New Yet Old Acquaintance [Part 02]

"No, it's quite alright. Just remind me to visit her, once we return to the castle."

"As you wish, young master."

"Let's be off now," Alfred said while fixing the armor in his body. "I need to have good talk with Nethan about our current situation."

"Should I lead the way, Young master?

"Yes." Alfred said as he left the room where he woke up, with the pink haired maid leading the way.

Along the way, Alfred asked several odd questions to make sense of the current situation better. Although in general the questions were quite harmless, the unusual questions made the pink haired maid quite puzzled. But in the end she dismissed them as her young master, just messing with her.

Alfred had no idea what the maid was thinking, even if he knew he would not care. After all, he had bigger fish to fry right now and for that he would require information. And as the luck would have it, this silly maid of his was just the right person for getting the necessary information.

Throughout the way, Alfred gained quite a lot of insight about old Alfe's lifestyle and the trusted people around him. From the answers that maid provided, Alfred finally learned her name to be Natelie and she was working with the Autarch family since her child and in particular, she was assigned as Alfred's own personal maid from her childhood and quite versed in the knowledge of potions and herbs.

All in all, Alfred decided to dub Natalie as glorified secretary personal secretary from now on.

Other than her, there were a number of people serving the Autarch family, whom his previous self trusted. One of them was his chief knight Nathen.

"Natalie, summon all the vessels and tell them to gather in my study in ten minutes. If anyone asks any question, tell them this is my direct command. If someone is unable to respond to summons in time, they will be judged and will be stripped of their title directly." Ves told the maid with an authoritative tone.

"But young master," Natalie panicked. After all, stripping someone of his title was no joke. If something goes bad, the vessels would certainly revolt against the young monster and a revolt in winter will spell the doom of the Autrach family.

"Just do as I say." Alfred said as his tone became a bit deeper.

"As you command, young master." Listening to Alfred's tone, Natalie decided to trust him and decided to obey Alfred's command. Nodding her head, Natalie parted ways with Alfred.

While Natalie made his way towards the barracks, Alfred made his own way towards old Alfe, no it's now his own study.

Located in the center part of the fortress, Alfred's private study was one the place where only a few could access. Even the cleaning and dusting of the room was done by a select group of people, personally chosen by the head butler of the castle. And that too only at the supervision of Guards. After all this is the lord's personal study. No one outside knows what kind of secret could be hedden here.

Entering the study, Alfred was kind of disappointed. The room that lay in front of him was kind of simple. Without any ornate decoration that he was expecting. There was a large table. A big wooden chair. A few books to the side, kept neatly in a self. Some paper and ink for writing were the only thing that was kept on the table.

"Simple yet functional." Alfred remarked. And started to check for notes that might be left by the old Alfe. After searching for a few minutes, he was disappointed. Nothing worth noticing. All that was left was some bills from grain purchase and some casual letters from the castle.

Noting that there was nothing of value, Alfred stopped searching for now. And decided to try again in future.

Time passed slowly and one by one all seven knights who served the Autrach family gathered in Alfred's study. No one knew what was going on. Everyone was summoned in such a short notice that no one had the time to wrap their head around the actual situation.

Everyone was silently looking at each other, secretly signaling each other, asking if they knew anything.

This small detail did not escape Alfred's eyes, who sat in the main seat in silence, observing and trying to recall everything he could about the people present in the room.

From the memory fragments left behind by old Alfe, Alfred had a strong impression of three out of seven knights. The Chief Knight Nathen Lockwwod. A knight with fire red hair, Ruddulf Meyer. And Austin Redhead.

Other than these three, Alfred did not have much impression of the other four. It might be just much of fragments containing memories of them was lost. Or Alfe did not pay much attention to them. Whatever was the case, currently he felt much closer to these three compared to the other four.

Time passed minute by minute, and the silence continued. The mood in the room changed. Everyone kept looking at each other, beckoning the other to speak. Soon the silence turned everyone's mood tense.

One of the Knights, unable to take the pressure, directly stood up and saluted Alferd first.

"Good day, My lord." The knight greeted Alferd. "It's good to see you recover quickly. At this critical moment, having you back will raise the troops morals for sure."

"Thank you. It's good to be back actually. I don't think I would be able rest at ease in our current situation."

"Yes I agree with my Lord. None of us would be able to rest easy as long as those beasts litter our front door freely." Another enderly knight chipped in.

"Yes, nobody will be safe as long as those beasts remain in open." This time a younger knight replied. "My Lord, I suggest we round up all the men we have in the fortress , rush out and kill every single one of them until not a single beast is left to threaten us."

The silent room suddenly heated up as declaration after declaration of attacking and slaughtering beasts sounded in the room. He finally understood why old Alfe did not have much impression of these for. These four were boot lickers and big talkers. He could bet all his money that these four would be first to run if the situation turns south.

In the end, he refused to condemn these four because at least these four had the courage to show up when the Autrach family most needed them. The clamor ended as suddenly it had started. As one would say, these four had run out of steam.

Soon the room became quiet again. This time everyone looked at Alfred with patience, waiting for him to speak in silence. Knowing that it was the time to start addressing Alfred cleared his throat.

"Everyone present here is quite aware of the situation the Autrach family is facing right now." Alfred said in somber tone, "We are currently being besieged by enemies on all our fronts. As you all said, the fierce beasts of the north knock on our doors everyday, trying to break past these walls, so that they could harm our loved ones, destroy our property and run amok killing subjects of our lands.

Although this is nothing new, as time and time again we have prevailed against these beasts. But times have changed. Out old allies have betrayed us. For some few pieces of gold, the people who used to fight with us, forgot their honor, forgot their oaths and turned their backs on us. But the Autrach family has not faltered."

Alfred became silent for a moment. Giving time to everyone to digest what he said just now.

"I am not blaming anyone. Nor am I slandering anyone's name. What I just said are the facts. Cold hard truths. It's up to you all to believe me or not. What I do expect from you all is commitment to defend. Not just against the beast but against the enemies who threaten our common peace of northern lands."

As Alfred paused for a moment to clear his throat, all of a sudden Ruddulf and Redhead stood up, raised their swords and yelled, "Death to Traitors." This scene caught Alfred off guard.

On the other side not wanting to be outdone, the other four stood up, they too raised their swords and yelled, "For the common peace."

Alfred was worried now. Although he wanted to motivate everyone to give their hundred percent in future, this was too much.

The last person, Nathen also slowly stood, took his sword out with elegance, and said, "For the Autrach Family."

Hey hey not you too Nathen. I thought you were the rational one. Wait wait why is everyone looking as if i am the odd one . Ok I get it. I get it. But do I have to do it? Ok Ok i will do it.

Unable to escape from their glares. Alfred momentarily suppressed his thoughts> He then took out his sword and said in a normal voice "For the northern lands."

"Glory to the Autrach family. Long live Lord Alfred." Every knight present said in unison.

Although the scene was awkward, at least Alfread succeeded in what he was aiming for. He was able to raise the morals of these key figures and for now at least was able to gain full cooperation from his knightes. And this was the key.

If Alfred wanted to survive and prosper in this he has to play his cards right starting from now. Play it right he will sweep the floor with each and everyone of the Autarch families enemies. One major mistake: he will become the last patriarch of an extinct family.

Although the northern lands lack in population and infrastructure, it is quite abundant in forests, rivers, lakes, minerals and mines. A treasure land for the people of his last world. But due this being the medieval world, the people of this world tend to settle in more favourable central and southern lands where the climate is mild and warm. Ignoring the harsh life of the north.

The Autarch family lands are his roots. His foundations. And his golden ticket to a better life. As long as he develops it properly, this land will be like a golden goose, laying golden eggs for him every day.

But for that to become reality he needed loyal men by his side. And what other ways to gain the support of already available ones. .