Chapter 258: Lord Pa Ke's Compensation!

Ucardi frowned, looking at Catherine.

He naturally cared about face, yet to be questioned like this in public by a young woman.

Moreover, this Gervas actually looked as if he were enjoying the show, which left Ucardi greatly puzzled.

"Me? I am Gervas's friend!" Catherine said lightly.

Instantly, the corners of Cole and Ucardi's mouths twitched.

We certainly know you are Gervas's friend; otherwise, how could you speak up for him?

What we want to know is your identity and background.

Gervas nearly choked from laughing.

He never expected that Countess Catherine would possess such "noble upbringing."

Gervas dared to be sure that the Catherine answering with such a serious face right now was doing it on purpose.

She could absolutely hear what Ucardi wanted to ask.

"Ahem, let me introduce her! Your Excellency Ucardi, this is Countess Catherine, the current head of the Violet Count family! Yes, the legendary Flower of the Southern Region!"

"Countess Violet? Flower of the Southern Region?"

Ucardi was stunned, his body stiffening slightly for a moment.

After a full moment passed, the originally furrowed brows vanished, replaced by a smile appearing, "So it is Your Excellency Countess Catherine!"

"Now that Countess Catherine has been recognized by Grand Duke Hernand, it has become a beautiful tale in the Southern Region; meeting Countess Catherine today is truly an honor!"

Good heavens! Gervas exclaimed good heavens!

Indeed, this change of face was faster than flipping a book.

Although he had guessed he would inevitably change his attitude.

He never expected the change to be so thorough.

It seems this transmigrator truly underestimated the weight of a ducal family.

No wonder that Fernel, upon hearing me refuse last time, became so angry.

Most likely, he felt I had despised the Hernand family.

"Mm!"

Since the other party had changed his expression, Catherine found it hard to say anything more.

She could only give a light "Mm."

And this Ucardi, no longer persisting, did not continue to harp on the incident of the attack on Lord Pa Ke's viscount castle.

Instead, he turned to discuss "official business"!

"Your Excellency Gervas, according to the marks on those long swords you provided, it can indeed prove that those light cavalry belong to the Eagle City Light Cavalry Regiment."

"Moreover, based on this evidence, another main culprit besides Lord Pa Ke has been identified: that Silver Knight you beheaded!"

"His name is Adani, captain of the private guard for Minister Weilade!"

"And because he wanted to curry favor with Minister Weilade, he privately recruited a light cavalry captain, then led them to the border to cooperate with Viscount Pa Ke!"

"Now, we have found a suicide note he left behind at Adani's residence as evidence, which details the motives and purposes behind doing this."

"Additionally, Adani's family must have learned that Adani had committed a huge error and failed; to avoid being implicated, they all hanged themselves at home!"

After speaking, Ucardi stared tightly at Gervas, waiting for Gervas's reaction.

However, Gervas's reaction was the same as before, equally exceeding his expectations.

"Oh, since Eagle City says the investigation is clear, then let's consider it clear!"

No questioning, no anger; Gervas wore an indifferent expression.

Actually, Gervas had long foreseen such a result.

This is a world of noble lords with a medieval background; if a Southern Region cabinet minister could be taken down so easily, wouldn't that be more law-abiding than the twenty-first century?

So, the result was actually foreseen by Gervas the moment he sent someone to complain.

It absolutely could not affect that fellow Weilade.

If one truly wanted to deal with that fellow, unless one became powerful in the future, reaching a point where no one dared to ignore one, like Catherine now.

"Weilade? Is that Farrio's father?"

Gervas had no objection, but Catherine beside him suddenly frowned.

Previously, she only knew that Gervas and neighbor Viscount Pa Ke had a conflict, and was unclear there was another hidden story.

"This..." Ucardi, hearing Catherine's question, immediately found himself in a dilemma.

"Catherine, don't rush; that fellow is just a stink bug in a dark corner; sooner or later, I will crush him!"

"Now, what I want most is to discuss the compensation issue!"

Gervas hurriedly comforted Catherine.

Catherine's backing is the Hernand family.

And Fernel sent someone to greet Weilade, saying he had nothing to do with the Hernand family.

This explained everything.

So, he did not want to put Catherine in a difficult position regarding this matter.

Catherine still wanted to say something, but under Gervas's eye signal, she held back.

Ucardi finally felt relieved, hurrying to say, "Viscount Gervas, regarding the compensation matter, the Civil Affairs Hall has also provided a plan!"

"First, the Eagle City Light Cavalry Regiment; they deeply apologize for this incident, so the light cavalry equipment and horses you captured, they will not take back! They leave them to your disposal, as compensation for you!"

"Oh!" Gervas responded with a sound.

Ucardi continued, "Regarding Viscount Pa Ke, now Viscount Pa Ke's castle has been attacked by dark creatures, and the storehouses inside the castle have been looted!"

"Since there is no valuable compensation to offer, the Civil Affairs Hall wishes to substitute serfs instead. Does Viscount Gervas agree?"

"Population? How many?"

Gervas was naturally aware of the gold coins being plundered, after all, they had all fallen into his pocket.

And population was also what he needed most at present.

"Two thousand people, in family units, regardless of age."

"Too few! Moreover, those children and elders are complete burdens. If it were two thousand young and strong men, that would be about right!"

Wukai's lips twitched. Your appetite is far too large, isn't it?

Two thousand young and strong men, one is worth forty silver coins, a thousand is four hundred gold coins.

Two thousand would be eight hundred gold coins!

"Viscount Gervas, then how many do you think is appropriate?"

"Four thousand! In family units."

"After all, although one normal young and strong man is worth forty silver coins, if you include the elders and children, the value is directly halved!"

"Calculated this way, even with four thousand people, that is only a value of eight hundred gold coins!"

"Pa Ke wants to kill me; this is a capital crime. The ransom for a viscount only requires six hundred gold coins; this is already considered cheap!"

"Therefore, if four thousand serfs compensate me, I will let the past go!"

Can accounts be calculated this way?

Wukai was almost laughed into anger by this Gervas.

Those children and elders are even a loss, and such a huge loss at that!

"Lord Wukai, I feel Viscount Gervas's request is reasonable. After all, the compensation from Eagle City is truly too little!"

"Viscount Pa Ke paying a bit more here can be seen as mutual compensation to make up for Viscount Gervas!"

"Otherwise, in my opinion, Minister Weilade's cabinet would need to pay a substantial sum of compensation; otherwise, who can prove that Yadani was not instigated by him?"

"Relying on a suicide note written by who knows whom?" Catherine suddenly spoke up!

"Uh!" Wukai was completely blocked by Catherine.

"Very well! Since even Lord Count Catherine speaks this way, let us proceed according to Lord Gervas's wishes! Four thousand serfs from Viscount Pa Ke's fief, in family units!"

Upon learning that Wukai had been dispatched to handle the Storm Fief's affairs, Minister Weilade had also given him benefits.

Fifty gold coins, although just a fraction compared to the City Guard, was absolutely a substantial income for Wukai himself.

Thus, in any case, the loss falls upon Viscount Pa Ke and the kingdom's serfs.

If he, Wukai, did not agree, and Lord Count Catherine truly made a scene later, his fifty gold coins would have to be spat out.

So straightforward?

And with Wukai's approval, Gervas actually felt somewhat unsatisfied.

If he had known Catherine would help speak up, he should have asked for a few thousand more people!

Clatter! Clatter!

"Report, Lord Wukai, Lord Centurion! Enemies have been discovered to the southwest; it is an army of Western Barbarians!"

Just then, a small squad of cavalry galloped in from outside the town, their tone full of panic!