Chapter 41: 41 Negotiation

Chapter 41 41. The Negotiation

Roning escorted Philton into the great hall of Mountainwood Keep, a gesture that bore a semblance of formal hospitality.

"My apologies, Sir Philton. Due to Prinst's treachery, my castle is currently short-handed, and I cannot provide you with wine or other services."

Roning took his seat first, delivering the polite pleasantries while gesturing for the other man to sit as well.

The keep of Mountainwood was exceedingly simple; its great hall, constructed of massive stone blocks, had only small windows set into the surrounding walls. Even with sunlight streaming in, the interior remained dim.

Macken could only direct the guards to light the candles in the hall.

Philton took slight offense at Roning’s lack of proper etiquette, but naturally, he kept it to himself, offering only a polite, flattering smile. "The Baron is truly efficient in his dealings, highly reminiscent of your father's style."

Roning raised an eyebrow, wondering if the man's words were a compliment or a subtle insult.

"I wonder what important business brings Your Excellency here today?" Roning, disinclined to beat around the bush, chose to ask directly.

Philton did not answer immediately, but instead inquired, "Lord Roning, I wonder what the letter you sent with your guards to Darkmountain Keep was about?"

He was still trying to fish for the contents of the letter Bob and Marseille had carried.

Nobles cared deeply about appearances; even if there was friction between them, they would smile and chat during public encounters, saving the knife-stabs for behind the back.

Therefore, since meeting Philton, Roning had made sure to maintain the hospitable posture of a host.

However, upon hearing Philton's question, after two seconds of reflection, his face turned cold.

"What the Seyne Fief has taken from my Mountainwood Town over these years, Your Excellency should well know."

If he showed weakness now, it would squander yesterday's brilliant performance. Roning had to act in a way that let the other party know he did not fear offending the Seyne Fief.

The expression on Philton's face grew heavier. At the same time, he felt relieved that he had intercepted those two messengers on the road; otherwise, the Seyne Fief would be in deep trouble this time.

In his heart, he also blamed Roning for acting so hastily, leaving no room for a compromise between the two parties.

Indeed, just as the rumors said, Wiggins and Roning were truly cut from the same cloth as father and son of Darkmountain Keep.

"I know a bit of what the Lord speaks of."

Philton brought out his prepared script. "The Lord may not know, but the public security of Mountainwood Town is quite poor. To the west is the Darkmountain Magical Beast Range that harasses the town, and in the northern and eastern woodlands are the remnants of savage tribes. Prinst, as the administrative official, wished to maintain order here to ensure he could serve Darkmountain Keep, so he could only seek help from the nearest neighbor, the Seyne Fief."

Roning deliberately questioned him, "So, you extracted so much wealth from Mountainwood Town? This act of embezzlement is something I must report to Darkmountain Keep, so that my father and grandfather may pass judgment on Baron Reysen!"

"The Lord's words are incorrect!"

Philton stood up, performed a knight's salute, and began his defense. "My Lord, my master, Baron Reysen, fulfilled his duty as a vassal of Darkmountain Keep, dispatching troops and spending effort to guard Mountainwood Town for the keep. The things Prinst gave were merely payment to us. How can that be called embezzling the wealth of Darkmountain Keep?"

Roning sneered, "As a vassal, helping the liege lord suppress rebellion is a bounden duty. Does Baron Reysen still expect payment?"

"You are correct, but that would be when Darkmountain Keep issues an order requiring the Seyne Fief to act."

Philton defended again, "Our intervention was at the request and promise of Prinst; Darkmountain Keep issued no such order. If anyone is to be held accountable for this matter, the greatest criminal is Prinst!"

"Whose fault is greater or lesser, I do not care to know, nor do I care to ask."

Roning acted entirely indifferent. "I only need to tell my father about your actions. I believe, with his character, he will absolutely make Baron Reysen pay the price!"

Philton knew that reasoning with Roning this way would lead nowhere, so he stopped wasting words and began to reveal Baron Reysen's true plan.

"My Lord, if you report this matter to Darkmountain Keep, in the end, the Seyne Fief might compensate Darkmountain Keep with a certain amount of money or resources."

As he spoke, he sat back down, his tone carrying a distinctly seductive edge. "That money would be handed over to Darkmountain Keep. You wouldn't get a single coin."

Roning's heart stirred. It was coming; the enemy's true intention was finally arriving.

He waved a hand, leaning back askew in his chair. "I have no interest in money. I only hope Darkmountain Keep can give Baron Reysen a lesson, to let him know not to stretch his hand out too far!"

Sir Philton cursed Roning a hundred times in his heart, thinking the young man had no brains at all. The words had been laid out so clearly, and he still didn't understand?

"My Lord, Baron Reysen wishes to compensate you!"

He stopped speaking in riddles and laid his cards on the table. "As long as you no longer pursue the mistakes the Seyne Fief committed over the years by falling into Prinst's trap, Lord Reysen is willing to compensate you."

Perhaps worried that Roning still wouldn't understand, Philton continued to explain, "If you report it to Darkmountain Keep, the Seyne Fief pays Darkmountain Keep. But if you do not pursue it, our compensation falls right into your pocket!"

Roning was blooming with joy inside. Just a moment ago, he had been thinking about how short of money he was, and he hadn't expected the Seyne Fief to come and deliver funds.

"Compensate me?"

He feigned great interest. "How does Baron Reysen say he will compensate?"

Philton held up two fingers. "Lord Reysen is willing to pay Mountainwood Town two hundred gold coins in a lump sum!"

Two hundred gold coins to brush someone off?

Roning shook his head repeatedly. "I am of the blood of the Darkmountain family. How could I collude with him to deceive Darkmountain Keep?"

His face was filled with disdain. "Sir Philton, please return, and please do not block my messengers again. Otherwise, I wouldn't mind having Knight Macken keep you as a long-term guest in Mountainwood Keep!"

Philton was utterly disgusted by Roning's words. He had seen clearly just now that Roning's attitude was one of interest; this resolute refusal now was nothing more than disdaining the small amount of money.

At such a young age, he behaved so much like a greedy merchant.

"Three hundred!"

Philton held up three fingers. "Three hundred gold coins. I hope the Lord can change his mind!"

Roning questioned in a cold voice, "Fairness and justice are my creeds. Is Lord Reysen testing me?"

"Four hundred, my Lord. Four hundred should do, shouldn't it?"

Philton felt as if he were negotiating business with a disgusting merchant. "Mountainwood Town only provided the Seyne Fief with some grain each year. Adding it all up over the years, it probably doesn't even amount to four hundred gold coins!"

Roning laughed softly. Although he didn't know exactly how much Prinst had given the Seyne Fief, it was definitely more than four hundred gold coins.

"Sir Philton, you must understand, Baron Reysen is committing a crime! Once Darkmountain Keep finds out, the punishment will be far more than that."

Philton showed an expression of difficulty while cursing Roning for clearly wanting more while acting righteous. "My Lord, four hundred gold coins is truly not a small amount!"

Roning extended a single finger. "I won't make things difficult for you. One thousand gold coins. As long as Baron Reysen compensates me with one thousand gold coins, I can pretend I never discovered the matter between Prinst and you!"

Philton opened his mouth, seeming to think he had misheard.

Good heavens, directly demanding a thousand gold coins; he was truly greedy to the core!

Did the boy know what a thousand gold coins even meant?

Philton calmed his erratic breathing. If he hadn't seen the tall and imposing Macken standing by the side the entire time, he really wanted to rush up and strangle this greedy fellow.

"My Lord, even though Baron Reysen has some savings, for you to ask him to produce one thousand gold coins all at once is simply impossible!"

Philton shook his head. "Even if you were to report to Darkmountain Keep, when the Marquis's judgment finally comes down, I'm afraid it wouldn't reach this figure. In that case, you might as well go ahead and report it!"

A thousand gold coins truly couldn't be produced?

Roning smiled and said, "It doesn't matter if there aren't a thousand gold coins. Baron Reysen can use cattle to make up the difference. I hear that Swamp Town has quite a few black water buffaloes. I like eating beef; just give me thirty or forty heads."

The corner of Philton's mouth twitched. It was true that the Seyne Fief had many swamps, suitable for the survival of black water buffaloes.

Over the years, Baron Reysen had indeed made a lot of money by domesticating black water buffaloes, but for Roning to open his mouth and ask for thirty or forty heads was utter nonsense!

To tell the truth, if Lord Reysen hadn't repeatedly requested to secure a peaceful resolution first, he probably would have stood up and left immediately.

But the negotiation had to continue. "My Lord, there really isn't that much!"