Chapter 83: Deployment
With the battle over, Kalina and Gaius were sensible enough not to bring up the division of spoils. It was unclear whether they didn’t intend to ask for a share or if they were just planning to raise the issue at the victory luncheon.
In any case, if they didn’t bring it up, Duane certainly wouldn’t.
On the ride back, Duane opened his attribute panel.
Basic Swordsmanship (Mastery 293/400): Skill Level increased by 214.
Basic Shield Skill (Mastery 17/400): advanced a level.
Spirit Swordsmanship (Mastery 196/400): Skill Level increased by 150.
Fighting Qi Slash (Skilled 103/300): Skill Level increased by 80.
It was a huge improvement overall.
If he’d only been training and sparring, achieving this much progress would have taken far more than just ten minutes on the battlefield.
’As I thought, real combat is the best way to increase my Skill Levels.’
Duane added the 0.3 attribute points he gained to Strength.
His Strength Attribute instantly rose to 11.5, increasing his power yet again.
Back at the villa.
"Kaelon, Raymond, come with me for a moment. Ralph, Owington, please show Gaius, Kalina, and the others to the drawing-room to rest."
Duane led the two men straight to his study.
"Take a look at this."
He handed them the intelligence report Simone had brought.
Kaelon’s expression turned grim as he read it. The last shred of hope in his heart was extinguished.
’So he really did eat human flesh.’
Raymond took a deep breath, his expression grave. "My Lord, what are your plans?"
Kaelon clenched his fists, grinding his teeth. "No matter what, please let me be the one to kill Daniels!"
Duane took back the report and laid out his plan.
"I’m going to move against the Holy Hand Association. And I’ll do it right after the luncheon!"
Both men were shocked, not expecting him to act so quickly.
"You intend to capture the members of the Holy Hand Association right here?"
"Of course. This is a perfect opportunity to weaken our opponent and make the siege easier. I can’t let them go back."
Raymond, untroubled by the issue of cannibalism, remained calm and clear-headed.
"Then do you plan to have the Broken Wave Gang help? Or will you..."
’He’s considering whether to capture the Broken Wave Gang as well.’
"In a moment I will summon Gaius and inform him of the operation. As for the Broken Wave Gang, I will ask Bard to join me in attacking Daniels’s castle! But there’s something else that needs to be set up first."
’Once I deal with the Holy Hand Association, there will be no need for the Broken Wave Gang to stick around either.’
’Making Bard truly submit will ultimately come down to force.’
’But he hasn’t shown any signs of resistance yet.’
’Duane would have to put some effort into that.’
"Jack."
Jack entered. "My Lord, what are your orders?"
"I want you to go to Yanger’s home. Pass on my order to have his son and that fellow Broo have a few drinks together. Make sure our intelligence gets leaked."
Jack paused, confused. "The intelligence you mentioned... what do you mean?"
"My family background, of course. What happened to my father. And the true strength of Kaelon, Raymond, and everyone else."
All three men were stunned.
Duane smiled. "With a capable commander like Simone, a mole like Hardy, and the fact that both Kaelon and I have broken through—not to mention our new Basic-level Warriors—there’s no need to hide our strength any longer."
Duane had gauged the enemy’s strength in the last battle.
With so many factors in his favor, he decided to lay his cards on the table and face them head-on, openly and honorably.
If Bard still submitted after learning this information, then all the better.
If he tried anything, Duane wouldn’t mind shattering his little fantasy.
"Yes, I understand, my Lord!"
Jack accepted his orders and left the study, buzzing with excitement.
"Raymond, when I summon Gaius in a bit, go find Hardy privately. Tell him I intend to test Bard’s loyalty. If Bard is disloyal, he’ll likely betray me during our joint assault on the Holy Hand Association."
Duane continued his analysis, "That will be Hardy’s moment to prove his loyalty. I’ll need him to backstab them on the battlefield!"
"I understand!"
To be honest, Raymond was stunned by his Lord’s intricate web of plans.
If he were in Bard’s shoes, he’d probably be just as bewildered.
’It just goes to show how insufficient or flawed intelligence can completely skew one’s judgment.’
Kaelon raised his head. "My Lord, what do I need to do?"
Duane smiled. "Right now, the most important thing for you is to get yourself in peak condition, because we have a tough fight ahead. Bard’s injuries may not have fully healed, but he’s still an Earth Tier Warrior. I’ll need you to handle him."
"What’s more, there’s a Level 3 Mage. We still don’t know what tricks Daniels has up his sleeve; I doubt even Simone knows the full extent of them."
Kaelon took a deep breath. "I understand!"
His injuries from the last duel had already healed. The most important thing now was to overcome his mental hurdle, eat well, sleep well, and get himself into the right state of mind.
"That’s all for now. Send Gaius in to see me."
Soon, the Vice Leader of the Broken Wave Gang arrived in the study.
"Baron, what are your orders?"
Compared to Bard, Gaius was much more apprehensive when facing Duane alone.
"I saw your bravery in the battle today. I also noticed that you don’t overcomplicate things when fighting Demon Beasts."
Duane gestured for him to sit. "So, what do you think? Have you considered leaving the Broken Wave Gang and pledging your loyalty to me?"
Gaius had assumed the Baron wanted to discuss dealing with the Holy Hand Association, or at the very least, how to divide the spoils.
He never expected to be poached, much less so directly.
After a brief silence, Gaius lowered his head. "Please forgive me, my Lord. When I first fled to Black Forest Island, Bard helped me. He has treated me well."
He looked up. "That’s why I’ve always followed him. But now he is loyal to you and serves you, and so do I. So whether I pledge my allegiance directly to you or not, I feel it makes no difference."
’I didn’t expect this gruff man to be so adept at passing the buck.’
Duane didn’t press the issue.
"Very well, I won’t force you. In that case, let’s discuss how we’re going to deal with the Holy Hand Association."
Gaius was shocked. First, that the Baron was finally making his move against the Holy Hand Association, and second, that he was doing it today!
His expression turned serious. "Bard instructed me to follow your command completely for today’s operation."
"Good. Then here is my plan."
Duane laid out his plan, though he omitted any information regarding Simone.
He saw no reason to share that particular piece of intelligence with the Broken Wave Gang. He trusted that unless Simone revealed it himself, no one else would find out.
A moment later, Gaius left the Baron’s study, his mind heavy with thoughts.
Next, Duane summoned Kalina. This was to keep her placated.
He even used nearly the same pretense to invite her to pledge her allegiance.
Kalina, for her part, was quite direct. She leaned right over Duane’s desk, showing off her alluring curves and the snowy white expanse of her cleavage.
"If you marry me, Baron, or even take me as your mistress, wouldn’t I already be yours?"
Duane didn’t look away, affecting an expression of interest.
"I will seriously consider your suggestion. After all, you are the most beautiful flower on Black Forest Island."
Kalina laughed happily. "The most beautiful flower... what a lovely compliment!"
Not wishing to prolong the conversation, Duane said, "Before the banquet begins, I’d like to see Simone."
Kalina’s smile vanished. "You aren’t planning to invite him to join you again, are you?"
Duane had expressed that very intention at the last banquet.
Duane shrugged noncommittally. "Of course. I value his abilities."
"Then I’m afraid Simone is bound to disappoint you again!" Kalina’s expression was one of resignation.
"It’s always worth a try."
Duane added, "What’s the matter? Afraid I’ll persuade him, so you don’t want him to see me?"
"Of course... not."
Kalina had no fear that Simone would defect to the Baron. "I’ll go get him for you now."
Before long, Simone walked into the Baron’s study.
As soon as he entered, he dropped to one knee.
As a man of noble descent, even as a Knight, he only needed to nod in acknowledgment to a Baron. A bow would have been considered more than polite.
To drop to one knee like this was a gesture of great deference.
Duane hurried forward to help him up, but Simone remained kneeling.
"Baron, I beg you, please lend me your aid and help me rescue my daughter!"
He looked up, his eyes red, his voice ragged with desperation.
"If you can help me rescue Vera, I swear on the name of the Gobel Clan that my longsword will be yours to command from this day forward!"
"Rest assured, I will never spare a man like Daniels, who has committed such demonic acts!"
Duane pulled him firmly to his feet. "I called you here for this very reason. I need you to coordinate with my plan."
Hearing this, a light sparked in Simone’s eyes.
"Just give the order. As long as I can save my daughter, I will do anything!"