Chapter 505: Mary, look who

Viscount Pat certainly did not know Gervas; even Gervas’s elder brother and heir, Ernst, had no standing to make Viscount Pat remember him.

Of course, he could sense something from Andrew’s expression and the earlier exclamation.

“You must be Viscount Pat, right? Yes, I am Gervas Gale, the second son of Andrew!”

Before Andrew could answer, Gervas gave the affirmative reply himself!

Viscount Pat’s eyes widened, his shock enough to fit a goose egg.

He swallowed hard, “You’re Gervas? Then… those cavalry…”

“These are my men!”

Viscount Pat swallowed again, his throat dry, and asked, “Then… what about the banner?”

The banner Viscount Pat referred to was, of course, the golden griffin flag.

“My lord viscount, isn’t the situation obvious? This entire army belongs to Gervas, and so does this griffin banner!”

“Therefore, the Gervas standing before you is now, without a doubt, a count!”

Perhaps finding Viscount Pat too slow, Mil immediately stepped forward to answer before Gervas could speak.

After answering, Mil Ian and the other nobles watched Viscount Pat with amusement.

After all, his expression was simply too vivid.

“C…Count? Andrew’s second son became a count? How… how is that possible?”

Gervas feigned not hearing Pat’s stunned muttering; he dared not delay, dismounted at once, and approached Andrew, gripping Andrew’s arm, “Father! It’s me—I’m back!”

“You… you’re really Gervas?” At Gervas’s touch, Andrew finally snapped fully awake.

“Father, it’s truly me—Gervas! Don’t you recognize me anymore?”

“I recognize you, but Gervas… you truly became a count?”

“Yes, Father—I truly became a count! The King himself just granted me the title. Though the story’s a bit long—we’ll explain it once we’re back at the castle!” Gervas nodded with a smile.

“Good… good! Yes, let’s return to the castle at once!” Andrew’s body was still stiff, but he was finally reacting.

“Oh, and Viscount Pat!” At that moment, Andrew pointed toward the dazed Viscount Pat.

Gervas nodded, “Viscount Pat, let’s head to the castle. Standing here at the town’s entrance in the middle of the night—isn’t that odd?”

“Uh… yes… yes, Gervas… let’s go to the castle!”

Viscount Pat snapped out of his daze and nodded eagerly.

Of course, during this process, his eyes kept sneaking glances at Gervas.

As Gervas’s party headed toward the castle…

On the castle walls, Lady Mary looked uneasy.

She had heard of an unexpected force arriving in the domain.

So she abandoned her idle chatter with the noble ladies and came to the walls to gaze afar.

Though she had been harsh toward Gervas, it was only to secure more resources for her own Lanier.

But regarding the Gale family’s interests, she certainly cared.

After all, she had long regarded the Gale domain as her own home.

“Lady Mary, don’t be too tense. Viscount Pat may be arrogant and look down on us barons, but since he agreed to help, he should at least achieve something!”

“At the very least, he might get the high noble to rein in his men!”

At that moment, Ernst beside her spoke up to soothe Lady Mary.

Of course, he himself was also tense.

“Ernst, Viscount Pat only agreed to help because he wants to show off his connections!”

“Even if he goes, he’ll only say a word or two—but don’t you know what those high nobles are like? If they refuse to care, Viscount Pat won’t dare say more!”

Lady Mary couldn’t be easily reassured, for she knew Viscount Pat’s true motive.

If they encountered a high noble who refused to listen, he wouldn’t lift a finger to help.

And even if Viscount Pat genuinely tried, if the high noble refused to yield, he’d be powerless.

“Here they come! Young Master, Lady! They’ve arrived!”

At that moment, a shout came from beside her.

Indeed, on the dim castle road, the count’s procession marched straight toward them.

“What… what’s going on? Why did they bring the whole army?”

“I don’t know!”

Lady Mary and Ernst were both stunned.

After all, whether or not the count’s party planned to stay overnight in Springday Town, there was no reason to bring the entire army to the castle.

Even if Andrew personally invited the count as a guest, the count could bring at most a few knightly guards.

Bringing a full army like this—even for a count—was excessive.

“Lady Mary, what do we do now?”

“Ernst, when they arrive, slip down the castle wall from the side. If that high noble truly has no manners and brings his army inside!”

“Then go to Saint Peter City and find the civil magistrate and the city councilors—this count is bullying the Gale family!”

“No army enters another’s castle—that’s the rule!” Lady Mary said.

Ernst gritted his teeth and nodded, “Understood, Lady Mary!”

Thus, Ernst remained on the walls, while Lady Mary went to the main gate.

If she confirmed the count had hostile intentions, she would immediately signal Ernst to head to Saint Peter City.

Soon, the count’s procession arrived before the castle.

Amid Lady Mary’s anxiety, the procession actually entered the castle gate.

Lady Mary’s heart sank; she took a deep breath and stepped forward, “Andrew, is it that count who has come to visit?”

“And why did you bring the entire army? Our baronial fortress can’t hold so many men. Why not send them back to Springday Town? I’ll have the cooks prepare food and send it over!”

Indeed, Lady Mary was clever.

She guessed Andrew might be unwilling to refuse outright, so now, as the lady of the house, she made her point clear.

If the count had any sense, he’d understand her meaning.

At the same time, she offered to send food to the town—a subtle gesture of goodwill, giving the count a face-saving exit.

Of course, if the count still refused to let his soldiers leave the castle, she’d have no choice but to send Ernst to Saint Peter City for aid.

Andrew knew full well his wife’s intent—he realized she had misunderstood.

He smiled at once and said, “Mary, don’t worry—look who’s here!”

Andrew took a torch from a nearby attendant and brought it close to Gervas.

By the torchlight, Lady Mary finally saw the true face of the “count.”

In the next instant, her slender frame trembled, her beautiful eyes widened—“Is… is it you? Gervas?!”