Chapter 8: 200 Li

In the Nosbaro Kingdom, landowners generally did not fully cultivate all the land they held. They only worked their core holdings. They put their non-core land to other uses. The most important of those uses was currying favor with nobles. A landowner’s family possessed money and grain, yet held no real power. They had to rely on the local nobles for protection. Nobles, however, lacked neither money nor supplies, and certainly not land. But their liege lords above them did. Thus idle plots circulated solely within the upper class, which was why a large noble fief was split into many smaller ones.

“Kone, Baron Jago wishes to see you…!” the butler announced, bursting into the room where Kone was sipping tea.

“What? A baron? Which baron?” Kone sat bolt upright, bewildered.

“He said he is Baron Jago.”

“Baron Jago? Is there such a baron in this area?” Kone asked in confusion, but did not dwell on it. “Arrange to receive him at once. I’ll be there.”

“Understood…”

Soon, Kone hurried into the drawing room. “I beg your pardon for not welcoming Baron Jago from afar!” he called, raising his voice before he even saw the visitor. Without waiting to see the man’s face, he bowed deeply, bending at the waist. Such was the proper salute for a commoner before a noble.

“No need for courtesy. Please stand,” came the calm reply.

“Thank you, Baron Jago…” Kone straightened and finally saw the visitor: a very young-looking man whose tall, powerfully built figure was framed by black hair and black eyes. A sword hung at his waist, its presence as striking as his rare coloration. Those black eyes fixed on Kone, radiating a pressure that made him tense involuntarily.

“Baron Jago, may I ask what brings you here today?” Kone forced a smile, though his instincts told him this was no friendly call.

“I came today to confirm only one thing with you.”

“One matter? If it is something I can assist with, I will not refuse. Serving a baron is my honor!”

“With those words I am reassured. Now tell me, Kone, do you know Bichi Village?”

“Bichi Village? I recall it is a savage little place far to the east,” Kone replied, searching his memories. “Why does Baron Jago inquire about Bichi Village?”

“Do you know how large Bichi Village is?”

“In my impression, Bichi Village has only a dozen households, a very small area,” Kone answered confidently.

“Really? Think again.”

Kone met those half-smiling black eyes, frowned, and forced himself to recall. “Baron Jago, the last time I went to Bichi Village was several years ago. Barring accidents, it stretches only a few li in any direction.”

“Yet I heard from the village head that their territory runs one hundred li east to west and three hundred li north to south.”

“What!!?” Kone looked utterly stunned. “Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Those wretches must be mad to deceive you so!”

Baron Jago smiled, then suddenly stepped closer and slapped Kone on the shoulder. “Kone, I think they are quite right.” He chuckled deep in his throat and whispered into Kone’s ear, “Don’t you think a village should be about that big?”

Kone instantly felt a headache coming on. If he still failed to grasp the meaning, he had lived these years in vain. Yet how could this be allowed? Everything north of Bichi Village was his land. Though it was barren, he had bought it with a great deal of money. How could it be taken away with a single sentence?

“Uh, Baron Jago… that land is actually Baron Caman’s fief. Baron Caman mentioned wanting it before… would you perhaps…?” Kone tried to shift the responsibility with an awkward smile.

“Heh-heh,” Farra laughed. “Mr. Kone, do you know the penalty for deceiving a baron? I just asked Baron Caman, and he said nothing of the sort. Hmm?”

“T-that, I… perhaps Baron Caman forgot. I will send someone to check at once!”

Kone spoke hurriedly. He had no wish to bear the crushing charge of cheating a noble. That weight could kill a man.

“Before you send anyone, let us first calculate the price of daring to deceive a baron.”

“I truly did not! Baron Jago, Baron Caman did speak of something like this! How could I dare lie to a baron?!”

“So you claim I am framing you?”

“I would never…!”

Cold sweat ran down Kone’s back. He clearly saw Farra’s other hand resting on the sword hilt.

“Very well… false accusation, deception of a baron; Gagon Kone, your crimes are doubled.”

“I… what… ah?? I didn’t… I never!!”

“You didn’t? Hmph. Mas, tell me, did he deceive and slander me?”

Farra turned to Mas, who had been cowering behind him.

“…Y-yes, Kone did slander you… and he deceived you as well…” Mas swallowed, his face blank.

Kone whipped his head around, eyes wide with fury, and roared, “When did you get here?! Who are you?!”

“He is my butler,” Farra said, releasing Kone. Then he drew the iron sword at his waist, its dried blood still unwashed, and placed the blade against Kone’s neck.

“B-Baron Jago…!?” Kone’s face went pale; he did not dare move a muscle.

“Now, Kone, regarding the crimes of slander and deceit, do you wish to settle privately or shall I bring the case to court?”

“I… !!?”

Kone looked aghast. If it went to court, the local magistrate would side one hundred percent with the noble. Once the verdict was passed, he would be finished. Thus Kone had almost no choice and blurted, “Privately… privately! Please don’t involve the court, Baron Jago!”

“Since you prefer a private settlement, the matter is simple.” Farra nodded in satisfaction and smiled. “The deed for the one hundred li north of Bichi Village is in your hands, yes?”

“Yes…”

“Hand over the deed. That land belongs to Bichi Village; how can you take it from them?”

“What? I spent a great many silver coins on that… its value…”

“You think a hundred li is not enough? Fine, make it two hundred li.”

“No, I… wait… I…” Kone flushed, about to protest, when Farra’s smile disappeared.

“Or I can settle for one severed head, and the matter ends there. What do you think?”

“…!”

Kone felt a chill at his throat. He forced a grin uglier than weeping and said, “V-very well, Baron Jago, I will yield the two hundred li north of Bichi Village…”

“Excellent.” With a satisfied look, Farra slowly slid the sword back into its scabbard.