Chapter 332 - 330: Selena’s Plea

Chapter 332: Chapter 330: Selena’s Plea

"What?"

Viscount Freddy shot up from the sofa, staring in disbelief at the warrior kneeling on one knee before him.

The intense expression made the scar on his face look even more terrifying.

"You’re saying Torre is dead?"

Robinson said grievously, "Yes, Lord Viscount. Baron Torre was assassinated by men from Duke Star Sea. Of the two Knights, Sean and Monto, one died and one was injured in the battle. I have come to Scorching Wind Territory under orders from Lady Selena to request your protection!"

Freddy clenched his fists. The news was too sudden, too shocking.

Torre had been his subordinate for a long time and was one of Scorching Wind Territory’s few Shooting Star Level warriors. How could he have died in an assassination?

"Can you tell us the details?"

The one who spoke was Freddy’s advisor, Haywood, the Chief Mage of Scorching Wind Castle.

"Of course!"

Robinson began to recount everything he had seen and heard, ultimately pointing the blame squarely at Duke Star Sea.

After listening, Haywood wore a solemn expression.

"The Silver Star and Sea Wave Emblem, the Star Frost Sword, a Shooting Star Level assassin, and they stole the money..."

He looked at Freddy. "All these factors combined suggest that even if Duke Star Sea didn’t order it himself, it’s likely connected to some power in the South."

BAM!

Freddy slammed a fist on the table, shattering it to pieces.

"Damn that Eldrin!"

He shot to his feet and roared, "Notify Knight Rico! Order him to lead an elite squad to Sharp Stone Castle and protect Baron Torre’s family!"

As Torre’s liege lord, if he couldn’t even protect his vassal’s family after his death, his authority would be in tatters.

"Also, have Knight Beckett assemble the troops and head to the border!"

Haywood also stood up. "Baron Torre was a baron whose title you bestowed with the personal approval of His Highness Howard. His Highness must be informed of this matter."

"Fine. You’ll be in charge of that."

Viscount Freddy could no longer contain his fury. One of his key roles in the Starfall Islands was to contain the Star Sea Clan.

But now, they had struck first, and he had lost a key subordinate.

"My lord, it’s best we investigate this matter thoroughly first. The assassin coughing up blood repeatedly is a bit strange."

Haywood advised, "Before we do, we’d best not make a move, lest we fall into someone’s scheme."

Robinson added, "My lords, the assassin was hit by Baron Torre and Sean. The final blow was likely a forced activation of his Bloodline Power, which must have taken a huge toll."

As he said this, he suddenly recalled something. "Oh, right! I remember before the Baron fell, he uttered the two words ’Frost Bloodline’."

The Frost Bloodline was the hereditary bloodline of the Star Sea Clan, which, when activated, could temporarily boost one’s explosive power.

Viscount Freddy snorted. "This is clearly the backlash from forcibly activating his Bloodline Power. That’s why the bastard didn’t silence all the witnesses in the end."

He said with great certainty, "I even suspect that assassin is merely a Celestial Tier Warrior who only used his Bloodline Power so intensely after realizing Torre was a Shooting Star Level!"

Haywood’s brow furrowed. "Your analysis has some merit, but..."

"There’s no time for so much deliberation! This matter is definitely related to the South. What we need now is to show we are not afraid of a war!"

Freddy didn’t want to say any more. He strode out of the hall. "Go and make your preparations. I will personally go to Sharp Stone City to investigate and take command!"

...

When Duane saw Selena again, it was already the evening of the next day.

It was the same room, but Selena’s status and circumstances were now completely different.

"My lord, thank you for taking action!"

Her gratitude and loyalty to Duane hadn’t changed. On the contrary, after this incident, her resolve to follow him had only grown stronger.

’In this world, having a powerful backer is just too important.’

"My lord, how are your injuries?"

Duane smiled. "Don’t worry. It takes more than a few people like them to injure me."

Hearing this, Selena breathed a sigh of relief.

She knew that a Silver Moon Warrior would never be injured in a fight against Torre and his two men.

"Your acting was so realistic, I couldn’t see any flaws!" she praised.

Duane couldn’t help but smile at the praise for his acting.

’To be honest,’ he thought, ’if my power wasn’t so far beyond theirs, last night’s performance probably wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.’

"What happened after I left?" he asked.

Selena explained the arrangements she had made and then asked for Duane’s opinion.

Duane was a little surprised. He hadn’t expected this seemingly delicate Mage to have such a clear head for handling affairs.

"You’ve done well. I expect Freddy’s side will send people to investigate soon. You just need to pretend you know nothing about the assassination."

Selena had no real power in Sharp Stone Castle to begin with, so it would be perfectly normal for her to be ignorant of many things. Freddy wouldn’t be able to get anything out of her.

"My lord, Knight Monto was injured, but he should be able to recover after a period of rest."

She asked, "Do I need to get rid of him secretly?"

Duane shook his head. "Doing that would indeed strengthen your and Brison’s control over Sharp Stone Territory, but don’t forget, Torre was still suspicious of you before he died."

"Right now, not only should you not kill Monto, but on the contrary, you should commend him for his heroic actions."

He continued, "Not just Monto, but also the other warriors who fought, and the fallen Knight Sean. You must provide compensation to his family."

Selena was now the public master of Sharp Stone Castle, a survivor who had narrowly escaped an assassination attempt.

To protect her and her son’s Territory, she needed to think like a Lord, make arrangements, and stabilize the morale of Sharp Stone Territory as quickly as possible.

"I understand!"

Selena said in a low voice, "Thank you for your guidance!"

Duane nodded and said, "There might be a war between Freddy and the Star Sea Clan next, or it might be mediated and put on hold. I suggest you answer Freddy’s call and adopt the posture of avenging your husband, but at the same time, you must also leave yourself a way out."

Selena nodded, but a trace of panic flickered in her eyes.

"My lord, are you leaving?"

"Of course!"

Duane said, "My work here is done. I’ve fulfilled my promise to you and Brison, so naturally, I must leave."

"But..."

She knew Duane’s departure was inevitable, but in such a complex situation, without a powerful figure to rely on, she and Brison would find it difficult to manage.

"My lord, I need your help!"

She knelt on one knee. "Viscount Freddy, just like Baron Torre, was already a Celestial Tier Warrior many years ago. His strength has likely improved since then. Brison and I are completely unable to stand against him."

Duane reached out, and a surge of the Power of Wind Element lifted her back to her feet, causing her heart to tremble slightly.

"Rest assured, Viscount Freddy won’t do anything to you, so you don’t need to consider directly confronting him."

He reassured her, "At most, he’ll station some men in your Territory to prevent an invasion from the powers in the South. When he makes such a request, you can let him use the towns in the southern part of Sharp Stone Territory, and at the same time, collect a rental fee under the pretext of the Courtney Clan’s financial difficulties."

It was common for a Lord to reclaim a vassal’s territory. For example, the Brian Clan’s Lakefront Manor was reclaimed by King Eric under a false pretext.

However, not only had the Courtney Clan done nothing wrong, but on the surface, Torre had died because of the dispute between Freddy and Duke Star Sea.

Under these circumstances, it would be impossible for Freddy to reclaim the territory.

"But since you’ve asked, I will stay in Sharp Stone City for a few more days and leave once the situation here has stabilized."

’Lloyd and Third Princess Emily’s wedding is in early March,’ he mused. ’I’ll need to go back and prepare for that ahead of time.’

A grateful look appeared on Selena’s face. "I’m sorry to have troubled you!"

She hesitated for a moment before forcing herself to ask, "I know this might be asking too much, but... could you arrange for some people to assist me?"

She gazed at Duane sincerely, her eyes filled with pleading. "I lack trustworthy people by my side!"

Although Kent, Robinson, and the others had declared their stance last night, they had followed Baron Torre for many years and had more or less picked up his habits.

Moreover, in Selena’s view, Duane had gained nothing from this trip to the Starfall Islands.

’If something really troublesome happens here in the future, he probably won’t intervene so easily.’

’However, if I can get Duane to increase his investment in me, then if something happens to Sharp Stone Territory in the future, he certainly won’t sit by and watch his investment go to waste.’

A slight smile touched Duane’s lips. "Selena, you’re already thinking from the position of a Lord. You have great potential."

Selena knew her thoughts had been seen through and lowered her head. "I’m sorry, my lord. I’m just afraid you’ll abandon me!"

She raised her head. "Please believe in my and Brison’s loyalty to you. For this, we are willing to offer up Sharp Stone Territory, asking only for a place to call our own!"

Both Selena and Brison were of common birth, with no background or power, much like the Brian Clan in the beginning.

They had met Duane by chance and become his followers. He was their only pillar of support, and they had to hold on to him tightly.

Duane had to admire this new mother. Her decisiveness far surpassed that of an ordinary person.

"It’s not impossible for me to arrange for people to assist you, but I have my conditions."

"Please, name them!"

Selena said without hesitation, "I’ll agree to anything we can give!"