Greenwood Territory (3)
My words brought the knights' movements to a halt.
They knew it too. That my attire and Scarlet's were far from those of ordinary territory folk.
"What the hell are you doing?! I just told you to get lost from this lowly dump—hurry up and chop off their limbs!"
Lihen was screaming like a madman, too lost in rage to even grasp the situation.
Ha... this is really pissing me off.
If this had happened at any other time, I might not have been this furious at the rudeness. But to interrupt me right when I was about to dig into some chicken?
The chicken had already gone completely cold.
"If you think you can handle the consequences, then swing your swords."
The knights glared at me intently before finally sheathing their drawn blades.
Instead, the lead knight spoke up in a cautious tone.
"We don't know who you are, young master, but this is Lord Greenwood's son."
"Is that reason enough to ruin my meal?"
"You little—"
Lihen trembled with fury as he glared at me.
"I'm seriously going to kill you! My father is the lord of Greenwood Territory! Everything here belongs to us!"
"..."
"Wait here. I'll go get my father—"
"No."
I cut him off.
"We'll go together."
"What?"
Lihen looked flustered, clearly unprepared for this turn.
"I was heading there anyway. Lead the way."
Might as well get an escort on the way.
When I first heard that Greenwood's lord couldn't come because his daughter was ill,
I'd figured he'd committed a grave sin, but as one person to another, I felt some personal sympathy and planned to see for myself before deciding to spare him.
But his son turned out to be this piece of trash.
A cold smile crept across my lips as I stared at Lihen.
It was laced with contempt and disappointment.
"What are you waiting for? Lead the way. Your father must be waiting."
"You... you're really..."
Lihen's face flushed red and purple.
But whether cowed by my presence or truly planning to have me judged before his father, he finally nodded.
"Fine... fine! Let's go! I'll show you how you'll kneel and beg before my father!"
I slowly turned to Scarlet.
She was still eyeing the knights sharply, ready to spring into battle at any moment.
"Scarlet, let's go."
"Yes!"
As we stood, the shop owner approached, trembling.
"Um... excuse me, customers... the bill..."
I pulled a few gold coins from my pouch and placed them on the table.
Pausing for a moment, I gazed down at the cold chicken.
The golden, crisply fried Wingard Pride wings had lost all their steam and gone cold, but a faint, savory aroma still lingered.
Hoping I can eat it hot next time.
Killrail, lord of Greenwood Territory, was a powerhouse who had held his position for forty years.
Through countless crises and challenges over those long years, he had always maintained a composed and dignified air.
But even this stalwart figure now wore an expression of anxiety seeping through the deep wrinkles on his face.
"So... how is the child's condition?"
Killrail's voice carried a desperate plea he couldn't fully hide, no matter how hard he tried.
She wasn't his biological daughter. But what did that matter?
A few years ago, he had raided an illegal orphanage that trafficked children like commodities and rescued them.
He had raised those children as his own.
The others had all grown up and become independent, now living successful lives.
But Lilia, the youngest...
Killrail's heart ached as he gazed at the girl lying in bed.
Once a child who laughed innocently while playing with the others.
Now, Lilia's pale face breathed shallowly, beads of cold sweat on her forehead.
Her long silver hair splayed across the pillow, and her once-vibrant purple eyes were tightly shut.
Killrail stroked her hair with a trembling hand.
I promised I'd protect you...
In response to Killrail's question, the middle-aged man in Bai Ling Regiment healer's robes let out a deep sigh.
"To be honest... I have no idea what this illness is. The child's life force is slowly draining away. It's as if her very soul is fading bit by bit..."
Marcus looked at the girl in bed with pity in his eyes.
"Her temperature is normal, yet her body is cold. Her pulse beats, but it's growing weaker. Strangest of all, her mana circuits are twisted in reverse flow. And this has been going on for months..."
He paused, wiping sweat from his brow.
"In thirty years of practicing medicine and seeing countless patients, I've never encountered symptoms like this. It feels... like no illness of this world."
"Heavens... if even Bai Ling's chief physician can't diagnose it..."
Indeed. The one who had come at Killrail's desperate plea was none other than Marcus, Bai Ling Regiment's chief physician.
Out of long-standing friendship, he had dropped everything and rushed here.
Renowned across Haven as unmatched in medical skill save for Bai Ling's leader herself, even he was powerless before this bizarre affliction.
"Our leader might be able to cure it..."
"That's..."
Both knew the truth. No matter Killrail's status as Jin Gang lord, asking Bai Ling's leader for help was impossible.
At that moment, a cautious knock sounded, and the door opened.
Entering was Logan, the head butler who had served Killrail his entire life.
His white hair bore the weight of years, and worry etched his wrinkled face.
"My lord, a word in private..."
Logan approached and whispered to Killrail.
"The young master... has caused trouble in town again. He's heading here now—and bringing the other party with him..."
Killrail sighed deeply.
Ha... another incident.
His son Lihen had once been a good boy.
But everything changed after Killrail brought the orphanage children home.
Did he feel his father's love had been stolen?
Killrail blamed himself for not understanding his son's heart.
Was I too neglectful...? Knowing he was hurt, yet...
Out of guilt, he hadn't disciplined him properly, only watching his son's recklessness with pathetic helplessness.
But this time, Killrail steeled his resolve.
He would apologize personally to the one Lihen brought, and make his son face his wrongs. No more letting this continue.
"What is it?"
To Marcus's cautious question, Killrail shook his head with a bitter expression.
"My son seems to have stirred up trouble again. He clashed with someone, and they're coming here together."
"Heavens, that other party must be no ordinary soul. Guts to tangle with Greenwood's lord's son and still come here... likely someone of high status."
At Marcus's words, Killrail turned to Logan.
"Logan, did you hear their descriptions?"
"Not in detail, but a young black-haired man with a red-haired woman. The woman seemed like an escort knight."
"An escort knight means... not common territory folk, at least."
Killrail sighed, gazing out the window.
Then a servant's voice came from outside.
"My lord, Young Master Lihen has just arrived at the manor. Where shall I escort them?"
"To the drawing room."
As Killrail rose, Logan followed.
Marcus watched Killrail with intrigued curiosity.
"Killrail, may I join? I'm frankly curious. Who could stand against Greenwood's lord's son?"
Killrail hesitated, then nodded.
"Of course. Your insight might prove useful."
As they entered the drawing room, Lihen sat with a flushed face beside the black-haired man and red-haired woman.
Killrail froze the moment he spotted the red-haired woman.
Lady Scarlet...?
She looked so much like Jin Gang's combat captain that he was momentarily confused, but he shook his head.
No. She's at the lords' regular meeting now—Jin Gang's officers should all be at the main territory. No way she'd be here.
"Father! You're finally here!"
Lihen shot to his feet, raising his voice.
"Do you know what they said to me? I tried to be generous first, but they called me arrogant, told me to get lost—such insolence!"
"Lihen."
As Killrail called his son's name, a cup shattered on the floor behind him.
Turning, Killrail saw Marcus staring at the black-haired man in shock. His face had gone pale, his lips trembling.
No way... it can't be, but surely...
Marcus was Bai Ling's chief physician and the leader's close confidant.
He vividly recalled the portrait his leader had shown him before departing for Jin Gang territory.
'This is the new Jin Gang Regiment leader's likeness. Don't let pride get you in trouble—show utmost respect if you meet him.'
Her gentle yet firm voice echoed in his ears.
Marcus dropped to one knee, bowing his head.
"Bai Ling Regiment Chief Physician Marcus, at the service of Jin Gang Regiment's leader!"
A chill silence fell over the drawing room.
Seeing Marcus kneel and bow, Scarlet quietly addressed Astra.
"With Bai Ling's chief physician here in person, it seems the lord's daughter is truly in critical condition."
"Indeed. If even that were a lie, there'd be no point in listening further."
Astra crossed his legs leisurely, fixing Killrail with his gaze.
His black eyes held a cold intimidation.
"You ignored the letter I sent, forcing me to come in person. Of course..."
His eyes flicked to Lihen, then back to Killrail.
"There was a slight unpleasantness with your son on the way. What say you to that, Lord of Greenwood Territory?"