Chapter 287

Holy crap! Gervas, you holy crap!

Earlier, I already felt this scene was familiar.

Now that I think about it, isn't this exactly the tone the civil official of Silver Shield City used when he approached me during the Second Son's Challenge?

He's making me take the blame, yet acts like I've struck it lucky.

Right now, the Second Prince wants to buy my Magic Fan and telescope, offering only five hundred gold coins and ten percent profit.

And yet, he still acts as if I'm the one blessed by his charity.

I took a deep breath and forced myself to suppress the urge to just smash this guy's face until even his mother wouldn't recognize him.

"Lord Japas, I deeply appreciate the Second Prince's kindness, but my telescope already has a partner!"

"Who?" Japas frowned. Had his subordinate been right—had the First Prince already gotten there first?

"The Violet Count Family!"

Japas's expression immediately softened. So it was just a mere count family.

"By the way, this Violet Count is the biological granddaughter of Duke Hernade!"

"That female count who was recently recognized by the Hernade family—the one everyone was talking about!" Gervas added helpfully.

Japas's previously softened face darkened again.

Even if the telescope's partner were the First Prince, he could still pressure Gervas into compliance—at least force him to hand over the technology.

But if it's the Hernade family, that's a different matter.

These ducal families are still neutral for now; after all, such great houses won't suffer major losses even if they stay out of the princes' quarrels.

So the Hernade family is one he absolutely cannot offend.

"What about the Magic Fan?"

"The Magic Fan is the product of a mysterious magician. I only hold the right to sell it; as for how it's made, you'll have to ask the magician himself!"

"Where is this magician?"

"Lord Japas, I already said he's a mysterious magician—I have no idea where he is, only that he lives in the Chaos Wastes!"

"Lord Gervas, you're lying to me! If a magician truly came to you himself, why wouldn't he partner with a great noble instead of some minor border lord like you?"

Hearing this, Gervas instantly raised his estimation of Japas—he hadn't expected to be spotted so quickly.

But it didn't matter anymore; let him believe what he wanted!

"Lord Japas, everything I've said is true. But if you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do!"

Japas's gaze turned sharp—he clearly sensed the underlying ultimatum in Gervas's words.

"Lord Gervas, think carefully: you're just a border lord, easily expendable. Being noticed by a noble like His Highness is your fortune!"

"And if you reject such kindness, you'll make the noble displeased!"

"Lord Japas, I only wish to live peacefully as a minor lord. I have no interest in court affairs!"

"My businesses are small-scale ventures—truly, no partnership is needed!" Gervas firmly declared his stance.

"Fine! Very fine! Lord Gervas, you're certain you want to offend our Second Prince?"

Japas laughed bitterly—he never imagined a minor border lord would dare snub the Second Prince.

Right then, he finally tore off his mask and dropped all pretense.

Seeing his reaction, the two Silver Knights he brought immediately unleashed their aura of combat energy.

Of course, Lei Meng and Mi Gen reacted just as swiftly, countering with their own aura.

Outside the door, Mi Gen and Ma Ke and the others immediately entered the hall.

Instantly, the entire hall grew solemn.

Japas, who had been ready to explode, froze—he hadn't expected this minor lord to have so many titled knights.

And two of them were Silver Knights.

Gervas, however, smiled and waved at Lei Meng and Mi Gen and the others.

"What are you all doing? Don't you know Lord Japas is a guest? Are you worried he'll harm me inside my own castle?"

"With the Kingdom's laws in place, even the Second Prince can't attack a noble lord without cause!"

Japas clenched his teeth, grinding them audibly.

This was clearly meant for him.

His eyes flickered with menace. "Lord Gervas, the Second Prince is a kind man—he truly wouldn't attack a noble without cause."

"But the Second Prince is not someone anyone can offend—especially not a minor lord like you, Lord Gervas."

"By the way, I heard that Lord Pa Ke was attacked by dark creatures the very night after his dispute with you. Isn't that just too coincidental?"

"When I return, should I have Iron Wolf City investigate again?"

Japas had naturally inquired about Gervas when passing through Iron Wolf City.

With his status as the Second Prince's envoy, plenty were eager to curry favor.

So he knew everything about Gervas.

Besides, the attack on Pa Ke's castle had already been closed, confirmed to have no connection to Gervas.

But if someone had ulterior motives, it could always be reopened later.

Gervas's face instantly turned cold.

"Lord Japas, are you threatening me?"

Japas smiled.

Not only did he not fear Gervas's icy gaze—he felt he'd finally found a way to control him. "Lord Gervas, I wouldn't call it a threat. I'm just letting you know: before the Second Prince, being noticed by a noble like you is your fortune!"

"Alright, Lord Gervas, I'll stay in Iron Wolf City for three days!"

"So think carefully—come find me within three days. Otherwise, if something irreversible happens later, don't blame me, Lord Gervas!"

Having spoken, Japas stood up directly.

This time, Gervas did not see him off; instead, Old John at the door saw the guest out.

Japas had originally thought Gervas would call him back and immediately back down.

He did not expect to not be called back, but he did not care. "Let's go, wait three days in Iron Wolf City! Haha!"

After all, he believed he had Gervas in his grasp.

But what he did not know was that he had instead found himself a death path.

"Gervas, what should we do? That shameless fellow is truly capable of doing what he said!"

Wood had actually been standing outside the door the whole time, pretending to be a servant while eavesdropping.

Seeing Japas leave, he immediately entered the living room.

And as someone who had escaped from the capital, he had seen too many despicable tactics used by the nobility.

Those were tactics dirtier and more despicable than those of country nobles.

"Originally, I just thought of finding an excuse to get through it; I figured that even if I offended them a little, the Second Prince in the capital wouldn't be so free to actually deal with me, a country noble, right away."

"But I didn't expect Japas to insist on seeking his own death!" A killing intent flashed in Gervas's eyes.

"Gervas, you want to kill him? But his group has two Silver Knights, five or six Bronze Knights, and those dozens of Great Knights and formal Knights."

"That probably won't be easy to accomplish, right? Moreover, if the news leaks by accident..." A look of worry appeared on Wood's face.

Regarding killing that fellow, he had no objections at all.

After all, those fellows wanted to snatch not only Gervas's money, but also Wood's!

But the problem is, that fellow is hard to kill; the risk is very high.

"Wood, I know, so we definitely cannot do it ourselves!"

"Uh... but if we don't do it ourselves, who else can help us do it?" Wood was stunned!