Chapter 232: Frontline Intelligence

Baron Valentine was brought in, his face blank with shock. He was indeed frightened, unsure of how Charlot Mecklenburg would deal with him. Initially, he had thought that Charlot, infamous in Seagull City, was a far less reputable figure than himself. Surely, Charlot couldn’t be that impressive; most of the rumors were likely exaggerated. After all, he had seen Lady Nancella before, and the South Seraph restorationists were terrifyingly fierce—Behemoth’s knight orders couldn’t even compete with them.

However, once he was captured and observed the West Wind Knight Order under Charlot’s command, he realized they were entirely unlike his own troops.

The West Wind Knight Order, though initially chaotic, had transformed after several victorious battles. The morale was high, training was rigorous, and the soldiers were well-compensated. Naturally, order emerged from the initial disorder.

Gradually, Baron Valentine became more and more afraid. He shouted several times, hoping to attract attention, but a soldier from the West Wind Knight Order promptly gagged him with a filthy rag, leaving him to mumble helplessly.

Within Charlot’s West Wind Knight Order, there were quite a few members with a background in criminal gangs, and they showed little respect for nobility.

After a long pause, Charlot calmed his emotions and ordered for Baron Valentine to be brought in. His feelings upon seeing the baron were complex, entirely different from the emotions stirred earlier when he encountered Yan Melianne and was reminded of Talia Melianne.

If Talia Melianne represented the brightest chapter in Charlot Mecklenburg’s life, then Baron Valentine stood for its darkest moments.

Charlot did not intend to kill Baron Valentine. Instead, he smiled faintly and said, “By imperial law, I can demand a ransom.”

Baron Valentine, overjoyed, exclaimed, “I can pay a ransom! Just let me leave alive—I’ll pay any amount!”

Charlot pondered briefly before replying, “Then let’s settle on ten thousand écus.”

Baron Valentine’s soul nearly quivered with pain. He pleaded, “Could it be less? Say, a hundred écus?”

Charlot’s smile widened as he said, “Nine thousand nine hundred écus will also suffice.”

Baron Valentine, embarrassed, muttered, “I meant to offer you one hundred écus.”

Charlot chuckled, showing no anger. He unsheathed his rapier and traced dozens of shallow cuts across the baron’s body. “I’ve divided you into eighty-one parts and labeled the price on each. If there’s a piece you don’t care to reclaim, feel free to negotiate.”

He left Baron Valentine to ponder his predicament.

Though Charlot Mecklenburg might have owed this baron some recompense in the past, the guilt carried over from his predecessor wasn’t worth much in Huang Haisheng’s eyes.

It wasn’t his doing, after all.

Baron Valentine’s hundreds of men were all captured, and Charlot wasted no time in organizing them into a temporary unit under Dubin Alger’s command.

Charlot had no intention of incorporating these men into the West Wind Knight Order. First, as people of Seagull City, they were unlikely to willingly leave their homeland. Second, it would be hard to justify this to Clair Bretagne.

Among the hundreds of prisoners, there was an old acquaintance—Freeman Martin.

Charlot had no intention of keeping him around. He specifically ordered Freeman Martin’s release, appointing him as Baron Valentine’s representative to negotiate ransom terms with the baron’s wife.

Freeman Martin, though grumpy, had no choice. After hours of discussion with the baron, he returned to Seagull City.

The next afternoon, Freeman Martin came back with news: the baroness herself intended to negotiate in person.

Without hesitation, Charlot left Baron Valentine behind and set off with his knight order. If given the choice, he would prefer to leave the past behind.

...

On the way, Charlot encountered Anastasia, who had already dealt with the knight order of Odenshire. Following Charlot’s strong suggestion, they did not return to Mostar Castle but headed instead to Silver Dove Castle.

At Silver Dove Castle, Charlot was met with an overwhelming welcome. The streets were crowded with people, all eager to greet him.

During his brief time managing Silver Dove Castle, Charlot had brought tangible benefits to every resident. After Clair Bretagne’s tax levy, Charlot had even returned to provide compensation for everyone.

To the people of Silver Dove Castle, Charlot was a kind of lord they had never encountered before.

Even though Charlot didn’t officially hold the title of a lord.

Anastasia, too, was fond of the city where she had been born and raised. She was especially comforted to see her mother’s remains transported to Silver Dove Castle during these days.

After agreeing to Anastasia’s request, Charlot wrote a letter to Hughes. Though he held little hope, he was surprised when Hughes not only approved the request but also sent men to deliver the coffin back to Silver Dove Castle.

This incident revealed to Charlot the extent of Hughes’ influence over the South Seraph. Despite being in Ferranden, Hughes could still command the South Seraph restorationists to carry out tasks on his behalf.

In truth, Charlot’s letter was also a way of currying favor with Hughes.

With his wisdom, Hughes surely understood Charlot’s role in Behemoth. This was all part of the Fars Empire’s plans, and Charlot was merely going with the flow, giving Hughes the opportunity to take preemptive action. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement for Charlot, Hughes, the Empire, and everyone else—except, perhaps, for Byron.

...

Anastasia found a quiet and historic temple to house her mother’s remains. Once the matter was settled, she felt a profound sense of relief, as if a great burden had been lifted.

Anastasia had long carried a mountain of guilt, always feeling that her very existence was a mistake.

As a child, she had known that her mother, who “endured humiliation,” was a spy for Lady Nancella. At the time, Anastasia was lost and unsure whether she should side with her father or her mother. In the end, her mother’s painstakingly gathered intelligence was handed over to Lady Nancella, only for her mother to be tortured to death by the same woman.

Anastasia knew she should hate certain people, but she couldn’t decide whether to embrace Behemoth or pledge loyalty to the South Seraph.

It wasn’t until she met Charlot and came to deeply believe in his ideals that she found clarity. She was a Farsian—a true Farsian. She had her own homeland, her own friends, and one day, she would have her own family.

...

At Silver Dove Castle, Charlot quickly received intelligence from the frontlines. Clair Bretagne, the most brilliant of Fars’ younger generation, had already conquered seventy percent of South Seraph’s territory, taking seven or eight cities.

Only two cities continued to resist.

In a letter to Charlot, Clair Bretagne mentioned the need to requisition grain and supplies from the rear. The military urgently required provisions, as did the South Seraph people living under occupation.

Charlot read the letter and fell into a quiet contemplation. The amount of resources Clair Bretagne demanded was staggering...

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