Chapter 346: Alphonse Willy
As Lynn walked through the courtyard of the Willy estate, he noticed that what appeared to be a simple manor from the outside was, in fact, a miniature fortress. The buildings within were meticulously arranged, forming a maze-like layout.
High stone walls encircled the courtyard, allowing the garrison to establish a second line of defense if the main gate were breached. Behind the inner wall, two towers stood on either side, their positions so cleverly designed that they wouldn't block each other's field of fire and could create a devastating crossfire.
Lynn could easily imagine that even if the outer gate fell, Whoreson I's men could retreat to this point and continue their defense, forcing the attackers to pave the way with bodies to achieve a complete victory. However, he wasn't surprised by the layout.
Given how Alphonse Willy had risen to power, he had undoubtedly shed countless drops of blood and committed innumerable sins. He had climbed over an unknown number of people to reach his current position.
The number of people who wanted him dead could probably form a line from Temple Isle all the way to the city gates. This was precisely why Whoreson I rarely left his fortress-like estate. If he absolutely had to leave his shell, he would travel with a massive escort that moved and fought as one with him.
However, Lynn was not an enemy at least not yet, so they passed through the inner wall without any trouble.
After passing through the inner wall, the group finally arrived at a building with a red exterior. Perhaps to avoid the rain, the first-floor hall of the building was packed with guards. The old man clapped his hands three times, and several pretty maids immediately came out with clean towels to dry Lynn and his two companions' hair and clothes.
Only Lynn extended his arms and allowed a maid to serve him. His two companions, however, waved them off, declining the service. The old man didn't say a word. Only after the maids had retreated did he give a light cough, his face beaming.
"My lord Baron, my master is waiting for you upstairs. But as for your two companions, they seem quite tired. Perhaps they could wait and rest here?" The old man's tone was polite, but his words left no room for refusal.
Lynn gave the old man a long, searching look, but in the end, he didn't object. He nodded to the two companions who had come with him. Both of them gave a slight nod back, indicating they understood.
Lynn then followed the old man up the wooden stairs alone. As soon as their figures disappeared up the staircase, the guards in the hall all stood up. Those closest to the entrance closed the hall door, while the others moved closer to the two remaining companions. They didn't speak, only stared at the two men with undisguised provocation.
In a lavishly decorated room, a middle-aged man sat on a chair covered in a tiger pelt, deep in thought. Two guards and a sorcerer stood respectfully behind him.
Footsteps interrupted the man's contemplation. He looked up to see the old man leading Lynn into the room.
"Master, he's here."
Whoreson I, Alphonse Willy, the man feared and loathed by countless people in Novigrad, had a face that looked honest and unassuming. He looked like a kind and simple farmer, not a dreaded gang leader.
"Baron Brandon, you are younger than I expected." Alphonse's opening line was civil enough, but Lynn had no intention of engaging in pleasantries.
"And you are more feeble than I expected. I thought the most powerful gang leader would be more imposing, not look like a man who has overindulged in drink and debauchery."
The guards behind Alphonse tensed up instinctively. They were Alphonse's dogs, and an insult to their master was an insult to them.
But Alphonse simply let out a laugh. "My lord Baron, you are indeed a nobleman. Your words are quite different from the mud-covered peasants scrounging for food in the muck."
"I like your forthrightness, my lord. As a friend, I'll give you a piece of honest advice: this is Novigrad, not Toussaint. You'd better rein it in, or else..." Alphonse cocked his head to the side. "Adel."
The silver-haired old man bowed in a very butler-like manner. "Master."
"Remind me, what happened to the city councilor who dared to offend me in this very room?"
"I don't think there's much left of him," the old man answered with a polite smile, his tone as casual as if he were discussing what to have for dinner. "After all, he was thrown into the sea with stones tied to his feet, and it's been so long now. There's probably nothing left but bones."
"What a shame, the world has lost another good man," Alphonse Willy said with a voice full of regret. "I could never understand how the corrupt city council could have a brilliant councilor like him."
The old man echoed his sentiment. "Indeed."
"It's just a shame he made the mistake of coveting the money in my pocket. Old Willy worked his whole life to build what I have. Do you know how hard that was?"
"Now that I'm old, all I want to do is enjoy myself. What's wrong with that?"
"It's all that bastard's fault. He came right up to old Willy and told me that 'the common folk of Novigrad are suffering, and people like me, who make a fortune every day, should donate some money to them.' He even said, 'This isn't charity, it's for the protection of people like you, because if the common people have a way out, they won't resort to desperate measures.'" Alphonse Willy let out a sneer.
"Old Willy climbed up from the bottom, stepping on who knows how many people's shoulders. How would I not know that giving money to the poor is for the protection of the rich?" At this, he revealed a terrifying smile.
"When old Willy was dirt poor, not one of those rich bastards ever had a single thought about helping him. But now that old Willy is rich, this so-called 'good man' suddenly shows up and earnestly advises old Willy to help the poor. Why the hell should I!"
The old man next to him nodded. "That does seem unreasonable."
"So, old Willy had a rock tied to his feet and had him thrown into the sea. Since he loved the peasants so much, I'm sure he's at peace, having met the same end as they do."
"You are as merciful as ever, Master."
Alphonse theatrically pulled a handkerchief from his inner pocket and dabbed at the nonexistent tears in the corners of his eyes. "My apologies, I almost forgot we had a distinguished guest. My lord Baron, since you've come all the way from Toussaint, I'm sure you have something particularly important to say to me."
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