Knight Lords: Infinite Simulation and the Path of Light

Chapter 23 No choice
"Ha~~~~"

After listening to Count Maurice recount some events concerning the Cuban, Haven, overcome with drowsiness, could no longer stay awake.

Count Hylan, seeing how sleepy his son was, gestured for him to go back to sleep.

Watching their son yawn and leave the study, the two fell silent. The only sound in the empty study was the crackling of the burning candle.

"Haddaway!"

Do we really want to do this? Once we do, there will be no turning back.

Count Morley jumped up from his chair and strode over to Count Hyland.

He stuck out his finger and poked Earl Hylan's chest hard, his voice sharp like that of a wounded old cat.
"A way out! You're talking about a way out?"
We had no way out, from the moment we were born as infants in the North, crying our first cries. Our fate was sealed.

We people of the North have no choice; all we have to do is endure the cold wind and die. Where can we retreat to?

Or are you afraid your son will also die in this endless struggle?

Like an enraged lion, Earl Hyland grabbed Earl Morrie by the collar and lifted the old man up.

"When has the White Lion family ever been afraid of death? But doing this will cause many innocent people to die!"

Count Morrie lifted his feet off the ground, but stubbornly refused to sway, stiffening his neck as he stared at Kevin Hylan.

His eyes were like mountain rocks that had been exposed to the cold wind for decades, without the slightest ripple.

"The people of the North, the children of the North, are also innocent. They didn't have to die at the prime of their lives, in the Armagh Mountains, where only seven months of the year are warm."

thump~
Count Morrie plopped down on the wooden floor, patted his backside, and walked to a cabinet to take down a jug of wine.

"Let future generations judge our decision. The problem will eventually need to be solved while we still have the ability."

After accepting the wine offered by Count Morrie, the two friends, who had known each other for thirty years, finished their drink and left the study.

'Ooh~ Ah~ Da~'

"It's so noisy! Why are you making so much noise so early in the morning instead of sleeping?"

Ankut! Ankut!

With a creak, the door opened, and the butler, Ancourt, walked in.

"Good morning, young master. What do you need?"

Haven rolled around on the bed like a wriggling maggot. After a series of howls, he poked his head out from under the covers.

What time is it now?

"Young Master, it is now 9:45."

Thinking about how she had only slept for less than six hours, she angrily shifted around in bed a few more times.

"What's going on outside? Why is it so noisy?"

Ankut walked out of the room, but returned a short while later.

"Young master, the guards say that the Dawn Guard has left Whiterun City, and the camp outside the city has been completely dismantled."

Hearing this, Havent sat up abruptly. That annoying guy was gone! But wait, how could he just leave so easily?

"Where did they go?"

"I'm not sure, young master. The guards also said that several nobles downstairs seem to be arguing about something and are about to fight?"

"What? Why is that?"
Damn it! These guys are a constant source of trouble. My clothes! Where are my clothes?

After getting dressed, Haven ran down from the bedroom in a few steps. At this moment, two groups of people were facing off in the square, their longswords already drawn at their waists, although there was a slight difference in numbers between the two sides.

"Raven, don't blame me for being ruthless, everyone's having a tough time right now. The 30,000 baka (currency) you owe me can't wait until next year. I don't want the interest, just pay me the principal now."

“Cecilia, you’re taking advantage of my misfortune. You know perfectly well what the situation is like in my territory right now.”

Baron Raven, surrounded by Cecilia and her men, blushed deeply. He had originally planned to bid farewell to the Earl at dawn, but instead bumped into Viscount Cecilia.

"Then I can't help you. My situation isn't much better right now either. If all else fails, just pay me 90%, is that alright?"

However, Baron Raven, who was penniless, clearly couldn't produce any. He clenched his fists in embarrassment and spoke humbly to Viscount Cecilia.
"My Lady Cecilia, I truly cannot afford this sum of money."

"In that case, you can maintain your original repayment schedule, and I'll give you an extra 10% interest. I'll be heading to the Arma Front to serve in the military, and I'm sure I'll be able to repay your money."

Unexpectedly, Baron Raven's soft words did not elicit a good attitude from Viscount Cecilia; instead, he launched into a tirade.

"Damn it! No, I need it now. If you go to the Ama defense line and die at any time, who am I supposed to ask for this money from?"

Baron Raven was also taken aback by Cecilia's words and replied in a forced manner.

"Well, there's nothing I can do about it. I don't have any money right now."

Viscount Cecilia laughed instead of getting angry at Raven's words.
"Alright, alright~ You have no other choice, right? I'll give you a solution: sell your territory to someone who can afford it."

This way, you can not only easily pay off your debts, but also have a large sum of money to recruit soldiers, so you won't have to start as a squad leader when you go to the Amma defense line.

After saying that, he let out a wild and grating laugh.

Upon hearing that Cecilia was eyeing his main territory, Raven instantly lost his temper, drew his sword, and pointed it at Cecilia.

"Damn it, don't even think about it! As long as I'm alive, you can forget about it!"

Cecilia squinted at Raven, then with a whoosh, drew her knight's sword from her waist and pointed it at Raven.

"Coward, you actually dared to draw your sword. You have some courage. Too bad, it's useless."

The moment Sicily drew her sword, the knights around her also drew their swords and pointed them at Raven.

"You'd better put down your weapon. I need the money today. You didn't die at the hands of the ghouls, so I don't mind if you die at my hands."

Hi~ Hi~
Stop! Stop! Please stop fighting!

Haven ran downstairs with his pants down, not even bothering to tuck them in.

As Havent ran over, the tense atmosphere between the two sides eased slightly.

Haven, with his belt tightened, squeezed between the two men, looked at the gleaming sword tip in front of him, reached out and pinched it, pressing it down.

"What kind of behavior is this? If the people of Whiterun see this, it will be a disgrace to our noble family."

"Put it down~ put it down, can anyone tell me what happened?"

Seeing Havent blocking his way, Raven was the first to sheathe his longsword, his eyes red-rimmed, and he spoke in a slightly aggrieved voice.
“Young Master Haven, Cecilia is going too far, trying to seize my family’s ancestral territory.”

Cecilia dared not point her sword at the earl's heir, and sheathed her longsword at her waist. Hearing Raven's words, she immediately began to hurriedly defend herself.
"No, he owes me money. I just want him to pay it back early. I won't charge interest, just 90% of the principal is fine."

He refused, saying he would serve on the Ama defense line to repay the debt. "Goddess of Harvest, who can guarantee they'll leave the Ama defense line unscathed? I'm afraid if he dies, he'll be even less able to repay the debt."

After listening to both sides, Haven got a general idea: it was still a problem caused by lack of money. He immediately clapped his hands.

"The Lord Raven's bills have been taken over by the Highland Territory. I will inform the steward to make payment to you later, Lady Cecilia."

As for Raven, well live well, you owe me a sum of money.

Upon hearing this, the tall Baron Raven's eyes welled up with tears. Just as he was about to say a few words of thanks to Young Master Havent, his expression suddenly changed as if he had seen something.

"Master! Be careful!"

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(End of this chapter)