Chapter 83: The Violet Vassal Army!

"Steward, my lord!" The guards, upon seeing Steward Lai De, hurriedly stepped aside.

Lai De nodded, yet frowned as he sized up the father and daughter. "You say you're my distant relatives?"

Lei Meng was delighted — he hadn't expected such a coincidence, with the very man himself right near the castle gate.

He immediately signaled to his daughter.

"Grandpa Lai De, I'm Lilya! This is the token my mother left behind all those years ago — she said you'd definitely remember us once you saw it!"

Lilya produced an exquisite crystal hairpin.

The instant he saw the hairpin, Lai De froze for a beat, then a moment later his expression shifted.

"So it's Lilya — you've grown so big already! Come, come inside the castle with Grandpa!"

And so Lei Meng and Lilya were led into the castle and settled in the servants' rest area.

After instructing the servants to enthusiastically bring the father and daughter clean water and dried fruit, he drove all the other servants away.

Once everything was done, Lai De's brilliant smile vanished from his face, replaced by a gaze fixed tightly on Lai De.

"Sir, we've prepared roughly two thousand gold coins, and the remainder is gold and silver vessels, jewelry, and ornaments worth about another two thousand gold coins!"

"So all we ask is that you don't harm our Viscount — all these gold coins and treasures can be yours!"

"But if anything happens to our Viscount, I will turn every last gold coin into a bounty, and I will not rest until the Viscount has his revenge!"

Lei Meng nodded — this Viscount's steward was indeed competent.

Earlier he had seen through the ruse yet kept a straight face; now, facing bandits, he still did not grovel.

Instead, he gave the bandits enough of a deterrent — that was the likeliest way to keep the Viscount safe.

However, he had clearly misunderstood!

"Steward Lai De, I am no kidnapper. I am from Storm Territory, the Knight Commander serving Baron Gervas!"

Lei Meng produced the Baron's Badge Gervas had given him — a finely crafted copper badge issued by the kingdom, impossible for any back-alley workshop to forge.

"Storm Territory… Knight Commander?" Lai De was taken aback. He had heard of Storm Territory, but he was unaware it had a new lord.

"Steward Lai De, our lord received a tip just a few days ago that a band of bandits with a grudge against us had pulled off a big score somewhere in the kingdom."

"On further investigation, that big score turned out to be the kidnapping of the Violet Viscount!"

"As fellow nobles, our lord decided to have me bring you this news."

"But our lord said that anyone able to pull off the precise kidnapping of a Viscount must very likely have an inside man. So, for the Violet Viscount's safety, I could only disguise myself and bring my daughter along."

"This… Knight Commander, sir, then where is our Viscount right now? Is she all right?!" Lai De stepped forward in sudden agitation.

Lei Meng did not delay, and immediately told Steward Lai De the fact that the Scorpion Bandits were the culprits.

Upon learning it was the Scorpion Bandits, the color drained further from the castle steward's face. "The Scorpion Bandits — it's the Scorpion Bandits! Those fellows are utterly vicious; they've raided noble domains many times before!"

"Steward Lai De, your Violet Viscount is safe for the moment, but if she isn't rescued soon, that may no longer be the case!"

"Our lord says that lot are surely planning to silence her by killing her, so don't harbor any illusions — otherwise you'll lose both the person and the money!"

"Also, some of the Violet Family's people may no longer be trustworthy, so the rescue must be organized in secret! When the time comes, our Storm Territory is willing to provide a guide free of charge."

"Thank Baron Gervas for his aid, and thank you, sir, for delivering the message. I will go at once to rally the Violet Family's vassals!"

What followed was no longer Lei Meng's concern.

The steward left the servants' rest area with great composure, then, under a reasonable pretext, went to meet with several vassals.

A Viscount may confer titles upon at most two Barons and three Knights.

However, although the Violet Family was wealthy, they were, after all, only a border lord, so they had only one Baron and two Knights.

These three vassals and the Violet Family shared in one another's honor.

If they did not wish to lose their fiefs, they had to rescue the Viscountess.

So there was essentially no possibility of betrayal.

When night fell, Lei Meng was led outside the castle and met the three vassals.

"Sir Lei Meng, Baron Baron Mien and the two Knights have assembled a force of nine hundred men!"

"Not a single one of them is from the Viscount's guard — that should guarantee the news won't leak!"

"Also, I will only go to Iron Wolf City to call for reinforcements a day after the force sets out. That way the news can't leak ahead of time!"

"Now I must trouble you, sir, to lead the way!" Steward Lai De made the introductions.

……

"My lord, Knight Commander Lei Meng has returned, and he's brought an army of over a thousand men!"

Two days later, Storm Territory.

Knight Mi Gen burst into the castle's great hall, face alight with excitement.

Gervas sprang up from the sofa.

"Mi Gen, are the knights and guards ready?"

"My lord, the knights have been ready at all times these past two days, and the guard corps has also received word that a mission is coming. Every weapon and piece of equipment has been maintained in peak condition — ready at any moment to cut the enemy's heads off with sharp blades!"

"Excellent. Pass the word: once the Violet Family's army passes through, our Storm Legion will set out immediately. We will make the Scorpion Bandits pay blood for blood!"

"Yes, my lord! We must make the Scorpion Brotherhood pay blood for blood!"

Once everything was arranged, Gervas went in person to meet the Violet Family's vassals.

And upon seeing Gervas with their own eyes, Baron Baron Mien and the other two Knights also breathed a long sigh of relief.

Although Lei Meng had produced the Baron's Badge and stated his origins, they were bound to have remained somewhat on their guard — after all, even the Viscount had been kidnapped.

But now, Gervas had come from the castle itself, so he could not possibly be one of the bandits' men.

Otherwise, if anything went wrong, the lord of Storm Territory who had delivered the false message would not escape either.

"Sir, all the vassals of the Violet Family will bear your kindness firmly in mind!"

"If the Viscount is rescued, we shall certainly come in person to pay our respects and offer our thanks!"

"Go, may the God of Glory watch over you. I wish you success, Baron Baron Mien!"

Thus, Gervas, Baron Baron Mien, and their party followed the guide sent by Gervas and arrived at the Scorpion Bandit Gang's stronghold.

Gazing at the towering cliffs, Baron Baron Mien and the others had faces filled with solemnity.

"For the Viscount, even sacrificing all our lives is worth it; otherwise, if the Viscount meets with an accident, our fiefs will likely be reclaimed by the Kingdom!" Baron Baron Mien looked at the other two Barons.

"Baron Baron Mien, we understand!"

"Then let us begin!"

Clang, clang, clang!

The alarm bell echoed throughout the entire Scorpion Bandit Gang camp.

They did not choose a surprise attack, for the terrain of the Scorpion Bandit Gang's stronghold made it impossible for them, these minor nobles, to attempt one.

The winding mountain path was visible at a glance from top to bottom.

Therefore, the instant the Violet vassals launched their attack, the defending Scorpion Bandit Gang immediately took notice.