91: Chapter 91: The Aftermath of the Breakthrough! A Conversation in a Secret Room! Alice's Thoughts!

Snow Velvet Manor, master bedroom on the top floor.

The morning sun filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows, spreading a blanket of warm gold.

Lady Lillian had rushed over early this morning.

"My Lord Rowan, you certainly missed a good show!" Lady Lillian sat down across from Rowan and began to vividly describe the explosive information she had gathered.

"It's spreading like wildfire outside right now!" Her eyes sparkled as she lowered her voice and said,

"They say that by the Still Lake last night, someone broke through to become a Great Knight, triggering an unprecedented phenomenon: the Celestial Furnace Refining Stars!"

"The Church's Temple Knight Order was deployed, but they didn't even catch a shadow!"

"The big shots in The Senate, and Princess Alice's side, are said to have urgently summoned their subordinates for discussion."

"For those families in Ice Lake City, the carriages at their gates haven't stopped all day!"

"Everyone is guessing who on earth broke through to Great Knight at this critical juncture!"

She detailed the reactions of various factions and the various exaggerated and bizarre speculations...

Rowan sat in the armchair at the head of the room, listening calmly to Lady Lillian's description.

In the bedroom, besides him and Lady Lillian, there were two other women.

Mira sat on the sofa by Rowan's side, her flame-like long hair cascading down casually.

She had changed into a pair of hunting-style culottes and was nibbling on a piece of toast spread with jam.

Hearing Lillian's description, she was full of interest.

She had also seen the phenomenon last night and occasionally asked about subsequent details: "The Church really couldn't find anyone? Doesn't the Church have a Surveillance Magic Circle covering the entire city?"

She had an instinctive yearning and curiosity for power, and this news made her heart race.

Elena, on the other hand, sat on Rowan's other side.

She held a cup of milk, sipping it slowly, appearing somewhat distracted.

She didn't seem very interested in things like Great Knights or the Perfect Breathing Method.

She had slept like a log last night and knew nothing about it.

Her gaze fell more on Lady Lillian's charming and radiant face.

From time to time, she would steal a glance at Rowan, who sat calmly in the main seat, her lips unconsciously pursing slightly as she lowered her eyes, lost in thought.

Lady Lillian took in the reactions of the three of them, understanding clearly as a playful smile curled the corners of her mouth.

After finishing most of the intelligence she knew, she gracefully set down her teacup and rose to take her leave.

"That's all the news, my Lord."

"It's quite chaotic outside right now. If you have no urgent business these next few days, it's best to go out less."

She walked to Rowan's side, leaned down naturally, planted a gentle kiss on his cheek, and then leaned into his ear, whispering in a breathy tone only the two of them could hear:

"My Lord, if it's inconvenient for you here, you're always welcome at my Red Maple Manor."

Her breath was warm, carrying a familiar scent of perfume.

Having said that, she straightened up, winked at Rowan, gave Mira and Elena a soft smile, and then turned with swaying grace, departing elegantly.

With her departure, the living room fell silent for a moment.

Elena's fingers tightened slightly around her milk cup.

Mira looked thoughtfully at Lady Lillian's retreating back.

Rowan seemed not to notice any of this, simply setting down his teacup calmly and saying to Butler Horn, who stood nearby:

"Close the doors to visitors today."

"Unless there is a formal communication from the Church, the Royal Family, or The Senate, refuse all other visitors."

"Yes, my Lord."

Over the next few days, the aftermath of the event gradually subsided as the Church's investigation made no progress and the mysterious Great Knight vanished without a trace.

The major factions had already determined that the person who broke through to Great Knight was none of the individuals they had previously speculated about.

...

Viscount Willis's Mansion.

A soundproof secret room located underground.

Theodore Witton, a member of The Senate's observation team, sat in plain clothes behind a heavy blackwood desk.

He watched Viscount Willis, who stood before the desk, in silence.

Viscount Willis appeared to be in his thirties.

His face was originally quite refined, but now it was flushed with an abnormal redness, his breathing erratic, faintly exuding a sense of intertwined violence and weakness.

"How much longer do you need?" Theodore Witton's voice was steady, devoid of emotion.

Viscount Willis took a deep breath, struggling to calm the churning blood and the burning medicinal power within him, his voice carrying a hint of suppressed pain and excitement:

"I have already taken the Crimson Flame Dragon Marrow Potion bestowed by the Lord; its medicinal power is overbearing."

"I estimate... within seven days, I can attempt to forcibly break through the bottleneck."

Seven days.

Theodore lowered his eyes, his fingertips tapping lightly on the tabletop.

This amount of time was neither long nor short.

In the current treacherous and unpredictable situation, too many variables could occur in seven days.

He felt somewhat uneasy.

That Arbitration Priest from the Windsor Family in the Church, Aria Windsor, was clearly not someone to be trifled with.

She was holding onto the Scarlet Heresy Case and was so determined to keep digging; just how far had her investigation reached?

As an important leader of the Crimson Knights in the North, the Pale Knight certainly knew many secrets.

Judging by The Senate's several overt and covert attempts at pressure, the other party was completely unmoved and utterly unyielding.

"Are there any new instructions from the Duke?"

Viscount Willis couldn't help but ask.

The Great Knight phenomenon that appeared in the city a few days ago, combined with the Church's relentless pursuit of the Scarlet Heresy Case, made him somewhat anxious.

"Not for now." Theodore Witton shook his head, his brow slightly furrowed. "The situation is complex now, and it's still uncertain who that new Great Knight with the Perfect Breathing Method is."

"We need to wait for a clearer signal."

He paused and looked at Viscount Willis. "During these next few days, you must be careful and focus entirely on your breakthrough."

"As for other matters, don't overthink them for now, and don't make any unnecessary moves."

"Everything will be discussed after the breakthrough."

Viscount Willis nodded heavily, a flash of ruthlessness in his eyes. "I understand!"

...

The manor where Princess Alice was staying.

In a secret reception room.

The head of the Harrington Family, one of the three families of Ice Lake City, Viscount Silverfrost Harrington, had arrived secretly from Ice Lake City, travel-worn.

He appeared to be around forty, a middle-aged man with a cold temperament like the hard rock of an ice field.

His posture was as upright as a pine tree, and his aura was deep and heavy; he was clearly just one step away from the realm of a Great Knight.

At this moment, he stood respectfully yet with poise before Princess Alice.

Although the Harrington Family was not a direct vassal of the Royal Family, his liege, the Lance Family, was the only landed marquis-level vassal of the Royal Family in Will Province.

They were an important pawn placed here by the first Tudor Emperor to counterbalance the local high nobility of the North.

However, following the first Tudor Emperor's failed attempt to become a demigod and his subsequent fall, The Senate's power rebounded. Under the suppression of local forces led by Duke Witton, the Lance Family's life had not been easy.

Consequently, the Harrington Family had also been suppressed by Count Farrell for many years, their power retreating to a corner of Ice Lake City, unable to expand.

Now that the Farrell Family had fallen, he was unwilling to let this once-in-a-century opportunity pass, so he personally came to face the Royal Family's inspection through the mediation of the Lance Family.

Princess Alice studied the sharp-eyed Viscount with the deep aura before her, a complex thought flashing in the depths of her iris-purple eyes.

There was an old proverb circulating in aristocratic circles—

"The vassal of my vassal is not my vassal!"

This proverb seemed particularly realistic and helpless at this moment.

Marquis Lance was a vassal of the Royal Family, but Viscount Harrington was a vassal of Marquis Lance, with no direct subordinate relationship to the Royal Family.

If it weren't for the fact that she truly couldn't find anyone capable among the direct vassals of the Royal Family in Gino County, she actually wouldn't be willing to bet on the Harrington Family.

Supporting a "vassal's vassal" to compete for an important place like the Golden Flame Territory wouldn't sound very good for her reputation.

But if she were to forcibly dispatch court nobles from the Imperial Capital, it would touch the most sensitive nerves of all landed nobles and would be almost impossible to pass through The Senate.

"Viscount Harrington, I have read Marquis Lance's letter." Princess Alice spoke slowly:

"The Royal Family is also aware of the Harrington Family's past loyalty and hardships."

"The incident in Gino County is indeed an opportunity."

"In principle, the Royal Family is willing to support capable and loyal individuals to stabilize the region and cleanse the filth."

Her words gave Harrington hope, but she immediately changed her tone:

"However, the Golden Flame Territory is of great importance and involves many parties. The final decision still requires a vote from The Senate."

"The Royal Family will do its best to advocate for loyal and strong competitors, but the premise is that this competitor must demonstrate sufficient strength and value."

Viscount Harrington was extremely shrewd and immediately understood Princess Alice's subtext.

His mind set, he bowed solemnly:

"Rest assured, Your Highness! The Harrington Family will certainly go all out! Within seven days, there will be results!"

...