▽▽▽ Side: Rob Ashud Roxfall, Knightly Baron ▽▽▽

Leaving Ashud territory, we headed north. Though it was now spring, the wind was still bitterly cold, enough to cut through to the bone.

The River Laiber flows through my lands, merging with several tributaries and broadening as it goes.

While we could have traveled down the Laiber by boat from our territory, we’ve never owned one before. A boat that might only be used a few times a year seemed unnecessary.

Recently, thanks to the Horse King, our family has become wealthy. The sales from Horse King have reached several times the initial cost of building the brewery.

It’s only been about half a year since we started selling, but I never imagined it would bring in this much revenue.

“Perhaps Toma really is a messenger of the gods. I wonder what the Marquis of Lightstar would think if he knew about this.”

That household is possibly in its final days as nobility.

Not only do they exploit the common folk, but they also take from lesser nobles and those in weaker positions.

Sturm Pernia has come to me repeatedly, demanding rights to the dungeon and Horse King. It got so tiresome that I almost ended up throwing him out.

When I let a bit of killing intent slip, he collapsed from fear. Ha ha ha.

Last winter, several nobles, myself included, severed ties with Lightstar and sought refuge under the Duke Bayerlein family.

As a result, Lightstar has disgraced itself throughout the kingdom. And we have earned Lightstar’s hatred.

I know this won’t end without consequences, but it’s not as though Lightstar can act recklessly.

If they did, they’d be making an enemy of the Duke Bayerlein family.

Duke Bayerlein’s house, being of a higher rank, naturally holds more authority. Moreover, the Duke’s family is of royal blood, with even rights to the throne. If they were to target us, it could easily escalate into a full-blown war.

“However… Lightstar has decayed so badly…”

I remain cautious, for it wouldn’t be surprising if they ignored common sense and tried to act.

Putting that aside, it might be time to consider building a boat.

Duke Bayerlein’s Axel territory and the royal capital are both connected via the Laiber River.

With that in mind, having a boat could indeed be advantageous.

On the third afternoon of our journey, we reached the estate of Baron Rittenheim. Baron Rittenheim was one of the nobles who, like me, severed ties with Lightstar.

Both of us have taken in children of the previous Marquis Lightstar as adopted children.

For now, no one has meddled in matters concerning Toma in our household, but I’ve heard Lightstar has interfered with the engagement of Lady Talia, whom Baron Rittenheim has taken in as his adopted daughter.

It’s said they intend to marry her off to an elderly merchant who seems one step away from his grave. It’s no wonder Baron Rittenheim is outraged.

It’s clearly a ploy to get their hands on the merchant’s wealth, with no thought for Lady Talia’s well-being.

Trying to dictate the engagement of an adopted daughter is absurd.

Naturally, Baron Rittenheim refused. While Lady Talia may not be related by blood, she is under the Baron’s protection now. To interfere is an overreach of authority.

From Baron Rittenheim’s estate, it’s a half-day journey to the Duke Bayerlein family.

With the Laiber River separating us from the Baldras territory of the Lightstar family, the risk of an ambush drops considerably here.