Chapter 9: The Battle Begins

Gwynnis felt it was a necessary step, both out of concern and for his own safety, to ask Rosalind to perform healing magic on Baron Gwint. However, when Rosalind entered the Baron's bedroom and saw his condition, she was utterly shocked. Having treated people from all walks of life in Dumfries City, she had never encountered a case like the Baron's. By her assessment, the Baron should have been dead already.

"He doesn't have a trace of life left in him," she observed. "Perhaps he's clinging to life because of some unresolved issues, unwilling to let go. It's too pitiful."

Given the situation, after leaving the Baron's room, Gwynnis decided not to delay any longer. Dragging things out could lead to unforeseen changes, and it was better to be proactive if possible.

In the evening, as the sun was setting, Gwynnis instructed twelve members of the mercenary group to leave the castle and head to the Baron's manor, specifically the area where the guards' families lived. The mercenaries' silent, armed departure caught the attention of some of the castle guards.

Inquiring about the mercenaries' intentions but receiving no response only heightened the guards' concerns. The manor's defense was incredibly weak, not guarded like the castle. It was typically populated by elderly people working in the fields, women, and children playing nearby. If the mercenaries were to act inappropriately, no one could stop them.

Many guards climbed the tower, looking towards the manor, only to see the mercenaries moving further away. From their expressions, it was clear they were eager to follow and get some answers.

Some guards considered asking Gwynnis, but he had disappeared from the courtyard. Gwynnis returned to the Baron's bedroom, sitting beside the bed for a long time.

"Father, I'm ready," he whispered. "If you're in pain, you don't need to hold on any longer. Leave the rest to me."

Gwynnis wasn't sure if the Baron could hear him, but Lady Sofia certainly did. She shot him a questioning look, but he had no intention of explaining. Sofia then turned to the Baron, who remained in the same state, barely clinging to life.

Sofia scoffed, about to say something, when she saw Gwynnis stand up. "Goodbye, Father." At that moment, Baron Gwint passed away.

Sofia's eyes widened in shock. After confirming that the Baron had indeed stopped breathing, she shouted to the maids, "Where is Gideon? Find him!"

Gwynnis left the room, taking the Baron's sword with him on his way out. The sword was a practical, double-edged longsword of wrought iron, weighing about 2.4 pounds, with a blade length of 3.1 feet. It was utilitarian, with minimal decoration, except for a brass ring and a counterbalance at the hilt and the Wintaling family crest on the leather scabbard. There was also a line of small letters engraved on the blade.

"Truth is the Sword." Standing at the second-floor window, Gwynnis unsheathed the Wintaling sword and shouted towards the courtyard, "The Baron is dead, from this day forth, I am..." His declaration was cut short by a sharp voice.

"Seize him!" It was Sofia, who, unable to find Gideon anywhere, had come out in a frenzy.

The guards hesitated at the Lady's command, exchanging glances, unsure whether to follow her orders. Gwynnis and Baldwin had previously discussed this issue. Theoretically, as the Baron's younger son, Gwynnis was just a candidate for the inheritance, while Sofia was the actual Baroness. For many guards, her orders took precedence over those of the Baron's son.

Baldwin believed that in the absence of another authority, Sofia's commands would outweigh those of the younger son, placing Gwynnis at a disadvantage. Sure enough, despite initial hesitation, the guards' eyes hardened, and they began advancing towards Gwynnis to enforce the Lady's command.

Just then, someone from the tower shouted, "Look! The manor is on fire!" This caused immediate chaos among the guards, who were previously ready to apprehend Gwynnis. They rushed to the tower, looking in the direction of the manor.

Indeed, a corner of the manor, where people lived, showed signs of fire. The atmosphere in the castle froze. The guards' families – their wives, children, and elderly – all resided there.

Someone took the lead, running out and shouting, "Quick, put out the fire!" This prompted the other guards to react and dash towards the manor. They weren't ignoring Sofia's command, but saving the manor seemed a more immediate concern. Plus, they had a justification for their actions, which wouldn't be held against them later, regardless of the outcome.

This was a conclusion Gwynnis had reached while dining with the captain of the guards. They had anticipated such a day, preferring not to get involved in noble family disputes for fear of repercussions. Now, with an excuse to leave, they seized it.

As the guards hurried towards the manor, Sofia's face grew increasingly grim. "Kill him!" she screamed hysterically.

At this, her reinforcements from the Inverness Duke should have taken action. Six elite guards from the Inverness family charged at Gwynnis like predators.

However, Gwynnis merely glanced at them and turned to leave. Anselm, the leader of the "Boulder" mercenaries, drew his sword without a word from Gwynnis. The rest of the mercenaries followed suit, swords in hand.

Eight against six, the advantage was theirs. Moreover, Gwynnis was well aware of Anselm's prowess as a formidable warrior.

Gwynnis left the battlefield, heading towards the Baron's study. According to Baldwin, since the Baron had fallen ill, Sofia had been sleeping separately in the study, not wanting to disturb the Baron's rest. She had been handling the estate's affairs from there.

Gwynnis had only one goal in mind: the money. Sofia had been in charge of the estate's finances for two years. Securing the funds first was his priority; everything else could wait.

Behind him, the battle had begun, possibly drawing blood, and Sofia started screaming.

Gwynnis quickened his pace...

The study door was slightly ajar, a small gap left open, and the area was deserted. As Gwynnis approached to push the door open, suddenly a sword thrust through the gap, aimed straight at his forehead.