Chapter 130: Chaos, Part I

Night fell quietly, and the entire Vauban City returned to peace from the noise once again.

Moreover, the banquet of Marquis Vauban had ended an hour ago. Dean followed Miss Baron of the Tier Baron Family back to the residence, and then, left quietly without a sound.

At this moment, Dean was standing in the shadow of a building, watching the house not far away—this was the Upper District of Vauban City, separated from Dean’s temporary residence in Vauban City by just a street.

Even the Upper District had its distinctions.

The closer to the Vauban Castle, the higher the status naturally.

Like those simple wealthy merchants who did not serve Marquis Vauban, their location was just separated from the Lower District by a wall.

And the position where Dean stood was a residence that only those Aides valued by Marquis Vauban could possess.

For example: that Lord Madel.

In fact, when the banquet ended, Dean had left a letter on Lord Madel’s carriage.

A letter with the secret code used to contact Goth spies.

Of course, the content of the letter was also written in code.

It was roughly as follows—

Silver Goose, thank you for the ‘hospitality’ in the Tier Territory. I have offered a ‘return gift’; that Churde Defendi is the price.

There was no signature, and no more information.

However, Dean believed that Lord Madel would understand this letter full of misleading words.

After all, after the banquet ended, the other party’s carriage left in a hurry.

Even, during the time he was watching the other party’s house, three people visited Lord Madel, one openly and two secretly.

Among them was a man of the Knight-rank.

As for where this person came from?

It was naturally self-evident.

At the same time, Dean was also glad that he changed his mind and did not act directly—

Before, he had slightly probed the strength of the personnel around Lord Madel.

Finally, he reached a result that made Dean frown. Even without counting the Knight-rank man who had just returned, Dean could at least be certain that beside Lord Madel, there was one Knight-rank and three Knight-rank guards.

This was the minimum number. Additionally, there were two or three guards close to Knight-rank.

If there were only one Knight-rank guard, Dean would still have the confidence to give it a try. But adding three or five other Knight-rank guards, although it was not entirely impossible, he definitely could not retreat unscathed. If there was a slight delay or a small accident, it was very likely to encounter that Knight-rank guard who had returned.

And for Dean at that time, who would have to trade injuries for life, this would undoubtedly be a disaster.

“However, one thing is confirmed…”

Dean stood in the shadow, thinking silently.

Undoubtedly, Dean had confirmed Madel’s identity without error—he was the Goth spy leader with the codename ‘Silver Goose’.

“To kill the other party… now is not the time!”

Dean looked at the house guarded by layers of guards and shook his head subconsciously.

Obviously, his previous letter with ‘misleading’ intent played a bigger role than he imagined. The other party summoned enough guards, making it impossible for him to act—’Even those who walk in the shadows, once they touch the light, especially when they are in a high position, are obviously afraid of death; so… hide yourself in the darkness as much as possible!’

Once again, the words of the Old Thief were proven, although Dean did not quite agree with the last sentence.

Although this made Dean change his original plan, it was not all bad—

“Because of the appearance of that letter, Madel will inevitably be distracted and focus on the Tier Territory, having no time to attend to tomorrow’s auction… If this force is set aside, then only the ‘Brotherhood’ remains! No… there are also the people in that room on the corridor of the backyard of Marquis Vauban’s residence…”

Obviously, facing a single force was much simpler than dealing with a situation mixed with other forces; however, the next moment, Dean, who had just started thinking about the situation he would encounter tomorrow, thought of the room on the corridor of the backyard.

Thinking about that room, Dean’s brows furrowed again.

That room on the backyard corridor might have nothing to do with Madel, but thinking of Marquis Vauban’s shrewdness, Dean did not believe that under the circumstances at that time, the other party would leave the hall for no reason, and simply go in and stay for a while.

There must be something in there that concerned him.

After all, the major events that occurred in Vauban City recently all happened last night. And last night, whether it was the ‘disappearance’ of Churde Defendi or the move by the ‘Brotherhood’, strictly speaking, both were related to him.

Regarding this, Dean would not deny it.

And precisely because he would not deny it, Dean would be even more careful—he absolutely did not want to encounter personnel arranged by Marquis Vauban at some point.

If that really happened, it would be a huge joke.

Therefore, Dean, who had given up on the assassination, did not leave the vicinity of Madel’s house immediately, but quietly hid to the side.

He needed to see if anyone from Marquis Vauban would appear here.

Simply put, this was a process of elimination—

If Marquis Vauban’s people appeared here, then the matter Marquis Vauban discussed with the person in that room in the afternoon was about Madel.

And if they did not appear, then it was about Marquis Vauban’s private auction.

Of course, it was also possible that both sides appeared, or neither appeared!

If it was the former, it proved Marquis Vauban’s anger and impatience.

And if it was the latter, it meant that Marquis Vauban was waiting… or, had other plans.

If Marquis Vauban had other plans, then it meant that something unpredictable to Dean would happen.

Therefore, Dean certainly hoped for the former, because this would save him a lot of trouble.

As for Marquis Vauban not discovering anything?

Perhaps before Churde Defendi disappeared, Marquis Vauban had no suspicion towards Madel, but after Churde Defendi disappeared, Marquis Vauban would definitely send people to carefully search suspicious places.

And coincidentally, a murder case occurred outside the residence of Madel’s steward.

Such a situation was enough to attract Marquis Vauban’s attention.

Moreover, Madel sent a Knight-rank subordinate. Such a foolish move would be strange if it did not attract Marquis Vauban’s attention.

As for the ‘Brotherhood’?

Although it was impossible for Marquis Vauban to plant spies within the ‘Brotherhood’ and the local Thieves Guild.

However, that guy who blatantly sold information in the Black Market was enough to let Marquis Vauban know everything he wanted to know.

For that old fox, this was not a difficult task.

And the only thing that old fox might have miscalculated was his appearance.

Therefore, Dean was certain that Marquis Vauban would closely watch the ‘person’ who caused him to miscalculate—and what Dean needed to do was to shift Marquis Vauban’s attention away from himself to reduce the possibility of being suspected.

For this, he needed to know Marquis Vauban’s arrangements.

However, obviously, things did not appear as Dean thought—in the moment before dawn, the house where Madel stayed was quiet.

Except for that visitor on the surface leaving.

Dean could be certain that no one else had approached.

And similarly, in the direction of the Lower District, nothing that could be called a ‘disturbance’ appeared.

Of course, the trouble caused by Drunken Men definitely did not count.

After all, if Marquis Vauban wanted to deal with the ‘Brotherhood’, it could not be this quiet.

Simply put, what Dean worried about happened—

Marquis Vauban was waiting… or, had other plans.

“Hopefully, he is just waiting!”

Dean thought this, and then slowly retreated into the shadow, heading towards his residence quietly without a sound.

After all, a battle would definitely occur today.

And facing such a battle, Dean naturally needed time to rest his spirit—although he could stay awake for several days, facing a war between life and death, Dean still preferred to be fully rested.

…

The night passed. After daybreak, the youths of the Ferrchelen Knight Order started their training again.

Obviously, they did not slack off because of their play in Vauban City yesterday.

Everything was just like yesterday morning.

Training, rest, breakfast, then training again, and then, lunch.

Dean did not leave his residence either, just watching his subordinates train like this. It was only after lunch, having rested for several hours, that he began to organize his weapons and equipment.

However, those assassin linings, hand crossbows, flying knives, poisons, and other items that did not fit the identity of the Ferrchelen Knight Order Regiment Commander were still not taken by Dean.

After all, once the situation he anticipated occurred, a simple body search was inevitable.

And these things were absolutely impossible to hide.

But the Longsword, Crimson Ring, Evasion Bracer, and Sturdy Bracer were necessary.

Although the latter two came from Churde Defendi, this kind of Magic Equipment without special markings was impossible to arouse suspicion.

“Let’s go!”

Seeing Dean walk out, Miss Baron, who had been waiting for a long time, immediately walked towards her carriage, and the fully armed Huck grinned at his young Regiment Commander.

Huck’s full arming was not Dean’s reminder, but Huck did so consciously.

After all, a guard should look like a guard.

“Let’s move out!”

As Dean mounted his Warhorse, Huck shouted loudly. The youths of the Ferrchelen Knight Order immediately gathered around—although they could not enter the castle, escorting the carriage of Miss Baron of the Tier Baron Family to the front of the castle was something they had to do.