Chapter 56: I Came at the Right Time
Crack!
The sound of porcelain shattering echoed through the council chamber.
Owen clutched the broken cup, ignoring the shards that pierced his skin. Blood flowed freely, and his bloodshot eyes stared fixedly at the middle-aged man seated opposite him. His voice was hoarse as he spoke, “Did the Marquis really say that?”
The middle-aged man was impeccably dressed, with a neatly trimmed mustache, exuding the air of a pampered nobleman.
Hearing Owen’s words, he raised his red tea and took a sip before speaking slowly, “The Marquis is currently busy dealing with matters in Storm Territory and has no time to pay attention to your affairs.”
“Besides, the Marquis has already provided you with considerable assistance, even connecting you with assassins from the Starfire Sect. He has done more than enough. How have you repaid his kindness?”
“You are being forced into this predicament by two young upstarts. Do you know how many nobles are laughing at you right now?”
The middle-aged man spoke in a measured tone, his words devoid of any compassion.
To be honest, he couldn’t comprehend how the situation had deteriorated to this point.
In just under two years, how had those two brothers managed to expand Black Stone City to its current scale?
And that Su Nan, who was an utter waste two years ago, unable to even grasp the basics of the Breathing Technique, how had he suddenly become a Wizard, even killing Martel?
Incomprehensible!
Owen truly couldn’t grasp it!
Perhaps he shouldn’t have cared about face and simply eliminated those brothers from the start.
But regretting it now was too late.
Unless the Golden Rock Marquis was willing to send troops, with his remaining forces, the possibility of defending Shining Light City was slim.
And even if they managed to hold on, his title as Baron of Shining Light would likely be a mere formality.
Thinking this, Owen took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and said, “Envoy Gilet, if the Marquis is displeased with me, he can punish me later, and I will have no complaints. But if Shining Light Territory falls into other hands, it will be much harder for the Marquis to control this land afterward. Would the Marquis willingly abandon Shining Light Territory?”
Gilet glanced at Owen, a smirk playing on his lips, “Don’t worry about that. Even if Shining Light Territory falls into other hands, His Lordship will personally reclaim it later.”
Owen was taken aback.
What did that mean?
Did the Golden Rock Marquis finally intend to break the unwritten rules among nobles and directly seize the territory of others?
But if he truly did that, the nobles of the entire duchy wouldn’t allow it. They would surely rise up against the Golden Rock Marquis!
Even the Golden Rock Marquis couldn’t bear the consequences of such actions.
Or was the Golden Rock Marquis using some method to ensure the other nobles turned a blind eye to this?
“What do you mean, Envoy?” Owen asked, his voice laced with uncertainty.
“Don’t worry about that.”
Gilet waved his hand, his eyes narrowing, “Though you have failed in your duties, His Lordship is magnanimous. In recognition of your past service, he has instructed me to take you out of Shining Light City. You will live a peaceful life as a manor owner in Golden Rock City.” �
Owen’s face turned pale.
The drastic drop from being a Baron to a manor owner was simply unacceptable to him.
But if he didn’t do this, he wouldn’t be able to defend Shining Light City on his own, and his only outcome would be to perish along with the city.
Gilet leisurely sipped his red tea, looking down at Owen, whose expression fluctuated wildly.
He believed Owen would make the wise choice.
Or rather, at this point, Owen had no other path to take.
Just then, a frantic series of footsteps echoed from outside.
The secretary rushed into the hall, seemingly eager to report something, but he hesitated, catching sight of Gilet and the cloaked man sitting beside him.
Owen impatiently waved his hand, “Speak quickly!”
The secretary hurriedly bowed and said, “My lord, scouts have reported that Black Stone City’s army has reached a point five kilometers outside the city. They will reach the city gate in at most one hour.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Owen abruptly stood up from his chair, his panic impossible to suppress.
“How did they get here so quickly?!”
He then realized his outburst, hastily composed himself, and forced a calm demeanor as he waved his hand, “Send word to Dario. Order him to lead the troops to defend the city. We must not allow the Black Stone City forces to enter even a single step!”
After the secretary acknowledged and withdrew, Owen hesitated no longer and quickly turned to Gilet, “Envoy, I agree. I’ll go to Golden Rock City with you!”
Gilet set down his teacup, a faint smile on his lips, “A wise decision.”
“Please wait for me a moment, Envoy. I will have my belongings packed.”
While fleeing, he needed to take his possessions with him.
He needed money to purchase land if he was to become a manor owner.
He had to hurry and pack his valuables before the Black Stone City troops launched their attack.
To avoid displeasing Gilet, Owen handed him a small pouch of gold coins.
“Thank you, Envoy.”
Gilet weighed the pouch in his hand, a wider smile spreading across his face.
“Baron, there’s no need to rush. Please be at ease. With Lord Ho Chi here, even if the Black Stone City army surrounds Shining Light City, we can leave safely.”
Owen looked at the cloaked man beside him in surprise.
Since entering the council chamber, the cloaked man had remained silent, sitting quietly without a word.
He had assumed the cloaked man was Gilet’s bodyguard.
But from Gilet’s tone, this cloaked man named Ho Chi seemed to be of no lesser standing.
“I don’t know who Lord Ho Chi is…”
Just as Owen was about to probe the cloaked man’s identity, he heard a commotion outside, causing him to frown. He was about to call for guards to investigate when he saw Ho Chi suddenly stand up.
“Something’s wrong. There’s a scream. It’s an assassin!”
Assassin?!
Owen was doubtful. The Black Stone City army was ten kilometers away, and his mansion was heavily guarded. What kind of assassin could break in?
However, Owen soon had no need to doubt.
Shouts of battle quickly approached the council chamber, then suddenly fell silent.
Following that, a figure slowly stepped into the chamber.
Upon recognizing the face of the newcomer, Owen’s eyes widened in shock.
“Su Nan!”
Gilet’s gaze narrowed. He instinctively straightened his back, his interest piqued as he looked at the young man standing at the entrance.
Was this the rumored Wizard from Black Stone City?
Su Nan’s eyes swept across the three individuals in the chamber, lingering for a moment on Ho Chi. His eyes narrowed slightly, and he chuckled wryly, “It seems I came at the right time. Are you three discussing how to escape?”