In the misty morning of the White Dew District in the Holy City, a few carriages halted at the entrance to Old Seine's farm, surrounded by a cavalcade of riders.

Leading the way, Baron Ralph Devor gracefully dismounted and handed the reins to his servant. Accompanied by a lawyer, a district priest, and a local court judge, he crossed the threshold of the farm.

This was once a prosperous land, but a series of extreme weather at year's end left its barns empty, and the intersecting furrows filled with the stubble of dried crops.

Yet it was precisely this desolation that filled Ralph's heart with confidence, sure of taking possession of this land.

"It seems even Saint Sis stands with us," the lawyer raised an eyebrow slightly, unable to resist a smile.

Ralph was about to engage him in conversation when a nimble silhouette crossed the furrows, stepping onto the yellowed fields.

"Father! May I wander around here?"

Mounted on a tall warhorse, Frey, holding the reins, his face brimming with excitement.

His cheeks were flushed, partially from excitement, partially from the biting wind.

After persistent cajoling, his father finally agreed to buy him the warhorse he now rode.

Astride the majestic steed, Frey felt himself to be a true knight, eager to bring his beloved horse everywhere—even to the latrine.

Watching Frey on horseback, Ralph's face softened into a gentle smile, as if seeing his younger self.

"Go ahead, child. Someday this will all be yours."

Frey had been waiting for those words, and with a spirited shout of "Hyah," he rode off into the open fields, leaving the gentlemen with the image of a young, vigorous back.

"Your son is as lively as ever," the priest chuckled, his gaze kindhearted.

Hearing the priest's words, Ralph grinned and squinted his hawk-like eyes, saying,

"Youngsters are always like this, unlike me, already past my prime."

The judge interjected playfully.

"Baron, you're joking. If you're considered old, Priest Cassette and I ought to be visiting Saint Sis?"

"Haha."

The trio conversed like old friends reunited after many years, atmosphere relaxed and congenial.

The lawyer beside Ralph also tried to join in the conversation, especially wanting to establish rapport with the local court judge, but unfortunately, the judge was polite yet uninterested in engaging him.

The group reached the dilapidated barn door.

Farm owner Seine was already standing before the door, dirt-stained burlap clothes on his back, his face haggard from anxiety.

In the eyes of the farmers, owning hundreds of acres of land he was considered a lord.

Yet Sie knew well he was no lord; before the real lords, he was merely a fatted lamb.

In dire times, they are the first to face the blade.

The lawyer, having been snubbed by the judge earlier, wore a sulky expression, gazing at Seine like he was a punching bag.

Trying to assert his importance, he strode forward with a cold face, extracting a draft contract from the leather scroll case, using the noise of leafing through papers to apply pressure on the simple farmer.

The district priest and the local judge stood to the side, waiting with a touch of restraint.

"Good morning, Mr. Seine." Baron Devor's face wore a gentle smile, but his tilted nostrils betrayed the condescension behind the smile, "It seems this year's harvest isn't looking good. Your efforts are indeed commendable."

"Thank you for your concern, my lord. This year's harvest... wasn't good, mainly due to the storm over the Vast Ocean, no one expected it would bring winter early."

Seine rubbed his hands, apprehensive, trying to force a smile to win sympathy.

"That's why I'm here. I believe it is also Saint Sis's will; the merciful lord sent me to save you from your plight..."

Ralph's lips curled slightly; his heart harboured no sympathy but concealed a hint of jest beneath his courteous demeanor.

Looking at Seine, whose eyes revealed hope, he continued in a courteous tone.

"You know, I'm a generous man. 1000 gold coins will be enough to clear your bank debts and let you leave with ease, thoroughly freed from this heavy burden."

At that sentence, Seine's face paled instantly, the hopeful light fading from his eyes.

He didn't know how the lord knew of his debts, and the exposure of his hole cards unwittingly caused his newly straightened spine to bend again.

"M-my lord, 1200 gold coins barely cover the debt and my daughter's dowry... Generations of us have worked this land, invested no less than two to three thousand gold coins. Be kind, at least offer me that number!"

Ralph's expression remained smiling, but the smile gradually grew cold.

200 gold coins.

This fellow bold enough to ask!

Lucky it's near the Holy City, otherwise, this patch of muddy earth wouldn't even be worth 1200 silver coins!

Eager to show off, the lawyer timely coughed, halting his document review, speaking solemnly.

"Mr. Seine, we've learned your loan has been deferred multiple times. If you fail to repay this month, not only will interest increase once more, there is also a risk of auctioning your land. I can inform you auction procedures, we'll hang a sign at your farm entrance, then proceed with an open bidding... but by then, you won't decide its worth."

Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.