"Mika, this time it all depends on you..."
The man patted Mika on the shoulder: "You must create conflict between both sides, it'd be best if you could directly provoke a war... By then, the entire Green Forest will welcome its original master back!"
"Yes, once I become the new lord, I will marry Monica to you, and even make you the lord of Emerald Territory!"
"Happy to serve you!"
Mika clenched his fist to his chest, his eyes burning with ambition.
Indeed, the ones who should rule over the Green Forest should be the Davis Family!
Even if the man in front of him was just a branch member, who cared if the main lineage was all dead?
Not to mention, there was the territory and Miss Monica...
...
Blackstone Manor, at the gate.
To show his hospitality, Alan wore formal attire and stood at the gate to greet his guests.
Soon, a convoy appeared at the end of the road, gradually approaching.
"Baron, you're too kind."
Knight Iman dismounted his horse and shook hands with Alan.
"Welcome to my manor as a guest," Alan responded politely.
Knight Iman then helped a young lady off the carriage: "Allow me to introduce, the brightest jewel of the Emerald Territory, my daughter—Monica!"
"Hello, beautiful lady."
"Good day, sir." Monica looked at Alan's handsome face, her cheeks blushing slightly, not so resistant to her family's arrangements anymore.
"This is my disciple—Mika!"
Knight Iman continued to introduce a young man.
"Hmm."
Alan became more reserved, merely nodding as a greeting.
Although the other party seemed to have good martial skills, that was all.
What slightly puzzled him was that he could hear the other party's heartbeat and other signs of excitement in the breeze.
'He's hiding it well, but it's not like he's meeting a count, why so exaggerated...?'
He immediately paid a bit more attention, sensing the state of the others in the convoy, and gave Eight Fingers a meaningful look before leading Knight Iman into the manor.
In the living room, the cooks served sweet honey water and rich, creamy puddings.
"Please feel free to try my creation."
Alan scooped a spoonful of pudding into his mouth. This was Ginny's favorite dessert, though she always complained that the castle's cooks never got it right.
"It's absolutely delicious."
Knight Iman tasted a spoonful and then put down the spoon, while Monica's eyes lit up. Despite maintaining her elegance, she quickly moved her spoon, ignoring several meaningful looks from her nanny.
Knight Iman felt a little annoyed but didn't show it, engaging in a pleasant conversation with Alan.
"I've heard that the baron has some miraculous potions that cured Lady Silvia?"
He inquired casually, as if without intention.
"Acquired from traveling merchants, perhaps they have some effect, but more credit should go to the scholar and the midwife..."
Alan replied modestly.
Iman rolled his eyes in disbelief. He knew the nature of the traveling merchants in the Green Forest well. If there were such miraculous potions, the news would've spread far and wide.
It was most likely Alan's own creation, given his previous reputation in this area.
If that's the case, maintaining a good relationship is even more important. After all, life-saving potions are invaluable in this era.
Even without the potions, the various farm tools and fertilizers that could double the yield were highly desirable.
Thinking of this, Iman became even more frustrated with his daughter.
After a brief rest, Alan led Knight Iman and the others on a tour of his manor.
"This year's wheat harvest is good. The manor's mill has been running at full capacity, and I plan to build another one... Besides that, the warehouse needs expansion."
Alan walked around the manor with Iman, Monica, and Mika.
Suddenly, a commotion broke out from behind.
"What's going on?"
Alan frowned, then saw Eight Fingers and Sanchez run over. Eight Fingers looked at Knight Iman and said, without lowering his voice, "We found suspicious individuals among the entourage. They had poisoned Daggers; we suspect they are assassins!"
"This must be a misunderstanding!"
Knight Iman's expression changed drastically.
Alan suddenly turned and looked at Mika.
The heartbeat of the young man accelerated significantly.
'I must admit, some abilities of 'Cocoon' are quite useful...'
Alan looked at Mika with a sardonic smile: "Your name is... Mika, isn't it?"
"Y-Yes, my lord."
Mika had no idea why Alan was targeting him instead of Knight Iman, and cold sweat began to bead on his forehead.
"Why have you come to assassinate me?"
The next moment, Alan sneered as he spoke. He had no interest in playing games of evidence. In his domain, he was the law, and mere suspicion was enough to capture, interrogate, or even kill someone!
"What?"
Iman's expression changed again, then saw Mika's face contort as he suddenly drew the Cross Sword from his waist.
Unfortunately, he was a step too slow.
Alan's hand moved from his waist, and a swift sword appeared in his hand. With a quick step, he thrust it forward.
Puff!
A flash of silver, and the thin blade of the sword pierced directly through Mika's right chest, puncturing a lung.
"Mika... ah..."
Monica screamed at the sight of Mika collapsing.
Knight Iman stared at Alan in shock. Mika was his prized disciple, already physically stronger than himself, though slightly lacking in experience. He could rank high in martial competitions.
But at this moment, he was defeated by the enemy with a single move.
Although there were other factors at play, the martial abilities of this Baron Alan were evidently exceptional.
"Knight Iman..."
Alan took out a snow-white handkerchief and gently wiped his sword, casually asking, "Did you know about this..."
Knight Iman's face was covered in cold sweat, instantly realizing he had been caught up in a huge conspiracy.
Judging by Mika's expression and actions, he really was the instigator of the assassination, which would undoubtedly implicate the knight himself.
At such a sensitive time, as a surrendered minister, creating such an incident could even lead to a crusade!
"I swear by the faith of my grandmother, I knew nothing about this!"
Knight Iman quickly made a decision. He knelt on one knee, slowly drawing his sword from its sheath and presenting it to Alan with both hands.
"Of course...I fully believe that."
Alan did not take the sword. Completely disarming a knight is an insult.
Moreover, he had already confirmed Iman's innocence through sensing his hair.
"Eight Fingers, please escort Knight Iman and Miss Monica to the guest room for a rest, and search those servants. We can't allow the bandits who infiltrated the convoy to succeed in their plot."
He said with a smile.
"Thank you for your kindness. Your wisdom is unparalleled in my lifetime."
Knight Iman stood up, feeling a great sense of relief. This lord seemed to trust him after all.