Chapter 16 - Is It A Waste To Equip Lynn? Theresa’s Determination!

Lynn went back to the castle and wrote a letter to Theresa. Lucy came over and curiously asked Lynn what was happening. Lynn put the matter of Sla in a simple way, and Lucy got angry.

”He would dare do this kind of thing?! I will ask Theresa to punish him!”

”No, I will attack him myself when matters are resolved,” Lynn said in a light tone.

”Are you going to start a war?” Lucy asked in surprise.

”I remember the northern aristocracy’s rules. If both sides agree, then there could be a siege or a death battle.

Lucy, who was born in the north, did not believe they could win a war but she believed in Lynn’s judgement.

”We should ask for more help from Theresa, otherwise it will be difficult to fight. The town of Sla, although not big, has five hundred noble guards.”

”Theresa is under a lot of pressure,” Lynn said while shaking his head. “Do not rely on her too much. The Maple Mountains have a vast store of minerals. After the beast tide, we will find a way to smelt equipment.”

Forging equipment was too labor intensive and a financial burden. Ordinary territories that were not rich enough could not forge by themselves. In fact, 90% of the nobles would buy weapons. Only the handful of great nobles or the town of Tongmall forged weapons with their own blacksmiths. Yet, equipment was the lifeblood of war. Whatever the price, Lynn would forge his weapons and keep them handy. Lucy supported Lynn in his decision.

”I have some friends who may be blacksmiths. Is it alright for me to ask for them?” she asked.

Lynn held her hand and thanked her. Lucy helped Lynn by massaging his head.

”This is hard work. Theresa should have given you better territory. You have the ability.”

”It is good here.” Lynn was happy with the Maple Mountains.@@novelbin@@

While they were talking, Lynn wrote the letter. Lynn then called for a servant and told him to ride to Theresa to deliver the letter. He did not take any goods with him as he went, but Lynn said he may bring equipment when he came back. A five days trip should be enough.  The first batch of fire mushrooms were not mature enough, so Lynn did not send any potions. He did send Theresa five pounds of wine as a small gift, though. A day and a half later, Theresa received the letter from Lynn.  After reading it, she hit the table angrily.

”Lord Count, is there anything wrong?” Asked the housekeeper hurriedly.

”Ino Sla, this man refused to sell weapons to Lynn!” exclaimed Theresa with a cold voice.

”Do you need me to remove him?” the housekeeper asked. There was a hint of appreciation in Theresa’s pretty eyes.

”No, Lynn said he would retaliate himself.” The maid was somewhat surprised.

“Master Lynn is not a noble. A common man cannot challenge a noble, nor can they wage war.”

“He should have a way,” Theresa smiled. “Since he deliberately said he wanted to retaliate on his own, let us ignore it. Lynn needs weapons, do we have the right equipment for him?”

The housekeeper looked at the weapons Lynn needed and shook her head.

”We should be out in the warehouse. The family of Ike Lanno should have this kind of weapons and leather armor. He keeps half-orcs himself.”

Theresa called Ike over and briefly explained the situation to him.

”Bring me twenty weapons and fifty sets of leather armor by tonight. I will give you the market price.” Ike was reluctant.

”To equip Lynn is a waste. To a Count, steel and skin are precious resources. I do not want them to be wasted in the beast wave. If Lynn is dead, they will have no use.”

”Do you reject Lynn too?” Theresa’s voice was cold.

”All of the northern nobles dislike Lynn, as he took Princess Lucy. She was the goddess of most northern aristocratic youths. Just like you are,” replied Ike.

”Lynn can withstand the beast wave, and the equipment will not be wasted,” Theresa said, to which Ike shook his head.

”I do not think you are thinking correctly unless you are willing to take a bet.”

”What bet?”

”A thousand gold coins. You are not allowed to help Lynn, and if he dies you exempt me from a thousand gold coin tax. If Lynn succeeds, then we are willing to send you five hundred gold coins.”

”Include Lynn’s equipment as free of charge,” replies Theresa.

”Fifty sets of leather armor and twenty of the best heavy swords will be immediately sent,” Aok said with satisfaction.

”Absolutely do not put tarnished weapons,” said Theresa, the threat clear in her tone.

”Rest assured, I would not do anything that would remove a bet worth a thousand gold coins.” Theresa nodded. At evening after discussing the particulars, Ike was sent off and left in his carriage.

”A thousand gold coins is too risky for a bet,” said the housekeeper worriedly. Theresa looked to Lynn’s direction through the castle window.

”He said in the letter that he did not need military support, only weapons. He also knew the pressure that the nobles would give me to not send any troops. He is smarter than I previously thought. I trust him.”

A flash of surprise went through the maid’s eyes. In her ten years as a servant, she had never seen anyone gain such trust and appreciation from Theresa. Theresa grimaced and sent a team of ten men to the vicinity of Lynn’s territory, along with five pigeons in order to facilitate the transmission.

At this point in Frost Maple City, many nobles heard of the gamble and were very interested. They all had doubts Lynn would live and wanted to witness the results of the beast wave.