Chapter 42 - 41: Negotiation

Ronin led Philton into the main hall of Mountain Forest Castle’s fortress. This was, in fact, a rather formal gesture.

"My apologies, Sir Philton. Due to Princest’s betrayal, my castle is temporarily short-staffed. I’m afraid we can’t offer you any wine or other services."

Ronin sat down first, making polite conversation while gesturing for the other man to take a seat as well.

The fortress of Mountain Forest Castle was quite simple. The great hall, constructed from massive stones, had only small windows set into its walls. Even when sunlight streamed in, it didn’t do much to brighten the space.

Macken could only order the Guards to light the candles in the hall.

Philton was somewhat displeased with Ronin’s less-than-ceremonious reception, but of course, he wouldn’t say it out loud. He simply offered a placating smile and said, "Lord Baron, you are truly efficient. Very similar to your father’s style!"

Ronin raised an eyebrow. ’Is he complimenting me or insulting me?’

"Might I ask what important business brings you here today, Sir?" Ronin didn’t want to beat around the bush and decided to ask directly about his purpose.

Philton didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he asked, "Lord Ronin, I was wondering about the letter you had your Guards deliver to Wushan Castle. What was its purpose?"

He was still trying to find out the contents of the letter that Bob and Marseille had been carrying.

Nobles cared a great deal about face. Even if there was conflict between two parties, they would still exchange pleasantries when they met. The backstabbing was saved for later.

Therefore, while meeting with Philton, Ronin also made a point of maintaining a hospitable demeanor.

However, after hearing Philton’s question and thinking for two seconds, his expression turned cold.

"You should know full well what Sain Territory has taken from my Mountain Forest Town over the years!"

If he acted meek and submissive now, it would betray his spectacular performance from the day before. Ronin had to show that he was not afraid of offending Sain Territory.

The expression on Philton’s face grew solemn. At the same time, he felt relieved that he had intercepted those two messengers on the road. Otherwise, Sain Territory would be in deep trouble this time.

’Why does Ronin have to act in such a rush?’ he inwardly complained. ’Can’t he leave any room for de-escalation?’

’It’s just as the rumors say,’ he thought. ’Wiggin and Ronin truly are a father and son from Wushan Castle, cut from the same cloth.’

"I know a little of what you speak, My Lord."

Philton delivered his prepared lines. "My Lord, you may not be aware, but the security situation in Mountain Forest Town is not good. To the west, you have the Wushan Demon Beast Mountain Range harassing the town. To the north and east, remnants of the Wilderness Tribe still linger in the Forest Land. As the Civil Servant, Princest wanted to maintain order here and ensure he could serve Wushan Castle, so he had no choice but to seek help from Sain Territory, which is the closest."

Ronin deliberately challenged him, "So, you plundered all that wealth from Mountain Forest Town? For this act of private embezzlement, I will report it to Wushan Castle and have my father and grandfather pass judgment on Baron Reisen!"

"My Lord, that’s not quite correct!"

Philton stood up, performed a Knight’s salute, and began his defense. "My Lord, my master, Baron Reisen, fulfilled his duty as a Vassal of Wushan Castle. He dispatched troops and expended effort to protect Mountain Forest Town for Wushan Castle. The things Princest gave us were merely payment for our services. How can that be called embezzling Wushan Castle’s wealth?"

Ronin sneered, "As a Vassal, helping your Lord quell a rebellion is your duty. Baron Reisen still expects payment for it?"

"You are correct, but that only applies when Wushan Castle orders Sain Territory to act."

Philton argued again, "We acted at Princest’s request and promise; Wushan Castle never gave the order. If this matter is to be investigated, the biggest criminal is Princest!"

"Who is more at fault and who is less, I neither know nor care to ask."

Ronin said nonchalantly, "I only need to report your actions to my father. I imagine, given his personality, he will absolutely make Baron Reisen pay the price!"

Philton knew he couldn’t reason with Ronin this way, so he stopped wasting words and began to reveal Baron Reisen’s plan.

"My Lord, if you report this matter to Wushan Castle, Sain Territory will likely end up compensating Wushan Castle with a certain amount of money or resources."

He said, sitting back down, his tone carrying a hint of temptation. "That money will be given to Wushan Castle. You won’t get a single coin of it."

Ronin’s heart stirred. ’Here it is. His true intentions are finally coming out.’

He waved a hand and slouched in his chair. "I have no interest in money. I only hope that Wushan Castle teaches Baron Reisen a lesson, so he learns not to overreach!"

Knight Philton cursed Ronin a hundred times in his heart. He thought the young lord was completely brainless. ’I’ve made it this obvious, and he still doesn’t get it?’

"My Lord, Baron Reisen wishes to compensate you!"

He cut to the chase, laying his cards on the table. "As long as you agree not to pursue the mistakes Sain Territory has made over the years by falling into Princest’s trap, Lord Reisen is willing to compensate you."

Perhaps fearing Ronin still didn’t understand, Philton continued to explain, "If you report this to Wushan Castle, Sain Territory will pay compensation to Wushan Castle. But if you don’t pursue the matter, our compensation will go into your pocket!"

Ronin was ecstatic. ’I was just worrying about not having enough money, and now Sain Territory is here to deliver it to my doorstep.’

"Compensate me?"

He feigned great interest. "And how does Baron Reisen propose to compensate me?"

Philton held up two fingers. "Lord Reisen is willing to make a one-time payment of Two Hundred Gold Coins to Mountain Forest Town!"

’Trying to brush me off with just Two Hundred Gold Coins?’

Ronin shook his head repeatedly. "I am of the Wushan Clan’s bloodline. How could I conspire with him to deceive Wushan Castle?"

He wore a disdainful expression. "Sir Philton, you may see yourself out. And please, do not obstruct my messengers again. Otherwise, I won’t mind having Macken Knight keep you here at Mountain Forest Castle for a long-term stay!"

Philton was thoroughly disgusted by Ronin’s words. He had clearly seen the interest in Ronin’s attitude just a moment ago. This decisive refusal now could only mean one thing: he thought the money was too little.

’So young, yet already acting like a greedy merchant.’

"Three hundred!"

Philton held up three fingers. "Three Hundred Gold Coins! I hope you will reconsider, My Lord!"

Ronin questioned in a cold voice, "Fairness and justice are my creed. Is Lord Reisen testing my principles?"

"Four hundred! My Lord, surely four hundred is enough?"

Philton felt like he was haggling with a repulsive merchant. "Mountain Forest Town only provides Sain Territory with some grain each year. The total value over all these years probably doesn’t even amount to Four Hundred Gold Coins!"

Ronin gave a dry chuckle. Although he didn’t know exactly how much Princest had given Sain Territory, it was definitely more than Four Hundred Gold Coins.

"Sir Philton, you must understand, what Baron Reisen did is a crime! Once Wushan Castle finds out, who knows what the penalty will be."

While inwardly cursing Ronin for clearly thinking the amount was too small while pretending to be righteous, Philton put on a troubled expression. "My Lord, Four Hundred Gold Coins really is a lot!"

Ronin held up one finger. "I won’t make things difficult for you. One Thousand Gold Coins. As long as Baron Reisen compensates me with One Thousand Gold Coins, I can pretend I never discovered this business with Princest and you!"

Philton’s mouth fell open, as if he had misheard.

’Good heavens, demanding One Thousand Gold Coins right off the bat! The greed is unbelievable!’

’Does he even know what One Thousand Gold Coins represents?’

Philton struggled to even his breathing. If the tall and burly Macken hadn’t been standing beside them the whole time, he really would have lunged forward and strangled this greedy bastard.

"My Lord, although Baron Reisen has some savings, asking him to produce One Thousand Gold Coins all at once is impossible!"

Philton shook his head. "Even if you were to report this to Wushan Castle, the final judgment from the Marquis probably wouldn’t reach this amount. You might as well just report it!"

’Can’t they really come up with One Thousand Gold Coins?’

Ronin smiled. "It’s fine if you don’t have One Thousand Gold Coins. Baron Reisen can pay with cattle. I hear Swamp Town has quite a few Black Water Buffalo. I enjoy beef, so thirty or forty head will do."

Philton’s mouth twitched. It was true, Sain Territory had many swamps suitable for raising Black Water Buffalo.

Over the years, Baron Reisen had indeed made a good deal of money by domesticating Black Water Buffalo. But for Ronin to demand thirty or forty head right off the bat—that was just absurd!

To be honest, if Lord Reisen hadn’t repeatedly insisted on de-escalating the situation first, he probably would have gotten up and left on the spot.

But the negotiation had to continue. "My Lord, we really don’t have that many!"