"Yaaaay! Baron Fenris won!" The nobles of the so-called "Investment Victims’ Club" cheered loudly in the banquet hall as news of Ghislain's victory spread. They didn’t care whether it was skill or luck that led to his success; all that mattered was that Ghislain had won, and their investments weren’t lost. "Fantastic! The cosmetics business is safe!" "We can put in even more money now!" "Let’s do it! With Marquis Branford backing him, what’s there to fear?" It was human nature. When an unexpected positive outcome emerged where they’d only expected ruin, it made them trust Ghislain even more. The nobles flocked around Rosalyn, clamoring to invest further. Rosalyn responded with a graceful smile as if this was all as planned. “There’s no need to worry from here on out. The Marquis of Branford is behind Baron Fenris, after all. I’ve always assured you there would be no issues, haven’t I?” The nobles now returned her smile, exuding confidence. “Of course, we trusted you.” “Why make such a fuss over a little frontier skirmish?” “I told you it would pay off, didn’t I? Hohoho.” As the atmosphere grew lively with laughter and reassurances, Rosalyn discreetly wiped a bead of nervous sweat from her brow. *Phew... I’m alive. Barely. That was too close.* Ever since recovering from her illness, she’d tried to temper her character, but after dancing on the edge of ruin, curses came naturally to her mind. The nobles’ constant demands for assurances had stressed her so much that she’d even lost clumps of hair daily. The fact she hadn’t cursed them out loud was a testament to her restraint. *I nearly got locked up in the house again. But for him to win the siege so quickly... He’s as unpredictable as ever.* She had no idea how he pulled it off, but the outcome was a huge relief. And, by defeating Count Cavald, he’d proven a respectable level of military might. Even in the midst of food shortages, Count Cavald wasn’t an opponent to be taken lightly. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶 *Still, the ducal family won’t just sit back. I need to find a way to handle this before they retaliate.* Count Cavald was known to be part of the ducal faction, and while they’d officially agreed not to interfere, it was clear they were sharpening their blades behind the scenes. To keep the cosmetics business afloat, Rosalyn had to ensure Ghislain’s protection. *I never imagined I’d be so tied to this. I should visit Fenris soon and learn about the cosmetics manufacturing process.* If the worst came to pass and Fenris fell, she needed a way to continue production. This brush with ruin had been enough to convince her she didn’t want to be caught off guard again. While Rosalyn was lost in thought, Mariel approached her, beaming. “Isn’t this wonderful? It all turned out great! We’re getting flooded with new investment inquiries.” “Haa, yes... It’s definitely a relief. None of us expected him to win this quickly.” “Right? My little brother always bragged about his fighting skills, but who’d have thought he could actually pull it off?” “Well... he does live in his own world,” Rosalyn replied, recalling her time under treatment. He had been certain of his way in everything and insisted that he was always right. She had never met someone so obstinate in all her life, yet in the end, he was always proven right, which was even more baffling. Mariel laughed heartily at Rosalyn’s sincere words but then sighed regretfully. “If I’d known this would happen, we wouldn’t have spent so much on hired help. Right?” “Indeed. Those people got paid a fortune and ended up doing nothing. They’re probably on their way back, enjoying themselves right now.” Rosalyn forced a wry smile. They had hired priests and problem-solvers, spending vast sums to rescue Baron Fenris, but in the end, it hadn’t been necessary. She couldn’t ask for a refund now, and trying would only damage their reputation and spark bad rumors. *Ugh, he’s impossible to predict. What a waste of money.* It was rare for Rosalyn to squander resources so needlessly. With a sigh, she tried to soothe her stinging conscience. --- **Before news of the victory reached the capital...** Having cut down Count Cavald, Ghislain turned and surveyed the knights and soldiers around him. Watching the silence overtake the battlefield, Ghislain allowed himself a small smile. Now was the time to savor the victory. Without a word, he raised his hand slowly and clenched it into a fist. The knights who saw this gesture were the first to rush over, cheering. “We won! We were victorious!” “Count Cavald has fallen!” “Wooooo!” The surviving soldiers joined in, unleashing their joy. The once-quiet battlefield was now filled with the cheers of Fenris’s forces. Watching them, Ghislain wore a satisfied smile. *Perfect. This was just the experience they needed.* This victory was crucial for more than just access to iron resources. The knights had undergone grueling training, facing hellish drills that made them question their endurance, but they had never faced true combat. No amount of preparation could completely erase fear. *Turning fear into confidence only comes from self-assurance.* By decisively defeating Count Cavald, a renowned Northern powerhouse, they had gained that confidence. Belinda, who had shed her mask and joined him, couldn’t hide her joy. “It’s such a relief. We suffered hardly any casualties on our side. Do you see the soldiers’ morale? They’ll settle into the territory in no time.” “Indeed. This battle was crucial for the soldiers as well.” The new recruits, who had only just arrived in Fenris’s territory and were thrown straight into battle, must have been terrified. But now, after this war, they would return with pride and stronger loyalty to their land. Belinda continued to lavish Ghislain with praise. “Our young master is truly capable of anything. You should go after that Count Almond or whoever he is next, shouldn’t you?” she chuckled. She had opposed the war so fiercely at first, and now her tone had completely changed. Ghislain chuckled at her enthusiasm. *She’s so different when she’s not taking down enemies.* Intrigued, Ghislain casually asked, “I noticed you using some unfamiliar techniques back there. Did you learn those from my mother’s family? Could my mother do those things too?” Belinda gave him a sly glance and answered, “Oh, haven’t I told you it’s rude to ask about a lady’s past? Remember, you’d be labeled as petty if you asked that in public. Got it? Now, I’ll go handle the cleanup.” Leaving with a playful retort, Belinda disappeared. Ghislain chuckled and shook his head. Then, Gillian approached and offered a respectful nod. “You’ve done well, my lord. Leave the rest to us and get some rest.” It was a brief but sincere gesture. Gillian was as reliable as ever. “You did well too, Gillian. Once the battlefield is organized, let’s move to the lord’s manor.” With Gillian’s immense strength, the operation had gone much more smoothly. Recruiting him had truly been a wise decision. Kaor swaggered over, eager to boast. “Hey, Lord Fenris! Did you see my skills? I was the first to reach the wall, wasn’t I? See, I’m that strong!” Ghislain clicked his tongue but gave Kaor the acknowledgment he craved. He was a bit rough around the edges, but in battle, he was more than useful. “You did alright today. Been training hard, have you?” “I’m always this good!” Kaor boasted gruffly before bursting into laughter. “Man, you sure are lucky, though. Who could’ve predicted a drought just after you stocked up on food? I’m telling you, you’re blessed by the stars.” Having known Ghislain for a while, even Kaor thought his luck was remarkable this time. Without luck, he couldn’t explain it. There were even rumors that Ghislain had read the stars through astrology, but Kaor didn’t buy it. *The guy would close the book on the first page, claiming it hurt his head.* Ghislain smirked, seeing Kaor’s calculating gaze. *I can practically read his thoughts.* Just as he was about to say something, other knights ran over, eager to brag about their feats. “Did you see me? I took out ten enemies with a single swing!” “Only ten? Guess who’s on night watch. I took out a hundred in one strike.” “Pah, amateurs. I downed five hundred, and all I have is a scratch on my finger.” Despite bleeding from their mouths, they exaggerated wildly, boasting in true mercenary fashion. As Ghislain reveled in the camaraderie, Belinda reappeared. “Young master, someone has come to see you.” “Who? Cavald’s retainers?” “No, they’re from the capital.” Ghislain raised a brow. They were still in the middle of securing prisoners and gathering weapons after the battle. It was too soon for someone to have heard about the victory and made the journey here. Curious, Ghislain turned to see a man approach. The stranger had a sturdy build, marked with numerous scars, giving him a mercenary-like air. “Congratulations on your victory. My name is Max, a fixer by trade. I’ve come with a group of ten and a priest on behalf of Countess Aylesbury and Lady Branford.” Behind him, a group of men respectfully bowed to Ghislain. “Fixers? Why not just call yourselves mercenaries instead of dressing it up?” Ghislain muttered. Max hesitated, lowering his head, and Ghislain clicked his tongue before continuing. “So, what’s your business with me?” “Countess Aylesbury and Lady Branford sent us. They instructed us to spare no effort in rescuing you if you were in danger.” It was a kind gesture, even if motivated by their investment in his cosmetics business. Despite the political risks, they had spent a considerable amount to send people. “Hmm. But isn’t it a little late? The battle’s already over.” Max smiled, a little embarrassed. “We pushed ourselves as hard as we could, but we hadn’t expected the battle to end so quickly. Truly remarkable, my lord.” “Well, things can’t always go according to plan.” “We’re just relieved you’re safe. We’ll return now to share the good news with our clients.” Max smiled brightly and gave a final bow. It had been a risky mission, and he was glad it had ended without incident. But Ghislain wasn’t done. “Where are you going?” “Pardon? Now that the mission is complete, we’ll return and report to our clients...” “Who said it’s complete? You were paid, so you should earn your pay.” Max looked at him in confusion. “I’m sorry, I’m not sure what you mean.” “Exactly what I said. If you’re mercenaries, then act like it and earn your pay.” “We’re not mercenaries; we’re fixers...” “Pfft, same thing, isn’t it?” “Ahem, well, our mission was to ensure your safety in case of danger. Since you’ve already won and we’ve confirmed your well-being, our mission is complete.” “Yet I was in danger. Why didn’t you save me?” “Uh... I, uh...” Max and the other fixers were at a loss. The war was over when they arrived; how could they possibly have rescued him? Ghislain, however, was unfazed. To him, the only thing that mattered was whether they’d earned their pay. “Ah, seems like we’ve got some frauds here.” With a wave of Ghislain’s hand, his knights and soldiers immediately surrounded the fixers. “If you don’t want to earn your pay, then refund it to me with a penalty. Otherwise, things might get unpleasant.” Max and his group looked around in dismay. They had hoped for a pleasant return, and now they found themselves surrounded, accused of fraud. *What is this? Is this guy insane? What kind of noble behaves like this? Couldn’t he have discussed this in private? And why’s he demanding the refund himself?* Seeing Max’s baffled expression, Ghislain smiled mischievously. “You’re not leaving empty-handed after getting paid. Here, we don’t tolerate frauds. And I’m particularly strict with swindlers.” If they took the money, they had to work for it. This was the mercenary king’s iron rule. He had no intention of letting such a useful labor force slip away.