Chapter 469: Walking into a Trap

The night was deep and the moonlight was like water, coating the bustling hall of the Governor's Mansion in Dusk City with a layer of vivid silver light.

Facing Irene Campbell, who saved the Twilight Province, all the important figures in Twilight City gave her lavish praises at the victory celebration dinner.

Irene felt her ears were becoming calloused from the compliments she received. She maintained a polite smile, sipping her wine in response, but her thoughts drifted beyond the city.

If only His Highness Colin were here...

At this moment, the biggest regret in her heart was that she could not share the glory of victory with the prince who had gone through life and death with her.

According to His Highness Colin, he is now the Grand Duke of the Duchy of Colin and it is not appropriate for him to appear in the Twilight Province at this sensitive time.

Back then, he had traveled day and night to the front lines simply out of concern for her. Now that the chaos had subsided, he would await her triumphant return in Thunder City.

Irene fully understood what His Highness Colin said.

Rather, she was already very surprised and even moved that he appeared by her side when she needed him most.

Putting the interests of the family first is the basic ethics of any imperial noble.

However, for her sake, he repeatedly made decisions that went against his ancestors, even making those overbearing remarks in front of the lord of the Mountain Kingdom...

As she thought about it, Irene's thoughts flew further away.

“…Your Highness?”

Looking at Irene whose cheeks were still flushed, Theresa, who was standing beside her, couldn't help but worry that she might have drunk too much, so she called out to her softly.

"What happened?" Irene, who was in a daze, suddenly came to her senses and subconsciously placed her right hand on the sword at her waist.

A baron next to her, dressed in extravagant clothes, cleared his throat and was about to come up and say a few words to her, but he was frightened by her sudden action and turned around on the spot and started chatting awkwardly with Zhuzi.

"No, Your Highness, nothing happened." Seeing Irene almost drawing her sword, Theresa was also startled. She quickly comforted her and then asked softly, "Are you... okay?"

"…I'm fine, Theresa, don't worry about me."

Realizing that she was being abrupt, Irene blushed and coughed.

To show that she was indeed fine, she pretended to be calm and drank the champagne in her hand in one gulp. However, because she drank too quickly, she was choked by the bubbles and coughed several times before she stopped.

"Yes..." Theresa had never seen such a reckless prince before, and she became even more worried.

…

In order not to disappoint her brother who was far away in the Duchy of Campbell and His Highness Colin's expectations, Irene quickly regained her spirits and threw herself into the banquet which was not yet over.

Just when Princess Irene was regaining her spirits, someone was as depressed as a frost-bitten eggplant, sitting in the courtyard drinking alone.

That gentleman was none other than himself.

It was Theron Gad who had made a fool of herself in front of everyone earlier in the day.

The Earl was seen slumped on the cold stone bench, with two almost empty wine bottles lying cluttered on the table.

"Damn it! Where are the maids in the Governor's Mansion? Are they all dead on the city wall? Why is there no one to pour me some wine?"

"Someone! Fill it up for me!"

His fat cheeks made rude noises, and his swollen face was as red as a persimmon, making it hard to tell whether he was drunk or angry.

No waiter dared to come over and offend him, as no one wanted to be splashed with red wine in the face on such a happy day.

Besides, the servants also read the mood.

Everyone saw Governor Alarik's gloomy expression during the day. As long as Alarik didn't come to see him, no servant would come to serve him.

After shouting for a while and seeing that no one paid any attention to her, Sharon felt a little bored, so she cursed twice and stopped talking.

The noise coming through the stained windows of the main hall gradually faded away, the elegant piano music was like a candle blown sideways by the wind, and the banquet seemed to be coming to an end.

Everyone was gathering around Irene Campbell, making the courtyard seem even lonelier and colder.

Sharon felt as if the whole world was against her. She clenched her teeth tightly, but loosened them in a moment.

It’s... not important anymore.

Irene rejected his invitation to send troops, even when he promised to exchange "the earldom's taxes for the next ten years."

And if the Duchy of Campbell does not send troops, no one in the entire Twilight Province will be able to help him regain his territory, and he is destined to be sent to the dock of the court.

Tribunal...

When she thought of this name, Charlize Theron's body trembled involuntarily, as if a basin of ice water was poured from head to toe.

Once those guys knew that he had handed over the territory granted to him by Saint Sith to the so-called "Savior Army", he would lose not only the territory, but also all the honor and wealth accumulated by the Gad family for thousands of years!

The king and the church would roast him over a fire like lamb, and then strip him of every piece of flesh piece by piece.

The king would not eat people like those peasants.

But it’s just not eaten directly.

"By the Saints... I, Theron Gard, have been kind all my life and have never hurt anyone. Why are you punishing me like this?"

Just as Theron was agonizing over his tragic fate, a light laugh suddenly came from behind him.

Theron was startled, thinking that it was just a servant coming. He didn't expect that a mere servant would dare to laugh at him. He immediately turned his fat body and roared.

"Who's there?"

He turned around, but saw no one. Before he could realize what was happening, a breeze blew past him.

Then there was a loud "bang", which scared Charlize Theron so much that she broke out in a cold sweat, and even the drunkenness on her body was driven away with the cold sweat.

He turned his head back tremblingly, only to see a wine bottle on his table. A middle-aged man in leather armor supported the table with his arms and sat down opposite him.

"Serron Gard, Earl of Quemu Territory, it seems you've had a less than pleasant evening." The voice was hoarse and steady, without any emotion. "Since no one wants to drink with you, why don't I have a drink with you?"

"You... who are you?!" Sharon stared at the stranger in front of him in horror, forcibly suppressing the fear in his heart and the urge to run away, and asked in a stern but cowardly manner.

At the same time, the pair of small eyes moved quickly, like moths flying under the light, quickly memorizing the person's appearance.

The man was of medium build, wearing an inconspicuous old leather armor. There was a faint scar on his face, extending from the corner of his eyebrow to his cheek, like a poisonous snake lurking in the bushes.

Such a person could never be a nobleman of high status!

But what reassured Theron was that he didn't look like someone from the Inquisition!

"Grega, Raging Vengeance... That's the name of my mercenary group." The man didn't hide anything and answered his question in a gentle, even polite tone.

This name is really intimidating.

But it seems like it was thought up by a group of uneducated people.

Theron's small eyes narrowed and stared at him.

"Mercenaries? This is a banquet to welcome distinguished guests, why are mercenaries here?!"

"Allow me to correct you. This is a dinner party to celebrate victory. Any victor is qualified to sit here. At least that's what the Baron said."

Looking at the wary Charlize Theron, the man who called himself "Grega" grinned and put his hands together at the tip of his nose as if praying.

"As for why I am here... because while the Earl was praying in the church, my brothers and I stood on the city wall to resist the tide of Chaos."

That's a plausible reason.

Theron's guard was lowered a little, but the hostility in his eyes did not disappear.

How dare a commoner sit at the same table with me!

These guys are becoming more and more lawless!

If he could lift the stone table, he would have done so by now!

"Is there anything I can do for you?" Looking at Grega who was pouring wine for himself, Theron raised his chin slightly and said condescendingly.

"Of course, I'm here to discuss business with you."

"Ha, then you've got the wrong person," Theron sneered, "I don't do business with commoners. You should go find my butler."

"On the contrary, Lord Count, this deal can only be negotiated with you." Gregar folded his hands on the table and looked at Theron calmly. "Speak frankly. I can help you regain your lost territory... and your dignity."

Charlize Theron was stunned at first, and then she burst into exaggerated laughter as if she had heard a huge joke, trying to save her face that had been completely lost long ago.

"Just you? A mercenary? Do you know how many lunatics are entrenched there? One hundred thousand! And there were so many a few months ago! Not to mention that even the Sword Master has gone crazy with them now. How can a mercenary like you defeat a Sword Master?"

"The Sword Master won't stay there forever, nor will he point his sword at enemies outside Chaos for them. As for the 100,000 men, they are just a mob, not to mention that they are coming out in full force now. The majority of the troops are outside the city, so the interior must be empty."

Grega responded calmly, his voice clear and coherent, as if he didn't take the earl's ridicule to heart at all.

After a pause, he continued.

"...Furthermore, we never fight a battle without preparation. Now that we've found you, it means we're confident of winning beautifully."

"are you serious?"

Theron stared at Grega, trying to find any trace of bragging on his face, but all he saw was a bottomless silence.

To be honest, he was a little moved.

Just as the mercenary leader said, the Salvation Army and their Saint are now waiting outside Dusk City to claim their reward, and they are still quite far away from Quemu Territory!

If these mercenaries are really as amazing as they say, maybe they can actually help him take back Quemu Castle!

However, Charlize Theron still couldn't make up her mind.

Who can guarantee that these people are not here to cheat him of his money?

The fattest sheep in the entire Dusk City are these nobles who have left their territory. They don't have a single capable knight, but they have plenty of money.

Gregar saw the hesitation and greed that flashed across Theron's eyes, and a barely perceptible smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

He could guess with his ass that what the Earl was worried about was that he was a charlatan who took the money but did not do the job.

He had to say that this worry was unnecessary.

The most scammers do is to steal money.

They even accepted all the people.

"I understand your concerns. I know you're broke right now, and...there's no reason for you to trust people like us who come from unknown backgrounds."

Grega's tone slowed down, full of "understanding" consideration.

"So, we can try a different way of cooperating. We can help you recapture Quemu Castle first, and then pay us after you ascend the throne. As for the reward... we don't want too much. You're willing to pay the Campbell people the Earldom's taxes for the next ten years, and we only want nine."

This sentence was like a thunder, exploding in Charlize Theron's mind!

Pay later?!

There is such a good thing?!

Sharon's heart was pounding and her breathing became rapid. She looked at Grega with uncertainty, trying to find any flaws in his calm face.

His intuition told him that there must be something fishy going on, but he really couldn't figure out what these people could have managed to cheat out of him.

“Do I need to pay a deposit?”

"Not a single copper coin is needed."

"Why should I believe you!"

"Hmm... now that you mention it, I also feel that my suggestion was a bit abrupt." Gregar thought for a moment, sighed, and was about to stand up. "Just pretend I didn't say anything. I'll ask someone else."

His face was full of regret, like a nice guy who had been rejected.

"Wait a moment!"

Seeing the mercenary leader getting up to leave, Sharon quickly called him and even took the initiative to pick up the wine glass and pour him a glass.

"G...that..."

"Grega."

"Yes! Ahem... Mr. Gregar! I was negligent just now. I shouldn't have doubted such a pious and generous gentleman!" Theron forced a stiff smile and looked at him and said, "But just to be on the safe side, can I ask how many people there are among you?"

Greg held up two fingers.

"Two thousand people."

Theron's smile froze, and a hint of disappointment flashed in her eyes.

"Only two thousand..."

Grega smiled.

"That's enough. Do you think we're going to besiege the city? We have horses. We can reach Quemu Fort before the Saviors, and then we can disguise ourselves as one of their own and sneak in. As long as we seize the city gate, we can take care of them in minutes."

"Is this... possible?"

“My response is, is it that hard?”

Seeing hope rekindled on that face full of disappointment, Grega knew that he had succeeded, so he added the last chip in front of the earl in a relaxed tone.

"Mr. Count, please trust me and my brothers. We are experts in this matter. And this isn't the only method we have. My brothers don't have any other skills. They are best at breaking into houses and picking locks. We can't defeat regular troops, but when it comes to dealing with a group of peasants... no one is better than us."

The mercenary's voice seemed to carry a bewitching magic. After pondering for a long time, Theron's last bit of vigilance was finally overwhelmed by greed.

In fact, it’s not really greed.

He is the legal lord of Quemu Territory. He just took back his castle and continued to shoulder the sacred obligations given to him by Saint Sith. How can this be considered greed?

Even the Inquisition could not find any fault with him. From beginning to end, he never compromised with the Saviors, and in the end, the castle was indeed returned to his hands.

As for these mercenaries...

Do they really think that they are Campbell people, with a powerful principality behind them, and can still collect the debt nine years later?

Looking at the mercenary leader with a frank face, Sharon tried hard to control the corners of his mouth and not let the ecstasy in his heart show on his face.

Of course he would pay for the first year.

Anyway, I'm afraid we won't be able to collect much tax in the first year.

After dealing with the rebels in the Earldom and the Inquisition returns home to report to the Pope, he will be able to bring in real reinforcements in a matter of minutes to drive away these greedy jackals!

In just a few seconds, countless thoughts swirled in his mind, and he even thought about the arrangements after the Saviors were driven away.

Theron cleared his throat, tried to look thoughtful, and reluctantly opened his mouth.

"Alright! If you can really do that, I'm willing to exchange the Earldom's future tax revenue for it! Ten years won't be enough, just nine. The conditions I offered the Campbells will apply to you as well! Of course, if you lie to me... you know the consequences of deceiving an Earl."

Grega's mouth curled up in a happy arc, and there was a subtle hint of sarcasm in that sincere smile.

He drank the wine that the count had poured for him himself, then wiped his mouth and slammed the glass on the table generously.

"make a deal!"

"When do we start?" Theron looked at him anxiously, her face so anxious that she almost wanted to fly over immediately. "Should I wait here for your news? Or should I go with you?"

"We can take action anytime," Grega grinned, even considerately considering the Earl's perspective. "As for you... you can go with us, or you can wait for our news here."

As soon as Grega finished speaking, Theron supported himself on the table with both hands, and his fat body bounced up from the stone bench like a slingshot.

"Don't employ those you doubt, and don't doubt those you employ! I trust you!"

He exuded an unprecedented aura, his eyes fixed on the mercenary leader in front of him.

"Without further delay...we'll set off tonight!"

He certainly wouldn't be stupid enough to go alone.

There were about a hundred servants who fled to Dusk City with him, including some guards with fine steel-level strength.

It is unrealistic to rely on these people to recapture Quemu Castle, but it is no problem to protect him from more than 2,000 mercenaries.

The tribunal was on its way, and he didn't have time to linger here waiting for an uncertain outcome.

He only has two choices!

Either immediately pack up the gold and silver he had brought from Quemu Castle, take his family and flee to the port of Campbell, board a ship, and escape to the New World in hiding. Or he could follow this group of mercenaries and fight back immediately to wash away the shame of the Gard family and wipe out the shame before the arrival of the Inquisition.

Looking at the fat pig that exuded a fierce aura, Grega looked at him twice in surprise, and then said happily.

"That would certainly be best—"

"Very good! I'll bring my people, and you go notify yours! We'll meet at the south gate of Dusk City in an hour!"

Before Grega could finish, Theron interrupted him and walked out of the courtyard with great momentum, leaving the banquet behind.

Elaric didn't give him face, so he naturally didn't intend to give the baron face either.

Seeing that Theron was about to leave in a hurry, this time it was Grega who stopped him with a helpless look.

"Wait a moment, Count—"

Theron stopped and turned to look at him.

"What happened again?!"

Grega coughed.

"I understand your feelings, but...should we sign the agreement first?"

contract?

Is that even a problem?

Theron waved her hand impatiently.

"Just sign it on the way!"

Looking at the fat pig that hurriedly got into the cage, Grega spread his hands helplessly and watched the back figure walk away.

Only after Theron Gard's figure completely disappeared in the courtyard did he stand up from the stone table and bow slightly toward the wall not far away with a pious look on his face.

A pair of amber vertical pupils stared at the courtyard, then disappeared, blending into the night along with the dark cloak.

The elegant music of the piano and the noisy clinking of glasses continued in the hall, but the moonlit courtyard had unknowingly returned to tranquility.

At Elaric's command, a servant reluctantly carried a tray to the courtyard, but Count Theron Gad was not there.

The servant was slightly stunned, but didn't think much about it.

Perhaps that embarrassing thing itself felt that it would be a waste of time to stay at the party, so it went home early.

The servant returned to the hall and told Governor Elaric, who was entertaining guests, that Count Theron had left without saying goodbye.

Elaric frowned, but didn't take it too seriously.

There was a more distinguished guest here than a count who was about to be stripped of his title, and he deserved his full attention.

He was an old man as solemn as a stone sculpture. Although his temples were covered with white frost, his back was still as straight as pine or cypress.

"Mr. Sclair, please forgive me for not knowing you were also in Twilight City. It was not my intention to neglect you."

Looking at the unexpected visitor standing at the door of the Governor's Mansion, Elaric's face was filled with a respectful smile, but his back was soaked with cold sweat.

This person is your Majesty's palace steward!

He never imagined that this distinguished gentleman was actually in Twilight City, and was accompanied by a magic apprentice from Xuebang.

It seems that they have been in this city for a long time.

Elaric thought that His Majesty's men would come, but he never expected that they would just watch here and show up after everything was over.

Even he himself did not realize that deep in his panic, there was a trace of pain spreading silently.

Sclair looked at Elaric expressionlessly, his gaze passing over the frightened face and falling on the Campbell knights who were drinking and chatting with the Ryan nobles.

Especially the girl whose hair is whiter than his.

He recognized the sword at her waist at a glance. It was a legend that the people of Llane were proud of, but it was also the root cause of the division of the kingdom.

"Baron Valerius, I believe... that His Majesty did not invite these guests to his residence."

"Perhaps you could give me an explanation?"

(End of this chapter)