Lord of Rot

Before the crowd of ladies grew any larger, Leech found an opening and slipped away.

He straightened his clothes, thinking, ’I’m starting to feel like some celebrity stylist. It seems that no matter what world you’re in, beauty and haircare are the best ways to find common ground with women.’

If he kept talking, he was afraid he’d blurt out something like, ’Miss, your split ends are so severe! You should try our Porcupine Brand shampoo. It pains me to even look at them.’

After he left, the ladies’ conversation still revolved around Leech. They were especially excited about his promise of more unique Porcupine Brand products in the future.

They loved the grand vision Leech painted for them.

Most of the lords and nobles of the East Gorge had come to Roaring Castle.

Leech didn’t know most of the people there, but he could guess their identities by looking at their family crests.

”Leech!”

”Uncle.” Leech walked over to greet him. It wasn’t surprising to run into Lewis here.

”I haven’t seen you in half a year. You’ve gotten stronger.” Lewis raised a hand and gave Leech a light thump on the chest.

Leech had indeed grown stronger; he was now a Transcendent who possessed Extraordinary power.

Lewis was alone.

”Your grandfather isn’t feeling well,” Lewis said before Leech could ask. ”So I came this time.”

’He probably wasn’t sick; he just didn’t want to come.’

”I’ll visit Grandfather again when I have time,” Leech said.

Lewis smiled. ”Haha, of course! That would be great.”

Lady Jie Lin of Longship Castle hadn’t come, likely due to her status; she wasn’t a lord in her own right.

Another acquaintance he ran into was La Bill of the Monkey Clan. It had been over a year since Leech had saved him from pirates.

They smiled and nodded at each other in greeting.

La Bill looked down on the reckless Baron, little knowing that Baron Leech already had him in his sights, just waiting for the right moment.

”Once things are wrapped up here, I’ll head back to Linta Bay.” In Lewis’s eyes, this summons was probably just a formality.

Leech added, ”Don’t forget to give my regards to Grandfather.”

”Of course,” Lewis said with a smile.

As the uncle and nephew chatted, Lewis naturally brought up the Battle of Pebble Castle. He had been keeping a close eye on news about Leech.

Hawke Wood, who was standing nearby, saw Leech and Lewis chatting and walked over, nodding along eagerly like a sycophant.

This was the Crocodile Clan, after all; Hawke Wood had no qualms about joining the conversation to get his face known.

”I expect the Duke will explain why he summoned us at this morning’s banquet,” Lewis said.

”We’re getting right down to business this morning?” Leech asked in surprise.

From what he understood, when a liege lord summoned his vassals, there would usually be a banquet and some recreational events to strengthen their bonds.

Things like group hunts, knightly tournaments, and so on.

They would only get to official business at the very end.

Hearing that he would likely be seeing the Duke this morning, Leech acted decisively, taking out a bottle of Lucky Potion and downing it.

”What was that you just drank?” Lewis asked.

”My stomach felt a little upset,” Leech said. ”It’s something an Alchemist specially prepared for me.”

”Even though you’re a lord, don’t work yourself too hard. You should get some proper rest after this is all over before heading back to Porcupine Territory.”

Lewis didn’t think much of it. He had never been to Porcupine Territory and only knew that it produced some decent goods. With only a thousand or two people, it couldn’t be that much trouble to manage.

”I’ll be sure to take care of myself.”

At the same time, Leech thought, ’I hope I can lift the Goddess of Fortune’s skirt this time and get some extra perks.’

At the breakfast banquet, Pine, the ”Golden Stallion,” appeared, pushing Duru Leopold in his wheelchair.

He had fiery red hair and a beard.

Though his face was deathly pale, his eyes were sharp and full of spirit.

When the Duke appeared, everyone rose to their feet to show their respect.

”Please, be seated.” It was Pine who spoke, not the Duke of Radiant Sun in the wheelchair.

It was as if merely sitting there had drained him of all his strength.

At his words, everyone sat down.

Leech took a seat at a corner of the long table. No matter how popular he was with the ladies, it couldn’t change his status as a country baron. At this table, he was among the most junior of those present.

Not that he particularly cared.

After pushing the Duke to the head of the table, Pine stood beside the wheelchair and spoke. ”My father has invited you all here for one reason. I trust everyone is aware of the incident in Iron Valley. My father is furious about it, and he wishes to take Iron Wall Castle.”

’So it really is about Iron Valley,’ Leech thought.

’The liege lord wants to go to war, so he calls a meeting. Then the vassals rope in the lesser nobles, and the lesser nobles have to find militia or hire mercenaries.’

’It’s just one layer passing the buck to the next.’

No one in the hall responded. Everyone knew that Iron Valley was a red-hot poker; there was no benefit to grabbing it, you’d only get yourself horribly burned.

If a castle hadn’t been built there, the place would probably have been abandoned just like Pig Spine Valley, becoming a veritable no-man’s-land.

Leech glanced over at Baron Spark.

Iron Stone City had gathered 2,000 mercenaries and dispatched them to Iron Valley, yet Baron Spark was now sitting there feigning complete detachment, as if the matter had nothing to do with him.

’That’s a little strange.’

”Is there anyone willing to attack Iron Valley and punish those who have brought shame upon the East Gorge?”

No one spoke.

Leech was tempted to be the one to step forward, but he couldn’t figure out what the deal was with those 2,000 mercenaries.

’Being a minor noble without access to information is a real handicap.’

Pine began calling out names. ”Sir Ross?”

”Yes!” The white-haired old nobleman who had been called stood up, albeit reluctantly.

”You are appointed Legion Commander for the assault on Iron Valley.”

”Yes.” Sir Ross accepted the assignment without any enthusiasm.

Pine then called out the names of several other nobles, ordering them to join the punitive expedition against Iron Valley.

Those who were called were all minor nobles, with little power to refuse.

’It seems the Duke of Radiant Sun and his son had already decided on the candidates beforehand.’

Leech looked toward Tyler Rose.

He had a strong impression of this veteran noble, who was said to have never been defeated in his entire life.

The Steel Territory, which he ruled, had no iron mines and produced no steel. It was supposedly named Steel Territory because its people possessed wills of steel and had never known defeat.

He was a rather ”magical” sort of noble.

But more memorable than his undefeated record was the fact that Tyler Rose wore a full suit of plate armor forged from Mithril.

’If I were clad in a turtle shell like that, I’m confident I could remain undefeated too,’ Leech thought.

’I might not be able to beat you, but I won’t lose.’

After these simple orders were given, the banquet began.

Leech was so hungry his stomach was rumbling.

Roasted venison from Roaring Castle.

This was something commoners couldn’t eat even if they had the money. Deer were a symbol of power in the hunt, and not only were minor nobles forbidden from raising them, but even trying to get a taste was difficult and against the law.

’The meat itself is good, but the chef’s skill is clearly lacking.’

After a bite of venison, Leech’s attention was quickly captured by a roasted peacock. The bird had been plucked and skinned, its meat cooked, and then its skin and feathers reattached. It wasn’t a particularly difficult dish, but it was certainly time-consuming and labor-intensive.

Plenty of spices had been used in its preparation, and it tasted quite good, but the presentation was rather unsettling.

It was a bit like eating a live peacock; its main appeal was shock value.

There was also a beef stew made with wine, honey, almonds, and chicken.

Leech couldn’t quite describe the flavor, but it was surprisingly good.

After the banquet, just as Leech had expected, Pine announced that a knightly tournament would be held within Roaring Castle. All nobles were welcome to participate.

There was even prize money.

The winner would receive 500 Jinri!

Glory and prize money. All the nobles present were eager to compete.

His uncle Lewis, however, took his leave right after the meal.