Lord of Rot

May was finally over.

In the blink of an eye, it was mid-June, and Leech’s deal with Prince Hoffman was not yet concluded.

Catching the fish was one thing, but smoking them wasn’t a task completed with just a word. Every day, smoke could be seen drifting over Porcupine Territory.

Fortunately, the carpenters over there had already built a batch of smoking racks, so the account could likely be settled by July or August.

Leech had once again stationed the Water Nymph in Waterfall Land. ’How could a being above the Extraordinary level spend all her time catching fish for ordinary people? Everyone must demonstrate their value, or what use are they to me?’

She was to guard Waterfall Land, Leech’s key passage connecting the north and south. It had to be kept firmly in his hands.

However, she could still catch fish occasionally to supplement their supplies.

The fish and grain were gathered quickly, partly because they had caught two whales. They had directly exceeded their target, even providing the entire Porcupine Territory with over half a month’s worth of fish.

Leech was now certain of it. ’The sea is a treasure trove. Even in a great drought or disaster, no one in my territory will starve to death.’

Longship Castle.

Leech arrived on horseback with a group of his men.

Seeing Leech arrive, Yi Lin happily walked up to the castle gate. ”My lord, you’ve come.”

Her familiar demeanor could easily make one wonder who was truly in charge of Longship Castle.

But on second thought, Leech hadn’t left a single soldier in Longship Castle, so how could he be the one calling the shots? It was likely that his two previous rescues had made allies of Baron Porcupine and Longship Castle.

Leech dismounted, casually handing the reins to an attendant at his side.

He was here today for his son’s banquet, so of course he couldn’t just fly over on horseback like a general with no army. Besides, after things were settled here, he needed to visit the Bonta Market and check its trade routes to find buyers for his goods.

Behind him, in addition to his usual detachment of firearm-wielding cavalry, he had brought nearly all his Corpse Ghosts.

One squad of Corpse Ghosts was wrapped up tight. Their masks didn’t even have eyeholes, but rather visors of steel mesh, making each of them look like a man in an iron bucket.

In addition, a merchant caravan followed at the very rear.

As they entered the castle, many soldiers on both sides curiously sized up the ”iron-bucket soldiers” following Leech. Judging by their equipment alone, they were clearly elite troops.

Leech asked, ”Has anyone from Roaring Castle arrived?”

”Yes, Lord Pine Leopold is here,” Yi Lin nodded.

It was only natural for the Golden Stallion to come. The official investiture and documents had been delivered long ago; this time, the Golden Stallion’s visit was likely to express his attitude and lay the foundation for his future as the East Gorge Lord.

Lady Jie Lin with a son and Lady Jie Lin without a son were two entirely different people in terms of status.

”I’m going to see Little Lierde,” Leech said.

”Follow me.”

He went to see Little Lierde ahead of the banquet.

Leech gave the child a little trinket he had selected from his treasury—a Golden Quail. The carving was so lifelike, with layered feathers that even seemed to have a fluffy texture. Its eyes were two rubies that sparkled in the candlelight.

’Worthy of being a secret treasure,’ he thought. ’The craftsmanship alone is worth several Jinri. If it could be sold, the asking price would be at least 50 Jinri!’

「Soon, it was time for the evening banquet.」

Since Little Lierde was too young, he wasn’t active for long before falling asleep. Lady Jie Lin excused herself, holding the child, and went back to rest.

The banquet then became a social occasion for the nobles.

Not many nobles were in attendance. The Golden Stallion was an old acquaintance.

The Golden Stallion’s attitude toward Leech was excellent. It was unclear whether this was because Leech had recently won a string of victories and eliminated the Bills, thereby demonstrating his power, or because he was a die-hard vassal of the Duke.

’He is, after all, my future liege lord. If I want to acquire more land, I’ll need Pine’s approval.’ So, Leech was also very courteous to Pine.

Besides the Golden Stallion, who was here on a routine visit to show his face and solidify his position as future liege lord, Leech also spotted a one-eared man wearing a Golden Bear Badge.

The one-eared man walked toward Leech, holding a wine glass. Leech immediately stood and greeted him, ”Your Highness.”

The bear was the King’s family crest, and King Bor II had one sister and one younger brother.

The younger brother was missing an ear, making him incredibly easy to recognize.

Prince George had a square face with somewhat high cheekbones, and though his eyes were small, they were full of spirit. The only thing was, his missing ear looked jarring.

Leech had never heard of any connection between the Prince and a minor Baron, so he had no idea why he was here.

”Back in the day, Baron Wado served as my father’s squire in the royal capital, leading his horse. We were once close friends who could talk about anything,” Prince George said, as if sensing Leech’s confusion, and proactively explained his presence.

’Friends? So close that he never showed up either of the two times Longship Castle was under siege?’

Then again, that wasn’t entirely fair. Before Little Lierde’s birth, Prince George truly had no connection to Longship Castle.

Now that there was a child, a connection naturally existed.

Whether he was here to take advantage of a widow and her orphan, or to genuinely protect the family of an old friend, no one could say for certain. Everyone had their own interpretation.

After exchanging a few more words, Prince George returned to his seat.

After the banquet dispersed, Leech went to Lady Jie Lin’s room.

He knocked softly on the door.

”Who is it?”

”It’s me.”

Footsteps sounded from inside, and then the door was pulled open.

Leech entered the room, closing the door behind him.

He glanced over. Little Lierde was already asleep on the bed.

He reached out and pulled Lady Jie Lin into his arms. He had been in this world for two years now and had adopted many of the local customs.

Their affair was a secret, after all, and with Lady Jie Lin having just given birth, it was impossible for anything to happen between them.

But a simple embrace was fine.

”I heard the Prince and Baron Wado were once friends? Was Prince George really willing to give up the good life in Cold Winter City to come all the way out here?”

Leech held Lady Jie Lin as they sat on the large bed.

Being held by a man in her own room while discussing her late husband made Lady Jie Lin a bit uncomfortable, but she still replied, ”He’s not here for Little Lierde. He’s here for the route through Shuijian River Bay.”

”His reach is that long? It extends all the way out here?”

Cold Winter City was north of the royal capital and south of the Northern Territory, surrounded by vast stretches of wasteland.

It was said that before the unification under Lu Leiyi, Cold Winter City was the first line of defense against the Barbarians of the Northern Territory. Its walls were high and wide, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.

But the journey from Cold Winter City to Waterfall Land crossed several territories the size of Linta Bay and would take at least two or three months, almost severing any connection with the mainland interior.

Lady Jie Lin nodded. ”I heard he’s been managing the capital’s defenses and public security lately, so he’s been staying in the capital. The Monkey Clan used to have business ties with him, and now that the Monkey Clan is gone, he has come looking for me.”

’No matter how straightforward a person seems, there are always hidden schemes,’ Leech thought. ’So, it’s still about money in the end.’

Leech said, ”Doing business is doing business, no matter who it’s with. If you run into trouble, just come to me.”

He wouldn’t interfere with Lady Jie Lin, nor would he be too overbearing.

”Mm,” Lady Jie Lin’s voice was soft as she nodded lightly.

’Having a Knight who is willing to protect me, a Knight I can rely on... it feels truly blissful.’

She struggled to turn in Leech’s embrace until she was face-to-face with him.

”What’s wrong?” Leech asked.

Lady Jie Lin raised her hands to his chest and pushed him down.

Her other hand reached for his trousers, her fingers pinching the fabric and pulling downward.

”Wait!”

Leech said quickly, ”You just gave birth a month ago. We can’t be hasty.”

A woman is at her weakest right after giving birth.

’Although our relationship is one of mutual benefit,’ Leech thought, ’with Little Lierde as a bond between us, I’m not a heartless person. People’s hearts are made of flesh and blood, after all.’

However, Lady Jie Lin’s next word made him fall silent: ”Your mouth.”

”Then keep your voice down. The child is here.”