"Danger is relative, Mr.Payne, and danger also means opportunity," the Fourth Prince mused, flipping through the materials gathered by the Minister's Assistant. "I heard your title was inherited from your father? He was a Knight who, for his military achievements, was granted the baronial title and fiefdom." "Exactly," Tigu nodded.
"That battle was a glorious fight for the innocent, fought during the Evil Demon's Moon. A small contingent of demonic beasts unexpectedly breached the fortress defenses through the Crimson River, advancing into the western hinterland. Your father was patrolling the area when he encountered the remaining creatures. Unlike most who would retreat first to signal reinforcements, he chose to confront them head-on. Behind him lay an unguarded town—though it bore no relation to him," Roland explained, his gaze fixed on the other's God. "You know better than I how your father rallied the town's militia, armed with his own attendants, and emerged victorious against the beasts." "Yes," he said with growing excitement, clearly captivated by the family saga. "One of them was colossal—a hybrid of deer and ox, its legs thicker than my father's torso. When it charged, the ground trembled. I doubt I could have defeated such a beast." "But he did. My father positioned himself near a shallow ravine, luring the enraged beast. As it accelerated, he lay in the ravine, his broad blade resting diagonally on a rock. The seemingly invincible creature crashed head-on into the blade, its belly torn open. The gushing intestines and black blood nearly drowned my father. To this day, a massive demonic horn from that battle hangs on our fireplace." Roland sipped his tea and continued unhurriedly: "A battle worthy of admiration." He upheld Knight's creed of mercy and valor. The title and fief were later bestowed upon him by Joy Cole, then a count of Long Song Fortress. Twenty-five years earlier, my father King Wimbledon III had elevated him to Duke, appointing him as Guardian of the Southern Frontier with dominion over the entire southern borderlands. Yet after the independence of the dependent kingdom, Old Payne—still east of the fortress—became a thorn in the Duke's side. "Your Highness knows this well," Tige sighed with resignation. "The Fortress Duke and Lord Joy have always been at odds. Joy Cole wasn't a count granted by the Fortress Duke; his lineage traces back to royal blood. In both family and pedigree, he rivals Lord Laine." "This is politics," Roland mused. "King Wimbledon III's balancing act."
To unravel this tangled web of relationships, he had the Minister's Assistant come in and explain it to him all day long.
The feudal system and governance among Nobles were highly chaotic. While theoretically, a superior Noble could issue commands to subordinate Nobles within their domain, the actual implementation was far more complex. Examples include Joy Cole and the Duke of Lannister. As a Earl directly appointed by the King, his territory, though located in the Westerlands, held prestige and influence comparable to that of the Duke of Lannister.
When Joey ascended to the throne as Duke of the South, his realm was inevitably targeted with new challenges—a standard tactic employed by the Graycastle royal family to ensure political stability.
"So after inheriting this territory, both trade and agriculture gradually declined, and the family business deteriorated day by day," Roland said slowly. "Now, a new opportunity lies before you." "A new... opportunity?" "You must have heard about the famine two years ago, when the fortress withheld food for the next month, citing insufficient ore for trade. This year, we face the same predicament. The unexpected collapse of the North Slope Mine left the people of Border Town with no way out. We must block the evil beasts behind the newly built walls. The battle may not be smooth sailing, but as I said before, danger also means opportunity." "..." Tigu understood Prince's meaning, frowning without answering immediately.
"Frankly, you're not exactly a typical Noble," Roland chuckled. "Nobody would dress like that for public appearances, and those calluses on your hands? Mr.Payne, you've kept your father's legacy alive, haven't you? The combat skills that define a Knight." He hadn't abandoned them, Roland thought—otherwise, he wouldn't be running around the Hide-and-Seek Forest nonstop. Barov's intel revealed that during his time in Border Town, he'd spent at least three days a week in the Hide-and-Seek Forest. Each time, he'd come fully equipped. Unable to afford a squire, he'd simply hire a hunter from town. Some people are born to fight, and Tigu Payne was clearly one of them.
"If you choose to remain in Border Town, I shall grant you the chance to reclaim your father's legacy—earning glory through sword and valor as he did. For exceptional service, I shall carve out a land east of Border Town as a fief, befitting a Viscount." Though rare, such promises carry weight. As an adult Prince, he could legally confer titles like Viscount, Baron, or Knight, though seldom bestowed upon others' men. It would be beneath noble dignity to poach them, and outright refusal would be awkward. But Roland cared not for decorum. All he wanted was Nana Wa's mobile healing station. He didn't mind rejection—Joey's failure to bring his father along after becoming the Guardian of the Southland proved the former had abandoned the Payne family.
Tig finally spoke. "Your Highness, may I return Nana Wa to the Long Song Fortress? No one has ever resisted the Demon Beast here before. If this fails, I don't want my daughter to perish in this place." "I warned you from the start, Mr.Payne. Danger is relative. Have you considered what would happen if Nana Wa were discovered as a Witch in the Long Song Fortress? It's not like Border Town—the Church has long established roots there, with followers and spies everywhere. Once exposed, even I couldn't save her." Roland paused. "Border Town won't fall. When the Demon Moon arrives, I'll fight alongside the citizens on the walls. Our opponents are merely mutated beasts, not invincible Devils. Your father defeated them in open fields, and we have an impenetrable wall. If... I mean, if anything happens, I'll let Nana Wa leave first," he paused. "And Anna. I'll leave a small boat at the dock. I promise they'll be safe." "If so... I trust you, Your Highness," Tig Payne stood up, kneeling on one knee, chest out, stomach drawn in, and bowed to Prince with the standard Knight's salute. "I'm willing to fight for you."
After Tigu and Nana Wa left, Anna shot Roland a glare.
"Are you dreaming?" she said, "I'm not going anywhere."