93: Allen

On the edge of the vast, azure Storm Sea Region, a small sailboat flying the banner of the House of Earl Alistair was sailing toward Shattered Star Island.

On the bow deck, Allen Alistair stood by the railing; the sea breeze tousled his brown hair, but it could not disperse the burning excitement and greed in his eyes.

In the distance, the winding coastline of Shattered Star Island was already in sight.

Even more striking was the gradually clarifying outline of a city on the coast: orderly city walls, towering watchtowers, dense rooftops, and masts standing like a forest in the port.

Even from a distance, one could feel its vigorous vitality and scale.

"Do you see it? Gray Shadow, Blood Blade."

Allen's voice carried irrepressible excitement as he spoke to the two figures standing silently behind him like shadows.

"That is Star Sea City! The assets my 'good brother' managed to scrape together. It looks more decent than most of the towns in Father's territory."

The man called "Gray Shadow" was lean, with an unremarkable face that made him the type to vanish into a crowd; only his eyes occasionally flashed with a cold light, appearing exceptionally calm, even indifferent.

Hearing this, his gaze swept across the city's outline and port defenses like a scan, his voice flat and waveless: "The scale indeed exceeds that of a typical pioneering territory. The layout of the defensive arrow towers at the port has some order; it doesn't look like it was built haphazardly."

"Blood Blade" was more robust, with a faint old scar on his face, and a subtle, lingering scent of blood radiating from him.

He grinned, revealing stark white teeth: "No matter how decent it looks, it is still a rootless tree. Master, it seems your brother has indeed laid a good foundation for you. It saves us the trouble of building from scratch."

"That's right!" Allen struck the railing heavily, as if the city were already in his grasp.

"Father is always full of concerns, saying he might have some ability. Now it seems it's just good luck, plus the prosperity piled up by spending a fortune on Slaves. True power lies in high-end combat strength, in Bloodline and Legacy! A half-elf hybrid like him, gathering a bunch of rabble by taking shortcuts—what kind of real experts could possibly be loyal to him? At most, having one or two Gold Initial Rank nobodies to put on a show is the limit."

The more he spoke, the more convinced he became of his judgment.

He turned to face the two assassins, his tone becoming resolute: "My plan is simple. We will enter the city openly in the name of the Family envoys, visiting a brother. Once we see Linn, we will find a relatively private moment, such as after the welcoming banquet, or when he meets us alone, and strike directly! Gray Shadow, you are skilled in control and assassination; neutralize or severely injure his potential personal guards immediately. Blood Blade, you and I will rush to kill Linn with full force! At most he is High Gold Rank, I am Gold Intermediate Rank, and with you at High Gold Rank, the two of us against one, a sudden burst of power will be enough to kill him! Once Linn is dead, the group will be leaderless, and I will reveal my Family identity and Father's letter, taking over the territory in the name of the elder brother and Earl heir, all quite logically!"

Gray Shadow frowned slightly; his caution made him accustomed to assessing all risks: "Master, is it too rushed? We are newcomers, and our knowledge of the city's defensive forces, the true situation of the guards around Linn, and even his specific strength are all just speculation. Would it be safer to observe for a day or two and figure out the patterns before acting? After all, the mission requires it to be 'clean, without leaving any handle.'"

Although Blood Blade was bloodthirsty, he also echoed: "Gray Shadow makes sense. At least see who follows him around, and the guard rotation patterns inside the castle. Acting rashly in an uncertain environment has too many variables."

"Observe? There is no time to observe!" Allen waved his hand impatiently, his face full of impatience for the power about to be in his hands.

"The Kingdom's ennoblement has just been completed; he is currently at his most complacent and likely slackest moment! If we wait for him to become vigilant, or for those mud-legged peasants in the territory to truly embrace him as their master, it will only become troublesome. We must seize the moment and solve the problem with lightning speed! You must know, we represent the House of Earl Alistair! What does he dare do to us? Even if he has doubts, he must receive us politely! This is our opportunity!"

Seeing that the two were still hesitant, he deepened his tone, adopting an imperative command: "I am the visible person in charge of this operation! Do as I say! A mere Linn, plus you two High Gold Rankers, surely you can't take him down? Don't forget I am also Gold Intermediate Rank! The strength of the three of us is enough to walk sideways in most Viscount territories! It's decided. We land directly, present our calling cards and Father's letter, and demand to see the Viscount of Star Sea, my 'good brother'!"

Gray Shadow and Blood Blade exchanged a glance, both seeing a trace of helplessness in the other's eyes.

They knew Allen's arrogance and impatience, but orders had to be carried out.

Gray Shadow finally nodded slightly: "As you wish, Master. We will act according to the situation and ensure a hit on the first strike."

Blood Blade licked his lips, a flash of red light appearing in his eyes: "Fine, then... let's be direct. I hope the blood of this Viscount of Star Sea tastes a bit different."

Allen smiled with satisfaction, looking again at the increasingly close Star Sea Port, as if he had already seen himself sitting on the Lord's throne.

"Accelerate! Raise the Family flag, notify the port: Lord Allen Alistair, second son of Earl Alistair, has come to visit the Viscount of Star Sea and congratulate him on his promotion!"

...

On the watchtower of Star Sea Port, the sentry had long noticed the strange ship bearing the noble crest.

When the other party raised the flag of the House of Earl Alistair and signaled for a friendly visit, the sentry did not dare to be negligent and immediately sent someone flying on horseback to report to the castle.

Inside the castle study, Linn was discussing the arrangement of the mage academy location with Morton and Elise.

The messenger entered hurriedly and knelt on one knee: "Report, my Lord! News from the port watchtower: a ship flying the crest of the House of Earl Alistair is requesting to enter the port. The other party claims to be Lord Allen Alistair, second son of Earl Alistair, here specifically to visit you and congratulate you on your promotion to Viscount."

The atmosphere in the room froze instantly.

Morton's brow furrowed immediately.

Elise widened her eyes in surprise, subconsciously looking at Linn.

The peace on Linn's face gradually faded, his eyes becoming unfathomable.

He was silent for a few seconds, his fingers tapping the tabletop unconsciously.

"House of Alistair... Allen..." He repeated the two names in a low voice, his tone unreadable, yet it sent a chill through Morton, who knew him well.

"Young Master, this..." Morton hesitated, his aged face full of worry.

He was one of the people who knew best about Linn's past situation in the House of Alistair.

Elise couldn't help but speak, her tone carrying doubt and a trace of naive speculation: "House of Alistair? Is that the Young Master's original Family? They sent someone at this time... could it be that they know the Young Master has been promoted to Viscount and the territory is developing very well, so... so they want to collect taxes or get a share? Just like those greedy distant relatives?"

In her eyes, since Linn was so excellent, it was the most reasonable explanation that the Family wanted to take advantage and suck blood now.

Linn shook his head slowly, the corners of his mouth curling into a smile without any warmth: "Elise, you think of noble families, especially the House of Alistair, too 'affectionately.'"

He looked out the window, his gaze seeming to pierce through the city walls and see that indifferent castle in the distant Molan Province.

"If it were for profit, they wouldn't have offered any greetings when I was still a precarious pioneering Baron. Now that I have just been enfeoffed as a Viscount, they 'happen' to send someone to 'congratulate'..."

He paused, a sharp light flashing in his eyes: "And the one who came is Allen. My 'second brother.' Growing up, he never gave me a good look. 'Congratulate'? I'm afraid he wishes I had disappeared on that desolate island forever."

Morton added in a deep voice, his tone very low: "Young Master, those who come are not good, and those who are good do not come. Lord Allen is a narrow-minded person with strong jealousy. Back then, when you were... sent out to pioneer, he probably played no small part in it. Now that your achievements are far higher than his, it is absolutely impossible for him to be sincerely congratulating you. This old servant is worried that their trip has ulterior motives."

Linn stood up and walked to the window, his back straight but revealing a cold, murderous intent.

"Earl Alistair has always been extremely purposeful in his actions and does not lack ruthless methods. Allowing Allen to come will never be just a simple Family courtesy visit. It is either a test, or..."

He did not continue, but the air in the study seemed colder.

"Young Master, you mean..." Elise also realized the severity of the problem, her face turning slightly pale.

Linn smiled to comfort Elise: "Don't worry, Elise! Even if Earl Alistair came with people himself, he might not be able to walk out of Star Sea Territory alive, let alone Allen."

Linn had the capital for arrogance, and that was... Destiny within the breath of life.