Chapter 101: Beautiful Noblewoman!

“Thank you, my Lord, for avenging my son!”

“Thank you, my Lord, for avenging my father!”

Beyond cheers, many cried out in emotional triumph as their clan’s vengeance was fulfilled.

“Lauren, you deal with this one!”

At this moment, the only living survivor was the Pago goblin.

“Two-legged sheep, I am one of the Claw Clan’s chieftains—if you kill me, my people…”

Puff!

Before the Pago goblin could finish, Lauren drove his sword straight through its chest.

Instantly, scalding blood gushed violently from its heart, draining all strength from the mighty goblin.

“You killed my father—and now you dare threaten our Lord? You deserve to die!”

Lauren, still unsatisfied, pulled back his sword and thrust forward again.

“Ugh…”

The Pago goblin’s eyes widened, filled with bitter resentment and venomous hatred.

Unfortunately, this did not stop Lauren from continuing to stab.

“Damn!”

“Damn!”

The surrounding guards, infected by the rage, cheered loudly in support of Gervas.

…

With the battle over, the Storm Lord’s danger alert was lifted; soldiers and serfs began clearing the battlefield.

The Storm army killed a total of eighty-six enemies, including one goblin priest.

Priests are extremely rare among these barbarian tribes.

A small tribe of two to three thousand people has at most two or three priests.

Thus, killing one is no less significant than slaying a noble’s personal knight.

Of course, Gervas’s side also suffered losses.

Though they held the advantage, two soldiers died and five were severely wounded.

Gervas publicly praised and compensated the fallen and wounded soldiers before all townsfolk.

Fallen soldiers received forty silver coins in compensation; severely wounded received compensation based on injury and recovery.

Additional compensation of five to thirty silver coins would be issued later.

…

“Father, this border region is truly no different from the rumors—it’s incredibly remote.”

“Besides, I heard Storm Lord has lost three nobles in ten years. I doubt it’s a good thing for Gervas to serve as its lord!”

“Father, Elder brother is right. You brought so much supplies—what if Storm Lord truly falls into danger? Won’t that just enrich bandits?”

“Lanier!” Andrew glared at his younger son.

Only after the boy shrank his head did he turn to his eldest.

“Ernst! Every family, in its founding, was built by ancestors who fearlessly fought through danger!”

“Though Storm Lord is dangerous, for Gervas it is also a rare opportunity.”

“If he can hold his land, a hundred years from now, our Gail family will have two nobles at once.”

“And when I, Andrew, die, I can face our ancestors with pride—because my son has brought glory to our house!”

“So, you brothers must look out for each other. Other noble families care only for profit, but you and Gervas are blood brothers—perhaps you can still share some kinship.”

“This may greatly aid the Gail Lord’s future development. Do you understand?”

“We understand, Father!”

Ernst’s eyes flickered; he paid little heed to his father’s words.

Though he did not reject his weak, timid younger brother,

he certainly did not like him.

Moreover, Storm Lord lies on the border—no one knows how many years it would take to develop.

What benefit could it possibly bring the family then?

Likely, he’d be the one forced to support this border brother.

“Lanier, Gervas is now a noble lord—his status is utterly different from before!”

“Though as a half-brother, he cannot legally punish you, but from now on, don’t expect any favor or care from him!”

“So, you’d better change your past attitude toward Gervas—perhaps then he might offer you help and kindness.”

“I understand, Father!” Danier bowed his head, his eyes filled with contempt.

He came here not to flatter Gervas, but for other purposes.

Andrew sighed; he sensed neither son took his words to heart.

But such matters cannot be forced—each child has their own thoughts and fate.

As a father, all he could do was offer repeated warnings.

Yet Gervas, having earned his title in the triennial Challenge Tournament, had utterly surprised Andrew.

He knew well how brutal that tournament was.

Others called it luck, but Andrew knew better—if it were merely luck, it wouldn’t have been his second son who won.

The great nobles aren’t fools; they’re cunning, calculating, and far sharper than petty nobles like himself.

Thus, beyond fortune, Gervas’s own ability was indispensable.

This was his own oversight—he had always focused only on the heir, the eldest, and ignored this second son.

He hoped this visit might mend the rift between father and son.

“Father, look—another caravan’s coming!”

At that moment, Ernst’s voice rang out.

Andrew turned to see a caravan of over three hundred people approaching from the road behind.

Leading the group were more than a dozen knights, followed by over two hundred soldiers.

These knights and guards protected a luxurious carriage and over a dozen heavily laden wagons.

“Six draft horses pulling the carriage? Is this a great noble’s procession?” Ernst whispered in awe, his voice tinged with envy.

A single decent draft horse costs enough to feed five serfs.

Six draft horses equal the upkeep of thirty serfs.

Such wealth could never be sustained by a petty noble family.

After all, pretending to be rich just for face would only invite ridicule from nobles who knew the truth—and waste money pointlessly.

“Not a great noble,” Andrew corrected quietly. “Look at their banner—it’s a viscount’s family.”

Ernst now clearly saw the emblem in the lower-left corner of the banner: the mark of a royal viscount.

“A viscount’s family? Then this must be an extremely wealthy viscount’s household!” Ernst’s eyes shimmered with envy.

As they watched, the caravan halted a hundred meters ahead on the open ground.

Perhaps because this was the only nearby flat, open space suitable for resting.

And it wasn’t over—under the curious gaze of the Gail family,

a young noblewoman stepped down from the luxurious carriage.

Not only was her demeanor extraordinary, but her beauty was exquisite.

“What a beautiful noblewoman!”

Ernst and Lanier were both stunned into silence.

Sensing the attention, the noblewoman glanced their way and gave a slight, polite nod.

Andrew immediately rose and bowed respectfully.

“Come, we’ve rested long enough—let’s move on. We’re not far from Gervas’s territory now!”

Afraid his sons might offend the noblewoman, Andrew immediately led his caravan forward again.