"My land?"

Lucas's voice cut through the room coldly.

Aldric let out a soft, friendly chuckle, as if the question were nothing more than a small joke between them. He glanced toward the Baron and bowed politely.

"If I may, Your Lordship, allow me to explain it personally to the Young Master."

Baron Voss nodded slowly. "Proceed."

Aldric took half a step forward, his smile perfectly composed.

"The Young Master's land has… potential. Its location, its size, its distance from the manor—everything is ideal. I intend to develop it into a knight training ground. Nothing extravagant. Simple facilities. Temporary. Structured."

Lucas folded his arms. "And?"

"Of course, I will pay a great deal," Aldric continued casually. "Very generously. The Young Master won't have to worry about managing the fields, the harvest, or pests anymore. You can simply… rest. Leave everything to me."

Lucas stared at him for several seconds.

Not at his eyes.

At his smile.

There was something about it that made Lucas's chest feel uneasy.

"You want my land?" he said flatly.

"Borrow it," Aldric chuckled. "For a far greater purpose."

"Sounds the same."

Behind Lucas, Silvara stood stiffly. She said nothing, but her instincts as a knight screamed. There was a false note in Aldric's voice. She had seen this man wandering about instead of guarding Voss territory. Too often. Far too suspicious.

The Baron shifted his gaze to Aldric. "The payment?"

Aldric answered quickly, as if he had been waiting for the question.

"Enough to settle a quarter of the Voss family's debt. In one payment."

Silence.

The number fell heavily into the room.

A quarter.

The Baron said nothing, but his gaze sharpened—calculating.

Lucas noticed.

He let out a short breath and sneered. "So you didn't come to ask for permission. You came with numbers."

"Numbers can save families," Aldric replied calmly.

Lucas let out a dry laugh. "And you think I'll hand over my land just like that?"

Aldric raised an eyebrow with a patient smile. "Young Master, don't undervalue your own land. It's not just a field. It's an asset. With that asset, you can turn everything around—not only for yourself, but for this entire region."

Silvara quietly ground her teeth.

Aldric continued, his voice growing softer—too carefully trained in sympathy.

"We need additional security. This region is weak. The people have no work. Your land… if it becomes a training ground, I can open paths for them to become royal soldiers. The Rosevelt family's connections are still strong. I can arrange it."

The Baron fell silent.

A quarter of the debt.

Two months left.

This could be an opportunity, he thought. A rare one.

His eyes shifted toward Lucas, heavy with consideration.

And right then—

Lucas lifted his head. His gaze was hard.

"No."

The room froze.

Aldric blinked. "I'm sorry?"

"No," Lucas repeated, firmer.

"That land is my farm."

Aldric let out an awkward chuckle. "Young Master… don't joke."

"I'm not joking."

Finally, the Baron spoke, low and cautious. "Lucian…"

Lucas looked at him. "Father. I may be a noble, but that land isn't decoration. It's life."

Aldric interjected gently, "Young Master, this is for the sake of the Voss estate—"

"And that is exactly why I refuse," Lucas cut in sharply.

"The produce from that land will improve the life of Voss."

Silvara held her breath.

Aldric was still smiling.

But now—

The smile was cold.

"What a shame," he said softly—far too softly. "Opportunities like this don't come twice."

Lucas met his gaze.

"My land is not your opportunity."

Aldric smiled.

This time, the smile did not reach his eyes.

Damn it…

Why won't this idiot just give in?

"Tch…"

Behind the friendly mask, his mind worked quickly. He recalled something unpleasant—the stimulant potion from Viperpink. A worthless product dressed in empty promises.

And… Liria.

Yesterday.

After leaving the tomato field with Boran the merchant.

Her face was still vivid in his memory.

"Fraud," she had said coldly. "You told me this thing worked."

"Why hasn't that stupid Young Master come yet, hm?"

---

He swallowed his irritation.

But beneath all of that…

He spotted an opening.

He didn't need to force the land.

He just needed to provoke emotion.

Aldric lifted his shoulders lightly as if conceding. His smile turned more casual. More "friendly."

"Fine," he said easily. "If we can't talk about land… then let's talk about life."

Lucas stared at him sharply.

Aldric continued, speaking as if offering warm advice.

"Come now, Young Master. Why spend your days in dirt and mud? You're a noble. You're meant to enjoy life, not sweat through it."

Lucas said nothing.

Silvara had already begun frowning.

Aldric stepped closer, his tone growing increasingly cynical beneath a layer of friendliness.

"You could laze around. Drink wine. Sleep until noon. Visit brothels every night if you wish. Like you used to."

Lucas raised an eyebrow.

"Oh… right," Aldric chuckled lightly. "Or has it been a long time since you've gone?"

He tapped his chin in mock contemplation.

"Or… have you already found yourself a private playground?"

His smile spread, slick and shameless.

Silvara moved instinctively.

Her fist clenched.

Her face flushed.

"Stop your nonsense," she said coldly.

Aldric didn't stop.

If anything, he looked more amused.

"Oh… so it is true?" he said with feigned surprise. "How interesting."

"Enough!" the Baron suddenly roared, slamming his palm onto the table.

"This has gone too far, Aldric. Watch your mouth in my house."

Aldric raised both hands as if innocent.

"Ah, I was only joking, Your Lordship. A little humor shouldn't—"

"Silence!" the Baron snapped.

Lucas clenched his teeth.

The veins along his neck bulged.

He knew.

He could feel it.

This man was deliberately provoking him.

And worse—

It was working.

Silvara took a long breath, forcing herself calm.

Don't react… he wants this…

But Aldric wasn't finished.

He drew in a slow breath and exhaled like a man bearing heavy burdens.

"Fine. Let's stop pretending."

He looked straight at Lucas.

His voice lowered.

Sharper.

"The debt is real, Young Master."

Lucas's jaw tightened.

"And the longer you behave like a stubborn child," Aldric continued, "the deeper the Voss family sinks."

Silvara shot him a sharp glare.

Aldric raised a finger and pointed straight at Lucas.

"Because of you."

The room went cold.

Lucas growled quietly. "What did you just say?"

Aldric stepped closer.

One step.

Then another.

"The fate of the Voss estate improves when its debt is reduced. Simple."

He gave a thin smile.

"And the only thing standing in the way right now… is your obstinacy."

Lucas was close to exploding.

But then—

The next words—

Struck straight into his heart.

Aldric leaned in slightly. His voice dropped to a whisper.

"You don't want the Baroness sold like a slave in the middle of the city, do you?" he sneered.

"Or do you simply not care about your own mother?"

The air shattered.

In a single heartbeat—

BOOM!

Light flared in Lucas's hand.

A handle formed in his grip.

The metal tip scraped against the floor with a low, scraping sound.

The Great Hoe.

Lucas raised it.

The blade pointed directly at Aldric's throat.

"SHUT YOUR MOUTH!!!"

Silvara flinched.

"Luc—!"

Her body trembled.

The Baron rose halfway from his chair.

"Lucian—!"

Too late.

Aldric staggered back on instinct.

His eyes widened—just for a second.

Then—

He laughed softly.

"Hah…"

Aldric's gaze dropped to the weapon.

A faint smile returned.

But this time…

Different.

"A hoe…?" he murmured.

"Is that your soulbound weapon?"

No—don't answer— Silvara tried to stop him.

Too late.

Breathing hard, Lucas snarled,

"YEAH, STUPID!"

Aldric slowly straightened.

And his eyes…

Glowed strangely.

His smile broadened.

"In that case," he said lightly, brimming with dangerous interest,

"I accept your challenge."

Lucas frowned.

WHAT???

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