Chapter 135: Avoiding a Meeting
The magnificent main keep of Sea Cliff Castle stood deep within the fortress.
The current Count, Kais Kennedy, stood by the window, gazing at the waves in the distance as they rose and fell, continuously crashing against the cliffs.
Watching the sea was a habit he had developed over many years. The sight of the waves shattering against the shore brought him a sense of peace.
The Kennedy Clan was like these churning waves—seemingly turbulent and powerful, yet if they crashed against an indestructible shore, they would still break apart and crumble.
Compared to other High Lords or even Grand Lords, the Kennedy Earl’s Territory possessed no Secret Realms, especially not the Elemental Secret Realms that helped Celestial Tier Warriors break through to the Shooting Star Level.
Because of this, the Kennedy Clan struggled to attract powerful outsiders to their cause and could only cultivate their own talent.
Fortunately, however, they had accumulated enough wealth over the years through their superior shipbuilding techniques, allowing the Kennedy Clan to maintain the status and position befitting a High Lord within the Pruck Kingdom.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK~
The knock on the door pulled Count Kais from his thoughts.
"Enter!"
His voice was steady and deep, full of vigor.
The door was pushed open, and the castle steward, Moer, walked in.
He wore a black long robe, and the metal-adorned belt he wore with it gave him a particularly solemn appearance.
Both his robe and the soft cap on his head were embroidered with the Kennedy Clan’s sail crest.
The steward walked up to the Count and bowed slightly. "My Lord, the Guards brought a calling card. They say Baron Duane of Black Forest Island requests a meeting with you."
As he spoke, he presented the calling card.
"Duane?"
Kais searched his memory. He couldn’t recall Duane’s face, nor did he remember ever having any dealings with him.
He did, however, know of the Brian Clan, and he had met the exceptionally talented Celestial Tier Warrior, Carter, a few times.
But after Carter’s death, the Brian Family suffered a series of blows and had, for all intents and purposes, completely fallen from grace.
Kais took the calling card, returned to the sofa, and sat down to read it.
"The handwriting isn’t bad."
He quickly skimmed through it. The beginning was filled with words of praise for the Kennedy Clan, while the latter part mentioned a desire to meet with him to learn about territory governance and also to discuss the possibility of cooperation in certain areas.
Kais commented, "The writing is decent as well. This Duane at least has some refinement in his attitude and culture, unlike his pitiful strength."
After speaking, he placed the calling card aside and pondered for a moment.
"Where is George?"
George Kennedy was his eldest son. As the family’s heir, Kais had entrusted many matters to George’s management.
The steward maintained his bow. "It is currently the autumn harvest. Lord George has gone to inspect several of the towns below."
Kais nodded, then asked, "And what about Natalia?"
"Miss Natalia’s family lessons for the year have concluded, and her Magic Classes are also on break for a while. She will likely be traveling for a bit, but her specific itinerary probably hasn’t been set yet."
"Then have Natalia meet with Duane in my stead."
"Yes!"
The steward acknowledged the order but then hesitated for a moment.
"My Lord, is it truly appropriate for Miss Natalia to meet with Duane? Might the outside world misunderstand...?"
"If it were any other new Baron, your concerns would not be without reason. But Duane is the Baron of Black Forest Island, and he has been plotted against by other High Lords. A Baron like that not only lacks power and status but is also constantly surrounded by risk."
Kais shook his head as he spoke.
Black Forest Island might have some resources, but to an Earl Clan, it’s a drop in the ocean. Whether they cooperate or not is inconsequential.
"This is just an informal meeting. I’m having Natalia see him purely as a matter of social etiquette."
If Kais were to readily grant an audience to a forlorn Baron who had been jointly plotted against by multiple lords, led by the High Lord Earl Orlando, it might stir up some gossip.
It wasn’t that Kais cared what effect this gossip would have on him; he simply didn’t want to get involved in a vortex of interests that had already settled.
"You are right, my Lord!"
The steward, looking as though he had been taught a valuable lesson, said, "I will inform Miss Natalia at once and have her prepare for tomorrow’s meeting."
"Mm. And remember to tell her, if Duane wants financial support, just gift him one or two hundred Gold Coins. If he proposes any sort of cooperative project, find a suitable reason to decline."
"Understood!"
Only then did Moer bow and withdraw.
Kais glanced at the calling card by his side, then put it away in a drawer of his bookshelf.
He rarely participated in such social meetings to begin with, let alone with an ordinary Lord like Duane, who was in such an awkward position.
As evening fell, Michele arrived at the inn, led by Benur.
"My Lord, Count Kais is not currently at the castle, and his eldest son has also gone to other towns. However, you may still visit tomorrow. When you do, Miss Natalia, the Count’s daughter, will meet with you at Sea Cliff Castle."
Duane grunted softly, his brow furrowing slightly.
’It’s a bit of a coincidence that the Count won’t be there when I visit.’
’But as the greatest noble in Grant Province, Kais surely has many matters to attend to.’
’It’s entirely possible that he isn’t at the castle.’
Duane couldn’t tell if the Count was intentionally avoiding him, but since the Count’s daughter was willing to see him, he couldn’t change his plans to visit.
After all, Natalia was representing Count Kais. If he heard that she would be receiving him and decided not to go, it would not only be a slight to her but would also brand him as a discourteous noble.
’Looks like striking a business deal or cooperation is out of the question now.’
Duane pursed his lips, but this wouldn’t stop him from delivering his gift.
"Michele, Benur, the two of you, go to the ship and bring over the things I’ve prepared. Bathe here tonight, change into a fresh set of clothes, and accompany me to Sea Cliff Castle tomorrow."
Both men were very excited.
The Count’s Castle—it wasn’t a place one could just enter at will. They hadn’t expected the Baron to have them accompany him.
But on second thought, they understood. Camp Commander Raymond needed to guard Garrot.
That Earth Tier Warrior couldn’t be allowed to escape.
Early the next morning, after having breakfast at the inn, Duane’s party of three rented a luxurious carriage and set off for Sea Cliff Castle with their gifts.
On the way, Michele, who was driving the carriage up front, spoke of how awestruck he was by Sea Cliff Castle, while also imagining if Black Forest Island might one day have such a castle of its own.
When Duane arrived below Sea Cliff Castle, he looked up and was truly struck by the sight of the fortress perched on the cliff.
He couldn’t imagine how long such a grand undertaking must have taken, nor how much manpower and resources it must have consumed.
The Kennedy Clan had existed for over a hundred years, a fact that was plain to see from this castle alone.
The Guards had long since been notified. To make the reception more formal, two extra squads of men had been posted at the castle gates.
Duane looked over. These men wore uniform Light Armor, carried Swords and spears, and their faces were completely covered by Helmets, leaving only their eyes to observe the outside world, revealing no expression.
But he could tell that these were all well-trained soldiers.
"Your Excellency the Baron, I am the castle’s Guard Captain. Miss Natalia has been waiting for quite some time. Please, follow me!"
Duane replied with a smile, "Of course. Please lead the way."
As the carriage slowly made its way up the mountain, the Guards began to murmur among themselves.
"That carriage looks like it was rented from the harbor. Doesn’t Baron Duane even have his own?"
"Haha, he’s the Lord of an island. It’s more convenient to rent a carriage here than to ship one over on a cargo vessel."
"Say, why do you think the Count isn’t seeing him, even though he’s in the castle?"
"What a stupid question! What other reason could there be? It can only be that Baron Duane isn’t worthy of meeting the Count!"
"Shh, you can’t just say things like that!"
Someone quickly reminded them, "Don’t you guys forget, the Count isn’t in the castle! If the Captain finds out later that you’ve been spouting nonsense, watch out or you’ll be beaten and kicked out!"
"Right, right..."
The group quickly shut their mouths, no longer discussing the matter.