Chapter 875 The Young Couple

Sandy, a deputy squad leader from the Sixth Warband, had taken a liking to a girl in the fief.

Her name was Bella. She came from the same area as him and worked as a serf on a farm outside the town.

They had met by chance, enjoyed each other's company, and begun to fall in love.

So Sandy had bought her from her owner and settled her in Military Honors Town.

Whenever he had leave each month, he would come to stay for a few days.

His comrades all knew about her. During this leave, he had brought some along to meet his fiancee.

But when they reached the town, other people had taken over the house he had bought, and his fiancee was gone.

Naturally, Sandy refused to let it go. Yet no matter how many people he asked, no one would tell him where she was.

With no other choice, he returned to the estate where she had worked.

There was a serf couple who had lived on the estate for years. They had always looked after Bella.

Bella had been sold there when she was about ten. Whenever she failed to meet her work quota, she faced a whipping.

The couple would help Bella finish her work so she could avoid punishment. Their help had kept her alive through those early years.

Their own child had died young, and they treated Bella as their own daughter.

Sandy had also promised Bella that, once he had saved enough of his pay, he would buy her foster parents from their owner too.

In the meantime, he had paid the estate's overseer to make life a little easier for them.

When he returned looking for Bella, it was this couple who came forward and explained what had happened.

A Knight in the baron's service had needed a maid, so he had simply ordered Bella seized and brought to him.

Sandy would not accept that. His comrades went with him to demand an explanation.

A fight broke out. The Knight, who had awakened without formal training, was no match for Sandy and his battle-hardened comrades.

Sandy had even held back. Otherwise, he would have crippled the man.

After all, Sandy and one of his comrades were both at Knight Rank too.

The defeated Knight refused to leave it at that and immediately called in reinforcements.

The dispute escalated until it finally drew the attention of the Military Police Unit in Warmflow City.

Then Pabos had arrived and seen the standoff for himself.

Morris studies Sandy's anxious face and steady gaze. "You say you've already bought this girl, Bella. Do you have proof?"

Sandy hesitates. "Yes! There was a purchase contract, but I don't have it with me."

"I left it with Bella. After this happened, I searched the house, but I couldn't find it..."

Pabos cannot help interrupting. "It's such an important document proving her status! Why didn't you keep it safe?"

Everyone turns to Pabos in surprise. Their knowing looks leave him bewildered.

He asks Harry quietly, "Sir, did I say something wrong?"

Harry smiles. "Not at all! Especially coming from you, that question is quite understandable."

They keep looking at him with faint smiles, which only confuses Pabos more.

Gilbert, his guard captain, suppresses a smile. "Once you meet a girl you like, young lord, you'll understand."

As Pabos scratches his head, Harry decides it is time to push him a little harder. The young man needs to learn how wonderful love can be, and how cruel.

Everyone present except Pabos understands why Sandy did not keep the purchase contract himself.

All the purchase contract had done was transfer ownership of Bella from the estate to Sandy.

Bella remained a slave. Unless her lord released her, she would stay one.

Sandy had left the purchase agreement with her because he genuinely loved her and did not want to use it to threaten or control her.

Everyone there understands Sandy's intention. Only Pabos, still innocent of romance, does not.

Morris continues, "Sandy, without the purchase agreement, we only have your side of the story."

Sandy grows anxious. "Sir, I have proof of property ownership! Lots of people know Bella lives there."

"Besides, the mayor of Military Honors Town witnessed the signing of the purchase agreement. His official seal is on it too!"

"Oh?" Morris looks at the mayor, who is sweating profusely. "Is that true?"

The mayor wipes the sweat from his forehead. "My lord, I can't quite remember. There may have been such a transaction, but I can't be sure."

"Besides, my lord, there's been a misunderstanding. It's complicated. There's more to it than this officer says..."

Morris sips his tea. "I'm not asking for an explanation. Did it happen or not? That's all you need to answer!"

The mayor drops to his knees. "My lord, I really don't remember! I can't be sure..."

Harry speaks up. "As I recall, a mayor normally keeps records when handling matters like this."

"Check the files on transfers of people in your administrative records for that day. That should tell us."

Morris nods. Gilbert, Pabos's guard captain, steps forward and hauls the limp mayor to his feet. "Come with me!"

Baron Nakala objects. "Those administrative records are confidential affairs of my fief! You have no right to inspect them!"

Morris leans back, gently rubbing his forehead as he relaxes. "Baron, don't talk nonsense!"

"If I ask for them, you'll hand over even the records of your daily activities."

"At this point, why are you still resisting? Why be so uncooperative?"

"Perhaps you have someone backing you. But I can assure you, my backer is more powerful than yours."

The room grows tense again, but there is nothing the baron's side can do.

After a while, the baron gives his guard captain a covert look. The man leaves the tavern, supposedly to fetch refreshments and fruit.

Morris is about to send a man after him when Harry taps his fingers on the table, stopping him.

The signals are based on Morse code, which Henwell lifted and adapted.

Morris understands and makes several unobtrusive gestures.

The instruction is passed along, and one of Morris's personal guards outside slips away unnoticed by the baron's men.

A few minutes later, Gilbert returns, hauling the mayor along and carrying a roll of documents.

"Sir, we've found the record! It clearly states that this purchase took place two months ago."

The baron swirls his wine. "That proves nothing. How do we know your soldiers didn't alter the records in secret?"

"Your men are so capable, after all. Slipping into the town administrative office could hardly be difficult for them!"

"Or perhaps the mayor forged them. Mayor Berna, tell us. Did you forge these records?"

The mayor's face turns ashen, his eyes hopeless. At last, he forces out a single word. "Yes."

"There! He says he forged them. I'll punish him afterward!"

At that moment, the tavern door swings open, and one of Morris's personal guards throws a man onto the floor.

A young woman follows him in. Sandy rushes forward as soon as he sees her.

The two embrace. The girl's quiet sobs turn into loud, uncontrollable weeping.

Morris opens his eyes and points at the baron's guard, groaning on the floor with his arms and legs twisted and broken. "How do you explain this?"