Chapter 473: The Stonecrack Duke

And upon investigation, it was indeed as Duke Hernade said—quite easy to determine.

Because the night watches these past two days were all assigned to noble families, tonight’s watch involved only six families total.

As the Commander-in-Chief dispatched personnel to question these noble families,

It was quickly learned that only the Stonecrack Duke’s family had over thirty watch soldiers missing.

“Are you certain? My Stonecrack family’s soldiers?” The Stonecrack Duke had never cared much about uncovering the spy.

What he cared about now was ensuring his own men could break out successfully in two days.

As for the spy potentially endangering the kingdom’s security in the future,

He actually thought it might be a good thing.

Because the kingdom is currently controlled by the Crown Prince.

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

Yet when he heard that among tonight’s watch soldiers, only his own family had gone missing, he froze.

“Your Grace, I am absolutely certain—this information came directly from your camp’s Deputy Commander Japas!”

“Although other families also suffered casualties, those soldiers died on the front wall defending against the beastmen’s breach!”

“But your Stonecrack family’s soldiers were stationed on the left wall—there was no battle there tonight!”

“Moreover, Deputy Commander Japas also questioned other Stonecrack family watch squads nearby—all confirmed that no fighting occurred on the left wall before retreat…”

At this, the Northern Legion officer fell silent.

After all, the situation was now clear.

The soldiers from other families died on the front wall during the beastmen’s assault—this was verifiable.

But the Stonecrack family’s soldiers, due to the Duke’s status, had always been assigned to the left wall, where no fighting occurred.

Now, in a place with no obvious combat, over thirty men had vanished—this alone spoke volumes.

“So the beastmen most likely entered the city through the left wall—but how did they manage to kill over thirty Stonecrack soldiers without being noticed by nearby guards?” The Commander-in-Chief frowned.

The Stonecrack Duke immediately raised his eyebrows, displeased. “Commander-in-Chief, you don’t suspect my Stonecrack family of being beastmen spies, do you?”

“Your Grace, I have no such thought whatsoever. The Stonecrack family has been a pillar of the kingdom since its founding—there is absolutely no possibility they would do such a thing!”

“I am merely puzzled—how did the beastmen kill over thirty guards silently, without alerting nearby soldiers?” The Commander-in-Chief immediately affirmed this.

And this was no lie—given the Stonecrack Duke’s status, unless he rebelled outright, there was no other way he could betray the kingdom.

“There is another point: under normal circumstances, for the beastmen to sneak into the city, they would seek our weakest point.”

“Whether the front wall or the right wall, both are far more ‘vulnerable’ than the left wall.”

“Yet they deliberately chose the left wall—the Stonecrack family’s guards. Why?” At this, Duke Hernade suddenly spoke up, echoing the Commander-in-Chief.

After a pause, Duke Hernade added, “Of course, Your Grace, I know you may be stingy, but you would never ally with the beastmen!”

The Stonecrack Duke’s face flushed red and white.

Hernade’s words were unmistakably offensive.

Yet somehow, he felt he ought to thank the man for his trust.

“Hmph, since my Stonecrack family is involved, I will investigate this matter thoroughly myself.”

“Also, Commander-in-Chief, if you uncover any Stonecrack family member involved, I will not shield or excuse them.”

“Enough. The night is late. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”

Saying this, the Stonecrack Duke rose and departed.

The Commander-in-Chief and Duke Hernade watched him go.

“Though the Stonecrack Duke is certainly not connected to the beastmen, their choice of the left wall—his family’s post—must have a reason.”

“So, Commander-in-Chief, if you continue investigating, look into this angle.”

“Duke Hernade, I’ve already ordered my men to compile the full list of everyone entering or leaving Lindongbao in the two days before and after the fire.”

“But with only these two days free for detailed investigation, the list is merely stored for now.”

Duke Hernade nodded. “Keep this list secure. Even if we can’t catch the spy now, the kingdom can pursue it later.”

…

“Your Grace, you summoned us? What are your orders?”

“Solit, Willard—tell me, what were you two doing before the beastmen attacked tonight?”

Solit and Willard froze, then replied cautiously, “Your Grace, we secretly slaughtered a draft horse and hid it, then ate and drank in our tent…”

“Only ate and drank in camp? Did nothing else?” The Stonecrack Duke fixed them with a piercing gaze.

“N-no! We just ate meat—we were starving these past two days, Your Grace. What’s wrong?” Solit looked bewildered, as if surprised the Duke wasn’t angry about the stolen horse.

“Nothing. Just a reminder—your next actions must be cautious. The army’s last supply convoy was burned, and tonight the beastmen sneaked in—both due to spies.”

“So the Commander-in-Chief and Duke Hernade are investigating spies within the army. You previously contacted the beastmen—though unrelated to these two incidents, I fear word might leak, and then you won’t be able to explain yourselves.”

“What? The Commander-in-Chief and Duke Hernade are investigating spies? This… we… we won’t be caught, right? We only did it to get back at Gervas—nothing else has to do with us!”

Seeing the two turn pale and tremble like leaves, the Stonecrack Duke scowled.

He had once thought Solit, a distant branch descendant, was sharp and somewhat useful.

But now, this little scare reduced him to quivering—how could he ever accomplish anything important?

“Enough. I’m just warning you to be careful. The Commander-in-Chief and Duke Hernade are hunting spies who set fires and aided beastmen’s infiltration—nothing to do with you. Why panic?”

“Now go back. The army will prepare to break out soon—get ready yourselves.”

“Yes, Your Grace!” Solit and Willard bowed.

As they bowed, they exchanged a silent glance.

The unaware Stonecrack Duke watched them leave.

“I must be overthinking it. Even if they had a hundred lives, they wouldn’t dare ally with the beastmen!” The Stonecrack Duke shook his head.