Chapter 166: Good And Bad News

Roderic remained silent for several seconds.

His gaze lingered on the severed head sitting on the table.

Margaret Deres.

Dead.

Just like that.

’What a fucking mess,’ he thought, his expression somewhat complicated. ’I’ll have to think about this.’

He leaned back in his chair, considering the situation.

Margaret hadn’t been ’that’ important for his plan going forward.

It was more of a device to push Arthur in a more ruthless direction.

’I’ll have to think of something different, I guess, if it’s even needed.’

A small smile grew on Roderic’s face.

’At least I don’t have to search for her or something,’ he thought. ’Let’s just consider it one less problem to think about.’

And after thinking about it a little longer, he realized something else.

’Actually, this might play in favor of another plan.’

Roderic’s smile widened just thinking about it.

Not only would Aldric receive the news of the ’death’ of his son, he’d also encounter Margaret’s headless corpse!

That’d certainly numb his emotions and trash his state of mind.

’Hehehe,’ he thought, rubbing his hands together. ’Not bad.’

Just then, Roderic noticed Finn still standing in front of him.

The blond boy was watching him expectantly, a proud smile plastered across his face.

Roderic’s face turned deadpan.

’’Finn,’’ he said, letting out a soft sigh. ’’You did well. Thank you.’’

Finn’s expression immediately brightened.

’’Hehehe! You’re welcome, young master!’’ he replied. ’’I’m really glad you like my present!’’

Glancing at the severed heads once more, Roderic raised his hand.

’’Anyway, do whatever you want with the other heads,’’ he continued. ’’But make sure Margaret’s head is properly preserved somewhere cold. I might need it later.’’

Finn nodded enthusiastically.

’’Of course, young master!’’

Then he puffed out his chest proudly.

’’I knew my souvenirs would come in handy someday!’’

Roderic’s mouth twitched.

He briefly considered asking what Finn usually did with the heads he collected.

Then he decided against it.

’’Anyway, I’ll get going now,’’ Roderic said, standing up. ’’I’ve still got some things to sort out.’’

’’Understood, young master!’’ Finn replied instantly.

He waved cheerfully as Roderic turned around and left the room.

For several moments, the blond boy remained standing there.

However, just as he was about to turn his attention back to his collection, Margaret’s meager reaction to him flashed through his mind.

He tilted his head curiously, his gaze locked on Roderic’s back.

’Hmm...’

Without another word, he picked up his bag of souvenirs and quietly followed after him.

...

It didn’t take long before Roderic left the training grounds.

As he walked down the path leading back to the front, a familiar figure appeared ahead of him.

’Arthur?’ he thought, raising an eyebrow.

The baron was walking alongside both Henry and George, seemingly discussing something important.

Upon noticing Roderic, he raised his hand, signaling for them to leave.

’’I need to speak with Roderic,’’ he said, his voice low.

Henry and George exchanged a glance before nodding.

’’Of course, my lord,’’ Henry replied.

The two gave Roderic a brief nod with a smile as well.

After greeting them, Roderic turned towards Arthur.

’’So,’’ he started. ’’How are things looking?’’

Arthur let out a soft sigh.

’’Better than expected, fortunately,’’ he replied. ’’The casualties are manageable, and the damage to the city isn’t nearly as severe as we’d initially feared.’’

Roderic nodded slowly as he processed the information.

’’That’s good,’’ he said. ’’Seems like the strategy’s been paying off then.’’

A faint smile grew on Arthur’s face.

But it faded away just as fast.

’’There’s something else I wanted to discuss with you,’’ he said in a low tone. ’’It’s... about Harris.’’

Roderic’s expression immediately grew serious.

’’What about him?’’ he asked.

Arthur hesitated briefly before continuing.

’’His condition is stable,’’ he began slowly. ’’But the injuries he’s suffered to his body are far worse than we initially thought.’’

His gaze dropped to the floor as he shook his head.

’’According to the doctors, he’ll recover enough to live a partially normal life. But it’s unlikely he’ll ever be able to hold a sword again.’’

Roderic fell silent.

’Fuck.’

That was the only thought going through his mind.

Not only did he have many memories with the man, whether from the previous owner or his own, but Harris was also a three-seal knight.

Losing someone of his strength, especially with the plans he had, was a terrible blow to the Whitemane Barony.

Roderic glanced at Arthur with narrowed eyes.

’’Is there really nothing we can do?’’ he asked.

A deep, somber sigh escaped Arthur’s mouth.

’’The doctors have done all they can,’’ he said. ’’Unless he receives divine healing soon, there’s no hope.’’

Roderic’s expression darkened right away.

That was the worst news by far.

’The church guys can’t interfere during wars,’ he thought. ’So... that’s just it then.’

Many thoughts immediately began coursing through his mind.

’Do I just end the war now? It’d preserve a three-seal knight. But would it actually even end fast enough?’

There was still an entire legal process they’d have to go through after the actual victory.

Only after that ended would the war be considered over.

’’Tch.’’

Roderic clicked his tongue in frustration.

Unfortunately, none of the solutions that came to mind seemed particularly promising.

Finally, he simply let out a sigh.

’’I see...’’ he muttered.

Arthur watched him with a somewhat complicated expression.

’’Don’t worry, Roderic,’’ he said. ’’If Harris had to retire, I’m sure he’d rather it be like this.’’

Roderic simply nodded.

After exchanging a few more words, he excused himself and continued towards the city.

His expression remained troubled.

’As if I didn’t have enough problems already,’ he thought, clenching his fists. ’Fuck, fuck, FUCK!’

As he made his way through the streets, signs of the recent battle were visible everywhere.

But he barely even glanced at any of them.

His mind continued churning, centered around only one person.

’What to do... what to do...’

Just then, a burst of laughter caught his attention.

Roderic glanced toward a nearby inn, where several merchants were sitting around a table, enjoying mugs of beer.

Among them was an elderly man.

At first, Roderic paid him little attention.

But after taking a few more steps, he suddenly stopped.

’Now hold on a moment...’ he thought, his right eye lighting up in a gold color. ’Isn’t that?’