Chapter 498

The execution platform was surrounded on all sides by people looking to see it. The crowd was mostly people who had lived in the city for a long time but Ajax was a bit surprised to see young children there as well. He supposed he’d have to add age restrictions to certain activities later after his first few changes were settled and he had a positive track record. 

The stage was set and House Hearthbound was welcomed to the applause of the crowd as they took their place on the stage before the rest of the noble visitors were escorted up to a less prominent seat to watch everything unfold. 

They had made the decision beforehand but they weren’t going to give any of them a chance to be heard before the execution took place. The whole idea was that doing so would only seem a little rude from a new ducal House and actively ignoring their requests to stay the execution could breed a long standing animosity. 

When the former noble was dragged to the stage the guards had done so with his limbs bound and his mouth tied off. It wasn’t the way they had wanted to do this but from the squirming and constant muffled groans it was clear anything else would have been even worse to deal with. His wild eyes searched desperately among the faces of the visiting nobles hoping for a ray of hope.

“People of Lessis, I appreciate you taking the time to see justice be served today.” Tom started his speech as the guards set up the execution block and prepared the prisoner.

Ajax tuned out the speech, much as he knew it was all technically true he knew nothing mentioned was the true reason for what was happening today. The only accurate part from his brother’s entire speech was that justice was indeed being carried out. Instead Ajax’s attention was drawn towards one of the guards Lady Berrymore had brought with her.

“You can’t take him.” Ajax heard Lancel’s voice but it seemed he was the only one, an interesting trick he planned on learning. He could most likely mimic it with an application of Vibration mana but it would be highly mana intensive.

One of the things they hadn’t gotten confirmation on before their arrival was who House Berrymore had sent as guards for Camilla, sure they knew the obvious escort but it was the high level retainers that they hadn’t noticed from their scouts and it was them that mattered, faced with them now Ajax was sure Lancel knew the man. 

“How easily could you take him?” Ajax responded in such a quiet whisper that only Lancel heard him, he had also covered his mouth to mask the movement.

Ajax had no doubts that someone like Lancel could handle Camilla’s guard, the only question was how far would he be pushed. “He would pose little threat to me.” Lancel confirmed. “He is a skilled mage with a wide array of wide range magic, a battle between us inside the city would see many casualties. They probably sent him to look for any talented mages before you yourself have a chance to evaluate your new people.” 

By then Tom’s speech had finished and in a swift motion he picked up the executioner's axe and swung it cleanly separating the neck from the head. While this was a show of strength they weren’t looking to make a spectacle of it beyond what they had already done. 

An instant after the swing of the axe Ajax could just barely make out a slight cry of pain, one that didn’t sound human more like a hiss of agony. He didn’t have long to track it as it was soon drowned out by the cheer of the crowd but from the way Lancel was looking in the same direction Ajax was sure he wasn’t the only one to have heard the morning cry of a bond who lost its partner.

With the execution passed it was now time to handle the political side of the gathering, starting with greeting all the attending nobles. From the way the three Barons as well as their families were approaching first it signified that both the Viscount and Camilla were looking to have deeper conversations than just polite greetings.

“Duke Hearthbound.” The Baron’s all gave Ajax and his family a respectful bow. It was a clear sign they respected their authority. 

Following their greeting it was only a short introduction that followed before the Baron’s all moved on. Their attitudes led Ajax to guess that they had come here to try and stop the execution but now that it had been carried out they had just decided to cut their losses. One thing Ajax was sure of however was that he very much preferred dealing with nobles who lived outside the capital. Their social skills weren’t as highly leveled and he could actually get a read on them. 

“Duke Hearthbound, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Viscount Darius Brightfist.” The Viscounts bow wasn’t as deep as the Baron’s but that was a privilege of his higher rank among the nobility. “I have to admit while I would have preferred to meet you at a happier occasion there is quite a lot I would like to discuss seeing as we are now neighbors.” 

“The pleasure is mine, Viscount Brightfirst.” Ajax returned the greeting. Seeing how close Lancel was sticking to both him and Lexi now that the Viscounts retainers had gotten closer made Ajax rethink his stance on them. He had initially thought that it was only House Berrymore’s guard that was actually stronger than him but it was clear one of the Viscount’s retainers was not only more skilled than he had realized but that they were also adept at hiding their strength. 

Ajax perfectly followed the advice he had been given during his lessons at the Academy regarding noble interactions. He had kept the chat short while passing off the Viscount to Silvia and Elija who would be able to address the man’s questions regarding possible trading between their territories.

“Duke Heathbound.” Camilla’s greeting was a short sharp nod and something that you would be hard pressed to call a curtsy. 

“Lady Berrymore.” Ajax responded to the cold greeting in kind, something that displeased the woman. 

“How have you been, Camilla?” Lexi’s voice sounded exceedingly sweet, the jab in her words clear as she addressed the noble by her first name, something Lady Berrymore had invited her to do in their previous interactions back in the capital. “It’s been a few years since we last saw each other.” 

“I’ve been doing well Lexi.” Ajax had to admit if nothing else Camilla Berrymore was adept when it came to social interactions, he could see none of the animosity Lexi had assured him was there between her and Lexi. “A lot has indeed happened since we last saw each other, please let me offer my congratulations on your engagement. If it wouldn’t be presumptuous could I ask that we talk in private? There is something rather sensitive I would like to discuss.” 

This caught not only Ajax but also Lexi by surprise. Both of them had been sure that Camilla would have wanted their interactions to be public so that her rebuke at their actions against a fellow noble would rally others against them. Nevertheless they agreed to the request leading not only Lady Berrymore and her retainers but also Viscount Brightfist towards the mansion adjacent to Tom’s mayor’s office that acted as House Hearthbound’s residence in Lessis.

“There’s no need for formalities.” Camilla dropped all pretenses as soon as they were in private with only Ajax, Lexi, Lancel and Aurora as well as two of her retainers. “I’m sure you don’t like me and I can’t imagine it would come as a surprise that I do not like you. I’m here to handle an opportunity my House has been offered.” 

Camilla didn’t even attempt to hide the smirk as she noticed her change of pace clearly took Ajax and Lexi by surprise, even Aurora was knocked off balance. Lancel however was quick to take control of the conversation and give his Lord and Lady time to process while also putting Ajax at ease. 

“If that is the case I presume it would be best if James and I leave you to it.” He said as he motioned towards the older looking mage. “I quite like him and I’d prefer that we catch up a little.” 

“That’s probably a good idea, I trust no harm would come to my charge.” Camilla’s face returned to her emotionless resting position to mask the displeasure she felt at James’s response, unfortunately she was well aware she wasn’t in a position to actually give the mage orders. Her father was the only one who could do so.

Both of the elite combatants left once Ajax gave the man a nod confirming Camilla’s safety. “What opportunity is it that you are referring to?” Lexi asked now that she had time to regain her bearing.

“This would be the opportunity.” Camilla said with a malicious smile as she pushed forward an official looking piece of paper. “While I am aware circumstances have indeed changed since my House was approached, we still have a stake in the opportunity offered to us.”

On the table was not only a letter but a binding contract between the youngest son of House Nestor and House Berrymore regarding his induction into the ducal House in exchange for an opportunity regarding salamander bonds.