Lord of Rot

After returning to the castle, the Soldiers dispersed to rest.

Leech refused the relaxing hot bath arranged by the steward and immediately summoned Quickblade and Gelan.

"What is the effect of the new Honorary Knight system?" Leech asked, looking at Gelan.

Gelan bowed. "The effect has been excellent, Lord! The people have started to emulate the Honorary Knights and now aspire to become one. There have been fewer disputes these past few days, although theft is still an issue."

Theft exists in every era and can never be truly eradicated.

The punishments for theft varied between territories. Some would enslave thieves, stripping them of their freedom forever.

Others would chop off a thief’s hand.

And of course, some would just administer a beating and lock them up for a few days before release. A ransom could also secure an earlier release.

Porcupine Territory’s current methods were the most lenient: just a beating and a few days’ confinement.

’It seems that’s not very effective.’

There were a thousand and one reasons for theft. Leech never expected everyone in his territory to be as docile as sheep, doing exactly as they were told and refraining from what was forbidden. That was impossible.

Human nature dictated that even when people knew the risks, they often couldn’t resist temptation.

"Keep a record of everyone caught stealing," Leech said. "For repeat offenders who refuse to change, or in particularly egregious cases, hand them over to Ark to be enslaved."

"Yes, Lord."

’The punishment can’t be too severe. Otherwise, someone who only meant to steal a bit of money might resort to murder to silence a witness if they’re discovered.’

"Since the Honorary Knight system is working, the selection criteria must be drafted more carefully," Leech continued. "We must guarantee fairness, especially when investigating a candidate’s background and past conduct. We can add a new rule: if a candidate’s parents have a history of serious misconduct, it will affect their child’s eligibility to become an Honorary Knight."

’In any world, parents are always more willing to restrain themselves for the sake of their children. To impose some restrictions and make people more disciplined, I’ll implement a simple form of family background check to set a precedent.’

’The prerequisite for all of this is that the selection process must be fair and just. Only fairness can grant it authority.’

’Porcupine Territory’s population is small for now, which makes things manageable. But once it grows, any loopholes in the rules will become a serious problem.’

Quickblade, standing to the side, was confused. He didn’t know what any of this had to do with him.

He had just been thinking about heading to the tavern for a few drinks when the Lord summoned him to the castle.

Leech turned to Quickblade. "I need you to gather information on the two Soldiers who died in the battle. Give it to Gelan, and depending on their circumstances—if they have families and children—we will provide compensation."

"They don’t have any!" Quickblade blurted out. "Scythe and Jeff were good lads, both orphans. They have no family in Porcupine Territory."

Even for Quickblade, who was accustomed to death and slaughter, it was hard not to get emotional.

These Soldiers had trained with him every day, drank with him, bled and sweated with him, and never once retreated on the battlefield. They were all filled with hope for a better future for Porcupine Territory.

But when war came, death was inevitable.

"No. Everyone in Porcupine Territory is their family."

Leech looked at Gelan. "I want to build a square in Maitian Village to honor our fallen Warriors."

"Honor? A square?" Gelan didn’t understand what honoring Warriors meant.

When people died, they were buried. It was believed that their souls would travel to the Divine Kingdom of the four gods to find eternal peace and happiness.

Furthermore, the concept of "honoring the dead" didn’t exist on the Lu Leiyi Continent; people generally entrusted such feelings to the Divine Spirits.

"Never mind. Go find the head of the masons’ crew. I’ll explain it to him myself."

...

Philip and the other Knights traveled day and night, finally returning to East Port. After dismissing their troops, they rode for Roaring Castle without delay.

After announcing their arrival to the castle guards, they were not granted an audience but were left to wait in the courtyard of the outer bailey.

A long time passed, but no word came.

Weary from their long journey, the men couldn’t help but grumble amongst themselves.

The sky grew dark, but they dared not leave, remaining standing in the courtyard.

"Sir Philip?" a surprised voice called out from nearby.

Philip turned and smiled. "Yarrn, Sidor."

"Yarrn." Sidor Sea Water approached, nodding a greeting to the others.

Although Sidor was one of the Duke’s few acknowledged bastards—and the only one entrusted with any real responsibility—a bastard had no status. He was not a nobleman.

"What are you all doing here...?" Sidor Sea Water trailed off, then said, "You’re waiting to see Pine, aren’t you?"

Philip had always thought Sidor was remarkably clever; he could often guess the situation from a single expression.

"Yes," Philip confirmed with a nod.

Johann was more direct. "We’ve been waiting for a long time, but Lord Pine still hasn’t granted us an audience."

Sidor said, "I can go find Pine for you, but don’t get your hopes up. He might be busy at the moment."

"Thank you for your help," Philip said.

"Please wait here."

Sidor turned and walked toward the inner bailey. He didn’t head for the study or the council hall, but went straight to Pine’s chambers.

’Pine? Busy? That would be a first!’

’There was only one reason Pine would refuse to see someone!’

A male servant was standing guard outside Pine’s room.

"Is Pine in there?" Sidor asked.

"Yes, sir," the servant replied with a nod.

"Did you tell him Sir Philip and his men are waiting outside?"

"I did," the servant said, lowering his head. "But his lordship told me to make them wait."

Sidor walked to the door and pressed his ear against the wood.

From inside came the sound of slapping, wet flesh.

"Alright, I’ll take it from here." With that, Sidor pushed the door open and walked in.

The servant jumped in fright and started to block him, but then thought better of it, covering his mouth and scurrying to the side.

’I’ll just pretend I’m not here. Let Sidor face Pine’s wrath all by himself.’

"Who’s there?!" The man vigorously working on the bed was startled by the door swinging open and whipped his head around.

Pine, drenched in sweat, broke into a grin when he saw it was his brother. "Ah, it’s you, Sidor. What’s wrong?"

He didn’t stop his... other work as he spoke.

Sidor Sea Water’s expression remained placid, as if he saw nothing at all. "Philip and his men are waiting for you."

"Oh, right." Pine acted as if he’d just remembered. "Have they taken care of things?"

"What did you send them to do?" Sidor asked.

"Agnes, who married into Three-fork River Castle, was kidnapped by a group of unidentified Black Cavalry. I sent Philip with a conscription order to recruit troops from the nobles of the East Gorge to rescue her."

"A conscription order?" Sidor said in surprise. "But we’re not at war."

"The family’s Soldiers won’t listen to me. Are we supposed to do nothing when a member of House Leopold is kidnapped?" Pine, clearly irritated, stopped what he was doing, turned, and started getting dressed. "Father is gravely ill, and I am the heir to Roaring Castle. To preserve our family’s honor, I have the right to command them to do anything."

"But that doesn’t include ordering the Barons to dispatch troops over a single kidnapping. It makes them think Roaring Castle can’t even handle its own minor affairs."

Sidor could just imagine how arrogant Pine must have sounded when demanding they dispatch their men. ’It would be a miracle if any of them listened to him.’

’But he had still underestimated Pine. To actually issue a conscription order...’

’But he wasn’t the Duke. A conscription order from him was meaningless unless someone chose to recognize it.’

’Only the ever-loyal Philip and that pack of noble-born second sons, desperate for glory, would ever obey such a command.’

’Rescuing Agnes was their duty, but *how* they rescued her was a question of capability. Pine clearly lacked the ability to earn his subordinates’ respect; he was the only one who believed his status as the Duke’s heir superseded all else.’

’Then again, at the moment, perhaps it did.’

Pine got off the bed, walked over to Sidor, and clapped him on the shoulder. He spoke with a patronizing tone, "You are not the future Duke. You hold no title. You cannot possibly understand this responsibility, my brother. Now, I’m going to see Philip and his men. I hope they bring me good news."

Pine pushed the door open and left.

"I’m sure it will be good news, my brother." Sidor glanced back at the woman on the bed, gave her a slight nod, and followed Pine out.

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