Chapter 258

Ukadi frowned at Catherine.

He, too, valued his dignity—how could a young woman publicly question him like this?

Moreover, Gervas was standing there as if watching a show, which left Ukadi deeply puzzled.

"Me? I'm Gervas's friend!" Catherine replied coolly.

At once, Keer and Ukadi's lips twitched.

Of course we know you're Gervas's friend—otherwise why would you speak up for him?

What we want to know is your background.

Gervas nearly choked laughing.

He never expected Countess Catherine had such "noble manners."

Gervas was certain Catherine was deliberately answering with a straight face.

She clearly understood what Ukadi was really asking.

"Ahem, let me introduce then! Lord Ukadi, this is Countess Catherine, the current head of the Violet Count family! Yes, the famed Flower of the South!"

"Violet Count? Flower of the South?"

Ukadi was stunned, his body stiffening slightly.

After a long pause, his frown vanished, replaced by a smile: "So you are Countess Catherine!"

"Now that Countess Catherine has been recognized by Duke Hernade, it's become a celebrated tale in the South. To meet you today is truly an honor!"

Damn! Gervas silently exclaimed.

Sure enough, he changed his attitude faster than flipping a page.

He had guessed Ukadi would shift his stance.

But he hadn't expected it to change so completely.

Clearly, his modern mindset had underestimated the weight of a ducal family.

No wonder Phinir had been so furious when he refused.

He probably thought Gervas was insulting the Hernade family.

"Hmm."

Seeing Ukadi's change of tone, Catherine didn't press further.

She merely gave a quiet "Hmm."

And Ukadi, no longer obstinate, dropped all further discussion of the attack on Parker's Castle.

Instead, he turned to "official business!"

"Lord Gervas, the markings on those swords you provided do confirm the light cavalry belonged to the Eagle City Light Cavalry Corps."

"And based on this evidence, we've identified another mastermind besides Parker—the White Knight you killed!"

"His name is Adani, private captain of the bodyguard for Minister Willard."

"To curry favor with Minister Willard, he secretly recruited a light cavalry captain and led them to the border to collude with Lord Parker."

"We've found a suicide letter left by Adani at his residence as evidence, detailing his motives and objectives."

"Moreover, Adani's family, upon learning of his grave mistake and failure, hanged themselves at home to avoid being implicated."

Having finished speaking, Ukadi fixed his gaze on Gervas, waiting for his reaction.

But Gervas's reaction was the same as before—again, unexpected.

"Oh, if Eagle City claims they've investigated thoroughly, then let's accept it as resolved."

No doubt, no anger—Gervas appeared utterly indifferent.

In truth, Gervas had anticipated this outcome.

This was a medieval noble lord world—if a South Region minister could be so easily toppled, wouldn't that be more law-abiding than the 21st century?

So the result had been clear to him the moment he filed his complaint.

It would never touch Willard.

To truly deal with that man, he'd need to grow powerful enough—like Catherine now—to be utterly ignored by no one.

"Willard? That's Farior's father?"

Gervas had no objection, but Catherine suddenly frowned.

She'd only known Gervas had clashed with neighboring Lord Parker—she hadn't realized there was more to it.

"This…" Ukadi, faced with Catherine's question, immediately struggled.

"Catherine, don't rush. That man's just a filthy vermin in a dark corner—I'll crush him eventually!"

"Right now, what I want to discuss is compensation!"

Gervas quickly soothed Catherine.

Catherine's leverage was the Hernade family.

Yet Phinir had sent word to Willard, claiming no connection to the Hernade family.

That said it all.

So he didn't want Catherine to be put in an awkward position.

Catherine wanted to say more, but held her tongue under Gervas's glance.

Ukadi finally relaxed and hurried to say: "Lord Gervas, the Civil Affairs Office has proposed a compensation plan!"

"First, the Eagle City Light Cavalry Corps deeply regrets this incident, so they won't reclaim the captured cavalry equipment and horses—they're yours to keep as compensation!"

"Oh." Gervas replied.

Ukadi continued: "As for Lord Parker, his castle was attacked by dark creatures, and its storerooms were looted!"

"There's nothing valuable left to offer as compensation, so the Civil Affairs Office proposes replacing it with serfs. Would Lord Gervas agree?"

"People? How many?"

Gervas knew full well the gold had been looted—it had all ended up in his pockets.

And people were precisely what he needed most right now.

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

"Too few! Those children and elders are just burdens. If it were two thousand able-bodied adults, that'd be about right!"

Ukadi's lip twitched—your appetite is enormous!

Two thousand able-bodied adults? One is worth forty silver coins; a thousand is four hundred gold coins.

Two thousand? Eight hundred gold coins!

"Lord Gervas, then how many do you consider fair?"

"Four thousand. In family units."

"After all, one able-bodied adult may be worth forty silver coins, but if you add elders and children, the value halves!"

"So even four thousand people total only amounts to eight hundred gold coins in value!"

"Parker tried to kill me—that's a capital offense. A lord's ransom is only six hundred gold coins. This is already cheap!"

"So if you give me four thousand serfs as compensation, I'll let this go."

Could you even calculate compensation like this?

Ukadi nearly laughed in rage.

He was not only giving away children and elders—he was giving away far too many!

"Lord Ukadi, I believe Gervas's demand is reasonable. After all, Eagle City's compensation is far too meager!"

"Lord Parker should pay more—it's only fair to balance Gervas's losses."

"Otherwise, in my view, Minister Willard must pay a substantial sum—otherwise, how can we prove Adani wasn't acting on his orders?"

"Just a suicide letter of unknown origin?" Catherine suddenly spoke up.

"Uh!" Ukadi was instantly silenced.

"Very well. Since even Countess Catherine says so, we'll follow Lord Gervas's terms: four thousand serfs from Lord Parker's lands, in family units!"

Knowing Ukadi had been sent to handle Stormhold affairs, Willard had given him a bribe.

Fifty gold coins were a drop in the bucket compared to the city guard's budget, but for Ukadi personally, it was a substantial sum.

So the loss fell on Lord Parker and the kingdom's serfs.

If Ukadi refused, and Catherine truly made a scene, his fifty gold coins would vanish.

So easily agreed?

With Ukadi's approval, Gervas felt unsatisfied.

If he'd known Catherine would speak up, he should've asked for a few thousand more!

Clip-clop! Clip-clop!

"Report! Lord Ukadi, Captain! Southwest direction—enemy forces detected! A western barbarian army!"

At that moment, a small cavalry unit galloped in from outside the town, their voices filled with panic.