Chapter 41

The council hall of Maple Dew Castle.

The count walked to his main seat and sat down, and at the farthest corner he arranged two extremely inconspicuous observer seats for Selena and Luosen.

Before the two had even settled, Luosen felt many inquisitive gazes.

Part of it came from the count's arcane advisory team, filled with doubt and incomprehension.

Another part came from the Kao mage team, brimming with vigilance.

At the same time, both mage teams exhibited numerous extremely low-intensity mana fluctuations.

This was the mages using Spiritual Whisper to converse secretly.

Mages are highly sensitive to mana fluctuations; powerful mages can infer impending spells from the fluctuations, and this is also one of the most important techniques in arcane combat.

Yet no mage can discern the specific content of Spiritual Whisper from the fluctuations.

Because the disturbances of Spiritual Whisper are simply too faint.

It's like seeing someone make the motion of whispering but being unable to hear the whisper's content.

But Luosen is an exception.

He is indeed a mortal, but the extraordinarily high ring-number mana grants him extremely keen perception, even allowing him to clearly distinguish the exact waveform of each mana fluctuation.

But having that alone is still insufficient, because a mortal's brain has limits in reaction and processing speed, and this limit falls short of real-time analysis requirements, so he still cannot understand.

But he has Laifu.

And he has trained it in the ability to detect and translate Spiritual Whisper.

Thus, when the mages present communicated secretly, Laifu automatically translated and recorded their conversation for Luosen.

Luosen heard every secret whisper, yet his face remained unchanged.

Soon after he and Selena had seated themselves, Luosen already knew the details of the scam inside out.

He chuckled inwardly: 'So that's how it is~'

At this moment, the Kao mage team also devised a preliminary countermeasure.

Its leader, the Four-ring 30-star Archmage Luokawaduo, raised an objection.

"My lord Count, who are these two?"

The count smiled and introduced: "Master, this is Mage Luosen and his newlywed wife, Mage Adrian, who came specially to witness the prowess of the Kao mages."

"Mage Adrian?"

As soon as those words were spoken, the mages present erupted in commotion, frequently glancing at Selena, while a large wave of Spiritual Whisper arose.

Archmage Luokawaduo's pair of snowy-white long eyebrows twitched slightly.

"My lord Count, this violates our confidentiality agreement."

"We have repeatedly and solemnly explained to you that the arcane knowledge we bring is extremely precious; aside from the two parties to the transaction, no third party may appear, lest the knowledge leak."

"Therefore, if you insist on letting these two guests observe, we will have no choice but to leave."

While saying this, Archmage Luokawaduo wore an expression admitting no negotiation, his tone unquestionable, giving the impression that if Luosen did not leave, they would.

The other Kao mages likewise immediately began packing the documents and scrolls on the table, posturing as ready to depart at any moment.

The count grew flustered, gave a dry laugh, and hurriedly explained.

"Master, Mage Luosen is not an outsider but my nephew, so it does not breach the confidentiality agreement."

Having said that, fearing Luokawaduo might be dissatisfied, he added: "I guarantee they will only observe and not utter a word."

Archmage Aluowaduo, however, allowed no discussion, his face stern.

"My lord Count, a contract is a contract; if it can be altered at will, it is no longer a contract but scrap paper!"

"Therefore, I insist on upholding the contract; otherwise we will leave immediately!"

Upon this, the arcane advisors of Shire County also became anxious.

Archmage Nord turned his head toward the count and advised via Spiritual Whisper.

"Lord, the matter has come to this point; there's no need to become unpleasant over a trifle."

Although the count is the lord, when faced with profound arcane knowledge he actually has little say, and at this moment he felt immense pressure.

A pair of eyes involuntarily turned toward Luosen, and with a glance toward the door they clearly meant: 'Let's go, let the observing be dropped.'

Obviously, this band of Kao deceit-mages is extremely vigilant, giving Luosen no chance to expose the scam at all.

Fortunately, Luosen had prepared in advance.

First he whispered to his wife Selena: "Madam, it's your turn to take the stage."

The two had already discussed the strategy in detail the previous night; now Selena immediately rose to her feet and, following the plan, first introduced her identity.

"I am an Eighteen-star Four-ring Arcane Master, Luosen's wife, but at the same time I am also the Dawn Princess Selena Adrian of Weilan."

Having said that, she gave Luokawaduo, who looked somewhat startled, a cold stare.

Without waiting for his reaction, she immediately unleashed the prepared bombshell.

"Archmage Luokawaduo, you have committed a grave treason!"

"What?!"

Luokawaduo was stunned by the bombshell, unable to speak.

Selena seized the opportunity and pressed her advantage.

"On the White Continent today, large-scale food-creation arcana has become a strategic field closely watched by all kingdoms; every mage researching related topics is subject to the kingdom's secret supervision."

"Likewise, any breakthrough achieved in this field is a major accomplishment of national strategic importance and will receive great emphasis from the kingdom."

"Now, Master, you have clearly made a huge breakthrough in large-scale food-creation arcana, yet you have taken this strategic achievement and left Kao unscathed—if this is not treason, what is?!"

Luokawaduo was greatly shocked and could not speak.

He just wanted to swindle some money; how could he dare commit treason?

Selena turned her head toward the count.

Count, once the bread factory in Shire County officially goes into production and the news leaks, these Kao mages will certainly face assassination by Kao assassins.

Kao assassins may not target you, but they will definitely destroy your bread factory, rendering your investment completely wasted.

These words were truly shocking; hearing them, the Count's face showed shock, and he instinctively looked at his chief arcane consultant: "Master Nord, is that so?"

Master Nord's face showed both shock and confusion: "My lord, I have never heard of this." Selena coldly smiled: "It's normal that Master Nord hasn't heard of it, because this information is an absolute secret of the kingdom's high echelons, and it's also a confidential decree issued only in the past six months."

Master Levinde finally recovered, shouting angrily: "Since it's a confidential decree, how did the Princess know?"

Selena gave a cold smile: "Master, do you think our Dawn City's Black-Iron Guard is just for show?"

"Whether you believe it or not, I'll tell you anyway."

"Aaron's confidential decree is called 'The Thirty-Seven Articles of Lionheart,' Kao's confidential decree is called 'The Black Rose Covenant,' and Levinde also issued the 'King's Secret Order' three months ago."

Even the document names were spoken, and coming from Princess Selena's mouth, it left no room for doubt.

The Count immediately believed half of it, unable to hold back: "Your Highness, if that's the case, why didn't you tell me earlier?"

Selena shrugged: "Before seeing the Kao mages, I couldn't make a final judgment. But now I can responsibly tell the Count that these Kao mages are either frauds or traitors!"

The Count immediately turned his gaze toward the Kao mages.

"Master Luwakaduo, I need your explanation!"

The Count's voice was stern, his eyes flashing with cold light.

Despite being an Arcane Master, Luwakaduo's spirit was extremely resilient; even now, his composure remained intact.

He wore a frosty expression, speaking coldly: "It seems the Count has no intention of cooperating; staying longer would just be a waste of time."

"Let's go!"

The Kao mages all rose to leave.

By this point, even a fool could tell these guys were frauds.

The Count gritted his teeth and sneered: "Master Luwakaduo, do you think Shire County is your backyard, to come and go as you please?"

"Guards, seize them!"

Against this group of scholar-type mages who carried no magical implements, the Count held an overwhelming martial advantage.

But before he finished speaking, he saw Luwakaduo burst into laughter, his body rapidly melting and deforming like a candle, while sounds continually emerged from the shifting form.

"Heh heh~~ you country bumpkins, sorry to disappoint you, we've also made preparations, heh heh~~"

As they spoke, the Kao mages' bodies all began to melt like candles, laughing triumphantly as they melted.

The Count flew into a rage, roaring like a lion: "Master Nord, chase them quickly!"

Master Nord immediately began casting the Tracking Spell.

He was no slouch either, switching to ten different tracking spells in just five seconds.

The half-melted body of Master Luwakaduo emitted a hoarse, altered laugh.

"Nord, don't waste your effort; your spells are all outdated."

Sure enough, Master Nord's tracking spells had no effect.

He was both shocked and helpless: "My lord, I did my best."

The Count's face turned livid with anger; he wanted to curse the incompetent fool, but restrained himself out of respect for the other's master status, his two conflicting emotions leaving his face distorted.

Just as the Kao mages were about to leave entirely, Selena suddenly raised her Sleeping Beauty staff, pointed at the "candles," and a series of deep-blue sigils flew forth.

The sigils struck the melting bodies one after another; immediately after, the Princess's stern voice rang out.

"I've marked their souls; Master, quickly use soul divination."

Master Nord, face flushed with embarrassment, froze at the words, a hint of hesitation appearing.

"Hurry up!" the Count shouted, urging him on.

Nord hastily tried, and indeed received a response.

"Right in the civilian homes beside Maple Dew Castle, one kilometer away!"

"Their souls haven't fully withdrawn yet; I'll hit them with a heavy punishment right now!"

The white-haired master shouted loudly, about to cast a spell.

But before he could act, a deep-red lightning ball appeared first.

That lightning ball quickly turned into a net of electricity, which swooped down over the dozen or so Kao mage clones in the midst of melting.

Advanced Spirit Technique: Spirit Shock!

"Ah~~~"

The Kao mages instantly trembled wildly, like water hitting hot oil.

Trembling and screaming, they looked as if they were dancing a bizarre witch's dance.

Selena's voice immediately rang out: "I have already severely wounded their souls; they can't escape no matter what."

The Count's face lit up with joy: "Guards, go seize them—take them alive!"

A group of guards immediately rushed out.

Master Nord also shouted: "These frauds are truly hateful, but also quite formidable; I'll lead the team myself!"

As he spoke, he actually took the lead, charging toward the conference hall doors, his agility as spry as a youngster's.

As he passed Selena, he quickly turned his head to glance at her.

That glance was highly complex; at first glance it seemed like admiration, yet it also contained an indescribable faint glow.

But he didn't notice that a low-level mage hid in the crowd, taking everything in.

"Heh heh~ this old fool still wants to silence us—no way!"

It was obvious that the successive mishaps had flustered Nord, leaving him at a loss for what to do.

Luosen immediately whispered to the Count: "Uncle, Master Nord is old; why not assign a strong protector to stay by his side?"

The Count deeply agreed, immediately turning his gaze to the corner of the conference hall, where a guard with almost no presence stood.

A Sang, hurry and protect the Master, don't let the Master get injured.

This trusted bodyguard is a Four-ring Warrior Master, a close guard that the Robert family raised from childhood at great cost.

Exceptionally capable in combat and exceptionally loyal, its role to the Earl is just like Ailiya's to Luosen.

A Sang nodded to receive the order, his steps flashed, battle aura erupted, like a phantom, trailing all the way behind Master Nord.

(End of chapter)