Baron Glutherz's castle stood proud and unyielding atop a lofty hill that rose high above the surrounding lands.
From afar, the feudal lord's residence appeared like a pair of eternal eyes that had never once known slumber, forever watching over every corner of the territory that lay beneath its dominion. At the same time, the great stone fortress served as a colossal shield, sheltering the City of Gluthera from whatever dangers might emerge from the farthest reaches of the horizon.
Within the tranquil silence of the ruler's private study, a middle-aged man stood tall before a grand glass window.
His experienced gaze rested upon the endless stretch of rooftops that adorned the city below.
That city had long flourished beneath his banner.
That same city had remained a responsibility carried upon his shoulders for many years.
As a nobleman of blue blood who had inherited both the glory and burdens left behind by the late Baron, the duty of safeguarding peace throughout this parish had been engraved deep within his heart since the days of his youth.
Long before his father's noble title had passed into his hands.
Long before the people had begun addressing him as their lord.
Slowly, his eyelids drifted shut.
He allowed his thoughts to wander through corridors of memory long buried beneath the weight of passing years.
Remembering days that had long since faded.
Remembering faces that now survived only as distant silhouettes within the depths of his recollection.
Yet that moment of peace did not endure for long.
A calm and mysterious voice suddenly shattered the silence that filled the chamber.
It seemed to emerge from nowhere at all.
"A remarkably peaceful day, Baron Glutherz."
The Baron displayed not the slightest trace of surprise.
His expression remained composed.
As though the voice belonged to someone whose arrival he had anticipated for a very long time.
He slowly turned around.
His eyes immediately met the figure of an adult man with long black hair who had somehow appeared within the study without notice.
There was something peculiar about his presence.
Quiet.
Still.
Yet at the same time, it radiated a dignity and authority that defied simple explanation.
The moment the Baron saw him, his expression grew solemn.
Without hesitation, he stepped forward with sincere respect.
"My lord, what great matter has brought your steps to this place?"
The black-haired man formed a faint smile.
A tranquil smile, yet one that concealed thoughts difficult to discern.
He approached and gently raised a hand, brushing the Baron's robe with a light and courteous gesture.
"You are far too rigid, Baron Glutherz."
A trace of warmth lingered within his gaze.
"You should know that the bond between us is one of equal partnership, not that of a ruler and his subordinate."
He paused briefly.
"Therefore, simply address me by name, just as you would any noble whose standing is equal to your own."
"But, my lord..."
"Come now, the esteemed Baron Glutherz."
His voice carried a lighthearted tone.
"Simply call me Mister Raven. I find little pleasure in seeing a lord of the land lower himself so greatly before me."
The Baron inclined his head slightly.
"I merely seek to show you the respect you deserve."
His voice remained steady and unwavering.
"Considering that my position is no more than that of a hand prepared to carry out whatever matters may serve your interests."
The man clad in black released a quiet chuckle.
The low and enigmatic laughter briefly echoed throughout the chamber.
Afterward, he withdrew his hand from the Baron's shoulder.
"You truly are a man devoted to propriety."
"Yet there is something you must understand."
"From the very first day our partnership began, I never intended to make you my subordinate."
For a brief moment, he looked directly into Baron Glutherz's eyes.
His tone became noticeably more serious.
"I respect your position as a Baron."
A moment later, his hand once again came to rest upon the ruler's shoulder.
Their gazes remained locked.
"Then you should respect my wishes as well."
"In doing so, we may speak as equals without sacrificing the honor of either side."
"Your honor as a nobleman."
"And the dignity of the territory that rests beneath your protection."
Hearing such firmness wrapped within courtesy and grace, a faint smile finally appeared upon the Baron's face.
"If that is truly your wish, then I shall abide by it, Mister Raven."
"Hm."
The mysterious man slowly nodded.
"Still somewhat stiff to my ears."
There was unmistakable amusement hidden within his voice.
"Yet it is certainly an improvement over before."
He then stepped back several paces.
His eyes calmly wandered across the room, observing every carving, furnishing, and architectural detail that adorned the Baron's private study.
In truth, the body standing there was nothing more than a clone.
A manifestation born from Ian's power.
He had only recently arrived within the City of Gluthera.
And the task entrusted to him was, in reality, rather simple.
To oversee the surrender of a group of mountain bandits.
And to ensure the fate of the unfortunate souls who had spent their lives beneath the cruelty and oppression of those brigands.
As a genuine clone created from Ian's power, the man naturally inherited his creator's manner of thinking, will, and understanding with near-perfect fidelity.
There was scarcely any meaningful difference between the two.
He knew what Ian desired.
He understood what Ian despised.
And he was fully aware of the boundaries that must never be crossed.
Although Genjutsu had successfully placed Baron Glutherz's consciousness under control, it had never been done with the intention of reducing the territorial lord into a puppet devoid of will or a servant stripped of dignity.
Quite the contrary.
Ian still held genuine respect for Baron Glutherz as a nobleman who bore responsibility for his people.
One of the primary reasons he had chosen to control the Baron was simply to secure an unwavering and absolute foothold within the City of Gluthera.
A foundation sturdy enough to ensure that his various plans could proceed without needless interference.
And so long as that objective was achieved, Ian possessed not the slightest interest in taking away the dignity, honor, or authority that belonged to Baron Glutherz as the rightful lord of these lands.
Baron Glutherz then stepped forward and courteously extended a hand, inviting the man known as Mister Raven to take his ease upon one of the finely carved wooden chairs that appeared both luxurious and exceedingly comfortable.
As the master of the castle, he intended to receive his guest in accordance with the customs of the nobility, traditions that had been passed down from one generation to the next for centuries untold.
His hand moved toward the silver bell resting at the corner of his desk.
He intended to summon the castle servants and have them prepare a pot of warm tea alongside several plates of delicate pastries as a gesture of respect toward the honored visitor who had graced his residence.
Yet before his fingertips could reach the bell, Mister Raven's hand moved first and gently halted him.
"Abandon that notion, Baron. My presence within this castle shall not last long, in any case."
Baron Glutherz appeared somewhat hesitant.
"Yet allowing a guest to remain without refreshment is a clear discourtesy in my eyes."
His gaze remained calm and earnest.
"As the lord of these lands and the host of this castle, it is my duty to welcome every guest with proper respect. Such are the customs and traditions our forefathers entrusted to us."
Mister Raven's gaze sharpened for a fleeting moment.
The pair of eyes as dark as polished obsidian immediately gleamed with a faint light.
Then a soft chuckle escaped his lips.
"Is that truly what lies within your heart, Baron?"
He tilted his head slightly.
"And what if the one who crossed your castle gates were nothing more than a commoner living in poverty?"
Baron Glutherz required no time to consider his answer.
"I would still offer the same welcome."
The response came without the slightest hesitation.
"Though I must admit, it is rather difficult to imagine a commoner possessing such extraordinary courage as to visit the castle of a high noble as an honored guest."
A faint smile once again touched Mister Raven's face.
"Perhaps not today."
"But believe me, one day the wheel of fate shall bring such a person before you."
His gaze drifted briefly toward the great window overlooking the city below.
"Someone born among common folk, yet blessed with qualities capable of earning the respect of nobles."
Baron Glutherz smiled as well.
"If that day truly comes, then I shall welcome them with open arms."
He inclined his head slightly.
"And I shall eagerly await the arrival of such an extraordinary guest."
"Wise words, Baron."
Mister Raven nodded with visible satisfaction.
"In that case, let us proceed to the true purpose of my visit this afternoon."
Baron Glutherz's expression immediately grew serious once more.
"Is this an important decree, Mister Raven?"
Mister Raven gently shook his head.
In accordance with a principle he had upheld from the very beginning, Baron Glutherz had never been regarded as a subordinate.
Though nearly every word that left his mouth sounded like an order that ought to be obeyed in the Baron's ears, the truth had never been so.
At least, not in Ian's mind.
His handsome features remained calm.
A warm smile still rested upon his face as he looked at the ruler of Gluthera.
"It is not an order in the slightest."
"Rather, it is a request born of sincere intention."
Upon hearing those words, Baron Glutherz's expression became even more solemn.
Within the structure of the feudal world, an order and a request were two vastly different things.
An order could be carried out because duty demanded it.
A sincere request, however, often carried a far heavier moral burden.
Especially when that request came from a figure worthy of great respect.
And this was far from the first time Baron Glutherz had faced such a circumstance.
Throughout his life, countless petitions had arrived at the door of his study.
The pleas of impoverished citizens seeking justice.
Requests for aid from farmers whose harvests had failed.
Negotiations proposed by wealthy merchants.
Schemes and interests woven by fellow nobles.
Even confidential messages originating from the highest circles of imperial authority.
Each carried its own weight.
Each concealed its own purpose.
And more often than not, a request he managed to resolve successfully became another stone laid upon the foundation of his family's honorable reputation.
"Please speak your wish, Mister Raven."
Baron Glutherz's gaze was filled with unwavering sincerity.
"I swear that I shall devote every ounce of my ability toward helping you fulfill that request."
"Compose yourself."
Mister Raven released a quiet chuckle.
"The request I bring today shall, in truth, bring considerable benefit to you."
He continued in a relaxed tone.
"To your family name as well as your reputation among the people."
Baron Glutherz lowered his head once more.
"It is an honor beyond measure to be granted the opportunity to assist in fulfilling your request."
Upon hearing that answer, Mister Raven rubbed his temple.
A helpless smile slowly appeared upon his face.
"Listening to the way you speak, I feel as though I am delivering a decree rather than making a request."
He gave a small shake of his head.
"Cast aside that excessively rigid formality, Baron."
"This request does not conflict with the laws of your territory in the slightest."
"Quite the opposite, in fact."
A trace of mischief flickered within his eyes.
"Once everything is concluded, there is a strong chance your standing among the people you govern will rise even higher."
"Mister Raven..."
"Very well, very well."
Mister Raven raised both hands in surrender.
"I understand."
I suppose changing the habits of an old nobleman is hardly a task that can be accomplished with a mere handful of words.