The Bard is Fantasizing Again

Although a lion's facial expressions would be concealed by its beast-like features, making them less rich and varied, Melade could still discern that this Public Lord's mood wasn't exactly cheerful when he departed.

Just as he was about to wonder why the other party frequented the mansion so often, he heard his father's interrogation:

"You're saying that Huss led the mercenaries deep into the forest ahead of time and diverted the orcs in another direction, which gave you all a chance to escape?"

"Y-yes."

Melade felt that perhaps his father didn't love him.

The only reason he cultivated him was because he was the only son born to him, and he had to shoulder the family's responsibilities.

So when facing his older and younger sisters, he could display a gentle demeanor, even allowing them to ride on his shoulders.

But when facing him, he always had a stern expression, meticulously counting his shortcomings and mistakes—

"Why do you treat me differently? Why are your expectations of me always so high? What exactly have I done to disappoint you?"

Arguments between father and son were inevitable.

"Because they will all marry into other noble families in the future. Giving them a happy childhood is the only thing I can do. But you're different—you're the family's only heir. I must be strict with you, to prevent the family from being ruined in your hands!"

"Actually, I could also marry—"

"Damn it—where's the belt!? Bring me my belt!"

Although the fat on his buttocks helped him withstand most of the whipping, ultimately causing only some minor external injuries, from that day forward, he never dared tell his father what was in his heart again.

More precisely, he no longer dared to speak with his father at all.

Now, being asked to deceive his father was somewhat difficult for him—

But fortunately, the lie Tang Qi had woven for him was fairly logical.

Huss's loyalty was also beyond question:

"That does sound like something he would do. The only thing I didn't expect was that those mercenaries who only care about money would actually agree to his plan?"

"Because—because Mr. Huss deceived them—yes, exactly. These mercenaries only care about money. After hearing they'd receive generous rewards, they followed along with the plan..."

Since he was merely reciting Tang Qi's explanation, Melade spoke haltingly.

"What about Black Snake and Stonecrusher? I paid a hefty price to hire those two."

"Black Snake went with Steward Huss. The dwarf and that poet gentleman were responsible for escorting the refugees and me..."

"No, you can't say it like that."

Merle shook his head.

"You need to remember—'you formulated the plan and led everyone to escape from the orcs' iron hooves.' It has nothing—not half a copper coin's worth—to do with any dwarf or poet."

"Why?"

"Listen, child. This is the best opportunity to make a name for our family—for you. Since the loss of the territory is inevitable, we must utilize it and turn the loss into gain—

I want those who mock our family to know that the Barryes are not just farmers who grow starberries!"

"But..."

Melade remembered that Tang Qi had also mentioned the topic of 'making a name.'

"But that wandering poet who traveled with me seems to have already written down everything that happened along the way."

"That's just perfect. Give him some money and have him write you as the story's protagonist. It'll save me from hiring several wandering poets to sing of your achievements. Where is he now?"

"At Dragon's Tail Pass. Because of the Martial Law Order, they only allowed the dwarf and me to enter the gates."

"Then we'll wait until after the Martial Law Order ends."

Merle's mood finally brightened somewhat.

"As for the territory's losses... it's nothing more than a year's harvest. If we can use this to expand our influence, gain support, and secure a Masked Lord's seat—or even just have you marry a young lady of lofty status—like Wendy of the Silver Shield family, since she's declared she'll only marry someone whose courage exceeds her own—it would all benefit the entire family.

'Use the right method, and even rotten cheese can sell well.'

My child, remember this saying. Sometimes, if you consider things from a different angle, bad things can become good things."

Although Melade had never thought blue cheese tasted particularly good, he still didn't dare interrupt his father's fantasizing.

Only after his father finished his lecture did he hesitantly ask:

"Then—what about the refugees from Starberry Town? How should they be settled?"

"Settle them? What for?"

"After all, they're our subjects..."

"They arbitrarily abandoned their duties and left the territory. Not pursuing their responsibility is already merciful. Do I also have to manage every single one of their lodging and expenses?"

"But—"

But he still owed Tang Qi money, and he would spread that secret throughout all of Longgold City!

He couldn't say these words aloud:

"What if they can't hold out until returning to the territory, or don't want to go back?"

"Just find some people in the slums or orphanages who are so poor they can't even lift their pot lids and fill in the positions. How do you think all these current subjects came to be? Growing starberries doesn't require any special skills. If they won't plant them, there are plenty of people who will!"

Merle sighed, feeling that the foolish son before him was too stupid and had much yet to learn.

"All right, stop being an eyesore in front of me. Tomorrow evening I'll host a ball and tell everyone about your exploits. Now go take a bath and change your clothes—look at how much you reek!"

"I..."

"Hurry up and go!"

Seeing his father getting angry, Melade didn't dare say anything more. He nodded and, like a charging wild boar, fled as if escaping.

Only then did Merle's rigid expression relax:

"Good, good. Coming back is what matters. I really couldn't bear to sell off that money tree—

Ha, the Council and that big cat must be quite furious right now, shouldn't they?"

...

"Achoo!"

A lion's voice was naturally deep and resonant, which made Leon Lionheart's sneeze sound more like a roar, startling everyone seated in the Dragon Council Hall.

"Hey, don't be so angry. It's just one little white pig that got in, isn't it?"

A deliberately processed, androgynous voice came from beneath a thick, voluminous white robe. The face beneath the hood was covered by a golden mask.

There were nineteen such people before him in total, encompassing every representative figure from each district of Longgold City.

Of course, they wouldn't actually be sitting at that broad round table. Their forms were now somewhat illusory, like shadows condensed from smoke:

"At worst, we'll let those orcs live a bit longer. As time drags on, that 'old white pig who grows starberries' will become restless on his own."

"'Starberries' are a money tree that makes people envious. Of course he won't give up easily."

"If it weren't so valuable, I couldn't even understand why we must push forward with the Public Land System."

"Actually, I didn't even expect he'd be willing to sign a contract for his son's sake. After all, he's still young—at worst, he could just have another one?"

"Maybe his health isn't so good? Otherwise, why would he have only produced one son?"

"If he wants to stand firm again, he'll probably have to find a druid in Sandalwood Grove to cast Oak Staff on his stick."

"Enough!"

Leon slammed his fist on the round table, causing the entire Dragon Council Hall to tremble.

"Keep these vulgar jokes for private conversation. This isn't the Port District or the Commercial District!"

The two previously mocking voices ceased.

They didn't dare provoke this Oathbreaker.

After all, while the citizens speculated about the Masked Lords' identities, the lords themselves all knew each other perfectly well.

They truly feared being hunted down by a lion:

"Don't get so worked up, Lord. Isn't there still one lord who hasn't taken their seat? I thought the meeting hadn't started yet."

"She won't be coming." Leon's voice was heavy.

"Why not?"

"Probably because she overslept researching those 'dungeon mushrooms.'"

One lord couldn't help but speak up:

"I've always been curious—what qualifies someone who's often late and invisible for half a year to participate in Council discussions? With or without her, isn't it all the same?"

"That's not what we're here to discuss today."

Leon snorted coldly, sweeping his gaze across all nineteen Masked Lords present.

"Now, we're only voting on the resolution regarding 'how the orcs at Starberry Town should be dealt with.'"

"Of course we keep dragging it out—I've had my eye on 'starberries,' something that can bring a hundredfold profit, for ages. You expect me to watch that old white pig stuff sacks with gold coins every year? That's more painful than killing me!"

The lord representing the Commercial District raised their hand without hesitation.

"But this crop is worthless once it leaves the unique soil near Starberry Town. I don't think it's worth going to such great lengths, with the cost of keeping a batch of dangerous orcs."

A proposal couldn't have only supporters; immediately someone raised objections.

The others also fell into discussion:

"Didn't they say those mushrooms are excellent alchemical materials that can adapt to and transform any soil environment? Once we extract enough fungi from the deep wells, none of this will be a problem."

"Currently, news of the orcs hasn't spread to the entire Lord's Alliance. If we drag this out for too long, it could even impact Longgold City's reputation."

"After we get the land, just steamroll them, won't that work? Then we won't have to leak information to them anymore."

"But orcs don't exactly reproduce slowly..."

Amid the cacophony of discussion, each person made their choice.

Leon counted the lords' votes, only to discover both sides were exactly even.

So he spoke heavily:

"Given someone's absence, I will not participate in this vote, to prevent a tie. Now then, the final person—"

Everyone's gaze fell simultaneously on the lord who, from beginning to end, hadn't expressed a single opinion.

He was so silent that he seemed not to exist at all:

"The soil-improving mushrooms come from the dungeon, and this can promote the entire Deep Well District's development. I have no reason to refuse."

As he raised his hand to vote, it also meant this meeting was coming to a close.

Leon said:

"Then we'll temporarily spare those orcs' lives until Merle Barrye relents. Meeting adjourned!"