Chapter 1108: Attendant

A winter night.

The bone-chilling wind was biting; the Graveyard was empty and silent, even enough to make one shudder.

Inside the Gravekeeper's hut.

Aaron, who had been sleeping, suddenly opened his eyes, one hand pressing down on the hilt of his sword under the bed.

A moment later, heavy footsteps approached.

He looked at the torches outside, got up, put on his clothes, and then went to open the door as if nothing were the matter: "Gentlemen, what has happened?"

"Gravekeeper Zoro?"

At this hour, the tavern was naturally long closed.

Aaron shrugged and smiled quite comfortably.

Soldiers were enforcing martial law everywhere, and the Sheriff was leading soldiers to search house by house.

……

Aaron sighed in his heart and smiled: "Not this... I have other matters to find you for."

"I don't know... He used to be a cowherd, but it seems there were no rumors of him being particularly good at fighting... This time, Lady Lilith actually did not deal with him severely, and might even have wanted to recruit him to become a Knight Attendant, or even confer knighthood upon him in the future... I don't know why, but he actually refused!"

Catherine lifted her skirt and walked out of the Graveyard, looking back every few steps.

What surprised Aaron even more was this.

In reality, no matter what happens, flashes of brilliance are accidental, while the mundane is the mainstream.

"Continue searching in other places!"

Catherine stood up, seemingly wanting to take out some reward, but could not find anything suitable, her expression slightly embarrassed.

Everyone seemed to be going through the motions; after sending the Baron into the grave, they began to trade barbs and sharp words over various matters... At least these fellows who prided themselves on being the upper class still remembered to maintain their status in front of the commoners and would not act like shrews cursing in the street.

Anyway, it was none of his business!

But the consumption of one person and the consumption of two people are, after all, somewhat different.

Moreover, as if just chatting casually, he spoke a few words with Aunt Sophia, and after confirming the batch of items that Kalin had purchased, he was even more certain in his heart.

He glanced at the somewhat nervous Trish; in her eyes, Aaron was probably the kind of bad influence who led her husband astray.

Aaron, meanwhile, watched the back of the person leaving, lost in thought.

……

"A few days ago, Catherine went to the graveyard to mourn the old Baron... The castle won't blame it on me, will they?"

In any case, there had never been a corpse coming back to life.

At this moment, a young attendant trotted over: "Miss, Nanny Rellis is looking for you everywhere, we don't have much time left..."

He showed a look of disappointment and turned to leave.

"Oh? Which big shot died?"

Aaron did not feel awkward either and asked: "Is Ivey there?"

"You don't need to know!"

"About this matter... You don't need to worry, Lady Lilith wouldn't go so far as to blame a Gravekeeper..."

But Kalin had actually refused the olive branch from the acting lord.

No one noticed that as Aaron walked on the road, a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Ivey thought for a moment and comforted him: "As for Catherine... she snuck out. Her attendant, that Kalin—I really didn't expect it—the son of a cowherd was actually able to achieve this much. It is said he knocked down the Knight Attendant responsible for guarding Catherine before taking her and running away..."

Aaron looked at the baby in Trish's arms.

The soldier leader's expression was very cold; even though he recognized Aaron, he still waved his hand: "Search!"

Although Ivey said he hoped Thor would become a knight in the future, it was actually just a casual remark; he did not think there was much hope.

Aside from a slight accident in the shift of power within the Barony, everything else was fine.

Ivey's home.

Ivey arrived, travel-worn, with an expression that showed he did not know how to speak.

Ivey laughed and said: "Are you looking for me to go to the tavern? Sorry... I have already quit drinking."

Ivey made a gesture for silence, looked around, and lowered his voice: "Yes... The old Baron was assassinated! Just last night, and I was the one who stitched up the corpse myself... His head was separated from his body..."

'At this moment, the entire Barony is looking for him. No... assassinating a noble is an act of enmity against the entire noble class; even the previous enemy, Baron Roland, would issue a Wanted Order...'

"Gravekeeper Zoro... I heard you have been selling potions on a small scale?"

"I don't know... I feel like it seems unlikely. When I went to the castle, the person in charge had already become Lady Lilith."

But there were very few people who were truly sad.

"However, it still needs to be verified."

"Very good..."

Even more people were holding torches, searching the entire Graveyard.

As long as a suspect is identified, following the trail to find clues is a very normal thing; it even looks suspicious no matter how you look at it!

While speaking, he tossed a money bag over.

Aaron almost thought the plan that existed only in his heart had been exposed, but his expression remained steady as he asked.

Then, he encountered a surprise!

At the entrance of the Graveyard, Kalin, dressed as an attendant, was waiting for him!

"Lord Kalin, may I ask what is the matter?"

A Knight is the number one enforcer for the nobility and is also equivalent to half a noble; once one becomes a Knight, their social stratum is completely different.

Kalin got straight to the point as soon as he spoke.

And just at this moment, a snake darted out from the bushes.

It's probably the story of a down-and-out kid who picks up an injured expert, gains a peerless inheritance, goes around acting tough and slapping faces, and happens to win the heart of a beauty along the way.

The soldiers swarmed into the small hut and searched every place that could hide a person, but of course, they found nothing.

Aaron put on an expression of being taken by surprise.

The clamor over the Baron's death lasted for a while, but eventually, life returned to a state of calm.

……

"Yes... do you need something?"

It was a pity that three years had passed, and the other party was still a little girl under fourteen, with no influence or authority, unable to do anything even after being named the heir!

'I don't feel like the old Baron was a fool... He should have had a series of plans for naming an heir, at least to avoid chaos and the loss of power... but he was suddenly assassinated, and he didn't have time to implement them at all.'

Benefiting from his previous experience, he prepared to first plant some herb seeds that required a long growth period, then slowly wait for the harvest.

The funeral for Baron Lancaster was very grand, and many people came.

Thinking of this, Aaron returned to the small town and purchased some supplies.

"Shh, shh!"

Meanwhile, Aaron looked at Kalin's back and narrowed his eyes slightly: "This person... is not quite right..."

The little girl who was crying looked up: "I recognize you... you are the Gravekeeper here... my father... is he doing well?"

"Yes, I hope he can become a powerful warrior in the future; it would be best if he could be knighted."

Aaron put on a worried look and complained: "The people above always dump their troubles on us, it's really..."

"To actually knock down a Knight Attendant, that's truly impressive. Was he that impressive before?" Aaron put on a look of amazement.

"Present."

When Ivey said this, he clearly felt it was incredible.

"Right, that's the attitude. We just need to do our own jobs."

Aaron put on a look of panic: "What happened?"

"I need dried Long-leaf Root, Datura Petals, and Venom Grass... I will come to pick up the goods once a week. Remember to keep it secret, otherwise..."

Even if it's not now!

The other party was very smart, of course, and did not buy any eye-catching items like medicine from the grocery store.

Currently, the baronial territory is managed by the Guardian.

"Is this a toy prepared for Thor?"

'And... the other party must be involved in some conspiracy.'

"No!"

Kalin said, looking a bit flustered: "I need specific herbs... I know they are among the medicines you sell. I will buy them long-term, and the price will satisfy you."

"Yeah... it is said that the assassin was quite skilled in martial arts, able to scale walls and vault over roofs like a cat..."

Finally, he took a few deep breaths, then spoke: "Zoro, a big job has come in..."

'This is what a married man is like...'

And after Ivey got drunk, he told Aaron that everyone was placing bets on when Miss Catherine would die suddenly, or be forced to marry some husband who appeared out of nowhere.

'Rashly interfering will be very troublesome... and I don't have the power to enter the whirlpool and come out unscathed!'

"Not it!"

"So I only need to choose the burial site, and other matters will naturally be handled by noble people..."

Based on his experience, if he started searching from the castle, he might find some very useful clues!

And then, find that assassin!

Aaron did not believe that the assassin lacked supernatural power to be able to pull off such a feat and still escape unscathed.

Aaron also resumed his routine life.

'Time is indeed the greatest director... A green kid is much easier to deal with than a vicious assassin.'

When Aaron arrived in town, he clearly felt the atmosphere had become very different.

"Not here either!"

"Thank you for coming to notify me, Kalin, I am going back now!"

"Power, ah..."

Aaron immediately bowed and performed a salute: "Miss Catherine!"

In front of a luxurious tombstone, there was a small figure, sobbing in a low voice.

In fact, this was what he wanted to inquire about.

Even if it's not on that assassin!

……

Aaron's gaze unconsciously looked downward.

……

After finishing, he counted out a few Silver Coins and handed them to Aaron: "The butler asked me to give these to you. The Baron's funeral is no ordinary matter..."

Ivey sighed.

"It doesn't look like he died of illness or an accident..." Aaron said thoughtfully: "The soldiers from last night?"

Ivey put down the Wooden Sword toy and walked with Aaron along a small stream at the entrance of the house.

Trish was breastfeeding an infant; seeing Aaron enter, she smiled at him without avoiding suspicion.

On the way back, Aaron had been thinking about a certain problem.

Aaron carried a water bucket, returning from his herb garden.

Early morning.

Three days later.

Many Free Citizens struggle for generations, for over a hundred years, all for this.

Through this seemingly fruitless stroll, Aaron gained a lot of useful information.

"It's the old Baron Lancaster!" Ivey's voice was heavy, yet carried a hint of glee from sharing a secret.

According to the discussion between Lady Lilith and the various Knights, Catherine is too young; before becoming the liege, she needs a Guardian, which is her older sister.

Power struggles among the nobility are just this cruel.

Unknowingly, several months passed just like that.

Aunt Sophia from the grocery store was cursing and swearing because those soldiers had ruined quite a bit of her merchandise.

'But what if I find them? Taking the other party in... the other party repaying the favor by teaching me skills... am I thinking too wishfully?'

Aaron went up with a smile to help Aunt Sophia clear away the debris, then came to the tavern.

Yanan Town.

Ivey also started laughing along.

"Oh? Let's walk around."

Ivey was clearly saying it as a joke.

He followed step by step behind Catherine as she left, like the most loyal guard.

If one must curse... it would probably be after going back and closing the door.

Because he controls the usage rights of the plow oxen, he has status in the village, but in the eyes of the townspeople, it's just so-so...

"The assassin actually escaped?"

Ivey walked out of the room, seemingly doing carpentry work, a Wooden Sword already half-formed.

Being sent away to marry far off is already the best outcome.

A Cowherd is the person in the village responsible for herding cattle.

The next day.

Aaron sighed softly and went back to continue preparing for the Baron's funeral.

It seemed that the only one feeling sad about the Baron's passing was that Miss Catherine.

That little fellow Kalin is quite interesting.

Aaron watched coldly from the sidelines, feeling as if he were watching a grand drama, which was very interesting.

He maintained a smile and replied: "Lord Baron has attained eternal peace..."

"There are quite a few lying in the tombs, but not a single living person."

As long as you change the skin, it can even be used for both East and West!

Aaron thought for a moment, then suddenly asked: "Then... is the new Lord Baron Miss Catherine?"

This is too shocking!

"Young man... perhaps, it is because of love." Aaron sighed with emotion.

He felt more and more that he seemed to have encountered a plot from a third-rate knight novel.

In reality, everyone is already very familiar...

Aaron opened it to look, and a smile immediately appeared on his face: "Okay, okay, no problem..."

He looked only fifteen or sixteen, his figure thin, but his eyes were bright and piercing; the way he looked at Catherine made Aaron, as someone who had been through it, feel something was wrong: "This old lecher... no, little lecher! Wait... Catherine isn't even an adult yet!"

'Or... should I play it safe and wait until Kalin is about to die of old age before making a move?'

A soldier held up a torch and looked at Aaron, and after confirming it was him, immediately asked: "Did you discover anyone else during the night?"

Clang!

Kalin's expression did not change; the long sword in his hand unsheathed, flicking the Xiao She into two pieces.

The twilight Light was like gold plating, spilling onto the bluestone path of the Graveyard.

'He didn't leave? He must be injured!'

This group of soldiers came very quickly and left very quickly.

Aaron thought for a moment, then decisively went back to sleep.

Aaron has always been very tolerant of the ramblings of children.

And he always believed that time is the greatest director and would always give him a chance to perform.

When Kalin left, he even deliberately touched the hilt of his sword as a threat.

After all, for this kind of lower-class person, this was already enough.

(End of this chapter)