Chapter 130: Signing the Contract
On the surface, Duane becoming the Baron of Black Forest Island meant he could live a life of peace, free from worldly conflict.
But this place wasn’t truly isolated; it could still be disturbed by the outside world.
Garrot and the Starfall Islands were the best examples of this.
Besides, the day Duane finally left Black Forest Island, a life of peace would be impossible for him anyway.
’Since I’ll have to fight, I should start planning early and not miss any opportunities.’
Take Selena and her lover, Brison, for example.
If he used them well, he might reap an unexpected harvest when he had the chance to set foot on the Starfall Islands in the future.
From Selena’s perspective, she didn’t have many options.
Things between her and Baron Torre were bound to end badly.
Although she currently held the title of Baroness, she had no real status with Torre. In his circle, she was perhaps seen as nothing more than a tool for bearing children.
She had no powerful background to rely on, and neither did Brison.
Duane’s influence might be small now, and he didn’t have many powerful figures under his command, but he possessed something many Lords lacked: potential.
She and Brison were in complete agreement that the small Black Forest Island would never be enough to contain Duane.
Therefore, gaining Duane’s support could prove genuinely useful in the future.
"I am willing, my Lord!"
Selena dropped to one knee, as if she were about to be knighted by Duane.
"Brison and I are both willing to pledge our allegiance to you!"
Duane smiled. "I accept your allegiance. However, to be certain, I need you to sign a contract."
He called for Jasmine and had her fetch paper and a pen from the study. He then had Selena write down the details of her relationship with Brison, their plot against Baron Torre, and their pledge of allegiance to him. Finally, she and Brison were to press their handprints on it.
Although such a document might not be legally binding, given Selena and Brison’s situation, it would be a devastating disaster for them if Duane were to make it public.
Even if they did manage to get rid of Torre in the future, this contract would serve as a powerful restraint.
"I’ve accepted your allegiance, but don’t expect me to head to the Starfall Islands and dispose of Baron Torre anytime soon."
Duane handed the contract to Owington, instructing him to take it to the prison cell for Brison to add his handprint. Meanwhile, he discussed the next steps with Selena.
"First, you need to continue with that vitality-boosting plan and successfully bear a child for Baron Torre."
Duane said with a smile, "If you can’t even accomplish this, your own survival will be in question, and there will be no point in me wasting any more time or energy on you."
In truth, he was putting it nicely. Realistically, Duane currently lacked the qualifications and strength to go to the Starfall Islands and assassinate Torre.
He didn’t have any Celestial Tier Warriors under his command, after all.
"I understand!"
Selena understood. Their pledge of allegiance was, for now, merely an exchange for their immediate safety.
"So, can I take Brison out of his cell now?"
"You want to take care of him personally?"
Duane shook his head, his gaze turning serious. "If you want a future with him, you need to think long-term. Insisting on a brief reunion now could very well bring disaster upon you both!"
"Some of Garrot’s men might make it back to the Starfall Islands alive. You don’t want negative rumors about you two spreading when that happens!"
Intimidated by his gaze, Selena nodded silently.
She had thought that pledging allegiance to Duane would grant her more freedom, but it now seemed that maintaining the "prisoner" status was indeed the better option.
"Go on!"
Duane waved his hand. "Your status is still that of my prisoners. As we agreed before, copy down all of the Spell Models, Magic Potion Recipes, and so on."
"Yes, my Lord!" Selena said.
"Mm, I’ll have a doctor take good care of Brison. You’ll be allowed to visit him once a day."
Selena paused in her steps as she was leaving. She turned and bowed. "Thank you for your mercy, my Lord!"
Selena left.
Duane quickly ate lunch, then left the castle and rode his horse to the port to check on his ships.
At Black Forest Port, a large group of people stood on the docks, surrounded by Guards and confined to a corner.
Raymond was interrogating the captains. The questions were mostly about their backgrounds and, more importantly to Duane, whether any of them had been to the Silent Shore or Pruck City.
By the time Duane arrived, the interrogation was over.
"My Lord, unfortunately, none of these captains, first mates, or navigators have any experience sailing to the Kingdom."
Raymond reported the results of the interrogation. "In fact, only two of the captains have ever been to Black Forest Island before. The rest were all assigned here on short notice."
’What a pity,’ Duane thought to himself.
The Silent Sea was generally calm, but sending an inexperienced crew out was still a risk.
All Duane could provide was a Nautical Map given to him by Lloyd.
If there was truly no other way, he would have to assign a few messengers, pick a ship, and have them risk the voyage.
"Many of these men have connections to the Nobility and wealthy merchants of the Starfall Islands. They wish to pay a certain amount of Gold Coins to request your pardon," Raymond continued to report.
Duane said, "Although they didn’t assassinate me directly, they provided aid to Garrot. Accomplices are as guilty as the assassins. Therefore, everything on the ships is my spoil of war. Confiscate it all and have Ralph register and handle it."
"As for these men..."
Duane’s gaze swept over them. The crew members felt the Baron’s eyes on them and their expressions turned pleading. Some even made whimpering sounds of supplication.
But they had clearly been beaten and didn’t dare to act out.
"Send them to Daniel’s Castle and lock them up. Tell our men not to harm them. We might be able to ransom them in the future."
As the two were talking, a small black dot suddenly appeared on the distant sea.
The dot grew larger and clearer.
After a moment, a ship came into view.
It was a medium-sized cargo ship, about thirty meters long, its sails full as it moved at a good speed.
Its arrival immediately put the islanders on alert.
"On alert!"
Raymond shouted, and the three squads in charge of port defense immediately sprang into action.
Duane frowned slightly. According to the information from Selena, Garrot had left a total of five ships, all of which had now been dealt with by Raymond.
’So where is this approaching ship from?’
’Was one missed in the report, or...?’
Before long, the cargo ship drew near Black Forest Island and slowed down. A large banner was raised on it.
It had a deep blue background with a white sail insignia above a wavy silver border, giving it the impression of riding the wind and cleaving through the waves.
"The Sail Banner! It’s the flag of the Kennedy Clan!"
Raymond recognized the banner and identified the ship’s origin.
The Kennedy Clan was one of the four great High Lords of the Pruck Kingdom. Its head was Kais Kennedy, the current Count.
’A ship from the Silent Shore? Could it be a friend of Captain Conaberton?’
The frown on Duane’s face gradually relaxed.
He had just been worrying about whether to risk the journey to the Silent Shore, and now a ship had arrived from there. It had solved a major problem for him.
Just when it seemed all paths were blocked, a new one opened up.
"Everyone, relax. No need to look like we’re facing a formidable enemy."
Duane said, "Our visitor might not be an enemy."