Chapter 262: Barony
On the bumpy road, a carriage slowly advanced.
Bastien pulled the reins, controlling the direction of travel, while constantly watching for movement around him.
This place was too close to the front lines, and they could encounter soldiers from Colon or Gando at any time.
Although he was also a commoner of the Kingdom of Gando, these bloodthirsty soldiers might not care.
No!
Compared to the strict military discipline of the Colon people, the soldiers of Gando were more like bandits, greedy and insatiable marauders.
“Father.”
The girl in the carriage rubbed her eyes, poked her head out from behind, and asked:
“How much longer?”
“Soon.”
Bastien looked at his daughter with some fondness and replied:
“After we arrive at the city, we’ll rest a bit after seeing your aunt, and then we’ll continue on to the capital.”
“This place is too close to the front lines, and it could be breached by the Colon people at any time.”
“Mm.” The girl nodded:
“Is Aunt going too?”
“Of course.” Bastien ruffled the girl’s hair and smiled:
“We’ll travel together, that way it’ll be safer. Your aunt’s family has a noble, after all.”
“Do you remember Dick, who you used to play with when you were little?”
“He’s all grown up now, and I heard he’s doing business with his father, transporting lumber. He’s a very talented young man, perhaps you should try to get to know him.”
“Father!” The girl’s face flushed red:
“Why are you saying these things? Besides, it’s been so many years since we saw each other, I can’t even remember what Dick looks like.”
She knew what her father meant, to find a suitable husband for her, and the girl couldn’t help but feel shy.
“You used to love playing with him when you were little. When we moved, the two of you cried and refused to be separated.” Bastien smiled:
“It’s about time to think about it.”
“Huh?”
As soon as he finished speaking, his right hand had already grabbed the long sword he carried with him, his eyes fixed on the side of the road.
“Who’s there?”
The leaves rustled.
A middle-aged man with graying temples, looking very haggard, walked slowly out of the forest.
The man was dressed in a rather old-fashioned gentleman’s suit, wearing a top hat and holding a cane, exuding an intangible air of nobility.
Although he had emerged from the forest, inevitably picking up bits of leaves and dust, it did not diminish his demeanor at all.
Karl lightly brushed the dirt off his body and nodded to the coachman:
“Merciful Morning Sun be praised, I’ve finally encountered a living soul. Are you two headed to the city?”
“Yes.”
Seeing the other party’s attire, it was clear that he was not a robber, and Bastien’s expression relaxed slightly as he nodded in response:
“Who are you?”
“Karl.” Karl placed a hand on his chest in a salute and said:
“A traveler from the Swick region, of the Bergman family, a baron who has lost his territory.”
“A baron?” Bastien’s expression changed slightly:
“You are a noble?”
“Yes.” Karl nodded, pointed to the clover family crest on his body, and then shook his head:
“It’s been too long since I registered with the noble council, I don’t know if my barony is still valid.”
“The Noble Council is in Mino City.” Bastien pointed ahead:
“You can go ask there. There have been frequent wars these past years, and many nobles haven’t been able to register on time, but it doesn’t matter. I heard that as long as you make up the missed tithes, you can regain your barony.”
“That’s good news.” Karl smiled and asked:
“I was wondering if I could hitch a ride on your carriage? My original carriage unfortunately fell into a ravine.”
“This…” Bastien hesitated.
Although the city was not far away, he did not plan to contact strangers to be safe.
“I’m willing to pay, and I’ll pay in advance.” Karl lowered his head and untied a money bag from his waist:
“How about two gold coins?”
The two shiny gold coins made Bastien swallow involuntarily, and he immediately got off the carriage and opened the door.
“Esteemed Baron Karl, please.”
“May I ask something?”
Bastien looked at Karl carefully, his eyes filled with doubt:
“How old are you this year?”
The other party did not look very old, but if you looked closely, he was no longer young, it was very ambiguous.
“Me? Over sixty.” Karl smiled:
“I’m already past sixty-five.”
◈◈◈
“Ah!”
“What?”
Bastien looked surprised, and even the girl who was peeking from the corner of the carriage couldn’t help but exclaim.
Nearly seventy years old?
If you looked closely, you could see that Karl’s hair was already turning gray, and there were wrinkles on his face.
But there were no age spots, and he seemed energetic, giving the impression of a middle-aged man in his forties.
Over sixty?
It was far beyond their expectations.
“How do you maintain yourself?” The girl couldn’t help but ask:
“I’ve never seen such a young…old person.”
“Mood is very important.” Karl touched his cheek and smiled:
“Of course, you have to eat well, drink well, and take care of yourself. That way, when you get older, it won’t be too obvious.”
“Rita, don’t even think about it.” Bastien shook his head:
“Only noble lords can enjoy such carefree days, we definitely can’t.”
The girl, Rita, looked regretful.
…………
When the carriage arrived at the city gate, it was heavily guarded, and strict inspections were required to enter or leave the city.
“Who would have thought?”
After pulling the carriage into the city, Bastien looked back and sighed:
“A city close to the capital would one day become the front lines of the battlefield, and could be breached at any time.”
“Baron Karl, I’ll take you to the Noble Council first. Are you also going to the capital?”
“Mm.”
Karl nodded:
“I’m getting old, I need to find a place to retire. It seems that the capital is more suitable.”
“Yes.” Bastien nodded:
“We also plan to go to the capital. If the baron doesn’t have any companions, why not travel with us?”
“We can look out for each other on the road.”
“This…” Karl thought for a moment and smiled:
“Alright.”
As he spoke, the carriage had already arrived at the Noble Council. There were even more soldiers here, and it seemed to have become a temporary battlefield command post.
The soldier guarding the gate leaned lazily on his long spear, his helmet hanging at his waist, exuding a sense of sloppiness.
“Re-registering as a noble?”
The soldier looked disdainful, seemingly unable to see Karl as a ‘noble lord’, and waved his hand:
“Can’t you see we’re at war? We don’t have time to deal with such trivial matters lately.”
“Please notify them.” Karl said helplessly, and with a flick of his fingers, two gold coins appeared at his fingertips:
“Thank you for your trouble.”
“Hmm?”
The soldier raised an eyebrow and expertly pocketed the gold coins:
“Wait.”
Not long after.
The three were allowed to enter, and a fat man with a large belly and luxurious clothes sat to receive them.
“Baron Karl Bergman of the Bergman family, from the Swick region. There is such a person, but he hasn’t registered for decades.”
The fat man said slowly:
“How do I know if you’re an imposter?”
“The Morning Sun can bear witness.” Karl saluted and offered two more gold coins:
“Could we find a quiet place to talk in detail?”
“Hmm…” The fat man openly pocketed the gold coins and got up lazily:
“Alright.”
