49: Prince of Lies

The pungent smell of mixed rotten flesh and saltpeter permeated the small leatherworking camp.

Airo’s nostrils instinctively flared. She had smelled this nauseating odor on countless leatherworkers.

She hid beside a musty tent, squinting as she looked towards the center of the camp.

There was a bonfire there, and the leader of the night watchmen sat beside it, sparks occasionally flying onto his greasy leather skirt.

Another night watchman, holding a torch, patrolled the camp with dragging steps.

Airo’s gaze shifted to the camp entrance, where a makeshift watchtower stood.

The night watchman on the tower was wrapped in a worn cloak, holding a long spear and vigilantly scanning the surroundings.

Below the tower, another night watchman leaned against the wooden gate, occasionally yawning, appearing exhausted.

Approaching footsteps made the female rogue withdraw her gaze. The soft glow of the bonfire was enough for her to clearly see the approaching night watchman.

Her body instantly tensed, like a hunting lynx.

Her dagger slowly unsheathed. When her prey was close enough, she rushed out of the shadows like a ghost.

The dagger accurately pierced the opponent's lower back. At the same time, she opened her mouth and bit fiercely into the opponent's throat.

Warm blood instantly surged into her mouth.

The poor fellow didn't even have time to let out a scream before being dragged into the shadows.

The captain, sitting by the bonfire, noticed something and looked up in confusion, searching for the night watchman.

But he only found a torch flickering on the ground.

The captain stood up, the chill of the early spring night tormenting his knees.

Every time he stood up, he could hear a terrible sound from his knees, as if rusty gears were grinding with difficulty.

“Hey, you little brat, don’t you dare slack off on me.”

He cursed as he took a burning stick from the bonfire.

Then, he carefully walked towards the location of the torch.

Halfway there, his steps gradually slowed, and his expression became alert.

He drew the short knife from his waist.

It was a skinning knife, both his tool for work and his sharp weapon for killing.

He didn't know much about destiny, nor about freedom. He only knew that the army sent by the lords this time would tax them again.

But he had nothing left to give.

He had already paid many taxes this year to prevent those damned orcs from invading the border, even selling a daughter.

But those lords living in the city were still not satisfied.

For the inauguration ceremony of the New Temple, they planned to tax them again.

So he picked up his skinning knife and joined the Fada Family.

Because he truly had nothing left to give.

The captain stopped in front of the torch, looked left and right, and asked again, “Hey, where are you? You little brat, don’t let me…”

A crossbow bolt shot from the darkness pierced his head.

The last thing he saw was a figure rapidly rushing towards him, blurry and terrifying.

Airo caught him before he fell and then dragged him into the darkness.

When she reappeared, she was already near the bonfire.

The power brought by the fresh blood surged within her.

She looked to the other side and saw a figure stealthily approaching the night watchman guarding the wooden gate.

She then quickly came to the base of the watchtower.

Then, using the protruding knots on the tower’s Pillar, she lightly leaped and grabbed a horizontal beam.

Immediately after, she used both hands and feet, skillfully climbing upwards.

By the time the night watchman below was eliminated and made a sound,

She flipped over and leaped into the watchtower.

Before the night watchman in the tower could react, Airo’s dagger had already plunged deep into his abdomen.

She tightly covered the opponent's mouth with her other hand and whispered, “Shhh, shhh, shhh, it will be over soon, very soon.”

As the struggle gradually subsided, Airo released her hand, allowing the body to slump to the ground.

The flowing blood excited the female rogue. She suppressed the urge to drink blood, picked up the torch from the ground, and waved it.

“Alright, lads, follow me!” Seeing the signal, Dylan roared and led the charge towards the camp.

Nine veterans followed behind him.

At the same time, across the stream,

The riders led by the deputy were already poised and ready.

As soon as the battle began in the camp, they would cut in from the flank and charge directly into the enemy lines.

But Dylan and Godwin had clearly overestimated this group composed of leatherworkers and thugs.

When the family knights led the soldiers into the camp, a few guys who hadn't slept yet casually emerged from their tents.

They looked bewildered, not even carrying weapons in their hands.

The soldiers didn't care so much. For a moment, screams filled the camp.

Young Farda jumped out of bed the moment he heard the first scream.

Ever since he knew the plan had failed, he had been on edge, barely closing his eyes.

He had been waiting for his Old Fada to pack up and prepare to flee overnight.

But what he waited for was not his Old Fada, but a sudden night raid.

He grabbed the long sword by his bed and rushed out without even having time to put on his armor.

The camp was already in chaos.

The sounds of fighting, screaming, clashing metal, and horse hooves were a jumbled mess.

Young Farda knew very well that this ragtag group he had gathered was simply no match.

Without the aid of the bandits, they were just lambs to the slaughter.

So, without thinking, he ran towards the back of the camp.

But he hadn't run far from the camp when he saw torches.

Before he could think further, an arrow pierced his thigh.

Young Farda wailed and fell to the ground, his sword flying out of his hand.

Godwin, holding a bow and arrows, led the mountain folk on horseback to check.

One sharp-eyed mountain folk immediately shouted, “It’s the Fada Family brat! Kill him!”

Godwin quickly calmed these mountain folk, shouting loudly, “Arthur wants him alive!”

Only then did the mountain folk stop.

Fortunately, more and more people were running out of the camp.

The mountain folk were quickly drawn away and began yelling as they chased those people.

This night battle ended in less than half an hour.

Dylan walked up to Arthur, still unsatisfied, spat, and said, “What the hell, is that it?

“This is even easier than slaughtering pigs. Young Master, I still don’t understand, where did they get the courage to rebel?”

Arthur jutted his chin forward and said, “We’ll know when we ask him later.”

Young Farda was dragged before Arthur like a dead pig.

“Alright, gather the men and head to Red Maple Village,” Arthur ordered.

“I’ll get right on it,” Dylan replied, turning to leave.

-----------------

They met Old Fada's family, who were coming from Red Maple Village, halfway.

The guards holding weapons were immediately killed clean.

Seeing the unfavorable situation, Old Fada knelt before Arthur, begging Arthur to spare his life.

Arthur said nothing, only ordering Dylan to clean up the mess.

He, meanwhile, led his men to continue rushing towards Red Maple Village.

An hour later, the dust settled.

The entire Red Maple Village was strictly controlled.

The villagers were gathered in the square, each looking uneasy.

Godwin stood on a high platform and began to explain the Fada Family’s crimes to the villagers.

Arthur listened to his speech while taking notes.

Godwin was indeed a man of culture; his words were truly eloquent.

He rattled off various crimes, constantly citing scriptures and classics, startling those illiterate villagers.

Under Godwin’s speech, villagers successively identified many people who had colluded with the Fada Family.

Dylan took all these people into custody, preparing for further interrogation.

By now, it was past midnight.

The daily intelligence had also updated, so Arthur opened his panel to check.

Region loaded, intelligence generating, your level has increased, daily intelligence increased by one entry.

1. Blue Intelligence (Enhanced): Behind the Mother Earth statue in the settlement, there is a secret passage leading to the back of the bandit camp. Offering the Goddess's scepter will open it.

2. Blue Intelligence: In Donatello Farda's cellar, there is a secret room. The way to open it is to push aside the barrel with candles on it.

3. White Intelligence (Enhanced): Bandit Leader Kai and the Redtail Sparrow mercenary group have a grudge.

4. White Intelligence (Enhanced): Three bandit spies are hidden in the cellar of the village’s eating house.

5. White Intelligence (Follow-up): Due to your killing of a large number of leatherworkers, the dissatisfaction of the Red Maple Village villagers is rising.

After reading these intelligence reports, Arthur didn't have time to rejoice about the increased daily intelligence. Instead, he immediately called for Dylan and his attendants.

He first pointed out the location of the bandit spies again.

Drax, Philip, and Airo immediately set off for the eating house to apprehend the people.

Dylan also assigned four soldiers to them.

He had intended to go along as well, but Arthur kept him back.

He handed his aunt's letter to Dylan, telling him to quickly send someone to the abandoned outpost in Old Wheeltown to ask that group of mercenaries for help.

“Old man, send the letter out first. We don't have enough manpower right now to control the entire village,” Arthur reminded him.

The family knight nodded.

Arthur was right. The mountain folk would return to their settlement at dawn.

At that time, their small group would not only be responsible for full lockdown but also for interrogating prisoners, scouting bandit movements, and taking turns resting in shifts.

He had originally thought of sending someone to Old Wheeltown to call the patrol team over.

But thinking of the Doppelgangers’s words, Dylan felt a surge of frustration.

Unexpectedly, the young master had a trick up his sleeve.

A mercenary group, this was far stronger than that useless patrol team.

Dylan couldn't help but sigh inwardly, this young master had changed so much since he woke up from his fall and unconsciousness.

A moment later, a knight, carrying the letter, galloped towards Old Wheeltown.

Godwin's speech was also nearing its end.

The reason he went to such great lengths was, firstly, to deter the villagers, making them dare not act rashly.

Secondly, it was to root out the remnants of the Fada Family.

Although Red Maple Village was a village, its scale was quite considerable due to the convenience of the Frostmourn Mountain Road.

Most of the two hundred-plus households in the village made their living from leatherworking.

And in the recent night raid on the camp, many leatherworkers had lost their lives.

Godwin was worried that the remnants of the Fada Family would use this to incite the villagers' anger and cause unrest.

Arthur could tell that Godwin had more to say—another reason for the villagers' anger was the heavy taxes and levies in recent years.

So, after the exiled noble finished his speech, Arthur instructed him to inventory the Fada Family’s assets.

And to take a portion to distribute to the villagers, to appease their emotions.

Dylan expressed his incomprehension, stating bluntly, “Young Master, it’s not for me to say, but you want to give money to these commoners?

“Many of their relatives and friends participated in the rebellion. You sparing their lives, these commoners should be grateful.

“If you ask me, we should hang a few on the spot to make them clearly understand their place!”

“Old man, you just asked me where those people got the courage to rebel,” Arthur said slowly. “Now I can give you an answer.

“It’s because they can no longer live.

“Look at this group of people, dressed worse than mountain folk, all gaunt and sallow. Do you think this is normal?”

The family knight seemed to understand something but still righteously emphasized, “The recent taxes in the earldom have indeed increased significantly.

“But this is also to stabilize the border.

“They may not have enough to eat now, but if the border falls and the orcs advance west, these people will probably lose their lives.”

“Only recently?” Arthur asked.

This question left Dylan speechless.

Arthur didn't want to dwell on this issue. He waved his hand, “Alright, it’s settled.

“Come with me, old man, there’s a place I want to see.”

-----------------

Dylan followed Arthur to the cellar of the Old Fada residence.

He was a bit confused but said nothing aloud.

As a family knight, asking fewer questions and doing more was the most basic rule.

“Ah, I found you.”

After walking some distance in the cellar, which was piled with various items, Arthur suddenly spoke.

He pointed his glowing wooden stick at the wooden barrel in front and instructed the knight, “Move that barrel.”

Dylan stepped forward. He first tested the weight of the barrel, confirmed it wasn't heavy, and then began to exert force.

However, no matter how hard he tried, the barrel remained motionless.

Seeing this, Arthur reminded him, “Try a different direction.”

Dylan complied.

This time, the barrel was easily pushed aside.

With a click, the barrel seemed to embed itself into something.

Immediately after, to Dylan’s surprise, the wall slowly separated, and a secret room appeared before the two of them.

“By earth mother, this… what on earth… how… how did you know there was a secret room here?” Dylan asked, bewildered.

Arthur smiled faintly and quickly walked into the secret room.

The knight quickly reached out to stop his young master, reminding him, “Beware of traps, let me go in first.”

After Dylan confirmed there was no danger inside, Arthur also walked into the secret room.

Using the light spell, the two quickly discerned the structure of the secret room.

This was clearly a place of worship for a deity.

In the center of the secret room was an altar table, on which various ritual items were placed.

Arthur raised his scepter, wanting to clearly see the banner behind the altar table.

But the next second, his brain felt as if it had been struck by something.

On the hanging banner was a black rising sun, and in the center of the rising sun was a white skull without a lower jaw.

“God of Madness!” Arthur blurted out, recovering from his shock.

Dylan looked at Arthur in confusion, and seeing his pale face, quickly asked, “What? What did you say, Young Master? Are you alright?”

Arthur shook his head, “Let’s talk outside.”

“Wait, Young Master.”

Dylan discovered something and walked straight to the altar table.

He picked up a few letters from the pure gold offering plate.

“I’ve seen this emblem before. This is Baron Zack’s family crest. Why would a baron’s letter appear here?” Dylan murmured to himself.

Arthur also looked over curiously.

He took the letters from Dylan’s hand and carefully examined the wax seals on them.

The wax seal on one of the letters caught his attention. He quickly opened the letter and began to read.

The content of the letter largely matched his suspicions.

Dylan saw Arthur’s face grow even more solemn and asked again, “Young Master, are you really alright?”

“It’s Richard,” Arthur said. “The new king they want to enthrone is Richard!”

“What new king? Richard? Is it the second young master?”

It was as if the last piece of the puzzle had been found; all the clues connected.

Arthur’s brain was rapidly working at this moment.

Soon he understood everything.

So that’s why those two beast tamers dared to kidnap me.

It wasn’t just because they were whipped; they truly wanted me dead!