"The mayor of Tingen City is Dennis West, a leading member of the West Family."
"The West Family rose to prominence alongside the Augustus Family. They've been subordinate to the Augustus Family since before the Loen Kingdom was founded, so the West Family has controlled the office of mayor of Tingen City for generations. They hold a position of great importance in Awwa County."
"As long as we can secure Mayor Dennis's support, everything will become much simpler. We may even gain some support from the royal family."
"But that also means we'll have to give the West Family more benefits. I hope you'll be prepared for that."
That was what Earl Corodo had told Wilt in the carriage. They were currently on their way to Mayor Dennis's home.
Hearing this, Wilt nodded seriously. "I understand, Uncle Corodo."
"I don't know much about the political situation in the Loen Kingdom, so you can make those decisions. I have complete faith in any decision you make."
"Good." Earl Corodo nodded with satisfaction. "Don't worry. I certainly won't let you suffer any losses."
Just then, the carriage suddenly stopped. They had arrived at their destination.
"Come on, get out with me. I'll take you to meet Mayor Dennis."
Wilt followed Earl Corodo out and saw a man in his fifties at the head of the group.
Earl Corodo walked up to him warmly. "Mayor Dennis, please forgive us for dropping in unannounced!"
"Not at all. It's an honor to have you here, Earl."
Hmm? Wilt paid no attention to the two men exchanging pleasantries. He quietly activated Spirit Vision and turned his gaze to a man behind the mayor of Tingen City.
Sequence 6... no, judging by the intensity, he's stronger than that parasitic spider I encountered yesterday. He should be Sequence 5.
And when I look at him, I feel a palpable sense of authority that makes me want to submit without thinking. The Justiciar Pathway...
It looks like he's a Sequence 5 Disciplinary Paladin!
Just then, Wilt felt someone watching him and instinctively looked up ahead.
In a room on the third floor, a woman in a black evening gown stood at the window, looking over at them.
Wilt took one look, instantly shut off Spirit Vision, and quickly lowered his head.
Damn it, she's a demigod!
At that moment, Corodo and Dennis finally finished their polite conversation and began walking into the courtyard.
The Disciplinary Paladin Wilt had observed earlier came over to him. "Are you Mr. Wilt?"
"Yes." Wilt nodded. "And you are?"
"I'm the mayor's bodyguard," the man said with a smile.
"The mayor and the Earl have some important matters to discuss. I'll take you to the sitting room to wait, Mr. Wilt."
The man led Wilt to another room. As soon as they entered, the aura around him grew several times stronger. Wilt's mind suddenly went blank for a moment, but he quickly recovered. Then he heard the Disciplinary Paladin ask him in an authoritative voice:
"Is everything about your identity and the gold mine true?"
Wilt immediately realized what was happening. It's a Beyonder Ability. He's interrogating me!
A frightened expression immediately appeared on his face, and he stammered, "Y-yes... it's true!"
The next second, the sense of authority vanished. The man smiled and said to the dazed Wilt, "Mr. Wilt, the mayor and the Earl have finished talking. I'll take you to them now!"
Wilt: "..."
So you brought me here just to ask me one question? Why not ask outside? Why go to all this unnecessary trouble?
Wilt didn't understand what the man was thinking, but he respected it. He followed him to the reception room.
When the mayor of Tingen City saw the Disciplinary Paladin bring Wilt over, he nodded to the paladin, then stood up warmly. "Mr. Wilt, I've already heard about your situation from Earl Corodo. I'm deeply appalled by this."
"The Negan Family has gone too far. To think a hereditary ducal family would do such a thing! They've utterly disgraced the nobility!"
"Rest assured, I'll stand firmly on your side this time and make them return what belongs to you."
He then gestured to the sofa beside him. "Come, please sit!"
"Although I've already seen the relevant information, Emperor Roselle put it well: know your enemy and know yourself, and you will never be defeated. So I'd like to hear the details of what happened from you, Mr. Wilt."
A warm smile appeared on Wilt's face. "Of course. It's my honor!"
"This all began a few years ago..." Wilt slowly began recounting the story he had made up beforehand.
Meanwhile, after escorting Wilt, the Disciplinary Paladin went to a room on the third floor and knocked softly on the door.
"Come in!" A woman's voice came from inside.
The Disciplinary Paladin straightened his clothes and pushed the door open.
A woman in a black evening gown sat on the sofa at the far end of the room. He hurried over and said respectfully, "Your Grace, it's done."
"Mm." Georgina Augustus nodded slightly. Then, suddenly remembering something, she asked:
"Did you notice anything unusual about that man named Wilt?"
"Unusual?" The Disciplinary Paladin carefully thought back, then shook his head. "I didn't notice anything."
"May I ask what you mean, Your Grace?"
"Perhaps it was my imagination." Georgina stood up and spoke to the Disciplinary Paladin.
"I'm leaving. I'll leave matters here to you from now on. I've already spoken to Dennis, and he'll cooperate."
"I'll also transfer three teams from MI9 to serve under your command."
"Once it's done, the royal family will help you prepare the Potion and advancement ritual so that you can become a Sequence 4 Imperative Mage."
A burning gleam flashed in the Disciplinary Paladin's eyes. He immediately straightened up and said firmly, "Yes, Your Grace. Even if it costs me my life, I won't let a word of this get out."
Wilt spoke with the mayor of Tingen City for over an hour. After answering all his questions, he left in the carriage with Earl Corodo for their next destination.
"Dennis has decided to act. He'll contact the other members of the New Party."
"But we can't simply sit back and do nothing. I'm taking you to a charity auction now. Both the New Party and the Conservative Party will be there."
"You need to meet these people first and figure out who's worth winning over and who you should be wary of. That will be a great help to you in the future."
"There's one person you need to pay particular attention to. His name is Maynard. He's a member of the House of Lords and one of the New Party's leading figures. He has a great deal of influence in Tingen City!"