Assassination (Happy National Day!)

"Mika, this time it all depends on you."

The man patted Mika on the shoulder: "You must create a conflict between the two sides; it would be best to ignite a war directly... By then, the entire Upper Green Forest will welcome the return of its original masters!"

"Yes, once I become the new lord, I will marry Monica to you and make you the Lord of the Emerald Territory!"

"I am willing to serve you!"

Mika struck his chest with a clenched fist, the flames of ambition burning in his eyes.

Indeed, the one who should rule the Upper Green Forest is the Davis Family!

Even if the man before him was only from a collateral branch, who could blame him when the main line had all perished?

Not to mention, there was the territory, and Miss Monica...

Blackstone Manor, main gate.

To show courtesy, Aaron stood at the gate in formal attire to welcome them.

Before long, a carriage procession appeared at the end of the road, drawing ever closer.

"Baron, you are truly too kind."

Knight Yiman dismounted and shook hands with Aaron.

"Welcome to my manor as a guest," Aaron replied politely.

Knight Yiman then helped a young lady down from the carriage: "Allow me to introduce the brightest pearl of the Emerald Territory, my daughter—Monica!"

"Greetings, beautiful lady."

"Good day, my lord." Monica looked at Aaron's handsome face, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks; she no longer felt so resistant to her family's arrangements.

"This is my disciple—Mika!"

Knight Yiman continued by introducing a young man.

"Hmm."

Aaron became much more reserved, nodding once before moving on.

Although the man seemed to possess decent martial arts skills, that was all there was to it.

What struck him as slightly strange, however, was that the breeze carried the sounds of the man's heartbeat and other vital signs, which were far too agitated.

He hides it well on his face, but he isn't meeting a Count, so why be like this...

He immediately became more vigilant, sensing the state of the others in the carriage procession, gave Eight-Fingers a look, and led Knight Yiman into the manor.

In the living room, the cooks served sweet honey water and rich, creamy pudding.

"Please, don't stand on ceremony; try my invention."

Aaron scooped a spoonful of pudding into his mouth; this was Ginny's favorite dessert, though she always complained that the castle cooks could never get it right.

"Truly a supreme delicacy."

Knight Yiman tasted a spoonful and set his spoon down, but Monica, sitting beside him, had eyes that lit up. While maintaining her ladylike elegance, she wielded her spoon with lightning speed, ignoring the several glances her governess shot her way.

Knight Yiman felt a bit annoyed inwardly, but he showed nothing on his face, continuing to converse pleasantly with Aaron.

"I heard that you, Baron, possess some potions with quite miraculous effects, which cured Lady Sylvie?"

He mentioned it seemingly by accident, with a hint of probing.

"I purchased them from a traveling merchant. Perhaps they had a minor effect, but the credit should mostly go to the scholar and the midwife..."

Aaron said with great humility.

Yiman rolled his eyes internally, not believing a word of it.

Did he not know what kind of people the merchants in the Green Forest were? If such miraculous potions existed, they would have been bragged about to the heavens long ago.

The potion was likely made by Aaron himself; after all, he already had a reputation in that regard.

Since that was the case, it was even more important to build a good relationship. After all, life-saving potions were extremely precious things in this era.

Even without the potions, he also coveted the various farm tools and fertilizers that could double crop yields.

Thinking of this, Yiman felt even more frustrated by his daughter's lack of initiative.

After a short rest, Aaron took the lead, guiding Knight Yiman and the others to inspect his manor.

"The wheat harvest is good this year, and the manor's mill has been running at full capacity; I plan to build another one... Besides that, the warehouse also needs to be expanded."

Aaron walked through the manor with Yiman, Monica, and Mika.

Suddenly, a commotion broke out behind them.

"What is going on?"

Aaron frowned, then saw Eight-Fingers and Sanchez jogging over. They glanced at Knight Yiman and, without lowering their voices, said: "We discovered suspicious individuals among the entourage. They are carrying poisoned daggers; we suspect they are assassins!"

"This must be a misunderstanding!"

Knight Yiman's expression changed drastically.

Aaron suddenly turned, fixing his gaze upon Mika.

The young man's heartbeat accelerated significantly.

I must say, some of the abilities of the Chrysalis are quite useful.

Aaron looked at Mika, a half-smile playing on his lips: "You are... Mika, correct?"

"Y-yes, my Lord Baron."

Mika had no idea why Aaron had bypassed Knight Yiman to confront him directly, and cold sweat began to bead on his forehead.

"Why did you come to assassinate me?"

The next moment, Aaron sneered as he spoke those words. He couldn't be bothered with playing games of evidence; on his own territory, he was the law. Mere suspicion was enough to arrest, interrogate, or even execute someone!

"What?"

Knight Yiman's expression shifted once more, and then he saw Mika's face twist into a savage snarl as he drew the Cross Sword from his waist.

Unfortunately, he was a step too slow.

Aaron's wrist flicked to his waist, and his nimble Rapier appeared in his hand, followed by a swift, lunging thrust.

Pfft!

With a flash of silver, the slender blade of the Rapier pierced directly through Mika's right chest, puncturing his lung.

"Mika... ah..."

Watching Mika collapse, Monica let out a scream.

Knight Yiman stared at Aaron in utter shock. Mika was his prized pupil, one who had already surpassed him in physical strength and, despite a slight lack of experience, was capable of ranking near the top in tournaments.

Yet, he had been taken down by the enemy in a single move.

Although there were other factors at play, this Baron Aaron's martial arts were clearly extraordinary.

"Knight Yiman..."

Aaron produced a snow-white handkerchief and gently wiped his blade, asking casually, "Are you... aware of this matter?"

Knight Yiman's face was drenched in cold sweat as he instantly realized he had been dragged into a massive conspiracy.

Judging by Mika's expression and actions, he was indeed the mastermind behind the assassination attempt, and this would undoubtedly implicate the knight himself.

At such a sensitive time, for a surrendered vassal to be involved in such an affair could even invite a punitive expedition!

"I swear by the faith of Grandmother, I am completely ignorant of this!"

Knight Yiman made a swift decision. He knelt on one knee, slowly drew his own sword, and presented it to Aaron with both hands, scabbard and all.

"Of course... I believe that completely."

Aaron did not take it; to completely disarm a knight was an insult.

Furthermore, he had already confirmed Yiman's state through the sensing of his hair, and he could be essentially certain that the man was innocent.

"Eight-Fingers, please escort Knight Yiman and Miss Monica to the guest rooms to rest. Search the servants as well; we cannot allow the schemes of bandits hiding in our caravan to succeed."

He said with a smile.

"Thank you for your mercy. Your wisdom is the greatest I have ever witnessed in my life."

Knight Yiman stood up, feeling a great sense of relief. It seemed this lord still trusted him.