Albert was startled and flinched backward as he heard what Ethan had said. Hurriedly he spoke, "Young Master, we can send someone else. You don't have to go."
Ethan squinted his eyes and said, "No, this must be resolved as soon as possible. I will go myself."
Instantly, Albert retorted, "It will be dangerous. There still might be enemies targeting you."
"I have said this many times now and I do not wish to repeat it. Simply because someone wants to kill me, I cannot stop living my life. If you're that worried, then prepare for better security. Understand?" Ethan said bluntly as he then began leaving the room.
Albert sighed and followed Ethan as he said, "As you wish. I will also join you."
Ethan suddenly stopped in his tracks and said, "You know you can't do that. You will stay here and keep watch over the city. Someone experienced needs to be here. I can handle the rest."
Albert's brows twitched as he fell into contemplation. He didn't want to let Ethan go out in their midst of danger but he knew that Ethan wouldn't listen.
"Young Master," Albert called out.
Ethan stopped as he looked back and uttered, "What?"
"I have no authority to stop you. However, I do have a suggestion." Albert said as he bowed humbly.
Hearing this, Ethan maintained his poker face and asked plainly, "I'm all ears."
Albert smiled and said, "Young Master, winter will be over soon. I request that you leave when it's over. Until then, we can gather all information about the bandit groups and prepare for the expedition."
Hearing this, Ethan cooled down and realized that he was truly a bit too hasty. An expedition would obviously take a lot of preparation and planning. His expression softened and he said, "Fine, send our secret agents and gather as much intel as possible. Ask the merchant association for help, I imagine they'd be delighted to get rid of the banditry issue."
Albert seemed surprised as he said, "You know about the secret agents?"
Ethan laughed and said, "Of course, how else would father have known that Anicia had the Blessing of Light? A family such as this is bound to have secret strength. Isn't it time I'm introduced to this mysterious force?"
Albert thought for a moment and said, "Yes, It's time you get introduced to our family's true strength."
"Hmm… Anyways, prepare covertly. The news shall break when we leave the city only. I don't want the bandits to catch a smoke of their deaths."
Albert appreciated Ethan's confidence very much but he was still very unsure of his safety and so he said, "Shall I have your personal knights brought back from the slums?"
Ethan's eyes suddenly broadened as if he remembered about them just now. Clapping his hands, Ethan said, "Right! How are they doing?"
Albert chuckled mischievously and said, "They are bored and miserable. The slums aren't exactly the most comfortable of places."
"Hahaha!" Ethan laughed and then said, "Right, have them brought back when we leave. Send someone else in their place."
Albert suddenly hesitated but then making up his mind, he said, "Young Master, should I inform Lady Aisha or…"
Ethan interrupted and said, "I will go now and tell her myself. You can inform Ronan, I will be taking him with me."
After saying this, Ethan left the training room and returned to his bedroom. He then took a bath and wore new clothes, after having some breakfast and tea, he left the castle and boarded his carriage, returning to the mansion.
***
In the mansion, Naenna, Aisha, Aria, and Luceryc were together in the dining room doing their morning breakfast. While Aisha and Naenna were eating, Aria simply stood at the side, serving them.
Suddenly, a slight clamor rose from outside as Ethan entered the dining room. Seeing him, everyone's face was elated. But then instantly, Aisha harrumphed and said resentfully, "So you finally remember your mother now?"
Ethan took a seat beside Aisha and smiled bitterly as he replied, "Mother, don't be like this. I am really busy."
Aisha turned her head in protest and Naenna nodded to Ethan as if agreeing with him.
Ethan knew that Aisha wasn't actually resentful and she was just acting like this because he hadn't visited in a while. However, he was sure that she would get upset about what he was about to say.
Since he had to say this sooner or later, Ethan stopped hesitating as he clasped Aisha's hand and spoke while looking into her eyes solemnly, "Mother, I need to speak to you."
Aisha raised her brows in surprise and blurted casually, "What is it?"
Ethan drew a long breath and then sighed as Aisha realized that he truly had something important to say. Naenna and Luce both also perked up their ears to listen.
Finally, Ethan began speaking as he first told Aisha about the banditry incidents that were happening recently. Then he went on to explain how the large stock of soap was wasted due to the bandits.
After he explained the situation, Aisha said, "That's horrible! It's strange because the nobles of the Duchy should have dealt with these bandits long ago."
"What do you mean?"
"The troublesome problem of the bandits is not recent. It is an old issue that keeps resurfacing over periods. The nobles who are near the trade routes are most affected by this plundering so they should have done something or should have asked for our help earlier." Aisha said with a doubtful tone.
"The bandits have become active a few months ago, could it be that the nobles are still working out a solution and didn't think it was appropriate to ask for assistance?* Ethan asked.
Aisha became silent as she thought deeply. Then a few moments later she sighed and said, "It's very possible. But we can't be sure."
As Aisha said this, everyone got silent once again simply thinking about the situation. Suddenly, Aisha woke up from her daze and looked at Ethan with a peering gaze as she asked, "What happened? Did you come here just to tell me this?"
Ethan smiled awkwardly and said, "No, I believe this cannot be tolerated any longer. First, only the merchants were suffering but now even the civilians are being harassed."
Aisha nodded in agreement as she did not think that Ethan had plans to hunt down the bandits with an expedition. And so she asked, "What can we do?"
As Aisha asked this, Ethan caught the opportunity and said with a stern voice that reverberated in the hall, "We hunt them down! What else? Mother, I have called for an expedition that will leave in due time."
Aisha was satisfied by this agreement and she still didn't think that Ethan wanted to go along with the expedition and so she praised unreservedly, "Good judgment! It is our responsibility to keep the civilians safe from such people."
"Mother… I will go on the expedition as, well." Ethan said seriously.
Aisha was suddenly taken aback hearing this. Her first reaction was to reject this idea completely but somehow she couldn't utter any words of retort.
In the end, she fell silent and once again began thinking. After a moment, she said with a regretful expression, "Must you go? I think it should be fine if we simply send someone else in command."
Ethan shook his head and said, "I must go, I believe these bandits aren't so simple. Anyhow, I need a real experience of the battlefield."
Suddenly, Naenna exclaimed, "Then what about the company?"
Ethan turned his head toward Naenna and said, "It will function as always. Your duty will be to keep an eye on things. Although I don't believe that Gerrick will betray us, but we should keep an eye on him nonetheless." freewebnov(e)l
At this moment, Aisha finally spoke, "I understand your worries, Ethan… But… it may be dangerous."
Ethan smiled reassuringly and said, "Don't worry mother, nothing will happen to me. I will not step away from the bodyguards for a second."
Aisha sighed and reluctantly nodded her head in agreement as she caressed her son's face.
Feeling his face that had changed so much, Aisha realized how much Ethan had grown and changed. She was happy that Ethan was so capable but this also sowed anxiety in her heart.
"I will come as well." Out of nowhere, Luce spoke abruptly, surprising everyone.
Everyone's heads turned to Luce who was staring at Ethan with an emotionless expression on his face.
Aisha did not say anything as she wanted Luce to do whatever he wanted. There was nothing else she could do for him. Since Ethan was in charge of the expedition, she simply decided to see what Ethan would choose.
Surprisingly, Ethan just thought for a moment in a daze and then agreed right away. Following Luce's example, Naenna also wanted to ask to go with them but she knew that they weren't going on a picnic. So she decided to choose the luxury and comfort of home.
Since the work was done, Ethan smiled and took his leave as he went to his room.
Soon enough, the preparations for an expedition began in secret. The secret agents were sent out to gather information, a messenger was sent to the merchant association, and a secret message was sent to the White Family's army camp urging them to begin the preparations.
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