Chapter 150 - 123: "Fishing
"The next year?" Shire leaned back in his chair, cradling a cup of tea. He was drinking chrysanthemum tea from the Archipelago, which tasted even better with a bit of honey.
"Yes. I overheard them talking a few times from the inner room of the parlor." Yun Xiya took a sip of the honey water from the wooden cup before her. "It’s very sweet. It tastes good."
"Thank you for the compliment, but I’m sure this honey can’t compare to what they have at the Count’s Mansion." Shire looked at the little goblin cradling her wooden cup. The chains had just been removed from her ankles, and she still looked a little uncomfortable without them.
"No, it’s wonderful," Yun Xiya said, pointing a finger to her heart. "It makes me feel sweet in here."
Shire smiled and nodded, then asked, "Did they have any other secret plans? I mean, besides getting ready to go to Torch City to suck up to the Royal Capital Nobles?"
"No, that’s all." Yun Xiya lowered her head to think, and after a few seconds, she shook her head.
"I think I get the gist of it." Shire swallowed a mouthful of tea and looked at the tabletop before him. On it lay a piece of paper—a crudely drawn map showing the route to the Fortress.
This map was probably drawn by the member of the Storm Brotherhood who had escaped. Shire wasn’t sure if the Count’s Mansion had a copy, but he guessed they probably didn’t. The paper was coarse and gave off a strange smell, and it was smudged with several black fingerprints. Given Philip’s personality, if there had been a map drawn on clean, perfumed paper, he would never have chosen to carry this dirty version.
"Trouble is coming to the Fran Kingdom." Shire set down his teacup, crossed his arms, and leaned back in his chair to contemplate the changing political landscape. "The Old King is getting on in years, and it looks like the Second Prince and Third Prince are fighting over the succession."
The Old King of the Fran Kingdom, Edmund IV, was now well advanced in years. In his youth, he had been quite the Lustful character. He had three sons. The Eldest Prince’s mother was the sister of the Northern Duke, but she died young, which led to the Eldest Prince being poorly disciplined and growing up to be rather rebellious and untamed.
The Second Prince’s mother also came from a prominent family, which led to some conflict over the succession. Twenty years ago, the Second Prince’s mother was found poisoned to death in her bed. Someone accused the Eldest Prince of hiring an assassin, and as all the evidence pointed to him, the Old King had no choice but to order his permanent imprisonment.
"He was definitely framed," Shire scoffed. "Same old tricks the nobles always play."
Afterward, the Old King remarried and had the Third Prince. The Third Prince’s mother came from a family of average influence, but it seemed she now had some ideas of her own.
’A Poodle.’ He recalled his interactions with the Third Prince from memory. The man had been a "classmate" who loved being the center of attention, always showing off in front of the girls. Not everyone liked him, but a crowd of sycophants always surrounded him. ’What was his name again? Theodore.’
The Second Prince, by contrast, had an excellent reputation among the nobles and ministers. When Shire was studying in Plantagenet City, he often heard people speak of him, their faces full of approval.
’Both sides are trying to seize the throne.’ He twirled his thumbs, his mind filled with new thoughts about his own family’s tragedy. ’I wonder which side coveted our family’s territory and framed us for treason. It just goes to show that possessing something valuable is a crime in itself, no matter where you are.’
Still, he hoped the Fran Kingdom would fall into chaos. It wasn’t that he wanted to fish in troubled waters—after all, if they sent even one Knight Order, he and his men would be the "fish" getting flipped over. He just wanted to use the opportunity, while the major powers were in disarray, to develop his own strength in the forest. ’It would be best if that old codger Valentine gets called away. He shouldn’t just be squatting on the edge of the Nightmare Forest all the time.’
"By the way," Shire said after analyzing the intelligence, turning with interest to Yun Xiya, who was still savoring her honey water. "Are you getting used to living here? It must be completely different from living on the surface."
"It’s very nice. It’s safe."
"That’s good." Shire was relieved. Just a moment ago, Shan Xi Ao had dragged him over to the Red Bull patch to see Yun Xiya cast her Wind of Nature. After her chains were removed, her powerful Magic Power had caused a whole row of Red Bull Mushrooms to sprout from a single mycelium strand. Her Ability was worth more than a dozen little goblins.
With Yun Xiya’s help, he was confident the Red Bull Mushroom crop would be even more impressive. Plus, with the blessing of the God of Earth and Life, they would soon have a stable production of Red Bull Powder.
The goblins no longer needed Red Bull to motivate them, but the stuff was actually quite good when mixed with a little honey and water.
’Is there any way to sell them?’
"Shire," Agatha called out, approaching the table. "I’ve inspected all the equipment. The quality is top-notch. The Armor is all made of fine lightweight steel, and it’s even been enchanted with Magic Defense."
After taking a few deep breaths, the pale look on her face improved slightly. "It’s all good stuff. It just stinks."
"Have the goblins scrub it a few more times. They should be able to wash the smell out eventually." Shire felt a bit apologetic and quickly poured a cup of tea for Agatha.
"But they’re all engraved with a black lion’s head, the family crest. That’s a problem. No one in Yangjiao Town will buy them or re-forge them," Agatha said. She picked up the tea, tested its temperature, and then took a large gulp.
"That is a problem. We’ll just have to store it for now." There was nothing Shire could do. He quite liked Philip’s set of Armor—the fine craftsmanship, the excellent materials, the beautiful patterns on it. The only issue was that if he were to wear it, he’d probably look like he was in an oversized "iron skirt."
"By the way, that young master of the Valentine family... did you deal with him?" Agatha asked with a frown. "There’s bound to be a corpse-tracking spell on him. The Count’s Mansion has probably discovered he’s dead by now."
"Don’t worry." Shire glanced at Yun Xiya, who was still drinking her honey water. While she was having her reunion with her family, he had already taken some men and transported all 21 bodies through the Teleportation Gate to an ant nest.
He and his men had worked quickly, piling the bodies at the entrance to the Bee Spider Restaurant. He even put Philip’s body at the very bottom. He trusted that the two Races were now having a very happy time fighting over the meal.
"I’ve put him in the best possible place."
...
In the study of the Count’s Castle in Black Lion City, the aging Count Valentine impatiently cut off his subordinate’s report. "It’s just one missing tax officer. Hire another one. What is the Adventurer Association in Yangjiao Town doing?"
"They report that a large number of goblins have appeared in the forest and may raid the surrounding villages during the winter," a Clerk said, holding a report and bowing slightly.
"Useless. Can’t even handle a few mere goblins." The Count, who had a refined goatee and gaunt cheeks, tapped his fingers on the desk. "Tell them I’ve been informed."
"You just levied a Winter Defense Tax on the domain. If the goblin raids happen now..." the Clerk tried to explain the situation.
"Hmph," Count Valentine snorted. "Send a letter. Tell Philip to take care of those goblins before he returns."
"What a bunch of idiots." He rapped the desk heavily. There were more important matters that required his attention. "Has that shipment of Gold Coins departed yet? Have we received a reply from the Third Prince?"
"Not yet, my Lord."
"Once Philip returns, prepare a convoy to head to Plantagenet City. Over the next few days, I want you to re-inventory our supplies and report back to me as soon as possible. Winter is a good time to train soldiers."
"Yes, my Lord."
"Has that man been caught yet?" Valentine glanced at a report on his desk. It contained a portrait of Ricardo and the results of the investigation into his escape from the dungeon.
"My apologies, my Lord. The city watch is conducting a full-scale search for him, but there has been no news so far."
"I told Philip long ago to be wary of these rats from the gutter, and yet he still got tricked." The Count’s expression was one of deep frustration with his son’s shortcomings. "But this is fine. By handling it personally, he’ll gain some combat experience. It will be good for his future."
"An opponent that worthless is perfect for him to practice on." Valentine stroked his goatee, a small smile playing on his lips.
Suddenly, he was struck by intense heart palpitations, as if someone had carved a piece of flesh from his heart with a knife. A powerful tightness in his chest made it difficult to breathe, and dizziness only worsened his discomfort.
"My Lord, what’s wrong?" The Clerk immediately noticed something was amiss with the Count. He hurried forward, wanting to help.
"I’m fine." Count Valentine pressed a hand to his chest and took several deep breaths to calm himself. He had no idea why he had suddenly felt that way.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK. An urgent rapping came from the door. At a glance from the Count, the Clerk strode over and opened it.
"My Lord, people from the Earth and Life Church are here. They demand to see you immediately," a guard said, his face anxious.
"Let them in."
Before long, two individuals dressed in the high-ranking attire of the Church entered the study. They bowed deeply. "Honorable Count, we have just sensed that your child, Philip, is in grave danger. His life may have already come to an end."
"What did you say?" Valentine shot up from his velvet chair. In a few strides, he was in front of the church official, glaring at him with fury.
"The Magic has reacted. I’m afraid your child..."
"Impossible! My son may have left Black Lion City, but he had at least 20 guards with him! How could anything have happened?" Valentine’s eyes were wide as he stared intently at the church official. "Who did this?"
"Er... a natural death. There are no signs of a murderer."
CRASH! Count Valentine kicked a velvet chair, sending it flying. "I don’t believe it."
"It is indeed the case." The church official bowed again.
"Auberto, transmit my order immediately! Summon the Knight Order." Valentine gritted his teeth, speaking word by word, "I am going to find him myself."
"And I will tear the killer to pieces."