29: Chapter 0029 Alliance

Viscount Weisman is a traitor!

Although all three of them intuitively felt this was the truth, given that it involved a powerful noble with real authority, Gelia, as the Deputy Director of the police, still felt uneasy and found it hard to believe.

But Li Size knew that verifying this matter wasn't actually complicated.

Just as a spellcaster inevitably leaves traces of energy, everything that happens in the world leaves its own marks.

As the lord of a territory, one only needs to review Viscount Weisman's governance policies over the years.

Li Size believed there must be subtle changes in his policies before and after his betrayal, allowing one to see the larger picture from small details.

Others couldn't see it because they never even considered the possibility of his betrayal.

And based on this assumption, many things that previously seemed illogical now made sense.

A moment later, Gelia said:

'Ten years ago, Viscount Weisman suddenly began increasing annual military spending for the 'Blaze Army' year by year.

'Nine years ago, under the pretext of 'regional transportation development,' he built a large number of main roads in worthless border areas...'

Gelia sighed:

'How terrifying is this?

What reason could there be? Why would he betray the Duchy?

Isn't the Duchy good enough?'

Li Size shook his head. Apart from the person involved, others would likely find it difficult to know these reasons.

Meanwhile, Felina was pondering another matter:

'If, I mean if...

we report this to the Internal Affairs Department, wouldn't that be a great achievement?'

It seemed Felina still valued her identity with the Internal Affairs Department quite a bit, but this approach wouldn't work:

'We have no evidence!

If we report recklessly, we might end up like Bobby's whole family.'

Upon hearing this, Felina began thinking about how to obtain evidence to complete this highly meritorious task, while Gelia voiced her own concerns:

'Oh! Is Gele City still part of the Duchy? Just how many people are in league with Viscount Weisman?

'My superior, the Mayor of Gray Mist Mountain Town, Senior Brother Sven...

'Heavens! Who can I even trust anymore?'

Hearing this, Li Size also drew a sharp breath:

'From Bobby's information, Wilson was clearly just a small pawn of Viscount Weisman.

'His initial recommendation to Rice might have also been arranged by the Feiting Federation's 'Lurkers' to place a watcher under Rice.

'Hmm, let me ask a question. How exactly was Wilson's cause of death reported? It doesn't mention Rice or us, does it?'

Felina thought for a moment:

'Senior Brother gave me a hint, citing confidentiality to forbid any mention of people or things related to Rice.

'He had me fabricate a baseless charge, saying I had a grudge against Wilson. Now many in the police department mistakenly think I was the one who took him out.

'Fortunately, the shooters at the time were all my trusted people, and no one knew about or saw Rice.'

Li Size pondered for a moment, then solemnly advised:

'Then you must ensure your trusted people keep it secret!

'No matter what, Rice is still useful. Try to protect him as much as possible; it's beneficial for us too.'

After a pause, Li Size continued:

'Gelia, you can inform Sven of our suspicions. At the very least, he should be trustworthy.

'Otherwise, he wouldn't have planned the operation to capture Rice with us, nor would he have given you that hint.

'Hmm, perhaps he's already sensed something himself. That would explain a lot of things.'

Regarding Felina's suggestion, Li Size said:

'This matter depends on fate.

'On one hand, he'll be exposed sooner or later. Perhaps he'll expose himself before we even find evidence.

'On the other hand, this also indicates the situation is already severely deteriorating. We should focus even more on improving our strength quickly, so we can protect ourselves in the coming chaos.'

As he said this, Li Size suddenly remembered the young woman Felin he had encountered in Gele City.

Her pointed question about why Gele City lacked high-precision lathes seemed targeted. Also, he still didn't know if she would actually help him connect with a supplier for a high-Rank lathe.

Hearing the conversation between Li Size and Felina, Gelia was momentarily stunned. Then, looking at the two of them seriously, she said:

'Let's form an alliance! To deal with the deteriorating situation ahead, I think you need my help, and I also need some trustworthy allies.'

Upon hearing this, Li Size smiled and shook her hand, finding it cool and smooth to the touch:

'Haven't we been allies all along?'

The night had grown very late...

After discussing their next steps a bit longer, Gelia agreed to help Li Size hire a construction crew to renovate and reinforce the buildings on the two vacant plots of land, and to add some structures according to Li Size's requirements.

With sufficient gold coins and the aid of some magical artifacts, it should be completed in about 10 days.

By then, the equipment Li Size ordered should also be mostly secured. Li Size also had Felina, who maintained contact with Rice, urge them to place the Feiting order and send the payment.

By the time they returned to the academy, it was very late. However, Felina, deeply in love, still insisted on dragging Li Size back to her apartment.

She no longer cared at all about being seen by other instructors or students. It was just that Li Size felt his body growing increasingly weak.

The next day at noon.

Unable to hold back any longer, Li Size went to the library to research Materials on potions for strengthening the body and fortifying one's foundation.

In a book titled *Secret Methods of Rejuvenation*, he found information on a related potency-enhancing aphrodisiac called [Vigorous Might]. He also saw some familiar handwriting notes in it. After careful recollection, he realized they were actually notes from Instructor Snape.

Li Size suddenly remembered seeing Instructor Snape acting flustered and hurried in the Laboratory.

So this guy was brewing potency potions!

He wondered which lady was also so... formidable?

However, the description for [Vigorous Might] stated it could only prolong the duration of the relevant organ's activity, required taking it every time, and couldn't solve Li Size's fundamental problem. It might even have side effects.

Looking at the related information, the fundamental solution was still to enhance one's own physical constitution.

Another week passed happily...

Under the urging of Li Size and Felina, Rice finally sent the first batch of payment: 200 gold coins.

The Feiting Federation planned a one-time order for ten thousand military-grade knight swords. The specifications for these knight swords were even higher than the academy's requirements.

They needed to withstand intense combat and frequent clashing on the battlefield, with a cost target of 2 silver coins per sword.

Because this was a secret transaction, and to encourage Li Size, this 'traitor,' Feiting offered a high price of 3.5 silver coins per sword, attempting to bind him deeply.

They also paid a one-time five-year custody fee of 1.5 silver coins. Calculated together, it came to 5 silver coins per sword. The Feiting Federation even paid 50% of the total upfront, amounting to 100 gold coins, showing great generosity.

Suddenly, Li Size became quite wealthy. He discussed with Felina and allocated another 20 gold coins for her to send as soon as possible to that Advanced Necromancy System Wizard Apprentice, so Felina's sister could receive treatment promptly.

The previous 20 gold coins had been received by that necromancy expert, who sent back a message:

If Felina's side could pay the remaining 100 gold coins within a year, plus an additional 50 gold coins, he happened to have a batch of rare Materials recently.

This could speed up the organ matching process and even allow him to add a small amount of half-elf Bloodline to Felina's sister's heart.

Li Size immediately decided and had Felina agree, signing a new organ transplant surgery contract. This moved Felina greatly, and she insisted on dragging Li Size back to her apartment right at noon.