Gunning for a Noble Title

"Give way! Give way! "

" My lord! My lord! "

A group of messengers hurriedly barged into the command post of Kang's army.

" What's the hurry? Have you settled down the prisoners? "

Eyes full of curiosity, a square-faced middle-aged man wearing a well-decorated lamellar armor stopped the messengers in their tracks.

" Greetings Adjutant Ru! " 

" We were just finishing Sire, but something happened --- someone is running amuck in the west camp, and the barbarians are breaking out of their cells. "

" Someone? Did Bai Rong and his confidants turn crazy again? "

" No sire! A thunder man holding a black stick is attacking our men. "

" Thunder man? Let Bai Rong deal with it then. " Although perplexed with the messenger's description, Adjutant Ru just shrugged it off.

" Commander Bai… He fell unconscious, and was captured by the barbarians ---- he might die soon. " 

" WHAT?! " In his shock, Adjutant Ru turned towards the Young Viscount of Kang who was peacefully reading.

" My Lord, the thunder man is asking to meet you. " Likewise, the group of messengers also turned to their Lord.

*******

Mounted on their horses, Adjutant Ru and his trusted entourage sternly faced the barricaded west camp.

" Thunder man! Show yourself! His Lord Viscount of Kang has agreed to your ardent request! "

Soon, the makeshift barricade gave way. Behind it, a group of men pushed three carts full of cardboard boxes. 

Leading them is a man with sharp facial features, he wore an overly eye-catching luxurious robe and held an m16 assault rifle. 

He was very easy-going, even whistling cheerfully as he confidently walked.

With eyes like a hawk's, Adjutant Ru scanned through the thunder man.

" Is that the thunder summoning stick? It looks strange… "

" Yes, Adjutant… Whenever that thunder man points it, a clap of thunder will be summoned. None of our men survived after being attacked by this thunder man. "

" Then how did Bai Rong survive? "

" This thunder man also has other smaller black sticks. Commander Bai turned stiff after being assaulted. "

Adjutant Ru and his entourage continued their small discussion while waiting for their target to come close enough.

Five meters away, Krei and his men stopped. Stretching his arms, he took a plastic pouch from one of the cardboard boxes.

" Catch! "

After tossing, Krei greeted the other party with great sincerity.

" Greetings, I am called Krei of the Farlands. I didn't come here to fight. Please take a look at my offering and don't resort to violence. "

Hearing the crooked intonations and the foreign accent in how Krei spoke, Adjutant Kang's ear perked.

" Farlands? From what kind of an unheard backwater place did you come from ---- Sorcerer?! " 

" I am but a traveling merchant, I bring together the world! The luxury of the far seas, wonders of distant lands, all of these I sell. " 

Pausing briefly, Krei added. "Please look at the pouch."

Curious yet vigilant, Adjutant Ru asked one of his men to inspect the weird pouch. 

Just when the pouch was barely opened, a shocked bawl sounded, and the pouch was flung to the ground.

" Sire! This… a mythical ring… " Stuttering, the soldier went down his horse, carefully picked up the pouch, and offered it towards Adjutant Ru.

" Safe? "

The soldier didn't know what to answer so he just kept his arms stretched out.

" It's safe, don't worry. It's a symbol of my friendship, please accept it. " Krei smiled. However, his smile further intensified the doubt in Adjutant Ru's mind.

" Stay right there and open it. " Adjutant Ru didn't let his guard down.

Acquiescing, the soldier's trembling hands opened the pouch. Although the people around couldn't see it clearly, their mouths couldn't help but turn agape.

A very alluring glowing ring shone brightly inside the dark interior of the pouch.

" This… CLOSE IT! " Adjutant Ru's strict voice ordered.

" You sorcerer! What do you want? Why have you come to our land? And why are you with these savages? "

Authoritative, Adjutant Ru's voice deepened as his posture became increasingly tense. 

" Simple, I want to settle down here and offer my service. Land and Title are all I ask. Becoming Baron will do. " 

Krei signaled his men to deliver the three large carts towards Adjutant Ru.

" I'll give 30 carts like the ones here each year for two consecutive years, and 40 in the third year. All is free, a token of my friendship. " 

Adjutant Ru didn't answer. Instead, he ordered his men to open the boxes.

After tens of minutes of unpacking, Adjutant Ru could no longer speak. His danger sense is tingling.

Weird boxes full of wonderful perfumes, exotic clothes, remarkable textiles, intricately designed mirrors, and a lot more. Most of them were alien to Adjutant Ru.

Just a box alone is worth a fortune. Seeing the exquisite craftsmanship of the products, Adjutant Ru couldn't help but be enchanted. 

" Pack them back. " Adjutant Ru looked behind his back, towards the tents where the soldiers of Kang's Army hid.

" No one will speak of what you have seen today. Tell the soldiers to stand down. Report to the Young Viscount. " 

After issuing his commands, Adjutant Ru forced himself to calm down and moved towards Krei.

" May I know what nobility have you come from, honorable visitor? Also, the men you've captured… " Adjutant Ru trailed his words and didn't continue.

" Don't worry they are fine, I will return them soon. "

Bypassing one of the questions, Krei turned to another topic.

" These carts… Take two as my welcoming gift and apology for killing some of your men that attacked me. The other one is for sale. As for your prisoners… these people you call barbarians, I'll buy them all. "

Partly relieved, Adjutant Ru asked to continue their discussions in the presence of the Viscount.

----

At the command post, noteworthy individuals of the Kang Army closely gathered. Their faces were equipped with perfunctory smiles as they faced Krei and Sugude.

A couple of paces back, Viscount of Kang is heavily guarded on all sides. 

The Viscount is a scholarly young man. His face looked very pale, and he exuded a strong medicinal smell. Despite looking frail, the Viscount is well-spoken and had an ingrained charisma in his actions.

Their meeting started very slow. During their introduction, Adjutant Ru took the lead while the Young Viscount remained a spectator.

Just from the short small talk, it was clear to Krei that Adjutant Ru held immense influence among the retinues of the Viscount.

Like an old fox, Adjutant Ru astutely manipulated the conversation. Time and time again, he indirectly pried for information on sorcery.

To Adjutant Ru's dismay, Krei only talked superficially and didn't omit any knowledge of significance.

After hours of negotiations, both parties formed friendly ties. The once perfunctory smiles turned sincere as they found their middle-ground. 

First, all the barbarians must be taken back to the City of Kang where they would be "judged" by the Kingdom's Ministry of Justice.

To extricate the 400+ barbarians from public execution, Krei would have to pay 10 carts of exquisite goods. On top of that, 10 more carts are needed to make them his official slaves.

Second, the title of Baron is not easy to get. For a man with no previous merit to get an inheritable Baron Title, the family of Viscount of Kang must use their connections to form a meaningful relationship between Krei and other nobilities. Added with the land that would be attached to the Barony, 700 carts will be added.

To show their support and goodwill, Adjutant Ru and the Viscount promised to give a noteworthy noble's daughter. 

All in all, including the 100 carts for Viscount Kang, Krei would need to give 820 carts worth of exquisite goods. The payment will be extended to 5 years, and at least 150 carts must be delivered every year or else the contract will be scrutinized.

During the next 5 years, Baron Krei will be under the protection of Viscount of Kang. After payment, Baron Krei will have the chance to either establish an official alliance with Viscount of Kang or directly become a subordinate.

It was also explicitly stated that the products in each cart must be of similar value to what was in Krei's welcoming gift.

Furthermore, since it is apparent that Krei would be selling his exotic goods once he had settled down, Adjutant Ru proposed to get an exclusive right to retail.

To not sour the mood, Krei relented to some extent. The priority to buy ceramics and other high-end products were acquired by the House of Kang.

But the cream-of-the-crop of their trade agreement was giving the House of Kang priority in purchasing glowing jewelry. It was a novel item, something Adjutant Ru had never seen or heard outside of myths and legends.

The products provided by Krei held an astronomical amount of fortune for the people of this world. Yet for him, the goods are easily procurable once he acquired a sizable amount of capital. As such, it was all too easy to compromise and give away benefits.

Finally, to formalize the contract, Viscount of Kang signed his seal of honor and passed the document to Krei.

Lacking the ability to read, and only knowing how to speak Xiugmari[1] ---- Krei frowned.

To avoid embarrassment, Krei pricked his finger and started doodling bloody bullshit all over the contract. And to make his little show more believable, Krei took his lighter and started "conjuring" flame.

Influenced by superstitions, the witnesses turned aghast as they stepped back. 

" Ohhh~~ Behold! I am a powerful warlock! Master of bullshit! " Speaking in English, Krei exclaimed arrogantly. 

Oblivious, everyone observed in awe and fear. 

Adding more gibberish, the ritual continued for a few more minutes. 

" I have finished. "

Adjutant Ru who had taken the contract analyzed the drawn spell circles. It was his first time seeing such a unique way of signing a contract. 

' Is this how sorcerers write? ' Adjutant Ru stared at the string of characters written below the magic circles.

Fully pleased with the concessions, everyone was finally able to relax. 

Since the sun had already set, a sumptuous dinner was served. Using the new plates and glasses brought by Krei, the best meat and wine in the camp was served.

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Adjutant Ru / Ru Yuan:

- Square-faced middle-aged man.

- An influential retinue of the young Viscount of Kang.

Viscount of Kang / ??:

- Well-spoken, charismatic, and scholarly.

- Has pale and handsome countenance.

- Still young, probably in his late teens.

Baron Krei / Krei:

- Soon-to-be Baron.

- Confident and outgoing.

- Has likely subdued the Sekle Tribe?

Commander Bai/ Bai Rong:

- Inclined to turn crazy? ( Adjutant Ru said so… )

[1] Xiugmari:

The language used by the people of the Xiu Empire and its vassal kingdoms.

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