Chapter 138: The Count Changed His Mind
Duane’s stories about his experiences on Black Forest Island went on for an hour.
Far from being bored, Natalia listened with great interest, offering a few words of praise from time to time.
Even Eleanor, who was outside the door, couldn’t help but frequently glance toward the young Baron in the living room.
’If his story wasn’t fabricated, then his abilities were truly admirable.’
’I wonder how much of it is an exaggeration.’
In truth, although Duane’s account was detailed, he had omitted quite a few things.
For instance, he barely mentioned the part where he single-handedly defeated Selena and Brison, to say nothing of the subsequent interrogation and the matter of signing a contract with Selena.
As for his strength, he only claimed to have just reached the Advanced level.
After all, he still had some potential enemies within the Kingdom.
A sixteen-year-old Human Tier Warrior was too conspicuous and would easily attract unwanted attention.
A sixteen-year-old Advanced Warrior, while still possessing excellent aptitude, was more acceptable.
If anyone were to ask how Duane went from an ordinary person to an Advanced Warrior in less than a year, he had an excuse ready.
It was simply that he had become a Basic-level Warrior early on but never had the chance to reveal it to the outside world.
It was a bit of a stretch, but it was a passable explanation.
After all, no one would believe that someone could go from an ordinary person to an Advanced Warrior in less than a year.
Even the scions of top-tier Nobility, with an ample supply of Magic Potions, couldn’t achieve such a feat.
Before they knew it, it was almost noon.
At a maid’s reminder, Natalia invited Duane to join her for lunch.
Although there were only two of them at the table, it didn’t detract from the luxurious and sumptuous spread.
Demon Beasts that flew in the sky and those that swam in the water were all laid out on the table.
What impressed Duane the most was the final delicacy served, called "Rock Sheep Blood Mushroom."
It was said that the heart-meat of the Star-Patterned Rock Sheep and the Blood Mushrooms used in this dish were both sourced from a Secret Realm belonging to the Royal Family.
The Star-Patterned Rock Sheep was a Level 2 to Level 4 Demon Beast, while the Blood Mushroom was a special type of Magic Plant.
The dish prepared from these two ingredients could stimulate a Human Tier Warrior’s bodily functions, and an Advanced Warrior would experience a significant boost after consuming it.
Although it was just a small stew pot, Natalia mentioned it was worth 60 Gold Coins!
After eating it, Duane felt his mouth go dry and his blood surge through his body. He also gained 0.1 attribute points.
After lunch, Duane stayed for a short while before taking his leave. Natalia didn’t press him to stay longer.
After seeing Duane off, she went straight to the main building.
"Father, it seems your intelligence wasn’t entirely accurate."
Natalia walked into the Count’s study and recounted what she had seen and heard during the meeting.
"This Duane isn’t as worthless as you all claimed, and he didn’t come here seeking financial support."
Although Count Kais’s afternoon nap had been disturbed, he showed no anger toward his daughter.
He sat up and asked with a smile, "Then what did he come here for?"
Natalia shrugged and sat down to the side. "He said he had received help from my second brother. He came this time, first, to express his gratitude, and second, to witness your distinguished presence."
Kais pursed his lips. It was a rather cliché excuse, but his daughter seemed to have bought it.
"And then?"
A playful smile appeared on his face. "How did he express his gratitude?"
Natalia clapped her hands, and the maid outside brought in the tea.
"This is Hot Spring Mountain Tea, a specialty of Black Forest Island. Drinking it can enhance a Mage’s Meditation."
"Black Forest Island has something this good?"
He stood up, took the tea box, opened it, and sniffed. It had a unique aroma.
Natalia reminded him, "Brew it with boiling water and drink it. The taste is quite nice."
At her signal, the maid steeped a cup of tea with the prepared boiling water, and Natalia then cooled the water down a bit.
Kais took a sip. It was a beverage unlike any he had ever tasted.
Although he wasn’t a Mage and couldn’t personally experience the enhanced Meditation, he was certain it was an excellent beverage.
"Hehe, there are four boxes of this in total. I’ll have someone send two boxes to Mother later, and I’ll take the remaining two."
Kais smiled. "Since it’s effective for Mages, you all can split it."
He sat back down. "I wonder how much of this... what’s it called again?... does Duane have?"
"Hot Spring Mountain Tea."
"Right. How much does he have?"
"He said they produced fifty kilograms this year and are now expanding the cultivation of Hot Spring Mountain Tea trees on a large scale, so the yield will gradually increase."
Kais’s gaze sharpened. "The production of this stuff isn’t limited by the number of Mages?"
Natalia shook her head. "Apparently, ordinary people can process the tea leaves. It doesn’t require a Mage to extract the essence from them."
She said with a smile, "Everyone says Black Forest Island is barren, but in my opinion, Duane can accumulate a great deal of wealth just from this Hot Spring Mountain Tea."
Kais fell silent.
’Something that ordinary people can produce, and it’s helpful to Mages... there’s definitely a market for it.’
’Combined with the potential for mass production, Black Forest Island shouldn’t be considered a barren land based on this industry alone.’
’How did I not discover this?’ Count Kais felt a pang of regret.
He had been the one to collect taxes from Black Forest Island on behalf of the Kingdom, and his men had surveyed the island. Aside from the undeveloped Secret Realm in its depths, there were no resources worth a major investment.
’And now, out of nowhere, comes this Hot Spring Mountain Tea.’
’If the Kennedy Clan had control of this, it could bring us considerable influence.’
"That kid got lucky," he remarked.
But Natalia didn’t quite agree with that assessment.
"Duane is more than just lucky! In less than a year, he not only unified the forces on the island but even captured members of Viscount Freddy’s Gale Corps at a minimal cost!"
"My daughter, what did you just say?"
Kais thought he had misheard. "Freddy? The Blazing Sword from the Starfall Islands?"
"Yes!"
She gave him a brief summary of the events, concluding with admiration, "If it were me, I definitely couldn’t have done what he did. So it’s not a matter of luck."
Kais’s brow furrowed unconsciously.
The story sounded like it involved a lot of luck and coincidence, but he had to admit that Duane possessed considerable ability in command, judgment, and even governance.
’So, would a person like that really come all the way to the Earl’s Mansion just to thank Lloyd for the gift of a Nautical Map?’
"Why did he leave Black Forest Island this time?"
Natalia was a little surprised that her father would suddenly ask this question, but noticing the change in his tone, she answered honestly.
"Duane is concerned about Viscount Freddy’s power. He’s afraid the Viscount will attack Black Forest Island because he captured the Gale Corps members, so he wants to go to the Royal Capital to seek His Majesty the King’s protection."
As she spoke, she remembered something. "Oh, right, Duane also captured five ships. He said Black Forest Island can’t maintain that many, so he plans to give two to the Royal Family and one to you as a gift."
Hearing this, Kais’s heart tightened. He looked grimly at his daughter.
"My dear daughter, you didn’t accept this gift, did you?"
"Why not?"
Natalia asked, perplexed, "It’s just an ordinary medium-sized cargo ship. What’s the harm in accepting it?"
"Oh, heavens!"
Kais slapped a palm to his forehead. "I’m always telling you to take some time to study the interactions between Nobility, but you haven’t listened at all!"
Natalia blinked her large, innocent-looking eyes. "Father, is there something wrong with that?"
Kais sighed helplessly.
"Ever since I took over the Kennedy Clan, I’ve adhered to the principle of not getting involved in conflicts of interest, especially when it concerns those few High Lords."
Natalia reminded him, "Duane is a Baron. He’s just an ordinary Lord."
"That’s even more troublesome!"
He rolled his eyes. "The one he provoked is that hot-tempered Freddy. There’s bound to be trouble in the future. When you get entangled with Foreign Nobility, one wrong move and you’ll suffer for it!"
At this point, he was getting angry.
"This Duane... he’s probably just trying to use one ship to get me to speak on his behalf!"
’Once I’ve accepted the gift, I can’t easily return it.’
’If, after negotiations, Duane has to return the five cargo ships to Freddy, and one of them is docked at Silent Harbor as an asset of the Kennedy Clan...’
’Then does the Kennedy Clan return that ship or not?’
’If we don’t, we’ll have offended him for no reason and obstructed the King’s mediation.’
’On the other hand, if we do return it, the Kennedy Clan will be left looking humiliated.’
’So, to avoid such an awkward situation, it would be best for me, Kais, to put in a good word for Duane.’
Kais understood. This was likely Duane’s main purpose for visiting him.
Listening to her father’s analysis, Natalia still seemed unconvinced.
"I thought Duane sounded very sincere. He wouldn’t be as convoluted as you, thinking about so many things, would he?"
Kais couldn’t help but give a helpless smile.
"It seems next year I’ll have to reduce some of your Magic Classes and have the tutor give you a few more days of politics lessons."
Natalia immediately put on a wronged expression. "Father, why? I can barely keep up with my Magic Classes as it is!"
"Alright, alright, just pretend I didn’t say anything!"
Kais was powerless against this tactic. "Go find an excuse to make Duane stay at the Silent Shore for a few more days."
"Father, you want to see him?" Natalia read between the lines.
"Yes, I want to meet him."
Kais nodded. "But before that, I need to get a clear picture of the situation on Freddy’s side."
"But Duane said he’s leaving tomorrow."
Natalia tilted her head, a thoughtful expression on her face. ’What reason should I use?’