Chapter 134: Single-Tube Telescope!

To the stunned silence of several barons in Mil, Catherine truly arrived at the table where they sat.

At this moment, Catherine's expression, originally as cold as frost, suddenly softened, revealing a shallow, polite smile.

This change made the group feel as if they had stepped from a biting cold wind into a small house with a blazing fire; it was so catching them off guard, yet so heart-pounding.

Just as Baron Mil and the others, their faces flushed red, did not know how to respond, Catherine finally spoke.

"Lord Baron Gervas!"

"Eh?!" Several of them looked at Gervas in astonishment!

"Viscountess Catherine, is there something you need?" Gervas's expression remained normal, though his mind was deep in thought.

Mil and the others felt that Catherine's attitude at this moment was already unbelievable.

But Gervas knew clearly that this current attitude was merely a ceremonial smile between nobles.

Therefore, this certainly was not Catherine's true attitude toward him before.

"Lord Gervas, I came this time to tell you that the fifty gold coins reward, agreed upon for the message and intelligence you passed to my steward last time, is ready!"

"If it is convenient, I will send someone to deliver them to your camp later; I wonder where your camp is located?"

"My camp is right beside the caravan market, at the third position by the fence entrance; it is a black-and-white flag."

"Very well, Lord Gervas, see you later then!"

Having finished speaking, Catherine nodded in greeting to Mil and the others, then departed gracefully.

After Catherine had walked far away, Mil and the others finally came to their senses and looked at Gervas one after another.

"Gervas, you actually know Viscountess Catherine, and she is even giving you gold coins?"

"Yes, Lord Gervas, what exactly is going on? Could you reveal a little to us?"

Seeing this, Gervas smiled and said: "We merely met once before. Wasn't Viscountess Catherine kidnapped by the Scorpion Bandit Gang before? Actually, the news was sent by my people to the Violet Family's steward!"

"Because I happen to have a grudge against that Scorpion Bandit Gang, telling the Violet Family this intelligence not only allows me to collect the reward, but also lets me borrow their hands to eliminate this enemy!"

"So that is how it was! At that time, all the nobles were wondering how Viscountess Catherine could return safely; it turns out it was because of the intelligence you provided, Gervas, hahaha!"

After hearing what Gervas said, Baron Kane, Mil, and the others seemed to breathe a huge sigh of relief.

Gervas continued chatting with the crowd for a couple of sentences, then stood up and took his leave from Kane and the others.

On leaving, he also settled the bill on the side.

This made Kane, Mil, and the others' favor toward Gervas climb another level.

Leaving the tavern and arriving at the fence entrance where his own camp was located, Catherine was already waiting with her subordinates.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Gervas invited Catherine into the camp.

"Lord Gervas, I apologize!" As soon as they entered the meeting tent, Catherine immediately voiced her apology.

"What is it, Viscountess Catherine!"

"Lord Gervas, Count Fario already knows of your existence!"

Just as I thought!

Regarding Catherine's abnormal behavior just now, Gervas had already thought of this possibility.

"But rest assured, Lord Gervas, currently that Fario only knows that you leaked the news about the Scorpion Bandit Gang!"

"I deliberately said those things to you just now also to transmit such a message to the outside!"

Gervas understood clearly, already knowing the reason Catherine fabricated the reward in the tavern: "You want Fario to think that I leaked the news unintentionally due to a personal grudge with the Scorpion Bandits, so he will not resent me so much?"

"Exactly, Lord Gervas. I know this will still put you in trouble, but this is the best method I could think of!"

"I have fifty gold coins here; you take them first. Later, I will inform everyone of the relationship between Count Fario and the Scorpion Bandit Gang."

"By then, you can use these fifty coins as a reward to request Count Fario's forgiveness. I think, to avoid the situation from expanding, Count Fario certainly will not act against you again."

This viscountess!

Watching Catherine finish speaking with a sincere face, Gervas truly did not know what to say.

At the same time, from the other party's words, Gervas also heard some unusual information.

"Viscountess Catherine, is the merchant consortium Count Fario has allied with still attacking the Violet Family recently?"

Catherine was stunned, then her eyes dimmed as she nodded.

"That is right. Nowadays, the crystal mines of our Violet Family cannot sell a single piece!"

"Under Fario's secret threats, all merchants near Iron Wolf City dare not buy the crystals of our Violet Family!"

And the reason she appeared in the tavern was to discuss helping the Violet Family with the son of a count.

The result was that the count's son was too excessive; as soon as he opened his mouth, he stated conditions Catherine could not accept, so she left in anger.

Gervas also understood why Catherine had to expose herself; mainly, this Fario was too ruthless.

"Then, Viscountess Catherine, do you have concrete evidence proving the connection between Count Fario and the Scorpion Bandit Gang?"

"No!" Catherine shook her head.

"Viscountess Catherine, since there is no evidence, I think you should not expose his relationship with the Scorpion Bandit Gang!"

"Because this will not only cause no harm to Count Fario, but also make you completely break off relations with him!"

"Before completely breaking off relations, Count Fario still has some scruples and dares not be too excessive openly."

"But if you expose his relationship with the Scorpion Bandit Gang without substantive evidence to bring him down, then he can come after you openly and legitimately!"

"Gervas, Fario is not only suppressing our Violet Family in the crystal mines; he threatened that in the future, including other ordinary Violet Family trades such as grain and livestock, he will also secretly issue a ban."

"If that really happens, our Violet Family probably will not be able to hold on!"

A trace of exhaustion flashed in Catherine's eyes.

Although she is a lord, she is also a woman, and a woman of only twenty years old.

In her previous life, she would still be the treasure of the family, yet she has to bear the heavy burden of the entire family.

And although Gervas is only seventeen, the soul within his body has lived two lives.

He did understand Catherine's mood and anxiety.

Thinking of the single-barreled telescopes a few jewelers had completed before his departure, Gervas said, "Viscountess Catherine, I have a way to make the Violet family fear Fario's suppression no more."

Catherine froze, looking at Gervas with some confusion.

Gervas pretended to rummage in his chest, but in truth, he had silently drawn a single-barreled telescope from his spatial ring.

The single-barreled telescope used a two-section telescoping design and was crafted entirely from brass.

When fully extended, the telescope reached a length of forty-five centimeters and weighed around 1200 grams.

Though heavy in the hand, its magnification reached about eight times, and the clarity was very high.

The only drawback for now was that, due to the haste of time, the telescope tube had not yet been decorated, and its plain, golden-yellow casing looked somewhat crude.

"This is..."

Catherine looked at the telescope Gervas handed her, puzzled as to what this copper tube was.

"Viscountess Catherine, look at the moon through it!"

Today, the moon was bright and the stars sparse; by chance, it was also a full moon, so the moon appeared very large.

Though Catherine did not understand, she still aimed the telescope at the moon under Gervas's guidance.

Moments later, Catherine's slender body trembled violently; she quickly lowered the copper tube before her eyes, as if startled by something.