In the great hall of the estate, the guests’ noisy congratulations finally died down.
Aron watched the people who, some elegantly and some rather awkwardly, enjoyed the dishes, while a smile played on his lips.
He had managed to create his own world in a foreign land, thus already taking the first step toward realizing his plan.
However, when the guard from the entrance approached and quietly whispered something into his ear, the smile disappeared from his face.
“Mr. Howlett has arrived and is waiting at the entrance for you to receive him!”
Aron waved his hand, signaling the guard to withdraw, then slowly stood up and addressed the guests loudly:
“Gentlemen and ladies, please excuse me for a while. A distinguished guest has just arrived whom I must personally receive!”
The guests immediately began discussing who could possibly enjoy such an honor.
When they had arrived at the Blackwood estate, they had not been honored by having the head of the family personally come out to welcome them.
“Could it be Chief Robert from the police department or Director Edward from the tax office?”
“Don’t talk nonsense. Those two important people certainly wouldn’t lower themselves to come here!”
“Have you forgotten that the Howlett family was the most powerful before Mr. Blackwood came to this area? I think only old Mr. Howlett could make Mr. Blackwood personally go out to welcome him.”
Someone had guessed the truth, but the others obviously did not believe him.
Unlike the Blackwood family, which had only recently arrived, they knew old Mr.
Howlett’s temperament and way of doing things very well.
It was difficult for them to believe that he would willingly visit someone who had only recently risen to prominence.
Mr.
Howlett was extremely aggressive by nature, with a rough and stubborn character.
Anyone who found themselves before him would feel immense pressure.
Although his father had only been the first officer on an old transoceanic whaling ship, old Mr.
Howlett had never felt inferior because of it.
On the contrary, at the age of seventeen, he took the flintlock rifle given to him by his teacher and only three pounds and fifteen shillings, then joined the fleet of the British Empire and became one of the first colonists to set foot on the vast land of Canada.
Old Mr.
Howlett often said that he was one of the pioneers of this great era, a member of the new nobility that had brought the spark of civilization to this harsh land, and an adventurer who refused to accept an ordinary life and instead pursued his dreams.
The fact that such a proud and stubborn dignitary had today acted completely contrary to his usual nature caused the wealthy merchants and landowners present to raise their opinion of the Blackwood family even further.
The waiters moving among the guests and constantly bringing drinks and pastries were surprised to notice that the people who had previously treated them with contempt and disdain were now suddenly behaving politely, even smiling and thanking them when they received a drink or refreshments.
At the entrance to the estate, old Mr.
Howlett watched the owner approaching him, and the deep wrinkles between his brows relaxed slightly.
“Dear Blackwood, I am truly sorry for interrupting your banquet!”
The old man, who had never lowered his head before anyone, removed his hat for the first time, bowed slightly, and offered words of apology.
Aron approached him in only a few steps, extended his hand and grasped his withered but still strong hand, then said with a smile:
“There is no need to be so polite, Mr. Howlett. This is not a place for conversation. Let us go inside and have a proper talk!”
As soon as he said this, he led old Mr.
Howlett and strode into the estate.
The guards took the horsemen to the guardhouse to shelter from the wind and snow.
Armed outsiders were not allowed to enter the estate.
As he walked, old Mr.
Howlett habitually inspected every part of the estate with his sharp eyes.
It was a habit left over from years of fighting with the local natives after he first set foot on Canadian soil.
On the way from the gate to the great hall, he had already noticed at least twelve concealed guard positions, as well as densely arranged traps beneath the walls.
When Aron led old Mr.
Howlett into the hall, the guests’ faces were filled with astonishment, as though they had just seen the sun rise in the west.
The wealthy merchant who had earlier guessed the guest’s identity became even more determined to make his daughter the mistress of the head of the Blackwood family.
If the Blackwood and Howlett families joined forces, the situation in Edmonton would change drastically.
No wealthy merchant, farmer, or rancher would be able to oppose the alliance of those two giants.
Ignoring the guests who wanted to speak with them, Aron led old Mr.
Howlett straight to the study.
This was where he received important guests, and at the same time it was the safest and most confidential place on the entire estate.
The two of them sat opposite each other.
Butler Charles brought a cup of tea and a cup of coffee, then placed them on the table in front of them.
“Mr. Howlett, in my homeland there is an old saying that a man never comes to another person’s doorstep without a reason. So please feel free to tell me why you have come.”
Aron raised his cup and took a sip of fragrant tea.
In fact, back when he had grasped old Mr.
Howlett’s calloused hand, he had used Telepathy to read his thoughts and memories.
He already knew that the old man had come to beg him to save his grandson.
He also knew that what had happened to Lin Wei last time was what had prompted him to come.
He had been shot directly through the heart, yet the very next day he was back on his feet, healthy and full of energy.
“Hmph, once I finish dealing with old Mr. Howlett, Lin Wei, you’re going back to the new barracks!”
Old Mr.
Howlett’s gaze briefly passed over the butler.
He sighed inwardly, realizing that even an ordinary butler of the Blackwood family was equal in strength to his horsemen.
“Since Mr. Blackwood is so straightforward, I won’t waste time on polite phrases.”
“This time I came because I hope you will help me save my grandson James!”
“He has been unconscious for three days and has a high fever. Doctor Bills from the city hospital and Father Hans from the church cannot help him…”
The development of the Blackwood family up to this point had not been easy at all.
If other people learned about his special abilities, ordinary people would very likely begin looking at him with suspicion.
Because of this, Aron firmly refused.
“I respect you, Mr. Howlett, but I possess no ability that can save people. Perhaps you should ask the governor to bring a better doctor from the British Empire!”
Mr.
Howlett’s sharp gaze turned cold, but softened again the very next moment.
The mysterious man from the East sitting before him was no weaker than he was.
Besides, he was the one who needed someone else’s help, so for the time being he could not afford to offend him.
“A fertile estate of three thousand acres. As long as Mr. Blackwood saves my grandson, I will bring the deed, and we can sign the transfer agreement even now!”
“Please, do not refuse me. Your captain of musketeers survived even though his heart was pierced. James is only suffering from an illness, so treating him should not be a problem for you!”
Mr.
Howlett, who was over sixty years old, had spent a great deal of time and energy on women in his youth, but now he had only one son, John, while his son had only one remaining heir, James, who was still lying unconscious with a high fever.
When he thought of his elder grandson John Howlett Jr., who had died several years ago, old Mr.
Howlett trembled deep in his heart, terrified by the possibility that James might suffer the same tragedy.
Watching Mr.
Howlett’s sorrowful face, Aron could feel his deep love for his grandson, boundless as the sea.
It reminded him of the grandfather who had raised him alone before he traveled through time.
Unfortunately, when he returned to his hometown after graduating from university, he found only an empty old house.
From the neighbors, he learned that his grandfather had exhausted the last remnants of his life force and passed away a month before his graduation.
Before his death, the old man had not allowed the neighbors to call him because he was afraid of disturbing his grandson’s studies.
Aron, who had known nothing, therefore missed his final chance to see his grandfather.
“Ah…”
Aron sighed.
If he had possessed his current abilities before traveling through time, he surely would have been able to save his grandfather.
“All right, I agree to help you, but I have several conditions. First, during the first treatment, no one else may be present!”
Old Mr.
Howlett nodded repeatedly.
The only thing that mattered to him was saving his grandson, and he also knew very well that there were things that must not be exposed to other people’s eyes.
“Don’t rush to agree yet. First listen to all of my conditions, then decide!”
Aron helplessly shook his head, then stated the remaining demands.
“The second condition is that three thousand acres is too little. I want ten thousand acres of land.”
“The third condition is that James accepts me as his godfather and comes to the estate every day so that I can personally teach him.”
Compared with the first condition, the other two were much harsher.
Although the thought of handing over ten thousand acres of land pained old Mr.
Howlett, because it represented one fifth of the Howlett family’s total holdings, it was the final condition that made him hesitate the most.
Godfather?
Something like a godfather of the Italian Black Hand?
What was this man from the East trying to accomplish?
As for entrusting James to Aron for instruction, he did not attach too much importance to that.
Aron casually watched the thoughtful old Mr.
Howlett.
Compared with ten thousand acres of land, the first and third conditions were far more important to him.
He had to be extremely cautious when it came to keeping the secret of his abilities.
The ability to restore flesh and bone and bring the dead back to life was only one of his powers, but for ordinary people it was more than enough to drive anyone mad.
If he could not establish a sufficiently firm relationship that would guarantee his secrets remained hidden, he would rather offend old Mr.
Howlett.
At worst, their families would go to war.
After all, with the new rifles in his hands, it was not certain that Aron would lose to him.
Based on the information he had recently gathered and the supernatural abilities that were constantly awakening within his body, Aron already had certain suspicions.
This world might not be merely an ordinary parallel universe, as he had previously thought.
He was definitely not the only person who possessed supernatural abilities.