Chapter 297 297-Diplomatic Envoy
The next day, Margaret and Howard strolled through the garden.
Margaret mentioned that Anna hadn't been visiting Fernsouth Castle much lately, staying instead in her own domain.
Howard shrugged his shoulders, implying that a lord cannot command where their vassals reside during peacetime.
Margaret clarified that she didn't mean for Howard to order Anna around, but recently she had been feeling a bit strange and lonely.
She worried if she had been too harsh in forcing Anna to seek alliances with the Katerina and Valuva families, fearing Anna might hold a grudge against her.
Howard wasn't entirely sure himself but tried to reassure Margaret, saying, "Don't worry, Anna won't take it to heart." They reached a small pavilion and sat down on stone benches.
Howard reflected on how the environment here was far better than in Safa Village, making him realize the hardships of his childhood.
Margaret then brought up Kaido, inquiring about his recent situation.
10:46
Margaret then brought up Kaido, inquiring about his recent situation.
The mention of Kaido made Howard tense and concerned about the unfolding events.
"Last I recall, Kaido's knight squire had imprisoned him, claiming he needed to teach Kaido a lesson," Howard said.
"I haven't followed up on that matter since. Now that you mention it, it does seem odd. It's been quite a few days; why hasn't Kaido been released yet?" Margaret, not fully understanding the situation, made some casual remarks, though she had always been rather indifferent towards Kaido.
That afternoon, Howard instructed Bosiden to send someone to Windhaven Village to check on Kaido's situation.
He wanted to know whether Golan was planning a usurpation or intending to release Kaido, and he expected a clear response.
The next day, Bosiden reported that the turmoil in Windhaven Village had subsided.
Golan had disciplined Kaido and subsequently released him.
Howard, aiming at a target in the archery range, remarked, "Well, as long as he's unharmed, that's good. Windhaven Village seems to have returned to normal." Having aimed carefully, he released an arrow that struck the bullseye, eliciting cheers from the conscript soldiers training alongside him.
Bosiden spoke softly, "However, after releasing Kaido, he dismissed Golan." Howard, visibly shocked, exaggeratedly exclaimed, "What?" Bosiden continued with some difficulty, "The situation indeed took some twists, but in the end, Golan no longer wishes to serve as Kaido's knight squire and is seeking a position with another noble."
Howard stroked his upper lip thoughtfully, "Invite him over, let him be my knight squire." Bosiden added another piece of news, "Also, Kaido wants Lady Flandre to return." Howard, already aware of the incident where Kaido had attempted to strike someone during his conversations with Flandre, responded coldly, "Leave him be for now, just let it sit."
Bosiden nodded and began to walk away, but Howard called out to him from a distance, "But tell him that he must pay his feudal taxes in full every month, or he shouldn't expect me to be lenient."
Five days later, on a bright and sunny morning, Fernsouth Castle officially commenced its conscription ceremony.
Lines of people queued outside the castle, waiting for the call of the nobles.
Bosiden stood at the castle gate, responsible for allowing entry when the time came.
Upon being informed by one of his trusted aides that everything was coordinated and ready, Bosiden commanded the soldiers to open the castle doors.
The number of applicants was overwhelming, enticed by the offer of twelve silver coins and a house in Nok.
Many in Fernsouth, who were struggling, saw this opportunity as a life-changing event.
Success would mean a substantial sum of money and a house allocated by the lord, significantly elevating their living standards.
Others, leading average lives in Fernsouth, viewed this as a chance to break through their current stagnation, hoping to find a pathway to upward mobility.
Even some who were relatively well-off in Fernsouth came to participate in the selection at Fernsouth Castle, tempted by the lord's generous offer.
With Anna absent, Howard sat at a distance, observing.
Resarite, assisted by Portia and Vettel, commenced the conscription ceremony.
Margaret had a stool brought over and sat beside Howard, both observing the event.
The crowd began to move forward slowly, with Bosiden and his soldiers maintaining order.
Gradually, some were accepted and others rejected.
Howard refrained from voicing any opinions, trusting Resarite's judgment.
Portia and Vettel, too, remained mostly silent, their presence not much different from mere observers.
As noon arrived, the conscription ceremony came to an end.
The newly enlisted individuals would bring their families and dependents, with Fernsouth Castle's soldiers ensuring their safety en route to Nok.
Howard instructed Bosiden to ensure adequate preparation of food and clean water for the journey, and to have medical teams ready along the way to attend to any emergencies.
About ten days later, the operation was successfully completed, and Howard felt a sense of satisfaction reviewing the report handed to him by Bosiden.
The envoy from Mibo had arrived, his son Ivan.
Upon seeing Ivan, Howard grabbed him by the collar, feigning an intention to hit him.
Ivan, looking aggrieved, said, "Howard, I know what my father did was wrong, but there's no need for violence. We've fought on the battlefield before, and we were evenly matched. Why resort to this here?"
Howard had no real intention of violence.
In the past weeks, he had studied diplomacy and international relations in the library, gaining a deeper understanding.
His aggressive posture was a calculated move to make a statement to Mibo's envoy, asserting his position since Mibo had been the one to breach their agreement.
There was no need for Howard to humble himself.
Releasing Ivan's collar, Howard looked down at him and said, "So, you're the envoy sent by Mibo? What kind of schemes and plots does that old fox have this time?" Ivan bowed to Howard as an apology.
Howard responded, "Good, now hand over the title of Baron Gokasu, and I'll consider this matter resolved."
Ivan, in a difficult position, explained that it was his father and uncle's decision, and he had no authority over it.
Howard scoffed coldly at Ivan, indicating that the words of Mibo's envoy amounted to nothing but empty talk.
Without presenting a tangible title, the injustice Howard suffered would remain unaddressed, and he would not forgive Mibo.
Ivan retorted, "Don't blame me or my father. This whole affair was orchestrated by my uncle, who persuaded my father to betray you. If you must blame someone, blame him."
Unable to contain himself, Howard burst into laughter, viewing Ivan more as a jester than an envoy.
"Are you jesting? As a warlord, you allowed an ally to dictate the terms of your war's resolution? Do you think such a warlord bears no responsibility? Don't take me for a naive fool. I've done my research these past days."
"In your role as the warlord, the decision to strip or retain Hof's title was entirely yours to make at the moment. Don't use your ally as an excuse."
"If you had chosen not to strip Hof of his title and instead imprisoned him, even if your ally's relative was furious, they couldn't have made that decision for you."
"Therefore, this entire debacle is solely your fault. You couldn't resist temptation and heeded wicked counsel – isn't that your own doing?"
Ivan, aware of the reality but committed to his role as a diplomat, repeated his earlier statements with the practiced tone of an envoy, then added, "Lord Howard, although we of the Gokasu are mere barons, our military strength is not insignificant. Do you know why that is?"
Howard settled into a chair and signaled Nora to command the maids to pour tea for them.
Ivan took the opportunity to sit down, offering Howard a smile, which Howard did not return.
"Why is that? Are you testing my intelligence gathering?" Howard inquired.
"Take a guess," Ivan prompted.
Howard scoffed, "You really think I'm unaware? Your father has consolidated many knightly titles. Despite holding an excessive number, which is beyond the norm, he refuses to distribute any to create new knights."
Ivan nodded, "Yes, I've advised him against this, but he won't listen."
As the maids served the tea, Ivan pointed to his cup and said to one of them, "Add some sugar, please. I have a sweet tooth." The maid glanced at Howard, who gave a slight nod, signaling her to comply.
Howard then asked Ivan, "You've advised him? And how exactly did you do that? Did you suggest your father award some of the surplus titles to you?"
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