The Heavy Cavalryman dared not answer Henry’s request and could only return to seek his lady’s opinion.
Soon, the Heavy Cavalryman returned to inform Henry that the Countess was willing to see him, but Henry would have to go to her.
This was an offer he truly couldn’t refuse. For a male Knight to decline an invitation from a Countess would be a breach of noble decorum.
"Henry, do you need us to come with you?"
Henry shook his head, declining Boman and Fass’s offer to accompany him.
Led by the Heavy Cavalryman, Henry saw Countess Ratifa’s retinue.
’Rich.’ That was Henry’s first impression.
Ratifa’s carriage looked like a mobile palace, magnificent beyond compare.
The body of the carriage was draped in golden silk, glinting ostentatiously. The windows were inlaid with colorful stained-glass patterns, so dazzling they nearly blinded Henry.
As the Empire had no specific regulations on how many horses a noble’s carriage could have, Ratifa’s was so luxurious as to be drawn by four flawless white horses.
A grand carriage drawn by four steeds. The fine horses were powerful and elegant, their coats as soft and smooth as silk...
’Gods... what a staggering gap between the rich and the poor.’
"Greetings, Countess Ratifa Villarreal. I am Henry Bro, Knight of the Pioneer Nobility, lord of Westwood Laine and Vassal to the King."
A hand, so fair it seemed to reflect the sunlight, lifted the carriage curtain, and a figure emerged.
"Greetings, Knight Henry. I am Countess Ratifa Villarreal, the lady of Tiyaer."
Ratifa wore a magnificent gown, its hem trailing on the ground, with patterns like blooming flowers.
Henry had spent three years in the Royal Capital. As much as he disliked attending tedious social events, he had still picked up some knowledge about fine fabrics.
The fabric of Ratifa’s gown was the finest silk from the desert trade routes. It was delicately smooth to the touch and embroidered with exquisite patterns that complemented the jeweled ornaments in her hair.
She slightly raised her hand, revealing a section of her gossamer-thin gloves. The sparkling gems on them, along with the necklace around her neck, made it impossible to look away.
Her carriage and attire were a testament to the Countess’s noble status and lavish lifestyle.
"Countess Ratifa, you are like a star in the night sky. Your beauty astounds me."
Henry stepped forward, gently took the hand before him, and kissed it lightly. "It is an honor to meet you," he said.
Although Henry didn’t know Ratifa, he was quite familiar with the snowy plains of the Northern Territory. It was the former land of Stegia, whose sea raiders had become the first escorts for the Empire’s maritime trade.
The hand-kiss of the Caladia Empire was an ancient custom that originated in Stegia.
Originally used for presenting "hand-delivered gifts" to royalty, the hand-kiss had, over time, evolved into a gesture of respect and reverence within the Empire.
Especially between a man and a woman, it was considered the highest form of greeting.
"I am also honored to meet you. You are quite famous. Count Sebastian and Marquis Alberti have praised your Bravery highly. Everyone who has seen the battle reports from the Imperial offices knows your name."
Henry nodded. ’It seems her willingness to meet me is partly due to my reputation,’ he thought.
Suddenly, Henry found himself distractedly jealous of the royal intelligence network. The countless carrier pigeons flying between the Imperial offices in major cities and the army allowed vital information to travel with incredible speed.
Small nobles like them, however, lacked the financial resources and, being constantly on the move, couldn’t train such long-distance carrier pigeons.
"Knight Henry, have you never seen a lady like me before?"
Henry came to his senses and replied, "Of course. The only time I’ve seen ladies as beautiful as you was at the royal banquet on the day I was knighted by the King."
[Charm Skill Triggered: Increased Affinity with the Opposite Sex...]
Ratifa smiled with self-assurance. She was confident in her charm—money, after all, could cultivate a person. At present, throughout the entire Northern Territory, the Villarreal family’s military and wealth ranked among the top three.
"So, Knight Henry, what is the reason you wished to see me?"
"I wanted to know where your convoy is heading. This direction leads to the front lines."
Ratifa blinked and said, "That’s right. I’m here on business. A large number of Half-Beastman heads and prisoners were still on the road when Baltahan’s people took them all. I arrived too late and got nothing. I plan to go directly to the Legion to do business."
Henry smiled. "I have a large number of Half-Beastman heads. You can trade with me."
Ratifa’s interest was piqued. "What kinds do you have? And in what quantity?"
"Centaurs, Minotaurs, Tiger-men, Goatmen, Gnolls, Kobolds, Fox People, Rabbit People, Cat-eared People, and others. The total number is four hundred thirty-three."
Henry’s army certainly hadn’t taken this many heads. But after a month as Quartermaster, what did they expect? It would have been a disservice to his post not to skim a few.
After a moment’s thought, Ratifa proposed, "I need to see them with my own eyes, along with my steward."
"Of course. My spoils of war are with my caravan, and they’ve all been processed by the army. They’re quite hideous, so try not to be frightened."
Ratifa called over her female steward, glanced at Henry, and said, "I have killed Bandits on the battlefield. With a sword, with my own hands. Lead the way."
Henry shrugged. "Wow. Your family must be proud. Please, follow me."
Henry led Ratifa to inspect his spoils. Seeing the large number of Half-Beastman heads, Ratifa nodded to herself.
Although the Northern Territory had been conquered and assimilated by the Empire for several hundred years, it still inherited the wild and barbaric cultural traditions of Stegia.
In the Northern Territory, the heads of these Alien Races were more valuable than the heads of ferocious beasts.
"What’s over there?"
"Those are the Half-Beastmen’s weapons, armor, and other military spoils. They are not for sale. I will take them back to my fief, place them in my castle’s armory, and prepare for future recruitment."
Ratifa nodded, but then she looked at Henry in shock and asked uncertainly, "A castle? You have a castle?"
"That’s right. I have a castle."
Ratifa unconsciously straightened her posture. She knew about Henry’s various titles and his history; no one could be uninterested in a man who had distinguished himself on the battlefield against the Alien Races.
But she hadn’t inquired about the specific situation of Henry’s fief, Westwood Laine, because it was too far away.
Soon, Ratifa’s female steward leaned in and whispered something in her ear.
Ratifa looked at Henry and said, "Alright, I’ll take all these heads. Three thousand, eight hundred and ninety-seven Dinars is a fair price... but I’ll give you four thousand. How about we call it the start of a friendship?"
[Trade Skill: Fair Trade (A merchant might not rip you off) triggered...]
"The honor is mine, for the Bro Clan to befriend the Villarreal family."