Crack!
The sound of shattering porcelain rang through the council hall.
Owen gripped the cracked cup, ignoring the shards piercing his skin as blood streamed down. His bloodshot eyes were fixed on the middle-aged man seated across from him as he asked hoarsely, "Did the Marquis really say that?"
The middle-aged man was impeccably dressed, with a small mustache and the bearing of a pampered noble.
After hearing Owen's question, he took a sip of red tea before speaking unhurriedly.
"The Marquis has been busy dealing with matters in Storm Territory lately and has no time to concern himself with your affairs."
"Besides, the Marquis has already given you plenty of help. He even helped you contact assassins from the Starfire Cult. He has done more than enough. And how did you repay him?"
"You let two wet-behind-the-ears brats force you into this state. Do you know how many nobles outside are laughing at you now?"
The middle-aged man spoke leisurely, but his words showed no mercy.
Owen's temples throbbed with anger, but he did not dare lose his temper in front of this man. He could only grit his teeth and endure it.
To be honest, he could not understand how things had turned out this way.
In less than two short years, how had those two brothers built Blackstone City up to its current state?
And Sunan—just two years ago, he had been a worthless fool who could not even get started with the Breathing Technique. Why had he suddenly become a wizard, even killing Martel?
He could not understand it!
Owen truly could not understand it!
Perhaps he should not have cared about saving face back then. He should have simply killed the two brothers.
But it was too late for regrets now.
Unless the Golden Rock