## Chapter 27: Exterminate the Roots
The middle of the Harvest Moon (September), the Harvest Festival was held as scheduled.
This was the grandest celebration in the Starry Principality, second only to the New Year.
Every year at this time, all noble territories would hold festivals, celebrating the year’s harvest and praying for a bountiful harvest next year.
Since the beginning of the month, trade caravans and foreign travelers had entered Shining Light City one after another.
By the day of the Harvest Festival, Shining Light City was bustling with people, filled with a lively festive atmosphere.
In the brightly decorated banquet hall of Shining Light Castle, invited guests chatted and laughed over drinks.
In a corner of the hall, a group of young men and women gathered together, eating delicacies and excitedly gossiping.
“I heard that Earl Storm has been unconscious and hasn’t woken up yet. His sons are fighting like mad for the title, almost spilling their brains.”
“It’s said that Countess Storm hired a Wizard to treat Earl Storm. Tsk tsk, it turns out that the legendary Wizards really exist.”
“Heh, just a bunch of charlatans, only know some tricks like juggling. They’re no different from the magic performers in the circus. I heard about it too. That so-called Wizard couldn’t cure Earl Storm’s illness in the end. Later, he was stabbed to death by Earl Storm’s second son.”
The legend of Wizards had a significant market in high society.
As the topic unfolded, many people showed interested expressions, holding their wine glasses and joining the conversation.
“Speaking of which, Blackstone City seems to have produced a Wizard too.”
“You mean the second son of the previous Baron of Shining Light, Su Nan? I heard that Blackstone City was able to develop to its current state because of him behind the scenes.”
“Really?”
When Kei and Su Nan were expelled from Shining Light City and exiled to Blackstone City, almost no one was optimistic about this pair of brothers.
After all, Blackstone City was located on the border of the Golden Rock Province, its geographical location was unfavorable, and it had the Black Scale Lizardmen as a serious threat on its side. Its development potential was pitifully low.
With such a bad hand, the two brothers were simply no match for the current Baron of Shining Light.
Once Owen consolidated his control over the territory, he would be free to deal with them.
In the eyes of everyone, the brothers were almost as good as dead.
However, the subsequent development took an unexpected turn.
Not only did Blackstone City restart the Blackstone Mine Area, bringing in a steady stream of gold, but it also wiped out the Black Scale Lizardmen.
Now, Blackstone City, anyone could see its thriving and promising development potential.
If Blackstone City were allowed to continue developing, in a few years, it might become one of the top cities in the Golden Rock Province.
Many people were trying to figure out the reason behind the changes in Blackstone City.
Hearing that it might be related to Su Nan, many present were skeptical.
After all, Su Nan’s shy and introverted personality was no secret in the aristocratic circles, and he was far behind his talented elder brother.
It was unthinkable that such a person would be the mastermind behind Blackstone City’s transformation.
“The Wizard stuff is nonsense.”
A young man snorted disdainfully.
“Su Nan is a good-for-nothing who can’t even cultivate a Breathing Technique. What big things can he do?”
“Blackstone City just got lucky. It’s nothing to be concerned about. My father can easily take care of them, even without Lord Owen’s intervention.”
Someone recognized the young man as the son of Lord Zolf, who had been the first to side with Owen, and smiled without contradicting him.
The conversation quickly shifted to other topics.
Although Blackstone City had been in the limelight recently, as Lord Zolf’s son had said, no one believed that it could compete with Owen, who had almost controlled the entire territory of Shining Light.
Even without the elite cavalry regiment of Owen, any of the three lords could easily deal with Blackstone City.
Meanwhile.
In the council hall, Owen sat opposite the three lords.
“My two nephews really surprised me. They managed to create such a big commotion without a sound. It seems I underestimated them.”
Owen gently swirled the wine in his glass, the crimson liquid shimmering in the light.
“Restarting the Blackstone Mine Area, wiping out the Black Scale Lizardmen, and forming a cavalry regiment. If we let them continue to grow, they might actually become powerful enough to rival me.”
“My lord is joking. Forming a cavalry regiment is not easy. Even if Blackstone City has enough gold, they don’t have the channels to buy enough warhorses. Forming a cavalry regiment is just wishful thinking.”
Zolf, tall and burly, said in a muffled voice.
He cultivated a Breathing Technique that focused on physical strength, so he was unusually strong and tall, almost two meters tall.
When the previous Baron of Shining Light was still alive, Zolf was a famous general. After breaking through to the Peak Knight level recently, his fame became even greater.
“That’s right. Training cavalry is a time-consuming and labor-intensive affair. In such a short time, even if Blackstone City can raise a cavalry regiment, their combat effectiveness will be very limited. They are nothing to be afraid of.”
Devon smiled, his eyes flashing with disdain.
If forming a cavalry regiment were that easy, he would have done it long ago.
Two young punks, with a little money, they are daydreaming. They really don’t know their place.
Seeing that his two colleagues had spoken, Norwood also couldn’t help but chime in.
Owen narrowed his eyes and took a sip of wine.
Unlike Zolf and the others who only relied on rumors, he had concrete information proving that Blackstone City had tamed a new type of mount, which seemed to have some combat capability.
It was with this new mount as its core that Blackstone City had formed its cavalry regiment.
According to the scout’s report, Blackstone City suffered minimal losses in the war against the Black Scale Lizardmen.
It was very likely because of this cavalry regiment.
So, it was not a cavalry regiment to be underestimated.
In time, it might really grow into an elite army.
Thinking about this, Owen couldn’t help but feel a surge of anxiety deep inside.
He couldn’t delay any longer!
It was time to cut off the root and eliminate the last hidden danger!
As long as the two brothers were dead, the Shining Light territory would completely become his, and he wouldn’t have to worry about any unforeseen incidents!
“What are your thoughts on Blackstone City?” Owen asked calmly.
The three lords present were all cunning and shrewd. As soon as they heard this, they understood Owen’s intentions.
Zolf was the first to speak, “As long as my lord gives the order, I’m willing to lead the troops to attack Blackstone City.”
Devon and Norwood were a step behind, secretly cursing in their hearts, this big guy, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, was good at flattering. His face was thick as a city wall.
While secretly cursing, the two were not slow in their actions, both voicing their willingness to fight.
Seeing the three men’s “loyalty,” Owen smiled contentedly and waved his hand. “Forget about attacking. It’s too obvious, and although Blackstone City’s military force is not strong, taking it down would cost a lot of manpower.”
Zolf, Devon, and Norwood looked at each other.
Devon hesitated, “Then what does my lord mean…”
Owen smiled mysteriously, “As long as Kei and Su Nan are dead, Blackstone City will naturally return to my hands.”
The three immediately understood and looked enlightened.
Assassination!
This was almost a common skill among nobles.
It’s just that this kind of thing was generally not assigned to one’s own people, lest one be caught.
But if they didn’t use their own men, where would Lord Owen find someone to hire?
It was said that Kei had already advanced to a Great Knight.
Assassinating a Great Knight wouldn’t be easy!