Lord: Starting from the Pit-Dwelling Courtyard

Chapter 77: The Inspectorate Knights

Unlike human slaves, slaves of other races were extremely popular.

When the last batch of foreign slaves was brought out, and the steward announced the reserve price, several nobles from within the country simultaneously raised their paddles, instantly doubling the price.

Some of the wasteland lords around the long table gripped their wine glasses, but none raised their placards.

They didn't have that much money; the money had to be used to buy food and seeds, and they couldn't waste it on other races.

As the gavel fell, all the alien races who had been photographed were led away through the side door in shackles.

There are two remaining unsold animals in the cage. They are two old night elves from the last batch, too old for even rune shackles to slow their aging process.

The butler closed the register and nodded to the two servants standing by the cage.

The waiter drew his sword. One elf closed his eyes, while the other did not, watching the sword tip fall.

Blood splattered on the cage bars, flowing down the grooves in the iron bars and pooling into a small dark red puddle on the floor.

The nobles around them had already raised their glasses again, but some complained that the smell of blood overpowered the aroma of the wine and asked the waiter to open the window facing the cage.

The wasteland lords at the long table were silent for a moment, then continued drinking.

The lord, missing half an ear, spat on the ground; it was unclear whether he was spitting blood or something else.

Unlike human slaves, those slaves who couldn't be sold were packed up and thrown into the pioneer's gift pack.

Foreign slaves only had one fate: death.

The Border Lady so despises foreign races that if they weren't able to make money for her, she probably wouldn't have allowed these foreign slaves into her castle.

This is an extremely hypocritical woman.

Ron silently made an assessment of this woman.

After the ball, Gabriel the Border Count reappeared, bringing out a huge map.

Ron glanced at it and immediately understood that the map was of the border and the eastern part of Blackthorn Wasteland.

The butler quickly stepped forward and, without much haste, removed the territory marker that had already been removed from the property.

In the end, only 149 territories remained.

Gabriel said calmly, "The lords who survive this year can have their territories listed on the map. If they don't attend the ball next year or don't send a representative, their territories will be removed from the map."

"So many lords expand every year, but less than one-tenth actually survive to the end. You must work hard."

Ron frowned slightly and told Fanta to go up and hang the sign.

After the sign was finally hung up, Gabriel looked at the map, remained silent for a while, and then began to take out some new badges.

The housekeeper hung it where she pointed.

"These are the new batch of pioneering lords. According to the old rules, two of them will be in your territory, and one in mine." Harland tilted his head and said, "This is a great opportunity. If we can annex them, we should. If we are truly powerful, we can also support each other, just like we are."

Ron smiled slightly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Support!

What a joke! He'll just swallow it all up. A true man must be ruthless to succeed.

When Fanta saw Ron's smile, he instantly understood that those two territories were doomed.

Gabriel said something indifferently, then turned and left.

"Six months. The newly established territory will have a six-month protection period. If it is annexed by other territories within six months, I will send the Knights to teach you a lesson."

Ron looked at Haaland with amusement, while Haaland turned away with a laugh.

Clearly, Haaland initially had the idea of ​​annexing Ashwood territory as well.

The trade ended, the ball officially began, and as Gabriel the Border Lord withdrew, a large group of elegantly dressed courtesans began to enter.

Most of these women are the second daughters of nobles or daughters born out of wedlock. Their purpose here is to seduce other nobles, perhaps in order to become noble ladies. Of course, because of the Blackthorn Wasteland, most of these courtesans will not favor the lord of the wasteland.

If it weren't for the ball hosted by the Border Lord, many people would probably have turned around and left.

After all, the risks of becoming a pioneer lord are too high, and very few can persist for more than a few years. Even if they do, the conditions in the wasteland are harsh.

The risks are high, the returns are low, and the environment is poor, so naturally no women would come.

This left the wasteland lords feeling both frustrated and depressed.

Ron was too lazy to socialize, so he ate and drank alone in the food section.

Such food is hard to find back in the territory.

"Ron Ashwood."

An unfamiliar voice rang out.

Ron didn't look up, pretending not to hear, and Thun and Fanta immediately came over.

"I am Hilfa Rona, a member of the Imperial Guard from the capital city," the young man confidently introduced himself.

Ron slowly raised his head: "You've got the wrong person. My name is Ron Adler! Not Ashwood."

The young man persisted: "But it's true you have Ashwood blood!"

Ron smiled and pointed at Thun and Fanta, saying, "Thun Ashwood, Fanta Ashwood, they both have Ashwood blood. The Ashwood family is one of the top ten noble families in the kingdom. If we're just talking about bloodline, let me think, which family in the kingdom hasn't intermarried with the Ashwood family? Even the royal family has. Are you sure you want them just because they have Ashwood blood?"

Upon hearing this, Haaland, who was standing next to him, almost couldn't help but laugh.

Will quickly turned to the other side, but his neck was stretched out, clearly eager to hear the gossip.

The young man immediately lost his temper: "You know perfectly well what I'm going to say."

"I don't know!" Ron said confidently, spreading his hands.

Since the Border Lord had asked him to call him Lord Ad, and had managed to keep the Imperial Knights from finding him for so long, he must be on his side.

This is the territory and castle of the Border Lord; even if the Imperial Guard had a hundred lives, they wouldn't dare to arrest anyone here.

"You'll have to cooperate with us to return to the capital, otherwise..."

Ron tilted his head: "Otherwise, at most I'll let you kill me. Anyway, I have nothing left, just a worthless life."

This answer, so devoid of any aristocratic grace, left Shilfah speechless.

"you……"

Ron retorted without hesitation, "If you stutter, go back and get treatment. I've never heard of a stutterer being a knight."

Harland secretly gave Ron a thumbs up.

"Very well!" Hilfa took a deep breath and said threateningly, "You have the guts to never leave Gorubak Fortress for the rest of your life."

Ron grinned mischievously. "I'm leaving first thing tomorrow morning. Come and stop me if you dare."

Hilfa grinned smugly: "Lord Ron, please remember what you said."

Ron ignored him and turned back to the food in front of him, which was at least more appealing than Hilfa's.

"Thun, this barbecue is good, have some more." After saying that, Ron took all the barbecue that had just been served and stuffed it into Thun's hands.

Since the ball is primarily an auction and social event, the food is served buffet style.

Ron's gluttonous behavior drew disdain from many nobles within the territory, and even Harland and Will instinctively distanced themselves from him.