"Whether by borrowing or pawning, one knight, one hundred and fifty gold dragons. Family members, fifty gold dragons across the board."
He paused, then added a remark that sent chills down everyone's spines.
"Children shorter than a cartwheel, ten gold dragons each."
There was no warmth in his words, as if he were not discussing human lives, but appraising livestock.
The knights' hearts sank to the bottom. They knew this was Arthur's final price, with no room left for negotiation.
One hundred and fifty gold dragons, for them who now had nothing, was still an astronomical sum.
But for their families and their own freedom, they could only grit their teeth and bear it.
"Alright, we accept," Ser Hastings said in a low voice, filled with a sense of powerlessness.
The others also nodded, as if all strength had been drained from their bodies.
Arthur nodded, seemingly satisfied with the outcome. He picked up the wine cup on the table but did not drink, merely toying with it.
Just when everyone thought the ransom matter was settled, he spoke again: "There's one more thing."
Everyone's hearts leaped into their throats.
Arthur's voice was flat: "Regarding Dreadfort."
"That is my family's ancestral castle. You dismantled it, and that account must also be settled."
He held up one finger.
"One thousand gold dragons, as compensation."
Gales Legge jumped from his seat, exclaiming in surprise, his anger making him unable to control his emotions: "One thousand gold dragons?!"
"You took everything from Willow Wood City! You even cut out good bricks and took them! Where would we find one thousand gold dragons?! All the property of the entire Legge Family combined right now wouldn't even make up that amount!"
Arthur placed the wine cup heavily on the table with a dull thud: "That's your problem, not mine."
"When you dismantled my castle, why didn't you consider how much it was worth?"
"When you dug up my ancestors' remains, why didn't you consider whether they were at peace?"
Gales Legge did not compromise this time, speaking angrily: "Jero Legge, who committed these crimes, has already been killed by you!"
"Debts die with the person!"
Arthur leaned back in his chair, watching them at his leisure: "You don't have to pay."
"Then I can only send all of you to Dreadfort to help me rebuild the castle, until the rebuilt castle reaches the value of one thousand gold dragons."
The knights' faces turned ashen. They had no doubt that Arthur would do as he said. Sending them to Dreadfort as forced laborers was a humiliation more terrible than death for a knight.
Gales Legge's body swayed. He knew he had no retreat, but he had to fight for one last thing for his family and vassals.
He took a deep breath, trying to keep his voice steady: "Three thousand gold dragons! Paid in one lump sum! And that's the end of it!"
Arthur raised an eyebrow: "Agreed!"
He turned to Olivier.
"Go get parchment and ink."
Soon, a treaty was spread on the table, clearly stating the agreement between both parties in legible script.
The Legge Family and its vassal knights were to pay Arthur a total of three thousand gold dragons in ransom and compensation, to be paid in full in one lump sum. Arthur would release all prisoners and completely withdraw from Willow Wood City. Both parties needed to sign their names and family sigils on the ransom treaty.
Subsequently, Gales Legge, with trembling hands, picked up the quill. He looked at the parchment that determined his family's fate and signed his name, each stroke feeling as if it were carved into his bones. The other knights also stepped forward in turn, leaving their marks on the treaty with humiliation.
Three thousand gold dragons was not an excessive amount and could certainly be borrowed, but for the current state of the domain, it was like a great mountain pressing down on Gales Legge. His future rule might entirely be spent on repaying this debt.
Arthur put away the treaty and stood up: "Alright, the contract is established!"
"You can go prepare the gold dragons."
He looked at the dispirited knights,
"As soon as I see the gold dragons, I will release the people. You can leave with your families."
Upon hearing this, the knights' faces showed a hint of relieved joy, and they prepared to stand up and leave.
Arthur's voice rang out again.
"Wait."
He walked to the entrance of the temporary command hall, pointing to the square outside.
"Before you leave, each of you must go to the square and swear an oath to Daedings Family in front of everyone in Willow Wood City."
"The oath is simple: never to set foot on Daedings Family's lands seeking trouble."
Ser Hastings gritted his teeth, squeezing out the words: "Is this the final humiliation?!"
Arthur turned, no longer looking at them, leaving only his back.
"Olivier, take them. Let them think carefully about their vows, and make sure their voices are loud. I need to hear them from here."
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Greyhounds
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"