I built a manor in the Middle Ages

Chapter 260 The Lingering Influence of the Baldwin Family
In autumn, the temperature in Burgundy gradually cools down.

The chirping of insects was much less frequent at night, and the branches and leaves on the treetops showed signs of falling. Only the occasional hooting of an owl echoed through the darkness, its mournful cry casting an eerie atmosphere over the night.

In a deserted clearing, Bauer carefully scattered the seeds in his palm at his feet. Moonlight refracted through the air, making it faintly discernible that the seeds appeared to have been cooked.

As the seeds fell one by one, a unique pattern gradually took shape under Bauer's feet.

"God bless, God bless, God bless."

Looking at the pattern, Bauer was already drenched in sweat and his face was deathly pale.

flap!

Just then, an owl in the distance suddenly leaped out of the forest.

Paul was so terrified that he collapsed to the ground, crying out, "Oh my God!"

Please forgive me!

After a while, seeing that there was no movement, Bao Erti's heart, which had been in his throat, slowly returned to his stomach.

As Bauer rose, he clutched a crucifix tightly—a gift from Luc in the name of the Knight of the Holy Cry and Saint Lynn. Making sure no one else was around, he tiptoed towards the house in the distance.

Only the returning owl stared in bewilderment at Bauer's retreating figure.

……

……

"There seem to be more owls here than in Knightsburg?"

"It's a greywood owl, which is very common in forests. Because of the clearing of your territory, many field mice have died, which is why there are fewer owls."

Byrne replied to Luc's words, gazing northward, a habit he had developed since leaving Saxony.

"It seems that the owls at Riverside Manor will have to disappear from the scene in the future."

"Sol's construction team will be here in half a month. Before winter comes and the river freezes, they will build the watermill first."

"You'll have to cooperate well with Thor then."

On the small mound, Luc stood at the forefront, constantly surveying the land surrounding the riverside estate. Because of the last-minute decision to switch the estate to growing a batch of grain, the flax farmland would inevitably decrease. However, Luc didn't want his dyeing business to suffer a sharp decline in production, so he decided to expand the farmland around the perimeter.

Just recently, news came from Tiha Village that the church in Tiha Village will be completed ahead of schedule!

This was something Luc hadn't expected, yet it made perfect sense: the arrival in Tiha village was met with great enthusiasm from the locals who still supported the Baldwin family.

The Baldwin family was definitely a good lord.

Compared to other nobles, they were at least not tyrannical, quite brave, and good at business. Moreover, since becoming Beric's fiefdom and being ruthlessly exploited by Beric, the Baldwin family was much more beloved in comparison.

In fact, those in the know in Tiha Village already knew that the construction team sent there was owned by Miss Duss's husband.

With plenty of food, everyone's enthusiasm was considerable. But ultimately, it couldn't compare to the enthusiasm generated by being there in person.

After all, he was Baldwin's bodyguard when he was alive!
With him around, I believe the new lord won't make things too difficult for us.

Hey, who knows, maybe the new lord will grant the fiefdom to him?

It's a pity that Miss Duss is a woman.
Rumors circulated in Tiha Village. Ryan went there a few times and accidentally learned about the situation. He wasn't foolish enough to think that Ryan would rebel, but he was still very dissatisfied.

He told Luke about the situation, but Luke didn't pursue it too much.

Because, just as Ryan thought, Rang would never betray him.

However, although Luc didn't care, George, who had somehow gotten wind of it, rushed back from Telfbridge to warn him to be careful.

“God above, sir, let him guard the Terf Bridge with me for a long time. I know him very well. I think he is very thoughtful. Although he currently admires you somewhat, the situation in Tiha Village absolutely cannot continue like this. If possible, please transfer him back to the bridge and find someone else to go to Tiha Village.”

George spoke with an earnest tone, which seemed incongruous with his comical and wrinkled face.

Luc looked at George with a wry smile. When did this horse thief, whom he had kidnapped years ago, develop such awareness?
"Hey buddy, are you looking to find someone to watch the bridge so you can have more time to play dice?"

Ryan stared at George with a speechless expression.

"How could that be!" George blushed and quickly denied it, but his next words softened: "...Alright, I admit, that's part of the reason. But I swear to God, it's mostly for the sake of your territory, sir!"

Ultimately, Luc did not take George's advice, but in consideration of George's suggestion, Luc rewarded him with a bottle of cider.

This surprised Ryan, who knew the value of cider. Because cider was expensive, it had been unusually pricey at the recent market. Fortunately, with the devout old man Poons and the wealthy Golden Lion Kahn present, they decisively bought it in a 30/70 split, and it was still in short supply.

As for David, he had no intention of buying any—even though Luc had given him a little to try beforehand.

It's worth mentioning that the Jewish merchant Ezra came to the market again and bought up all of Luke's last remaining insect repellent. Judging from his words, the insect repellent was selling very well outside.

But when asked about the price he sells it for and the channels he uses, this shrewd businessman always says it's a trade secret.

Meanwhile, the new residents on the other side of the river also bought some pottery and other items at the market, which can be considered a step forward in Luc's plan for a self-sufficient manor economy with currency circulation.

Faced with Ryan's confusion, Luke only gave a brief explanation.

Actually, Luc didn't expect that George would come all this way to persuade him.

However, his success suggests that George appears to be more talented than he had imagined.

At least his overall perspective and insight are far superior to those of many horse thieves.

Just thinking about all of George's flaws gives me a headache; he's a guy with such obvious strengths and weaknesses.

"Cooperate? No problem."

Byrne straightened his back, interrupting Luc's thoughts:

"However, are you sure the people at this manor will cooperate with us?"

Byrne said with a slightly heavy tone, "You know, they went to great lengths to refuse your flax planting."

"They will cooperate, after all, the watermill is beneficial to them all, and the benefits are obvious."

The serfs' resistance to Luc's plantations was ultimately due to their shortsightedness and distrust of Luc, but the watermills were a different story.

"And soon they won't be resisting flax anymore."

Luc smiled and, without offering any explanation to Byrne's questioning gaze, changed the subject.

"By the way, Byrne, if I become a baron, will you be one of my knights?"

"You want to become a baron?!"

Byrne knew that the Duke of Burgundy had rejected Luc's offer to become a baron, so when he heard the other party bring it up again, his usually composed eyes widened.

“I mean, if,” Luc said with a smile.

"Of course!"

Byrne took a deep breath and answered without hesitation.

Wasn't he wandering for years just to seek a fiefdom? He was already tired of the life of wandering, not only going hungry but also having his once proud glory and background tarnished.

Over the years, in the dead of night, Byrne would often think back to his life in Saxony.

If Jean's thoughts are as heavy as the Agate River, then Byrne's heart is no less so than the Thorne River.

This is also why he chose to follow Luc.

"If you become a baron, grant me your knighthood and a piece of land. I swear, I will defend your family with my life and my sword!"

“Very good.” Luke nodded.

“I swear to God that when I receive the title of baron, it will be the same time you receive your fief.”

"But before that, I think you need to deal with a big problem for my family first."

Luke straightened his clothes and said solemnly, "A group of heretics has cast a curse on my territory, and I have found out that it was that man in black robes! Now, I will have Huss guide you and Grimbald. When Bauer last saw him, he had secretly smeared some ochre on the trees along the way."

"Now, I want you to bring him back to me within three days!"

"Remember, I only want him alive, and he must be unable to speak, understand?"

Upon hearing that the man in black was a heretic, Byrne's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure and nodded deeply.

"Don't worry, sir!"

(End of this chapter)