Chapter 327: He Refused—and Told Me to Get Lost!

Gervas spoke with sincerity, his eyes perfectly conveying three parts helplessness and three parts apology.

Mil immediately exclaimed, "Well, I'll be damned!"

So… so Gervas had planned this all along.

No wonder he was just now trying to hide whether those fishmen were first-timers or whether that beast appeared often.

Gervas wants to use the Church of Light as free cannon fodder!

Mil couldn't hold his composure for a moment.

In the past, it was always the Church of Light taking advantage of nobles; he had never seen a noble try to take advantage of the Church of Light.

But Gervas really has suffered.

Those two thousand fishmen and the fourth-rank beast… if they were in my own territory…

Mil couldn't help but shiver.

"Gervas…" Mil wanted to say something, but found he couldn't speak, "I'm sorry, Gervas, I didn't know any of this before."

"Mil, you don't need to apologize—I know you meant well!"

Then, Gervas and Mil returned to the group one after the other.

Of course, before leaving, Gervas's peripheral vision subtly glanced toward a large tree.

Behind that tree crouched a servant, hidden.

He thought he was undetected.

But his movements had long been pointed out by the watchful Tu Haojin.

…

"Are you certain? Did Gervas really say that?"

"My lord, I am absolutely certain—right then, Baron Mil was urging Viscount Gervas not to let the Church of Light build its temple on his land!"

"He even clearly laid out the downsides of the Church of Light!"

"But later, Viscount Gervas still refused—and gave an explanation, precisely revealing this reason."

"So that's how it is! Everything makes sense now!"

"No wonder he was so eager to get the Church of Light to build its temple on his land—he wants them to shield him from danger!"

After confirming again, Ma Xieer's expression turned equally stunned.

Like Mil, he had never seen anyone try to use the Church of Light as cannon fodder.

"My lord, should we tell Bishop Branden about Viscount Gervas's actions?"

"Why tell Bishop Branden? We should figure out how to extract some benefit from Viscount Gervas!"

"If he's willing to give, we pretend we know nothing. If he refuses, we use it to curry favor with Bishop Branden!"

"My lord, you are truly a wise noble!" The servant gazed at Ma Xieer with admiration.

Ma Xieer smiled slightly, but seeing Branden and Gervas approaching the carriage, he immediately said, "They're coming!"

"Find an opportunity to approach Gervas later—if you can get ten or twenty gold coins, we act as if we saw nothing."

"Yes, my lord!"

The personal servant understood perfectly—he had done this sort of thing more than once or twice.

…

"Bishop Branden, what do you think of this location? This lake may not have any colorful-winged swans, but its water quality and vegetation are no worse than Swan Lake!"

"Moreover, it's only five li from the Royal Highway—transporting supplies will be extremely convenient in the future!"

"Of course, more importantly, it's far enough from the Death Mountains—no more beasts will appear!"

Beside a clear lake on the western edge of Storm Domain, Gervas enthusiastically described the surroundings once more.

Branden glanced around and had to admit—the scenery of Storm Domain was indeed impressive.

And though earlier incidents had occurred, Gervas's choice of location clearly showed careful thought.

Of course, given past lessons, Branden would be even more cautious.

"Viscount Gervas, the environment here does seem beautiful, but I must inspect the surrounding area further—I hope you understand!"

"Of course, Bishop Branden—shall I accompany you on a tour?"

"No, Viscount Gervas, just wait here—I'll explore on my own!" To avoid interference, Branden declined Gervas's offer.

Gervas, seeing this, did not press further.

As Branden and several priests began surveying the area, Ma Xieer gave a subtle glance to his personal servant.

The servant quickly approached Gervas.

"Viscount Gervas!"

"You're Ma Xieer's steward, aren't you? What do you want?"

"Viscount Gervas, I happened to overhear your conversation with Baron Mil just now—about why you want the Church of Light to build a temple in Storm Domain!"

Gervas immediately frowned. "What are you implying?"

"Viscount Gervas, I mean no harm—I simply hope you won't begrudge a small favor, so that this accidental listener will keep quiet."

"You're blackmailing a noble?" Gervas glared fiercely at the servant.

But the servant had Ma Xieer's backing—and had done this before—so he was not intimidated.

"Viscount Gervas, you misunderstand—this isn't blackmail, merely a friendly reminder!"

"Of course, you may refuse—but I have a loose tongue. I might just slip up in front of Lord Ma Xieer or Bishop Branden."

Well, this was an outright threat. Gervas's expression shifted repeatedly. "Fifty silver coins!"

"No, no, no—fifty silver coins are for beggars. I want thirty gold coins!"

"Thirty gold coins? Are you mad? Do you know how much that can buy? I'll give you one gold coin—take it or leave it!" Gervas gritted his teeth.

"Viscount Gervas, I am very sincere. Here, twenty gold coins, and I guarantee I won't speak a word!"

"Otherwise, if even one gold coin is missing, I dare not guarantee that Lord Brandon might not learn of Viscount's schemes in a moment!"

"Just one gold coin, take it or leave it!" Gervas seemed very stingy, completely unwilling to give more.

"Viscount Gervas, have you thought it over!" The servant frowned slightly, rarely seeing such a stingy noble.

"I have already thought it through very clearly!" Gervas's tone was resolute!

Now it was the servant's turn to hesitate, "Viscount Gervas, ten gold coins..."

"Get lost, now I won't give even one coin!" Gervas shouted in anger.

At this moment, Lei Meng and others also sensed something was wrong and all walked toward Gervas.

This servant was very cautious and absolutely dared not risk letting those knights approach.

"Viscount Gervas, then just wait!"

Having spoken, the servant hurriedly ran to Ma Xieer's side.

Around Ma Xieer were several Iron Wolf City knights and the remaining Light Knights.

"How was it?"

"My lord, that Gervas was only willing to offer one gold coin at first, but when I lowered the price to ten gold coins, he wouldn't even agree to one gold coin, and told me to get lost!"

Ma Xieer immediately frowned, "So stingy? Then we might as well show favor to Lord Brandon!"

At this time, Brandon happened to return after patrolling with several priests.

Ma Xieer immediately said, "You know what to do in a moment, right?"

"My lord, this humble one knows!"