150: Chapter 150: Selecting Five Beauties to Accompany Him! Undercurrents simmer in the council chamber!

After Rowan left the reception room, he began to ponder his next steps.

First, he still needed to bring some of his own people, even if it was just a prototype team.

He walked quickly back to his study, the list of candidates from the beauty pageant flashing through his mind.

Time was tight; he could not take too many people, but he could select a few seeds who seemed to have the most potential and might prove useful on this trip.

His fingers moved rapidly across the roster, his gaze locking onto a few names:

Cecilia, S-rank.

He had personally tested her; she possessed extremely powerful shadow and perception-based extraordinary traits.

She was a natural-born scout and intelligence officer.

Perhaps she could be trained into something like the secret police agencies from his past life—a personal guard or intelligence organization leader specializing in surveillance, information, and covert operations.

This trip would be the perfect opportunity to observe her on-site reactions and the practicality of her talents.

Helena, S-rank.

Assessment notes: A top student at the Hengshi Academy of Law in Frostwind City, consistently ranking in the top three of the entire academy, particularly excelling in subjects like "Imperial Coordination Studies," "Territorial Resource Management," and "Essential Legal Documents."

Professor's comments: Exceptional memory, meticulous thinking, clear logic, skilled at quickly summarizing key points from complex information, and formulating well-organized plans.

Exceptional at coordination... meticulous, skilled at organizing. This was the talent he currently lacked.

A staff officer who could help him sort through information from all sides and bring order to chaotic affairs.

Worth taking along to test her true capabilities.

Isabelle, S-rank.

Assessment notes: Born into a declining bureaucratic diplomatic family, proficient in three foreign languages, well-versed in aristocratic etiquette, diplomatic rhetoric, and document formatting, with a certain understanding of the Imperial upper-class interpersonal networks and unwritten rules.

Born into a bureaucratic family, familiar with documents and etiquette.

She might be useful when dealing with local authorities.

Adeline, A-rank.

Assessment notes: A student at Diya Military Academy, with top grades in subjects like tactical deduction, sand table exercises, and military geography.

Trained at a military academy; even if she was just a student, she should possess foundational military knowledge.

Take her along; perhaps she could provide some ideas on a tactical level or assist in understanding professional military intelligence.

Charlotte, A-rank.

Assessment notes: From Diya Military Academy, majoring in military logistics, camp management, and basic battlefield first aid, with excellent grades.

Logistics and camp management... seemingly trivial, but actually tied to the lifeblood of an army.

Take her along to see if she lives up to her reputation.

Once his mind was made up, Rowan did not hesitate. He immediately summoned a servant and gave quick orders:

"Find these five ladies immediately: Cecilia, Helena, Isabelle, Adeline, and Charlotte."

"Tell them to pack their personal belongings quickly. In a quarter of an hour, gather at the castle's main courtyard to accompany me on a trip. Be quick!"

The servant received the order and dashed off.

Rowan himself quickly changed into a dark grey hunting-style outfit that was more suitable for travel and action.

As he tidied up, he continued to think:

Bringing these five along would serve as a field test and verification.

To see just how much true substance these S-rank and A-rank talents, touted so highly by the merchant guild, actually possessed, and if they were as good as the records stated.

It was also a chance to observe their character and how they performed under crisis and pressure.

If they truly had talent, this would be their opportunity to shine.

If they were mediocre or just had empty reputations... hmph, then he would have to settle the score with that merchant guild.

Not long after, at the castle's main courtyard.

The carriage was already prepared.

Rowan's carriage, fit for a Count, was exceptionally spacious, drawn by four spirited horses from the North.

Vanessa's motorcade followed close behind.

Cecilia was the first to arrive. She had changed into dark brown leather hunting gear that was easier for movement, and her long hair was neatly tied back.

She carried a small pack, her expression calm, her eyes vigilantly observing the busy servants and soldiers around her.

Helena followed shortly after.

Her gaze was calm. After curtsying to Rowan, she stood quietly to the side, eyes lowered, lost in thought.

Isabelle, Adeline, and Charlotte arrived one after another.

Isabelle wore a proper travel dress, trying her best to maintain her composure.

Adeline and Charlotte were both dressed in simple, practical clothing similar to that of military academy students, looking sharp and capable.

Rowan did not offer much explanation, just swept his gaze over the five of them and nodded: "Get in."

He was the first to board the carriage.

Cecilia hesitated for a moment before being the second to follow.

Helena bit her lip and also silently got into the carriage.

Isabelle, Adeline, and Charlotte entered in turn.

The interior of the carriage was extremely spacious, enough to seat seven or eight people.

The decoration was not flashy, but the materials were solid. It was equipped with fixed desks, storage compartments, and even small shock absorbers, clearly designed with the needs of Northern nobles for long-distance travel in mind.

Rowan sat in the main seat in the center.

Cecilia chose the corner diagonally opposite him, her body slightly tense.

Helena sat by the window, her gaze directed outside, her profile cold and detached.

Isabelle sat next to Helena, appearing somewhat restrained.

Adeline and Charlotte sat on the other side, exchanging low whispers.

Just then, a soft knocking sound came from the carriage wall.

Vanessa suddenly boarded this carriage as well.

After boarding, she scanned the scene inside, a strange look flashing in her eyes, and then sat down right next to Rowan without ceremony.

At the same time, she handed a list to Rowan.

Rowan was slightly taken aback, then took the list.

Then he began to discuss it with Vanessa.

Based on the information and the list Vanessa provided, he deduced their course of action upon arriving at City Hall.

The coachman cracked the whip, and the carriage slowly started moving.

...

Gino City, City Hall.

This grey-white stone building, symbolizing the heart of Gino County, appeared exceptionally solemn and cold.

The council hall was located on the first floor of the main building, with a ceiling nearly ten meters high. It was grand and open, capable of accommodating over a hundred people.

By this time, quite a few people were already seated around the long table.

The department heads and deputies of City Hall who had received the emergency summons, along with City Guard officers above the rank of captain, as well as several noble representatives in Gino City, had all arrived.

At this moment, no one was talking, and the atmosphere was heavy.

They were either sitting upright, staring straight ahead, or slightly bowing their heads, fixated on the table in front of them.

The news of the border emergency had spread within a limited circle, and everyone had some guesses about the purpose of the Lord's emergency summons.

But how exactly things would change remained unknown.

Suddenly, the doors of the council hall were pushed open by guards.

Rowan Flynn stepped in first.

He was wearing his hunting outfit, his gaze sweeping calmly across the room.

Swept by this gaze, many felt a chill in their hearts and instinctively straightened their backs.

But what was puzzling to some was the group that followed closely behind him.

Five beautiful women with distinct temperaments.

Their appearance in this council hall, which was mostly filled with male bureaucrats and officers, was abrupt enough.

And following behind the five women, more than a dozen others filed in.

Leading them was Viscountess Purple Thorn, Vanessa.

She had changed into a solemn deep purple Viscountess gown, a proper smile on her face, as she slowly swept her gaze over those present.

She lingered for a moment, in particular, on the faces of several officials who, according to intelligence, had close ties with the Duke Witton faction.

Count Golden Flame, five young women of unknown origin, the Viscountess Purple Thorn, and the aides and guards who were clearly core retainers of the Bryce Family...

The information revealed by this combination was too massive, instantly stirring up silent undercurrents in the quiet council hall!

Several gazes were rapidly exchanging information.