36: Your Lordship is merciful!

"I, I..."

The youth trembled and remained silent for a moment before finally lowering his head in shame. "I'm sorry. I saw that man drop his coin pouch and wanted to keep it for myself. My Lord, you think too highly of me."

As soon as he spoke, Lister's expression remained unchanged, but he nodded inwardly in approval. The youth had passed this test.

To the side, the caravan owner Matthew and Belloc were first startled, then showed looks of frustration and extreme disappointment.

"How could you... sigh..."

The rough-faced Matthew let out a long sigh, looked at Lister, and bowed respectfully. "I am terribly sorry, noble Lord. My handyman committed such an act in your territory; I cannot escape responsibility and am willing to accept punishment."

"It's just that Cecil has a tragic background, having lost his parents at a young age. Although I don't know him well, I don't believe he's a bad kid. I hope your Lordship can show him some leniency."

"Boss Matthew..." the youth murmured, his eyes filling with tears.

Lister felt quite surprised. He had initially thought the merchant Matthew had defended the youth only because there was no evidence and he didn't want his caravan to be shamed.

But now that the youth had admitted his crime, Matthew was still speaking up for him. This didn't fit the profit-seeking nature of a merchant.

It was already good enough not to kick someone when they were down, let alone try to clear their name.

Could the boy be his illegitimate son?

Lister immediately cut off that thought; after all, the divination information was right there.

Snapping back to reality, Lister said sternly, "Boss Matthew, you should know that the punishment for outsiders committing crimes locally is indisputable, especially for misappropriating such a large sum."

Matthew's breath hitched, and a sense of bitterness rose in his heart, but in the next moment, Lister changed his tone: "However, if what you say is true, a lighter punishment isn't out of the question. After all, everyone makes mistakes."

"It is absolutely true, I can guarantee it," Matthew hurriedly agreed.

"Mhm." Lister nodded and continued, "In that case, let this youth stay in Ironthorn Town and perform free labor for one month to offset the punishment."

"As for your punishment, Boss Matthew, it won't be necessary. After all, you were completely unaware before this happened."

"Thank you, My Lord." Matthew looked grateful, then nudged the stunned and disbelieving youth beside him, whispering, "What are you standing there for? Thank the Lord!"

"Th-thank you, My Lord! I will definitely work hard," the youth bowed respectfully, his expression full of gratitude.

As soon as he finished speaking, sincere cheers of praise erupted from the surrounding crowd.

"The Lord is merciful!"

"The Lord is merciful!!"

...Lister's lips curled slightly. It seemed he had handled this matter with good effect.

However, he hadn't come here today just for this; there was another piece of business that couldn't be neglected.

Once the praises had completely died down and sales resumed, he looked at Matthew and said, "Boss Matthew, since this matter is settled, let's talk about our business."

"Business?" Matthew was taken aback.

"That's right." Lister nodded and continued, "I want to buy all of your ironware. Give me a price."

Matthew couldn't help but cry out in surprise, but he immediately realized his loss of composure and coughed dryly to hide his embarrassment.

Then, he said excitedly, "Since you need ironware, My Lord, I can sell it to you cheaply as a token of my gratitude for your leniency toward me."

"Then I won't be polite." Lister was pleasantly surprised. Today was truly a case of killing three birds with one stone.

In the end, all of Matthew's ironware was sold to Lister at cost price plus transportation and a tiny labor fee.

After finishing everything there, Lister returned to the castle with the youth and the ironware... to the third floor of the castle.

Since the youth was a criminal, Lister used that as a reason to take the Wizard Scroll found on him.

Looking at the scroll on the table, Lister tapped his fingers rhythmically on the surface without saying a word.

To the youth standing respectfully opposite him, however, it felt as though every tap was striking his heart.

Time passed minute by minute. The tormented youth finally couldn't take it anymore, knelt down, and spoke: "I'm sorry, My Lord. I lied to you. Actually, I've made a living by stealing since I was a child. I stole this scroll from an official's house in Suostai City."

"Later, for some unknown reason, I was hunted by a group of mysterious people. To save my life, I followed Boss Matthew's caravan and fled here."

Hearing this, Lister's face remained unchanged. After all, he had already known this through divination.

In the next moment, he looked up at the youth before him and scrutinized him. "What is your real name?"

After a moment of hesitation, the youth answered honestly, "Reporting to My Lord, my real name is Alastair Cecil."

"Not bad," Lister praised. Whether he was praising the boy's name or his honest attitude, only he knew.

Then, his tone changed, becoming serious: "This scroll will stay with me. Consider it punishment for your theft. You have no objections, do you?"

"Of—of course not." Alastair waved his hands hurriedly, but his expression was worried. "But I feel that those people chasing me were after this scroll. My Lord, you..."

Before he could finish, Lister waved his hand to interrupt. "That is not for you to worry about. All you need to do is keep your mouth shut, understood?"

"Yes, My Lord." Alastair didn't dare say more and bowed respectfully.

Nodding slightly, Lister returned to his usual gentle smile. "Alright. I still sympathize with your plight, so the punishment remains the same."

"Actually, the fact that you could escape from that group of mysterious people shows that your anti-tracking and escape abilities are quite good. I have always appreciated capable people."

"From now on, you will stay in the Ironthorn Territory and work for me. Are you willing?"

Alastair was stunned, clearly not expecting Lister to say this. But soon, his face showed touched and joyful emotion as he said sincerely, "I am certainly willing! To be able to work for the Lord is the greatest honor of my life."

"Haha, good." Lister showed a satisfied smile.

He didn't often use this tactic of the carrot and the stick... but since Alastair had a 'criminal record,' he did it to temper the boy's character.

As for Alastair's use, he actually already had an idea: intelligence gathering.

He had always remembered the person who framed him behind the scenes to lower his noble rank. But that person was in the dark while he was in the light, leaving him with no way to strike back.

Therefore, he had the idea of establishing an intelligence system, with one of the goals being to find that person behind the scenes.

Furthermore, it would strengthen his own development. After all, his ambitions went far beyond being just a Baron Lord.