Another night passed.
Early in the morning of August 7th, the Fahan Count's Estate was peaceful and serene.
In the backyard of the villa, the Ramon family was having morning tea on the lawn.
Miss Nancy and Miss Milinda, dressed in athletic, close-fitting clothes and wearing short-brimmed berets, were drawing their bows and shooting arrows at a distant target.
Prince and Joann, the two young masters, sparred fiercely with wooden sticks, the cracking sounds echoing throughout the room.
They have become even more diligent and hardworking since the staff fighting competition.
Whether it was the blow I received or the inspiration I received from the champion, I've been working incredibly hard these past two days, unlike my usual half-hearted approach.
Xenia withdrew her gaze from the children and turned it to her husband beside her. Finding him expressionless, her previously pleased and smiling eyes quickly turned into concern.
" Ramon, what happened?"
The lady asked in a low voice.
"You've seemed unhappy since yesterday."
"Nothing."
Ramon glanced at his wife, then lowered his head and rubbed his temples.
A shadowy glint flashed in his eyes as he concealed it with his hand.
Last night, after the old count told him about Loben's death, he immediately sent people to investigate, and they quickly found out about the tragedy that had occurred at the Victory Manor.
Loben Fasol hosted a private dinner party, which resulted in the deaths of fifteen people, including himself.
It includes six masters, eight Emblem -level fighters, and staff users.
Although Loben Robben's body was not found at the scene, based on the bloodstains and clothing remains, it was generally believed that he was in grave danger.
Ramon couldn't understand why the " July Baptist Church " was involved, and why the bodies of four Black-Collar Deacons were found at the scene.
All of this seemed eerie.
The truth seemed shrouded in mist, making it difficult for him to see clearly.
But he knew that all of this was absolutely related to his illegitimate son Gilan Iros!
According to surviving guests, Gilan, posing as a "senior Prohibition Agent," attempted to arrest people at the dinner, which led to a conflict and a massacre.
However, these testimonies were not adopted by the authorities.
Instead, some of the guests who attended the dinner that evening were arrested on the spot.
"I never expected that even the ' Investigation Committee ' would get involved in this matter!"
Ramon thought to himself, and a chill ran down his spine.
The " Investigation Committee," officially known as the " Bremen Empire Mystery Investigation Committee," is the highest-level operational department personally controlled by Caesar Giddens, the head of the " Four Directions Palace."
This department rarely gets involved, but when they do, it's always an extremely serious and mysterious incident. The committee members will suppress, arrest, or even kill people on the spot with swift and decisive action.
Why do the mysterious forces or individuals hidden within the empire dare not openly reveal themselves? Is it because they fear the Purification Department or the Balance Department?
Of course not.
They are afraid of the " Investigation Committee "!
The power of this department is beyond imagination!
Ramon couldn't hide his unease as he recalled the news he had just received.
The " Investigation Committee " sent only two members, but they managed to bring back all the other guests who tried to escape. No matter what kind of powerful figures, business people, or connections they had with other departments, it was all useless.
They were all detained and interrogated, awaiting Judgment.
Meanwhile, the official statements regarding the manor massacre have been ambiguous.
Ramon went to great lengths and used his connections to get an inside account:
Gilan Iros did indeed hold the identity of a "senior Prohibition Agent," but the tragedy was unrelated to him. The bodies found at the scene stemmed from a personal feud between the July Baptist Church and Loben...
Bullshit!
It's all bullshit!
Ramon would be incredibly stupid to believe such a claim.
As a fellow " Burden Scar One" within the " Heavenly Bane Cult," how could he not be unaware of Loben's situation?
The religious order and the Baptist Society church kept to themselves, and Loben had no connection with them whatsoever, so there was no personal grudge involved.
Furthermore, Gilan attended the dinner but left unharmed.
No one in the know would believe this.
The more Ramon thought about it, the more uneasy he felt. The mystery surrounding the illegitimate son grew thicker and thicker, making it impossible for him to see clearly or make any sense of it.
His status as a "senior Prohibition Agent," coupled with the cover-up of the manor tragedy, led Ramon to abandon the idea of recalling him to the manor.
But he was deep in thought.
Ramon suddenly noticed that it had become quieter around him, and then he heard the old butler Charles's voice:
"Master, Young Master Gilan has arrived."
"?!"
Lord Ramon looked up sharply.
He then saw a blond young man wearing a black top hat and a black coat, leaning on a bronze cane, standing not far from the lawn.
He looked at himself with an indifferent expression and gaze.
The old butler Charles, stood respectfully behind the other party, his hands clasped behind his back.
Nancy and Milinda, the two daughters, stopped shooting arrows and walked over with smiles on their faces. Even Prince and Joann stopped their archery practice and obediently came over to greet Gilan with a "Good morning, big brother."
Ramon felt uneasy under the watchful eye of this illegitimate son, but he couldn't show it in front of his wife and other children.
"Haha!" Ramon laughed heartily and stood up abruptly.
He strode forward and patted the illegitimate son on the shoulder affectionately.
" Gilan, I was just about to have Charles come pick you up, you've come at the perfect time!"
Ramon said with a proud look:
"I heard that you won the 'Youth Staff Masters Tournament' held by the Silver Lizard Club! Even Renoan, the eldest son of the Propaganda Department Staven, was no match for you!"
"Amazing! He truly is my son!"
"Hmm." Gilan said calmly, leaning on his cane without looking to the side. "I was also invited to Loben Robben's private dinner."
Ramon's eye twitched slightly.
But he quickly regained his composure and laughed.
"It's good to get to know more people in high society, especially established nobles like Loben Robin Fasol."
Ramon took out his cigarette case and lit one for himself.
He exhaled smoke and laughed again:
"I heard from Milinda that you and Dadeier, the second daughter of the Taylor Count Family, are getting along well, which is good... If you can take things a step further with her, I can arrange your marriage."
Upon hearing this, not only were Nancy, Milinda, and Joann surprised, but even Xenia looked astonished.
As for Prince, he was taken aback, and then his expression turned ugly.
"No wonder you want a marriage alliance with the Taylor family; you and Lord Crook are quite close, aren't you...?"
Gilan turned her head and grinned.
Seeing his meaningful look, Ramon took a deep breath.
" Fahan Family and Taylor families are long-established earldoms, so it would naturally be a good thing to strengthen their relationship through marriage."
Ramon, seemingly oblivious to the implied meaning, chuckled.
Gilan nodded, then suddenly changed the subject:
"By the way, when I came to the manor for a dinner party last time, did you all have drinks?"
Upon hearing this, Ramon's expression changed.