Become their wicked yet gentle lord.

"The master is angry... He tied your father to a pillar and let the hunting dogs kill him. He also said you have to pay for the dead dog's funeral and pay thirty silver coins... Otherwise, he'll take another life from your family in exchange..."

The villagers' lips turned purple just from saying that. They didn't dare look at the distraught Mark, but instead took out a bunch of loose coins from their pockets, silver coins mixed with a bunch of chipped copper coins, and handed them to Mark.

"This was raised by the village. Your father died for the village, but this is all we can offer..."

Mark felt their voices were very far away. He hadn't slept all night yesterday because of Sally's marriage to someone far away, but now he felt that it really didn't matter.

The cold wind interrupted Mark's thoughts. He snapped out of his reverie, touched the two smooth eggs, and knocked on the door in front of him.

An old man with a full beard pushed open the door. It was Jack, the village chief of Marta Village. He peeked through the crack in the door, and after recognizing Mark, asked:

"What are you doing here? It's so cold so early in the morning."

Mark pulled out two eggs and said to old Jack, "Village, I've come to pay off my debt..."

He always remembered the money the villagers had lent him, and although they all said he didn't have to pay it back, Mark still repaid them little by little with all sorts of things.

"I already told you it's not necessary, you little rascal..."

Old Jack was about to close the door when a clear voice suddenly came from inside. "You're singing plum blossoms, you're empty, you're in the forest, are you not here...?"

“Although I don’t understand the specifics of what happened, he seems like an honest young man. Mr. Village Chief, why don’t you let him come in first?”

Mark had never heard such a pleasant voice before. He watched as Old Jack's expression changed repeatedly through the crack in the door. Reluctantly, Old Jack unlocked the door and let Mark in.

As soon as Mark stepped into the room, his eyes were drawn to the figure by the table.

She was a young woman with beautiful long blonde hair draped over an elegant winter coat, standing out starkly from old Jack's cabin like a light shining into a dim room.

Mark couldn't find the right words to describe it; he just thought the woman was incredibly beautiful, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

"What are you looking at? Is there something on my face?"

The woman smiled gently, her beauty as captivating as her voice, making Mark forget his cold and hunger, and he stammered, "N-nothing..."

He was completely unaware that Village Chief Jack was huddled in one corner of the room, his eyes filled with wariness, helplessness, fear, and despair...

Seeing Mark's dazed expression, the woman's smile widened, and she turned to ask Old Jack for more information.

"What a handsome young man, and an upright one at that. Village Chief, won't you introduce him to me?"

Handsome, upright… just a few words of praise were enough to straighten Mark’s back. Old Jack seemed somewhat afraid of this woman, and could only silently recount Mark’s background. The village chief’s expression and tone were very unnatural, but Mark, preoccupied with his own thoughts, ignored all his abnormalities…

He simply watched as the blonde woman patiently listened to his story, her expression shifting between surprise and sorrow, like an angel from church legend, full of compassion and mercy. It was as if simply looking at her made all the unpleasantness in the world vanish. He couldn't understand why the village chief was so wary of this woman, when her smile was so friendly, inspiring only longing.

"What a tragic backstory..."

After listening, the woman sighed softly, then said to Old Jack, "Village Chief, if you agree to my conditions, such tragedies will never happen again in the village. We will protect the interests of the entire Mata Village. Are you really not going to reconsider?"

Old Jack's facial muscles twitched, and his lips trembled slightly. It seemed he had mustered a great deal of courage to refuse: "I'm sorry, Miss Adela..."

"Is that so?" The woman named Adela gently stood up, smoothing her coat. This single movement made Old Jack shudder, immediately stepping back as if wary of a jackal or tiger. But Adela didn't seem to mind at all, simply smiling gently at Old Jack:

“I respect your decision, however, I hope you will keep quiet about what happened today. Also, if someone else in the village is willing to help me, then it's none of your business, right? I also hope you know… what to do…”

Adela smiled and glanced at Mark beside her, then turned and left.

"Village chief, who exactly is this young lady...?"

Mark, smelling the fragrance wafting from Adela's as she got up, asked Old Jack a question, completely unaware that Old Jack was sweating profusely.

"I don't know, don't ask me! Don't ask! Go back now! Don't tell anyone about what happened today!"

Mark was startled by Old Jack's reaction. He hesitated for a moment and was about to leave when Old Jack suddenly called him back.

“Mark, my lad, you…”

Old Jack was about to say something, but hesitated, his eyes fixed on the outside, as if a demon were watching them. He swallowed hard, his gaze fixed anxiously on Mark, as if he wanted to tell him something, but ultimately dared not utter a word.

"Forget it, let's go."

It was strange... Mark was puzzled. He seemed to understand that old Jack was implying that the woman was very dangerous, but he didn't understand why. Perhaps he really didn't know.

He pushed open the door and left, his mind in turmoil, but he hadn't gone far when that fragrant breeze appeared before him again.

Adela stood there, smiling at him.

"Mr. Mark, could you walk with me for a bit?"

Chapter 17

"I was incredibly excited, I couldn't explain why my heart was beating so fast, just her standing there made me speechless. But at the same time, I also felt a vague sense of fear, the image of Village Chief Jack kept flashing through my mind. I know Uncle Jack, for Miss Adela to be so afraid of him, she must be no ordinary person..."

Mark stood in front of Ryusha, blankly recounting the story of that day.

"It's so long... How long are we supposed to listen to him talk about?"

Melanie, standing behind Ryuga, couldn't help but frown and mutter a complaint. Ryuga remained silent, glancing at the small village behind Mark. The villagers, hiding inside, occasionally peeked at the village entrance; several seemed to be sneaking off, perhaps trying to slip away through the back of the village. Ryuga released his magic, enveloping the entire village, and after detecting no threat, gave Melanie a look.

"Good good."

Melanie leaped lightly from her horse, chanting as she waved her staff. The snow beneath her feet immediately stirred, forming a massive storm that enveloped the entire village. Towering ice blocks all entrances and exits to Mata Village. After doing all this, she landed back beside Ryūka. Ryūka had already cast a magical barrier, enveloping Melanie and Mark within it, isolating them from external sight and sound.

Adela, the woman Mark described, piqued Ryusha's interest. Why would someone like her visit a village like Marta? What was she after? What was the purpose of that magical crystal? And with the Sochi region in turmoil, for whom was Adela working?

The only clues to this can be found in Mark and the locals. Ryuka felt that the appearance of an abnormal woman at such an abnormal time of year must be part of some kind of conspiracy.

After Liuxia finished arranging everything, Mark continued, "The village chief was right. He warned me with his eyes not to go near that woman, but I foolishly walked into her trap... At first, she just wanted me to walk and chat with her, like a friend. That process made me incredibly happy, and I began to trust her, forgetting all about the village chief..."

"Your story is truly regrettable. It's such a pity that a strong and honest person like you has to live such a life, while those noble lords live carefree lives."

On the forest path, Adela sighed and looked at Mark beside her, captivating the blushing young man with her beautiful blue eyes, before asking:

"Haven't you thought about revenge?"

"Revenge?" Mark's lips trembled slightly. The other party was a lord, a knight, who could kill a hundred of him with a sword. How could he possibly take revenge?

But perhaps not wanting to appear spineless in front of this beautiful young lady, Mark stubbornly insisted on saying:

"Of course I've thought about it. The Linhu Territory in the east has already reached Sochi City, and they'll be here soon! When that happens, I'll join their army and then I can finally fight that lord!"

Adela let out a silvery laugh, her golden hair swaying wildly as she laughed, which infuriated Mark. He glared at her and asked, "Miss Adela, do you find this funny?"

"No, no, please forgive me..."

Adela gracefully patted her chest, exhaling a puff of white breath from her rosy lips, and a captivating smile bloomed on her slightly flushed face in the cold air.

“Mr. Mark, I admire your courage, but have you considered that Viscount Tartu of Linhu Territory is also a nobleman? With a different lord, your fate could be different. Is that what you think?”

“This…” Mark was momentarily speechless, but then he remembered the rumors he had heard and immediately retorted, “I heard that the lord of Linhu Territory is very kind to people, and that Governor Liuxia shows no mercy to rebellious nobles…”

"You yourself said they are rebellious nobles," Adela interrupted Mark. "Do you know the truth about the fighting among these nobles in the Sochi territory? They are all supporting different princes and princesses. The Linhu territory attacked Sochi City only to prevent the Third Prince Clovis from taking over the city. Otherwise, as the thirteenth princess's faction, they would have no future."

Even if they treated the people well in the past, it was just a trick to win their hearts and minds. None of these rulers are good people. Just watch, after they occupy this place, they'll definitely use money and provisions to buy people's hearts, and then they'll conscript soldiers, so they'll have the strength to fight against the Third Prince.

Adela's words displeased Mark slightly. He had always heard that the common people in Linhu Territory were doing well, but Adela's confident demeanor made him think there might be some truth to it. However, Mark still insisted on adding:

"I'm just a nobody, I don't care about all that. But if Linhu Territory wants to attack our lord, then I'd like to help!"

“What if the lord surrenders?” Adela smiled slyly, her question putting Mark firmly in her grasp.

"Surrender?"

“That’s right. In order to have enough power to fight against others, they will definitely use both carrot and stick tactics to win over as many forces as possible who are willing to serve them. And haven’t they already won over quite a few minor lords in the south? Even though those people have done a lot of evil in the past, as long as they can serve them now, that kid named Ryūka will let them go, won’t he?”

Adèle's words completely swayed Mark. He was just a country bumpkin who didn't understand many things. And what Adèle said made a lot of sense, so he could only believe her and continue to think along those lines.

"So, what will you do if the lord surrenders? You might even be assigned to a unit and given command. And even if he doesn't surrender, all you can do is watch him be killed by the high-ranking official of Linhu Territory. That's hardly revenge. After all, they are knights and mages, nobles, while you are just an ordinary person."

Adela's words tormented Mark. Although his previous words were merely a spur-of-the-moment decision, and the desire for revenge had long been worn down by the daily grind of hunger and cold, Adela's description brought back a vivid sense of desperate helplessness. Yes, after all, he was just an ordinary person, a poor boy who would die on the street and no one would care.

"And what about you!" Mark looked at the beautiful Adela and couldn't help but raise his voice, shouting at her in a tone he hadn't dared to use before, "Judging from your appearance, you're either a noblewoman or a wealthy young lady! Are you saying things like that to look down on us ordinary people!"

Mark's sudden increase in voice seemed to startle Adela. She trembled, took a half-step back, and looked at Mark with pitiful and frightened eyes. This vulnerable demeanor instantly snapped Mark back to reality. For such a beautiful lady to even glance at him and chat with him like a friend was already a tremendous favor. He couldn't help but apologize, feeling somewhat annoyed.

"I'm so sorry, Miss Adela, I..."

"It's okay, I understand."

Adela cut him off, pursed her lips, looked remorseful, and twirled in front of Mark with her arms outstretched, like a fairy dancing in the snow.

"It's all because of this outfit..."

"What?" Mark listened to Adela's murmured words, and her light and lovely appearance made him feel even more guilty for his shout just now.

"I mean, it's this outfit that makes you think I'm someone of high status, like the village chief, so you're terrified of me."

Adela's eyes seemed lost in thought, as if she were secretly saddened, before she said to Mark, "Actually, I'm just an ordinary person, like Mr. Mark. Have you heard of a small town in the western part of the Empire called Schwarz?"

"Sorry, no..."

“Schwarz, near the Diperos Fortress, one year a magical crystal the size of a house was unearthed from one of our mines! It was even transported to the capital for exhibition! Haven’t you heard about that?”

Mark's heart raced as he watched Adela gesturing with her arms outstretched in a cute pose. She was nothing like the unapproachable woman he'd first met; she was like a girl next door showing off her hometown, just like Sarah, only much, much prettier.

"It seems that's true. I heard that a nobleman bought it and even had the magic stone carved into a statue..."

"It's not some nobleman, it's the dean of the Imperial Military Academy's Magic Academy."

Adela puffed out her cheeks and looked at Mark with some dissatisfaction. Mark immediately scratched his head and said, "Yes, that's right, Schwarz, I remember now, I've heard of it."

Upon hearing Mark mention that he had heard of her hometown, Adela smiled happily, then walked ahead on her own, continuing to speak to Mark:

“My father was a small merchant, and my mother was from the village. Perhaps my childhood was better than yours, Mr. Mark. But I am not a nobleman, nor do I possess magic or martial arts. Like you, I am just an ordinary person through and through.”

These words warmed Mark's heart, and he unconsciously quickened his pace, forgetting even the cold and hunger. He caught up with Adela and asked:

"So who are you now? What are you doing in Mata Village? What did you talk about with the village chief? Why is he so afraid of you?"

"You're asking too many questions, Mr. Mark!"

Adela smiled, then fell silent. The two had reached a small riverbank. She squatted down, tossed pebbles onto the ice, and then silently shook her head.

"This is none of your business. It was a pleasure chatting with you. After hearing your story, I feel that I can be stronger."

These words, sounding like farewells, made Mark anxious. He unconsciously took half a step closer to Adela and asked:

"But you mentioned at the village chief's house that if someone else could help you, do you need any help?"

"But you mentioned at the village chief's house that if someone else could help you, do you need any help?"

Adela winked at Mark, then gave him a sly smile:

"What? Mr. Mark, do you want to help me?"

“I…” Mark was about to agree immediately; for the girl in front of him, he would be willing to go through fire and water. But the image of the village chief flashed through his mind, making him hesitate.

Just then, a slight tremor came from the dry bushes nearby, and a gray figure darted out. Adela turned pale with fright and collapsed beside Mark, grabbing his tattered cotton coat with her flawless white hands and letting out a scream.

"It's alright, it's just a rabbit, a rabbit..."

A plump rabbit, if caught and used to make soup, could make my sister happy for days. But at this moment, Mark, smelling the aroma around him, was frozen stiff and unable to move an inch.

"I'm so sorry, I tore your clothes..."

Adela breathed a sigh of relief, stood up, and looked at the loose patch on Mark's clothes, revealing a strand of yellowed cotton, and seemed a little at a loss.

"It's alright, I can just sew it up when I get back..." Mark stammered, the little incident making him forget his initial wariness. Adela, however, seemed to have forgotten where she was; she stood up, dusted herself off, smiled shyly, and looked ready to leave.

At this point, Mark finally couldn't hold back any longer. If she really had something on her mind, why was she so unenthusiastic? This girl was so lovely; she didn't seem scary at all. Even if she was dressed up elaborately, there must be a reason. At heart, she was clearly a good girl!

Then, Mark's nervous words rang out again.

"What...what is it that you need help with? If I can help..."

"Ugh~ This sounds like a complete trap."

At the entrance of Marta Village, Melanie was already sitting on an ice chair formed by magic, resting her chin on her hands and saying something with a gossipy expression.

"It was a trap; we completely gained his trust, but he doesn't seem to think so."

Ryuka nodded. A beautiful woman talking to you, looking so charming, how could she not have some ulterior motive?

But for Mark, who had spent his entire life in Marta village, it seemed to be the luckiest day of his life. A smile unconsciously crept onto his face as he recounted the experience.

"So who exactly is this Adela, and what did she make you do?" (The rest of the text appears to be gibberish and unrelated to the previous sentence.)

Hearing Ryuka's question, Mark told her everything:

“Miss Adela is a merchant. She came to Mata Village because she had signed many contracts with the lord, including trade agency rights for a large territory including Mata Village and some land and forest resources. But now there is a war, and the village chief is worried that the war will affect the future, so he is unwilling to have much contact with her. But she has already invested a lot in these contracts. If you occupy this land and do not recognize her contracts with the previous lord, she may go bankrupt.”

"So, she visited the village chief, hoping he would continue to secretly fulfill the contract after you occupied Mata Village, but he refused. Later, she suggested some other private trade to cover her losses and prevent her from going bankrupt. Of course, she would offer a very fair price! But the village chief still refused, so she asked me to negotiate with everyone in the village..."

"Small business? What small business?" Ryusha became wary, recalling the contracts Hayden had previously swindled from the nobles. If this was the case, he deduced that this woman named Adela had probably done this not only in Matah Village, but in other territories as well.

"In reality, they're just some insignificant little businesses..."

Chapter 18