Chapter 114: Contact
Duane watched the group of people at the port gathering on the shore. They looked like they were itching for a fight.
He doubted, however, that they would be reckless enough to attack him so easily.
After all, the Pruck Kingdom and the Akutas Kingdom had signed a long-term armistice agreement and were currently in a period of peace.
Even if there was friction between the nobles of the two sides, they would never be so quick to declare war.
Once a war began, it could easily spiral out of control. It would no longer be a simple matter between two nobles, but could very well escalate into a war between the two kingdoms.
This was a situation that both the Pruck Royal Family and the Akutas Royal Family sought to avoid.
The ships of the merchant fleet that had just arrived at Black Forest Island flew the Blazing Sword banner, representing Viscount Yalvis.
Without the Viscount’s command, these men wouldn’t dare attack Duane.
"On your guard!"
Raymond called out in a low voice.
He didn’t overthink the situation. Seeing the men gathering on the opposite side, his first thought was that the Baron’s safety might be at risk.
Just then, Kaelon and Simone arrived.
"Why so many ships?" Kaelon asked, surprised.
Simone looked over. "The Blazing Sword banner. Those ships are from the Yalvis Clan."
Duane wasn’t surprised that Simone could recognize the banner.
Just then, the group across from them began to approach slowly. There were about thirty of them, all clad in armor. A single glance was enough to tell they were elite soldiers.
When the two groups were about two to three hundred meters apart, Garrot ordered his men to halt.
"A few of us will go."
With that, he led Blake, Hall, and six other men forward.
To avoid any misunderstanding, Garrot was the first to offer a greeting.
"Garrot, from the Viscount Yalvis Territory, greets you, esteemed Baron!"
Since the other man had taken the initiative to greet him, Duane naturally had to respond in kind.
He took a step forward, his tone befitting a Lord as he expressed his welcome.
"It is a pleasure to see you. Black Forest Island welcomes you all!"
Garrot sized up Duane, surprised at how young he was.
’What madness possessed King Eric, to make a mere boy the Baron of this isolated island? Isn’t this just exile?’
’Wait...’
He suddenly recalled Duane’s surname.
"Forgive my presumption, but is your father Carter Brian?"
Although Carter was a newly ascended Celestial Tier Warrior of the Pruck Kingdom, his combat prowess was exceptional.
That piece of intelligence had long since circulated throughout the Akutas Kingdom.
Viscount Yalvis paid close attention to the Pruck Kingdom, so it was only natural that Garrot, as his commander, would have access to such information.
Duane understood this perfectly, but he still feigned surprise.
"You knew my father?"
’So he really is Carter’s son,’ Garrot thought.
"I never had the pleasure of meeting your father, but my master held him in very high regard. He believed your father was destined to become a Shooting Star Warrior, or perhaps something even greater!"
Garrot’s praise was effusive. "It is such a pity that he met an untimely end in a Secret Realm. A truly sad and regrettable event!"
’Carter is dead, yet his son has been sent here as a mere Baron.’
’It seems the Brian Clan lost out in that Secret Realm conflict, which is why Duane has been reduced to this.’
Garrot instantly guessed that Duane had been ostracized, a testament to his quick mind.
"His loss grieves me as well."
Duane’s expression turned somber, but he quickly composed himself and changed the subject.
"I heard from one of your men that you have a major business proposal for me. I’m quite looking forward to it!"
"Indeed..."
The sound of urgent hoofbeats interrupted their conversation.
Everyone looked over. It was Gaius.
He quickly dismounted, made his way through the crowd, and came to stand at Simone’s side.
Hall’s eyes lit up. Finally, someone he recognized.
"Commander, the man who just arrived is Gaius, the Vice Leader of the Broken Wave Gang."
Garrot gave a slight nod, then turned back to the Baron.
"In the past, when we came here for business, we always dealt with Bard of the Broken Wave Gang. If you could arrange for him to handle this, perhaps things would proceed more quickly."
In truth, one of their missions on this trip to Black Forest Island was to bring Bard back with them.
’With Breathing Skills, renown, power, and Combat Techniques as bargaining chips, he’s sure to agree.’
Duane noted that Hall had just addressed Garrot as "Commander."
’Someone who can serve as a commander must be quite powerful. For all I know, he could be an Earth Tier Warrior.’
’This merchant fleet is escorted by not only Advanced Warriors, but also an Earth Tier Warrior. What are they up to?’
Though suspicious, he revealed a relaxed smile.
"Gaius, greet your old friend. While you’re at it, tell him what’s happened here."
Gaius stepped forward awkwardly. He only knew Hall, so he nodded to him in greeting.
"I’m afraid I have to disappoint you. Bard and Daniels attempted to assassinate the Baron, and they have been... dealt with by him."
He paused. Saying these words aloud, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of complex emotions.
But his tone now was as if he were recounting a story from the distant past.
"There is no longer a Broken Wave Gang or a Holy Hand Association on Black Forest Island. Bard, Daniels, and their followers have all been executed by the Baron."
When Garrot and his men heard the word "executed," their pupils contracted in shock.
’Their trading partners, the de facto rulers of Black Forest Island for many years, were actually dead?’
Hall asked in disbelief, "Bard was an Earth Tier Warrior, and Daniels was a Level 3 Mage. You just... killed them?"
’Perhaps for a High Lord, Earth Tier Warriors aren’t so rare.’
’But in the territory of an ordinary Lord, especially here on Black Forest Island, forget Earth Tier Warriors—even Human Tier or Advanced Warriors are exceptionally rare.’
’And that’s not to mention a Level 3 Mage who could craft Magic Potions.’
’Any other noble would have certainly tried to retain such valuable assets.’
’And this Baron just killed them outright?’
’Is he so young that he doesn’t understand the value of powerful subordinates?’
"You seem quite surprised by this outcome," Duane inquired mildly.
Facing the Baron’s nonchalant attitude, Hall recalled the grand receptions he used to receive on Black Forest Island and suddenly felt a little intimidated.
"No, it just seems a great pity to kill such talented men."
"Some people are a liability if you let them live."
Just then, Garrot laughed, interrupting their conversation.
"An Earth Tier Warrior and a Level 3 Mage, and the Baron killed them without a second thought. Truly the son of Carter! Such boldness!"
They all understood. With the Broken Wave Gang and the Holy Hand Association gone from Black Forest Island, there was now only one person in charge: the island’s master, the Baron.
Initially, Garrot had looked down on Duane. He was young, ostracized, and surely possessed no real ability.
But now, his opinion had changed.
To seize complete control of Black Forest Island in less than a year meant one of two things: either this young man was extraordinary, or he had powerful experts in his service.
Therefore, this business deal could only be negotiated with the Baron standing before them. Bringing up the past was now pointless.
"Baron, as you can surely see, I have brought a total of eleven ships this time."
He gestured toward the sea, steering the conversation toward trade.
"My purpose in coming is to ship out as many goods from you as possible. Oak, iron ore, silk, linen, grain, leather, Demon Beast Meat, livestock—you name it. If you’re selling it, I’m buying!"
He leaned in closer and said in a low voice, "And people. I’ll take them, too."
Duane raised an eyebrow. The man wanted a wide variety of goods indeed.
Supplies and livestock were understandable, but buying people was unexpected.
After all, people from the Starfall Islands had been here many times before. If they were short on manpower, they would have started buying people long ago, not waited until now.
"What’s happened? Has something changed in Viscount Freddy’s domain?"
’A Viscount’s Territory that has been established for years, one that has traded with Black Forest Island for just as long without ever buying people, wouldn’t suddenly start purchasing population for no reason.’
’Either something has happened in the Viscount’s Territory, causing a labor shortage, or they’re preparing for some major upheaval on the horizon.’
In Duane’s estimation, the latter possibility was less likely.
Hearing the Baron’s question, Garrot was inwardly amazed at the young man’s sharp mind. ’He really can’t be underestimated,’ he thought, sighing heavily.
He had no intention of concealing the truth. "To be frank, it’s because of the Secret Realm!"