The Path to Lordship Begins in the North

"Larsen, it's not that I'm unwilling to lend it to you, but your blacksmith shop and land really aren't worth much."

Lord Rubin wasn't exactly a bad person. After all, Hidden Mountain Territory wasn't very big, and Rubin was more like a village chief than a lord.

There isn't a single professional in the entire Hidden Mountain Territory. After all, in this mountain village, even the bandits and robbers with their own professionals might not be able to make enough to cover their commission after just one robbery. Naturally, the lord of Hidden Mountain Territory doesn't need to hire professionals. If Larsen wanted to, he could even reveal his power right now and rob Rubin of all his property.

However, Rubin not only took in Larson who had lost his memory, but he had also treated Larson quite well over the years. The blacksmith shop was set up with Rubin's financial support and help. Larson, or rather Connor Lars's chivalry, would not allow him to harm his benefactor.

Secondly, Larsen didn't want to be too high-profile. After all, with no idea what was going on outside, it was best to keep a low profile no matter what he did. If he provoked the Anjou authorities or the Church of War, things would be unpredictable. In Larsen's memory, Anjou and Capet had never had a good relationship.

"My lord, although I cannot tell you this clearly, I come from a powerful family. As long as I go back and contact my family, I will definitely give you ten times or even a hundred times the compensation."

Larsen didn't actually want much, but Rubin wasn't wealthy either, so even with this small amount of money, they hesitated.

However, Larsen didn't really want to borrow money. He would be happy if he could, but even if he couldn't, he would consider it a farewell. He had already packed his things and would leave Hidden Mountain Territory after saying goodbye.

Of course, having money is better, since the journey is long. If he didn't have money, Larsen would have spent a lot of time on the road. Larsen's main purpose in coming this time was to say goodbye to his benefactor.

At this moment, a somewhat sharp voice rang out from beside Rubin: "Since you were born into a wealthy family, what can't you say? I'm very familiar with the nobles outside, and my family is quite prestigious among them. It just so happens that Hidden Mountain Territory is about to go down the mountain to purchase supplies. Just tell me, and I'll help you contact your family, how about that?"

The speaker was Theodore Randolph, who did not hold a title himself but was from a collateral branch of the Randolph family. He had come here two years ago to serve as Rubin's advisor.

The nobility in big cities might not care much about the surname Randolph, but in this remote countryside, the title of Randolph was almost equivalent to that of a king. Even a proper baron like Rubin had to treat Theodore, who had no title, with utmost respect.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Randolph, my family is a bit special and I can’t say for sure.”

Larsen frowned. Even before he regained his memories, he didn't like Theodore. Since Theodore came, the taxes in Hidden Mountain Territory had been increasing. Although the kind-hearted Rubin hadn't raised taxes and was still living a life not much better than the villagers, people's food was becoming increasingly scarce.

After regaining his memories, Larsen immediately saw through the scheme, realizing that it was the so-called advisor sent by another powerful family who was behind it all.

"Can't tell? I think you just want to leave Hidden Mountain Territory, swindle our lord's money, and run away, right?"

Theodore stroked his mustache, his tone becoming sarcastic.

"Lassen isn't that kind of person!"

Before Larsen could explain, a woman suddenly appeared from the corner.

“Father, since you are unwilling to sponsor Larsen, then I will.”

The woman was Rubin's eldest daughter, Prima. She had been married, but her husband died shortly after their marriage, leaving her a widow.

Of course, for a border nobleman like Rubin, who was from a remote corner of the country, to be able to find a nobleman closer to the interior to marry his daughter already shows that Prima was somewhat attractive, and even after being widowed at home for several years, she had become even more charming.

However, Rubin couldn't possibly find Prima a good teacher. Compared to the children of noble families, Prima now had the air of a country girl. After all, a normal noble girl wouldn't so openly defend someone.

Of the group, the composed Larsen seemed more like a nobleman.

Back then, Prima, who was widowed at home, found Larsen, who was on the verge of death, when she went out to buy supplies for her father. Both father and daughter can be said to be Larsen's saviors.

The gossip about Prima and Larsen has always been one of the hottest topics in Hidden Mountain Territory, especially after Theodore joined in. Rubin originally did not object, but Theodore's family reputation was too intimidating. If they were offended too much, Hidden Mountain Territory might even cut off supplies from the outside world.

Moreover, Larsen's attitude has suddenly become hesitant recently, and after requesting an audience, he suddenly said that he wanted to return to his family.

Larsen hesitated to leave immediately after regaining his memories. What would happen if he left Prima alone on the territory? But the situation outside was too dangerous. If his identity was exposed, Prima might have to die with him. Moreover, Rubin was unlikely to agree to his daughter going out to wander with the foreign blacksmith.

Larsen even considered living a peaceful life in Hidden Mountain Territory. After all, the Lars family might have already had a new heir or had been wiped out and turned into a small family. Going back would only bring disaster to Lars.

However, after some hesitation, Larsen decided to face the situation bravely. He wanted to take a gamble and bet that Augustine would not exterminate the Lars family. After all, if the Lars family really fell, the North would likely fall into chaos.

"You slut, why are you in such a hurry to defend your lover?"

Theodore, enraged, shouted, "He's just a blacksmith! What kind of crappy family influence could he possibly have? Have you ever seen a family that started out as a blacksmith?"

Unexpectedly, Prima rolled her eyes and said, "That's still better than letting you get away with it!"

Hearing this, Theodore became even angrier and turned to look at Rubin, seemingly questioning him. Rubin also gave his daughter a look that she should be more discreet in front of outsiders, not to mention the immense power of the Randolph family—for Rubin.

"Don't think I don't know. You've been collecting so much extra tax in the territory behind my father's back. Do you think you can hide it from us?"

Upon hearing Prima's words, Theodore couldn't help but burst into laughter, saying, "Even if I stripped the entire Hidden Mountain Territory naked, what could you do about it?"

After saying that, Theodore added, "Even if I strip you naked, you can't do anything about it."

Seeing Theodore's gloomy face, Rubin immediately interrupted, "Alright, alright, it's all a misunderstanding. Lord Theodore didn't overcharge, it was me who collected it. Prima, go back and rest. And Larsen, I'll find a way to pay you some of your money. You should leave Hidden Mountain Territory as soon as possible."

"late."

Theodore clapped his hands, and several local church members rushed in. If there was any armed force in the area, it was probably only the Church of War.

Larsen frowned and shielded Prima behind him. Although these church members were not professionals, Larsen knew that the Church of War was one of Anjou's reserve forces. They had daily training, although whether the Church of War here still believed in the God of War was questionable.

Two years ago, Theodore was sent here with the mission of seizing the property and territory of Hidden Mountain Territory. Originally, Theodore wanted to marry Prima directly, then find a way to kill Rubin and inherit the territory naturally. However, he did not expect that Prima would be so stubborn and fixated on the blacksmith, ignoring him, a member of a branch of the Randolph family. As a result, Theodore had to resort to ruthless methods. However, Hidden Mountain Territory was too remote and inaccessible. Theodore had no resources from his family and could only rely on his status as a member of the Randolph family to bully others. As a result, he has only now completed his plan.

But at that moment, a member of the Church of War jogged up to Theodore and whispered a few words in his ear.

"What? A saintess? What's the saintess of the Goddess Cult doing here?"