Wizard: I Have a Cultivation System-Chapter 78 - 77: Give, and It Will Be Given to You
In the Former Lady Baron’s living quarters, candlelight flickered gently on a silver candelabra.
This room, located in the east wing of the castle, was far from the former Baron’s own bedroom.
Ever since giving birth to two heirs, she had moved here under the pretext that "church doctrine advocates for temperance."
The former Baron couldn’t have been happier about this, as it made it more convenient for him to meet with his mistresses.
After all, their political marriage had been devoid of any real affection to begin with.
Bernard the Steward stood in the center of the room with his hands at his sides, reporting cautiously, "My Lady, this quarter’s tax revenue has decreased by twenty percent..."
The Former Lady Baron’s fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of her chair, her expression darkening. "Sylvan, my good boy, you’ve really outdone yourself."
Bernard bowed hastily. "This is all due to your tolerance, My Lady. If not for your tacit approval, the Lord Baron could not have implemented his new policies so smoothly."
The Former Lady Baron said coldly, "Don’t flatter me. I am well aware that many in this domain still view me unfavorably, which is precisely what gave Sylvan this opportunity."
Bernard fell silent, not daring to respond.
In truth, during the peak of the Baron’s Domain, the Former Lady Baron could never have wielded such immense power.
Back then, the branch members of the Duval Clan held all the key positions, keeping each other in check.
But after the succession struggle between Kelvin and Sylvan, followed by the successive interventions of Viscount Hans and the Church Court, a series of purges left those branch factions in ruins.
Now, the Former Lady Baron had ironically become the most powerful person in the domain, while the factions supporting Sylvan were completely insignificant.
As for Aurora’s identity, although some gossiped about it privately, Roton Knight’s background was not simple. His mother was a daughter from the main line of the Duval Clan, which, by blood, made him the former Baron’s cousin.
Such a familial tie was already considered quite close in aristocratic circles, especially since Sylvan still had no heirs.
"How have Sylvan and Aurora been getting along recently?" the Former Lady Baron asked, suddenly changing the subject.
Bernard replied cautiously, "The siblings’ relationship is very good. Although the Lord Baron appears cold on the surface, he is quite indulgent toward Miss Aurora. If this continues, he might even support Miss Aurora in the future..."
The Former Lady Baron nodded slightly. "That’s for the best. It makes my tolerance of his recent willfulness worthwhile."
Her eyes suddenly turned sharp. "However, the most important matter right now is that bastard who’s arriving the day after tomorrow!"
Within the Duval Clan’s web of kinship, there was indeed an heir closer in line than Aurora: Cecilia, who had been taken away by Viscount Hans.
As the former Baron’s own granddaughter, if Kelvin’s name could be cleared of the stigma of being an illegitimate son, her place in the line of succession should have been above Aurora’s.
This was precisely the method Viscount Hans had planned five years ago to control the Baron’s Domain in the future.
If the people of the domain hadn’t been wary of Viscount Hans, and if the future hadn’t seemed so distant, some would have likely already sided with him.
However, the future always arrives, one way or another, and this was what the Former Lady Baron feared most.
Bernard quickly declared his position. "We must humiliate that bastard tomorrow and make her understand who represents the true line of the Duval Clan."
The Former Lady Baron’s face was grim. She said nothing, merely staring blankly at the dancing flame of the candle.
...
「The next day.」
The noon sun spilled onto the castle’s stone steps as Arthur pushed a wheelchair, carrying Yor slowly through the courtyard.
Five years had passed mercilessly. Yor was now nearly sixty, looking even more aged than when he had attended the succession ceremony five years prior. Compared to when he first met Murphy ten years ago, he was like a different person entirely.
He was curled up in the wheelchair, his sparse, graying hair clinging to his scalp. His once-sharp eyes were now clouded over with a layer of shadow.
Although Arthur was still hale, he had entered middle age, and his temples were frosted with white.
"Lord Yor, have these past years treated you well?" Arthur asked softly, carefully avoiding the loose stones on the path.
Yor’s voice was hoarse. "Don’t call me ’Lord’ anymore. You’re a Knight’s Attendant now, too."
Arthur’s tone was reverent. "But fifteen years ago, I was just an ordinary soldier. You were already a respected follower back then."
"Fifteen years ago..." Yor gazed at the desolate training grounds in the distance, lost in thought. ’Come to think of it, forty-five years ago, George and I were just sons of farmers. After that border war ended, the Baron’s Castle was in dire need of men. We got lucky and took the test. I became a Knight’s Attendant, and George...’
He paused, a flicker of reminiscence in his clouded eyes. "...became a Groom."
Arthur silently pushed the wheelchair, moving slowly along the outer perimeter of the castle.
Its former splendor was gone, and many of the buildings showed signs of decay.
Yor rambled on for a long time, talking about everything from his youthful days patrolling the border to the once-lively scenes inside the castle.
Arthur listened quietly, nodding in agreement from time to time.
When the topic shifted to George’s grandson, Murphy, Yor suddenly sighed. "That boy was a genius with horses. I’ve never seen a young man with such a gift for them. I had originally planned..."
His words came to an abrupt halt, and he heaved another heavy sigh.
Hearing this, Arthur also sighed. "Murphy really was talented. Some said he was just lucky to become an Upper-class Groom in three years, but I know that boy had real skill. I was even planning to marry my daughter, Erin, to him. Who would have thought that six years ago, at the Black Wood Forest Outpost, he would be attacked by a wild beast? Just like his former master, Lawson..."
"Lawson... the son of the owner of the Broken Spear tavern," Yor shook his head, his voice low. "I’m afraid it wasn’t as simple as some wild beast..."
Arthur fell silent.
The so-called wild beast attack was merely the final conclusion of the Church Court’s investigation.
But that incident six years ago left too many suspicious points, and for various reasons, the Church Court never pursued a deeper investigation.
In this era, unsolved cases were innumerable, and the purges from six years ago had created a mountain of them.
After all, in this world, not everything has an answer.
"Speaking of which," Arthur changed the subject, "my younger daughter, Erin, married the blacksmith Brown’s son, Little William, last year. The lad isn’t as capable as Murphy, but he’s honest and hardworking."
Yor nodded slightly. "Brown... I remember when that boy was young, he used to repair my Knight’s Sword. He was always so meticulous. Erin should be happy married to his son."
"Yes," Arthur’s voice held a trace of relief. "He’s just a blacksmith, but at least he can provide her with a life free from worries about food and clothing. These days, simply living in peace is the greatest blessing."
As the two moved slowly along the garden path, a puzzled look appeared on Yor’s face. "Speaking of which, I’ve never been able to figure it out. Why did the Lord Baron suddenly summon me back to the castle?"
Arthur’s hands, pushing the wheelchair, paused for a moment. "Well... perhaps it’s because of what happened nine years ago..."
He didn’t finish his sentence, but Yor already understood he was referring to the incident in the Twilight Mountain Range.
Just then, Arthur’s expression suddenly grew serious. Yor, though a beat slower to react, also immediately sensed something.
"Brother, I made a berry cake with my own hands! Come out and eat it!"
Aurora was carrying a small wicker basket and wearing a pale pink dress, looking around anxiously.
When she saw Arthur and Yor, her eyes lit up, and she hurried over.
"Arthur, and this grandpa here, have you seen my brother?"
Arthur bowed respectfully. "Miss Aurora, we have not seen the Lord Baron. He must be busy with something and is not here."
Yor, sitting in his wheelchair, also bowed. "Miss Aurora, we have indeed not seen the Lord Baron."
Aurora pouted. "Liar! My brother is definitely here, I clearly saw him! You’re all liars! Aurora isn’t going to talk to you anymore!"
With that, she ran off in a huff.
Arthur and Yor exchanged a wry smile, then their expressions tightened, and they bowed respectfully to the figure that had suddenly appeared in the shadows of the corridor. "Lord Baron."
Murphy stepped slowly out of the shadows. His gaze lingered on the aged Yor for a moment, his expression unreadable. "I hear your nephew, Linus, is working as a Copyist."
Yor quickly lowered his head. "Yes, my Lord."
"Good," Murphy said lightly. "What if I make him a Steward of Green Shade Manor, alongside you?"
Yor looked up in shock.
He knew full well that an ordinary Copyist earned only a few Silver Coins a month, while the annual salary for a Steward of Green Shade Manor was as high as ten Gold Coins.
This was a leap from the very bottom to the top!
"My Lord, why?" Yor’s voice trembled with emotion. "I have no merits to my name, and neither does Linus..."
Arthur, standing to the side, also couldn’t hide his shock. Such a promotion was far too generous.
Murphy’s gaze drifted into the distance. "The fact that you came back with me from the Twilight Mountain Range all those years ago is merit enough..."
Yor wanted to press for a more specific reason, but just then, Aurora’s voice rang out again. "Brother, I caught you! You can’t escape this time!"
A faint smile touched Murphy’s lips. "No, you haven’t caught me."
With that, he turned and walked away quickly.
Seeing this, Aurora stomped her foot in frustration, picked up her little basket, and chased after him again, her skirt leaving a pink afterimage in the sunlight.
Yor watched Murphy and Aurora depart, his heart a swirl of mixed emotions.
His wrinkled hands unconsciously tightened on the armrests of his wheelchair, and a complex look flickered in his clouded eyes.
Arthur leaned down and said softly, "Congratulations, Lord Yor. Green Shade Manor is one of the most prosperous manors in the domain. For Linus to receive the same position as you..."
Yor shook his head, cutting him off. "A sudden reward like this isn’t necessarily easy to accept."
Arthur was silent for a moment, then resumed pushing the wheelchair forward and suddenly said, "You’re right. Viscount Hans’s people are arriving tomorrow. I’m afraid Miss Cecilia’s return this time is not just a simple family visit."
Yor gazed at the castle’s towering spires in the distance. The afterglow of the setting sun coated the stone walls in a layer of blood-red.
He recalled the scene from over forty years ago when he had first arrived at this castle. The border war had just ended, and even though everything was in a desolate state, the future was full of hope. Now...
Yor sighed softly. "We old folks just hope to keep our families safe amidst this turmoil."
Arthur didn’t answer, only nodding silently.
