Chapter 296: Adamson

"My lord, all the knights are fully equipped!"

"Then set out! Mick, take this Violet Family crest—should you encounter trouble, invoke the name of the Violet Family!"

"Yes, my lord!"

"Cavalry! March!"

Under Mick's leadership, the two hundred re-equipped cavalrymen and their families began descending the gentle slope.

Once they reached the city gate below, the families would board their carriages and depart directly, crossing half the kingdom to return to Stormhold.

As for safety on the road, Gervas saw no need to worry.

Unless they were utterly foolish, no one would dare provoke a force of two hundred cavalry.

Moreover, with the Violet Family crest provided by Gervas, their safety was guaranteed beyond doubt.

After watching the cavalry depart, Gervas returned to the castle.

Yet he did not continue attending the banquet—he prepared to take his leave.

"Lord Gervas, why not stay a little longer? I've already arranged a guest chamber for you—you can depart tomorrow without issue!"

Upon learning Gervas intended to leave, it was Duke Darwin himself who personally attended to him.

Gervas's actions tonight had been sufficient to earn Duke Darwin's serious regard.

"Thank you for your kindness, Duke Darwin, but my domain's affairs are numerous; I've already spent considerable time here, so I must return sooner rather than later!"

Seeing Gervas's resolve, Duke Darwin naturally made no further attempt to detain him.

"Lord Gervas, how far is the Violet Family from my duchy? If not too distant, I hope you'll visit Darwin Ducal Castle again when you have the chance—I shall welcome you with open arms!" Duke Darwin said, fixing his gaze tightly on Gervas.

Gervas pretended not to hear. "Of course, I'll certainly come again if the opportunity arises! Duke Darwin, I take my leave!"

With that, Gervas bowed slightly in courtesy, bid farewell to Duke Darwin, and swiftly walked to the nearby cliffside platform.

Duke Darwin bowed in return, watching as Gervas boarded the Swift Demon Eagle.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Five Swift Demon Eagles flapped their wings and soared high, vanishing into the night sky.

"His conduct and demeanor clearly prove he's no ordinary noble—yet he insists on hiding his identity. How strange!"

In truth, Duke Darwin's inquiry about the Violet Family's distance and his invitation for Gervas to visit again was a probe into Gervas's true identity—and an offer to cultivate ties!

Had Gervas revealed his origins, mutual cooperation could have followed—trade, perhaps, or other alliances.

But Gervas acted as if he heard nothing, refusing utterly to expose his true background.

This also indirectly showed Gervas had no desire to draw closer to a ducal house like his.

Such a situation was rare anywhere in the kingdom.

"My lord, do you think Gervas might truly be a bastard, hence his fierce concealment of his identity?"

"Perhaps we should send someone to investigate. There are surely only a handful of baronial Violet Families in the entire kingdom—easy to verify!"

As Duke Darwin was about to respond, footsteps suddenly sounded behind him.

He turned to see Count Oliver.

"My lord, has that Gervas departed?"

"Yes, Lord Oliver. Gervas and his men left aboard five Swift Demon Eagles!" Duke Darwin emphasized the number five.

Because flying beasts often reflected one's depth of resources.

"Five Swift Demon Eagles?" Oliver was surprised.

Though Swift Demon Eagles are the lowest-tier flying beasts, many barons possess them.

But Gervas had five—and equipped even his subordinates with them.

That was far beyond the display of an ordinary baron.

"My lord, could you tell me Gervas's true identity?"

"My lord, rest assured—I am a count in my own right. I'm merely curious about his origin, his family—nothing more!"

To avoid putting Duke Darwin in an awkward position, Oliver quickly added.

And Oliver spoke the truth.

That brat had made him seethe with rage.

If the chance arose, he wouldn't mind stepping on him.

But he would never go out of his way to seek him out now.

After all, he had long passed the age of mindless recklessness.

"Lord Oliver, it's not that I refuse to tell you—I simply don't know Gervas's exact identity!"

"Is that so?" Oliver frowned, weighing whether Duke Darwin spoke truthfully.

But regardless, it seemed his true background would remain unknown for now.

After watching Oliver depart, the duke turned to his steward: "No investigation—avoid stirring up misunderstandings!"

"Yes, my lord!"

……

Austin Ducal Domain.

Today, the docks of Odin City were unusually bustling; beneath the newly hung colorful banners, not only were commoners packed shoulder to shoulder,

but even nobles—who normally avoided the filthy, chaotic docks—had ventured outside the city.

For today was the day young Adamson returned in triumph.

More than half a month ago, young Adamson launched his campaign against pirates.

Under his full-scale crackdown, in just over half a month, he crushed more than a dozen pirate bands—large and small.

The larger gangs numbered several hundred; the smaller ones still had dozens.

But whether large or small, for coastal residents, this was cause for celebration.

Especially for peasants and serfs living outside the city, who lacked sturdy, towering walls—when pirates came, it meant ruin and death for their families.

Of course, the nobles were pleased too, for they too owned estates beyond the city walls!

"Young Adamson is mighty!"

"Young Adamson is mighty!"

As hundreds of captured pirates were publicly sentenced and then hanged one by one, cheers erupted from the docks.

For the first time, young Adamson's prestige began rising dramatically across the domain.

Of course, while some rejoiced, others grieved. As young Adamson's fortunes soared, his younger brother Evan's mood turned utterly foul.

"Damn bastard—you're the son of some baronial woman! How dare you compare yourself to me, of ducal blood?"

"The ducal title is mine—you, bastard, will never take it!"

In a private box three hundred meters from the dock square, Evan had a clear view of the entire plaza.

Watching his triumphant elder brother, Evan's gaze turned venomous.

For years, he had always dominated his elder brother.

But for some reason, starting a few months ago, his brother had suddenly awakened—growing ever more favored by their father.

Now, even the entire family fleet answered to his command.

Though his elder brother's official title was merely fleet overseer, reliable reports confirmed:

Even the fleet's supreme commander took orders from him.

This meant his elder brother had fully seized control of the family fleet.

Though the fleet's strength paled beside land-based legions,

as a family with a coastline,

the fleet was an indispensable pillar of ducal power.

"Young Evan!"

At that moment, a subordinate slipped cautiously into the room.

"How did it go?"

"Young master, all is arranged. The trail of the Honey Robbery has reached Adamson through the prisoners."

"Excellent!" Evan's grim expression eased slightly; a cruel smile curled his lips.

"Wait, bastard. Your triumph won't last long. And…."

Evan's gaze swept over several fleet officers being honored.

"Since you're too stupid to pick the right side, then die."