Chapter 261 - 114: The "Arrogant and Domineering" Lynch Blackwood

Chapter 261: Chapter 114: The "Arrogant and Domineering" Lynch Blackwood

However, just as everything was getting back on track, something happened that was both expected and yet utterly surprising.

On this day.

Above Lakefront Town’s Griffin Station, the piercing cries of griffins echoed in succession.

The townspeople looked up to see more than ten majestic Griffins lined up in a neat formation. One by one, they folded their massive wings and descended slowly onto the platform, stirring up strong gusts of wind.

Such a grand display was a rare sight in the remote Lakefront Town.

A man in his thirties leaped down from the lead Griffin.

He wore a well-tailored, exquisitely crafted, deep-blue set of noble’s attire. The cuffs and collar were embroidered with intricate gold thread patterns, and over it all, he wore a velvet cape lined with soft fur.

His complexion was slightly pale, his pomaded hair was combed immaculately, and beneath his nose, he sported a small mustache with slightly upturned ends.

Everything about him, from the style of his sword to the buckles on his boots, exuded the refined yet flamboyant fashion currently popular in the Imperial Capital.

He even wore a family crest on his chest. Judging by its design, it was the emblem of the renowned House of Hohenzollern from the Imperial Capital.

Following him were two Holy Knights, completely encased in heavy, silver Armor.

Their Armor was solemn and grim, with sharp, hard lines. The Holy Emblem—a scale and a sword intertwined—was engraved on their chests. Hammers of judgment hung at their waists, and their mere presence radiated a deadly aura.

These two were clearly members of the Holy Light Court.

After them came a middle-aged Holy Light Priest clad in a simple white robe with gold trim.

In addition, there were several enforcement officers wearing the standard-issue Armor of the North Wind Legion, but with an extra red slash on their armbands.

Finally, there were four or five formidable-looking guards in heraldic tabards.

The lead guard had eyes like a falcon and a profound aura, having reached at least Tier Four in strength. His tabard was also embroidered with the black eagle crest of the House of Hohenzollern.

The group dismounted from their Griffins.

The Griffin Station administrator was about to step forward for the routine inquiry and registration, but just as he put on a smile and approached, the mustachioed noble frowned in disgust, lightly covering his nose and mouth with a handkerchief.

A family guard beside him immediately stepped forward and shoved the administrator aside roughly.

"Get lost, you country bumpkin! Don’t block Lord Fritz’s way!"

Afterward, the group stormed out of the Griffin Station, heading straight for the garrison in the center of town.

A passing militia patrol sensed something was wrong and tried to intercept them with questions, but they were all forced back by the brutish family guards.

In the ensuing scuffle, one militiaman was even kicked to the ground.

What was more alarming was that a small squad of Skeleton Soldiers happened to be patrolling nearby, and their presence seemed to instinctively repulse the two Holy Knight adjudicators.

Without even asking, one of the Holy Knights just snorted coldly, and with a casual wave of his hand, a torrent of searing Holy Light burst forth.

The Skeleton Soldiers didn’t even have a chance to struggle before they were reduced to a pile of charred bones in the Holy Light.

The news spread like wildfire. Many townspeople stopped what they were doing and followed behind, their faces a mixture of worry and anger.

The crowd grew larger and larger, but no one dared to actually step forward and stop them.

Soon, these uninvited guests arrived at the gate of the garrison’s courtyard.

BANG!

The lead family guard stepped forward and kicked the wooden gate open.

However, the scene inside the courtyard left them all slightly stunned.

There sat Lynch, completely at ease in a comfortable rattan chair placed right under the eaves, facing the gate.

He was even leisurely sipping a cup of Sea Song’s specially brewed floral tea, as if he were just lazily basking in the afternoon sun.

Aus, Jinke, and a few clerks who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion stood nervously some distance behind Lynch.

Outside the gate, a huge crowd of townspeople who had heard the news had already gathered, completely blocking the way. They stood on their tiptoes, peering forward and murmuring amongst themselves, their faces etched with worry and unease.

They didn’t know what powerful figure their commander had offended, but this group was arrogant, ruthless, and clearly had hostile intentions.

An officer from the North Wind Legion’s enforcement squad stepped forward. His gaze swept over Lynch as he demanded in a deep voice, "You are Lynch Blackwood, commander of the Ninth Battle Battalion of the Thirteenth Battle Group, North Wind Legion?"

Lynch gently placed his teacup on the small table beside him. Still sitting casually, he said, "That’s right. You’ve all come a long way to kick down my gate, injure my soldiers, and purify my Skeletons... So, what can I do for you?"

Upon hearing this, the mustachioed noble, Fritz von Hohenlohe, paced forward two steps. He lifted his chin slightly and said in the typically arrogant tone of a nobleman, "Before you stands Fritz von Hohenlohe, the elder brother of Andre."

He paused, his sharp gaze stabbing at Lynch as if trying to find a flicker of guilt on his face. "I am here to investigate the truth behind my brother Andre’s unfortunate death. According to the intelligence we’ve gathered... the last place he was seen was at a black market auction near Black Stone Castle."

"And coincidentally, our investigation shows that you, Lynch Blackwood, along with Avril Grant of your battalion, and Amadis Hayes of the Fourth Battle Group, also seem to have been there that day."

"Oh?" Lynch raised an eyebrow, a look of sudden realization on his face. "So that’s what this is about. There was indeed a report circulated within the North Wind Legion recently. That young master Andre unfortunately died at the hands of the Blacklist fugitive, the ’Crimson Reaper.’ Tsk tsk, I heard it was a gruesome death. Truly a pity."

Fritz’s eyes sharpened. Lynch’s almost mocking tone displeased him greatly.

Several family guards behind him immediately took half a step forward, their hands on their sword hilts, ready to strike, but Fritz stopped them with a casual raise of his hand.

The mustachioed Fritz stared at Lynch and said in a low voice, "Now, I ask you, did you see my brother Andre at the auction?"

Lynch shrugged nonchalantly and said frankly, "I did. And he left quite a deep impression, too. The way that young master threw money around and threatened the other customers at the auction... it’s hard to forget."

Fritz’s gaze turned icy. "Very good! Since you admit to seeing him, you’ll have to trouble yourself to come with us. We need to conduct a more detailed ’interrogation’ under the witness of the Holy Light Court’s divine radiance, to ensure that everything you say... is the truth."

The smile on Lynch’s face faded slightly, replaced by a look of astonishment.

He pointed to his own nose. "You mean... you want to arrest me and take me to the Court for interrogation?"

"We ’ask’ you," Fritz corrected, his tone still arrogant. "Of course, if you’re unwilling to ’cooperate’... we don’t mind helping you ’cooperate’."

He made no effort to hide the threat in his words.

"How interesting..." Lynch leaned forward slightly, watching the mustachioed noble with great interest. His eyes narrowed, and he chuckled softly. "Heh... Do you have any idea where you are? And who... I am?"

...

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