Joul's lips curved up. He wrapped his arms around and leaned back on the chair.

"Oh? You did? Tell me everything." Joul's tone was filled with mockery and sarcasm.

"I don't think you should put your hands in this, Collector. Not a lot of people would."

"Why is that?"

"It involves one of the Great Clans of this kingdom. The Starcrow. Would you still wish to know the truth then?"

Joul's expression immediately darkened. If what Siderius said was true and there was a murder connected to the Starcrow and the Bailiff of this small town, a mere mortal Collector like him would not survive the fallout.

Even if his family had a witch.

"Do you understand the gravity when mentioning that name?"

Siderius grinned. His perfect white teeth revealed themselves.

"I do. Do you?"

Joul stared at Siderius. "I haven't heard anything. But you do know that I need to report what happened here to the Royal Court, right?"

"Of course. You just do what you need to do. Report that the Bailiff of Mucktown hasn't done his job right and was withholding tax money for himself.

But there was a new witch in town. He had discovered Germort's evil plan and sabotaged it. As a result, the order in this small town was restored."

Siderius picked up a chest from under the table and slid it in front of Joul.

"Be my guest." Siderius said.

Joul's brow furrowed deep. He carefully opened the small chest. Inside were two shiny gold coins.

"One for you. One for them." Siderius whispered to Joul's ear.

Joul couldn't help himself and smiled from ear to ear. The new leader of Mucktown was much more reasonable than that brick head Germort. At least, he knew how to play the political game. A game that Joul had swum for all his life.

"What do you need me to do?" Joul said.

"Just tell the truth of course. The truth that I just told you. And tell them that Mucktown has a new lord."

Siderius carefully moved his fingers without anyone noticing. Suddenly, a wave of dense magic flooded out from his chest and filled the room.

The magic was so dense that it layered a dark red color onto the air of the room.

The commander and the two knights drew their swords immediately. Their marks of servitude lit up brightly, alarming them of the huge amount of magic energy.

"You?!" The commander mumbled. "How can this be? A mere Witchling can't have this much mana."

Siderius tilted his head toward the commander. "Who told you I am a Witchling?"

The commander's face paled. If he had his entire squad with him, dealing with a Lesser Witch was possible. But only three of them were no match with a Lesser Witch.

The commander sheathed his sword then gestured to the other knights to do the same. He bowed deeply.

"Please excuse us for our impoliteness, high lord!"

Siderius smiled. He looked down to Joul. His face was filled with sweat. He looked like he just spent an entire morning bathing.

Joul was the closest to Siderius so he could feel the peer pressure of Siderius' Mana Core to the fullest.

Suddenly, the pressure disappeared and the room turned back to normal.

"Please also excuse me for the rudeness also, Collector. I need to show you my value so that you know it is the correct choice to bet on me."

"It... It's alright... You will surely surprise me."

Joul let out a huge breath. He thought he was going to die any second now. However, he assured himself after the fact. Siderius would never kill a Collector of the Royal Treasurer, that would make him the enemy of the kingdom.

But Siderius was right. Without the power that he had just shown, Joul was very hesitant to cooperate with Siderius. Now, it was an entirely different story.

A young Lesser Witch with no background or connection. He would soon rise in the ranks of the kingdom with or without the help of Joul. If he could exploit this opportunity, maybe Joul could also escape this collector fate.

As about Germort. He was old and a useless wicca. His magic was Root Manipulation. No one even practiced those types of magic anymore. Germort was a nobody and nobody was going to miss his presence.

Who cared if Siderius killed nobody? No one.

Joul recomposed himself and stood up. He straightened his collar and picked up the chest.

"I accept your hospitality, Lord... Hmmm. What is your name, high lord?"

Siderius smiled. "Please call me Siderius. Siderius Snow Satterblade."

"Then Lord Satterblade. It is an honor for me to meet you. Please rest assured that I will personally write a letter to the Royal Court to be your witness. That pathetic Germort deserved to die."

Siderius' grin widened further. "Much obliged, Collector. May I know your full name also?"

"Joul Burticker at your service."

The two men grabbed each other's hands and laughed. When benefits were presented, it was easy for two complete strangers to establish a friendly partnership.

"Say, Lord Satterblade. I guess you haven't registered your lordship yet, I supposed?" Joul said.

"You are correct, I am an unofficial witch."

"If that's the case, Lord Satterblade. I can actually accompany you to the nearest Grove to register you."

"That would be perfect, Collector. We can embark on the journey tomorrow. But tonight, let me show you the hospitality of a host."

Joul laughed. "Certainly. Certainly, Lord Satterblade."

Siderius had prepared a feast for Joul. Wine, meat, and certain exotic food. His knights were also treated like nobles with servants by their side.

Siderius stood behind the curtains, watching everything with great interest.

Gigi approached him and bowed deeply. "Everything is going according to your arrangement, my lord."

Siderius nodded. "Good. Try to get them as drunk as possible. That way they would not cause much trouble."

"I have already noticed the servants, my lord."

"You are very meticulous, Gigi. You have a talent for leading people. I will be leaving with the Collector tomorrow. We're living under the roof of Eldoria so we need their blessing in order to exist.

There probably won't be any problem. Just keep the town in order and run it as I have arranged before."

"Of course, my lord!"

"When I'm not here, you are the temporary Bailiff of Mucktown."

"Me? A Bailiff? Are you sure, my lord?"

Siderius smiled and pat Gigi's head. "You are the one I trust the most in this town. You can do it."

"Yes, my lord..."

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