Watching the servants' exceptional performance, Baron Devor smiled contentedly, turning back to gaze at Seine, his tone became more severe and cold: "Mr. Seine, I hope you do not harbor unwise fantasies. Perhaps I should remind you of my title, and then remind you… you are not negotiating a business deal, but using your land in exchange for your Lord's forgiveness of your debt. Do you understand my meaning?"

Seine wanted to say he didn't understand, because the words were too convoluted, but his pallid face prevented him from uttering a single word.

His family had cultivated this land for many years, but after all, they were just slightly bigger landowners, barely worthy of the term 'gentleman,' able to converse cheerfully with wealthy citizens, but not truly nobles.

Naturally, he didn't understand the intricate rules set up by the nobles.

He vaguely heard that if a freeman's land was simultaneously on a noble's estate, and the freeman wanted to transfer the land to another freeman, aside from paying deed tax, they also had to pay the local lord a 'land fee.'

Such rules did exist in the Aus Empire, but this so-called 'land fee' was more like a 'notary fee,' which didn't indicate any relationship of subordination between him and the lord… Besides, Baron Devor's title didn't include this land, posing as a lord was sheer intimidation.

When he began to feel afraid, he was already crushed by the other's authority.

However—

In the situation where the Priest and the judge pretended not to see, what's the use of him being a bit stubborn?

Baron Devor had just opened his toolbox, and too many means had not yet been utilized.

Just when Seine was on the verge of despair, Devor's wife, Mira, with a gentle smile, slowly approached from the carriage.

She held a cup of hot tea in her hand, elegantly handing it to Seine: "Mr. Seine, don't be nervous. My husband is just thinking on your behalf, only he's not very good at expressing it."

"How about this, why don't we both take a step back, how does 1,100 gold coins sound? To show our sincerity, we will additionally donate 5 gold coins to the church, consider it a blessing for your family and your daughter who is about to marry."

Mira's words were gentle and full of kindness, although Seine knew this was false kindness, he still grasped it like a straw to clutch at.

1,100 gold coins… it's not bad.

Only, the house the young couple had their eyes on might have to be moved to a more remote district.

He helplessly lowered his head, striving to control the trembling of his hand holding the teacup.

"Th-thank you, Madam… we'll do as you say."

Ralph's eyes revealed a triumphant smile, giving his wife an appreciative glance, then signaled to the lawyer: "Draft the deed, we'll sign here, the District Priest and the judge are both present; I don't want to inconvenience these esteemed gentlemen to come meet me again over this matter."

The lawyer promptly nodded.

"No problem, sir! I've already written the template, just need to fill in the numbers, it won't take long!"

...

At the barn door, a thick wooden board was propped on overturned plough equipment, temporarily pieced together into a desk.

The lawyer took out the formal deed from the carrying tube, spread it out flat on the table, reading each clause meticulously and clearly:

"...The agreed area of this land totals 102.7 acres, with boundary markers extending south to River Bay, north to the main road of White Dew District, east to the oak woods, west to the boundary of Seine Farm. The buyer, Baron Ralph Devor, commits to pay the seller, Mr. Seine, a total of eleven hundred gold coins, with the buyer additionally donating five gold coins to the church of White Dew District, and assuming the tax for land transfer..."

Seine's expression was desolate and confused, silently nodding.

The District Priest meticulously recorded the land's location and scope on paper, and the local judge solemnly took out his private seal, stamping it onto the bottom of the deed.

After the task was completed, the lawyer fetched a small, exquisitely crafted silver box from his sleeve, took out a blue label for stamp duty, and cautiously affixed it onto the contract.

Afterwards, he respectfully rolled up the contract, tied it with a ribbon, and carefully handed it to Baron Devor.

Ralph received the contract, merely weighing it in his hand, then tossed it to his Steward.

Generally speaking, purchasing land does not need to be this troublesome; as long as the church, the local court, or the local noble witnesses, it would suffice... and he himself was one of them.

However, his subsequent 'counterparty' was after all, a behemoth like the Colin family. He had to be cautious, doing things without any flaw, leaving the other side no room to find even the slightest issue.

Court, church, and the lord... along with the stamp that completed taxes, all details seamless.

After confirming there were no omissions, the group then turned to leave, only Seine stood at the barn door as if his soul had been extracted, looking forlornly at the land that was no longer his.

Now all he could rely on was his daughter.

Hoping the young man who promised to make his daughter happy takes them on as part of the dowry, leaving him a foothold in the city on account of the substantial dowry.

Or else, he'll have to try his luck by returning to his hometown…

The only solace was that his debts and interest were paid off together, making him feel entirely relieved.

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