Chapter 35: 35 First Meeting with the Subjects

Chapter 35: The First Meeting with the Subjects

Rooney lingered on the hillside for a long time. He only prepared to organize the troops and depart after confirming that the people from the Seign domain had left.

Although the immediate crisis had been smoothly overcome, Rooney did not let his guard down against the Seign domain in any way.

He knew that the Seign domain's covetous desire for the Mountain Forest Town would not disappear. They had merely chosen to avoid direct conflict at the moment, because Baron Raytham had certain reservations.

Once those reservations vanished someday, they would definitely launch a massive invasion.

Before those reservations disappeared, they might not openly target Rooney anymore, but whether they would engage in covert maneuvers behind the scenes remained uncertain.

"Malte, from today onwards, wear a mask and change your name."

Malte, who was accompanying Rooney, felt very conflicted at this moment.

He both revered and feared Rooney.

In the situation just moments ago, lying on the ground pretending to be a corpse, he could not comprehend how bold this baron had been to stage such a spectacular bluff.

Malte had truly gained new insight today!

As he tore a piece of cloth from a corpse behind him to cover his face, he bowed and requested: "Lord, if possible, I would like to ask you to grant me a name!"

Rooney raised his eyebrows slightly, surprised that this fellow would ask him to bestow a name.

"Well, you shall be called Tom."

Malte respectfully knelt on one knee, "Thank you, Lord, for granting me a name! Malte is now of the past. From this moment on, I am merely your follower, Tom!"

Rooney nodded, mounted his horse, and the team slowly set off, heading toward the town.

Macen led a few infantrymen riding horses ahead, while Rooney, Elron, David, and others walked in the middle. Behind them were wagons carrying grain and corpses.

He did not bury the group from Mountain Forest Town, as most of them had relatives in the town. Handing the corpses over to their relatives was also an act of benevolence from Rooney.

Additionally, he would inform all the people of Mountain Forest Town that Chief Administrator Prist had led the betrayal against the Urshan Fortress and had been eliminated by him. He would not pursue the crimes of the others.

This would also serve as a deterrent.

After all, Prist had managed affairs here for nine years—who knew whether there were still followers or subordinates in Mountain Forest Town?

"Tom, do you have any other family members?" Rooney asked.

"My... my mother is still alive."

The heart of Malte, now transformed into Tom, immediately tightened. In his eyes, Rooney was a master who would kill without hesitation. He feared that Rooney would kill his mother as he had executed the captives, yet he dared not lie.

"What does she do?" Rooney asked.

"Lord, my mother, Leah, relied on a small amount of money left by my father to open a tailor shop in the town. She raised me with that modest income."

Rooney nodded and said to Chahar, "Once we arrive at Mountain Forest Town, Chahar, have Tom's mother come to work at the castle."

"Yes, Master!" The manservant Chahar noted this matter.

Tom inwardly sighed with relief. That was good.

The team progressed at a slow pace, but soon they arrived at the town.

Rooney finally saw his subjects.

Regardless of gender, their faces bore deep traces of hardship, seeming worn out by suffering, and their expressions were rather dull.

Perhaps only the children chasing and playing around the dilapidated longhouses retained some vitality, allowing Rooney to smile.

However, when these people saw that the last few wagons were filled entirely with corpses, and when they saw blood dripping and leaving long trails on the ground, their faces were filled with fear. They hurriedly pulled their children and knelt by the roadside, not even daring to run.

As Rooney moved closer to the town center, more and more people knelt.

Finally, on the foul-smelling street, he tightened the reins and stopped.

"Let me introduce myself. I come from the Urshan Fortress, the eldest legitimate grandson of Marquis Rulance, the master of the Urshan domain. From today onwards, I am the Baron of Mountain Forest Town, your lord!"

Rooney cleared his throat, "Remember your lord's name: Rooney·Blazing Storm!"

The kneeling subjects involuntarily looked up at Rooney, feeling as if the person seated on the horse shone from head to toe, making it impossible to gaze directly.

Some more knowledgeable freemen saw the Urshan family crest on the wagons and knew Rooney was not lying.

They sighed inwardly. After so many years, the Urshan domain finally had a true master, and this time it was not some pioneering knight or newly appointed baron, but a direct descendant of the Urshan family!

Rooney tugged the reins and moved to the last few wagons, his tone shifting from its earlier calmness.

"The former Chief Administrator of Mountain Forest Town, Prist, betrayed the Urshan Fortress, betrayed Mountain Forest Town, and betrayed his lord! They have all been executed by my knights!"

Those who had dared to look at Rooney earlier now merely glanced at the corpses and quickly lowered their heads.

"Towards betrayers, I am never merciful!"

Rooney chuckled softly, his voice sounding cold to the subjects, "My mercy is reserved only for subjects loyal to me!"

The sound of horse hooves was crisp. Among the many kneeling on the street, no one dared to breathe loudly, though some could not help but weep.

Rooney looked over—they should be the families of the betrayers.

Seeing Rooney's gaze, they nervously lowered their heads, unsure what to do.

"I believe betrayal was merely their personal act, not involving their families."

Rooney did not wish to continue speaking in such an atmosphere. "Those who are their family members can come forward to claim their corpses. From now on, as long as you remain loyal to Mountain Forest Town and loyal to me, I will not hold you accountable."

After speaking, Rooney instructed his attendants, "David, you and two guards stay here to watch over the wagons, letting their families claim the corpses."

He also whispered additional instructions, "Remember, orders must be strictly followed. I've already explained what happened on the mountain to you. You know what to do."

"Understood, Lord!"

David selected two guards and shouted loudly, "The lord is merciful! You may come forward to claim your family members' corpses!"

No one among the crowd dared to move.

Rooney knew that with him present, they lacked the courage. "Let's go, Tom, take me to Mountain Forest Town's castle."

"Yes, Lord!"

The castle of Mountain Forest Town was located on a hill at the northeastern corner of the town. It was built over a decade ago by the first baron and had been renovated and rebuilt in recent years under Prist's supervision.

Rooney had expected the castle to be very simple, but upon reaching it, he found otherwise.

Apart from its smaller size, it had all the necessary structures: inner and outer fortifications, walls, gate towers, watchtowers—everything a castle should have.

Although Prist had acted as if he despised nobles, his lifestyle differed little from that of nobility.

At this moment, the castle guards had all left, so Rooney and his group entered without any obstacles.

After entering Mountain Forest Castle, under Tom's guidance, the guards seized the castle's steward and all the servants.

Rooney strode directly toward the fortress constructed from piled stones, appearing quite sturdy, and sat on the "throne" above.

He recalled Rulance that day at the Urshan Fortress.

Rulance sat quietly on the high seat, uttering no words, yet whether it was Wiggins or the Golden Lion of the Heide family, all submitted to Rulance.

"The weak shout hoarsely, unnoticed; the strong speak softly, yet penetrate deeply into hearts!"

Looking at the servants of Mountain Forest Castle successively brought forward and kneeling below, Rooney momentarily experienced the thrill of becoming a powerful figure.

This feeling was truly captivating.

(End of chapter.)