Chapter 102: Trouble

Viscountess looked at Robin's disheveled state, a hint of smile flashing in her eyes. She stepped forward, lightly patted Robin's shoulder, and in a tone with a touch of tenderness said, "Ai Lun, you've worked hard these past days. We've been thinking of you even while we were out."

Robin nodded, but inwardly he remained wary.

The Viscountess was outwardly gentle to him, but only in front of her cheap father; in secret she despised Robin.

"Mother, how is your research progressing?" Robin asked tentatively.

The Viscountess's expression tightened slightly, then she smiled, her tone perfunctory: "Not bad, but it still needs some time. Ai Lun, why are you suddenly interested in my research?"

Robin smiled, his tone casual: "Just asking in passing. After all, your research is very important to the Wei Er Ke family."

The Viscountess nodded, a complex look flashing in her eyes: "Indeed, my research is truly important. However, Ai Lun, you must remember that some matters are not for you to worry about now."

Robin said nothing further; it was clear the Viscountess did not want him to have excessive contact with her research.

Viscount Wei Er Ke saw his son and wife getting along so harmoniously and couldn't help but sigh in relief.

That evening, Robin returned to his room, sat on the bed, closed his eyes, and began to practice the Dragon Devouring Breathing Method.

He felt the Life Force and Magic Power within him still abundant, and he silently breathed a sigh of relief.

"Next, I must quickly determine how far the Viscountess's research has progressed, and also deal with the Soul‑Eating Crystal," Robin muttered softly, a cold glint in his eyes.

The Viscountess's research progress determines when the Round Table Council plans to reap the harvest.

As time passed, Robin's relationship with Viscount Wei Er Ke grew increasingly harmonious.

Robin stood in Viscount Wei Er Ke's study, holding a land‑management document, his expression focused.

Viscount Wei Er Ke sat behind the desk, looking at him with satisfaction, his eyes full of pride.

"Ai Lun, you did well," Viscount Wei Er Ke said with a smile, his tone proud, "I didn't expect you to have such talent in land management. It seems the future of the Wei Er Ke family is in your hands; I can be completely at ease."

Robin gave a slight smile, his tone modest: "Father, you flatter me; I merely acted according to your teachings."

Viscount Wei Er Ke nodded, then rose, walked to the window, and gazed toward the distant lands: "Ai Lun, you must remember that governing a domain is not just for the family's glory, but for every subject within it. Their happiness and stability are our true responsibility."

Robin nodded, but inwardly he contemplated the Viscountess's research progress.

The Round Table Council placed him within the Wei Er Ke family precisely because of the Viscountess's research. As the research advances, the Council may "harvest" at any moment, and then his situation will become even more perilous.

"Father, Mother's research… seems to greatly aid the development of the domain," Robin asked tentatively, curiosity in his tone.

"Your mother's research is indeed important, but it involves some… complex magical knowledge. Ai Lun, your most important task now is learning how to govern the domain; other matters should not trouble you for the time being."

Within the capital's Wo Er Te family manor, a luxuriously decorated study held several core family members seated around a long table, the atmosphere heavy.

Seated at the head was an elderly man with white hair, the current head of the Wo Er Te family—Ao Gu Si Te Wo Er Te Earl.

His gaze was cold and sharp as he scanned everyone present.

"Everyone, the situation has developed beyond our expectations," Ao Gu Si Te's deep voice echoed in the room, "That Wei Er Ke scoundrel actually has a son. Moreover, this kid has shown remarkable ability and has already begun taking over land management."

A family elder seated nearby frowned, his tone tinged with displeasure: "Ao Gu Si Te, you were the one who suggested sending Wei Er Ke to the western frontier for development. Now his domain has become one of the richest regions in the west, and we can only watch helplessly as they monopolize that juicy piece of land."

Ao Gu Si Te's expression darkened slightly, his tone cold: "Who could have imagined the west would develop so quickly? After the orcs were driven out, the value of that black soil multiplied tenfold. Discussing this now is pointless; we must act swiftly and prevent that boy from continuing to expand."

Another family member nodded, his tone edged with malice: "Exactly, Wei Er Ke's son must be eliminated. If he dies, Wei Er Ke will have no heir, and according to the kingdom's noble law, the family will send a successor to take over."

Ao Gu Si Te pondered briefly, then whispered: "Eliminating that boy isn't difficult, but we must do it cleanly, leaving no trace. After all, Wei Er Ke's domain is now a key western territory; if this is exposed, our family's reputation will suffer severely."

"Then what do you mean?" a family member asked softly.

"We can enlist the Wizard Council's power. Wei Er Ke's son is said to have a Knight talent, and the Wizard Council is currently pursuing a fugitive. We can present him to the Council as a disciple of the Bow Knight lineage, letting them handle him."

The family elder nodded, his tone approving: "That's a good idea. The Wizard Council's power far exceeds ours; once they act, that boy is certain to die."

Ao Gu Si Te chuckled coldly, his tone icy: "Exactly, and this way we can use the Wizard Council to completely eradicate the Wei Er Ke family. Then that western territory will belong entirely to our Wo Er Te family."

Meanwhile, far away in Wei Er Ke's domain, Robin remained unaware that a conspiracy against him was quietly unfolding.

After winding around, in the end he still couldn't evade the Wizard Council's investigation.

In the Wizard Council headquarters in Ao Bei Di City, the largest city of the west, several Council members were seated around a dim conference room.

Leading them was the Third Apprentice Wizard, Ka Er Wen·Lai Te, clutching a secret order from the capital, his brow furrowed.

"Capture Viscount Wei Er Ke's son Ai Lun?" Ka Er Wen whispered, reading the order aloud, his tone tinged with doubt, "Didn't we just bring him back from Viscount Wei Er Ke's domain? His identity was already verified, no problem."

(End of Chapter)