Chapter 406: The More Outstanding, the More You Must Crush!

"Lord Gervas? Do you know him too, Your Grace?" Solit's face turned pale, filled with unease.

"What, is there something unusual about this Gervas? Or do you have a grudge against him?" Duke Lieshi immediately sensed something amiss.

Solit dared not conceal anything. "Your Grace, I… I previously schemed against this Gervas…"

Seeing Duke Lieshi's brow furrow, Solit hurried to explain, "Your Grace, I did not act out of personal spite—I acted for Prince Second!"

"Prince Second? What exactly happened?"

Solit did not dare delay; he quickly recounted how Gervas had offended Prince Second.

"Is what you say true?" Duke Lieshi, a man of such stature, would never care about petty squabbles among the young.

Thus, he had known nothing of Prince Second's dealings with Stormhold.

"Your Grace, even if I had a hundred lives, I would never dare deceive you!"

Duke Lieshi nodded. "What a pity—I had actually intended to bring him into the family."

Clearly, Duke Lieshi had summoned Solit to learn more about Gervas and attempt to win him over.

Though noble houses possessed deep roots, they still needed a constant influx of fresh blood.

Only then could they ensure their continued dominance and avoid being overshadowed by rising talents.

The best method was through marriage alliances.

But upon learning that Gervas had offended Prince Second, Duke Lieshi immediately abandoned this idea.

For Prince Second was the most critical piece in the Lieshi family's strategy.

If Prince Second succeeded in seizing the throne, the Lieshi family would automatically become the foremost house of the Griffin Kingdom.

Thus, a minor noble who had offended Prince Second had no right to exist—he could never be accepted by the Lieshi family.

Solit instantly breathed a sigh of relief.

He was no fool; when Duke Lieshi questioned him, he had already sensed the duke might have taken an interest in Gervas.

And if that were true, his past scheming against Gervas would surely lead to a grim fate.

But now it seemed Duke Lieshi still greatly valued Prince Second's stance.

A flicker of thought passed through Solit's eyes; a strange excitement stirred within him. He ventured cautiously, "Your Grace, may I ask—what exactly is so special about this Gervas that even you have heard of him?"

Solit was not surprised that Mil was famous.

But for a duke to take notice of Gervas? That was beyond Solit's understanding.

"Don't you know?"

Know what?

Solit was baffled by the question.

Seeing his reaction, Duke Lieshi looked at him with disdain.

A former deputy commander of the Vanguard Battalion, yet unaware of Gervas's true status?

"Do you not know who is the most powerful and most decorated minor noble in the Vanguard Battalion?"

Solit of course knew. "Your Grace, I know—it's Baron Mil."

"Fool!" Solit's confident answer earned him a furious scolding from Duke Lieshi.

Solit trembled, unsure where he had gone wrong.

"You fool! Gervas has been under your command for so long, yet you didn't realize he is the most powerful and most decorated man in the Vanguard Battalion!"

"This… this can't be…" Solit could not believe it.

"Fool! Do you think I, a duke, would lie to you?"

"Your Grace, that's not what I meant—Baron Mil was publicly commended twice, and this battle's victory was credited to him…"

"Though everyone believes Mil earned the victory in this battle and the previous ones…"

"Do you know that in every engagement—at Green River Valley, at the Valley Gate Fortress, and in this very battle—the highest number of enemy heads were taken by Lord Gervas?"

"The spearmen and the guards who could fight beasts one-on-one—they all serve Gervas!"

"Gervas took the most heads? The spearmen and guards are his subordinates? This…" Duke Lieshi's words left Solit's mind in chaos.

For until now, he had believed Baron Mil was the most accomplished minor noble in the southern frontier.

He had assumed the spearmen and guards were Mil's men.

And Gervas? He was merely lucky, riding on Mil's coattails.

"Now do you understand, you fool? You thought you could use his head to curry favor with Prince Second, yet you couldn't even see his true nature—you're the biggest fool of all!" Duke Lieshi's rebuke left no mercy.

Solit was filled with shame and his heart turned to ash.

He had been so foolish, manipulated by Gervas like a puppet.

Judging by Duke Lieshi's fury, his entire future was ruined.

As Solit sank into despair, Duke Lieshi, having vented his anger, spoke again: "You just mentioned another southern frontier inspector also wants to deal with that boy?"

"Yes, Your Grace!"

"Then keep in contact with that southern inspector. Since Gervas has offended Prince Second, he must never be allowed to rise again."

"The more outstanding he becomes, the more he must be suppressed. Do you understand my meaning?"

Solit, moments ago filled with despair, now burned with fervor. "Your Grace, I know what to do—I will ensure Gervas never leaves the northern battlefield alive!"

"Good! Go! If you need anything, come to me!"

…

The Redstone City square blazed with lantern light.

The curfew imposed during the war had been lifted after this great victory.

Upon hearing the news, the merchant caravans lagging at the valley gate surged forward in droves.

After leaving the meeting hall, Gervas did not return to his camp—he was dragged by Mil and the others to the merchant-filled Redstone City square.

After all, they had long yearned for a proper release.

Now that the chance had come, they would not let it slip.

And Gervas, the undisputed hero in their eyes, could not refuse.

"Baron Mil!"

"Baron Mil!"

As the group entered the merchant quarter, greetings for Mil echoed along the way.

If before, people had merely heard whispers of Mil's name,

now they knew it intimately.

After all, the battle where the spearmen and guards defeated the Wolf Riders was unforgettable.

Mil could only nod politely to the nobles who greeted him.

Throughout this, he kept glancing at Gervas.

Gervas, seeing this, smiled warmly and gave him an encouraging nod.

Mil, seeing this, felt slightly calmed.