My Glitched World Throne System Came Ten Years Too Early!
Chapter 26: Aftermath

Chapter 26: 26: Aftermath

Roderic gave the two fathers one final nod with a large smile on his face.

’’Stay with your sons,’’ he said calmly. ’’They’ll need you when they wake up.’’

’’Yes, Young Master,’’ the two men replied in unison.

Without saying another word, Roderic turned and walked out of the clinic.

Captain Harris quietly followed behind him. His gaze remained fixed on Roderic’s back, countless questions running through his mind.

Yet, for several long minutes, neither of them spoke.

They walked through the bustling streets, heading straight toward the Whitemane Manor.

All those who saw him stepped aside, respectfully lowering their heads as Roderic walked past.

After another minute, Captain Harris finally couldn’t hold himself back any longer.

’’Young Master...’’ he started slowly. ’’May I ask you a question?’’

Roderic simply glanced back toward him.

’’Go ahead,’’ he said, waving his hand.

’’Shouldn’t... Rick and Darrel simply have been executed?’’ Captain Harris asked honestly. ’’After all, they attacked a member of the Whitemane family. By law, they forfeited their lives the moment they raised their weapons against you.’’

Roderic looked ahead for a moment.

’’Normally, yes,’’ he replied instantly. ’’But they were just two young, undisciplined idiots.’’

Captain Harris remained silent. His eyes only narrowed slightly as he stared at Roderic.

’’More importantly, I did it for their fathers,’’ Roderic continued casually. ’’They’ve faithfully served the barony for decades. Executing their sons would’ve been a waste of two loyal knights.’’

Lowering his head, Captain Harris fell deep in thought.

He understood the meaning behind Roderic’s words perfectly.

Whether the knights resigned, became resentful, or simply lost the will to serve... the barony would’ve grown weaker.

’Remarkable,’ he thought, slowly nodding. ’The Third Young Master really thought of everything...’

Unbeknownst to him, those weren’t Roderic’s only reasons.

Had he not stood to gain the loyalty of both two-seal knights, he would’ve executed the boys without hesitation.

’But Captain Harris doesn’t need to know all of that,’ Roderic thought, smiling.

Captain Harris slowly nodded to himself before glancing back up at Roderic.

’’If I may ask,’’ he said. ’’How did the Young Master come up with such a... unique punishment?’’

Roderic snapped out of his thoughts, the smile on his face only growing wider.

’’That was simply a spur-of-the-moment decision,’’ he replied with a shrug. ’’I’m afraid I don’t have a better explanation than that.’’

Captain Harris blinked once.

’A spur-of-the-moment decision?’

The more he thought about it, the less he believed those words.

The punishment had satisfied the civilians, preserved the two knights, strengthened the Whitemane family’s reputation, and had even served as a warning to everyone else.

Could all of that truly have been decided within a few seconds?

Captain Harris found it difficult to believe.

Even so, he chose not to press the matter any further.

’’I understand,’’ he replied with a respectful nod.

After a brief pause, he spoke again.

’’The Baron will likely wish to see you once he hears what happened today, though.’’

Roderic let out a quiet chuckle as he shook his head lightly.

’’I’m sure he wants that, yes,’’ he replied. ’’But he’ll have to wait first since I have one more person to meet.’’

Captain Harris slowly raised an eyebrow, but he didn’t utter another word.

In silence, the two continued walking through the streets.

It didn’t take long before the large walls surrounding the Whitemane Manor came into view.

The knights guarding the entrance immediately straightened their backs before saluting.

’’Welcome back, Young Master!’’ they said in unison. ’’Welcome, Captain Harris!’’

Roderic returned the greeting with a small nod before stepping through the open gates.

Waiting just behind them was a familiar, chubby middle-aged man dressed in a neatly preserved attendant’s uniform.

The moment he noticed Roderic, his eyes immediately brightened.

’’Young Master!’’

A genuine smile appeared on Roderic’s face right away.

’’Edmund,’’ he greeted without hesitation. ’’I’ve been looking for you.’’

Edmund blinked in surprise.

’’For... me, Young Master?’’ he repeated slowly.

Roderic nodded right away.

Without hesitation, he slung an arm over the middle-aged attendant’s shoulder, surprising the attendant immensely.

’’Let’s walk,’’ Roderic said with a wide smile on his face. ’’I need some new clothes so I can meet my father later.’’

Edmund’s expression froze for a moment.

His body moved stiffly, with Roderic practically dragging him toward the manor.

Once Roderic confirmed he was far enough away from Captain Harris, he glanced back at Edmund.

’’I really have to thank you,’’ he said. ’’The herbs you packed for me before I left... they saved my life.’’

Edmund’s eyes widened.

’’They... they did?’’

Nodding once, Roderic firmly patted him on the back.

’’Without them, I wouldn’t be standing here today,’’ he replied honestly. ’’So... thank you, Edmund. I truly mean it.’’

For a moment, Edmund truly didn’t know what to say.

Finally, he quickly shook his head.

’’Young Master, I only did what any attendant should do—’’

’’Don’t say that now,’’ Roderic interrupted with a smile. ’’We both know that’s not true.’’

Edmund lowered his head, suddenly unsure what to say.

Roderic chuckled lightly.

’’There’s one more thing,’’ he said. ’’Once I sort out my financial situation, I’ll be giving you a raise.’’

Edmund’s eyes snapped toward him, his mouth wide open.

’’A... a raise?’’

’’You’ve more than earned it,’’ Roderic simply replied. ’’In fact, I’d say it’s been overdue for years!’’

Edmund stopped moving for a moment, completely speechless.

He had served the Third Young Master for years.

Never, not even once, had he imagined hearing those words.

’’Thank you... Young Master,’’ he said quietly, his voice trembling.

Edmund quickly wiped at his eyes before forcing a smile onto his face.

’’I’ll prepare your bath and fresh clothes immediately, Young Master.’’

Patting him on the back once more, Roderic’s smile widened.

’’You’re a good man,’’ he said. ’’Hopefully my ’dear’ parents won’t complain this time.’’

With that, the two disappeared into the manor.

...

Captain Harris had remained standing where he was.

He had caught some snippets of the conversation, but not all.

But it had been more than enough to settle all the thoughts in his mind.

’’The Young Master has really changed,’’ he mumbled quietly.

The timid, withdrawn... even useless young noble he had known for years was nowhere to be seen.

A faint smile slowly appeared on Captain Harris’s face.

’No... perhaps he’s always been like this,’ he thought. ’His Aura Seal merely gave him the confidence to reveal it.’

Without another moment of hesitation, Captain Harris started walking toward the manor too.

’I should report the incident to the Baron,’ he thought. ’He’ll want to hear every detail of this.’

As for his own findings? He’d keep those to himself for a bit longer.

But it wasn’t just Captain Harris who had noticed the change.

News of today’s events had already spread far and wide throughout the entire barony.

Civilians, knights, and merchants all found themselves discussing today’s events.

There was hardly a single person who hadn’t heard Roderic Whitemane’s name.

And for the very first time... it wasn’t spoken with ridicule.