CHAPTER 562: CHAPTER 527: THE DUKE’S PRICE

When a young noble, who was originally rather handsome and dashing, turns into a leprous toad, it is predictable how devastated his inner world must feel.

"I regret the matter involving your son, but his missteps are irreversible, and the Collins family must take responsibility for it." Perfikot, having left the interrogation room, met with Duke Collins and his first words immediately made the latter feel tense.

Although Duke Collins holds a higher rank than Perfikot, he did not put on any airs in front of this young Count and humbly expressed his apologies to Perfikot.

The foundation of the Collins family lies on the Empire’s homeland; relocating to the Northern Territory this time is quite a significant upheaval for the Collins family.

Although the family’s titles and political status have not been lost, with the loss of the family’s prosperous lands on the Empire’s homeland and the various businesses run there, the Collins family now finds itself in a period of decline.

Being one of the three great Dukes, yet unable to reclaim the Noble Council chairmanship from Duke of Gloster, which should have rotated, this significantly impacts the political influence of the Collins family.

Adding to their current decline, the Collins family is about to become the most fallen among the three great Dukes.

Though another family isn’t faring much better, the Duchess there has been invited by Perfikot to join a sugar factory project, restoring some of their political influence through this connection, thus faring slightly better than the Collins family.

In such circumstances, it’s understandable that a less favored illegitimate son from the Collins family would start seeking unconventional assistance.

After all, in a large enough flock of birds, you’ll find all kinds; the fool who turned into a leprous toad believed that worshipping the Evil God could help him gain power, wealth, and glory, which isn’t too surprising.

"Duke, while I know this matter is not directly related to the Collins family, and he himself lacked firm faith in the Allfather to cause things to turn out this way, some matters need no spoken explanation for understanding, the Collins family still has to pay the price for this affair." Perfikot did not invite Duke Collins to a place where they could sit and talk, but spoke in the hallway outside the interrogation room.

Honestly, for two powerful nobles, this was quite unfitting, yet neither party expressed any dissatisfaction.

Or better yet, Duke Collins expressed no dissatisfaction, while Perfikot had done it on purpose.

Duke Collins understood Perfikot’s intent, so he promptly said, "The Collins family is willing to accept any deserved punishment and take responsibility for this matter."

If you’ve lost, you must accept it, stand properly when beaten; a qualified noble of the Empire will not lose dignity over such matters.

"Very well, if all nobles had this awareness, we wouldn’t have so many problems." Perfikot nodded in satisfaction and then said, "The rumors spread by your son have negatively affected the order and stability of the Northern Territory greatly; the Collins family needs to compensate for this matter, and though I won’t tell you how, I believe the Duke has your own decisions."

Besides this, there’s the punitive aspect— the Collins family is ordered to have their lands reduced, a decree from Her Majesty the Empress.

Of your three sons, besides the eldest, the other two shall be stripped of their current titles, and they will need to join the Northern Territory’s army, serving while bearing punishment."

Perfikot emphasized the "three sons" when mentioning Duke Collins’ children.

Yet Duke Collins has seven sons, of which three are legitimate, and the other four are illegitimate sons or bastards.

The one who caused trouble is one of the four bastards, and Perfikot deliberately didn’t mention the other three bastards, making his intentions quite clear.

Duke Collins’ facial muscles twitched as he realized that while he was prepared for the Collins family to pay the price for this, he hadn’t anticipated such a severe price.

Among the three sons, stripping titles from two secondary sons isn’t too severe a punishment.

In recent years, although the Empress hasn’t reduced the nobility’s lands significantly, she maintained severity and rationale in cases of cause.

Thus, although many nobles are affected, overall there’s little opposition from the nobles.

For the Collins family, as long as the Duke’s title remains unaffected, other issues are minor.

Regarding the two secondary sons needing to join the army serving punishment, it’s a rightful intention. There’s a need for some presentation and action, as punishment cannot be as light as drinking three cups of wine; at least twenty lashes are required.

But Perfikot mentioned only the three sons and not the others, making his intentions clear.

Which means those four bastards are nonexistent, whether it’s the one who turned into a leprous toad or the other three bastards, none exist.

This makes it easier to understand why the one who became a leprous toad wanted to worship the Evil God.

For a noble in the Empire, illegitimate sons or bastards are ineligible to inherit family business, nor even the surname, and in key situations, they may even be used as sacrifices to protect the legitimate heirs.

Perfikot’s message is clear—to have Duke Collins remove his remaining three bastards.

This price seems exceedingly heavy for Duke Collins.

Yet he understands this is already lenient; otherwise, if pressed further, the entire Collins family would be implicated, unable to protect his title or legitimate heirs.

Though reluctant, Duke Collins has no choice but to say, "I will instruct my two sons to report to the Northern Territory’s army."

"Hmm, very good! Duke Collins, knowing this reassures me, your sons joining the army will be taken care of by my orders." Perfikot exchanged a few more pleasantries with Duke Collins before turning to leave.

At this moment, Duke Collins suddenly asked, "May I see him? After all, he is still..."

"Duke, I must remind you, he isn’t; he’s nothing, just an Evil God-worshipping heretic." Perfikot spoke decisively, clearly expressing his attitude, yet seeing the troubled and pleading face of Duke Collins, she paused to consider before saying, "However, if you wish to conduct further interrogations of that heretic, I can allow you five minutes."