Chapter 161: Dirty Tricks Part 2

Full of malicious speculation, Huck stared angrily and instinctively wanted to say something, but Dean spoke first: “Is it Baron Defendi?”

“I pay my respects to Regiment Commander Dean Ken! I have long heard your famous name!”

Erri Defendi said in a highly fake tone.

“It is my honor to meet you as well!”

Dean replied with a similar tone, while carefully studying Baron Defendi before him—thin figure, slightly pale face, neatly combed hair, and equally meticulously groomed beard, and the attire was exceptionally splendid. Of course, what was hardest to ignore were the other’s high cheekbones; once seen, they instinctively reminded one of meanness and ruthlessness.

Undoubtedly, if one ignored those high cheekbones, the Baron Defendi before them was dressed and groomed in a manner that perfectly fit the standards of Emerald’s upper class, just like the long-dead Churde Defendi.

Plus, the aggression Churde Defendi had shown in secret before.

It was clear that this Baron Defendi did not want to be limited to just one territory.

Moreover, the opponent’s identity as a Sorcerer made Dean pay even more attention.

You see, among those who believed in the ‘Bloodline Theory,’ a Sorcerer was a complete honor.

Of course, for Dean, he cared more about the strength shown by the opponent—

Before, from hearing the scream to his appearance here, it definitely did not exceed three seconds, and within those three seconds, to avoid the gaze attracted by others and vanish completely, it obviously required at least a Grand Knight, and a Grand Knight with special skills.

After all, the central location where Baron Janel resided was too conspicuous.

Dean could easily imagine that in the moment Baron Janel almost screamed, he had already attracted all the gaze from all directions, plus Baron Janel’s remaining guards in the neighboring rooms, it was obviously not easy to escape while avoiding these guards who were so close.

However, Dean could definitely confirm that this murderer was Baron Defendi.

The trace of blood smell lingering on the other, and the killing intent in his eyes that had just experienced Slaughter and had not yet dispersed, was too clear for Dean.

Simply put, the one who had just done all this was indeed this Baron Defendi.

Of course, this Baron Defendi was definitely not a Grand Knight.

But based on the scars on the Corpse, he definitely possessed Knight-rank strength, and the ability of a High Wizard level caster; otherwise, relying only on some introductory Illusion and Mental Suggestion would not have escaped the eyes of so many people.

As for why the other did this?

It had been expressed very clearly in the words spoken before.

Territory!

An existence that was as important as life itself for all Nobles—obviously Baron Defendi had firmly grasped this point, even though the entire plan seemed very rough, the effect was indeed quite good.

Just look at the suspicious looks in Baron Janel and the guards around Janel Territory.

“You seem to suspect me?”

After scanning the Good-for-nothing Baron, Dean looked at Baron Defendi again and asked with a calm face.

Although he could confirm that the other was the murderer, and could confirm that it was to frame and harm him, Dean had no substantial evidence—for those people walking in Shadow, that smell of blood and sense of killing intent were decisive evidence, but for normal people, Nobles, that was nonsense.

And Dean had no ideal to correct such ‘nonsense’!

After all, he had no such time, nor did he want to waste his Stamina.

Of course, the matter at hand had to be resolved—Dean definitely did not want such things to affect the granting of his title.

A Noble who committed murder for a Territory was obviously unqualified—even if most Nobles were willing to do such things, it absolutely could not be known by others.

In fact, he couldn’t even bear such a reputation.

After all, Dean needed a good reputation to maintain his positive image—a Noble with a good reputation could definitely gain the support of the people in Emerald, and for the upcoming war, whether there was public support was obviously quite important, and Dean would naturally not give up this point.

“No, no, I was just making a simple guess—you see, you are about to receive a title, but you have no Territory, and it is well known that Baron Janel has no offspring, relatives, or any heir, isn’t it?”

Baron Defendi waved his hands repeatedly, indicating that he had no malice, but the malice in his words was almost overflowing, and every sentence was directed at Dean.

Watching the changes in Dean’s facial expression, Baron Janel obviously believed Baron Defendi’s speculation even more.

“Commander, he wouldn’t do such a thing!”

Huck shouted loudly.

“Such a thing? For a decent Territory, who knows?”

Baron Defendi shrugged.

Instantly, Huck looked at the other in anger; it was clear that this was no longer the tone of speculation from before, but naked slander.

Almost instinctively, Huck tightened his grip on his axe.

And Baron Defendi smiled with contempt, trying to provoke Huck again.

Dean naturally would not allow such things to happen; if Huck made a move, it would only put him in a more unfavorable position—rumors such as ‘Enraged after being guessed, he killed in a fit of rage!’ or ‘Deliberately ordered subordinates to stir up trouble!’ would definitely spread quickly throughout Vauban County under Baron Defendi’s push.

Blocking his subordinate, Dean turned around, looked at Baron Defendi opposite, and said slowly: “Yes, for a decent Territory, such a thing could indeed happen!”

“You admit it?!”

Baron Defendi was stunned, looked at Dean with a slightly dazed expression, and then asked immediately.

“What do I admit?”

Dean asked back.

“Of course, you assassinated Baron Janel for Janel Territory… humph!”

Baron Defendi said almost instinctively, but before he finished, he realized that Dean hadn’t said anything at all, only repeating his words.

Finally, the Baron snorted and stopped speaking.

But Dean would not let the other go—

“Look, I haven’t expressed anything, yet you were eager to make me admit it… The conflict between Tier Territory and Defendi Territory, I did not participate, but because I am the Regiment Commander of the Ferrchelen Knight Order, you slandered me like this, is it a bit excessive? Or do you think I and Baron Tier would form an alliance, posing a danger to you?”

Dean said slowly.

Dean was not unfamiliar with framing and stirring up trouble; as a former Assassin, he had done such things more than once; and at this time, facing Defendi Territory which already had a grudge against Tier Territory, he naturally handled it skillfully.

And almost instinctively, the people present were guided in their thinking by Dean’s words, associating it with the grudge between Baron Defendi and Baron Tier.

That Baron Janel was even more suspiciously sizing up Baron Defendi.

“Nonsense! Janel, are you going to believe the words of a guy who might use assassination to steal your Territory?”

Baron Defendi first scolded loudly, and then said to Baron Janel with a sincere attitude.

Instantly, that Baron Janel hesitated again—the posture of a good-for-nothing was revealed without reservation.

“Baron Defendi, please pay attention to your wording, otherwise I don’t mind dueling with you because of your slander!”

Dean’s face turned cold, and he reprimanded Baron Defendi sternly; the latter staggered, and then looked at Dean with an increasingly unfriendly expression; however, when Dean’s right hand was about to pull off the glove on his left hand, Baron Defendi’s eyes shrunk, and then he took a step back, no longer speaking.

For someone with Knight skills and the ability of a High Wizard level caster, even facing a Grand Knight would not be in greater danger; in fact, eliminating a Grand Knight with a covert counterattack was not impossible.

But Baron Defendi, who had always hidden his ability as a caster, obviously did not want to expose his trump card in a duel, and he did not want to die in a duel.

Therefore, retreating was the best way.

But at this moment, in the bottom of Baron Defendi’s heart, he had already thought of countless versions of rumors to vividly portray Dean’s ‘tyranny’, ‘cruelty’, ‘sinister ruthlessness’, and his own ‘righteous speech’ and ‘being oppressed’.

And the ultimate goal was to sabotage Dean’s Knighting Ceremony.

Once large-scale discussions were stirred up, he would send people to provoke some trouble; even if Dean’s merits were great and that Marquis Vauban appreciated him, it would be of no use.

“Churd disappeared, yet a lowborn like you who came from nowhere receives such great merit… How could I let you have your way! And that lowborn Lily Tier, I must…”

Malicious light flashed in Baron Defendi’s eyes.

Dean clearly saw such malicious gaze; he sneered in his heart—the opposing camps of the two sides, and the hidden danger of the other, obviously made Dean feel that he must eliminate the other.

Moreover, just as the other had said, ‘Such a thing? For a decent Territory, who knows?’

However, that was a matter for later; now Dean needed to solve the current trouble—

“Baron Janel, you don’t mind cooperating with me to prove my innocence, do you?”

Dean walked up to the good-for-nothing Baron and asked.

It was clear that this good-for-nothing Baron wanted to refuse, but when he saw the Miss from the Tier Baron Family walking over in the distance, this good-for-nothing Baron straightened his head and nodded in agreement: “Okay!”

“Then bring out three more people, and let us recreate the previous situation!”

Dean said to the guards behind Baron Janel.

“Rehearsing is not enough to prove your innocence!”

Obviously knowing what Dean wanted to do, Baron Defendi shouted loudly.