OBS Chapter 3680 Baron Samir
Chapter 3680 Baron Samir
Chapter 3680 Baron Samir
The man in the wheelchair that Shad is going to visit is Baron Samir, the local lord.
"Samir" means "fjord" in the ancient southern languages of the Old World. When the witch's followers conducted a brief background check on him at noon, they discovered that the baron's ancestors were likely among the first nobles to settle on this island.
Today, only the Baron in a wheelchair remains of the Samir family. Moreover, due to his father's failed investment many years ago—the fleet capsized and all was lost—the family has almost nothing left except for the old mansion.
As for the baron's leg problems, they were caused by a fall from a horse about ten years ago. Now, Baron Samir is 36 years old and still lives alone, with no close relatives or friends besides his two maids and one male servant.
Although the family had fallen on hard times, they still retained their title, and the remaining wealth ensured he could live a comfortable life. Compared to the commoners of this era, Baron Samir's life was quite comfortable, especially considering his paralyzed legs meant his needs were actually minimal.
Samir's old house was located on the eastern edge of the city, and the recent martial law had left the surrounding neighborhoods desolate. When Shad leaned out of the carriage and saw the towering old house surrounded by black iron fences in the distance, he instinctively felt a sense of oppression.
“If people with disabilities who have difficulty moving around live in this kind of environment every day, they will definitely develop psychological problems.”
Meghan, who was reviewing the information her followers had gathered before the trip, shook her head:
"That Baron Samir is mentally sound. My girls discovered that he's actually a writer. Although not as famous as Dorothy is now, he's quite well-known in the literary circles of the Duchy of Lagersen."
So Shad adjusted his identity this time. Although he was still "John Watson", he was no longer a traveling writer, but a young nobleman from Willendale.
The carriage stopped at the iron gate of Samir's old mansion. When Shad got off the carriage and looked up at the rather large four-story building in the courtyard, he could still vaguely see what the baron family looked like in its heyday.
There are only three servants and maids looking after the old house now, so the snow in the yard hasn't been cleared; only a path has been made connecting the building entrance and the courtyard gate. Shortly after Stella rang the bell inside the black gate, a middle-aged maid hurried out.
She remembered Stella and Megan; after they explained their purpose and Shad introduced himself, she opened the gate without even asking the Baron's permission.
"Please come in. Few people visit here, but the Baron enjoys talking about the outside world with those who come. Willendale, ah, that's a very far place. It should be warmer than here, right?"
Baron Samir was just as Shad had imagined: a pale-skinned man in a wheelchair who looked somewhat melancholy, but spoke with great spirit.
He wore black-rimmed glasses and had a very similar air to the writers Dorothy's colleagues that Shad had met when he accompanied Dorothy to parties.
It is worth mentioning that Baron Samir, with his brown hair, was quite handsome. Coupled with his slightly pale skin and mature demeanor, he could be considered the most handsome ordinary man that outsiders had ever seen in this world.
If Shade's handsomeness was more about masculinity and resilience, then this one was more feminine and melancholic, a type of man that many noble ladies and women preferred.
Unlike most locals, the Baron, who had studied in Willendale in his youth, spoke quite fluent Carselic with a Willendale accent. Upon learning that Shad had come specifically to apologize for what happened that morning, he laughed and said Shad was too kind.
The meeting took place in the reception room on the second floor of the mansion. Although there weren't many people in the house, the interior wasn't gloomy at all; on the contrary, it had a very homey feel. Megan had said in the morning that there was no problem here, so her judgment was probably correct.
The baron, seated in a wheelchair with a blanket on his lap, was not much different from a normal person, except for his inability to stand. He was a very talkative man, chatting with Shad about Velendale and the island. He even said that if Time Wheel City successfully bid to host the next Great City Players tournament, he would definitely participate even in a wheelchair.
The Baron actually had quite a few friends, but most were pen pals. The few close friends who would visit would simply play Rhodes cards with him or chat for a few minutes. Visits were less frequent in winter, which is why Baron Samir was able to have such a frank conversation with Shad.
Of course, the stranger's excellent conversational skills were also a factor. He probed briefly and quickly confirmed that neither the baron nor his servants had any issues. Reassured, he discussed whether the next major city player competition could truly be held atop the snowy mountain. After Shad mentioned having connections with the Fatu people and knowing they supported this arrangement, he then asked:
"I'm so sorry to have disturbed your maid this morning. Is there anything I can do for you? Although this isn't Willendale, I still have many connections."
The baron in the wheelchair immediately shook his head:
"No need, really no need. Humble young people like you are rare these days. It's enough that you came to visit. But you must take good care of your horse in the future, look at me."
He gave a wry smile, but didn't seem saddened by the past, which was more than ten years ago.
"It's best to be cautious when riding a horse."
Shad nodded:
"Then, if I may be so bold, is there really no way to save your leg? I know some very good doctors in Willendale."
The Baron shook his head again:
"Don't let my family's current situation fool you. When I was as young as you, my family was actually quite well-off. We tried everything we could think of back then, and I accepted the situation myself. Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Watson."
Having said that, Xia De prepared to get up and say goodbye:
"I've heard that a young female assassin has appeared on the island, targeting wealthy men to seduce and murder them. I don't know if you've heard this news, but please be careful."
This is what the woman who could spread the "plague" said, according to the police department.
“The servants have mentioned this to me. Thank you for your kind offer, Mr. Watson. I will keep it in mind.”
Shad then gestured for Stella and Megan to rise. The Baron, unable to move easily, hesitated, then, as he arranged for the maids to escort the group to the door, said apologetically to Shad:
"Mr. Watson, you just said that you are very familiar with the Fatu people, is that right?"
"I wouldn't say we're very close, but I've had meals with several of the elders."
The baron then smiled apologetically:
"To be honest, I'm sorry to say, but I do have something I need your help with. I can exchange it for a special card from my deck."
"Excuse me, what is it?"
Shad asked with some surprise, and Baron Samir patted his leg:
"I left something on the snow-capped mountain before, not very high up, just at the foot of the mountain. I've always wanted to bring it back, but I haven't found the right opportunity yet."
My servants told me that after All Souls' Day this year, the Fatu people have stopped allowing anyone else to go up the mountain freely. I'm not sure what happened, and I'm worried that if the mountain is closed, it might not reopen for many years—something like that happened when I was a child. So, if it's convenient, could you help me bring this thing back? It's not contraband, just a silver necklace.”
He told Shad the exact location, which was indeed just at the foot of the mountain, roughly between Kyle Todd and Time Wheel City.
"I'll get it for you. Forget about the reward of playing cards or anything like that. Let's play cards together sometime. If I get it, I'll have someone deliver it to you this week."
"Mr. Watson, please accept my thanks."
He then insisted that the maid push him in her wheelchair as he saw the three of them off at the gate of the mansion.
The carriage was still waiting for Shad and the others. As it slowly started moving, its wheels crushing the snow on the road, Megan finally asked:
"Are you relieved now?"
"Don't worry, there's definitely no problem. Ellie was probably really drawn to the apple; its inspiration didn't work this time."
Shad said this, and Stella asked;
"So, should we go get that piece of jewelry now?"
“Isn’t the ship docked at the Time Wheel City pier? I’ll go back and meet up with Vanessa first. We can go after we get back from the Prophet’s Guild. This is a small matter. I’m actually more concerned about the Guild’s attitude toward that Ring of Destiny.”
When they returned to the ship, Claire was still there, waiting for Stella to return to town; there were still things in town that needed their attention.
"Is something buried under the old cedar tree in Frost Kiss Corridor?"
After Megan recounted what had just happened, Claire smiled.
"It must be a token of love."
"how do you know?"
"The Frost Kiss Corridor consists of two interconnected gentle slopes on the southern slopes of the snow-capped mountains. The junction of the slopes is a cliff, where the old cedar tree grows."
This is a well-known dating spot for local young men and women, especially on summer nights when the stars are bright. Many believe that seeing the stars together there signifies a blessing in their love. Nearly a quarter of the young couples who marry on the island have dated there.
However, it's winter now, and the path through the Frostkissed Corridor is difficult to traverse. Furthermore, there's a point near that cliff where the 'Grand Symphony of Destiny' ritual takes place, so ordinary people are indeed not allowed to approach.
As she spoke, Claire glanced at Shad:
"Actually, it's not bad to go there to see the stars on winter nights."
Megan then suggested to Shad:
"Since the scenery there is so beautiful, how about we go back to retrieve the necklace tonight when we're stargazing?"