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Chapter 17: Marquis Mansion

“Dillon Baikasi, Marquis of the Hedley Empire, is right here in Art City.”

By the family crests on their armor, Darly easily determined that these knights belonged to the Baikasi family.

At Ryan’s request, Darly also explained to him the background of that family.

Listening to Darly’s explanation, Ryan couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

“He’s a marquis, so why isn’t he staying in his own fief and living in Art City? Is Art City more comfortable than his domain?”

“No.”

Darly shook her head and said, “He’s a total daddy’s boy, and since his daughter attends Alcot Academy, he simply set up residence in Art City.”

“I see…”

Ryan nodded, and by then he had already guessed that it was likely the Baikasi family’s daughter who told his father about Nanali secretly possessing forbidden tomes, causing the current predicament.

One could say that being a Marquis lived up to its reputation; after hearing only one side, he indiscriminately started searching the Axi estate.

That would have been bad enough, but the most disgusting part was the group of knights, who acted like ruffians and bullies, abusing their power.

“That knight captain is Marquis Dillon’s cousin, and he and his knights have done a lot of bullying and misconduct toward women in Art City.

The Duke of Alcot had warned him several times; at first he did restrain himself, but then he started looking for loopholes again, leaving the Duke powerless.”

“Where is the Baikasi family’s estate located?”

After hearing Darly’s description, Ryan asked calmly.

Darly did not answer directly, but instead asked solemnly:

“Mr. Ryan, I know you may have some undisclosed identity, but when it comes to facing a Marquis, are you truly confident?”

“Dealing with a Marquis is indeed tricky.”

As he said this, Ryan glanced at Nanali’s room.

Nanali’s room had become a mess after being searched by the knights, and at that moment Daisy was helping Nanali tidy it up.

Remembering the helpless confusion on Nanali’s face, Ryan said softly:

“But this matter cannot just be brushed aside like this.”

♤ ♡ ♢ ♧

Night had fallen, and everything was silent.

Ryan rode his lean horse through the streets of Art City.

Looking into the distance, he saw amid the darkness only one splendid mansion, its lights shining brightly.

This was the residence of Marquis Dillon Baikasi.

Indeed, in this era there were no electric lights; these light sources were mage-infused magic stones, which commoners certainly could not afford.

Within an empire, both the Marquis and the Duke were top-tier pillars of power, so even if they quarreled, handling them would be difficult.

However, most Marquises usually indulged themselves in their own fiefs, and the Baikasi family was probably the first to go to a Duke’s territory just to wield power freely.

At that moment, the guards at the Marquis’s gate leaned on their spears, half-asleep.

This was understandable; after all, no one would willingly look to mess with a Marquis, and overly diligent guards would seem redundant.

… This applied only within the Hedley Empire, of course.

Marquises like this used their knights to oppress commoners, and since those knights lacked proper training, they would scatter at the outbreak of war and be of no use.

Most nobles were actually like that; after all, everyone’s knights were weak, so as a Marquis, having knights slightly stronger than yours was sufficient.

By contrast, the guards that Count Horace left to Nanali were not just well-trained; it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call them elite.

These parasites of the Empire would be purged sooner or later, even if Ryan didn’t act, once the Crown Prince ascended.

Running a hand over the hilt of his sword at his waist, Ryan tightened the reins and rode slowly up to the Marquis’s gate.

Hearing the sound of hooves, the originally drowsy guards snapped to attention, wide-eyed and fumbling as they raised their spears.

“Who goes there?!”

Ryan halted his horse and said to the guards calmly:

“I wish to see Marquis Baikasi; please inform him for me.”

“See Marquis Baikasi?!”

The guards froze for a moment and scrutinized Ryan from head to toe.

He was dressed in what looked like a butler’s uniform, but his bearing suggested he must be an important figure.

Accordingly, the guards’ expressions became much more respectful.

“May I ask your name, sir? That way I can notify him more easily, as not just anyone is allowed an audience with the Marquis.”

This was such a hassle.

To be honest, Ryan really wanted to draw his sword right then and ride straight through the gate to confront Marquis Baikasi.

But that would be too conspicuous and would not benefit his current situation.

After thinking it over, Ryan said to the guard:

“Just tell him I’m with Duke Alcot and go notify him promptly!”

“Yes!”

Upon hearing he was from Alcot the Duke, the guards dared not delay; they didn’t even request his crest and hurried off to notify him.

After all, what lunatic would dare impersonate someone from Duke Alcot?

And then come to visit Marquis Baikasi?

They probably didn’t even know how to spell the word “death”!

Soon, the guards jogged back and respectfully said to Ryan, “Sir, the Marquis awaits you in the residence.”

Ryan gave a slight nod and stepped through the mansion gates.

Passing through the courtyard, Ryan entered the mansion and saw that the interior decoration was even more magnificent than the exterior, with countless magic stones embedded in the walls, illuminating the interior as bright as daylight.

Ryan could say with certainty that even Duke Alcot’s residence was not this lavish.

“Good evening, sir!”

Marquis Dillon was a tall, thin middle-aged man dressed in luxury, sporting an exaggerated mustache, and he had a distinctly noble air.

Seeing Ryan, Dillon first smiled and stood to greet him, then asked:

“Sir, I don’t believe I’ve seen someone of your stature among the Duke’s entourage. Oh, forgive my rudeness, but your black hair and eyes are so striking that if I had seen you before, you would surely have left a deep impression on me.”

“No, you’re not wrong; there really is no figure of my caliber around Alcot.”

Ryan looked at Dillon and said with a faint smile:

“Because I’m not with Alcot at all.”

At these words, Dillon’s pupils shrank abruptly; he quickly took a step back and raised his right hand.

Clang…

The knights surrounding Dillon suddenly drew their swords, pointing them directly at Ryan!

♤ ♡ ♢ ♧

Inside the Axi family’s mansion.

Nanali was curled up in the small room she had just finished tidying, holding the Nightglow Orchid that Ryan had given her.

In the moonlight, each petal of the Nightglow Orchid was bathed in a faint yellow glow.

Looking at the Nightglow Orchid, a sweet smile gradually appeared on Nanali’s face, making her look utterly adorable, though unfortunately, no one could see it.

In that moment, she wore the innocent and carefree expression that a nine-year-old girl should have.

“It’s really so beautiful…”

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