Chapter 4 Edward (Part 3)
1064 Words
"Help me or help him?" Edward's cold words made Baggins break into a cold sweat immediately.
Although Baggins was a small underground boss, this was no big city. Helko was merely a small town with a population of fewer than two thousand. As a small-time leader, Baggins could only throw his weight around among petty merchants. When it came to nobles, he was barely better off than an ordinary commoner.
The highest-ranking noble in Helko was merely a powerless, landless baron. The number of lower-rank knights in the town could be counted on one hand. As the son of a knight, Edward had a respectable status in the town. Under normal circumstances, Baggins might not have gone out of his way to curry favor with Edward, but offering minor assistance was certainly necessary. However, things were different now.
The news of Edward’s death had already spread quietly. Anyone of status in Helko knew that the old Flagg household was about to change hands. As a leader in the town’s gray area, Baggins was well aware of this. He was even considering whether to visit the new knight, Ducal, when suddenly, Edward—the man rumored to be dead—appeared before him. How could he not be shocked?
Choosing between Edward and Ducal? The answer seemed obvious. One was an unknighted, third-tier squire with a deceased father and a stolen estate. The other was a formally knighted, fifth-tier warrior with a mercenary group of more than thirty men. Anyone with half a brain would know who to side with.
Baggins was not only intelligent but also extremely shrewd. He glanced at Edward, a calculating gleam flashing in his eyes:
"Should I capture this kid and hand him over to Ducal? If I do, perhaps I could earn a handsome reward."
Lynton chuckled indifferently. He knew exactly what was going through Baggins' mind.
"Young Master Edward, you'd best return to the estate. Otherwise, Sir Ducal might start to worry," Baggins said as he slowly backed away, keeping his usual smile but maintaining a wary stance. After all, Edward was still a third-tier warrior. If he suddenly attacked, Baggins had no confidence in holding him off for long. He himself was merely a second-tier rogue.
While Baggins stood on guard, Lynton remained seated, watching him playfully. As Baggins retreated into the protection of his henchmen, his expression turned serious. With a wave of his hand, the dozen or so thugs around him surged toward Lynton...
That evening, Baggins led his men to Flagg Manor, located three miles outside Helko.
The manor followed a small village layout, enclosed by a wooden palisade. Two mercenaries stood guard at the well-maintained wooden gate.
Baggins handed a letter to one of the guards and waited outside.
Before long, a middle-aged knight stepped out of the gate—none other than Ducal.
"Mr. Baggins! Haha, I've been wanting to invite you to the manor, and here you come on your own! What a pleasant surprise," Ducal said, his face glowing with satisfaction. It was clear that he had been enjoying himself these past few days.
"Oh, not at all, Sir Flagg was well known as a kind man in our town. I still can't believe he's gone." Baggins feigned sorrow as he followed Ducal inside, even wiping away nonexistent tears. "And Edward is missing too—he was such a fine young man." In truth, this was his usual routine whenever someone notable passed away.
Hearing Baggins' words, Ducal's face momentarily darkened before quickly recovering. Even so, Baggins, ever the keen observer, didn't miss it.
While Baggins' other men were led away by the guards to rest, one figure in a low-brimmed hat remained at his side. The two men followed Ducal into the Flagg family's former estate—now Ducal’s new residence.
Inside the drawing room, several local dignitaries were already seated. Baggins took a glance around and recognized most of them—important figures in town who had also come to assess the situation. It seemed Ducal had already won them over. There were few in Helko with close ties to the Flagg family, and even those who did wouldn’t risk opposing a newly powerful knight for the sake of a dead man.
Baggins took his seat and exchanged idle chatter with a few acquaintances. The conversation meandered from topic to topic, carefully avoiding anything too direct. Everyone present understood what had happened, but they were here to align themselves with Ducal, not to question him.
Before long, servants entered with trays of food. Helko was not a wealthy town, and even these local elites led lives only slightly better than commoners. Extravagant feasts were rare. But today, Ducal had spared no expense—his claim to the estate was unofficial, and winning over the town’s elite was crucial for legitimizing his hold on it.
With the legal heir gone, Ducal had no rightful claim to the Flagg estate. However, he had his connections, and now, he needed the support of local dignitaries to smooth out the inheritance process. Thus, he had gone to great lengths to court their favor.
As the meal progressed, the town’s influential figures warmed up to Ducal, won over by his promises of benefits. Though it pained Ducal to offer such incentives, he reassured himself by thinking of the wealth the estate would bring him in the long run.
As the banquet concluded and guests prepared to leave, Ducal personally saw them off at the manor gate.
"Sir Ducal, you can count on us. We’ll all sign your petition. The Flagg estate belongs in the hands of a fine man like yourself," one of the guests assured him.
Ducal smiled broadly. "Thank you, gentlemen! Once the inheritance is finalized, I will host another banquet, and I sincerely hope you will all attend."
"Of course, of course!"
Just as the exchange of pleasantries continued, the low-brimmed-hat-wearing attendant behind Baggins stepped forward.
"Uncle Ducal," the young man said, his voice steady and clear, "if you plan to inherit my father’s estate, shouldn’t you at least discuss it with me first?"
The color drained from Ducal’s face. He turned sharply to look at the figure before him, his expression a mix of shock and horror.
Before him stood a young man, golden hair spilling out as he removed his hat, his handsome face unmistakable.
It was Edward.
- Writer
