Chapter 223: Bloodline Transaction

Richard’s fief was not large, just a village of a little more than three hundred people.

But Marl could see that the atmosphere in the village was freer than in other parts of the Earl’s territory, and the commoners here seemed to hold Richard in some respect.

It was not fear, but respect.

Marl found this rather interesting.

However, even before he sat down, he could already guess that Richard’s fief must not have been given to him for long, and that within this village, there must have been a gentry family that had once treated the villagers with extreme harshness.

After all, that was how the Church always did things.

They would drive out the gentry, let officials carry out measures that provoked resentment among the people, while the priests stood on the side of the commoners, correcting the officials’ actions.

Power was the best nourishment for greed. Even the most just officials, once given power, could not wield it justly.

Just as Marl expected, he had not been sitting in the Administrative Hall for long when a slightly fat man came in, bringing three guards and two attendants.

“I heard guests from the Church have arrived, so I came especially to visit.” The gentryman greeted them warmly, and while speaking, he deliberately adjusted his coat, letting Marl catch a glimpse of the silk decorations on it.

It was obvious that this gentryman also had business connections with Light Port.

That in itself was a straightforward gesture of goodwill toward Marl.

“Hahaha, Uncle Roni, your information is as sharp as ever.” Richard laughed aloud.

Marl could not tell whether Richard’s words were purely complimentary or tinged with irony.

“Oliver already informed me. But just you alone, how could you possibly receive such honored guests properly?” The gentryman, Roni, said as he clapped his hands. Immediately, two attendants carried in a whole roasted lamb, followed by fruit and honey wine, spreading them across the long table.

“Because of the fishmen’s rampage, I can only offer such a simple feast.” Roni raised a cup and toasted Marl.

Marl glanced at Richard, who was already tearing off a lamb leg and gnawing at it.

Then he looked back at Roni, who added, “I’ve also arranged food for the Temple Warriors.”

Only four Temple Warriors had followed Marl into the hall. The rest had been led away by Oliver to rest.

“Thank you for your hospitality. But since we are on campaign, before we are settled, we only eat the food we bring ourselves.” Marl replied, then took out a hard piece of bread and bit into it.

The bread developed by the Monastery was made of wheat flour, hard as stone. Just half a piece with some water was enough for a meal.

Of course, they also carried jerky with them. Since they were going into battle, without meat rations they would lack strength when real fighting came.

Their marching rations could last seven days. That would be enough time for Bevan to use gold coins to open supply lines.

Besides, they would forage and hunt in the wild as well.

Understanding Marl’s caution, Roni did not press him further. He only took a sip himself and said, “I’ve heard of the Church of the Sanctuary, so I believe you truly come to aid Earl Raul. Earl Raul is also willing to accept the Church’s help, and he does not even mind if the Church builds a church within his domain.”

This surprised Marl. From Bevan’s reports, this Earl seemed opposed to York Territory. Yet here was a gentryman of the Earl’s own land saying the Earl welcomed the Church’s help.

As though reading Marl’s doubt, Roni explained, “You should know the circumstances of the Earl’s succession. But this is an Earl’s domain, full of tangled interests, as well as the stance of the Lord of York Territory, not to mention the effective destruction of the Principality of Patlin.”

His words were vague, but Marl generally understood.

If Roni spoke the truth, then for the sake of survival, the Earl was willing to accept York Territory’s interference. In that way, the Earl might live longer.

But this did not align with the interests of the many gentry and lords in the Earl’s domain.

If York Territory’s lord was unfriendly toward the blood relatives of the Principality of Patlin, then would it not be better for these lesser nobles if they had no Earl above them at all?

As for the fishmen, they could simply move elsewhere and leave it to greater powers to deal with.

The heartland of the Principality of Patlin had just been trampled by the Lord of York Territory, who had slaughtered many nobles. The lands emptied there could certainly accommodate them.

In the end, everything was driven by one thing—interest.

Still, Marl kept his doubts.

Had not Belair, who once deceived George, ended up living as a commoner in York Territory now?

Thinking of this, Marl asked, “So you mean, even though we are now in the Earl’s direct domain, there will still be those who block our way?”

Roni chuckled. “Earl Raul is an excellent lord. He is now at Mist Fortress, unable to return to his castle. And here, knights are clearing out the fishmen.”

Mist Fortress lay on the border of the Earl’s domain and the Principality of Corlay. It was a large fortress that could garrison more than five hundred soldiers. Now, it was also Earl Raul’s frontline against the fishmen.

“They’re just fishmen.” Richard retorted. “Uncle Roni, if you don’t stop me, I’ll charge to Mist Fortress tomorrow morning and fight them myself.”

“Richard, I told you before—you must slay one hundred fishmen to prove your bravery before I will allow you to go to Mist Fortress.” Roni said firmly.

“Killing fishmen alone is not enough to prove my bravery.” Richard lifted his chin proudly. “I am Knight Richard, a knight who inherited his father’s bloodline.”

He still held the lamb leg in both hands, his face shining with grease.

“Then at the very least, you must leave behind a child. Your father only went to his death after you were born.” Roni shook his head.

He did not even bother to disguise his words as anything other than “going to die.”

“I’ll go have one now!” Richard stood abruptly, wiped his mouth roughly, and strode away.

Roni sighed helplessly. “That foolish child.”

Marl began to think he had misunderstood. Richard and Roni were not opposed as he had imagined; they seemed more like family.

Once Richard had left, Roni waved his hand. One attendant exited while the other shut the door.

Marl’s expression instantly hardened, and the Temple Warriors’ hands fell upon their weapons.

“No need to be tense. It’s just that some words are not suitable for Richard’s ears.” Roni said calmly. “He is a foolish child, but a pure one.”

Marl did not relax. “Your actions hardly inspire calm.”

“Richard is not the son of Elbert Raymond.” Roni said bluntly.

Marl froze. He thought of Richard’s proud boasting of his Elbert bloodline. Indeed, these words were not for Richard to hear.

But soon Marl frowned. “This matter seems unrelated to the Church.”

Roni nodded. “Yes, it has nothing to do with the Church. I only hope the Church will take him in.”

Marl found Roni’s words erratic, hard to follow.

“In truth, Earl Raul is nearly dead.” Roni continued.

This stunned Marl even more.

“The complete Sacred Relic was taken away by the old Earl for the sake of succession. What remains here is a Mystery not yet perfected by the Church.” Roni revealed a secret.

“This Mystery is a cracked stone. When used, it transforms into a meteor that strikes the earth, annihilating all life caught in the blast.”

“But each use demands the live sacrifice of one hundred and eighty-eight people. It must be used by the lord of the land, and each use drains the lord’s life.”

“Now, though only twenty-one, Earl Raul already looks like a man in his sixties.”

“That is why we turned to you so quickly—because we are certain Mist Fortress will soon be drowned by fishmen.”

Marl’s head began to ache. If this was true, the fortress could not hold for even a month.

“But Richard is a knight. There is no need to hide this from him. Even if he is not the son of Knight Elbert, he will learn of it in time as he grows.” Marl said.

Roni sighed. “But Richard carries the old Earl’s bloodline. He is Earl Raul’s brother. His full name should be Richard Adrian.”

Adrian was Earl Raul’s family name. Their blood traced back to Patlin, but after being enfeoffed as Earls, they had established their own house and changed their surname. Over generations, their ties with Patlin had grown distant, maintained only by occasional marriages to preserve inheritance rights.

Things were getting tangled in Marl’s mind.

Seeing his expression, Roni quickly added, “He is no bastard. Richard is the most legitimate heir, the only child of the old Earl and the last Duke of Patlin’s eldest daughter. Before the Lord of York Territory destroyed the Patlin family, Richard could already have ranked among the heirs. Now, his claim to inheritance is the strongest.”

“Knight Elbert was ordered by the Earl to raise Richard as his own child.”

But the more Marl heard, the more confused he became. “If Richard is the Earl’s son and the purest bloodline, why entrust him to a knight for upbringing?”

Nobles were born with advantages in their blood. No matter what, they excelled in certain ways. By Roni’s account, Richard should have received far superior training.

Even an unloved bastard of a noble family was cultivated more than the only son of a knight.

Roni hesitated, then sighed. “Because Richard’s bloodline was traded away.”

In an instant, Marl thought of Zecel and Darks.

Roni continued, “Without noble blood, no matter how Richard trains, he can only reach his current level. He can defeat one fishman, be wounded by two, barely withstand three, and be killed by four.”

“His martial skills are not poor, but his body is too weak. The knight’s armor he wears is actually the armor Elbert used when he was still a squire. Its weight is far less than that of true knightly armor.”

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