56: Wolf Ring (Thank you for your recommendation and monthly tickets))

“My Lord, my Lord, look what I found!”

Arthur had just struggled to open his eyes from a light slumber when Philip, clutching the fur cloak, pushed aside the tent flap.

He yawned and looked towards the entrance; the morning mist-like sunlight streaming in from outside was quite dazzling.

“Did I fall asleep?” he asked, but it sounded more like he was talking to himself.

“Oh, My Lord, I didn’t know you were resting.”

Philip immediately became flustered, a look of awkwardness on his face.

Arthur waved his hand dismissively and rubbed his face vigorously, trying to clear his head: “What did you find?”

The young water bandit immediately perked up, like a child presenting a treasure, and held the fur cloak before Arthur.

“Look, a top-notch fur coat. I see your clothes are torn, My Lord.

“And it’s so cold today, you should change into this one.”

Arthur took the fur coat and examined it carefully.

The soft fur felt incredibly smooth, and the stitching was fine and neat; this garment was clearly valuable.

“Where did you get it from? You didn’t strip it off a dead person, did you?” Arthur joked.

“How could I, My Lord!” Philip waved his hands frantically, “How could I let you wear a dead person’s clothes.

“I picked it up in that other tent.

“I was helping Godwin tally the spoils, and I spotted this coat at once, so I thought I’d bring it to you.”

Arthur smiled, draped the fur coat over himself, and immediately felt much warmer.

“Are there many more clothes like this?” he asked.

“No, just this one. It was packed in a very good wooden box.

“There were also a lot of dried flower petals inside, so fragrant they could knock out a bear!”

Arthur seemed to recall something and said to Philip: “Thanks, please invite Madam Cardan over for me.”

“Oh, My Lord, don’t mention thanks to me,” Philip grinned, “Is Madam Cardan that old woman who looks like a water hag?”

Arthur raised a hand, signaling Philip to lower his voice, “Show some respect, she helped us win this battle with magic.”

Philip scratched his head, “I didn’t mean to disrespect her, My Lord, I just thought… uh, I’ll go invite her now.”

“Oh, right, what time is it now?”

“Around seven in the morning, the sun has already risen, My Lord.”

Philip had already run out of the tent.

Arthur sat back down and picked up the notepad on the table.

The pages were densely filled with various matters and important information.

He carefully reviewed it, and after clearing other intelligence for the day,

Only the entry about the bank clerk, Anton Grinski, remained.

But clearly, this was beyond his control.

For some reason, as more and more things surfaced, he became increasingly worried about the situation in the city.

He closed his notebook and looked towards the entrance.

Madam Cardan walked in from outside.

“That fur coat doesn’t suit you; it’s too big,” she commented on Arthur’s new clothes as soon as she entered, “If you want fur coats, we have many good ones.”

“It’s a subordinate’s kind gesture,” Arthur said.

“I can see your subordinates respect you greatly.” Madam Cardan nodded slightly, “So, is there something, Son of the Wolf?”

Arthur stood up, “Speaking of which, I haven’t thanked you all for your help yet.

“So, whether it’s from the bandits or the Fada Family, you can take anything you need from them.”

“You have already given us more than enough. In fact, I was just about to ask a favor of you. Come in!”

Madam Cardan called out towards the entrance.

Five young mountain folk filed in.

Three males and two females.

They looked about sixteen or seventeen, with bright eyes and a vibrant, energetic aura.

“They wish to join you,” the old woman explained.

Arthur frowned slightly, his gaze sweeping over the young people, “The place I’m going is Qingfeng Valley.

“In case you haven’t heard, it’s a famous cursed land.

“It’s not a place for young people to venture into on a whim.”

Madam Cardan looked at the short-haired girl among the five and gestured: “Flora, you speak.”

The girl named Flora stepped forward.

She was a capable girl, with a straight posture and a body full of strength.

“We follow the guidance of the Forest Mother and will accompany you to the cursed land.”

“Do you have no objection to this?” Arthur asked the old woman, “These young people are your future.”

The old woman shook her head, “Our future is planned by Her.

“Our thoughts are not important; Her sending you here has Her own arrangements.”

“Alright, if you insist. But I must ask if you all speak the common tongue?”

“Yes!” the five replied in unison.

“Alright, you five, plus my eleven people here.

“Then I’ll need twenty fur cloaks, by four days from now. Can you make them?”

Madam Cardan nodded: “That’s no problem, but you’ll have to give us the sizes of the others.”

“Godwin will handle those details.

“How much will this cost? By the way, the raw materials can be taken from the Fada Family.

“Anyway, those furs will eventually be confiscated; I can use a little noble privilege to give them all to you, how about that?”

This was a profitable deal.

The fur raw materials confiscated from the Fada Family were worth at least two hundred gold coins.

And twenty high-quality fur cloaks would only cost about sixty gold coins on the market.

“You helped us keep our hunting grounds, and you gave us the Fruit of the Forest. Those twenty…”

Arthur raised a hand to interrupt Madam Cardan, “It’s settled then, Old Woman.

“Look, you are followers of the Forest Mother, and so am I. It’s only right that we look out for each other.

“Besides, rather than letting those furs be confiscated and embezzled layer by layer, I’d rather give them to those in need.

“You five, four days from now, bring the furs and wait for me in Old Wheeltown; we’ll set off together then.”

Madam Cardan and the five young people bowed respectfully, then exited the tent.

Outside the tent.

Flora asked curiously: “Grandmother, does My Lord want to provide us all with fur clothes?”

“You heard what he said.”

“He’s completely different from how I imagined a noble would be.”

Madam Cardan reached out and gently stroked her granddaughter’s head, smiling: “He’s different from how I imagined too.

“Take good care of her, and fulfill the duty the Forest Mother has given you.”

“I will, Grandmother.”

-----------------

Ms. Kamara burst into the tent in a flurry.

She embraced Arthur, so forcefully that he couldn’t help but cough.

“Thank you, My Lord, I’ll take the person now.”

“Wait, Captain, I’ve prepared a commission for you all.”

Arthur took the heavy money bag from the table, “Consider it a small token of my regard for your deceased relatives.”

“You are very generous, My Lord.” Ms. Kamara did not take the money bag, “I told you, we only want that scoundrel.

“And you even used magic to save one of my cousins and his man.

“I won’t take your money. However, I heard you are a priest?”

“That’s right.”

“Then I would rather you preside over a funeral for my deceased relatives so that their souls may rest in peace.”

“Of course, that’s no problem.” Arthur readily agreed, “Do you plan to bury them here?”

“Yes, buried in Red Maple Village,” Ms. Kamara replied, “We have to set off tomorrow, we can’t carry the bodies on the road.”

“I understand. Before you take that person, I need to see him. I want to know what kind of person this fellow is.”

“Do you want me to accompany you, My Lord?”

“No, no need.”

-----------------

When Arthur entered the tent, Dylan was fumbling to put on his boots.

“For earth mother’s sake, old man, don’t tell me you really and…”

Dylan stood up awkwardly, tidying his uniform as he argued: “She lost three relatives.

“Can you blame her? She needed a man to comfort her wounded heart.”

“That’s enough.” Arthur interrupted the family knight, “Don’t tell me any details.

“Come on, I want to see that bandit leader.”

-----------------

Godwin leaned close to Arthur, who was sitting in a chair, and whispered a few words.

Arthur’s gaze fell upon the red-haired man kneeling on the ground.

This man was not particularly robust; he reminded him of the lone wolves that roamed the forest.

They stayed away from their pack, solitary, yet full of danger.

Because they were alone, with no attachments.

“Son of the Wolf!” The red-haired man lifted his head, looking at Arthur with swollen, red eyes.

He laughed nervously, revealing a row of teeth stained with blood, “He is watching you.

“Hahaha, Son of the Wolf, you cannot escape.

“Eventually, you will submit to him, just like me. The Black Sun has risen, the death knell has rung. I have seen your future.”

Dylan stepped forward, about to slap the raving fellow, but Arthur stopped him.

The Son of the Wolf walked up to the red-haired man and said in a deep voice: “Look, this is the consequence of believing in Cyric.

“People become insane. My men tell me you refuse to say anything, constantly muttering these mad words.

“I think you don’t know too much; you are just a disposable pawn.

“Like most of Cyric’s followers.

“When you die, tell your god, tell him, I will never submit to him.”

With that, Arthur turned and quickly walked out of the tent.

Godwin and Dylan immediately followed.

Both sensed that something was wrong.

The family knight glanced at Godwin, then stepped forward and asked: “Young Master? Is everything alright?”

“I need to return to the city as soon as possible.” Arthur’s expression was grave, “Godwin, you stay behind and handle the aftermath.

“Collect everything usable. I’ll have Philip stay and assist you.

“Dylan, use the confiscated money to reward the soldiers, tell them to get ready; once I’ve presided over the funeral, we’ll set off!”

-----------------

Before Arthur set off back to the city, Godwin tallied a list of confiscated supplies.

Logically, a triumphant victory against bandits and the confiscation of abundant supplies should be cause for celebration.

But Arthur was preoccupied with his thoughts throughout the journey.

It wasn’t until that afternoon, upon returning to Wolf Den City, that his mood improved slightly.

He told Airo and the others to rest quickly and instructed Vanka to find Catherine.

He himself, without even changing his clothes, went straight to his father’s study.

When he knocked and entered the study, he happened to catch the Earl sweeping everything off his desk onto the floor.

“Shadow Thieves, Falcon Family, Greyhound Family, Stag Family, Little Finger Merchant Guild… Damn it!

“What do they take this place for? A whore’s hole? Anyone can stick their leg in!”

Robert and Adelaide in the room didn’t dare to breathe loudly.

They knew that when their brother was truly angry, it was best not to make any sound.

“Arthur!” The Earl’s eyes lit up when he saw his youngest son walk in, “You’ve come at a good time; I’ve seen everything you sent.

“Come in, close the door, and find a place to sit.

“Richard! Hah, my second son, after being a sissy for so many years, finally acted like a man for once.

“But I still have to ask, is what you brought back reliable?

“Wax seals can be forged, and I know many people who can imitate handwriting.”

Arthur sat beside his aunt, unable to resist glancing at her bandaged hand.

“Answer your father’s question, boy. Don’t stare at me; those fellows are much worse off than I am,” Adelaide reminded him.

“I can’t prove the reliability of this item.

“I found it in the Fada Family’s underground secret chamber; their whole family are followers of Cyric.”

“Excellent!” The Evil Wolf Earl slammed the table, “I almost forgot the Cyric Cult, yes, why not?

“These madmen are itching for another civil war. So where is my damned, manipulated puppet son?

“Where is that missing blazing glue? And where is that damned Father Eldred?”

Arthur frowned upon hearing Father Eldred’s name.

Adelaide beside him whispered, “He is one of the people in charge of the New Temple’s construction.

“His real name is Ingabado, and we suspect he is a spy sent by another family.”

Robert quickly changed the subject, “Arthur, since you’re back, does that mean the bandit problem is solved?

“In such a short time?”

Arthur nodded, “You can ask Dylan for the details.

“Father, please forgive me, I took the liberty of giving the furs confiscated from the Fada Family to a group of mountain folk.

“They contributed greatly to the bandit suppression, and I had to give them some necessary compensation.”

The Earl waved his hand, seemingly uninterested in these matters, “Those things are all yours.

“Dispose of them as you wish, no need to report to me. You did well with the bandits, but now is not the time to celebrate.”

“I understand,” Arthur replied.

“Alright, since you’re back, you’ll be responsible for the investigation.

“As you can see, your aunt almost lost her life last night.

“Later, you and she should talk thoroughly, understand the situation, and then resolve this matter as soon as possible.

“Now, Robert, Adelaide, please step out. I want to speak with Arthur alone.”

Arthur tried to help his aunt up, but she pushed him away.

She whispered in Arthur’s ear: “Persuade him to cancel the temple’s inauguration ceremony.”

Arthur did not respond.

Because he knew very well that asking his father to cancel the inauguration ceremony, which would make the family a laughingstock throughout Amn, would be worse than killing him.

After Adelaide and Robert left, the Earl picked up a bottle of wine and approached his son.

He took a swig of wine, then handed the bottle over.

Arthur took it and also took a drink.

“I want to give you something.” The Earl pulled a ring from his pocket.

“This is?”

“Yes, this is your great-grandfather’s ring.”

The Earl toyed with the wolf-head ring in his hand, “He wore this ring when he was exiled back then.

“After he fought his way back here and personally killed his brother, this ring was replaced by the true Family Head’s Ring.”

At this point, the Earl glanced at the ring made of ruby and gold on his other hand.

“I want to give it to you.” He handed the wolf-head ring to Arthur, “You might have to leave the family.

“But I want you to know, you will always be the Son of the Wolf!”