Knights and Magic Wand
Chapter 307 - 307 151 Bestowing Gold and Secret Alliance_3

307: Chapter 151: Bestowing Gold and Secret Alliance_3 307: Chapter 151: Bestowing Gold and Secret Alliance_3 Many people’s identities were set to change; soldiers and attendants, who had distinguished themselves with valor in the army, had the chance to become knights.

And knights already in rank could aspire to become even greater lords.

Leon swallowed a mouthful of the feast along with the wine, silently estimating that he would not be the only vassal of Farolis to be made a baron.

However, there were gradations among barons as well.

The time Leon had spent as a Thorny Flower Knight interacting with his lord had convinced him that Eriv would certainly not overlook his decisive contributions.

Of course, the largesse of his Sealing Lord in distributing fiefs was clearly not simply an act of generosity without expectation.

Those who were granted lands would defend the Farolis Family with even greater fervor than before.

After all, there’s a complete difference in zeal between being paid to protect the land of one’s employer and defending one’s personally owned territory.

Moreover, distributing fiefs also relieved the pressure of governance due to a shortage of skilled personnel.

Without a complete and extensive system of bureaucratic talent, it was impossible to single-handedly control all the lands one had conquered.

“Look at our griffins and wild horses, such hearty eating habits.

No wonder they could crush Gunnar’s wolf pups at Longka,” Eriv raised his gold goblet, glancing at the two young vassals who were eating voraciously beside him.

Sounds of benevolent laughter arose from the knights; nobody was too concerned with manners at this military banquet that was less strict about protocol.

At the long table, with his face greasy from wolfing down a leg of lamb alongside Lokhak, Leon lifted his head.

Lokhak always had a big appetite, and Leon, whenever using the Boiling Heart to enhance his body and extract his potential Magic Element, had to stuff himself to satiate the immense hunger that followed.

“My apologies, my Lord, I’ve been active today and am indeed hungry,” Leon said, wiping his mouth with a napkin and sitting up straight.

Eriv, in high spirits, waved his hand: “Don’t worry about etiquette.

This banquet is, after all, to celebrate the glory and wealth you’ve brought to the Thorny Flower Family.”

And speaking of wealth, Baron Thorny Flower suddenly asked, “Leon, since the young Wolf of the Gunnar Family is so subdued by you that he wishes to follow you for a time to repay the lifesaving debt, and he’s no longer a prisoner of war, does that mean…

the ransom we discussed with the Wolf Family is…?”

“That ransom…

the Wolf Family indeed will not be paying,” Leon nodded in agreement.

The so-called allegiance was naturally an excuse; if Canis couldn’t genuinely be released, then the 5,000 Gold Coins were definitely not going to be delivered by the Wolf Family.

Fortunately, he had initially obtained 200 gold crowns from the Wolf Family, which he did not intend to return.

“Gunnar is as penny-pinching as ever.

We haven’t even asked him for compensation for invading our territory, and you save his son, yet the man doesn’t even show any gratitude,” Eriv set down his goblet, shaking his head with a mocking laugh.

At the moment, since the Wolf Family Young Master had surprisingly set aside his pride to actively follow his own vassal, the Thorny Flower Family naturally could not shamelessly use his life as leverage for money.

After a moment of reflection, Baron Thorny Flower, without a hint of regret, grandly declared: “An enemy can be stingy, but how could the Thorny Flower be miserly towards you warriors who defend our territory?

A mere 5,000 gold crowns is nothing; I shall reward it myself.”

Leon blinked in surprise at the massive sum of 5,000 Gold Coins unexpectedly regained, and he almost blurted out what a generous boss.

The assembly of knights present also took a sharp breath; that was a significant sum, indeed.

But rather than jealousy, they felt envy; whether it was the rumors of him defeating a thousand with two hundred, or forging a path for his family to the south, such contributions made the reward of 5,000 Gold Coins seem pale in comparison.

“Thank you for your generosity, my Lord!”

Leon stood up to salute, without any refusal.

After all, the culture of this kingdom did not favor modesty, and pretentious claims of being unworthy of reward might make the Sealing Lord take it seriously, praising his high moral standards and perhaps taking the money back.

…

The banquet, full of merriment between lord and vassals, dissolved.

Eriv had just arrived at the main castle room arranged by Marcello, preparing to rest.

But the knight on watch suddenly reported.

“My Lord, an emissary from the Wolf Family has come to visit; he says he carries a personal letter from Baron Gunar.”