âViscount Fein, itâs been a while.â
âKnight Palon, oh no, it should be Viscount Palon.â
Viscount Fein looked at the half-elf knight standing before him, a sour taste couldnât help but rise within his apprehensive heart.
The last time Viscount Fein saw this Joseph Palon, he was an unknown wandering knight, who lost to Karl Miller in the martial arts competition, missing a life-changing opportunity.
But who could have guessed all the unpredictable turns and twists would indeed lift him straight up to the heavens!
From an illegitimate son who didnât dare to report his surname, a wandering knight, he leapt up to become a Viscount of the Half-Elf Kingdom, the commander of the Silver Moon Guards.
Even the most audacious bards dare not fabricate such a story.
âViscount Palon, this Easterner has barged into my house. You must arrest him and interrogate him thoroughly!â Poorly dressed Haver clamored when he emerged, his look was as pitiful as could be.
Seeing Haver eagerly trying to disconnect himself, Viscount Fein sneered dismissively, revealing without mercy: âEnough, the court doctor has been rescued, do you really think that Queen Isa doesnât know about our relationship?â
The expression on Haverâs face immediately stiffened. He then quickly pleaded: âViscount Palon, this was all forced on me by the Easterner! I never intended to betray the Half-Elf Kingdom! You mustâ¦â
âShut up!â Viscount Palon scolded irately.
Haver quickly shut his mouth, hung his head, and shrank to one side.
Viscount Palon ignored this somewhat famous Half-Elf merchant of Silver Moon City, instead he turned his gaze to Viscount Fein and said:
âViscount Fein, Her Majesty the Queen wishes to see you.â
Viscount Fein smiled faintly: âI thought Her Majesty the Queen had already gone to bed.â
Viscount Palon also laughed: âIndeed, but she was awakened by Princess Sylv.ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Viscount Fein rolled his eyes, but still obediently followed Viscount Palon back to the Half-Elf Palace.
Upon seeing Queen Isa, Viscount Fein suddenly felt that Viscount Palonâs earlier statement might not have been a casual pretext to cover up the truth.
This was because Princess Sylv was currently clinging to Queen Isaâs bosom, staring at Viscount Fein with bright, vivid eyes.
âYour Majesty, on behalf of Duke St. Prowse, I send you his most sincere greetings.â
While gently patting Princess Sylvâs back, Queen Isa inquired: âViscount Fein, itâs so late, why havenât you slept yet?â
At this point, Viscount Fein had already regained his composure; at least on the surface, he was able to maintain the demeanor of an Eastern envoy. He smiled faintly and said:
âYour Majesty, Iâve always had trouble sleeping. Iâm sorry for your concern.â
Queen Isa smiled warmly and said: âOh, is that so? You seem to be like Sylv, becoming more spirited at night, causing me to lose my sleep as well.â
Normally, Viscount Fein would have retorted with a sharp reply when subjected to such an humiliating remark. But now, he had to pretend he didnât detect the provocation in the Queenâs words, and changed the subject by asking:
âYour Majesty, do you know if Count Angler has retired for the night?â
Queen Isa, however, ignored his question and instead asked: âViscount Fein, do you know why I summoned you this late?â
Viscount Fein could only suppress his inner anxiety, and replied, âI donât know.â
âThis doctor, Viscount, you should know him.â Queen Isa clapped her hands, and a figure appeared from the back of the main hall.
Viscount Feinâs eyes narrowed. Before he could say anything, he saw the court doctor kneeling in front of the Queen, crying and pointing at Viscount Fein, saying:
âYour Majesty, it was this man, who severed my two fingers and interrogated me about what happened in the Royal Palace!â
Viscount Fein sneered and immediately denied it, âYour Majesty, donât believe the absurdity of this lowly man, I have never seen him.â
âOh really?â Queen Isa clapped once again.
Viscount Fein turned his head and saw Haver, who he had just seen, being dragged into the hall by the guard.
âYour Majesty the Queen, it was this Easterner who forced me! It was him who forced me, I never had any thoughts of betraying Half-Elves!â
âMr. Haver.â Queen Isa gently interrupted Haverâs howling, asking, âWas it Viscount Fein who instructed you to spy on the palace and conspired to kidnap Dr. Cliff?â
âYes, yes!â Haver continuously nodded.
Viscount Fein could not hold himself back and said loudly, âYour Majesty, my mission to Silver Moon City this time was to negotiate the redemption plan for Marquis Vincent with Count Angler, not to be slandered by these two lowly people! Furthermore, you do not have the right to judge me!â
Yet, Queen Isa looked seriously into Viscount Feinâs eyes, âViscount Fein, the status of envoy does not imply you can ignore the laws of the Half-Elf Kingdom. Within the territory of the Half-Elf Kingdom, I have the power to judge anyone!â
âYour Majesty! This is a provocation to the East! Itâs a contempt for the St. Prowse family!â
âNo. I am just upholding the dignity of the half-elf citizens.â Queen Isa stood up from the throne, and declared loudly, âViscount Fein, you harmed the half-elf citizens, spied on secret matters of the palace, I sentence you to ten years in prison in the name of the queen of the half-elvesâ¦â
âYour Majesty!â Viscount Fein immediately interrupted, âAre you trying to deliberately destroy the friendship between half-elves and the East? Where is Count Angler? Why isnât he here to see me? He hasnât run away, has he?â
Queen Isa looked at Viscount Fein coldly, âThe friendship between the Half-Elf Kingdom and the East is not for you, a little viscount, to decide. As for Count Angler, he has already set off for Alfalfa City.â
âAlfalfa City?â Viscount Fein looked puzzled.
âYes. After all, the Orcs are about to invade, Count Angler, considering the danger to the Empire, does not want to wait in Silver Moon City, but voluntarily went to Alfalfa City, directly contacting Count Evan to resolve the dispute with the East as soon as possible.â
Viscount Feinâs ominous premonition in his heart grew stronger. At this point, he couldnât help but ask, âHow does he plan to resolve the dispute with the East?â
Queen Isa looked at Viscount Fein, revealing a smile full of deep meaning, âThose who commit wrongdoings must pay the price.
Viscount Fein, just like you have to pay ten years of imprisonment for what you have done, those Easterners who incited the rebellion of half-elves, and tried to assassinate me and Sylv, will naturally have to pay the corresponding price!â
Viscount Fein retorted, âYour Majesty, what penalty will you pay for your failure to protect Marquis Vincent, who was assassinated and died in the royal palace?â
âMarquis Vincent? Died?â Queen Isa looked confused, âViscount Fein, where did you hear this news?â
Viscount Fein immediately looked at Haver and Cliff, who were kneeling on the side, but then he suddenly burst into loud laughter.
âHa ha haâ¦â
He laughed so exaggeratedly, so unbridled, as if he had seen the funniest thing in the world.
Until he was sweaty and panting, until tears and snot were flowing out, until he was crazed, and until he was desperate.
âSo⦠So⦠This whole thing was a trap set⦠against us⦠wasnât it? Colin Angler, well done⦠well doneâ¦â
Perhaps worried that Viscount Fein would frighten Princess Sylv, Queen Isa looked at him disgustedly. While carrying her daughter out, she coldly left a sentence:
âViscount Fein, you may as well reflect on yourself in the Half-Elfâs prison.â
Viscount Fein was still shouting out, âIsa Miller, what do you want to do! What do you want!â
Queen Isa said without turning her head:
âOf course, itâs to make certain people from the East pay the price for their actions!â