Chapter 257 – Gratitude
#257.
When Gaon first bought this building, he deliberately set the door to make a sound so that he would be aware of the presence of intruders.
Of course, it is enough to know that the door has been opened moderately, not to the extent that it hurts the ears or is unpleasant.
But there was only one exception there. Needless to say, it was, of course, the reception room.
When I opened the door and went inside, I saw an interior decorated with a neat and luxurious interior.
There were two women on the central sofa, but Gaon’s gaze was on the younger one.
‘Aris Kielune.’
The long, glossy blonde hair was dazzling, and the dark blue eyes naturally stimulated the protective instinct.
Her youthful appearance and, on the contrary, her voluminous body, which had not taken off her girlishness, had the charm of both.
She looked nervously at her watch and at the door, and when Gaon appeared, her eyes twinkled and shouted.
“Brother Gaon!”
“Lady Aris. Long time no see.”
Gaon said, “Honestly, the moment we met, she was glad to see her.” However, Aris maintained her composure as she grew up, perhaps imprinting on her demeanor as a noblewoman.
Of course, her instincts can’t help but shake her hips as if they’re about to jump out.
Gaon quickly settled down on the sofa across from her.
“Is it two years? I almost didn’t know.”
Time is a truly amazing resource. To the extent that there was something heavy on her chest that reminded her of a sheer cliff that she would never kneel down anywhere.
Aris grinned as Gaon appropriately cut her inner feelings and spoke her thoughts.
“Really? I hear a lot these days that she has become pretty. Are there a lot of marriage applications coming in? What does her brother look like? Have I become pretty?”
“Yes. You are definitely beautiful. You have grown a lot.”
“Hee hee, thank you!”
There was nothing different from two years ago when he smiled and laughed at the praise. It was only natural that it would take a relatively short time for his innate nature to change.
Gaon greeted the female knight standing behind Aris this time.
“Nice to meet you too, Lord Lijenny. You’ve made progress in the meantime.”
“… Thank you However, it is not a big deal compared to the achievements of Hyu Ongyeong. Some time ago he was active in the Northmond estate. The nickname ‘Black Storm’ is already famous throughout the Empire.”
“… Okay. By the way, I don’t like nicknames, so please call me by my first name as before.”
“Yes? Ah yes. I will.”
She tilted her head at Gaon’s reaction, as if the nickname ‘black storm’ didn’t feel so strange to her sensibilities.
Gaon tried to divert her topic while ignoring Jenny Lee.
“But, Lady Aris. May I ask her what happened to her?”
“Ah… , Is it obvious?”
“Because there was no reason for her to come back after two years. Do you feel comfortable talking? She has not forgotten what her viscount had done before.”
“… Thanks for saying that. Then I will explain.”
Aris, who had been smiling brightly, hardened her face seriously and continued her explanation.
“If you go over a small mountain to the north from Kielun Territory, there is Count Laprien. Normally, there were only very small exchanges, and there were no problems with each other, but the situation changed as a rift opened in the vicinity a while ago.”
“Hmm… It seems that the economic value of that rift is very high.”
“That’s right. To be precise, the topography changed as a result of cracks, and veins gushed out, and Orichalcum was discovered there.”
Only then did Gaon realize what was happening.
‘He’s claiming ownership.’
Judging from Aris’ expression, the mineral vein is closer to the Kielun territory or exists within it.
Normally, in this case, the county would have to give up, but the Orichalcum lode is a resource that can bring enormous wealth and power, so they are greedy.
As the Viscount Kielun, he had no choice but to be very nervous because he did not have the strength to face the Count.
‘I can’t tell you that.’
As soon as the news about the Orichalcum lode spreads outside, a large number of magnates, such as the count family, would not be able to intervene.
If that happens, the Viscount Kielun will only cause anger.
And in the end, Lord Kielun, driven to a dead end, chose to inform Gaon. It was probably an action he made out of the judgment that he was at least more trustworthy than the others.
Sending her beloved daughter directly must have been to show sincerity by showing such trust.
Gaon opened his mouth as he finished his rough calculations.
“How did you come out of the count family?”
“… I have suggested that the ownership of the vein be determined through a duel between the knights under his command. Of course, an oath of confidentiality is also required.”
“If it’s a duel, what kind of method?”
“It’s a 3:3 winner match. The winner continues to fight.”
In this format, even if there was only one knight who was definitely overwhelmingly strong, there was no choice but to win unconditionally.
If he became the head of the knights of the count family, he would have reached at least the level of 8 stars, so there was no way he could compete with the viscount family, who would end up as a 7 star knight at most.
But, on the other hand, it means that if you only find a knight who can defeat the captain, he can win the duel.
‘I don’t think there’s any particular problem.’
I don’t know if Viscount Kielun had heard the rumors in the Northmond estate, but it was a very wise decision to visit him.
I wouldn’t know if it was a duchy or marquess, but I was confident that I could destroy it alone even if it was only a count.
“The viscount’s request is probably that I participate in the duel. Is that correct?”
“It is as you say. His father wants his brother to help. He said he would definitely pay for it.”
“What kind of reward?”
“… He said he would give you half of the Orichalcum vein.”
It was an unprecedented reward, and at the same time a wise decision. If half of the stake is obtained, Gaon has no choice but to take the lead in protecting the Orichalcum lode.
Behind him is Lucipheon, so there is no need to worry too much even if information about the mineral vein leaks out.
Above all, since the shares are divided, you can be free from the threat of assassination.
I don’t know how big the Orichalcum vein will be, but if it was small, the Count’s family wouldn’t have noticed it.
At least, it means that the oricalcum buried there is enough to require considerable manpower.
Gaon accepted the offer without hesitation.
“I will join the duel. It would be foolish to give up this level of compensation.”
“Really? Wow-! Brother, thank you!”
Although she was a noblewoman who grew up in a greenhouse, she was not ignorant of the seriousness of work. When Gaon accepted the offer, Aris was overjoyed.
Even at any moment, she was about to jump over her table, but her sister, Jenny, hurriedly stopped her.
“Miss! Keep your body tight.”
“Joy! Did Lijenny just say that every day?”
“But you have to get her right. Now that you are of marriageable age, it would be rude to Gaon-gyeong if rumors spread.”
“How are you! If rumors spread, you can get married to your brother!”
“Miss!!”
Seeing Aris saying something absurd, Rizeny, horrified, scolded her loudly. She doesn’t carelessly say that, and since she nags her, he covers her ears and ignores her as if he’s used to it.
Then, when her eyes met, wouldn’t it be that she smiled and opened her mouth.
‘How is your brother? Marrying me?’
The flowery lady’s cheeky temptation was just enough to make Gaon laugh.
It is true that her appearance became more beautiful as she grew up, but her mental age was still immature, and to Gaon, she only looked like a child.
For Gaon, who is already entangled with so many women that she can’t handle, it’s not a very meritorious move to touch Aris.
After responding roughly with a shrug of her shoulders, Aris pursed her lips to express her displeasure.
A moment later, after Jenny’s nagging was over, Aris lowered her hand that was covering her ears.
“Ah… Ear Her eardrums almost burst because of her Lee Jennie.”
Jenny Lee frowned at her blaming others as she acted harshly. With this tomboy lady she serves, she never has a quiet day.
Lijenny said firmly.
“It’s because the lady said nonsense.”
“Why are you talking nonsense? What if she really marries my brother later?”
“Miss!”
“Ah Okay. Okay. Quiet, because we’re not done talking yet!”
Aris, who had been gently scraping Jenny’s insides, showed signs that her nagging would start again, so she drew Gaon in for no reason and cut off her words.
She even cleared her throat slightly.
“Ahem! Anyway, I’m relieved that my brother is participating in the duel. The duel is scheduled for 5 days. You can come to the viscount’s house the day before.”
“Then four days later.”
“Yes. That’s right. I will take care of all the preparations, so all you have to do is come.”
“All right. See you then. When will the young lady return?”
“Sorry, tomorrow. So, can you show me around the capital, even for today? It’s been a long time since I came here, so I was confused about the way. Hehe…”
It was clear from her awkward smile that it was a lie, but Gaon accepted her offer thinking it was a good thing since he had nothing to do anyway.
And, 4 days passed.
***
With one day left before the duel, Gaon took his party to visit Viscount Kielune.
When I went to the entrance, Viscount Kielun, who had been waiting for me beforehand, greeted me with a bright smile.
“Come on. It’s been a while. Thank you for accepting the offer.”
“That is a great word. Didn’t you promise to help the lord one day? Rather, I am grateful.”
“Haha! Then go straight to the banquet hall. Let’s have a slow talk while we eat.”
With Chorin and Hayeon at his sides, Gaon followed Youngju across the long hallway.
‘It’s the same here.’
Looking around, the luxurious and neat interior catches my eye. Compared to two years ago, a few paintings and decorations were added, but not much has changed.
After walking around the mansion looking around, I quickly arrived at the banquet hall.
“Sit down. Just wait a little bit and the food will come out.”
“Yes. All right. In the meantime, could you explain the duel?”
After taking her place, Viscount Kielun closed his eyes for a moment as if organizing his words in his head, stroked his chin, and then opened his mouth.
“You should have heard a rough explanation from Aris, so let’s skip the background. The most important thing is the duel. For now, the count’s knights will participate in the duel. Fortunately, it seems that we did not borrow power from the outside. Well, it’s only natural.”
“If we borrow external power, we will have to give up some of our rights to Orichalcum.”
“Right. Human greed is endless, and mistakes are repeated. Even Count Laprien can’t help it.”
Rather, it can be said that Viscount Kielun, who casually reported the situation and asked Gaon for help, was abnormal.
Of course, since the viscount was clearly inferior, he must have made a bold decision with the feeling of grabbing at least a dry straw, but that was a decision that ordinary people could not easily make.
The Viscount cleared his throat and continued.
“Chemm! Anyway, thanks to this, the variable has disappeared. However, the knight leader of Count Laprien’s family is at the level of 8 stars. I’m asking just in case, can you afford it?”
If you look closely at the event that caused the nickname “Black storm” To spread widely, it is calculated that the level of Gaon must have reached at least 9 stars, but it is a rumor that cannot be trusted.
Most of all, it was all the more so because the Viscount remembered that Gaon’s level was much lower than that just two years ago.
Gaon looked at Viscount Kielun, who was full of worries and concerns, and answered calmly.
“No problem. I really want the count’s family to stop saying anything else later. They will try to nullify the duel.”
“… You don’t have to worry about that. I feel a little relieved now.”
Even the day before the duel, he was not at all aware of it, let alone nervous, which gave Viscount Kielun peace of mind.
It was because the unspoken confidence that an 8-star knight would not even be his opponent was conveyed very clearly.
Soon, the meal began.
