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Chapter 37 Blood debt must be paid with blood

Ryan appointed Diamond as tax collector and gave him 20 gold crown coins as working funds for the next period of time.

Next, he not only had to find a way to collect taxes from Iron Harbor, but also to establish a trade market in the city to attract merchants from other places and encourage citizens to participate in more transactions, thereby opening up new sources of tax revenue and income.

As someone who has managed the illegal black market, Diamond is certainly quite familiar with market rules, making him a perfect fit for the role.

After sending Diamond out to work, Raine gathered everyone together and announced that he would be taking Berthalia and Ellina to the capital next week.

While away, all administrative affairs on Salt Island are handled by the administrative officer, Dia. If she is unable to handle a matter, she can send a message to the capital to inquire about it from Rein.

"No, I can't!" Dia hurriedly refused loudly. "This isn't my territory! What nobleman would hand over his territory to an outsider to manage?"

“You’re not an outsider,” Renn said calmly. “You’re my personal maid. It’s quite common for maids to help manage the family business when their master is away.”

"Impossible!" Dia shouted anxiously.

Lately, dealing with the petitions from her citizens has been driving her crazy. If it weren't for Berthalia's help, she has no doubt that she would have been completely outmaneuvered by these troublemakers.

There were also knight squires, who were originally trained by Ellina, but she had absolutely no experience.

The two of them are going to the capital with Renn this time! Why can't I go with them?!

It was obviously me who came first!
"Objection overruled." Raine interrupted her protest. "Say one more thing, and I'm done with what's going on on the rainforest peninsula."

"But... gulp!" Dia could only cover her mouth with both hands to indicate that she hadn't said "an extra word."

"I heard a word!" Renn laughed heartily, about to continue teasing the little maid, when suddenly he saw a raven from Searock City fly in through a window at the top of the castle.

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Marquis Fahel was furious.

He wouldn't care how many sons like Poirot Fahre died. The old marquis had so many sons that he couldn't even remember the names of several of them.

But Kalic is different.

When Marquis Fahel was still known as "the Marquis's son," Kalicch was one of his most trusted brothers. Now, he is his right-hand man, in charge of the family's escort fleet, demonstrating the extent of the Marquis's trust in him.

Now that Kalic is dead, who will fill his position as fleet commander?

The most qualified and capable men are Darrian and Bodak, but these two are already in charge of the trading fleet and the smuggling fleet, and if they were to also serve as escort fleets, their power would be too great, and the old marquis would have trouble sleeping at night.

Among the other brothers and even the older sons, although there were many capable and resourceful individuals, almost none of them had any qualifications or established a trustworthy relationship with the Marquis himself.

I am angry!
After his anger subsided, Marquis Fahel began to consider things with pure reason.

Kalicch is dead. Most of the armed sailors on the escort fleet are dead, especially the middle and high-ranking crew members, namely the first mate, navigator, and bosun—Kalicch's confidants. They have basically all been sent to the River Styx to play diving.

The remaining sailors, having lost all their superiors, had most likely already surrendered to Rennes.

In other words, aside from the trading and smuggling fleets currently operating overseas, the Faher family currently possesses no naval power. If Rein were to be forced into rebellion, Salt Island would directly break free from Searock City's control, and it's even possible that they would send an escort fleet to attack Searock City.

Therefore, the most urgent task is to get Raine away from Salt Island and back to Searock City as soon as possible.

In a letter to Raine, Marquis Fahl flew into a rage, even threatening to cut off supplies to Salt Island and demanding that Raine return to give the family an explanation: why Kalic died in Iron Harbor.

This was also the Marquis's brilliant response, because he knew that Renn was no fool. If he had caused such a disaster, and you still casually invited him back, it would definitely arouse his suspicion.

It's unlikely that Raine would actually rebel, since Salt Island can't be self-sufficient. Therefore, he would probably devise a very plausible explanation for Kalic's death in order to get past the family's questioning.

It doesn't matter. Anyway, the Marquis's real plan is to take back Salt Island and give Renn a new fief.

Marquis Fahel was anxious, but his expression remained calm and composed. He even took a moment to talk to his new wife, which reassured the family members who heard about the incident.

Upon receiving news that Renn had arrived at the Searock City docks, the old marquis, who was sowing and cultivating the land, jumped out of bed and, ignoring his newlywed wife's angry rebukes and curses, hurriedly dressed to greet Renn.

Upon arriving at the dock, Marquis Fahr had already composed himself on the way. Looking at Renn's handsome face, which didn't resemble his own, his gaze quickly swept over the man's entire body, and he nodded authoritatively.
"I'm glad you're not hurt."

The old marquis has no intention of harming his son yet.

Ryan, of course, saw through his father's thoughts and smiled, saying:

"You still look as radiant as ever."

The Marquis laughed heartily and patted Renn on the back.

The two walked side by side on the way back to Gull Castle. Marquis Faher did not reveal anything, but only asked Rein about the cause of his uncle Kalic's death.

Ryan replied that "armed sailors mutinied at the fleet base, killing all the middle and senior crew members, and the mutineers have now all been eliminated."

This excuse is poorly made up, because sailors' mutinies usually happen on the high seas, and afterwards they often seize the ship and flee to another country to avoid being pursued by the ship owner's backers... Who the hell would mutiny in a fleet base? Are they courting death?

But Marquis Fahre showed no doubt whatsoever; he simply stroked his beard, nodded, and said:
“You are my son, so of course I trust you. However, there are many close friends of your unfortunate uncle in the family who may question and interrogate you later. Just tell the truth, and I will protect you.”

"Fine." Renn sneered inwardly, "So you're not going to act anymore, huh?"
Kalic has no close friends in his family. They're probably all actors you arranged!

The father and son, harboring ulterior motives, stepped into the brightly lit banquet hall of Gull Castle and saw that the clansmen were already sitting upright in their respective seats.

Unlike the lively atmosphere of the last banquet, the hall was now solemn and gloomy, like the dark clouds gathering before an impending storm.

Marquis Fahre gave Renn a gentle nudge, gesturing for him to go to the front.

Raine calmly walked to the center of the semi-circular banquet hall, the focal point where the clansmen's eyes were focused.

His expression showed no fear whatsoever.

"The murderer of his own family!" someone in the clansmen suddenly shouted angrily, "A blood debt must be paid in blood!"

(End of this chapter)