The Kingmaker System-Chapter 115 - 114. Justice For A Friend (3)

The noon drew on and the warm rays of the sun were busy nourishing the lands when I stepped out of the carriage in front of the small mansion of Clive family.

The old butler of the family stood at the entrance waiting for me. He greeted me with a bow as soon as he saw me.

"Welcome, Baron. I am Bryer, a servant of the Clive family. Our Lord has been waiting for you."

I gave him a curt nod and gestured for him to lead the way.

I had also decided to have a brief meeting with Luke’s father as I was going to help their family. I had no connection to them so, I had to build one now.

I walked inside the mansion and saw the few servants who looked at me with curious gazes, I had kept my hood up and the lower half of my face was covered with a mask.

I had kept my face covered as I didn’t want to show my face to the people who weren’t a part of my team. It was a precaution that I was using for the future purposes.

The attire though wasn’t a usual one as the maids from Ryujin mansion had dressed me up in a black suit with the silver accessories but I still wouldn’t leave without my cloak so they had ended up giving me a long coat with hood.

I knew I looked pretty handsome.

Bryer led me up the stairs and down the corridor before he stopped in front of a set of double doors and brought his hand up and knocked on the door.

"My Lord, I have brought the guest." He announced.

"Come in." I heard the sound from inside and Bryer opened the doors and gestured for me to step inside.

I walked in inhaling the scent of papers and ink and saw the man sitting behind his desk with his deep blue hair peppered with gray and tired green eyes that gazed at me from behind his glasses.

"Are you Baron Ocean Ryujin?" He asked and I nodded.

He released a sigh before he stood up and walked across his desk before bowing to me.

"I am Ludwig Clive, Earl of this small territory." He introduced himself.

"Shall we sit and talk over tea?" He asked gesturing towards the armchairs and I nodded.

I took a seat in front of Ludwig feeling his eyes on me, I still hadn’t revealed my face to him and I still had to talk to him so maybe he was wary.

"I heard from my son that you offered to help resolve our problem."

I nodded making him lick his lips, "I don’t underestimate your willingness to help us but you must also know who is the one that’s responsible for our plight, right?" He asked.

I nodded again making him frown. Bryer entered the room and placed down the tea and refreshments in front of us before taking his leave.

"A-Are you unable to speak?" He asked and I smiled.

"I’m not mute, Lord Clive."

"Then, why haven’t you been talking? And why have you covered your face?"

"I have to keep my identity a secret that’s why when I’m outside I keep my face concealed and talk less."

He stared at me for a long moment before he sighed.

"I can’t..." He massaged his temples before he looked at me.

"I... I don’t know why you are willing to help us when we’re in such a big trouble but, I’m really grateful," he said and then added with slight caution in his voice.

"And also a little wary because, there’s particularly nothing of worth with us that we could give you in exchange of your help."

"I will ask for you what you will be able to give, Lord Clive."

"What?" He asked.

"I have talked about that with your son before he made the decision." His eyes went wide and he leaned ahead with strained eyes.

"Wha-What did you ask of him?"

I gave him a closed eye smile as I answered, "Please don’t worry, Lord Clive. I haven’t asked of anything excessive, and you will know if it once our work is done."

Ludwig pursed his lips as he glared at me, it was obvious that he didn’t want me to get involved, rather he was scared of any more damage than what was done.

"I can understand that you are afraid of what will happen if we fail," he flinched and I leaned ahead placing my hands on my thighs looking right into his eyes.

"Then, I will assure you Lord Clive. We won’t fail. The one responsible for troubling your son so much will be punished in front of the entire kingdom and nobody will be able to help him."

"But how?! Do you even know how powerful he is?" He asked exasperatedly.

"I do, but you don’t know what my power is or what power your son and his friends hold." I said and he blinked, surprised at my words.

"Wait for two days and you will see how powerful your own son is."

He gazed at me without any word before he asked.

"What will you make my son do?"

"Nothing that he won’t be able to do."

"What do you mean?" Ludwig asked.

"You will see, Lord Clive." I said before there was a knock on the door and Bryer entered the room again.

"My Lord, Young Master Luke and the other Young Masters are waiting in the library." Bryer informed and I stood up as that was my cue of leaving

"Wait, I’m not done talking to you." Ludwig snapped as he too stood up making me look at him with slight displeasure.

"Your son is willing to stand up for himself and all of those who faced the same injustice as him, Lord Clive. I can understand that you’re scared for his sake but you should know when you protect your son and when to support him. As of now, you are supposed to support and trust him so, I hope I can expect some courage and understanding from you as well."

I walked over to the door and stopped once watching as he stood in his place, "And, it is my assurance that we will win. There’s no possibility of losing with me on your side so, don’t worry."

I left his study before I followed Bryer who was leading the way towards the library.

"L-Lord Ocean?" He suddenly called and I hummed.

"I-I don’t know how you will help this family but," he suddenly stopped and faced me.

"It is a request from this old man that, you keep your word and save this family. It’s... a plea to you, Lord Ocean Ryujin." He bowed deeply and I felt slightly awkward having the old man bow before me. freēnovelkiss.com

"I will help this family regardless, Bryer. You don’t need to bow to me for it."

He looked up at me with his eyes glistening, "Tha-Thank you, My Lord."

Bryer led me towards another set of double doors before he opened them and gestured me to walk in.

"Make sure nobody else comes in, Bryer. It won’t be good for their lives." I warned and he bowed.

"I understand, Lord Ocean."

I walked inside and the doors closed behind me, I saw the four young boys waiting inside.

Their heads turned as soon as they heard the doors opening and closing and they saw me approaching.

"Who..." I heard Ralph wonder aloud.

"Is that the help you were talking about, Luke?" Derrick asked Luke making him nod.

"I don’t think I’ve ever seen him before, is he from some mercenary guild?" Ralph asked.

"Which mercenary dresses up so nicely, fool?" Derrick gave Ralph a look.

I stood in front of them at the head of the table, Luke’s and Rune’s faces seemed relieved to see me while Ralph and Derrick looked confused.

"It’s nice to meet the future generation of this kingdom for a great cause like this. May I have your names, please?" I spoke up and the boys looked at each other before they stood up.

"I’m Ralph Greene, son of Count Greene." Ralph introduced himself formally first as he bowed.

"I’m Derrick Langland, son of Viscount Langland." Derrick went next.

"I’m Luke Clive, son of Earl Clive." Luke bowed and I looked at Rune.

"I’m Rune Aurelius, son of Duke Aurelius."

"Very well," I spoke and then took a bow myself.

"I greet you all Young Masters, my name is Ocean Ryujin, I’m the Baron of East."

Ralph and Derrick gasped loudly before they looked at Luke and turned to me with wide eyes and jaws sitting on the floor.

"O-Ocean Ryu-Ryujin?!" Derrick stuttered.

"Are you really that Ocean Ryujin?!" Ralph asked.

"The one who owns the mine of magic stones and has made the exclusive contract with Mage’s Tower?" Derrick gasped.

"The one who established the town Oasis by gathering all kinds of people who were homeless and even previous criminals?" Ralph asked.

"I can’t believe it, you are that merchant who appeared in Sestia out of nowhere and turned the markets upside-down by making a deal with the hermit Mage’s Tower." Ralph stared at me as if I was some sort of alien.

I smiled and put my hands in the pockets of my trousers and I relaxed my posture.

"Yes, I’m that Ocean Ryujin and for this mission, I’m going to help you retrieve your friend’s honor."