relics. She glanced toward Leech, who sat at a corner of the long table.

Ordinarily, Leech would have no place at a Longship Castle council meeting. But he had 100 Soldiers inside the castle walls, and the Baroness, overriding all objections, had personally asked him to stay.

Everyone knew Leech was the only ally willing to help. His presence kept the pretenders somewhat in check; the moment he left, they were certain to rear their ugly heads again.

”Lord Leech, what are your thoughts?”

Since she had asked, Leech gave his honest opinion. ”I would advise against it.”

”This is an excellent opportunity to establish your image as a kind and tolerant ruler. Besides, after this great battle, the people of Waterfall Land are on edge. It would be unwise to resort to such bloody measures.”

’Don’t take it out on the common folk. The Wado Eighteen and the other nobles pulling the strings were the ones who stirred up trouble. The commoners are just following their own self-interest. Kill them? Can you really kill them all?’

’Cruel methods will only drive your own people away.’

’Burning villages, posting bounties, executing people... these iron-fisted tactics will certainly instill fear, but they will also cost you the hearts and minds of the people.’

’Of course, there was another, more important reason. If these people remained in Waterfall Land, they could boost Porcupine Territory’s income once the in-depth trade partnership with Longship Castle was underway. If they were all scared off, wouldn’t he make less money?’

Lady Jie Lin pondered for a moment. She understood what Leech meant. As the ”ruler” of Longship Castle, her claim to power was already tenuous. It was wise to show a measure of tolerance and mercy.

Until she gave birth to an heir, she could only endure these insults.

Waterfall Land had always been under her care, its people living and working in peace. And now, just because Baron Wado was dead, the very people who had once seemed to love her were trying to overthrow her. How could she not feel a chill in her heart?

”Then let’s issue wanted notices for the ringleaders who escaped,” Lady Jie Lin said. ”Put a bounty on their heads.”

As for Bor and his men, no one present held out much hope of finding them. They could plunge into the vast sea of humanity and disappear without a trace.

And with that, the matter was considered closed.

The old fossils breathed a collective sigh of relief. Stream Village, at least, was saved. Now it was just a matter of everyone using their own means to grab a piece of the territory.

”You are dismissed,” Lady Jie Lin said with a wave of her hand.

Leech took this as his cue to announce his departure.

He had spent one day swooping in on the spoils and another collecting his benefits. It was time to leave.

”Won’t you stay one more night?” Lady Jie Lin asked, biting her lip. ”It’s getting late. Marching at night is exhausting, and dangerous.”

”Late?”

Leech glanced outside. It was already dusk; it was indeed getting late.

’But there’s a small, abandoned relay station near Green Forest Castle. And with a contingent this large, what refugee or thief would be bold enough to cause them trouble?’

’Are they trying to volunteer because I don’t have enough slaves?’

Seeing Leech hesitate, Lady Jie Lin added, ”I heard that you, Lord Leech, are in need of an experienced old Captain? As it happens, I know one. He used to work in East Port, but he’s gotten on in years and made a few mistakes, which is why he returned to Waterfall Land.”

A Captain!

And one who had sailed the great ships of East Port, no less.

Leech was ecstatic. ”Haha, my Lady, you’re too kind! Shall we go and meet this old Captain now?”

Lady Jie Lin sighed inwardly.

’Is my charm failing me? No, that can’t be right. Just last night, this handsome Baron was so... vigorous. He practically tried to thrust me into the air.’

’But the moment he’s out of bed, his interests shift to other things—craftsmen, seeds, books, and the like.’

’A Baron truly unaffected by base pleasures. There aren’t many nobles like him left on the Lu Leiyi Continent.’

Leech waited until nightfall, when he finally got his wish and met the old Captain.

The old Captain’s name was Piri. He agreed readily upon learning he would have the chance to sail a great ship on the open sea again, especially after hearing that Leech had gotten his hands on a pirate vessel.

A pirate ship capable of long voyages, no matter how dilapidated, was still better than any boat in Waterfall Land. It was a vessel built to withstand the trials of the open ocean!

Leech could only hope the man wouldn’t be too disappointed when he saw it. The pirate ship was large, true, but its technology seemed rather primitive.

「That night.」

Leech held the ”energy storage rod”—that strange rod that would make a blushing bride’s legs tremble. He planned to find someone to modify it as soon as he returned to Porcupine Territory; otherwise, it was simply too embarrassing to be seen with.

The energy storage rod could hold a maximum of 20 units of Spiritual Power. The energy might dissipate over time, but the process was so slow it was currently unnoticeable.

Moreover, it could be incorporated into a weapon.

’If I could have it made into a whip...’ he mused. It absolutely wasn’t the rod’s suggestive shape that was giving him ideas for... creative uses.

’No, it’s because the ”energy storage rod’s” dimensions mean it could never be the hilt for a two-handed sword. At best, it could be worked into a rapier.’

’But if I can use a Frost Enchantment on it, I’ll need more surface area to increase its power. What’s more suitable than a whip? A rapier would be a stretch. It’s too thin for a real fight, and it’s not like I’m short on rapiers.’

KNOCK KNOCK.

A knock sounded at the door.

”Come in.”

Leech turned to see Lady Jie Lin enter, dressed in her nightclothes.

”Lord Leech,” Lady Jie Lin said, walking toward him.

”Wait!”

Leech shot to his feet, pulled the door open, and peered outside.

”Phew.”

’Good, Miss Yi Lin isn’t there.’

He closed the door.

When he turned back around, Lady Jie Lin was already pressed against him. ”After we part, Porcupine Territory is a long way off. It won’t be so easy to meet again. My lord... please, give me more.”

”My lady...”

Leech suddenly felt like he’d run into one of those rich women from Earth in the ”hefty sum for a son” classifieds—and this one was the real deal.

”Do you want to use this?”

She suddenly grabbed the ”energy storage rod” in his hand and looked up at him.

”This is a Magic Item! An energy storage rod that stores energy!” Leech explained earnestly, but Lady Jie Lin seemed to be misunderstanding him completely.

”Magic... item?” Her cheeks flushed slightly. ”I would much rather use *your* energy storage rod. Please, give me all the magic it has stored.”

”My lady, you’ve misunderstood.”

”Don’t turn your lady away!”

”...”

”My lady, there’s something I feel I should tell you. You should eat fewer sweets. It would be better for your health.”

「Daybreak.」

The drawbridge of Longship Castle lowered.

Yawning, Leech rode at the head of his column of troops, carriages, and a thousand-odd slaves as they set out on the road.

’I’ve made up my mind,’ he thought. ’I’m not going near another woman until I become an Extraordinary Knight. They’re just too ferocious!’

”My lord, you didn’t rest well?” Little Joel asked with concern as he rode up alongside him.

”I was up all night thinking,” Leech nodded. ”Porcupine Territory is still in its developmental stage. There’s much I need to plan.”

Little Joel’s face filled with admiration. ”You work tirelessly for the development of Porcupine Territory, my lord. I must learn from your example!”

Quick-Blade, who had been about to start boasting, lowered his head in shame. He’d spent the last two days bragging and drinking, without a single thought for Porcupine Territory. He felt deeply ashamed.

Leech said, ”Let’s pick up the pace. We should try to get back to Porcupine Territory as soon as possible.”

They had only been gone for a few days, but to Leech, it felt like Longship Castle was a place that could eat a man alive.

”Yes!”

On the walls of Longship Castle, Lady Jie Lin stood with her sister, Yi Lin.

Watching the procession depart.

”My lady,” Yi Lin said softly, ”we received news this morning. Someone else is claiming to be an illegitimate son.”

Lady Jie Lin’s expression soured. ”Have men been sent to investigate?”

”They’ve already been dealt with,” Yi Lin replied. ”By the time we arrived, there were only a few bodies left, their heads smashed in with hoes. It looks like the farmers did it.”

’Was it really the farmers, or someone disguised as them?’

But that didn’t matter now. Lady Jie Lin placed a hand on her stomach. The timing might be a little... delayed, but as long as she could produce an heir for Longship Castle, all of her problems would be solved.