Unlike the damp and gloomy conditions of Border Town Prison, the castle's dungeon was far more pristine. The Duke likely didn't want his basement to become a haunted house or a place where the stench of decay would greet visitors upon descending the stairs. The dungeon remained relatively clean overall. The cells varied in decoration—some were bare, while others were fully furnished with beds, wardrobes, desks, and chandeliers. Presumably, the Duke had originally intended to use this space for detaining certain Nobles, so basic etiquette was still observed.
Roland also discovered a peculiar cell in the corner. A massive bed occupied half of the space, with chains dangling from the ceiling. The iron shackles at the ends were wrapped in sheepskin, and the walls were lined with various whips. It seemed Duke Lain had some scholarly pursuits, he thought. Unfortunately, he would leave soon and wouldn't have time to fully appreciate them.
As the most valuable prisoner, Charafin Hormon was naturally housed in the finest cell. Without the iron bars on the outer perimeter, it would have been mistaken for a luxurious bedroom. Sharing the cell were the viscounts of the Maple Leaf and Wolf Pack families, the eldest son of the Wild Rose family, and the second son of the Elk family. Together with the lion Laine, these families formed the six major clans of the Long Song Fortress. Of course, Laine's faction had already been dismantled by Roland, with his wife and son imprisoned in the adjacent cell.
When Your Royal Highness appeared in the dungeon, the nobles rose to their feet. Before they could speak, Roland spoke first: "Count Helmon, you may be released. As for the others, I will let them out once the ransom arrives." "Father," Perro's face softened at the count's rosy complexion. He glanced at his friend and then at Roland. "Your Highness, I didn't see the name of Count Elk on the list. If he died in battle, their eldest son should still be in the capital, and there's no one at home to handle matters. Could we release Rhien Med first and let him return to raise the ransom? I'd be willing to guarantee him." "The eldest son of the Elk family? Are you referring to Jacques Med?" Roland shook his head. "He's returned—not just that, he came to the castle yesterday. But... I doubt he intends to pay this ransom." Hearing this, Rhien clung to the cage in disbelief. "Why?" "He said you failed to protect your father in battle—you're the executioner who killed Count Med." "Why would he say that? The one who killed your father was clearly—" Rhien suddenly fell silent.
Roland said indifferently, "You mean I killed the Earl, right?" He approached the cage. "Your father sent men to infiltrate my castle before the Demon's Moon, intending to burn the provisions. Now he's joined the Duke, leading a host of knights to attack my territory. I merely repelled the invaders. So am I the murderer? Compared to the instigator, Duke Lain, and his accomplice, Earl Med, who deserves more condemnation? Besides, if not for Hills 'testimony revealing your ignorance of the grain burning, you'd have been dead by now." "..." Lain fell silent.
"Your Highness," Perro asked anxiously, "if no one is willing to pay the ransom, would you execute him?" "Not at all. I've always been merciful," Roland grinned. "Perhaps I'd take him back to Border Town and mine for twenty years in the North Slope to atone for his sins." "Ransom... how much?" "As the second son, he has no chance of inheriting the title. The price won't match that of the Earl of Gold and Silver Flower. A thousand units of goods would suffice." Roland gave him a curious look. "So, you want to pay the ransom for him?" "What amount? A thousand Gold Dragons?" the Earl, released by the Guard, interjected.
"Your son will tell you," Prince gestured with a beckoning motion. "There's nothing worth lingering over here. As for the second son of the Med family, there's no need to rush—consider it later when you return." As the group left the dungeon and approached the castle gate, the Count abruptly halted. "Your Highness, I know Duke Llane's actions are unforgivable, but... his wife and son are innocent." "Perhaps," Roland replied without hesitation, "I don't intend to sentence them to exile or the gallows. I'll simply imprison them in Border Town." Until the day I ascend the throne, he thought. Now is not the time for sentimentality. If we release them without trial, it would only further muddy the waters of the Long Song Fortress—after all, the eldest son holds the legal right of succession.
...
"What are you saying!?" Charafel Helmon stared at Perro with wide-eyed disbelief. "Your Highness doesn't intend to reside in the Long Song Fortress, and you're even being entrusted with governing this city?" Upon returning to the Earl of Golden Flower's estate, Perro recounted the events of the past three days to his father in meticulous detail. When the Earl heard the provisional agreement, he could no longer contain his emotions. After receiving his son's unequivocal approval, he stood up and paced restlessly in the study, his expression betraying a mix of conflicting emotions.
"Father, are you well?" Pei Luo asked anxiously.
"From this, our main rivals are outside the Milu family. Apart from them, the other three are far behind us in both heritage and strength." "What?" He was momentarily stunned.
"Opponent, oh opponent!" the Count exclaimed. "You've utterly failed me! Your Highness gave you such a golden opportunity, and you still haven't figured out who your opponent is?" "Well, don't you find it odd?" "Odd that Your Royal Highness insists on returning to Border Town? Of course it is," the Count stroked his beard. "But what does it matter to us? As long as this contract is genuine." Indeed, Perro thought, Your Highness couldn't possibly be just trying to tease him with such elaborate arrangements. As for why he favored Border Town, that could be pondered later. Yet he hadn't anticipated his father's remarkably strong receptiveness.
"You heard that kid from the Med family is your friend?" Shalafei abruptly stopped in his tracks. "You'll have to get him out tomorrow." "You're okay with me spending a thousand units to ransom him?" Perro froze in shock.
"Consider this: The Earl of the Elk has perished, and the eldest son refuses to redeem the second. In this battle, we suffered almost no losses except for a few Knights. Once Jacques Mede inherits the title, he will inevitably interfere with your control... No, your administration of the Long Song Fortress." The Earl explained. "Why does Jacques refuse to redeem Raine? Because he fears he might be threatened." Well, that was the reason, Perro chuckled bitterly to himself. Yet he knew his father was right. Raine had always favored long swords and spears since childhood, maintaining close ties with the Knights in the realm. Unlike his eldest son Jacques, who considered close combat beneath noble dignity and preferred the romantic pursuits of the capital. Though Raine repeatedly expressed his desire to become a Knight, that was only true without inheritance rights. Now, freed from the Earl's constraints, who knows if he might rally his Knights to eliminate the eldest son with a single strike? Jacques's decision to pay for a man who unsettled him was decisive and ruthless.
"My friends would not do this," he said with conviction.
"Perhaps, but once you redeem him, Jacques will be in deep trouble whether he intends to or not," Charafy continued. "As for the thousand units of supplies, we can select craftsmen with higher value." "I've already allocated some craftsmen for your ransom. If we add more, we'll run out of skilled workers in the territory." "Don't worry. You know the North is in chaos now, right?" The Count said confidently. "The Four Kingdoms' allied forces were completely annihilated at Hermes. Lords are forcibly conscripting their subjects, and there are already large numbers of refugees. We can seize this opportunity to gain more, and even save on monthly supplies." Only then did Perro realize that his father was also a master of commerce—at least far more skilled than he was at fighting.