I built a manor in the Middle Ages

Chapter 239 The Birth of the Luke Family

"Sir, this will be your dairy cow from now on!"

Cooper's Cowshed.

Ryan excitedly stroked the black and white livestock in front of him. The animal, which was as tall as him, chewed on hay obediently. When it saw Luke approaching, it opened its mouth and mooed twice.

“Sir Luc, your cow is another calf that has just been weaned, not this one. This is the next cow that the Baron is preparing to raise.”

Dairy cows have a long lactation period, producing milk for nearly ten months of the year.

To ensure a consistent milk supply, the cows are made pregnant every year.

The calf in front of us was born last year.

However, Luke ignored the butler's words and went straight over to pat the cow's rump. The firm feel of the rump made him nod in satisfaction.

"This is it. It will start producing milk in a while. I will raise the calf for another year."

"But."

"No buts. Trust me, the Baron will agree."

Luke interrupted the butler, waving him away. Finally, the old butler sighed, turned around, and went back to report.

Ryan whistled as he watched the butler leave.

"Master, that was so satisfying!" Ryan laughed heartily. "Now that guy Berry should get a taste of what it's like to swallow your pride!"

Luc looked at the cows that were ready to mate, but his expression did not show much joy.

"I think he's been holding back a bit too much."

Ryan composed himself upon hearing this: "Sir, you mean..."

Luke had long experienced how cunning Berry was. Even though he had suffered losses, he was not seriously injured. He still had six fief knights who were still capable of fighting, and even his own private soldiers were still alive in the Knights' Castle.

Of course, the dead peasant soldier Berry didn't care.

"Better safe than sorry. Once we get back to the valley, we'll increase patrols in our territory to prevent any further incidents."

"Also, we should ask Vice-Bishop Hugo about any progress."

As he spoke, Luc observed the cows.

Unlike horses, mules, and donkeys, the cattle shed was much larger and cleaner. The feed consisted mainly of hay, which was oat straw and some nettles. Luke smelled it carefully and found that it was fermented.

Looking at the real milk-producing cow next to them, they discovered that it had also consumed some of the distiller's grains residue and some acorn powder.

"In winter, hay is the main crop, but in summer, alfalfa and clover are the main crops."

Just as Luc was learning the technique, a slightly deep voice came from behind.

Luc turned his head and saw a brown-haired, gray-eyed boy slowly walking towards him from behind. George stepped forward and blocked the boy's path.

"Fan?"

"Oh? You know me?" The boy stopped abruptly, slightly surprised.

Luc did not respond to him, but instead looked up at the butler who was returning from the castle.

The boy also noticed this scene, and he quickly and quietly said, "I'll be waiting for you in the woods west of Cooper Castle!"

After saying that, he ran away quickly.

“Sir Luke, the Baron said he allows you to take this cow.”

"Thank you." Luke nodded, seeing the butler off while squinting in the direction where Finn had disappeared.

……

Cows need to be bred to produce milk, but unfortunately Berry only has one bull.

Fortunately, the cow was pregnant at the time, as one of Berry's spoils of war in suppressing the rebellion, so this one is not related to the bull and can be safely bred.

The four men kept their swords and crossbows firmly in their hands at all times. Although Beryl was unlikely to fight unless he went crazy, they only relaxed a little after driving the bred cows to the Treff Bridge.

Instructing George and Andrew to take the cows back to Knightsburg, Luc, along with Jean and Ryan, decided to head straight for Maconshire.

Duss is about to give birth.

I've been on countless journeys before, but this is the first time I've ever been fully armed with cavalry.

The three were dressed in matching chainmail helmets with nose guards, stag cloaks, and adorned with knight's swords and kite shields (including Clovis's shield). To the untrained eye, they would be mistaken for an elite squad of knights.

As he was leaving, Luc suddenly glanced at the gray-tinged Cooper Castle one last time, his expression gradually becoming solemn.

Because he remembered his conversation with Finn not long ago.

"Sir, do you think what that guy said is credible? Could it be a bait set up by Berry?"

Ryan reined in his horse and frowned.

"Maybe."

"What about the route he mentioned?" "We'll see when the time comes. If it's fake, we'll hold back."

"But if it's true..."

Luke turned his head and cracked his whip. If it was true, it would be a good opportunity to make Berry's line end!
—Because Fane told Luc about the route Joseph had taken back that he had overheard!
Not only that, the seemingly harmless second son, in a sinister tone, meticulously detailed all information about Joseph's equipment, manpower, and so on, and then told Luc another shocking thing:

He wanted to replace Joseph Jr., Berry, and Cooperburg.
He wants to be a baron.

In return, if he becomes a baron, in addition to his existing territories, Luc will be allowed to choose any new fief in addition to Castle Cooper.
"Let's go to Macon County!"

Luke remained calm; faced with temptation, he needed to investigate further.

……

After rushing westward, when Luc arrived at the Church of St. Vincent, he stayed there for half a month before Doss finally went into labor.

Not long ago, Luke had comforted Jill, telling her not to be nervous. He wasn't afraid of Berry's swords, but now he was pacing around outside the delivery room like a cat on a hot tin roof.

"Don't worry, the midwife inside is the most experienced in the whole of Macon. Sit down and relax, buddy."

Kahn, the Golden Lion, sat casually in the chair. Since the founding of the Charity Brotherhood, he had benefited greatly from it, especially from the Temple Repair Society, so he had a good impression of Luc. He had come to celebrate after hearing that his wife had given birth.

Hugo stood to the side, devoutly reciting Genesis, praying that God would bless the mother and child with safety.

Kahn raised an eyebrow at the sight, it seemed that Luc and Cluny did indeed have a close relationship.

He had already heard that Dean Cluny had indeed visited Dijon and had a very pleasant conversation with the Duke of Burgundy, and it seemed that a church reform that would sweep across the entire duchy was about to begin.

He was very fortunate to have become the guardian of the so-called charity at this time.

"Perhaps it is time to remove Pierre from office and let Hugo become the bishop."

"And Luke."

Kahn stroked his proud beard, thinking, "Hmm, I should reward him with something."

Ryan and Rang, their lips chapped, looked nervously into the room.

However, one was more worried about Luc, and the other was more worried about Duss.

Of course, there's also their child together.

"Wow wow wow!"

Suddenly, a loud wail echoed through the cabin. Everyone turned around abruptly to see Julie emerge from the house, her face beaming with joy, saying:
"It's a boy, it's a boy!"

"Sir, mother and child are safe!!"

"Thank God!!!"

As soon as Julie finished speaking, Ryan let out a strange cry and started wildly waving his arms. Then he knelt down, muttering incantations with a devout expression. Even Hans grinned foolishly, standing there chuckling.

Everyone was immersed in ecstasy.

Luc felt as if he had just fought a fierce battle, and only managed to steady himself by leaning on his longsword. He then burst into hearty laughter:

"Reward! Everyone will be richly rewarded!!"

“Sir Luke, this is the silver cross I am giving to your eldest son. If you wish, I would like to personally baptize this newborn.”

Hugo smiled slightly and presented her with a sterling silver necklace.

"Of course, it would be my honor!"

Luc was perfectly willing to allow an archdeacon to baptize him.

"Sir Luke, from this day forward, you are a true family."

Kahn walked up to Luc at some point, twitching his beard as he spoke.

He's right. Having offspring means Luc has a foundation for his lineage. If the child grows up safely, Luc's family will be truly established.

Otherwise, a hundred years from now, everything Luc possesses will simply be a wedding dress for someone else.

Kahn thought for a moment and said:

"Since you are not my direct knight, how about making your son one of my knights?"

“I will grant him a small wooden ferry house on the west side of Macon County, along with a flat-bottomed ferry, as a fief, and allow him to collect tolls for crossing the bridge.”

"And by the way, add the firewood bundling tax for the ten households in the northeast corner!"

Kahn's gift surprised Luc, but he quickly accepted his kindness.

This is one of the benefits of the alliance.

After thanking the Count and the Bishop, Luc looked at the child who had not yet been born and was filled with emotion.

I spent countless hours securing my knighthood, and this kid already had it at birth?

Damn feudal traditions!
But I like it.

(End of this chapter)