13 Taking care of the problem

"So… you are telling me, the son of the Baron of Bareth, what are you doing here, in the forest, leading 200 armed and armoured bandits toward the village I'm taking care of?" Frigs crossed his arms and asked calmly.

The man, still trembling, now sitting on the ground of the forest, while tied to the ground, slowly answered, "Be-because it-'s fun?"

Frigs stared at him, expressionlessly, before sighing and then telling him, "So you think it's fun? Jeez! Nobles these days! You even supported them financially and personally leading them. Should I just tell your dad about this?"

The man directed his view toward the ground and was in silence for a few seconds before he suddenly bursted out to laughter, "Ahaha! Tell! Just tell! It's not like you can do anything by telling him! Did you listen to me the first time I told-"

Before he even finished his words, Frigs cut him off with his own words, "IF you want to talk with status, do you know I'm the family member of the noble house of Mercia? You surely know what kind of status I have, right? RIGHT?"

The man went silent completely. He seemed defeated and lost his hope right after he heard Frigs's words. Frigs chuckled and turned to the big man that was a former bandit, "What is your name, by the way? We never introduced ourselves before. I'm Edward"

The big man happily told Frigs his name, "I'm Jarvis, why you ask?"

Frigs said to him, "Do me a favour, bring this kid to the village and after that, send a message to the Baron of Bareth that his kid is with me. Don't forget to mention my title to him, he would surely come if you use my name and title"

…

2 days later

Overlooking the road in the village, Frigs stared from the window of the house of the old man. On the road of the village itself, could be seen a carriage, "Looks like they have come!"

He turned around and asked the son of the baron, "Hey, look who's coming for you? Your own dad, coming to save your poor butt!"

Knock, knock

Louis opened the door, and a man entered the room. His clothes seemed as decorated as it would be, "I assume you are one of the sons of the house of Mercia? I'm honoured to meet you, you can call me Condor"

Sitting on his couch, Frigs nodded and made a hand gesture toward the couch in front of him, telling the baron to sit, which he did, "So, do you know what your son did?"

The baron (Condor) sighed and gave Frigs a little nod, "I am aware of what happened, I never expected that my son would actually take command of some homeless people and attack your village for fun and money! I'm ashamed!"

Frigs smirked, "I see you are good with your words, but do you think that would satisfy me? If not for my knowledge of warfare and tactics, I would have failed this homework the school gave me. If it actually happens… what would you give me?"

Condor began sweating profusely. He closed his eyes for a moment as his sweats dripped off his face. He then slowly answered, "I… I… I believe, that we could come to the term of an agreement. Perhaps some money, weapons or even some slaves"

Frigs smiled and asked calmly, "Sir Condor… What if I want all three of those?"

Condor immediately answered, "I would give you all three of those, I would even give you some lands if you ask for it"

Frigs grinned and turned to Louis beside him, "Louis, give me a paper and some ink"

…

"Baron of Bareth, Sir Condor, will agree and honour his promise to give Edward, the son of the noble house of Mercia, lands, golds, weapons and some slaves," Frigs wrote on the paper and handed it to Condor.

The man looked at it for a few moments before he sighed and signed it, then returning it back to Frigs, "Sir Condor… Do you know my true objective?"

The man shook his head and stared at Frigs, waiting for an answer. Frigs smiled and held the paper with his two hands and ripping it. This shocked the Baron, "Sir Condor, you see, what I truly want is no wealth, or slaves, or even land! What I want is justice, promise me one thing, and we are done here today"

Even though shocked, Condor answered calmly, "Yes, I will promise you, whatever it is"

Frigs faced Louis, "Bring the son of this gentleman"

…

Standing awkwardly beside Frigs, he endured the angry stare of his own dad. Seeing this, Frigs smiled and cleared his throat, "Ehm! So, I want you to keep your promise. Treat your son as a father, spend time with him and teach him manners! Make him attend the imperial military school next year so he can be a general and support me in the future!"

The son suddenly turned to Frigs, he was shocked, surprised by Frigs's words, even Condor was surprised. Condor suddenly sighed and nodded, "I will uphold my promise!"

The son suddenly ran in front of Frigs and kowtowed to him, "Thank you, your highness! It's my dream to be a general, but my father wouldn't let me be one!"

Frigs smiled, "Your father is a good man, he cared for you, now go to his side and support me in the future!"

…

The room was empty once again, Frigs sighed and turned to Louis and asked, "Louis, did I do anything wrong? Should I actually choose something better?"

Louis shook his head, "Your decision is not wrong, I believe you have your own opinion regard that human and I wouldn't comment on that"

Frigs sighed once again and smiled, 'That guy… even Jarvis didn't know he was the son of a nobleman, that guy really wanted to be a general that he hid the fact that he is the blood of a noble just to command some homeless group!'