Two days after leaving Lark City, Colin finally joined up with the main force of the Blood Knight Army.
Since he had âpersonallyâ participated in the actions of that night in White Dew City through connecting with the Blood Slave, Colin roughly understood the situation; however, he still patiently listened to the report of Knight Logh.
It was only at the end of the report that Knight Logh gave Colin a pleasant little surprise.
âA messenger from the Royal Family?â
âYes, my lord, we met him after we evacuated from White Dew City. He claimed to be delivering the Kingâs War Order to the St. Prowse family, so I brought him along⦠Would you like to meet him?â
Colin was left somewhat speechless, retorting irritably, âYour guts are getting bigger these days! You even dared to capture a royal envoy!â
Knight Logh shrank back, not daring to speak.
âForget it, bring him to me.â
âYes!â
Knight Logh quickly turned and left. Shortly after, he returned with a young, handsome knight.
The man was dressed in splendid armor, affixed with the badge of the Purged Flame. It was obvious that this man was not only a royal envoy, but also a member of the St. Lorenzo family.
âCount Angler, do you dare to permit your subordinates to kidnap a royal envoy? Arenât you afraid of His Majestyâs punishment?â
The young knight arrogantly berated Colin, his face full of the cocksureness of someone who had not yet been knocked around by the harsh realities of the world.
Colin gave a light smile and said, âYou declare yourself a royal messenger. Do you have any evidence?â
The young knight sneered and produced a scroll from his chest. He unrolled it in front of Colin, saying:
âThis is the War Order issued by His Majesty Rheinhardt himself, sealed with the royal emblem. Count Angler, you surely recognize it, right?â
Colin took a closer look, and then swiftly put on an enlightened expression: âAh, I see! My apologies, sir envoy. My foolish knights lack discernment, they failed to recognize your identity.â
âLogh, why havenât you apologized to the envoy yet!â
Knight Logh dutifully moved forward and bowed low, saying, âMy apologies, sir envoy.â
The royal messenger rolled his eyes dismissively, âCount Angler, do you really think a frivolous apology couldâ¦â
âSir Andy, what a surprise to see you here!â Prince Harrison timely interrupted him.
âYour Royal Highness, Her Highness.â Andy quickly bowed in salute and noticing Princess Judy, he respectfully saluted her as well.
Only then did he realize that the young count in front of him was the teacher of the prince and princess. He immediately withdrew his arrogance, daring not to delve further but still maintained his calm and composed posture:
âCount Angler, I have been entrusted by His Majesty. I must deliver this War Order to Duke St. Prowse as quickly as possible. I can overlook the previous matters, but now, I must head to White Dew City immediately. Please do not interrupt me any further.â
âOf course I wonât obstruct a royal messenger,â Colin said cheerfully, âBut, if you want to deliver the War Order to Duke St. Prowse, you donât need to go to White Dew City.â
Knight Andy furrowed his brow: âWhat do you mean?â
âI mean, Duke St. Prowse is right here.â
Andy knight was taken aback: âCount Angler, are you joking?â
The silent Knight Logh snickered and said, âSir envoy, Duke St. Prowse was âinvitedâ here by us.â
Uncertain, Andy looked back and forth between them before saying after a long pause: âThen, please lead me to Duke St. Prowse.â
âThis way, please!â
Knight Logh led everyone to a large tent and lifted the curtain, making an inviting gesture.
Knight Andy walked in first.
He then discovered that the tent was empty, save for a pitch-black coffin placed in the middle.
âCount Angler, are you playing a trick on me?â Turning around, Andy glared at Colin accusingly.
Colin ignored Andy, walked over to the coffin with an air of nonchalance, and suddenly threw open the coffin lid.
Bang!
The lid hit the ground heavily, stirring up a cloud of dust.
Colin turned his head, expressionless, and said to Andy,
âKnight Andy, you should pay your respects to Duke St. Prowse immediately!â
âYou â¦â Knight Andy suddenly got a forbidding premonition, a dreadful thought appeared in his mind, but he instantly rejected it.
Impossible!
Knight Andy slowly approached the coffin and peeked into it.
Then, he froze, struck rigid as if by lightning.
âNo⦠this canât be ⦠this canât be!â
Knight Andy just felt a chill enveloping his entire body, making him uncontrollably shiver.
Colin gently patted Andyâs shoulder and said indifferently, âKnight Andy, you understand now, donât you? The Blood Knight Army brought you here out of kindness, so you wouldnât waste a trip to White Dew City.â
Andy felt as if he was being ruthlessly targeted by a terrifying beast. Even though Count Angler was gentle and showed no hostile actions beside him, he still felt his life was seriously threatened.
He swallowed painfully, Knight Andy was no longer as brash as before, he said fearfully,
âCo⦠Count Angler, youâ¦how could you dare to murder⦠Duke St. Prowseâ¦ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Colin shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly and said, âDuke St. Prowse was killed rightly by the Blood Knight Army on the battlefield, whatâs wrong with that?â
The Glorious Empire had restrictions on the feuds and in-fighting among nobles; actions such as assassination, poisoning and backstabbing are obviously intolerable.
However, there were two conditions under which the killing among nobles was permitted.
One situation was a duel.
And the other was a righteous kill on the battleground.
âSo⦠the Blood Knight Army had broken into White Dew City?â
âYes, just three days ago. Duke St. Prowse fought bravely to the end, I must admit I was quite impressed.â Colin said, feigning admiration.
With a shivering voice, Knight Andy questioned hesitantly, âBut⦠But⦠with the impending Orc invasion, how could youâ¦â
Colin shrugged, supremely confident, âBut the War Order from His Majesty hadnât reached White Dew City at that time.â
Knight Andy was speechless.
In fact, news of His Majestyâs impending war had been widely disseminated, but the War Order signed by the His Majesty with legal effect required a messenger to deliver and was always slower than a carrier pigeon.
This delay became Colinâs excuse.
Critically, no one could penalize Colin for it, as he genuinely hadnât seen the War Order.
Knight Andyâs face fluctuated continuously, ultimately he accepted his fate, âSince Duke St. Prowse is already deceased, I will head to White Dew Fortress to deliver the War Order to the next Duke of the East.â
âGreat, we can travel together then.â Colin said cheerfully.
Andy Knight suddenly became wary, âWhat are you going to White Dew City for?â
âOf course, to congratulate the new Duke of the East.â Colin replied, seeing it as a matter of course.
Knight Andy remained silent.
He seemed to be unwilling to stay in this gloomy place any longer, he casually saluted and hastily left.
The tent flap fell, blocking out the sunlight.
Only the flickering candlelight remained in the tent, illuminating Colinâs emotionless face.
He stood alone beside the coffin, silently observing the remains of Duke St. Prowse for a while before revealing an excited smirk.
Then, he opened his mouth, revealing ferocious tusksâ
And he bit down.
âGulp, gulp,â