76: A common man

Chapter 76 A Mere Commoner

Arthur looked at the steward, who was covered in blood from the interrogation, and asked, "Have you found anything out?"

Godwin reported everything he had learned from the interrogation: Henry had indeed colluded with mountain bandits, attempting to use them to kill others.

He had sent the steward and a Painted Warrior here precisely to prevent the pioneering group from holding out in the monastery.

As for the Painted Warrior, the steward only knew his name was Le Fu and was unaware if he had ever been to Wolf Den City.

Arthur judged that the old steward was likely not lying.

He opened his mouth and asked, "Then have you ever heard the name Ingabado?"

The old steward shook his head repeatedly.

Godwin, standing nearby, reminded him in a deep voice, "Think harder!"

The steward shivered and quickly replied, "There was indeed someone named Ingabado who visited."

"However, the master only spoke with him for a while, and then he left."

Arthur no longer dwelled on the truthfulness of these words; he already understood in his heart that Henry was undoubtedly involved in the conspiracy in Wolf Den City.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but sigh, the once prestigious Evil Wolf Family was no longer what it used to be.

And he himself was now the Baron of Qingfeng Valley.

All he could do was inform his father of these speculations and discoveries.

As for how to deal with the matter, it was no longer his concern.

That night, Airo climbed over the wall and entered Henry's mansion.

After leaving a letter and deliberately making some noise, she calmly departed.

When Henry rushed to the living room with his guards, he only found the letter on the table.

After reading the letter, the Lord of Black Swamp flew into a rage.

He drew his longsword and slashed wildly in the living room, sending furniture fragments flying everywhere.

The Witch of Narrow Lake heard the commotion and rushed over, then waved her hand, signaling the guards to retreat.

"Ingabado failed, didn't he?" the Witch asked.

Henry angrily threw the letter at her, gritting his teeth and saying, "It's not just him; I suspect Hakso and Le Fu must have also met with trouble."

"Otherwise, Arthur wouldn't have sent someone to sneak into my mansion late at night to deliver a letter."

The Witch picked up the letter and looked at it, "He asked you to meet him tomorrow afternoon in Field Mouse Village?

"How audacious! Is he not afraid we'll set an ambush there?"

Henry said hatefully, "Precisely because he is now the Baron of Qingfeng Valley, we cannot openly touch him, which is why he dares to provoke us like this."

"No, no, Arthur is a mere commoner; he would never come up with such a scheme. There must be an expert guiding him from behind."

Henry's anger gradually subsided, and he slowly calmed down.

He sheathed his sword and said coldly, "Alright, didn't he say he wanted to give me a big gift? Then we'll go and meet him tomorrow!"

A great victory in battle naturally called for a celebration.

At Arthur's instruction, Catherine brought out wine and meat and even invited the priests from the monastery, allowing everyone to eat their fill.

However, Bruce seemed preoccupied.

Arthur noticed his unusual behavior, walked over to him, and asked, "You're not drinking; are you planning to patrol tonight?"

Bruce immediately stood up straight and respectfully replied, "Yes, Lord."

"I, along with those Chult children and some men, will be responsible for patrolling tonight."

"You and your soldiers fought a victorious battle for me, but you don't seem very happy. Why is that?"

"That's not the case, Lord."

"Oh? Then what is it?"

"If it weren't for your timely intervention, Lord, this battle would never have been won so easily."

"It's all my fault for not scouting the enemy's true strength before rashly suggesting a surprise attack."

"The surprise attack was correct," Arthur corrected him. "If we hadn't attacked in the rain, and waited for the enemy's ritual to be completed,

"at that time, with undead creatures, bandits, and spellcasters,

even if we had held out in the monastery, we would have suffered heavy casualties."

"Don't blame yourself. No one can guarantee winning a battle one hundred percent. I am already very satisfied with this outcome."

"As for the spoils from the bandits, I'll leave it to you and Jessica to distribute them."

Bruce was filled with gratitude but still declined, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Lord, but these spoils should be used for the caravan instead."

"If there's no reward for winning a battle, wouldn't it be fighting for nothing?" Arthur said with a smile. "It's settled then."

"I'll have Godwin send the items over."

The banquet gradually dispersed around eight o'clock in the evening.

Bruce and Jessica gathered all their subordinates, including the Chult children.

After everyone was seated, he began, "I know you still have doubts, and I've heard that some in the team are worried."

"But today's battle is enough to explain many things."

"Our Lord is not one of those incompetent people who only hide in castles, eating, drinking, playing, and giving orders."

"If it weren't for him today, many people would have lost their lives."

The soldiers voiced their agreement one after another; many of them had personally witnessed Arthur's miraculous magic.

"Jerome, do you still think all of this is a conspiracy?"

Bruce directly asked the dwarf in the team.

The dwarf stroked his red beard and said, "Who's been badmouthing me behind my back?

"Boss, I said that before because I've suffered losses." "I know your story," Bruce interrupted him. "What are your thoughts now?"

"Now? What thoughts could I possibly have now?

"Our Lord healed the wound on my back with magic.

"Without him, I would have died in that wretched place. Now, all I can do is repay him with my life!"

Bruce nodded, his gaze sweeping over everyone, and then he announced, "You've all heard it."

"So, I don't want to hear any more doubts. Offer your loyalty, and the Lord will naturally reward you!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Jessica pulled back the adjacent canvas, revealing the spoils of war captured from the bandits.

He loudly declared, "This is the reward from the Lord!"

The soldiers' eyes lit up, and they chanted Arthur's name over and over again.

Jessica then pointed at the children and said, "You all have a share too."

Excitement also appeared on the children's faces.

On the other side, Arthur found the abbot and handed him the completed report.

Then, he said, "Two of Henry's subordinates visited the monastery today and then rushed back in the rain, right?"

The abbot was startled at first, then quickly reacted and hastily said, "Yes, yes, I and the other brothers can testify."

Arthur nodded, "Thank you."

"Brother Arthur, what are you thanking me for? Isn't this the truth?"

The abbot grinned, while handing Arthur a letter and a ring.

"That ring you found belongs to the Rahman family. I still remember that young couple, Molly and Forni."

"This is their engagement ring."

"Molly is the Duke of Bull's youngest daughter, and Forni is the third son of the Calimshan refugee leader."

"The two traveled together and got engaged after arriving here. I was their witness."

"Unfortunately, the engagement ring was stolen the very next day. However, they were both understanding and only said that if I found the ring, I should have someone send it back."