Chapter 19: The Baronet’s Plans
Atop the castle wall, in the very spot where Arthur had once stood, Edgar, Duncan, and a few others now stood, watching Arthur and his entourage as they headed into the forest. Their faces were grim, unable to hide their growing discontent.
After a long silence, the old treasurer sighed.
"That arrogant child is going to bankrupt us. We can't afford to feed all these people with such extravagance, as he demands."
Due to the rich diet Arthur's recruits were being fed, the castle soldiers had to go out regularly to hunt magic beasts. The castle cooks were also using ingredients like wheat, salt, honey, and eggs in large quantities, rapidly depleting the castle's stores. If things continued like this, their supplies would run out within two months at most, forcing them to dip into their emergency reserves.
"Damn that fool. What's the point of all this? I can understand training a few young men to satisfy his power-hungry delusions, but he's training the girls too—what utter nonsense."
The captain of the guard growled with irritation. He was a man in his forties, bald-headed, with a rough, hardened face and a small scar on his cheek.
"Calm down. I understand your frustration, but there's little we can do," Edgar sighed, showing his helplessness. He had been observing Arthur for days, trying to discern the reason behind his actions, but he couldn't make sense of anything. On the contrary, he found himself intrigued—curious about the young man's techniques and methods. The cleanliness and pleasant scent of Arthur's recruits made everyone in the castle envy them.
The once-filthy village girls under his banner had turned into beautiful young women who outshone even Edgar's own harem—but he didn't dare approach any of them, afraid of Arthur.
the Baronet Edgar's wife had died a few years ago due to illness, leaving him free to do as he pleased.
"I won't lie. That spoiled brat's methods are fascinating. Not to mention, the soap and hair wash he makes are truly incredible. I didn't know high-ranking nobles had such impressive hygiene techniques."
"Yes, I agree," the others nodded. They had secretly taken a few bars of the soap and tried them, becoming literally addicted. Were it not for their fear of Arthur, they would have confiscated every last bar of soap and bottle of shampoo from the recruits.