After listening to Fordâs words, Aiden fell into silence.
From his constantly turning eyes, it was clear he was pondering something.
Ford dared not interrupt.
He didnât even dare breathe too loudly, standing quietly waiting.
Luckily, the strange smell in the room gradually dissipated, otherwise, he would have vomited.
Who knows how long it had been.
Aidenâs words slowly came, "Now the Bandit Corps has only about sixty people. If I gather all the free people and slaves, what do you think our odds are?"
Ford recalled for a few seconds, "Master, your manor has over two hundred slaves, more than twenty free people, and over fifty followers..."
"If they all can take up weapons and have the courage to fight the bandits, they could naturally annihilate the Bandit Corps!"
"But..."
But those are just slaves!
The daily food only ensures they donât starve, ensures they can work.
How could they possibly have the strength to compare with those bandits experienced in fighting and killing?
Not to mention whether they have the courage.
Even if their numbers are several times that of the bandits.
But they, skin and bones, would only be heading for slaughter.
Aiden understood Fordâs meaning, "But they are too weak! Theyâre even weaker than the greyhounds I raise."
Ford remained silent.
Aiden continued, "If I extend an invitation to the nearby lords, with which lord can we collaborate?"
Fordâs mind recalled, he opened his mouth, "Master Aiden, the one you have the best relations with is Jonas Frank Manor Lord."
"But itâs somewhat far, and may not solve the immediate crisis..."
Aiden acknowledged, "Who else?"
Ford hesitated for a bit, then finally spoke, "Thereâs also... the lord beyond the wall."
Upon hearing "wall," Aidenâs complexion changed instantly.
He glared at Ford, "You dare mention him to me?"
Ford quickly bowed his head, his entire body trembling.
"If it werenât for him, how could I have attracted the Iron Blood Bandit Corps to the manor?"
"If he hadnât built that wall, I would be the lord of that territory now!"
"If it werenât for him, how would this current situation have happened?"
Ford still dared not speak.
But in the next second.
Aidenâs tone suddenly changed, "No, no!"
"This is not right!"
He seemed to have realized something.
"First it was that fellow Walker, guiding us to that forested land..."
"He knew there were territories and guards ahead, yet didnât report?"
"So I killed him! After killing him, found out he was a bandit of the Iron Blood Brotherhood..."
"In the end, when finishing the corpse, you recognized the Iron Blood Brotherhoodâs tattoo at first glance?"
At this point.
Ford raised his head urgently, explaining.
"Master Aiden, you misunderstood, I just happened to have seen that symbol before..."
Aiden shook his head, continuing to speak to himself.
"Unwillingly, I wanted to use external forces to take that territory for myself, coincidentally introduced to me by you, the Iron Blood Brotherhood?"
"How did you get in touch with those bandits?"
Fordâs face filled with bitterness, "Master Aiden, it was really just a coincidence... you truly misunderstood."
Aiden continued speaking, "The Bandit Corps attacked my seven villages consecutively, even... daring to attack in broad daylight."
"How did they know I wouldnât dare send troops to ambush them?"
Ford fell silent.
"Once, it may be a coincidence, twice, also possibly a coincidence, but thrice..." Aiden slowly stood up, staring straight at Ford.
"The only possibility is... youâre a traitor!"
Looking at Aidenâs certain gaze, Ford couldnât help but sigh, he helplessly said, "Master Aiden, if I were a traitor, how could I have continuously advised you?"
"Even exhaustively going to the Marquisâs Castle? Even enduring verbal punishment?"
Aiden was slightly stunned.
Fordâs words seemed to have some logic.
But just in the instant Aiden was distracted.
Ford, who originally wore a look of helplessness, suddenly transformed into a dark shadow, charged furiously toward Aiden.
His body rolled on the table before Aiden, a short dagger gleaming with cold light appeared in Fordâs hand.
The sharp and pointed tip of the short dagger directly stabbed at Aidenâs heart.
The next second.
Fordâs face filled with excitement, his pupils suddenly contracted.
He clearly felt that his full-strength thrust had penetrated less than half a centimeter!
Ford instantly understood.
Metal Soft Armor!
His arm moved, and Ford tried to stab the dagger toward Aidenâs neck.
Yet he felt a piercing pain from his abdomen.
The raised right arm froze in mid-air.
Ford looked down and saw Aidenâs scimitar with an emerald embedded was already piercing through his abdomen.
Before Ford could react, Aidenâs left hand suddenly pushed at his front.
With this immense force, Fordâs body rolled directly backward.
The scimitar that pierced his abdomen was also pulled out.
On the sharp scimitar, it was covered with crimson blood...
Aiden spoke with certainty, "Just as I thought... just as I thought..."
"You, like Walker, are bandits of the Iron Blood Brotherhood!"
Watching Aiden stepping towards him, Ford clutched his abdomen, struggling to retreat toward the door.
Blurred words constantly emerged from Fordâs mouth.
"Just... just wait... your territory will eventually be taken by the leader!"