Chapter 473: Duke Lieshi's Probe!

And investigating this was indeed, as Duke Huanande had said, quite easy.

Because the night watches for the past two days had all been assigned to the great noble families, tonight's watch was covered by only six families in total.

As the Grand Commander dispatched men to inquire among these great noble families,

it was quickly learned that only Duke Lieshi's family had over thirty watch guards unaccounted for.

"Are you certain? Guards of my Lieshi family?" Duke Lieshi had not originally cared much about whether the spy could be uncovered.

What he was most concerned with now was being able to lead his subordinates to break through the encirclement as successfully as possible in a couple of days.

As for that spy potentially endangering the kingdom's security in the future—

he actually felt it might be a good thing.

Because the current kingdom was basically controlled by the First Prince.

So if the beastmen could throw the First Prince into chaos, the Second Prince would have a better chance of seizing the throne.

Only upon hearing that among tonight's watch guards, only his own household had missing personnel did he freeze.

"Duke Lieshi, my lord, I am absolutely certain, because this information was given to me by Vice Commander Jiapasi within your own camp!"

"Although guards from other families also suffered casualties, those were all killed on Winterfell's front city wall while blocking the beastmen from opening the gates!"

"And the soldiers of your Lieshi family were assigned to the left-side city wall, where no battle occurred tonight!"

"Moreover, Vice Commander Jiapasi also inquired with the surrounding Lieshi family watch squads, and they all stated that before retreating, no fighting had occurred on the left-side city wall…"

Having said this, the officer of the named Northern Region legion said no more.

After all, the situation was already quite clear.

The soldiers of other families who died were killed on the front wall while blocking the beastmen—this was verifiable.

But the Lieshi family soldiers, because of Duke Lieshi's status, had always been assigned to the left-side city wall where there was no fighting.

And now, in this place where no obvious battle had occurred, over thirty men had failed to return—this was already enough to explain a great deal.

"So those beastmen most likely entered the city through the left-side city wall; it's just that I don't know what method they used to silently kill over thirty Lieshi family guards!" The Grand Commander furrowed his brow.

Duke Lieshi immediately raised an eyebrow, somewhat displeased. "Grand Commander, you don't actually think my Lieshi family is the beastmen's spy, do you?"

"Duke Lieshi, I absolutely do not hold such a thought. The Lieshi family has been the backbone of the kingdom since its founding, so there is absolutely no possibility they would do such a thing!"

"What puzzles me now is what method those beastmen could possibly have used to silently kill over thirty guards without being noticed by the other guards nearby!" The Grand Commander hastened to affirm upon hearing this.

And this was no lie, because given Duke Lieshi's status, short of rebellion, there was basically no other way to betray the kingdom!

"There is actually one more point—normally, if these beastmen wanted to sneak into the city, they would certainly need to seek out our weakest spot!"

"And whether it's the front wall or the right-side wall, both are 'weaker' than the left-side wall."

"Yet they偏偏 chose the left-side wall, chose the Duke family's guards—why exactly is that?" At this moment, Duke Huanande also suddenly spoke up, echoing the Grand Commander's words.

After a pause, Duke Huanande added: "Of course, Duke Lieshi, I also know that although you are a petty sort, you could never possibly collaborate with the beastmen!"

Duke Lieshi's face immediately turned from blue to white.

Huanande's words, though they sounded so unpleasant to hear—

yet somehow, he seemed to need to thank the other for his trust.

"Hmph, since this involves our Lieshi family, I will also investigate this matter thoroughly.

"Furthermore, Grand Commander, if you find any Lieshi family member at fault, I will absolutely not shield them or make excuses!"

"Very well, gentlemen, it's getting late. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave first!"

With that, Duke Lieshi rose and departed directly.

The Grand Commander and Duke Huanande watched Duke Lieshi leave.

"Although Duke Lieshi is certainly unrelated to the beastmen, the fact that those beastmen chose the Lieshi family's left-side wall must have some reason behind it!"

"So, Grand Commander, if the investigation continues, you can look into that angle!"

"Duke Huanande, I will have my subordinates keep an eye on that aspect. Additionally, I have already had everyone who entered and exited Winterfell Castle within two days before and after that fire a few days ago fully registered."

"However, these past two days have been busy with detailed investigations, so it can only be temporarily stored."

Duke Huanande nodded. "That roster must be well protected. Even if we cannot root out the spy now, afterward the kingdom can continue the investigation!"

……

"Greetings, my lord Duke. My lord Duke, you wished to summon us? May we know what orders you have?"

"Suolite, Wei La De, tell me—what were the two of you doing before tonight's beastmen attack?"

Suolite and Wei La De were first stunned, then cautiously replied: "My lord Duke, the two of us secretly slaughtered a pack horse today and concealed it, then ate and drank inside a camp building…"

"Just eating and drinking in camp? Nothing else?" Duke Lieshi's gaze fixed intently on the two as he continued to press them.

"N-no! We were eating meat the whole time. Mainly, we've been starving these past two days, my lord Duke. What's wrong?" Suolite's face was full of puzzlement, as if wondering why Duke Lieshi wasn't rebuking them for secretly killing the pack horse.

"Nothing much, just asking. You two need to be careful from now on. The army's provisions were burned last time, and tonight the beastmen snuck into the city—both because of spy assistance!"

"So the Grand Commander and Duke Huanande are preparing to investigate the beastmen spy within the army! You two previously contacted the beastmen. Although that has nothing to do with these two incidents, I'm afraid the matter might leak, and when the time comes you won't be able to explain yourselves even if you wanted to!"

"Ah? The Grand Commander and Duke Huanande are preparing to investigate the spy? Th-this… we… we shouldn't be found out, right? After all, we only did it to deal with that Gervas; the other matters have nothing to do with us!"

Seeing the two so frightened their faces turned deathly pale and their bodies shook like sieves, Duke Lieshi revealed displeasure.

He had originally thought the descendant of Suolite's family branch was fairly sharp, with a little usefulness to him.

But now, frightened into trembling by such a small matter, how could he accomplish anything major in the future?

"Enough, I'm merely giving you a reminder so you'll be careful yourselves. The Grand Commander and Duke Huanande are investigating the spy who set fire to the provisions and colluded with the beastmen to enter the city—that has nothing to do with you. What are you nervous about?"

"Now go back! The army is preparing to break out next, so you two prepare yourselves as well!"

"Yes, my lord Duke!" Suolite and Wei La De lowered their heads and answered.

As they lowered their heads, the two exchanged a covert glance.

The oblivious Duke Lieshi watched the two leave.

"It must be me overthinking! Even if I gave them a hundred guts, they wouldn't dare collude with the beastmen!" Duke Lieshi shook his head.