NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 63: Alliance of the Three Nobles
Chapter 63: Alliance of the Three Nobles
The Maine River Valley was among the most fertile areas in the region. Apart from Thor's Eagle Ridge, there were numerous pioneering lords around the valley. Among them, the Lawrence family was the most established, followed by the Valmy and Graton families.
Although the Valmy and Graton families weren't as powerful as the Lawrence family, they had been barons for over a decade and were not to be underestimated.
Following an invitation from the Lawrence family, the lords of the Valmy and Graton families, accompanied by their retainers, arrived at the Lawrence estate.
Upon their arrival, both lords noticed something amiss. Familiar knights were nowhere to be seen, replaced by a number of unfamiliar ones.
"Lord Valmy, do you sense something unusual here?" Lord Valmy, riding beside Lord Graton, spoke softly.
"Indeed, it appears these knights are from the Habsburg Chamber of Commerce, not the Lawrence family," Lord Graton nodded, his expression skeptical.
Recognizing the distinctive armbands of the Habsburg mercenary knights, they were perplexed. When did the Lawrence family start hiring mercenaries from the Habsburg Chamber of Commerce, and for what purpose? The cost of hiring such knights was substantial, easily amounting to thousands of gold coins.
As they reached the Lawrence Castle, both lords were further surprised. Instead of being greeted by Pape or Lawrence, they were met by a mercenary knight from the Habsburg Chamber of Commerce, not an ordinary knight, but a grand knight.
Exchanging a glance, both lords felt a jolt of unease. Hiring a grand knight was exceptionally costly, indicating significant events were afoot.
"Esteemed lords, my master has been expecting you," the grand knight from the Habsburg Chamber of Commerce spoke softly, guiding them to the castle.
Suppressing their turbulent thoughts, the two lords followed the grand knight into the grand hall, only to find it devoid of Pape and Lawrence. Instead, they saw a figure that made them frown slightly.
"Orper, where is your father? This is hardly a proper welcome," Lord Graton couldn't hold back, directing his gaze towards Orper Lawrence, seated at the head of the hall.
Lord Valmy remained silent, observing his surroundings carefully.
"Uncle Valmy, Uncle Graton, I apologize. My father cannot greet you," Orper Lawrence feigned sorrow as he spoke.
Both lords felt their hearts skip a beat.
"What do you mean?" Lord Valmy couldn't help but ask.
"Uncle Valmy, Uncle Graton, something tragic has occurred. A few days ago, my father and elder brother perished in battle," Orper Lawrence sighed deeply.
"What?" "What did you say?" Both lords were stunned, struggling to process the news. Pape, the baron, was dead?
Reeling from disbelief, they recalled what they'd seen on their journey—an uneasy realization dawning upon them, filling their eyes with suspicion and thought.
A barony like the Lawrence estate, with its significant resources, was an enticing prize. Previously, with Pape's strong presence, they harbored no ambitions. But now, with the news of Pape's death, the power dynamics had shifted, offering them an opportunity.
As their thoughts churned, Orper continued, "Indeed, my father and brother are dead. My father discovered a large iron mine downstream of the Maine River and took many knights to claim it, but they were killed by the local lord. I had no choice but to hire knights from the Habsburg Chamber of Commerce and ask for your help in avenging them."
The mention of a large iron mine shocked both lords, making them stand abruptly. The prospect of such a valuable resource, capable of producing mythril and elevating a family's status to viscount, was incredibly tempting.
"Is this true? A large iron mine?" "Orper, who is this local lord? There's no pioneer lord downstream of the Maine River," the lords questioned urgently, their interest piqued.
"Of course it's true. Otherwise, why would my father take the elite forces there? As for the local lord, it's a newly established pioneer, not even half a year old," Orper explained.
"A new pioneer lord? Less than half a year old?" Their eyes gleamed with interest.