" Dylan Bacassi, the marquis of the Hedley Empire, is currently in Atel City."
Based on the family emblems on those knights, Darrie easily judged that these knights were all from the Bacassi family.
Following Lane's request, Darrie also told Lane about this family.
Listening to Darrie's account, Lane couldn't help but wonder:
"He, a marquis, doesn't stay in his own fief. Why does he live in Atel City? Is Atel City more comfortable than his own fief?"
"No."
Darrie shook her head and said: "This guy is a complete daughter's slave. Because his daughter studies at Orcutt College, he directly settled down in Atel City."
"So that's it..."
Lane nodded. Now Lane had also guessed that it was probably the daughter of the Bacassi family who told her father about Nanali privately hiding forbidden books, which led to the current situation.
Should it be said that he truly deserves to be a marquis? Just hearing one-sided words, he indiscriminately started searching the Ashe family's mansion.
That's fine. The most disgusting thing was that group of knights, completely behaving like local ruffians and bullies, relying on their master's power.
"That knight captain is a cousin of Marquis Dylan. With the knights, they have indeed done many things to bully men and women in Atel City.
Duke Orcutt has also warned him several times. At first, he did restrain himself a lot, but later he started to take advantage of loopholes again, leaving Duke Alcott with no solution."
"Where is the Bacassi family located?"
After listening to Darrie's description, Lane asked indifferently.
Darrie didn't answer directly but asked seriously:
"Mr. Lane, I know you may have some unknown identity and background, but facing a marquis, are you really sure?"
"Dealing with a marquis is indeed more troublesome."
Saying this, Lane looked at Nanali's room.
After being searched by those knights, Nanali's room had become a mess. At this moment, Daisy was accompanying Nanali to tidy up the room.
Remembering Nanali's confused and helpless expression, Lane said indifferently: "But this matter can't just be let go like this."
♤ ♡ ♢ ♧
At nightfall, everything was silent.
Lane rode his thin horse, traveling through the streets of Atel City.
Looking into the distance, among the darkness, only one magnificent mansion was brightly lit.
This was the mansion of Marquis Dylan Bacassi.
Indeed, there were no such things as electric lights in this era. These illuminated objects were all magic stones carrying the magic power of magicians. Commoners definitely couldn't afford them.
Both marquises and dukes were pillar-level figures for an empire. Therefore, even if the two sides fell out, they would have to be cautious when dealing with each other.
However, most marquises usually enjoy themselves in their own fiefs. The Bacassi family is probably the first one among such marquises who specifically come to the duke's fief to act tyrannically.
At this moment, the guards at the gate of the marquis's mansion were holding long spears, dozing off.
This was understandable. After all, no one would be so desperate to cause trouble for the marquis. If the guards were too diligent, they would seem redundant.
– This was only in the case of the Hedley Empire.
For a marquis like this, the knights under him were used to oppress commoners. Lacking proper training, they would run away when war broke out and be of no use at all.
Most nobles were actually like this. Anyway, everyone's knights were weak. As a marquis, it was enough for the knights under me to be a little stronger than yours.
In comparison, the guards left by Earl Horace to Nanali were not just well-trained. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them elite.
Like these parasites of the empire, even if Lane didn't take action, when the eldest prince ascended the throne, they would sooner or later be purged.
Patting the hilt of the sword at his waist, Lane lifted the reins and rode the horse slowly to the front of the marquis's mansion gate.
Hearing the sound of the horse's hooves, the originally dozing guard hurriedly opened his eyes wide and hurriedly lifted the long spear in a flustered manner:
"Who is it?!"
Lane stopped the horse and said indifferently to the guard:
"I want to see Marquis Bacassi. Please convey this for me."
See Marquis Bacassi?
The guard was stunned for a moment and sized up Lane up and down.
Dressed in what seemed like a butler's uniform, judging from the temperament alone, he seemed to be a big shot.
Therefore, the guard's expression became a lot more respectful:
"May I ask for the adult's name? It would also be convenient for me to report. After all, not everyone can meet the marquis."
So troublesome...
Honestly, Lane really wanted to draw his long sword directly and kill from the gate to Marquis Bacassi.
But this would be too ostentatious and not beneficial to Lane's current situation.
After thinking for a moment, Lane said to that guard:
"Just say that I'm from Duke Orcutt. Go and report quickly!"
"Yes!"
As soon as he heard that it was someone from Duke Orcutt, the guard dared not neglect it even more. He didn't even dare to ask for the family emblem and hurriedly ran to report. After all, which lunatic would dare to pretend to be someone from Duke Orcutt? And come to visit Marquis Bacassi?
I'm afraid they don't even know how to write the word 'death'!
Soon, the guard trotted back and said respectfully to Lane: "Sir, the marquis is waiting for you in the mansion."
Lane nodded slightly and walked into the gate of the mansion.
Passing through the courtyard, Lane walked into the mansion. Seeing that the interior decoration of the mansion was even more magnificent than the outside, countless magic stones were inlaid on the walls, making the interior of the mansion as bright as day.
Lane dared to say that Duke Orcutt's mansion wasn't this luxurious.
"Hello, sir!"
Marquis Dylan was a tall and thin middle-aged man, dressed luxuriously, with an exaggerated beard on his face, and had quite the noble air.
Seeing Lane, Dylan first stood up with a smile to greet him, and then asked:
"Sir, I don't seem to have seen someone like you around the duke, oh, excuse my rudeness. After all, your black hair and black eyes are too eye-catching. If I had seen you, it would definitely have left a very deep memory for me."
"No, you're not wrong. There is no one like me around Orcutt."
Lane looked at Dylan and said with a faint smile:
"Because, I'm not from Orcutt at all."
As the words fell, Dylan's pupils shrank sharply, and he quickly stepped back and waved his right hand.
"Clang--"
The knights around Dylan suddenly drew their long swords and pointed them at Lane!
♤ ♡ ♢ ♧
Inside the Yaxi family's mansion.
Nanali shrank in her small room that she had just tidied up, holding the Sayoran that Lane gave her in her hand.
At this moment, under the illumination of the moonlight, each petal of this Sayoran was covered with a shallow yellow glow.
Looking at the Sayoran, a sweet smile gradually emerged on Nanali's face. It was very cute, but unfortunately, no one could see it.
At this moment, she had the innocent and carefree expression that a nine-year-old girl should have.
"It's really, so beautiful..."