Giant Dragon Lord: Starting from Daily Intelligence

Chapter 85: Chapter 85: Iron Skull Isn’t Headstrong

The attendant accepted the letter, bowed, and quickly withdrew, not daring to delay.

The study fell silent.

With the evidence of Baron Mengde’s crimes sent off, a major legal obstacle to the attack on Ironthorn Territory had been removed.

As he was lost in thought, a guard announced a visitor from outside the door.

”My lord, Captain Hogg of the Iron Skull Mercenary Corps requests an audience.”

Raylo raised an eyebrow slightly.

’This Captain Hogg certainly knows what’s good for him.’

”Let him in.”

A moment later, Hogg walked in, looking somewhat ill at ease.

His face, which usually held the air of a fierce bandit, was now plastered with a cautious, almost fawning, smile.

Most noticeable was the heavy cloth bag he held in his hands. Judging by its shape and weight, it was clearly filled with Golden Dragons.

”Lord Baron Raylo.”

Hogg bowed the moment he entered the room.

”I am Hogg, my lord, and I have come to beg for your forgiveness.”

As he spoke, he raised the cloth bag high above his head, his voice tinged with reluctance.

”I have caused you great offense, my Lord Baron. This is a small token of my sincerity—five thousand Golden Dragons. I hope you can find it in you to forgive us and not hold it against coarse men like us.”

For a mid-sized mercenary corps, five thousand Golden Dragons was an enormous sum—enough to leave them hurting for a long time.

It seemed Hogg had truly spared no expense this time.

Raylo’s gaze swept past the bag of Golden Dragons to rest on Hogg’s somewhat comical face. He said nothing.

The atmosphere in the study grew tense.

Hogg held the bag of money aloft, and beads of sweat began to form on his forehead.

He had no idea what this young baron was thinking.

Though the Iron Skull Mercenary Corps had no roots in Ironthorn Territory, they were, after all, an officially registered corps with the Thunder Dragon City Mercenary Guild. If they were truly detained or branded as accomplices of the Blood Wolf Corps, they would be in serious trouble.

”Captain Hogg.”

Raylo finally spoke.

”I accept this ’token of sincerity’ of yours.”

”The remnants of the Blood Wolf Corps have just confessed. ’Scarface’ Jon died in the chaos of the battle.”

Hearing this, Hogg felt a great weight lift from his shoulders.

”Thank you for your magnanimity, Lord Baron! Thank you, Lord Baron!”

He hurriedly placed the money bag on Raylo’s desk. The heavy CLANK echoed loudly in the quiet study.

”I will have the weapons and equipment of the Iron Skull Mercenary Corps inventoried and returned to you.”

Raylo continued.

”As for your men, now that we’ve confirmed they have no connection to the Blood Wolf Corps, Black Stone Territory will not trouble you without cause.”

Hogg was overjoyed, nearly bowing to the floor.

”You are merciful, Lord Baron! The Iron Skull Mercenary Corps is eternally grateful!”

He paused, then asked cautiously, ”Then... when may we leave Ironthorn Castle and return to Thunder Dragon City?”

”Tomorrow morning, go see Knight Commander Bolin to retrieve your weapons and equipment.”

”Yes, yes! Thank you, Lord Baron! I shall take my leave!”

As if granted a pardon, Hogg cautiously backed out of the study.

Once outside the main gate of the Lord’s Mansion, he straightened his hunched back.

He glanced back at the heavily guarded Lord’s Mansion and let out a long breath.

This trip to Ironthorn Territory had been a complete disaster. Not only had he gained nothing, but he was also out five thousand Golden Dragons.

However, just getting out safely was a stroke of immense luck.

As for the five thousand Golden Dragons, he would just have to consider it the price for his safety.

He had already decided that from now on, the mercenary corps would only accept exploration and treasure-hunting missions, and never again get involved in the damn affairs of nobles.

There was another knock on the study door.

”Come in.”

Ed walked in, holding several letters.

”My lord, we found these in a hidden compartment while clearing out Baron Mengde’s room.”

Ed handed the letters to Raylo.

”Their contents are rather unusual.”

Raylo took the letters and casually opened one.

The handwriting was elegant yet firm, but the contents made his eyes narrow.

This letter was from His Highness, Eliot.

The letter’s contents were blunt. Eliot explicitly mentioned the ”Blood Wolf Corps,” instructing Baron Mengde to ”make good use of them” and to ”resolve the Black Stone Territory problem” as quickly as possible.

The letter also promised that, upon success, Baron Mengde would receive a corresponding ”reward.”

Raylo read through the letters, one after another.

These letters were ironclad proof that His Highness, Eliot, had colluded with bandits in an attempt to murder his own brother.

If these letters were made public, Eliot’s reputation would suffer a massive blow.

Raylo gathered the letters neatly together.

’Now is not the time to make this evidence public.’

His Highness Eliot’s power was deeply entrenched. Openly turning against him now would only invite greater trouble.

’This time, the target was only Baron Mengde of Ironthorn Territory.’

”Ed.”

Raylo put the letters away.

”For now, don’t let anyone know about these letters.”

”Yes, my lord.”

Ed nodded in acknowledgment.

...

「Red Leaf Territory」

Alan Rickman sat in the main hall of the Lord’s Mansion, his expression so grim it seemed to drip with venom.

He paced back and forth, irritably rubbing his temples.

After he had sent a request for aid to Ironthorn Territory, not only had Baron Mengde’s reinforcements failed to arrive, but he had instead received a shocking piece of news.

Ironthorn Territory had been conquered, and Baron Mengde’s entire army had been wiped out!

”Useless! A bunch of useless fools!”

Alan Rickman slammed his fist on the table, and the fine hardwood cracked on impact.

He couldn’t believe that Baron Mengde, the Lord of Ironthorn Castle with over a hundred Knights and several hundred soldiers, had been so easily defeated by a young baron who had only just inherited his territory.

What disturbed him even more was that Baron Mengde’s defeat had thrown all of his plans into disarray.

He had originally counted on Baron Mengde to bring his army to support his succession and help him control the situation in Red Leaf City.

Now, all of that was up in smoke.

A Knight in Silver Armor stood beside Alan Rickman, his expression calm.

He had been sent by His Highness, Eliot, to assist Alan Rickman. His name was Drucker.

”Young Lord Alan Rickman, please calm yourself.”

Drucker said.

”What happened with Baron Mengde is certainly surprising, but it does not mean we are out of options.”

”Options?”

Alan Rickman shot a look at Drucker.

”Knight Drucker, can’t you see? Ironthorn Territory is lost, and Mengde is a prisoner. What options do we have left?”

”Just this afternoon, my elder brother Gao Wen made his move. He summoned the territory’s key vassals in the Count’s name and publicly announced the Count’s will, cementing his status as the heir.”

Overcome with frustration, Alan Rickman smashed several more cups.

Drucker produced a letter from his tunic and handed it to Alan Rickman.

”This is a message that just arrived from His Highness.”

Alan Rickman took the letter and quickly scanned its contents.

The letter was short, but the message between the lines rekindled the hope in his eyes.

His Highness mentioned in the letter that while Baron Mengde had failed, the situation was not beyond salvaging.

Baron Raylo had acted without authorization by sending troops to conquer Ironthorn Territory, violating the laws of the Duchy. First thing tomorrow morning, Eliot would have his loyal vassals denounce Raylo before the Duke and demand that he be held accountable.

Therefore, His Highness instructed Alan Rickman to lie low for the time being and not act rashly.

He should first stabilize the situation in Red Leaf Territory and wait for a suitable opportunity.

After finishing the letter, Alan Rickman’s tense nerves finally began to relax.

He looked up at Drucker. ”His Highness is right. We’ll lie low for a few days.”