After ending his communication with the King of Molten Iron, Count Mills abruptly pushed open the oak window.
The blinding afternoon sun streamed into the study, making him instinctively narrow his eyes.
He took several deep breaths of air, fragrant with garden roses, his chest rising and falling as he tried to dispel the irritation and humiliation brought on by the negotiation.
Slowly, his mind settled, returning to its usual calmness.
"Perhaps… I should have redeemed Charles after all."
As his mood gradually calmed and he re-evaluated the recent negotiation with the Evil Dragon, a pang of regret seized him.
Count Mills realized that his final decision had been swayed by emotion and was not rational.
The Knight of Flowers was indeed a cripple, having lost his former value.
However, with the Albert Family's deep resources, taking care of one more cripple was not a difficult task at all.
More importantly.
This act could serve as an excellent example for all other adventurers to see—look, if you serve the Albert Family, even if you unfortunately end up crippled and miserable, the family will mercifully take care of you to the end, never abandoning you.
Once such a reputation spread, the Albert Family would surely gain more gratitude and support from adventurers, making those simple-minded, hot-blooded fools even more willing to risk their lives for the family.
Setting aside the so-called old ties and morality, purely from the perspective of family interests, redeeming Charles was clearly the superior choice.
However.
During the long, drawn-out negotiation with that greedy, cunning, and outrageously petty Red Iron Dragon.
Under the humiliating torment of repeatedly being reminded of the family's failure, being forced to cede trade routes, and paying astronomical reparations.
Count Mills' patience was worn down little by little, and the accumulated frustration, like molten lava, constantly pounded against the dam of his reason.
Ultimately.
The accumulated negative emotions completely overwhelmed his calm thinking, leading him to make a decision that lacked careful consideration and was merely for the sake of emotional release.
Of course, this decision was not entirely without comfort.
Abandoning Charles at least prevented that hateful Evil Dragon from successfully extorting another gold coin from him!
Thinking of the disappointed or angry expression that the Dragon might show, a hint of satisfaction arose in Count Mills' heart, making his mood slightly more pleasant.
"Should I contact that Evil Dragon again, renegotiate, and redeem Charles?"
He hesitated, his gaze falling back on the crystal communication device on the desk, which had just fallen silent.
However, after only a few seconds of thought, he shook his head slightly, abandoning the idea.
"Forget it, he's not a crucial figure concerning the overall situation after all."
"Redeeming him for the family's reputation would at most be icing on the cake, and besides, changing my mind now and renegotiating would inevitably give that cunning Evil Dragon an opportunity to extort another hefty sum."
The pride and dignity of a nobleman also made Count Mills unwilling to easily go back on his word or show weakness in front of an enemy.
Count Mills slowly paced the study, which was covered with thick carpets.
The lingering annoyance in his eyes was gradually replaced by a sharp coldness.
Having suffered such a huge loss, and the family having endured unprecedented shame and damage, he, Mills Albert, would never let this go.
Otherwise.
The Albert Family's reputation would be completely ruined in noble circles, becoming a laughingstock.
"The most urgent task is to ensure the smooth progress of the transaction with the Molten Iron Tribe, stabilize them, and first redeem core members like Rod and Sienna safely."
"As long as these pillars of the family are still there, the foundation remains unshaken."
After calming down, Count Mills' thoughts were very clear.
"After this… then it will be time for the true reckoning."
As for why he had to fight to the end with the Molten Iron Tribe, who were far away in the wilderness and held a geographical advantage?
The reason was simple enough.
Firstly, a nobleman's face was more important than gold.
Either swallow the humiliation and bitter fruit, enduring endless ridicule and backstabbing from other nobles.
Or, go all out, fight to the end, wash away the shame with the enemy's blood, and restore the family's prestige.
Secondly, and more realistically.
In this matter, the Albert Family had already invested a large amount of resources, and the sunk cost was enormous.
Only by completely subjugating those Dragons—whether dead or alive, the Dragons themselves and their kin could bring immeasurable value, enough to compensate for all the family's previous losses, and even gain more.
On the other side, in Serre Wilderness.
"The Evil Dragon successfully instigated the righteous Knight, and the cunning nobleman, whose hypocritical face was exposed, will eventually die by the sword of the Knight he once deceived."
"Such a story is far more interesting than those cliché tales of heroes fighting Evil Dragons."
Galos' eyes sparkled with pleasure, and he whispered silently in his heart.
He even pondered with interest whether he should open a dedicated chapter on this method of the Art of Manipulation in his dragons legacy memories.
Many times, the first sentence of communication, or even the opponent's posture before speaking, is enough to reveal a person's character.
Count Mills was undoubtedly an extremely calm and calculating opponent.
From his devastating defeat where his entire army was annihilated, to being forced to confront a powerful enemy in humiliating negotiations, he was able to quickly suppress his emotions throughout the process, maintaining calm and rational negotiations, with no useless angry threats, no out-of-control furious roars… This level of composure was simply beyond ordinary nobles.
Precisely because of this.
In this negotiation, Galos abandoned his usual straightforward style.
He chose the most lengthy and tiresome method, haggling over every single gold coin, repeatedly emphasizing the Albert Family's failures and powerlessness, like a blunt knife cutting flesh, constantly wearing down Count Mills' patience, inducing his frustration, and ultimately causing him to lose his usual calm judgment.
Ultimately, events unfolded as Galos wished.
Count Mills would pay a terrible price, far beyond his imagination, for that brief loss of composure at the negotiation table.
When pure power could not directly solve a problem, Galos often displayed an extraordinary wisdom, completely different from his massive physique and ferocious appearance.
Who would have thought?
This Red Iron Dragon, so utterly fierce and menacing, like the embodiment of rage and destruction, could so skillfully manipulate human hearts?
"Using benevolence as a magnificent cloak, and good deeds as a prelude to deception."
"This method is more deadly, more difficult to guard against than the sharpest sword or the hottest Dragon Breath."
"I have seen through Count Mills' true nature beneath his hypocritical mask—greedy, false, treating human lives as grass. He is a devil in human skin, deserving of ten thousand deaths!"
The Knight of Flowers, Shar, standing beside him, had icy eyes, showing a slight hint of darkening.
Having been mercilessly abandoned and betrayed by the person he once respected, trusted, and was willing to fight for, the past kindnesses were now completely settled.
At this moment, his heart held only the resolute thought of exposing the Count's hypocrisy and enacting true justice with his sword.
"No need to rush; the sword of vengeance needs to wait for the most opportune moment to be drawn."
Galos soothed the killing intent surging in the Knight's heart.
He told the Knight of Flowers to stay calm and recuperate in Creekwood Town.
Only when the transaction with the Albert Family was completely finished, and the Molten Iron Tribe had successfully obtained the trade routes and all the ransom, would it be time for the final reckoning.
On this point, Galos and Count Mills' thoughts were surprisingly consistent.
Transaction is transaction, reckoning is reckoning.
The difference was.
No matter how Count Mills wanted to retaliate against Galos in the future, due to the terrifying power of the Dragon and the natural defenses of Serre Wilderness, it would be difficult to achieve in the short term.
However.
When a Border Walker skilled in the Way of Space harbored killing intent, guards would be as good as useless.
An aging Count, accustomed to luxury, would have virtually no chance of resistance against a Knight's sharp sword.
Next.
The Knight of Flowers, Charles Haynes, remained in Creekwood Town, quietly recovering from his physical and mental wounds under the care of the Molten Iron kin.
Galos, meanwhile, returned to the depths of Needleleaf Valley, continuing his daily, uninterrupted forging and cultivation.
Time, like the ceaseless wind over Serre Wilderness, passed silently, and soon, more than a month slipped away.
The Albert Family envoys, as promised, entered the territory of Serre Wilderness and arrived at Creekwood Town.
The envoys brought official legal cession documents, stamped with the Albert Family crest and notarized by the Federation Notary Office, as well as magic-reinforced chests containing a heavy, enormous sum of war reparations and prisoner ransoms.
Under the solemn witness of a white-robed priest from the Libra Sanctuary, and watched by numerous Creekwood Town residents gathered to observe the spectacle, representatives of the Albert Family and the Molten Iron Tribe completed the signing of the contract and the handover of prisoners and ransom in the town center square.
Throughout the entire process, no accidents or complications occurred.
It is worth mentioning that the Libra Sanctuary is a transcendent organization spanning many kingdoms and even existing within vast empires.
They worship the deity who presides over the laws of fairness and justice.
A contract signed under the personal witness of a high-ranking priest of the Libra Sanctuary possessed a sacred binding force far beyond ordinary magic contracts, and any party daring to violate the oath of the contract would face extremely severe and terrifying punishment under the gaze of the deity.
After successfully redeeming all the captives.
The Albert Family personnel remained highly vigilant, on guard throughout, and slowly and cautiously withdrew from the territory of Serre Wilderness.
To their surprise, the return journey was also exceptionally smooth.
Only a few ignorant wilderness beasts and low-level magical creatures launched sporadic attacks, but they were easily cut down and cleared by the guards.
Time passed day by day amidst the tense march.
This group finally reached the relatively safe lands of the south without incident.
Subsequently, escorted by the family's dispatched reception team, and after another stretch of travel, core figures such as Rune Knight Rod, Alchemist Sienna, and Guardian Mage Sanchez were brought back to the heavily guarded depths of the Albert Family estate.
In the most central study of the estate, they once again met Count Mills.
"Your Excellency, Count."
Rod, known as the Albert Wolf, now knelt on one knee, his head deeply bowed, displaying an expression of shame and pain like a loyal dog.
"We failed to complete the task you entrusted to us, and instead brought great shame and immeasurable loss upon the family."
"We… have disappointed you."
Sienna, Sanchez, and others behind him also lowered their proud heads.
"Rise, all of you, rise!"
Count Mills quickly stepped forward, personally bent down, and forcefully helped Rod, who was kneeling on the ground, to his feet, gently patting away the wilderness dust from his shoulders.
His face showed a gentle smile, like the warm spring sun, and his eyes were full of genuine heartache and comfort.
"This is not your fault."
The Count said, "It was I who severely underestimated the Molten Iron Tribe, underestimated the true power hidden within that Red Iron Dragon. It was my misjudgment that put you in danger and caused you to endure so much suffering."
He looked around at his scarred yet loyal subordinates, his gaze warm.
"You have suffered."
"Now, your most urgent task is to return to your respective rooms, rest well, and recuperate."
Count Mills said earnestly, "Don't dwell on useless self-reproach, and certainly don't think about seeking revenge or atonement."
"Remember, only by recovering your health and strength as quickly as possible can you better serve the family in the days to come!"
"The future of the family still needs you!"
More than half an hour later.
Having finally appeased these core survivors, Count Mills, dragging his slightly tired body, returned to his study.
He closed the heavy, carved wooden door behind him, shutting out the outside noise.
With a long breath, as if to expel all the stale air from his chest, he exhaled, then somewhat wearily half-reclined in the soft high-backed chair, raising a finger to gently rub his throbbing temples.
"Molten Iron Tribe, those damned Dragons."
He gazed at the intricate gilded decorations on the ceiling, muttering to himself.
"They are entrenched deep in Serre Wilderness, holding an absolute geographical advantage. If we send another large army to attack them, I fear the result will only be a repeat of the past."
Count Mills frowned deeply, lost in profound thought.
"With the current strength the Albert Family can muster, completely eliminating the Molten Iron Tribe, this grave concern, is too difficult."
"Has it come to the point where we need to use the precious favors accumulated by the Marquis ancestor for the family?"
At this thought, Count Mills felt a thorny sense of vexation.