Chapter 152: Alliance and Schemes

After Lily arranged accommodations for Atork and his group, the couple returned to their bedroom.

"You agreed too rashly just now." Yam's brows furrowed. "You know very well that the evidence we previously found mostly pointed to the Kasein Family. Clearly, someone wants to frame the Kasein Family."

"But judging from the Kasein Family’s past actions, they’re definitely not clean either," Lily said in a deep voice, clearly overwhelmed by emotion. "The way they treated us was exactly the same as how they treated the Billy Family. And besides, we gave birth to a daughter—if the Kasein Family wants to arrange a political marriage in the future, could we even refuse?"

"It's still a bit different." Yam sighed. "Baron Hess treated Anna like a commodity and never gave her any familial affection. That was the root cause of the hidden threat he left for the Billy Family. ... Later, the death of Baron Hess was actually the result of a transaction between Anna and Miss Monica."

Yam had heard some truths about the Gem Territory from Akar but had not previously told Lily.

But now, seeing that Lily was clearly overtaken by emotion and incapable of rational judgment, he had no choice but to speak up.

"Andre was killed by Akar and me, and the Kasein Family indeed tacitly approved. But Shuke claimed to the outside that it was an accident during a hunt. As for the specifics, we’re not entirely sure, but what we do know is that it wasn’t the Kasein Family’s doing."

Though Yam revealed some matters, he still didn’t speak of the truth behind Baron Hess’s death.

Patricide—even if Baron Hess and Anna shared no familial bond—still chilled Ion and Yam’s hearts when Anna did it. That was the reason Ion had initial objections to Anna. But later, Anna genuinely cared for Akar and the Soderbell Family. She wasn’t merely using them, and that gradually softened Ion’s opinion of her.

This was also why Ion insisted that members of the Soderbell Family must grow up together from childhood.

He wanted to prevent another extreme case like Anna.

"Whether it’s Monica or the Kasein Family, they are not short-sighted fools." Yam spoke gravely. "So when Atork said they had made a deal with Count Shuvaric, I believed it. Moreover, according to Father, it seemed Baron Ster also realized something in the end. I believe he chose to die in battle voluntarily—to protect you and Giggs."

"But Giggs is dead!" Lily shouted.

"That’s why it definitely wasn’t the Kasein Family who killed Giggs." Yam shook his head. "The Kasein Family wouldn’t do something so foolish. ... Although I hate to admit it, having Giggs—who was more inclined to uphold the knightly spirit—manage the White Mountain Territory would actually have been more beneficial to the Kasein Family, don’t you think?"

Lily fell silent.

After a long pause, Lily finally sighed softly. "Perhaps I was a bit impulsive. I’m sorry."

"I understand how you feel, just like I promised you before." Yam gently embraced Lily. "Count Shuvaric, or rather the entire Fertile Territory, is our enemy. Even if we can't take revenge in our generation, our next generation and the ones after will carry this hatred in their hearts until the day we bare our fangs and claws at our enemies."

"I believe you." Lily wrapped her arms around Yam’s waist. "I’ve always believed in you."

Yam said no more.

He truly understood the anger in Lily’s heart. But the schemes that the Senels Family was planning had also gone beyond Yam’s expectations. In fact, if he could avoid it, he naturally wouldn’t want to be involved in the covert conflict between the Senels and Kasein Families. But unfortunately, he had no choice. Both families had clearly set their sights on him.

As for the Kasein Family, Yam now understood the reason: they mistakenly believed that his family was the Legacy of the Bourbon Family—especially him, as the one who had "perfectly inherited the Bourbon Family bloodline"—and considered him the key to unlocking the Bourbon Family's secret vault.

To the Kasein Family, the Bourbon Family had once controlled the Red Eagle Territory for nearly three centuries, and had produced three Sixth-Tier Bloodline Users. Their heritage was naturally far deeper than that of the Kasein Family.

But as for the Senels Family, what was their reason?

Yam couldn’t understand.

...

Back in the room Lily had arranged, Atork’s confident and composed smile had vanished, replaced by a heavy expression.

"Did you notice anything?" Atork asked the knight behind him.

"Either they’re very good at pretending, or this matter really wasn’t done by the Soderbell Family." The knight shook his head. "I observed carefully. Whether it was Yam Soderbell or that lord of the Bole Family, both were clearly unaware of what’s currently happening in the Red Eagle Territory."

"I guessed earlier that they wouldn’t know. After all, according to intelligence, the one who killed Joshua should have been a Bloodline User of at least Third-Tier," Atork said gravely. "Right now in the Red Eagle Territory, aside from the Kasein Family and our Senels Family, only the Weist Family from the Forest Territory still has any Third-Tier Bloodline Users."

"But after the fall of the Billy Family, the Weist Family became cowards. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have persuaded them so easily. So even if they want to do something, they don't have the strength."

"But Grandfather has always believed that if the Soderbell Family truly were the Bourbon Family, then they must be hiding some special trump card. That’s why he sent me to probe them. But it seems Grandfather was overthinking. Even if the Soderbell Family really does carry the Bourbon Family’s bloodline, they’ve already lost the inheritance. Even their family register is gone. What trump card could they possibly have?"

Listening to Atork’s self-directed analysis, the Third-Tier Bloodline Knight beside him, responsible for his safety, remained silent.

“As expected, Joshua’s love for Anna Billy had reached a level of obsession, so he definitely wouldn’t care about the interests of those elders of the Kasein Family.”

“After all, Anna Billy was the most dazzling jewel in the Red Eagle Territory, and even the entire Southern Region.”

“Heh.” Atork chuckled and shook his head. “However, the Kasein Family definitely wouldn’t go as far as to make a move against Joshua. This must have been an accidental result driven by multiple parties. ... Monica already purged a large number of parasites within the Kasein Family. Even several merchant guilds were dealt with under various pretexts. Even the Bruno Merchant Guild had to hurriedly send over a batch of gifts.”

“As for the Fertile Plains... Marquis Visen personally took action and fought a battle with Count Shuvaric. As for Count Shuvaric’s situation, I’m not sure for now, but Marquis Visen’s injuries worsened. According to my grandfather, he has at most about ten years left to live. This is the best opportunity for our Senels Family.”

“So the outcome of that farce in the Gem Territory ended up benefiting our Bayor Territory?”

“Yes.” Just thinking of the intelligence he received earlier, Atork still felt joy like a dream come true.

It was truly a windfall that had fallen straight from the heavens!

Originally, the Senels Family had been secretly plotting to see if there was a chance for Marquis Visen to die suddenly, but they hadn’t expected such a coincidence to happen. They didn’t even have time to implement better preparations and could only hastily accelerate their original plans.

They even approached the White Mountain Territory almost in a showdown-like manner to seek cooperation.

In Atork’s view, convincing Yam Soderbell was equivalent to convincing Lily and Akar. And securing Akar meant that, for the current Gem Territory, it was already half a success. After all, Akar was the Chief Knight Commander of the Billy Family. Now that they had lost Joshua and almost turned against the Kasein Family over the child, that woman Anna—who was good for nothing besides her looks—could only rely on Akar Soderbell.

“Then next, we just need to head to the Gem Territory and persuade Baroness Anna?”

“Of course.” Atork smiled. “And I believe that woman won’t refuse our offer. After all, she has no other choice, right?”

...

Atork did not linger long in White Mountain City. He was still in a hurry to go to the Gem Territory to discuss matters with Anna.

However, to avoid drawing suspicion from the Kasein Family, he deliberately stayed a few more days in White Mountain City. He even conducted some inspections of the market there, putting on the appearance of being there for trade between the two territories.

Only on the fifth day did he depart for the Gem Territory, carrying a letter written by Yam to Akar.

After that, the White Mountain Territory returned to its usual state.

Yam continued training his nephew Aches.

Ion still spent his days occasionally playing with his grandchildren, but he remained skeptical that only Cindy could resonate with the Demonic Sword. So whenever he was with his grandchildren, he always carried the Demonic Sword with him, even occasionally letting Liam come into contact with it.

But unfortunately, this method still failed to gain the sword’s recognition.

On the contrary, whenever Cindy grasped the Demonic Sword, it would emit a faint glow—Ion actually didn’t know that after realizing the unique nature of the bloodline power of the Forest Witches, Robin had gathered all the blood power of those Forest Witches and infused it into Cindy’s body, greatly enhancing her aptitude and making it much easier for her to break through bloodline tiers in the future.

However, relying solely on this bit of Forest Witches’ bloodline was still not enough for Cindy to ascend to Sixth-Tier.

But if Cindy’s original aptitude allowed her to reach Third-Tier without external aid, then now she could directly ascend to Fifth-Tier—at least, she would encounter no obstacles until reaching that point.

Another ten days or so passed before Yam saw Akar, who was visibly furious.

Seeing Akar in such a state, Yam couldn’t help but ask what had happened.

“Brother, if it weren’t for the letter you wrote me, I really would’ve killed Atork!” Akar said angrily, “That bastard actually implied that he wanted Anna to be his mistress!”

Hearing this, Yam was at a loss for words.

“Atork? That’s a bit much.”

Akar’s face was grim. “With the Kasein Family having lost Marquis Visen, once the Senels Family produces a Sixth-Tier Bloodline User, and with so many lords supporting them, they can become the rulers of the Red Eagle Territory. At that point, if the Kasein Family doesn’t want to be destroyed, they’ll have to leave. Then whether it’s the White Mountain Territory or the Gem Territory, we’d all have to follow the Senels Family’s orders.”

Hearing Akar’s words, Yam understood why Atork would say such a thing.

Once the Senels Family became the rulers of the Red Eagle Territory, and Viscount Agley became Marquis Agley, they would definitely prevent the Kasein Family from producing any Sixth-Tier Bloodline Users. So if the Kasein Family didn’t want to be wiped out, they would have to leave the Red Eagle Territory. In that case, as the current first heir of the Senels Family, Atork Senels would naturally become the next Marquis of the Red Eagle Territory.

With the power of a Marquis, wanting a vassal under his command to become his mistress would not be a difficult matter.

“What did Anna say?”

“Of course Anna refused.” Akar shook his head. “But Atork didn’t press the issue either. Still, I suspect he hasn’t given up and is planning to wait until he becomes Marquis before tormenting Anna.”

“You want to kill him?” Yam frowned slightly. “That’s very risky.”

“But it’s not like there’s no chance, right?” Akar said in a deep voice. “He later suggested that once the Kasein Family is driven out, he would bring Anna’s child back. Plus, with that letter you sent earlier, Anna and I discussed and decided to agree to the Senels Family’s plan. ... After all, once Marquis Visen dies, and Viscount Agley becomes a Sixth-Tier Bloodline User, no one in the Red Eagle Territory will be able to resist them.”

“But the Senels Family isn’t like the Kasein Family—they don’t have just one promising heir, right?”

“I understand what you mean now.” Yam nodded. “So you came to me now to ask me to act immediately?”

“No.” Akar shook his head. “Although I really want to kill Atork right now, I’m not that impulsive. ... Besides, you’re still not fully recovered, and not fit to act, right?”

Yam, however, had a different opinion.

In fact, taking the chance to kill Atork now would actually be the best opportunity.

After all, Atork was currently making connections everywhere to form an anti-Kasein Family alliance, and his actions were rather high-profile.

So whether word could be kept from leaking or not depended entirely on how the White Mountain Territory and Gem Territory coordinated. Conversely, if they killed Atork now, they could just say he was the one who leaked the information and was discovered by the Kasein Family.

“I’ll think about how to do it.” Yam first comforted Akar for a while. “You should rest here tonight, and spend some time with Liam.”

“Alright.” Akar nodded. “In a while, Anna might come to the White Mountain Territory. The excuse we’re using is trade cooperation.”

“Then what do you plan to do with the child sent to the Kasein Family?”

“Anna plans to get rid of him, to leave no future troubles.”

“You agreed?” Yam frowned slightly.

“No.” Akar gently shook his head. “I convinced Anna—if the Senels Family moves fast enough and can replace the Kasein Family before the child grows up, then we’ll send him back to his biological parents. But if we don’t make it in time…”

Akar didn’t finish the sentence, but Yam already understood what he and Anna meant.

But regarding such a matter, Yam said nothing more.

After all, the child’s official identity was that of Anna Billy and Joshua Kasein’s son—the first heir of the Gem Territory. If he received formal noble education, he would inevitably become Liam’s greatest rival for inheriting the Gem Territory. So to completely remove future threats, he would have to be eliminated. Otherwise, with his claim as the rightful heir to the Gem Territory, there would surely be no shortage of lords supporting him in the future.

The two brothers chatted a bit more, and then Akar headed to his father Ion’s room.

During the time Liam had been in the White Mountain Territory, he had always shared a room with Ion. After all, unlike Cindy, Liam didn’t have his own parents with him, so to prevent any accidents, Ion kept Liam with him almost every day.

“Lord Yam.”

Just as Yam was about to return to his room, a guard hurriedly approached.

“What is it?”

“A carriage has arrived at the Lord’s Manor, bearing the emblem of the Kasein Family,” the guard said solemnly. “The Lady is already at the main gate and has instructed me to bring you there immediately.”

Yam’s heart tightened slightly.

So late at night, and someone from the Kasein Family had come?

Moreover, it had already been a month and a half—almost two months—since Knight Foss had returned.

His injuries had also mostly healed by now.

But he didn’t think much of it. After all, he had great trust in Lily, and since she had sent the guard to summon him urgently, it was certain that someone from the main Kasein Family was inside that carriage.

Soon.

Yam arrived at the front courtyard of the Lord’s Manor.

The carriage was parked there, but the person inside hadn’t disembarked, and even Lily hadn’t gotten into the carriage.

However, Yam took just one glance at the two people standing outside the carriage and immediately began to breathe heavily.

These two people, Yam naturally knew well.

One was his wife.

The Lord of the White Mountain Territory, Baroness Lily Bole Soderbell.

The other was his nominal liege lord.

The Lord of the Red River Territory, Baroness Monica Kasein.

Even Monica—the Red River Lord, the heir to the title of Marquis of the Red Eagle Territory, and the head of the Kasein Family—was waiting outside the carriage. So it wasn’t hard to guess who the person inside must be.

“Is that Yam? Get in the carriage.”

The voice of Marquis Visen Kasein slowly came from within the carriage.

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