Letting the Mistake Stand

After Count Lloyd gave the order, none of the four had any further objections.

"I've long found those four traitors an eyesore, Count Excellency. Please let our Chicory family be the vanguard when the time comes."

Baroness Kailan said with a pleased expression.

"Don't worry, everyone has a chance to get revenge. I will never let them go."

Count Lloyd nodded in affirmation, then turned to look at Baron Nio.

"Nio, there's one more thing I need to ask you. There's still time. Take some men to Sunset City in Suffolk County in the east and meet with that guy Black. I have a letter for him; we have something important to discuss."

"Yes, sir, leave it to me!"

Eamon, standing to the side, looked at Count Lloyd and said with some surprise, "Count Excellency, I have just received news that Count Black has launched a punitive expedition against a Northern Frontier nobles in the eastern Boler County in response to Silver Maple City's orders. Should we carefully consider cooperating with Earl Great Oak?"

"Oh, this guy, I know him. He definitely won't side with Silver Maple City. There must be some hidden reason behind it!"

"Nio, in that case, don't go to Sunset City. Go directly to Boler County in the east to find him. That old guy can still lead troops into battle; I wonder if his body can handle it!"

"Leave it to me, Count Excellency."

"That's settled then. Everyone go home and prepare immediately. Nio, you don't need to rush off. Go back to your territory and get ready first."

"Yes!"

Soon the four of them bid farewell to Count Lloyd and left, leaving Lloyd alone in the room.

Lloyd stood up and looked at the map on the wall. "I don't know if this choice was right or wrong, but Mora, I want to tell you that interfering in the succession of any noble family is a big taboo, and you will have to pay the price!"

In the Maple Leaf Palace, Silver Maple City, Mora was enjoying his lunch alone when a servant announced, "Your Majesty, Count Lagos has arrived!"

"Why is he here at this hour? I still need to eat! Oh well, let him in!"

A moment later, Count Lagos strode in, but he looked flustered and agitated. He looked at Mora and spoke urgently.

"Mora, are you crazy? Didn't I tell you? We can't lay a hand on Viscount Lance. He did nothing wrong, and Count Lloyd's escape has nothing to do with him."

"What were you planning to do by arresting Viscount Lance and his family while you were away on patrol in Silver Maple City?"

Mora said nonchalantly, "Call me Grand Duke. Don't be so arrogant, you old man. I can do whatever I want. Besides, that old man Lance has always been an eyesore. So what if I deal with him?"

The Count Lagos laughed in exasperation, "Fine, my Grand Duke, hand him over to me. I'll take care of everything after that and make sure he never appears before you again."

"Too late!"

"What do you mean? What did you do to Viscount Lance?"

"This old man wasn't in good health. He died of fright shortly after being arrested and imprisoned, but it has nothing to do with me!"

Upon hearing this, Count Lagos felt dizzy.

"Do you know Viscount Lance's identity? You're insane. He's not only an independent nobleman, but also Silver Maple collateral branch, and even the Council Speaker of the Noble Council."

Even if his approval rating is low and he is a greedy and despicable person, you cannot and should not do this because of his status and position!

"I was so wrong! I shouldn't have left Silver Maple City. Viscount Borey is a brute. What benefit would he get from helping you capture Lance!"

Count Lagos clutched his head in distress.

Just then, a man walked in, and Count Lagos looked up to see that it was Viscount Borey, the Imperial Guard Legion.

Viscount Borey also saw Count Lagos, but he said nothing and simply bowed to Mora.

"Your Majesty, I have arrested Viscount Lance's family and, as you instructed, seized his property. Apart from his lands and serfs, all other assets are here."

After speaking, Viscount Borey handed a report to Mora.

Mora took the report and examined it, "Phew, I underestimated that old guy. There are so many gold coins, and so many jewels and antiques. Look at this territory and so many warhorses, enough to arm a Cavalry battalion. Hmm, not bad, there are more than 500 units of iron armor alone. This strength is not to be underestimated, and there are so many weapons and equipment."

"Grandpa, do you think this guy is up to no good? An independent nobleman from Milan County, located in the heart of the duchy, possesses so many weapons, armor, and warhorses."

Count Lagos seemed to understand something. He looked up at Mora and said, "You don't mean to..."

"Good, let's do it this way. Borei, arrange for all the spoils of war, except for the gold coins and jewelry, to be transported by carriage. Don't cover them. Take them directly from the gates of Silver Maple City to the Maple Leaf Palace so that everyone can see them."

Mora stroked his chin. "Just say that the Duchy has captured another ally of the traitor from the Northlands, making a significant contribution to the security of the Duchy's capital."

Borei immediately replied, "Yes, Your Majesty!"

After saying this, Viscount Borey turned and left.

Count Lagos hesitated for a moment, "Mora, do you want to accuse him of being an accomplice to treason?"

Many people won't believe it, after all, Lance is such a fickle person.

"But they probably won't object, since Lance's reputation is as bad as you said, and not many nobles like this Council Speaker."

Lagos nodded upon hearing this. He understood that since Lance was dead, it would be difficult to avoid negative consequences no matter what he did at this point.

By turning Lance into an accomplice to the rebellion, the negative impact of this matter can be minimized. Even if many people don't believe it, they won't object; they'll just act as indifferent bystanders.

Count Lagos resigned himself to his fate; at least Mora's approach was a last resort. "In that case," Mora said, "Mora has one more thing to do: have Viscount Borey control the soldiers he brought on this mission, at least to prevent the Imperial Guard Legion from knowing the details."

Mora nodded in agreement. He knew that Count Lagos meant that the Silver Maple branch, which controlled half of the Imperial Guard Legion, would not easily give up if they knew the inside story.

"That's true, there are too many old-fashioned people and remnants in the Imperial Guard Legion!"

"It's not a big problem, though. Viscount Borey's troops are all his trusted men. But just in case, I'll send someone to inform Viscount Borey right away."

Count Lagos sighed, "Fortunately, there's still a chance to salvage the situation, but Mora, I still don't understand why you're so vindictive!"

"You are now a Grand Duke; sometimes, a little more magnanimity will help you govern this country better!"

"I am the Grand Duke, I am the one who can do whatever I want in this country. If I can't even do that, then my war has been fought in vain!"