“Larson, it’s not that I’m unwilling to lend you money, but your blacksmith shop and farmland really aren’t worth much.”
Rubin, the lord, isn’t actually a bad person. After all, Hidden Mountain Territory isn’t large, and calling Rubin a lord is more accurate than calling him a village chief.
The entire Hidden Mountain Territory doesn’t even have a single professional. In this mountain village, the bandits with professionals might not even earn enough in commission after raiding. Naturally, the lord of Hidden Mountain Territory doesn’t need to hire professionals. If Larson wanted, he could even reveal his strength directly and steal Rubin’s entire fortune.
However, Rubin didn’t just take in the struggling Larson back then; he has also treated Larson well over the years. The blacksmith shop was set up with Rubin’s support, and Larson, or Connor Lars, as he is known, feels that his chivalrous spirit doesn’t allow him to turn on his benefactor.
Moreover, Larson doesn’t want to be too ostentatious. After all, he has no idea what the situation outside is. No matter what, it’s better to remain low-key. If he were to attract the attention of the An Zhu officials or the War God Church personnel, that wouldn’t be good. After all, Larson remembers that the relationship between An Zhu and Cape has never been good.
“Lord, although I cannot speak plainly to you, I come from a prominent family. If I can get in touch with my family, I will definitely provide you with tenfold or even a hundredfold compensation.”
Larson doesn’t actually want much, but Rubin isn’t wealthy either, so even this little amount of money causes hesitations.
However, Larson isn’t really trying to borrow money. If he can borrow it, that would be even better; even if he can’t, Larson considers this as a farewell. He has already packed his things, and after the farewell, he will leave Hidden Mountain Territory.
Of course, having money is better. After all, the journey is long, and without money, Larson would have to spend a lot of time on the road. Larson’s primary reason for coming this time is more about bidding farewell to his benefactor.
At that moment, a somewhat sharp voice sounded from next to Rubin: “Since you come from a prominent family, what is there that cannot be said? I’m quite familiar with the nobles outside. Our family holds significant prestige among the nobles. Hidden Mountain Territory needs to descend the mountain soon to procure supplies. You can tell me directly, and I’ll help you contact your family, how about that?”
The speaker was Theodore Randolf. He doesn’t hold a title and is from a branch of the Randolf family. He came here two years ago to serve as Rubin’s advisor.
Nobles from big cities might not care much about the Randolf surname, but in a remote backcountry like this, the name Randolf is nearly as significant as the king. Even a genuine baron like Rubin must treat someone like Theodore, who holds no title, with utmost respect.
“Sorry, Lord Randolf, my family is somewhat special and cannot be disclosed.”
Larson frowned. Even when he hadn’t regained his memories, he didn’t like Theodore. Ever since Theodore arrived, the taxes in Hidden Mountain Territory have increased markedly. Although good-hearted Rubin hasn’t raised taxes, he still lives no better than the villagers, yet people’s food supply has dwindled.
After regaining his memory, Larson could see that this so-called advisor was indeed creating trouble on behalf of other prominent families.
“Cannot say? I see you want to leave Hidden Mountain Territory, trick our lord out of his wealth, and take off, right?”
Theodore pinched his little mustache, his tone becoming increasingly sarcastic.
“Larson is not that kind of person!”
Before Larson could explain, a woman suddenly emerged from the corner.
“Father, if you are unwilling to support Larson, then I will.”
This woman is Rubin’s eldest daughter, Priima. She was originally married off but has been widowed shortly after and must now live at home in mourning.
Of course, for a border noble like Rubin to find his daughter a match with a noble from further inland says something about Priima’s looks. Even after several years of mourning, she seems to have maintained her charm.
However, Rubin could not find a tutor for Priima, and she now resembles more of a village girl in demeanor than the daughters of nobility, especially since normal noble girls wouldn’t so boldly step forward to defend someone else.
Among the group, it was rather the composed Larson who resembled a noble.
Years ago, it was when Priima was out buying supplies for her father that she found the nearly dying Larson and brought him back home. Both father and daughter could be considered Larson’s saviors.
The gossip about Priima and Larson is one of the hottest topics in Hidden Mountain Territory, especially after Theodore got involved. Rubin doesn’t oppose it, but the reputation of Theodore’s family is too daunting, and if they offend him too much, Hidden Mountain Territory could be cut off from outside supplies.
Furthermore, Larson’s recent attitude has unexpectedly become hesitant, suddenly stating he wants to return to his family.
Larson’s decision not to leave immediately after regaining his memory stems from conflict. If he were to leave just like that, what would happen to Priima left alone in the territory? Yet the situation outside is too dangerous; if his identity were exposed, Priima could very well follow him to the grave. More importantly, Rubin likely wouldn’t agree to let his daughter wander off with an outsider blacksmith.
Larson has even considered living quietly in Hidden Mountain Territory for the rest of his days, after all, the Lars family might have already found a new heir, or perhaps they have long since perished and turned into a minor family. Returning could bring disaster to the Lars.
But after some hesitation, Larson decides to face things bravely. He wants to take a gamble that Augustine won’t pursue the Lars family to the end, after all, if the Lars family really falls, everything to the north could descend into chaos.
“You shameless woman, are you that eager to defend your lover?”
Theodore shouted angrily, “He’s just a blacksmith! What kind of family influence can he have? Have you ever seen a family that is founded on blacksmithing?”
Unexpectedly, Priima rolled her eyes, replying, “That’s better than being taken advantage of by you!”
Hearing this, Theodore became even angrier and turned to Rubin as if questioning him. Rubin hinted to his daughter with his eyes that she should restrain herself in front of outsiders, especially considering the Randolf family’s considerable influence—this was vital for Rubin.
“Don’t think I don’t know. You have been collecting extra taxes in the territory behind my father’s back, thinking you could fool us?”
Upon hearing Priima’s words, Theodore couldn’t help but laugh heartily, saying, “If I strip Hidden Mountain Territory bare, what can you do about it?”
After saying that, he added, “If I strip you bare, what can you do about it?”
Seeing Theodore’s ominous expression, Rubin quickly interjected, “Alright, alright, it’s a misunderstanding; Lord Theodore hasn’t collected extra tax; it’s all me. Priima, go rest. And Larson, I’ll find a way to get you some money; you should leave Hidden Mountain Territory quickly.”
“Too late.”
Theodore clapped his hands, and several local church members rushed in. If there’s any armed force in the area, it would likely be the War God Church.
Larson frowned and shielded Priima behind him. Although these church members are not professionals, Larson knows that the War God Church is one of An Zhu’s reserve troops, and they undergo regular training, though one has to question the faith of the War God Church here.
Two years ago, Theodore was sent here with the task of seizing the wealth and territory of Hidden Mountain. Originally, Theodore aimed to marry Priima, then figure out a way to eliminate Rubin and eventually inherit the territory. However, he never expected Priima to be so resistant and steadfast in her affection for that blacksmith, completely ignoring his status as a side branch of the Randolf family, forcing Theodore to resort to harsher measures. But Hidden Mountain Territory is too rural, and without family resources, Theodore could only rely on his connection to the Randolf branch to assert dominance, leading to the current situation.
But at that moment, a member of the War God Church whispered a few words to Theodore.
“What? The Saintess? What is the Holy Daughter of the Goddess doing here?”
