Chapter 492 - 259: Strange Badge

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"Saint Master, this is the envoy from the Red Griffin Clan."

Wolfhoof pulled the tied rope forward, "Call him, Leviathan."

"Honorable Baron Rod, I am Leviathan Silver Spoon."

Leviathan kept his head down, not daring to meet Luo De’s eyes.

"Hmm."

Luo De nodded slightly.

At this moment, Wolfhoof jumped off the wolf’s back, stepping forward to pick up the scroll that had fallen from Sloer’s hand.

"Don’t touch it."

Luo De stopped Wolfhoof.

Wolfhoof looked puzzled, pointing at the scroll, "Saint Master, isn’t this the treasure map?"

"We don’t care, leave it to Durant to handle."

Luo De sensed something was amiss with the scroll and didn’t intend to bother with it, waving his hand as he instructed,

"Have your men guard this place and wait for Durant to handle it; we’ll take a look at the Lord Manor."

Durant was meticulous, familiar with noble customs, making him most suitable for searching the Treasure Vault.

"Yes, Saint Master."

Wolfhoof led Leviathan following closely behind Luo De.

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Long Winter Town, Lord Manor.

The reception hall was in chaos, with broken banners scattered across the floor.

The soldiers from Black Pine Ridge were disciplined and had not entered the manor to loot.

The chaos here was caused by Sloer’s servants who, seeing the unfavorable situation, attempted to steal and escape.

Of course, these servants were all captured by the soldiers guarding outside the manor.

Luo De waved his hand, signaling the soldiers to tidy up the room a bit.

Afterward, Luo De sat on a high-backed wooden chair, placing the Ashbringer on the table with a thud.

Startled, Leviathan shivered and knelt on the ground.

"You should know I know something."

Luo De stared at Leviathan’s timid manner, similar to the previous capture, Kerg.

Each had undergone certain noble etiquette training, living a life of luxury, never facing any real danger.

Luo De didn’t use torture, casually saying, "I won’t ask; you just speak."

"This, this..."

Leviathan was instantly bewildered, his mouth opening for ages without any sound coming out.

"The Saint Master wants you to speak!"

Wolfhoof glared sharply at Leviathan.

Simultaneously, the giant wolf beside him caught the hint, curling its lips to reveal sharp fangs, growling threateningly from its throat.

"I, I, I’m innocent, Lord Rod!"

Leviathan prostrated on the ground, loudly defending, "I don’t know about your marriage agreement, I was just following orders!"

"I don’t want to hear this nonsense, say something valuable."

Luo De reached out, interrupting Leviathan’s plea, bending down,

"Since you don’t know what to say, then tell me, what is Susanna’s conspiracy, why did she suddenly start targeting Avril?"

Luo De’s tone was icy, sitting back on the chair, fingers tapping on its arm,

"I’ve already asked, so I don’t want to hear any more useless words."

"Don’t worry, I’ll say everything!"

Leviathan collapsed on the ground, supporting himself with his hands on the stone slab, his voice trembling,

"That Red Griffin Clan is now in some chaos, the old Count is gravely ill, bedridden, and reportedly has very little clear time each day."

"Countess Susanna is in power, she... she wants to eliminate Avril!"

"Say something I don’t know!" Luo De urged.

"Alright, alright!"

Leviathan spoke directly, "Lord Earl does not want to pass the title to Young Master Kelanke..."

"Why?"

Luo De raised an eyebrow, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes,

"Isn’t that guy Avril’s younger brother? Doesn’t he carry the old, Lord Earl’s bloodline?"

Luo De, thinking of his current status, added, "Lord."

"You are truly wise!"

Leviathan praised obsequiously, explaining, "It should be like that, but someone like me, a servant, is not clear about the specifics."

Luo De nodded thoughtfully.

Though unable to confirm, it was the most plausible reason.

"Then why not directly assassinate Avril, what’s with the complications?"

"Because Miss Avril holds the right of inheritance, if she were assassinated and killed, the Countess would be the prime suspect."

He looked up, giving Luo De a glance, then quickly lowered his head again,

"The Countess does not wish to bear the stigma of murder, fearing to incite those loyal vassals of the Red Griffin Clan."

"You know, there are many vassals loyal to tradition; without a good reputation, they won’t support the Countess."

Luo De nodded slightly.

There were indeed despicable scoundrels among the nobility, but there were also genuinely noble ones adhering to traditional etiquette.

Particularly some ancient families, viewing noble dignity as more important than life.

"So that Susanna wants Baron Sloer to marry Avril, trapping her in Long Winter Town."

Luo De speculated, "To completely remove her from power, never involving her in the affairs of the Red Griffin Clan."

"Yes, yes, that’s basically the plan."

Leviathan nodded repeatedly like a chicken pecking rice.

Luo De continued to question, "Aren’t you afraid that Sloer might back out? Taking Avril to seize power with him?"

"He, he shouldn’t, we signed an agreement, renouncing inheritance rights."

Leviathan’s voice lowered as he spoke, "If worst comes to worst, we’d have to hire those unsavory folks..."

Luo De naturally knew that the so-called unsavory folks referred to those assassins.

Indeed, regarding inheritance rights, assassination was the poorest choice.

Especially when the beneficiary was particularly singular, inevitably inciting criticism.

Unless there’s absolute advantage, capable of silencing all objections.

Leviathan looked up, timidly watching Luo De in thought, speaking cautiously,

"Lord, I’ve told you everything I know, can’t you let me go..."

"No, you haven’t finished."

Luo De stood up, pacing slowly, clearly pondering.

"No, Lord, I’ve told you everything!"