It Came Just In Time

Crack!

The sound of porcelain shattering echoed in the council hall.

Owen held the cracked cup, ignoring the shards piercing his skin, blood flowing freely. His bloodshot eyes fixed intently on the middle-aged man across from him, his voice hoarse:
“Is that truly what the marquis said?”

The middle-aged man was dressed impeccably, sporting a small mustache, exuding the air of a pampered noble.

Upon hearing Owen’s words, he took a sip of his tea before leisurely responding.

“The marquis is currently busy handling affairs in the Storm Lands and has no time for your matters here.”

“Moreover, the marquis has already provided you with significant support, even going as far as introducing you to Starfire Cult’s assassins. He’s already done quite a lot, yet how have you repaid him?”

“You’ve let yourself be cornered by two wet-behind-the-ears youngsters to the point you’re at now. Do you realize how many nobles are laughing at you outside?”

The middle-aged man’s words were delivered slowly, yet they were completely merciless in content.

Owen’s temple throbbed with anger, yet he dared not erupt in front of this man and could only grit his teeth and endure.

Frankly, he couldn’t fathom how things could have taken such a turn.

In less than two years, how did those two brothers manage to elevate Blackstone City to this level?

And Su Nan, who two years ago couldn’t even grasp the basics of breathing techniques, how did he suddenly become a sorcerer, even taking down Martel?

Incomprehensible!

Owen genuinely couldn’t comprehend it!

Perhaps he should have disregarded appearances and eliminated the brothers from the very beginning.

Yet it’s too late for regrets now.

Unless Marquis Jin Yan is willing to deploy troops, with the remaining forces at his command, the odds of holding Shining City were slim.

Besides, even if they managed to hold it, his title as Baron of Shining City would become nothing more than an empty title.

At this thought, Owen took a deep breath, suppressing his frustration to say: “Envoy Giller, if the marquis is dissatisfied with me, he can punish me later without any complaints from my side. But once the Shining Lands change hands, it will be difficult for the marquis to regain control. Is the marquis truly willing to abandon the Shining Lands?”

Giller cast a glance at Owen, smirking, “That’s not your concern. Even if the Shining Lands change hands, the marquis will reclaim it personally in due time.”

Owen was stunned.

What does that mean? Could it be that Marquis Jin Yan is finally going to break the unwritten noble rules and personally seize another noble’s territory? But if he does, the entire duchy’s nobility would rise against him!

Even Marquis Jin Yan couldn’t bear such consequences.

Or does Marquis Jin Yan have a way to make other nobles in the duchy turn a blind eye?

“What does the envoy mean?” Owen asked, uncertain and suspicious.

“That’s not your concern.”

Giller waved his hand dismissively, squinting as he said:
“Though you failed to deliver, the marquis is magnanimous and instructed me to escort you away from Shining City. You can spend the rest of your days peacefully as an estate owner in Goldstone City.”

Owen’s face turned ghostly pale.

Dropping from a baron to an estate owner—such a drastic fall was hard for him to accept.

But if he doesn’t do so, he cannot hold Shining City alone, and the only outcome would be to be buried alongside it.

Giller leisurely sipped his tea, looking down at Owen, whose expression continuously fluctuated.

He believed Owen would make the wise choice.

Or rather, by now, Owen had no other path to take.

At that moment, hurried footsteps suddenly sounded from the outside.

The secretary hurried into the hall, appearing to want to report something, but hesitated upon seeing Giller and the cloaked man sitting nearby.

Owen impatiently waved his hand: “Speak quickly if you have something to say!”

The secretary quickly bowed and said: “My lord, scouts report that the Blackstone City army is already five kilometers outside the city and will reach the gates in at most an hour.”

As those words fell, Owen stood abruptly from his seat, unable to contain the panic on his face.

“How did they get here so fast?!”

After speaking, he realized his loss of composure, forcing himself to restrain the panic and keep a facade of calm.

“Send orders to let Dario lead the army in defense. Do not let Blackstone City’s forces step foot in the city!”

After the secretary acknowledged and exited, Owen hesitated no longer, quickly addressing Giller, “Envoy, I agree, I will go with you to Goldstone City!”

Giller set down his teacup, smiling gently, “A wise choice.”

“Please wait for just a moment, Envoy. I’ll have my things prepared.”

Though fleeing, he still needed to bring his possessions.

To become an estate owner required purchasing land, after all.

He had to collect his wealth quickly before Blackstone City launched their attack.

To avoid Giller’s annoyance, Owen went forward to place a small bag of gold coins in Giller’s hand.

“I must trouble you, Envoy.”

Giller weighed the bag, a smile spreading across his face.

“No need for concern, Baron. Rest assured, with Lord Hoch here, even if Blackstone City’s army surrounds Shining City, we can leave unharmed.”

Upon hearing this, Owen cast a surprised glance at the cloaked man beside him.

Since entering the council hall, the cloaked man hadn’t spoken, sitting silently to the side the whole time.

He thought the man was Giller’s guard.

But from Giller’s tone, it seemed this man named Hoch stood equal to him in status.

“I wonder, Lord Hoch, may I ask.”

Just as Owen was about to probe the cloaked man’s background, he was suddenly interrupted by commotion outside, his brow furrowing with intent to call in the guards for questioning, but was stopped short as Hoch abruptly stood.

“Something’s off. There’s screaming—an assassin!”

An assassin?!

Owen was half-doubtful. The Blackstone City army was over ten kilometers away, and his mansion was heavily guarded. What kind of assassin could break in?

However, Owen’s doubts quickly dissipated.

The sounds of fighting quickly approached the council hall, then abruptly went silent.

Immediately after, a figure slowly stepped into the hall.

Upon seeing who it was, Owen’s eyes widened in horror.

“Su Nan!”

Giller’s eyes narrowed, and he unconsciously straightened his posture, looking with interest at the young man standing at the entrance.

This man was the rumored sorcerer of Blackstone City?

Su Nan’s gaze swept over the three men in the hall, pausing on Hoch before narrowing his eyes with a sly smile,

“Looks like I arrived just in time. Were the three of you discussing how to escape?”