Arc II - Agrarian Revolution

Chapter 10 - Hunger Will Make Even a Sheep Bite a Wolf

1 Month and 5 Days Since the Summoning

Alan walked down the castle corridor in his usual shirt and patched trousers. He walked with a steady pace, his eyes staring straight ahead, his face a complete mask of indifference. He wasn't just wandering; he was clearly looking for someone. When he turned into the next corridor, he spotted a familiar wolf tail.

"Hey, Golna," he said flatly.

The maid stopped, then looked over her shoulder, clutching some towels and blankets. "Do you require something, Lord Gothwald?"

"We need to talk."

Golna looked at the blankets in her arms, then back at Alan. "Apologies, my lord... but could it wait? I have to..."

"It's fine. You can do that later," he replied, keeping his eyes locked on her.

The beastman gave a slow nod. "Very well... follow me." She turned and continued down the corridor, glancing back at him occasionally. Alan simply followed her, his expression unchanged.

She entered a room, set the towels down on a table, and straightened up. "I assume..."

Alan shut the door behind them, locked it, and leaned against the wall opposite her. Golna swallowed hard, waiting.

He crossed his arms. "When is she going to consider the suitors?"

The girl froze, but immediately clasped her hands in front of her. "I don't un—"

"You know exactly what I mean." Alan sighed, closing his eyes. "Look, let me put it this way. I already know that Kamelia has to choose a husband, or however it works here... frankly, I don't give a damn." He opened his eyes. "So I'll ask you again. When?"

Golna squeezed her clasped hands tighter. "I... I do not know what you are talking about, Lord Gothwald."

Alan shrugged. "Okay." He walked to the door, turned the key in the lock. "Then we're staying right here until you tell me." He pulled out a chair, sat at the table, crossed his arms, and simply began to drill her with his gaze.

Golna lowered her head slightly. "You do realize... how this looks?"

"I do."

Golna swallowed again. "You know you could be accused of..."

"I know," Alan interrupted. "I know perfectly well, Golna, which is why I'm asking you. This isn't some blind guess of mine, I heard it directly from Lorgi."

The girl pressed her lips together. "Then why not ask him? Did you choose a defenseless girl because she is easier to pressure?"

"Exactly... but that's not the only reason."

Golna flinched at his bluntness. "Then... what is the other reason?"

Alan rested his hands on the table, finally shifting his gaze from her to the window. Outside, the city, the sea, and a sky blanketed in light-gray clouds were visible. "Because Lorgi doesn't trust me anymore, and he won't tell me another thing. You're my only hope."

Golna was silent for a moment, then slowly approached the table and sat in a chair, resting her hands on her lap. "Then why start the conversation like this? You... you aren't a bad man. Her Ladyship said so... and I can see it myself. Did this really... hurt you so deeply?"

Alan didn't look away from the window. "What do you think? Kamelia sold her future to buy my life. What am I supposed to do, just carry on like nothing happened? I wish I could. I can't."

"My father spoke the truth..." she whispered. "Hunger will make even a sheep bite a wolf." She looked up down at her lap, then raised her eyes to him. "I will tell you... but on one condition. No... on two conditions."

Alan finally looked at her. "I'm listening."

Golna took a deep breath. "First... you will try, I won't say succeed, but at least try, to somehow... cancel the upcoming betrothal."

Alan nodded. "That's exactly why I'm here. And the second?"

The girl twirled the edge of her dress. "Second... you will actually build the very first four-field crop system in Zoligasha."

Alan's eyes widened slightly. "You remembered that word?"

Golna smiled faintly. "Of course. Her Ladyship has been talking about it constantly lately."

Alan snorted. "Those are very strange conditions. I was already planning to do both."

She shrugged. "It is what it is. At least now you have one more reason to see this through."

Alan sighed. "Alright, lobbying aside. When is this casting... I mean, when are the suitors to be considered?"

Golna blinked, clearly confused by his phrasing, but her face grew serious. "In half a year."

Alan nodded. "Six months... can Kamelia actually refuse them?"

The maid shook her head. "She can, but the consequences..."

"What consequences?"

Golna sighed. "You see... noblemen are quite sensitive when it comes to women. They can swallow humiliation from someone stronger, or even a burned village, if it benefits them... but a rejection from a woman is, to them... how should I put
it..."

"A total shitshow," Alan said.

The maid cleared her throat slightly. "Yes... a very accurate description. If a woman, especially a high-born one, chooses one specific suitor, it is considered normal. Formally, it isn't a rejection, but rather a choice in favor of another. But if she rejects them all... every single one of them will take it personally, and they will spare no effort to seek revenge."

Alan blinked. "You have some bizarre traditions here... alright, and if she does choose a groom, then what?"

"Then comes the wedding, as you might guess. Usually two or three years later, in accordance with tradition."

Alan nodded. "Okay... and who are the candidates?"

Golna's shoulders tensed slightly. "Well... all the barons, and two other counts from our duchy... not the men themselves, of course, but their sons."

He gave a bitter whistle. "Wow... why didn't the king himself line up while we're at it?"

"The king is far too old and..."

"Sarcasm," Alan replied, raising a hand. "Ahem... how do you even know so much about these inner workings? You... aren't an ordinary maid, are you?"

The girl looked out the window. "You could say that."

Alan frowned slightly. "Care to elaborate?"

Golna kept her gaze fixed on the window. "I have worked in this castle since I was fifteen. It will soon be ten years of service."

Gothwald nearly choked on his spit. "You're twenty-five?! You look eighteen at most!"

She turned away from the window and looked at Alan. "Beastmen live slightly longer than humans, which is why I look a few years younger."

The guy nodded. "Noted... alright. Since you're so well-versed in politics, tell me about Baron Utew."

"Baron Utew..." Golna murmured. "Your average baron. Greedy, cunning, wants more power."

"Color me surprised... is he pragmatic?"

"He is what?"

Alan clicked his tongue. "Is he stubborn about his principles, or can he bend them if there's profit in it?"

Golna opened her mouth. "Ah... I see. Well... yes, he's like that. But if you think he will help you in any way... it is highly unlikely. Everyone hates you." She delivered the line without a hint of softness.

Alan sniffled. "Oh, is that so... I have a pretty good idea why, but... lay it on me."

"There is more than one reason. The burned village, your interference in other baronies, and the 'recommendations' Her Ladyship recently sent out irritated them immensely. Furthermore, they figured out almost instantly that you were
behind it. The barons are convinced Kamelia is your puppet."

Gothwald slowly brought a hand to his forehead and dragged it down his face. "And why didn't Kamelia... mention any of this to me? And how do you even know..." He waved his hand dismissively. "Oh, right, ten years of service, trust, and all that. Just fucking fantastic. I'm basically a bloodthirsty dictator in the eyes of the entire county now. Beautiful. What about outside the county? Do they have any opinions on me yet?"

She shook her head. "That, I do not know."

Alan nodded. "Fine... since Utew is stubborn as a mule, maybe... does he have heirs?"

Golna raised an eyebrow. "Why are you so obsessed with Baron Utew?"

"Because he controls the iron. And I need iron to make plows that till the soil easier. That is why I am obsessed with this Utew."

Golna's breath caught slightly, but she simply replied, "I see. Heirs. Yes, he has them. Three sons and two daughters. The eldest will be the candidate for the betrothal. Is that what you need to know?"

Gothwald shook his head. "Not that. Though... tell me what you know about them anyway."

Golna sighed. "It seems we are in for a long talk... do you mind if I brew some oyre?"

Alan shrugged and silently set the key on the table.

Golna reached for the key, pausing for just a split second to look at Alan before picking it up. She unlocked the door, opened it, and walked out, leaving the key in the keyhole and the door slightly ajar.

Alan immediately buried his face in his arms on the table and let out a long sigh.

'God... what have I become? ... Hunger will make even a sheep bite a wolf,
right?'

A few minutes later, heavy footsteps approached. Alan instantly sat up and turned toward the door. It began to swing open slowly.

A guard.

Alan's heart skipped a beat.

'Golna... you little...'

The guard immediately straightened up upon seeing Alan. "My apologies, Lord Advisor. I saw the door open and decided to investigate."

Alan blinked. "Ah... well... as you can see... I'm here."

The guard nodded. "Forgive the intrusion." He departed with the same heavy, rhythmic footsteps.

Alan exhaled, not even realizing he had been holding his breath.

'Okay... false alarm.'

A few minutes later, light footsteps returned. The door opened, and Golna finally walked back in, carrying a teapot and two cups.

Alan turned to her. "I thought you went to snitch on me."

The maid stopped. "Huh? What are you talking about?"

Alan sighed with a faint smile. "A guard just came in. He was curious about the door being ajar. I assumed you set him on me."

Golna sighed and shook her head. "You certainly have a fascinating opinion of me, Lord Gothwald." She set the tea set on the table, closed the door, and sat down. "Now... where were we?"

"Tell me about Utew's heirs. And first... how do you even know so much about them?"

The girl poured the pale-blue oyre for Alan first. "I know them well, along with the rest of Lady Kamelia's vassals. As I mentioned, I have served in this castle for almost ten years, so I have visited various estates more than once. Besides... Her Ladyship's father was a very cunning man. He often brought me to receptions to..." her voice grew slightly quieter. "...listen and report back. After all, who pays attention to a wolf-girl?"

Alan leaned back in his chair. "Wait... why a 'wolf-girl' specifically? Why not just a beastman?"

Golna paused briefly as she poured the oyre. "It doesn't matter. Just a slip of the tongue."

Alan narrowed his eyes. "It actually does matter. Especially since I need to understand the racial dynamics here. That's essential knowledge on its own."

Golna finished pouring her oyre, set the teapot aside, and didn't even touch her cup. "Very well... several centuries ago..."

Alan raised a hand. "I know. The nomads, Mirey, the conquests, and all that."

Golna's eyes widened completely, and she practically leaped out of her seat. "My lord! Do not speak that name so loudly!" she hissed.

Alan froze. "What? Why?"

Golna leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I will tell you, but... never, NEVER mention that name around others. ESPECIALLY around the aristocracy. This is for your own safety!"

Alan swallowed, then leaned in. "I'm listening."

The girl sat back. "Do you want to know why I specified a 'wolf-girl'? Because wolves are hated more than any other beastman... because he was a wolf, too. According to legend... he fathered thousands of children, and now people believe that his blood flows in every wolf-beastman..."

Alan blinked. "And what did he actually do? It's not like wars are a rarity here."

She shook her head. "There was never a war like his. His horde conquered hal fthe world. They plundered, killed, lived only for war... The nobility especiallyhates him because, in his time... he slaughtered nearly two-thirds of all noblelineages! From grandson to grandfather! It was known as the 'Sword by Surname'... he was... a true monster." She squeezed out the final words withgreat difficulty.

Alan narrowed his eyes.

'Hmm... too textbook... she's reciting this a bit too cleanly. Is that how she was taught? Whatever... I'll save that for later.'

He nodded. "Alright. I understand. I won't say his name again."

Golna let out a breath. "Thank you."

Gothwald picked up his cup of oyre. "Okay, I hear you. I trust you know what you're talking about. So, what about the baron's offspring?"

Golna latched onto the return to the main topic like a lifeline. "Yes... the heirs. The eldest son, Zinder Utew, is about thirty-two. Your... typical nobleman. Hunting, feasts, balls, preparing to take power. The middle son, Linter Utew, is around twenty-eight, from what I've heard. For a long time, he wanted to... marry Lady Armenas to seize more power and rub his older brother's nose in it... I do not know how he reacted to Zinder becoming a potential groom, but I doubt he simply accepted it. And the youngest, Tsinker Utew, is about... twenty-four, I suppose? I don't know exactly. But as the youngest son, as you might imagine, he gets next to nothing. And the most surprising thing is... he isn't bitter about it at all."

Alan raised an eyebrow. "Not bitter? How so?"

Golna shrugged and finally picked up her own cup. "I don't know. I've only seen him a few times. He seems... simply like a decent man. Polite, courteous, even treats beastmen with indifference, just like everything else around him."

Alan took a sip of his oyre.

'Exactly. That is exactly what makes me suspicious.... Tsinker Utew... how do I get in touch with you?'