Chapter 168: A Passionate Love Story
Heidwin and his two companions stumbled out of Cyan Snake Fortress, their steps heavy.
"I can’t believe that’s what they were planning."
Vesi’s heart was heavy. "A Meteorite Iron Ore mine... Freddy’s operation will cause a grave loss for the Kingdom of Akutas!"
Heidwin sighed. Leaning on a guard for support, he climbed into the carriage. "Now that things have come to this, there’s nothing we can do to influence the outcome. We must report it to the Crown Prince!"
He glanced back at the fortress, a sudden chill running down his spine.
"I’m afraid that once this incident is over, we’ll have to leave this city we’ve lived in for the past seven or eight years."
Although failing to prevent the Kingdom’s loss was not their fault, the matter had still become a stain on their records.
They were no longer fit to remain here as envoys.
"Let’s go."
The sun was already setting by the time Duane left Cyan Snake Fortress.
He had been discussing the transportation of the captives with Count Kais, and one of the issues raised was that Duane didn’t have a captain.
Without a captain, he couldn’t sail his ship, which meant he couldn’t take responsibility for delivering the captives to the Silent Shore.
In response, Count Kais said he would dispatch ships to Black Forest Island to pick up the captives and bring them to the Silent Shore.
He also suggested that Duane could spend some money to recruit a captain at the Silent Shore, or hire some experienced old captains to provide training on Black Forest Island.
This was an excellent suggestion, and Duane gladly accepted it.
"Baron Duane!"
A man in a crisp tunic hurried over. "I wonder if the Atkinson Clan might have the honor of inviting you to be a guest at our estate?"
Before he could even finish, several other people quickly approached Duane, each extending an invitation.
Among them were the rather famous Atkinson and Stewart clans, both Viscount Clans, but there were also many Barons.
For a moment, Duane felt as if he had become a celebrity.
In reality, they all wanted something from him.
After all, the recent negotiations had involved rare resources like Meteorite Iron.
If the negotiations were successful in the future and the Kingdom acquired these resources, there was a chance Baron Duane would receive a small portion.
The King’s and Count Kais’s shares of Meteorite Iron would likely not be for sale, but the resources in Baron Duane’s hands might very well be.
After all, in their eyes, Black Forest Island had no use for Meteorite Iron yet.
"My apologies, but I already have an engagement this evening."
Duane gave a slight bow. "I expect to depart for my territory tomorrow, so we will have to gather another time."
As he was speaking, Manny walked over and bowed.
"My apologies, my lords and sirs, but Grand Mage Clement has already prepared a banquet for the Baron at Lakefront Manor."
Seeing this, the crowd could only leave their invitations and hope to meet with him next time.
Manny gestured. "This way, Baron!"
Duane followed him into a carriage.
This time, Raymond and Michele’s squad served as his personal guards.
Duane opened the carriage window. "Lord Manny, there’s something I’d like to ask you about."
Manny rode his horse up to the side of the carriage. "Please, go ahead," he said, looking puzzled.
"How much do you know about Viscount Raul Stewart?"
"Is the Baron interested in the Stewart Clan’s invitation?"
Manny smiled and explained, "The Stewart Clan raises Star Velvet Mammoths. These creatures stand three to four meters tall, and despite their enormous size, they are as gentle as sheep."
"Whether in the scorching summer or the snow-covered winter, they can easily pull a load of three to four thousand pounds for a full day and night. They are the kings of land transport!"
Duane knew a little about this.
Star Velvet Mammoths not only had a strong carrying capacity but also formidable defenses.
Furthermore, their Star Velvet was a material for making high-quality clothing, and even their dung was said to be an ingredient for a certain Magic Potion, giving it considerable value.
The only problem was the high cost of raising them. Ordinary merchant caravans or families could neither afford to buy them nor keep them.
"Are you thinking of buying a Star Velvet Mammoth?"
Manny guessed that Duane was asking about the Stewart Clan because he intended to purchase one.
"Something that costs several thousand Gold Coins? I can’t afford that."
Duane said self-deprecatingly, "I wanted to ask about his vassal, the Gobel Clan."
This statement caught the attention of Raymond and the others. If they recalled correctly, Simone’s surname was Gobel.
Manny was very knowledgeable about these matters, as both his and the Stewart Clan’s territories were in Avalon Province.
"The Gobel Clan only rose to prominence a few decades ago. Kais Gobel is a Peak of the Earth Tier Warrior. Thanks to the enhancement from his Fire Eagle bloodline, he can, to some extent, fight opponents of a higher tier!"
Duane nodded.
He knew two men named Kais: one was a Count, the other a Knight, and both were Earth Tier Warriors.
In terms of strength, however, Kais of the Gobel Clan was probably the stronger of the two.
Duane asked, "Is there someone named Simone in the Gobel Clan?"
Manny paused, then a strange expression crossed his face. "I didn’t expect you to be interested in such amusing stories."
’Amusing stories?’ Duane was confused. Why would mentioning Simone be considered an amusing story?
Just then, Manny leaned in closer, lowering his body.
"Simone is Baron Kais’s grandson. He has excellent talent as a Warrior and is expected to surpass his grandfather one day."
"It’s just that he did something outrageous."
"Oh?"
Duane sensed some gossip and his curiosity was instantly piqued. "Do tell."
"Simone and Viscount Raul’s daughter, Miss Constance, fell in love. But for various reasons, the Viscount did not approve of the relationship."
At this point, Manny glanced around. They were all his own people. If anyone else had been present, he wouldn’t have dared to gossip about others like this.
He lowered his voice. "Perhaps the two were too in love. They continued to meet frequently even without the Viscount’s approval. They were both in their twenties at the time—an impulsive age—and Miss Constance became pregnant unexpectedly."
Duane’s eyes widened. He never would have thought that Simone, such an honest man who doted on his daughter, had such a dramatic past.
’No wonder he pretended not to hear me or made excuses not to answer when I asked him about it before.’
"And then what happened?"
"Viscount Raul probably felt disgraced and tried to hide it at first. But the secret was exposed after the child was born. Simone was then unanimously condemned by the Nobility within the Viscount’s Territory and thrown in jail."
Manny couldn’t help but sigh at this point. "It’s unknown whether Baron Kais broke into the prison to secretly free his grandson, or if it was due to Miss Constance’s desperate pleas. In any case, Simone eventually disappeared with their daughter."
"And what about Miss Constance?" Duane inquired.
Manny chuckled. "After something like that, the Viscount lost all face. None of the sons of the Barons or Knights under him were willing to marry Miss Constance. So, she was probably locked away in the castle and forbidden to leave."
"What a truly lamentable love story!" Duane exclaimed.
"Indeed!"
Manny strongly agreed. "If I were Simone, I absolutely wouldn’t have dared!"
At this, he secretly shook his head.
"Miss Constance was said to be a Level 3 Mage by the age of eighteen. With her family’s standing and such outstanding talent for Magic, she could have easily married the heir of a High Lord Clan. To think she’s fallen to such a state now... it’s a real pity."
Duane raised an eyebrow. A Level 3 Mage at eighteen—that was indeed impressive talent.
He calculated in his head. ’If I could facilitate the marriage between Simone and Constance, wouldn’t Black Forest Island gain a Mage with enormous potential?’
’It seems I’ll really have to get in touch with Viscount Raul of the Stewart Clan when the opportunity arises.’
Before long, the convoy of carriages arrived at Lakefront Manor.
"Baron, we’ve arrived!"
Duane emerged from his state of tentatively practicing the Meditation Skill and opened his eyes.
Grand Mage Clement had invited him to this banquet yesterday when he left after treating Duane’s injuries.
He also wanted to see what the Grand Mage’s purpose was.