Sothos Fort.
A lavishly decorated room.
Outside the door, two soldiers dressed in leather armor, their expressions cold and stern, kept a vigilant eye on everyone passing by.
Inside the room, Lady Sonia lowered the curtains, looked at her two children, and sighed.
"It seems that Colin will be the ultimate victor!"
She gave Sean a bitter smile and in a lowered voice said, "If Theodore dies from his illness, Colin will become the undisputed Count of Green Forest... Unless we find some evidence, but Theodore's symptoms do indeed point to a severe illness..."
"Given the current situation, unless Alan raises an army immediately, there is only a small chance to compete, as everyone knows Colin is the true heir."
"Although Theodore has recently changed his mind somewhat, it would take at least several years of preparation to change the heir... What a pity..."
Hearing this, Ginny's expression turned gloomy, and Sean restlessly shifted in his seat.
"As for you two, there's even less hope."
A look of determination appeared on Lady Sonia's face: "To achieve a better life, you must rely on the strong to survive..."
"Mother, do you mean we should fully support Colin?"
Ginny asked sullenly.
"He needs us too. We can endorse him, affirming that the Count fell ill from overwork... Also, we can help him deceive Alan and the other lords..."
Lady Sonia let out a cold laugh: "He wants to lure in those opposed to him and then capture and kill them all at once... Does he think I don't know his plans?"
Having been in the castle for so many years, Lady Sonia still had a few confidants.
She then turned to Sean, her expression serious: "Next time you see Colin, you must publicly renounce your claim to the inheritance. Maybe when you grow up, you can still become a free knight. As for you, Ginny... you must swear loyalty to him and get closer to him, not Alan as before, understand?"
Such a drastic shift might be commonplace for political creatures, but for two children, it was clearly hard to accept.
However, Lady Sonia's expression remained stern: "To survive, you must do this!"
She saw clearly that the castle had now become a huge trap and ironclad wall, leaving Alan almost certainly doomed!
And after killing one brother, if Colin wanted to maintain some reputation, he might treat Sean, who had changed allegiance, well.
Meanwhile, Colin was greeting lords from various regions.
He wore a sorrowful expression, hugging a lord before sending them to their guest room.
Once the figure disappeared, Colin pulled out a white handkerchief, disdainfully wiping the spots the lord had touched.
"The guys from Storm Cape always disgust me. They have a wild boar smell..."
Yet he had to show a friendly demeanor to every visiting lord.
Colin turned and entered the castle dungeon.
Inside, a knight was tied in a stretched, cross-shaped position on a wooden rack, covered in scars.
Upon lifting his head, it turned out to be Turner Shorien.
Beside him stood a burly man with a thick beard, guarding him, muscles rippling all over his body. He held a huge sledgehammer, looking like a genuine killing machine.
"Morkdo from the Wastelands, champion of the martial arts tournament."
Colin smiled at the burly man: "I'm more generous than my father. Complete the task I give you and you will receive a fief and become a lord."
After capturing Turner Shorien, another knight responsible for the castle's defense, Alfred had already submitted to him.
Now, Colin had completely taken over the castle with hundreds of well-trained, well-equipped soldiers!
Such military strength is enough to dominate the Green Forest.
"Willing to serve you, Count,"
Morkdo's voice carried a bloodthirsty tone, "My hammer can't wait to be drenched in blood..."
At that moment, a guard hurried over and reported some news.
"Let's go."
Colin listened, a smile appearing on his face, "Let's go meet my dear brother!"
...
This time, Alan traveled light, accompanied by two attendants, one named Ava and the other named Bill.
They drove the carriage into Sothos Town, and could already see the towering castle.
The honest-looking Ava stopped the carriage and asked his companion, "We've arrived... Should we wake the Baron?"
"Wait a bit, don't you remember the Baron hates being disturbed during his rest."
Bill, with a long, thin face and sharp eyes, looked at the bustling streets around them, a look of envy on his face, "This time going to the castle, we don't know what rewards we'll get..."
Inside the carriage.
Alan was sound asleep.
In his dream world, he pressed his brow, "[Danger Sense] is also warning me, heh..."
Alan didn't pay much attention, looking at the altar ahead, he sent a thought over.
Inside the department store.
Lin and Olivia, who were praying by the altar, simultaneously raised their heads with solemn expressions, "Our Lord has descended with a divine message; He requires a grand sacrifice, go prepare quickly!"
"Light of Redemption above us!"
The believers quickly sprang into action.
Olivia then looked at Lin, "You should understand our Lord's meaning..."
"This time, we can exact revenge entirely due to our Lord's protection. Everything I have belongs to our Lord... Sister, don't worry..." Lin flashed a sweet smile.
'Flesh Staff' is indeed an extremely powerful and eerie item. Holding it, one could even fight the High Priest.
But its negative effects were becoming more serious, so losing it wasn't regrettable.
An hour later, amidst the prayers of many believers, Olivia and Lin placed the 'Flesh Staff' along with the 'Pure White Ice' left behind after the High Priest's death onto the altar, and began to pray silently.
"Wandering Spirit of Illusion in the Unknown, Absolute Neutrality, Silent Observer!"
"You are the symbol of free will, the only savior of the end times, the Supreme Light..."
"Please listen to the prayers of the faithful, please cast your merciful gaze, please open the doors to your realm and accept the offerings of your believer!"
Boom!
In the midst of the prayers, they seemed to see countless beams of light converging from the infinite mystery above, forming a great door.
That door seemed to encompass everything, making one feel as if seeing the ultimate truth and the final answer!
As if the door of truth had opened a crack, pure white light poured out, enveloping the entire altar.
A moment later, the light faded, and there was nothing left on the altar.
"Our Lord has accepted our offering, rejoice."
Lin raised her small hand high and announced loudly.
All the believers shouted fanatically...