Epic Of The Demonic Sage

Upon their arrival at Inanis Manor, Lucius, and the others soon left their carriage.

Baron Hugh and his wife looked satisfied and pleased with the outcome of their talk with Lord Asher and were actually looking forward to seeing the changes that were going to be implemented in their own city.

Meanwhile, Benjamin and Lily left their carriage with a look of not being entirely happy with one another.

‘Hah, I don’t know what to feel about this situation with my sister. I’d still have to take care of her if she chooses to be here, but I’m mostly concerned with how she’d act if she gets to stay here in the Inanis City too. She’ll probably bug and annoy Lord Asher that it’ll worsen our working relationship and friendship.’ Benjamin thought with some annoyance. ‘I’d tell my father that Lily needs to be in Etara’s Cross instead of here, but of course, with how my old man thinks, he will not take anything for a no and he’d actually just use me to push his agenda on me so that we could profit and benefit.’

Benjamin was aware of and used to some of the shortcuts and techniques that were implemented by his very own father, Baron Hugh.

Using information to avoid the tax.

Forming good friendships with merchants and other important individuals to experience favors and such.

Benjamin wasn’t very good at it, but Baron Hugh was at least good, like Viscount Felldan. 

Maybe even better because Benjamin’s father was capable of getting along with more people than even Viscount Felldan who chose to be divisive.

‘Hah. My father is savvy in the business world but is not really the most self-aware when it comes to his own family. He’d probably blame me and say that I’m not seeing how great my sister is, but I mean, look at her right now. She doesn’t really look pleased with the outcome, doesn’t she? Please say you’ll give up on this.’

The normally angelic and beautiful Lily was biting down on her lip hard, not hard enough to bleed because that would mar her beautiful lips, but also she was gripping the edge of her dress tightly.

It wound tightly across her fists as she glanced at Lord Asher from the distance as he was talking with her parents.

Kiana was present as well, being close to Lord Asher and she threw Lily a quick snide look when their gazes met.

A scorch of fire burnt up within Lily, irritation flaring in her stomach and was begging to be released.

‘She… she doesn’t really want me by Lord Asher’s side, does she? I bet if there’s anyone that Lord Asher listen and counsels to, it’s her, and she’s been feeding him lies. Stupid girl. I… I don’t want to work at a brewery, so far away from Lord Asher’s side… but at the same time, it’s at least away from my family, isn’t it?’

There were multiple reasons as to why Lily decided that going to stick with the plan was the best course of action.

But a part of Lily also wanted to throw a tantrum. 

‘If it’s Lord Asher who decided it all by himself… then it means that he does not see me useful at his side. It might mean that he also doesn’t think I’m pretty… no, no, I am certain that my charms are great. People love me. It’s just him who’s different. Ah, it really makes me want him more. I have to keep trying, right? If he gives me a chance, then… well, I just have to say yes and see where it goes. Giving up now means that I’m choosing to declare defeat.’

***

“Here’s the contract. Finalized and will only need to be signed and sealed, Baron Hugh.”

“You are quite meticulous, Lord Asher.” Baron Hugh commended the young lord as they all sat down at his office.

It was something that could have been conducted somewhere in a more ceremonial way, but Lucius’ own personal workspace was enough.

‘Baron Hugh is not really someone who goes for that extravagant things. He is a reliable consumer, but will not exactly be the one that I’m looking for at the moment to actually bring money,’ Lucius thought. ‘It’s discounted because I’ll be getting some recoup with his current network. And when that time comes in, well, there will be those who will be more willing to pay more. Baron Harmmund seems like someone who’d pay more, but I need someone who will allow me to amass greater wealth than before.’

The people in the re education center knew how things worked, so Lucius was going to get a steady supply of bodies soon enough. 

“Thank you, Baron Hugh. I do my best to do the work and I’ve also asked for help from other people.” Lucius chuckled humbly. “It is something that I wish to learn myself, and so even if it takes a bit more time, I’ll put in the effort… but that is also where Benjamin will also assist me in.”

Inside of the office, it wasn’t the Baroness who accompanied Baron Hugh but Benjamin instead.

The contract for the hiring of mercenaries was mostly for Baron Hugh’s sake, but it also allowed Benjamin the chance to observe how things worked.

“Shall we also work out the terms on Benjamin’s stay here?” Lucius said, addressing both the Baron and Benjamin.

“O-oh, yes. That haha.” Baron Hugh laughed and glanced at Benjamin. 

‘I am not actually sure if Benjamin will accomplish anything, but he did ask me to have more faith in him so I will try to do just that. Even if he is a late bloomer, Benjamin is still my son and won’t make the same mistakes that I’ve done while I was starting out in the streets.’ Baron Hugh thought.

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“Pardon?” Lucius raised a brow at the interesting choice of words from Baron Hugh. 

“Well, it is hard to accomplish anything if you do not attempt things.”