In the dimly lit basement, the atmosphere was solemn.
Count Schultz had hurried away, presumably to welcome the arrival of Archbishop Agani.
So only Colin and Lucien remained here, standing face to face.
âSir Lucien, are you planning to kill me?â
Colin suddenly spoke, asking with a smile.
Lucien, however, did not answer. He just stared at Colin with a fierce gaze.
Facing the terror and pressure of a sixth-level warrior, Colin felt like a leaf adrift in a storm, as if he could capsize at any moment.
âYou dare not kill me.â Colin smiled confidently, showing no fear, âIâm not some insignificant figure. Iâm a Viscount of the Empire, the guardian of the North Territory, and the husband of Duke St. Hilde. Ha ha, can the Schultz Family bear the consequences of killing me?â
Lucien was still silent, but Colin caught a hint of doubt in his eyes.
Colin gained some confidence and began to persuade, âI believe the Schultz Family understands my plight. Why not tell me the whole story?
Donât worry about me blaming the Schultz Family. You should know that Iâve always been extraordinarily lenient with the lords of the North Territory.
Just think about the Uman Clan and the Dawson Family. Despite their big mistakes, arenât they well now?â
Lucien was still unmoved.
Colin shrugged helplessly, âIf you donât dare to kill me and wonât set me free. Sir Lucien, youâre not planning to keep me here forever, are you?â
âWhy not?â Lucien finally responded.
Colin gave a light laugh and joked, âWell then, you can stay with me in this gloomy basement for a lifetime. Thereâs plenty of fine wine here, we surely wonât be too bored for the rest of our lives.â
Lucienâs face darkened, and it seemed he finally made up his mind. He said harshly, âIâm sorry, Viscount Angler, for the inconvenience you are about to face!â
With his words, Colin immediately felt a change in the atmosphere of the cellar!
If it had been a storm brewing before, now it was the world turning upside down!
âWait! Lucienâ¦â
Boom!
Colin had hardly finished his sentence when he saw a fist strike before his eyes, growing larger rapidly. An overwhelming force swept towards his chest, accompanied by a vehement howl.
The surrounding air seemed to stagnate, and Colin felt as if he was caught in a giant net, each move required enormous effort.
There was no escape. He barely had time to protect his chest with his hands.
Boom!
The explosive Holy Light and surging fighting spirit burst between the two, causing ripples that shook the entire cellar.
All the wine bottles burst instantly, filling the confined space with the fragrance of spilling wine.
Crack!
Amid the unsettling sound of bone fractures, Colin felt a sharp pain in his hands.
He couldnât help but scream. The aftershock threw him against the side wall.
Lucien, seizing the opportunity, didnât let up. He quickly gathered his fearsome strength in his fists and struck again at Colinâs legs.
Another grating sound of bone fractures echoed. Colin collapsed on the ground, his body drenched in sweat, panting heavily.
However, there was no panic in his expression. Instead, he pulled up the corners of his mouth into a mocking smile and said laboriously:
âHa ha⦠if you have the guts⦠kill⦠kill me now! Otherwise⦠I swear⦠youâll wish you were dead!â
Looking at Colin, who had all his limbs broken, Lucien finally seemed relieved and said lightly:
âViscount, please be patient and stay here a little longer. Once the Schultz Family finds out whoâs really behind the planning to kill Bishop John, weâll come to apologize to you.â
After saying this, he ignored Colin, turned around, and walked away.
Out of the wine cellar, Lucien glanced at the two guards at the door and ordered, âGuard this place well. Do not let anyone near, except the count and me!â
âYes!â
The two guards answered promptly.
They heard the commotion in the wine cellar just now. Although they suspected something, they didnât dare to ask any questions at that moment.
When Lucien disappeared from sight at the top of the stairs, the basement once again fell silent.
Not much later, the wine cellar echoed with clattering sounds of shattering bottles, followed by a bone-chilling scream.
Then, silence returned.
The guards at the door exchanged a look, both seeing the doubts in each otherâs eyes.
âWhatâs going on?â one of them could not resist but quietly asked.
âI donât know.â Another shook his head, a trace of anxiety appearing on his face, âThat man⦠Nothingâs happened to him, has it?â
They knew who the person inside was, and they knew his prestigious status. If any accident had occurredâ¦
âShould I go in and check?â
âYeah, you go. Iâll guard the door.â
One of the guards then pushed the door open and saw the wine cellar in a mess, with wine racks toppled over and wine bottles shattered everywhere. The air was filled with a strong smell of wine.
And in the deepest part of the wine cellar, against the wall, Viscount Angler was lying motionless on the ground.
âViscount?â The guard called out a few times, but noticed no reaction from him.
He cautiously approached and called out a few more times upon getting closer, but Colin still did not answer.
The guard was getting nervous, so he bent down and patted Colin on the shoulder: âViscountâ¦â
Swish!
In an instant, Colin, who had previously shown no movement, suddenly raised his head, opening his ghastly mouth wide. His terrifying tusks sparkled with a chilling light in the dim candlelight.
âAhâ¦â
The guard let out a short gasp, and then felt his strength and blood rapidly draining from his arm that was gripped by the other manâs fangs.
He opened his mouth wide, trying to shout for help, but found that he could only make a low murmuring sound âheâ¦heâ¦â
With the intake of blood, Colinâs body rapidly inflated, his broken bones healed at an improbable speed, and a pair of huge bat wings emerged from his back, instantly filling the not-so-spacious space in the wine cellar.
The guard outside saw that his companion was not responding, so he carefully opened the door of the wine cellar.
Then, he witnessed a scene that he would never forget for the rest of his life.
In the restaurant on the third floor of Swan Castle, a young maid walked with light steps, serving delicious dishes to the long table.
Count Schultz, with an elegant and proper smile on his face, said courteously: âArchbishop Sir, you must be tired from your journey to Swan City. Please taste the exquisite dishes that Schultz Family has prepared for you.â
Agani smiled and thanked him, her beautiful eyes scanned the hall, curiously asking:
âLord Count, I met Duke St. Hildeâs party returning from Dragon City on my way here. She informed me that Viscount Angler remained in Swan City to help investigate Archbishop Johnâs disappearance. So why havenât I seen him?â
Count Schultz maintained his composure, and responded with a smile, âSir Archbishop, indeed, Viscount has just left this afternoon. Unfortunately, you missed him.â
âOh? What a shame.â Agani nodded, seemingly believing the explanation.
âAnd where is your husband? Isnât he in Swan Castle?â Agani asked again.
As Count Schultz was pondering how to answer, he caught sight of a figure entering the dining room from the corner of his eye. He immediately smiled and said, âLucien, why are you so late? The Archbishop was just asking about you.â
Lucien walked into the restaurant, bowed to Agani, and apologized with a smile, âIâm sorry, Sir Archbishop. A thief had sneaked into the basement to steal wine just now, and I went to deal with him, hence the delay.â
Agani stood up in return, smiling, âI canât believe that there are thieves who would dare to sneak into Swan Castle to steal. Thatâs audacious!â
âAbsolutely. Perhaps the fine wines of the Swan Castle are too famous, hence attracting envious eyes.â Count Schultz laughed and added.
Banter and laughter gradually livened up the atmosphere of the banquet.
But not long after, the butler rushed over and whispered something in Lucienâs ear.
Then, Lucienâs face visibly changed.
âWhatâs the matter?â Agani asked curiously.
Lucien smiled, feigning nonchalance, âNothing much, itâs just that the thief who was trying to steal the wine seems to have accomplices who managed to rescue him.â
With that, he wiped his mouth with a napkin, stood up and said, âIâm very sorry, Sir Archbishop, I need to catch this escaping thief, and Iâm afraid I wonât be able to finish this dinner with you.â
Agani looked perplexed, âSir Lucien, itâs just a minor thief, do you really need to go after him personally?â
âThat thief is somewhat skilled, and the family guards are too disappointing⦠so, I have to go after him personally. My apologies.â
Agani waved her hand, indicating that he could go.
Lucien then gave Count Schultz a glance and strode out.
Count Schultz was nervous in his heart, but on the surface, he kept himself calm, trying to stick with a relaxed tone as if nothing had happened:
âSir Archbishop, you neednât worry about Lucien, letâs continue to enjoy this banquet.â
Agani cast a deep look at the Countess beside her, and smiled:
âGood!â