KYDC chapter 42

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1 p.m., after breakfast and lunch were over.

Unlike the servants and residents, the lord, who had just finished a meal that seemed to almost break the table, stepped out for his usual simple walk.

“Huh? What’s all that?”

For some reason, the garden visible beyond the window was packed with a crowd.

Not just a few people, but it looked like over thirty men had gathered.

Including the women and elderly, there had to be at least fifty people swarming the garden.

“Have these fools gone mad, gathering like that?”

The lord clicked his tongue in annoyance and looked for a servant to chase them away.

“Is no one around? Tell those fools to get lost with whatever trick they’re trying.”

If I threaten to throw them in jail, they’ll flee in panic.

Sure, the men might escape, but if I grab the elderly or children and lock them up, they’ll have no choice but to bow down eventually.

The malcontents who’ve been unhappy with my rule will be no different.

If I run away, I’ll punish their families with forced labor, and none of them, unless they’re utterly heartless, would dare keep rebelling after coming right up to the manor.

I have nothing to fear from a bunch of commoners who came empty-handed without a proper weapon.

“Why is no one answering?”

Baron Ladin, thinking that the servants were being sluggish today, raised his voice, ready to whip them for slacking off.

“These lazy fools, what sort of mischief are they up to?”

It wasn’t anything to be scared of, really.

The only concern was the visiting knight from the Grand Duke’s estate, currently staying in the guest room, who might be disturbed by the commotion.

Baron Ladin, fortunately, had no daughters, but if he imagined his own daughter walking around like that knight, he’d have shaved her head and locked her in a tower.

Stripping her of her knightly title, she’d just be a minor noblewoman, yet because she belonged to the Grand Duke’s personal guard, he had to be careful.

Click, click. As Baron Ladin grumbled with frustration, his wife came rushing down from the second floor.

“Dear, have you seen Fiona? And where’s Richelle? What is everyone doing?”

“She’s not around either? Lazy fools. After all the pleading to let them work, this is what they do.”

Tsk, this is going to take longer than I thought.

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Baron Ladin stepped outside to personally drive away the filthy mob crowding his garden.

“What are you doing here? Get out, now!”

Normally, they would’ve flinched and stepped back.

But here they were, without even holding a simple farming tool, just standing empty-handed.

Had they all gone mad? Baron Ladin flinched at the dozens of eyes staring back at him, unwavering.

Then, from behind him, a low voice called out.

“What’s going on here?”

It was the knight, with her blonde hair tied back in a simple, almost stiff manner. She wore the pristine uniform of the Grand Duke’s guard, fitting her perfectly.

Baron Ladin, who had no right to own soldiers, didn’t want her to see this, but right now, she was his only lifeline.

“Oh! Lady Rosati! I’m deeply ashamed, but these scoundrels have stormed in, mocking the authority of the nobility… I will drive them out at once! What are you waiting for? Get these wretches out of here!”

As Baron Ladin bowed deeply to Irina, incredulous laughter could be heard from all around.

“I said, why is no one coming out!”

Baron Ladin’s voice grew louder, but Irina quietly raised her hand to stop him.

“If so many have gathered, there must be a reason. You there.”

As she had planned, Irina pointed to the oldest man in the village, who came forward and knelt.

“Raise your head and speak.”

And so, the old man began.

“Please listen, knight. I am over seventy years old now. My only wish is for my grandson, who lost his parents, to find a decent job and settle down. However, because I didn’t bow to the baron after meeting him by chance, my grandson was imprisoned and is now being forced into labor for this so-called disrespect.”

After the old man spoke, a small child, barely reaching Irina’s waist, stepped forward.

“My sister too! My father died five years ago, and to pay off his recruitment debt, she went to the baron’s manor two years ago. We haven’t heard from her since! I came to find out if she’s okay last month, and I was chased away too!”

“Please, hear my story too!”

One by one, the residents stepped forward to testify.

At first, Baron Ladin tried to silence them, but Irina stopped him, forcing him to watch.

After the dozens of accusations came to an end, Irina asked coldly.

“Are these claims true?”

Baron Ladin immediately shook his head.

“No! It’s all lies!”

“Is that so? But after a week of investigation, we found substantial evidence supporting their claims.”

“What?”

Baron Ladin looked confused, his face frozen in shock as Irina pulled out a report.

“Lennon Haptis, Baron Ladin. Based on our investigation of your past actions, I will be delivering this to the Grand Duke. You can explain yourself in front of him.”

Finally, Baron Ladin realized that this whole scene had been a setup, orchestrated by the knight and these wretches.

He had wondered who they could be relying on.

If only he could deal with this knight, the rest could be executed for rebellion against the nobility.

Foolishly, he reached for his sword, shouting.

“Ha! Do you think you’ll get away with this? When my innocence is proven, I’ll have all of your heads hung outside the city gates!”

At that exact moment, the gates separating the village from the manor opened. It was time for the main event.

“They will be safe. I’ve arrived just in time.”

The moment the gigantic wooden door creaked open with a disconcerting, high-pitched screech, everyone gasped and covered their mouths.

The notorious Grand Duke, who everyone had only heard about through rumors, appeared, leading his personal guards.
Any thoughts of the stories they’d heard — that he had killed his own brothers or that he had a cruel, heartless nature — vanished from their minds.

Before them stood a man who was undoubtedly human, yet appeared almost inhuman, as if sculpted from pure ice.

His appearance was so dazzling it was blinding. How could a person possibly look like that?

His nose was sharp enough to slice through grass, and his red lips were full yet elegantly tapered at the ends.

His neck, as regal and dignified as a stag’s, was hidden beneath the collar of his ceremonial robe, but it was enough to make faces flush, regardless of gender.

If a frost deity, said to lure travelers to their doom in blizzards, took human form, it would surely look like him.

Everyone was mesmerized, staring up at Hernan’s face when Irina stepped forward and handed him a report.

Without a word, Hernan accepted it.

As soon as he turned the first page, he saw the densely typed text, penned by a rigid man who clearly followed the rules.

Here and there, where the typewriter had failed, someone had filled in the letters with ink.

He remembered how he’d forcibly wrapped that person in blankets and put them to bed when they insisted on staying up all night to finish the report, only to receive an angry kick in return.

Well, he could take a hit. If it helped ease the other’s frustration, Hernan hadn’t dodged.

But seeing the bruises on his legs afterward had been quite the shock.

The person always managed to surprise him.

‘…Which is why I like him even more.’

Hernan almost smiled at the thought of Jurgen, but kept his composure as he spoke.

“I believe Irina Rosati’s report provides sufficient evidence. Therefore, I will deliver a final judgment here and now.”

Then, with practiced calm, he recited the sentence Jurgen had repeatedly drilled into him, emphasizing the need for precision.

“For the past four centuries, the Baron Ladin has contributed to the protection of Baelon and was thus granted ownership of Haptis. Your ancestors’ dedication to Baelon is duly acknowledged.”

At this, the Baron Ladin, who had been waiting for someone to finally take his side, excitedly exclaimed, “Yes, that’s right! My great-great-grandfather was a key figure in the Battle of Horace!”

But the hopeful cry was met with a cold response.

“However, in light of over 70 credible testimonies and submitted contracts, including those from Fields Brewery, it has been established that there were multiple violations of imperial law. Therefore, while your barony remains intact, you are ordered to compensate as follows.”

“Excuse me?”

‘Excuse me?’ The real counterattack was just beginning.

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