Don’t Run Away My Lord

46 – The Territory Ruled by Furballs (2)

Wolfert explained the situation of Lord Gillan’s territory in detail.

With its captivating appearance, physique (although covered in fur), and unique scent, the cat therian had Lord Gillan under its control in an instant.

Since the male cannot move a muscle when caught by the lower body, Lord Gillan was completely dominated by the therian, to the point where even major policies of the territory moved according to the therian’s intentions.

“That’s not all. It is said that even their own kind who live in remote areas of the Morey Mountains are being summoned to the territory and causing trouble.”

Gangs of cat therians are causing a lot of trouble for the people of the territory, acting in their own interests.

“So the dissatisfaction of the people of the territory and the guests towards the lord and the female therian has reached its peak. Not only did they already feel some emotional resistance due to Lord Gillan’s fondness for therians, but now that the therian is causing actual harm.”

“In such a situation, if we were to appear and kill the lord and the therians, we would be seen as saviors.”

“Yes, that’s right. That’s why I suggested attacking Gilan Marquisate first and establishing a foundation.”

“Liana, what do you think?”

Liana, who had her arms crossed and her legs crossed, nodded her head.

“There’s no reason not to go. We’re not hiding in the cold or hot soup right now anyway. Any normal territory, regardless of size or location, should be eaten first.”

“Keita, what about you?”

Keita, who was starting to doze off while taking care of the viscount, shook her head left and right.

“Well… I don’t think the problem is with the merfolk and the lord. If it’s the lord, it’s not a big deal to remove those people, right?”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“It’s the followers of the marquis. The people of the territory can just pay less taxes and not oppress them, but the followers are different. What should I say? The relationship is complicated.”

“That’s also true. It’s most important to control the followers.”

Then Liana made a suggestion.

“What if we execute the lord and the chief officer and let the rest of the followers choose? It doesn’t seem like there’s a strong loyalty to the marquis.”

“Well… Hulphert, what’s the atmosphere like in your territory?”

Hulphert answered with a somewhat uncertain tone.

“It’s not a very close relationship between the lord and the subjects, but that was a long time ago… I don’t know now.”

“In that case, we have no choice but to go and see for ourselves.”

No matter how much we sit here and talk, we won’t get an answer.

We should go into the marquisate and see the situation and public sentiment.

Although we have no choice but to occupy the marquisate, we can’t just set it on fire and kill everyone.

“So let’s set our goal as Gilan Marquisate. I’ll go in alone.”

Ulvert was startled and gripped his staff tightly.

“Are you going alone, my lord? Please let me accompany you. It’s too dangerous.”

“No. I have to go alone. We can’t afford to lose two out of our four members. Stay here and help prepare to move the territory.”

“I understand, but how do you plan to do everything alone?”

Anyone would react like Ulvert.

The lord, who was the most important person and needed to take another territory to avoid starving to death, was going into enemy territory alone…

Liana, who had been silent, spoke up.

“My lord, why don’t you tell the captain of the guard?”

“Yes. That’s a good idea. We need to accurately understand each other’s abilities to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings and accidents in the future.”

For example, let’s say this.

If I were surrounded by enemies and Ulvert foolishly rushed in to save the lord, there is a high chance that he would get seriously injured, even though I, as the Black Dragon, can handle it alone.

But if Ulvert knew in advance that I am a Black Dragon and can even use magic, he would have stayed in a safe place, wishing the enemies well.

Now that we have become family in the Lord’s castle, it would be better to know each other in detail.

In that sense, I should soon find out the level of Ulvert and Kaita.

“Ulvert, listen carefully.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“I am a dragon.”

“Yes, I under…”

Ulvert couldn’t say anything more and tightly sealed his lips.

“Look at this.”

She pulled up her right sleeve and extended it forward.

Rianna had already anticipated it and quickly moved to the side, still sitting on the chair.

As soon as she released the polymorph that was hanging on a part of her right arm, almost two claws, nearly the size of her palms, emerged and pierced through the floor of the study.

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Ulphert’s face turned pale as he saw her right arm covered in obsidian scales, ominously shining.

When she retracted her hand, a voice from behind called out.

“I see… So that’s why you boldly entered the Kepel Tower. Because you weren’t afraid of dragons.”

The Great Lord seemed to have regained his composure and looked at me with an interested expression.

“Yes, Great Lord. I am a black dragon who escaped from the habitat.”

“Hmm…”

Ulphert stood up, his voice filled with astonishment as he leaned against the wall.

“A dragon…? I never expected this…”

“Captain of the Guards. Whether it’s a dragon or an orc, a lord is a lord. Are you saying you won’t be loyal just because I’m not human?”

Rianna asked sharply, and Ulphert lowered his head.

“No… It’s not like that. I was just surprised. I guess that’s why you kept saying you could do everything alone…”

The Great Lord spoke in a clear voice.

“Are you planning to occupy the Marquis Gilan’s territory?”

“Yes, Great Lord. I am considering using it as a stepping stone to expand our domain.”

“Gilan’s territory is not the place to occupy.”

At the sudden remark, Rianna and I turned to each other.

Wasn’t it originally said to occupy Marquis Gilan’s territory in the beginning?

But it was already too late to ask about it again.

The gaze of the Great Lord had once again become cloudy.

Hmm… What on earth… From what I remember, it was Lord Gillan…

After a moment of silence, he spoke up.

Continuing to ponder here wouldn’t lead to any answers.

“I’ll have to reconsider what the Great Lord said. But regardless, I will go alone to Lord Gillan. If we are to advance eastward, we must pass through Lord Gillan’s territory. And even if we were to search for another domain, it would be best to establish some kind of friendly relationship with Lord Gillan.”

“I agree with that. Having information about the surrounding domains will be useful in the future.”

Liana also agreed with my words.

“How long will it take to get to Lord Gillan’s territory from here?”

“If we walk, it’ll take two days. If we ride, it’ll only take a day.”

“Hmm… Alright… Keita?”

When I called her name, Keita’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Can you create a dimensional portal to near Lord Gillan’s territory?”

“Umm… To there…? Well… I’ll try my best. I’m not sure if I can do it, though…”

“Then make it right now.”

Upon hearing my words, Liana objected.

“My Lord, it hasn’t been long since we left Cape Top. Rest here for at least a day. There’s no urgent matter that needs to be done immediately.”

“I don’t really feel tired.”

Being a dragon at the core, I had never really felt fatigue, even after using polymorph.

It was because my stamina, which was close to infinite as a dragon, was still intact.

Using the strength that moves that massive body, there’s no way I could be weak or tired.

“I think it’s best to go straight there. It’s not something we have to do right away, but staying here for a day won’t make a difference.”

“Is that so… Then there’s no other choice.”

“I’m preparing to move the young ones. I’ll go ahead and take a look around the Viscount’s territory and come up with a suitable plan.”

* * * * *

We went out to the front yard of the lord’s residence.

Kaita began drawing complex patterns in the air with both hands and started reciting difficult incantations.

It’s a bit strange to say this now… but dimensional portals can be opened with simple hand gestures…

Kaita is definitely a novice magician.

With sweat on his forehead, Kaita continued to mumble, then suddenly gathered his energy and stretched his arms forward.

“Uryaaah!”

Small sparks flew in the air, and soon, at a very slow pace, the waves of magic began to spin in circles.

It took quite some time for the waves of magic, slowly and intermittently, to take the form of a dimensional portal, and Kaita blushed with embarrassment.

After a while, he bent over and a dimension portal, just big enough to barely enter, flickered and shimmered in the air.

“Ugh…!”

Exhausted, Kaita sat down on the floor, gasping for breath.

“Kaita, um… it won’t close halfway, will it…?”

“It won’t… Ugh… Opening a space is just difficult… Once it’s opened, it won’t close unless the caster wills it to…”

“Alright. Then I’ll be off.”

We bid farewell to those who stayed behind and passed through the dimensional portal, heading towards the territory of Marquis Gilran.

The exit of the dimensional portal was in the middle of a mountain.