Chapter 86
Chapter 86: I Must Receive Half. (1)
As soon as the mention of the Runestone came up, everyone turned to Ghislaine with expectant faces.
Their eyes sparkled with an almost overwhelming intensity.
It was embarrassing to extend a hand for a reward instead of giving one to the top contributor, but receiving the Runestone was essential for easing the financial strain on our territory.
It wasn’t something I could refuse simply because it was embarrassing.
That said, I couldn’t just outright ask for it. The Runestone was solely procured by Ghislaine herself.
Ultimately, all the retainers could do was employ the time-honored technique passed down from the whales—known as flattery or praise relay.
Riding the wave of understanding, Baron Homern was the first to step up and shout.
“The Grand Duke’s accomplishments will be etched in history! The victory in the Perdium campaign is entirely due to the Grand Duke’s contributions! Every bard across the continent will sing songs of this achievement! The former Lord Perdium, Count Dante Perdium…”
Just as Baron Homern seemed to be launching into an elaborate speech, Albert interrupted immediately.
“A war hero at the Grand Duke’s age is exceedingly rare. No one from other territories can compare to him.”
“Ahem, the Grand Duke certainly accomplished something significant. He was quite the warrior.”
Randolf’s slightly hesitant praise prompted the other retainers to chime in eagerly.
“It’s an incredible feat.”
“The territory residents can hardly contain their admiration.”
“The whole territory is buzzing with rumors about the Grand Duke. He is truly remarkable.”
In truth, the rumors were so exaggerated that those retainers who hadn’t witnessed Ghislaine’s feats found it hard to believe completely.
However, those who had been on the battlefield all echoed, “The Grand Duke played a pivotal role in our victory.”
So, it was only fair to offer congratulations. It didn’t cost anything to say so.
In the cheerful atmosphere, the praises flowed endlessly.
With a smile and feeling quite satisfied from the compliments, Ghislaine finally opened her mouth.
“I don’t have the Runestone right now.”
It was a bucket of cold water thrown on the joyous moment. The flatterers fell silent.
Baron Homern asked in disbelief, as if he misheard.
“What? You mean there’s none?”
“I don’t have the Runestone.”
The retainers thought the Grand Duke was making a joke again.
A few scrutinized Ghislaine with narrowed eyes, clearly suspicious that she might be backtracking because she found it too valuable to give away.
Growing frustrated, Baron Homern pressed on.
“No, you said you would give it to us. What do you mean there’s none? Didn’t you sneak quite a bit away before the war?”
“Oh, that? There’s none.”
“…Why not?”
“You didn’t realize? It all exploded. Bang!”
Ghislaine demonstrated exaggerated gestures with her arms.
“Exploded?”
All that Runestone blew up? What on earth had she used it for?
Albert, who had a faster mind, asked with a trembling voice.
“Could it be? The fire from the traps… could it be those Runestones?”
The magic fire mentioned that Ghislaine used was indeed astounding.
Many were curious about just how such powerful magic had been wielded.
Finally, the truth was revealed.
“Yes, I buried a bunch of Runestones underground and exploded them.”
She said it as casually as someone might mention burning a few logs.
The retainers were utterly stunned, mouths agape, unable to find words.
As Ghislaine explained the principle of the traps simply, the retainers stumbled backward.
Was there ever a time when Runestones were wasted on just one trap? There surely wasn’t throughout the continent’s history.
Even that alone would be enough to make one gasp, yet she claimed she had used up every last one.
That was the equivalent of torching several carts’ worth of gold coins.
With such an amount, even the greatest Lords could live comfortably for years.
In Perdium, it could easily last over ten years, and if spent carefully like now, over twenty wouldn’t be a stretch.
Zvalter, who thought he had grown accustomed to his son’s antics, turned pale.
Baron Homern, in frustration, shouted.
“No, you wasted all that on traps?! Wouldn’t it have been better to give half to Raybold or Desmond and get the help of the Great Lords? That would’ve been more practical! I’m sure other Lords would’ve rushed over for that amount of Runestone!”
“Desmond was the one who attacked.”
“What?!”
More shocking than the news of the Runestone were the words that followed, causing everyone’s eyes to widen.
“How could a poor territory like Digald muster such troops? Desmond supported us.”
“Why would a major Lord like Desmond target us?”
“Probably because of the Runestone.”
Of course, there might be other reasons, and it was actually Duke Delphine orchestrating things behind the scenes.
Ghislaine decided not to mention that for now to avoid confusion.
Zvalter asked with a trembling voice.
“Is it true? Is it really Desmond?”
“Indeed. I’ll show you proof.”
Ghislaine nodded to Gillian.
Moments later, Gillian dragged in three knights bound in chains.
They were knights from Desmond who had infiltrated Perdium and were captured.
At the time, Ghislaine had deliberately kept them alive to use for her purposes.
“These are knights from Desmond who infiltrated during the war.”
They wore expressionless faces, exhausted to the bone.
The mana-suppressing cuffs made from the Runestone were not very effective to begin with.
They didn’t work properly on powerful individuals.
What’s more, the cheap ones held by Perdium couldn’t even suppress half of the knights’ mana.
To subdue knights, several mana suppression devices would have to be attached.
Not to mention, having them tightly bound in chains meant they couldn’t possibly be in good shape.
“Just ask them yourself.”
Zvalter pretended to be angry and asked.
“Who are you?”
One knight opened his cracked lips.
“We are indeed knights of Desmond.”
“Really?”
“Indeed.”
“Explain why you attacked our territory!”
At Zvalter’s furious command, the knight began to explain slowly.
He was unsure of the exact reason, but it seemed to be about the Runestone; it appeared that other Lords hardly knew of Perdium’s Runestone, so they were trying to secure it first…
The knight spoke honestly, having received a promise that he’d be released later if he cooperated, believing in that slim hope.
From the beginning, he was too scared of Ghislaine to even think of lying.
As the interrogation ended, Zvalter and the retainers wore heavy expressions, unable to speak further.
Even having won the war, crossing paths with a major Lord like Desmond was a source of great anxiety and burden.
In truth, it was profoundly scary, to the point where their hands trembled.
Observing the room slowly, Ghislaine spoke.
“We need to maintain our distance from Desmond as much as possible. We cannot fight him. Externally, it’ll be Digald’s soldiers attacking us.”
In the end, it was nothing but a form of blindfolded deception.
Desmond had manipulated his forces to appear as Digald’s soldiers, so even if there were some loopholes, they had no choice but to swallow it.
“Other Lords aren’t fools. Over time, they will catch on to it. They may not side with Desmond, but… they also won’t actively assist us.”
Desmond was known as one of the strongest major Lords in the North. Only Raybold could stand against Desmond.
Yet, the relationship between Raybold and Perdium had soured badly.
The retainers remained silent. Ghislaine continued.
“If there’s a guarantee that we could gain peace by offering the Runestone, then we should do it. But if we ask for help once, the other party will become greedier. Whether it’s Raybold or Desmond. Though it would be difficult to manage, we must learn to protect ourselves.”
With her calm tone, everyone subtly nodded.
It was true there were many practical difficulties; yet, her words were not incorrect.
“I will go and mine more Runestones to bring back. Now that you all know I possess Runestones, you will wait a while. I’ll also let the territory residents know that relief supplies are coming soon, which should quell public sentiment quickly.”
Zvalter looked at Ghislaine with a hint of admiration.
While he lamented not receiving the Runestone immediately, he was both astonished and pleased to see his son’s new persona.
He had thought Ghislaine would remain a child forever, but how could he find him so reliable now?
The retainers displayed expressions similar to Zvalter’s, admiring the Grand Duke’s dependable demeanor.
However, Baron Homern felt a mix of pride and a slight fear at Ghislaine’s growth.
‘Now, no one can stop the Grand Duke.’
Previously, he’d merely asked the Grand Duke for some money.
But after this war’s accomplishments, combined with uncovering the war’s background, the atmosphere in the room began to revolve around Ghislaine.
Even now, none of the retainers could refute Ghislaine’s words, only nodding their heads.
Of course, this time, no one could argue, since it was not incorrect, yet…
He wanted to prevent the atmosphere of blindly following Ghislaine’s words from taking root.
It was a good thing the Grand Duke had changed. But he didn’t know why he changed, so it was hard to say when he would revert to his former self!
He held the firm belief that people don’t change easily.
‘But… now there’s no way to control him or stop him.’
Ghislaine had already established an absolute influence on the territory, not just a significant one.
Swallow.
He involuntarily gulped.
He wanted to know the reason for the Grand Duke’s transformation.
Had the war suddenly matured the Grand Duke? Or was he always such a person?
Had he been hiding until now? Or had there been some triggering event?
He felt frustrated, as he couldn’t understand why he had changed or comprehend the way he thought.
In the heavy silence where not a single breath could be heard, Ghislaine raised her voice again.
“Send a messenger to Count Rogaes and strengthen our alliance. Since Desmond is an enemy, this will not end easily.”
The acknowledgment of a powerful major Lord being an enemy etched anxiety into the faces of the retainers.
Yet Ghislaine continued unperturbed.
Unlike before, now that a clear enemy had emerged, the territory had to change.
“Moreover, there may be others besides Desmond. Since Perdium cannot face everything alone, we need allies on our side.”
We could no longer afford to linger solely in the North, neglecting our rear, and needed forces to stand with us.
Zvalter nodded heavily.
“Understood. I will send another messenger and have an urgent conversation with Count Rogaes.”
He paused for a moment, contemplating, before continuing.
“I will put the rewards for those who remain on hold for now. Once Ghislaine brings the remaining Runestones, we will distribute them to the residents first before deciding on rewards.”
A few knights displayed slightly disappointed expressions, but most bowed their heads in agreement.
It was better to submit than to be stoned and dragged away.
In any case, unless Ghislaine provided the Runestone, there wouldn’t be money left to offer rewards.
As everyone agreed, Zvalter turned to Ghislaine and continued speaking.
“I had planned to give you 2000 gold, but since we must take some back from that, it seems you won’t need the money much. Do you need anything else?”
Ghislaine nodded, as if waiting for this moment.
She didn’t plan on going through all this hardship without something in return.
Even if the other party were family, a mercenary should receive compensation for their work.
There was no way she would settle for just 2000 gold.
Furthermore, there were many necessities to prepare for what lay ahead.
“First, let me ask you something. What are your plans for Count Digald’s territory?”
Zvalter stroked his chin thoughtfully for a moment.
With the sudden expansion of territory, there was no way he had a detailed plan mapped out.
“Well, for now, I plan to send in administrators to manage it directly before suitably distributing land to retainers who have achieved merit. Of course, those who pledge their loyalty must be received as well.”
“Understood. In that case, I will speak of the compensation I desire.”
“Ah-ha, good. Speak freely.”
With a friendly smile, Zvalter encouraged Ghislaine, who responded with a gentle smile.
“I must receive half of that land.”
The faces of Zvalter and everyone else turned pale with shock.
