Chapter 3, Deception

The distance from the town to the fortress is approximately 7 kilometers. The mountain path is quite difficult to traverse, and since the two individuals were not entirely focused on their journey, it took them two hours to cover the short distance of 7 kilometers.

After a considerable amount of time, Mom suddenly showed a change in expression. After experiencing too much fear, a person can sometimes become numb.

Most of the inquiries are made by Case. The old man always points to one type of goods and asks the smuggler providing the list about the specific origin and the name of the manufacturing workshop of this item

Throughout the journey, the three individuals did not utter a single word, as they had many matters to contemplate thoroughly

After having a free lunch in the fortress, he continued to wander aimlessly along the bay with Thor

The two individuals did not come specifically to find a piece of land for building a house; a few days ago, they dealt with old man Spencer, and today they need to tackle another problem—the military camp stationed near the town

"How is that possible? The water cannot rise that high." Thor was somewhat stubborn in his opinion; he really liked the scenery of that bay

Mom would certainly not have thought that many people had received such a letter, and those who received it did not take it seriously at all. For someone of his humble status, he felt unworthy of being privy to such matters. Therefore, at this moment, he was convinced that this letter conveyed His Majesty's displeasure towards him

The only tailor in the small town suddenly found his business thriving. Originally, the residents here rarely added a new piece of clothing even once a year. However, now, everyone who orders custom-made clothes places orders for several pieces at once, and there is rarely any haggling over prices; they pay in full, only requesting that the work be completed as quickly as possible, leaving the tailor both delighted and distressed.

At first, it could be said that this person's status was too high, allowing them to suppress him through their power. However, in the subsequent series of actions, the other party did not rely on power to oppress him, yet he still found himself without the means to resist, instead being gradually led step by step.

Indeed, Mom's expression has become much more natural

In contrast to the covert and treacherous style of the Intelligence Division headquarters, the characteristics of the Command Headquarters are marked by strict vigilance, with sentries stationed at the entrance and guards positioned every five steps and every three steps inside

Brother Bu has begun to cast the bait

Upon arriving at Rupnail, Mom did not dare to inquire about the authenticity of the letter at the court dispatch office, as his status did not qualify him to meet with the personnel there. He could only proceed to the command headquarters, where there was an archives office. All letters and orders issued to the various corps ultimately had to be returned to the archives office for filing

"What are your orders?" Mom asked with his chest out, as he had not felt this way in front of a superior for a long time

Kais still wanted to argue, but was stopped by the old man Ed

He sent two subordinates to teach the church about the records of the guard knights, while Mom entered the command center alone

Seeing Mom's serious demeanor, Brother Bu almost burst out laughing. He truly did not expect that the title of the ancestor, Earl Bawadweber, would be so effective, to the point that this first-class officer in front of him had completely forgotten who was helping whom, essentially a classic case of being sold while still counting the money for the seller.

Hehe. "Brother Bu chuckled lightly: 'Cunning? Before inheriting the title, I worked for Count Bawadweber, managing gold and silver transactions and currency. If your quartermaster is indeed a shrewd businessman, he should certainly know me.'"

Bo Ge pointed to the chair beside him, indicating for the first-class sergeant to sit down and speak. He was about to employ soothing measures.

On the table in the room lies a model made of wooden sticks and clay. It is a house, resembling a slightly flattened pyramid, a very simple two-story structure

A few young ladies certainly cannot be compared to these noble youths; however, even among true aristocratic daughters, there are rarely those with extensive knowledge. The few of them come from a theater background, well-versed in music, especially Kani and Rili, who not only play the piano exceptionally well but can also compose music, making them among the talented women even among noble girls.

However, the sounds of the warblers and swallows coming from upstairs reinvigorated the already weary young nobles

The peacocks, eager to court, had been waiting outside the door for several hours with heartfelt anticipation, unaware that the young ladies were all inside the room, indulging in a leisurely sleep

Although Mom had mentally prepared himself for bad news, when he saw two subordinates pulling him into a dark alley, with one of them standing at the entrance looking around as if on lookout, he sensed that he was in serious trouble

Although they felt increasingly ashamed the more they listened, those noble youths could not help but want to continue listening. It is not only women who are vain; men are the same. Even if they have never experienced such a luxurious life, they can gain a sense of immersive enjoyment through imagination, and it can also serve as a means of broadening their horizons.

Having received an affirmative response, Brother Bu continued, "Do you know that on that day, someone jumped out from the side to block a blow for Your Majesty?"

This letter was sent in a fit of rage by His Majesty the King to the various regiments of the capital, Rupnail, after the assassination attempt on Carnival Day. Every highest military commander of each regiment, from the Imperial Guard to the Garrison Corps, received a copy. Such letters are abundant at the court's issuing office, and it was easy for Count Bawadweber to obtain one.

Most of these young people are quite knowledgeable, as reading is the only affordable way for them to pass the time. With more books read, their knowledge naturally increases

"I once read in a history book that during the era of the Thousand-Year Empire, soldiers were not only skilled in combat but also proficient in civil engineering. Wherever they fought, they would build castles. Is there any truth to this?" asked Brother Bu.

As long as this letter can be archived, it indicates that there is no issue with the letter

He is not walking alone; Thor is riding a horse behind him

Upon exiting the command headquarters, the heart of this first-class non-commissioned officer remained suspended in midair

Upon careful consideration, one might wonder why the families that have lived here for generations chose to build their houses on the hillside; there is certainly a reason for this. Brother Bu said, "Let us hurry and go ahead to take a look; we must reach that fortress before noon"

"You have been here for quite a while; what are your thoughts on this small town?" Bo Ge seemed to ask somewhat casually. He did not intend to ask the first-class sergeant for help at this moment, as he did not want to owe this first-class sergeant a favor; rather, he hoped that this first-class sergeant would owe him a favor instead.

"I bring a letter from His Majesty the King," said Boge, adopting a completely condescending demeanor

As long as it does not occupy our room, you may handle it as you wish. Keith, with his white hair adorned with flowers and books, looked gloomily at the pile of items.

"The terrain there is too low; the seawater will surge up." Brother Bu casually dismissed Tor's suggestion

"What do you plan to do?" Andrew asked from the other side of the door

Since Mom can make a trip to the capital, Rupnail, in a few hours to investigate the background of Boge, it is clear that the residents here are also aware of such actions. Therefore, they confirmed early on that those young ladies were nobles from Selaval, and among them, two young ladies came from prestigious families

Bo Ge took a letter out of his jacket pocket and handed it to Mo Mu, saying, "You read it yourself."

After a considerable amount of time, he stood up respectfully, performed a bow, and said: "Thank you very much, Your Excellency, for granting me the honor of participating in this matter."

Before coming here, the few of them specifically studied some subjects. Due to time constraints, each person focused on a particular area. Take Miss Canny, for example; she studied politics and history

Those two stewards are indeed exceptionally skilled; in such a short time, they have already grasped the situation of the barracks thoroughly. Their understanding is even more detailed than the information from the intelligence department.

A two-wheeled carriage, being pulled by a silver-gray tall horse, is gliding swiftly along the mountain path

"I am very sorry, but we have matters to attend to today," Miss Canny said politely, yet she did not even glance at the flies below.

The formal attire that is only worn during festivals has been brought out, and the rarely worn accessories are all adorned. Many people have even ingeniously procured bouquets of roses, which are not commonly found in this season

The two stewards glared at her for such a reckless act: "Entering someone else's room without permission is not the behavior of a noble lady," Keith reprimanded with a stern expression, as he certainly did not wish for these women's foolishness to ruin matters.

After thinking for a moment, Brother Bu said: "I know that no one likes to help for free, and I rarely ask others to work for me without compensation"

Because he realized that, in front of this young man, he had been completely immobilized from the beginning, with almost every step under the control of the other party

Just as they were about to pass through the mountain pass, Mom suddenly pulled the horse to a stop

The book is thick, and most of the content is beyond Brother Bu's understanding; however, he does not mind. What he cares about are the illustrations within the book

He walked out of the alley, glanced around to ensure no one was paying attention to this side, and then said: "Regarding this matter, we know nothing at all. Neither of you has been to the church knight order, nor have I been to the command headquarters; today, we have not left the fortress at all"

Mom was somewhat puzzled, but he certainly did not intend to admit his lack of ability: "We are somewhat familiar with what you have mentioned; my quartermaster, Rabe, is a very shrewd person"

As they traveled along the way, the two individuals constantly looked around, occasionally pointing and gesturing.

Just as they initially speculated, the individuals assigned here are also unfortunate souls who have not found success

Just as the plan devised by the two stewards, the seeds of vanity were sown in the hearts of these simple and naive noble youths without their awareness. The humiliation they suffered a few days ago at the Spencer family's ball seemed to have been completely forgotten.

"Do you know why I was sent to this godforsaken place?" Brother Bu cursed casually, saying this to make the first-class sergeant in front of him consider him one of their own. This first-class sergeant was also tired of being here and was someone who wanted a transfer but could not obtain it.

Momm is neither an architect nor a building review expert, and is completely unable to respond to such topics, only able to perfunctorily say: "Very clever, this is the most unique building I have ever seen"

Everyone in the touring theater troupe has their own ideals. Tor's ideal is to become an officer, and among all the people, he is currently the closest to achieving his ideal

On the day of the carnival, a baron, whose mind had gone awry, exchanged his life for the safety of His Majesty. Subsequently, this baron's cousin reaped all the benefits, not only gaining the favor of His Majesty and the title of a knight of the guard, but also being privately granted certain privileges

At this moment, Mom has also awakened; upon waking, he has become even more resolute.

"Sir, we have just visited the headquarters of the Knights of the Church and examined the roster displayed there. Indeed, the name of Baron Pingpu is listed, but we did not find his file," another subordinate whispered close to his ear.

Brother Bu knows that he has caught quite a big fish

The fortress is built on a protruding part of the bay, where there is a cliff several dozen meters high. The side facing the sea is steep and vertical, serving as a natural wall, with only a winding path leading from the back to the fortress

Since he had found a place to build the house, upon returning to the inn, Brother Bu immediately shut himself in his room

"Is it used to make perfume? If so, this inferior perfume is certainly not suitable for a noble lady," Keith warned

When a few people gather together, as soon as the topic shifts to an area of expertise for one of them, that person will interject with a few remarks. This, in turn, tends to astonish those young nobles who wish to showcase their extensive knowledge.

Although the goal has been achieved, the several ladies did not dismiss the admirers who had been waiting for hours. These women are quite skilled in the art of controlling men; they know how to lead men around by the nose, making it so that the men cannot approach yet are reluctant to leave.

Brother Bu pointed to the model on the table

Bo gently stroked the cover of the book and sighed: "Inside are twenty-five buildings designed by the Star of Wisdom, but only five have been realized, two of which were destroyed in the ravages of war"

"Is there anything you need my assistance with?" Mom asked, at this moment positioning himself actively in the role of a subordinate.

There is no doubt that the letter is genuine

He never intended to build a house on that hillside and live among the locals; he and those around him had too many secrets, so it was better to stay as far away from others as possible

Within this group, there exists an invisible chasm between Andrew, two deacons, and the members of the theater troupe, with each harboring some unspoken secrets.

Half of the town is composed of fallen nobility, while the other half is made up entirely of smugglers. The generations of people who have lived here cannot possibly be unaware of this situation; every household on the hillside knows one or two individuals involved in smuggling, and they often purchase some of the cheap goods that come from these illicit trades.

There are two lines of text written on the back cover of the book

White is the color of the first-class officer's uniform, so this person must be the highest commander of this fortress, Mom.

This is entirely different from the approach taken by Count Bavadweber, who merely acquires the smuggled goods without directly participating in such illegal activities. He profits from the price difference after the smuggled goods enter the market, rather than from the price difference of the goods entering Fak from overseas.

It was a coastal plateau, rising more than ten meters above sea level, with steep slopes on three sides and flat land on one side. Although the terrain was not as formidable as that of the fortress, it only required the construction of a not overly long wall to prevent others from entering.

This is a narrow hall, with a long table that reaches chest height placed horizontally in the middle. Inside the long table, seven or eight officers responsible for managing the files are busy at work. The war in the south has just concluded, and there is an overwhelming amount of material that the command center needs to archive

Mom had already begun to suspect what the new mayor intended to do. He had heard the rumors from the first day the new mayor arrived, was aware of the mayor's assessment of the town, and knew about the plan to build a "villa that could be seen from afar".

This is both akin to an appraisal and a storytelling session. At first, those listening do not feel much, but as they continue to listen, they become increasingly alarmed. Not to mention the few smugglers invited here who are utterly in awe, even the young nobles listening nearby are left speechless

They all sought ways to have the hotel staff and the owner, Andrew himself, deliver bouquets and business cards upstairs. Of course, asking others to do things comes at a cost, and soon the pockets of those staff members and Andrew were jingling, filled with silver coins

I know that you have some dealings behind the scenes, making a bit of hard-earned money. Brother Bu saw Mo Mu trying to explain and quickly raised his hand to stop him, continuing, "I do not intend to meddle in such trivial matters; I merely plan to offer you a little benefit. As far as I know, you are actually novices in business; you do not understand what is profitable and what sells more easily."

Certainly, the topic is not always controlled by those admirers; several young ladies often steer the conversation to places they have premeditated. Their discussions mostly revolve around reminiscing about the wonderful times of the past. The fictitious and carefree life in Selaval, as recounted by them, leaves the young gentlemen gathered around feeling utterly embarrassed.

However, the old man still intends to give these smugglers a taste of their own medicine. As long as these smugglers can name the workshop where the goods are produced, the old man will certainly provide a critique of that workshop, discussing everything from its characteristics to the quality of its products. At times, he can even recount the history of that workshop in detail

Everyone here is well aware of what they should do, as the plan has long been ingrained in their minds

He recalled something: "The Star of Wisdom is an ancestor of Count Bavadwe, and the Bavadwe family was founded by him"

The actors of the touring theater troupe all work at night, whether performing on stage or engaging in other business in dimly lit rooms, and they often work until the early hours of the morning. As a result, they wake up quite late during the day. This schedule also has the advantage of eliminating breakfast and lunch.

"It is understandable that women from a group of recently annexed countries, while living under someone else's roof, would create some perfumes or similar items." Canny retorted, for she was not the type of woman to easily back down

Thor's muscles are not fake. In the past, when he was with the touring theater troupe, he often dealt with thugs and similar characters, most of whom he sent packing. This guy could handle five or six ruffians by himself. Ever since he became a nominal knight's squire, he has been diligently practicing his swordsmanship

Seeing the solemn expression of the first-class sergeant, Brother Bu secretly sighed in his heart, wondering when he would be able to reach such a level, where even just mentioning a nickname could command such respect

Although he has never encountered bandits, Brother Bu believes that Andrew would not speak carelessly. There are indeed bandits near the town, so he always brings Thor along as his bodyguard wherever he goes

He has considered this possibility, but thinking about it and confirming it are two entirely different matters

Mom is somewhat confused; he does not understand what the new mayor means

That person is my cousin; he is the only noble who was killed in the assassination incident. I have now inherited his title. If you do not believe me, you can verify it.

He did not regard this young lady too highly; like the two stewards, he was somewhat aware of the backgrounds of these young ladies. However, they were unaware that the young baron and these young ladies were originally part of the same group

It was not until around 2:00 PM that the ladies finally got out of bed, and by the time they finished grooming and dressing, it was already 3:30 PM

Let others see what you want them to see

Mom's level is just sufficient to access the archives

In the realm of Fark, there exists an intriguing phenomenon where personal achievements are far less convincing than one's noble lineage. To most nobles, the knights and officers who have won great victories on the battlefield are merely a group of skilled killers.

Your observation is very meticulous, "said Brother Bu, as he found this example in that book, which indeed derives from the methods of constructing simple fortifications

Mom's hands were trembling slightly, and when he revealed his beliefs, the other three officers in the office immediately changed their expressions.

After reading the letter, all four individuals felt a mix of anxiety and unease. Although there was a hint of doubt, what prevailed was fear. Their thoughts mirrored those of the Spencer family when they learned that Brother Bo held the title of Knight Protector—there must be a special reason for sending a Knight Protector here to serve as the mayor

Everything has been settled, but a few days ago, shocking news spread through the town: the newly appointed mayor possesses an astonishing title and a frightening background

There are currently no official matters, but I would like to ask for your assistance with a personal matter. This wretched place lacks even a decent house. Therefore, I plan to build a villa myself

Bo Ge and Thor had already returned to the inn. The results of their day-long run were quite satisfactory, as they found a very nice spot by the seaside, one kilometer away from the town.

In Fack, there is a place where that file can be sealed away. The subordinate said, his voice trembling somewhat like a *picture*: "The Secret Investigation Department"

This is not a design by Brother Bu, but rather a model he created based on a book, which took a full two days to complete

He turned back to glance at his two subordinates and added, "What do you think, is it not so?"

Although he believed he understood everything, Mom still did not know why the new mayor had come to see him. He was certain that the new mayor's visit at noon was not merely to deliver a letter of reprimand. Moreover, it was unlikely that the authorities would bestow the title of knight-guard upon this new mayor without reason; granting such a title was most likely intended to enable the mobilization of troops.

Refusing is indeed very easy, Brother Bu said mysteriously: "Have you heard of the 'Star of Wisdom'?"

What do you need? Feel free to speak up, I know several well-connected suppliers.

"Yes," Mom said, "This tradition has continued to this day; civil engineering is an essential subject at the military academy." As he spoke, he looked at the crude model on the table

Mom felt as if every pore on her body had exploded

Mom silently cursed: "What are the offspring of these big shots doing here to cause him trouble?"

This is entirely the result of the subtle influence of the royal family and the elite over the centuries. People no longer worship heroes; instead, they bow to hierarchy and lineage. However, the royal family and the elite have not completely denied heroes; rather, their proud achievements have merely transformed into qualifications that can be converted into status and rank.

I spend most of my time at the fortress and rarely come here. Mom did not want to answer the question directly. He was well aware of the situation in the town and understood the complexities of the underlying issues, which were beyond the involvement of a minor officer like him. Moreover, he himself was not without blemish; if his private smuggling activities were exposed, it would undoubtedly lead to significant trouble.

"You two return to the fortress; I must first pay a visit to that esteemed individual," said Mom.

It is a pity that it is impossible to drive the soldiers away from here, let alone dismantle the fortress

All of this was witnessed by several ladies, who looked on with smiles on their faces. These women, who had once endured endless humiliation just to fill their stomachs, had never experienced such days before

After a day of silence, early on the third day, a long queue formed at the entrance of the inn. These gentlemen, eager to attract the attention of the young ladies, resembled peacocks in a state of fervor.

Mom certainly would not disbelieve, and at this moment he believes he can connect the events before and after.

This book has been continuously collected by the Bavardweber family. Unfortunately, the Bavardweber family has not produced any artists or architects since then, rendering this book of little use. The Count regards me as a nephew, and he gifted me this book as a present

The good news is that business is rarely this good, but the painful part is that he shouldn't expect to sleep well this month

"Indeed, indeed, no one knows this small town better than I do," said a very arrogant fly.

When they came, the three individuals rode swiftly, but on their return, the three horses moved as if they were strolling leisurely

This system has indeed been very successful. Since its implementation, there have been no occurrences of powerful ministers seizing power or military coups in the past few centuries. The stability and prosperity of the kingdom can almost be compared to the peak period of a millennium-long empire

For the smugglers in the town, what they sell is absolutely a secret; if it were not for the face of these noble youths, they would certainly not reveal the list

"We have plenty of opportunities for collaboration," said Brother Bu, suddenly recalling the methods of Count Bawadweber, who never allowed anyone to work for free

Regarding Mom's submission, Brother Bu was very pleased; however, he did not dare to accept Mom's goodwill. It was no problem to ask Mom for a little help, but directly taking benefits would lead to significant trouble in the future

I think I have no need to ask anyone. "Mom smiled bitterly, knowing he could not resist such temptation: "What do you need me to do?"

Old Ed's prestige is second only to Brother Bu among everyone.

From a distance, as he gazed at the fortress, Bo Ge's eyes lit up; this was precisely the land he needed. As a prominent point of the bay, the scenery here was exceptional, the area atop the cliffs was sufficiently spacious, and there was only one road for access, making it the safest option available.

Completely ignoring Mom's arrival, Brother Bu leisurely asked after leaving the first-class sergeant aside for a full quarter of an hour: "This is the house I plan to build, which I spent two days making by hand. It's not bad, is it?"

There is no doubt that this reflects the genius's understanding of architecture and aesthetics

In former times, no one would openly discuss such matters. Unfortunately, now, those young nobles are all blinded by beauty, each one more assertively claiming that the suppliers they know are the most powerful.

What is meant by being remarkable? This is it. In comparison, the Spencers are nothing at all. Associating with such people is definitely better than collaborating with the Spencer family

In order to avoid mistakes, after discussing among themselves, the four individuals decided to leave one person to watch the fortress, while Mom took the other two directly to the capital, Rupnair

I can help you obtain the price list, inventory, and demand for foreign input goods. You may inquire with that astute quartermaster whether he needs these items and if they can be sourced from elsewhere

Upon opening the letter, the first-class sergeant glanced at it and immediately felt a chill in his heart. The first sentence of the letter read, "On the day of the June 3rd carnival, a shocking incident occurred; I was nearly assassinated..."

With great caution, Mom handed over the sternly worded letter, anxiously waiting by the side.

How should these flowers be handled? Andrew piled all the roses in the room of the two stewards, as it was the only place that was somewhat empty. The other rooms were either crowded with people or filled with luggage

According to the speculation of the two deacons, the reason why Captain Mom is being treated coldly is that the higher-ups are aware of his involvement in smuggling. Everyone in the fortress, from officers to soldiers, is involved in smuggling, and it is direct smuggling; they even have a ship of their own.

The ancestor of Count Bavadweber created numerous illustrations, all drawn as examples, with each chapter containing them. There are illustrations of doors, illustrations of windows, and even many illustrations of the invisible internal structures.

It can be stated that it has almost been proven that these individuals indeed have the goods and are not merely being dismissive.

Assembling a villa with these illustrations is not a difficult task. All that Brother Bu needs to do is choose, but at this moment, his options are quite limited, as he does not have much spare money at hand

Brother Bu glanced around and shook his head. He needed to find a piece of land suitable for building a house, with a beautiful surrounding environment. It must meet the promises he made that day, the place should be spacious enough and also sufficiently safe

The life of the nobility is very leisurely, yet also quite boring, as they have plenty of time. Nobles residing in the capital, Rupnail, can find some places of entertainment to pass the time, while these impoverished noble youths have little to do besides playing cards and engaging in idle chatter

If it can be said that these individuals were still unconvinced at the ball, now no one dares to step forward and provoke.

The letter is indeed genuine, bearing the seal of the court issuing authority and the king's signature, yet it was not addressed to these four individuals

That is a book about architectural art and aesthetics. The book was given to him by the count, and it was written by the count's illustrious ancestor, a gentleman whom even the count greatly admires. This genius excels in politics, economics, literature, painting, music, and even architecture.

For the nobles living here, such a "remarkable" servant is only heard of in rumors and has never been seen, yet they all understand the immense cost required to cultivate such a servant

As soon as the ladies descended the stairs, the flies immediately gathered around, and for a moment, the small inn became chaotic

Although it cannot leap over a person-high bush or a several-meter-wide cliff like a horse can, this carriage can reach most places accessible by horseback, and it is much more comfortable than riding a horse

Brother Bu knows what this first-class non-commissioned officer is hesitating about: "I am accompanied by a group of young ladies, who are from the Selawaar people. They have informed me of many matters concerning the front lines. If the higher-ups wish to investigate the atrocities at the front, it is likely that more than 70% of the officers will not only fail to receive commendations but will instead be held accountable."

The officer did not provide any explanation to Momdu. The custom in the military is that no explanation is necessary; one simply needs to obey orders. Because of this, Momdu did not dare to ask further questions. While waiting outside, he saw the officer in charge of the files take the reprimand letter inside, and his expression immediately changed.

These words were taught to him by Steward Case. After suppressing them, it is necessary to provide some reassurance, especially ensuring that their true interests are not touched. It is essential to put the other party at ease before attempting to win them over.

Due to the limited space in the room and the excessive number of people accompanying him, Brother Bu has only one room, which serves as both his study and his bedroom

"Yes, Your Excellency," replied Mom.

The intense vanity and desire to perform in front of beautiful women made these young nobles very efficient in their dealings. Before evening, the "suppliers" they knew arrived before the young ladies with a list of goods.

Brother Bu greatly enjoys this prickly and stimulating sensation. The wheels of his carriage are much larger than those of an ordinary carriage, so he is completely unconcerned about obstacles and ditches on the road. The carriage is also narrow, allowing it to pass through any place that the horse can traverse.

Compared to the Spencer family, the four officers who have read this reprimand letter have their speculations deepened. It is precisely because they know more that they feel even more fearful

How is that place?" Tor pointed to a distant bay.

He was transferred here ostensibly to serve as the town mayor, but it is evident that he is secretly investigating the assassination case. Clearly, the assassination is related to this small town, and it is highly likely that the assassin slipped into the Kingdom of Fark from here

Rest assured, I do not intend to meddle in others' affairs; those in higher positions have actually been turning a blind eye to certain matters all along

He is able to do this with such ease, yet the four officers cannot do so easily. The first thing that comes to the minds of the four is to verify the authenticity of this letter, and then to confirm the identity of the new mayor's knightly guard. Verifying these matters is not difficult; the fortress is very close to the capital, Rupunel, and a horseback ride there takes just over an hour

With a command from Bu Ge, Mom was brought in by Tor. Bu Ge continued to focus on the model, appearing to contemplate what additional elements might be needed.

First, let's take care of the important matters

Among the fabricated family backgrounds, even the least impressive one boasts several thousand acres of land, dozens of servants, and two large estates.

This time, Mom shook her head; the rumors that had reached here lacked many details, and moreover, they were not interested in it.

At the end of the path, soldiers were stationed. Brother Bu raised his sword, and upon seeing the sword, one of the two soldiers hurriedly ran towards the fortress. A few minutes later, a sergeant with a full beard, dressed in a white uniform, emerged.

Of course, "Morm said solemnly, "That is the greatest genius of Fack, by the way..."

Mom's visit was somewhat unexpected for Bo Ge. Among the two stewards and his own speculation, this first-class officer was supposed to visit him within a day or two. It has only been a few hours, which is indeed rather quick.

Therefore, the model he created is the simplest structure in the book and the least expensive building.

Who is Kanni? She is a woman from whom oil can be extracted even from stones. Seeing the enthusiasm of the people below, she immediately said: "Well, since we are going to stay here for a while, we certainly hope to be comfortable. Cosmetics and perfumes can be purchased at Rupnair, but what about the other things?"

As they descended from the upper floor, the two stewards immediately concealed their disdain for the members of the troupe. They appeared to be like two long-serving old servants, closely following a few young ladies while maintaining a "humble" distance.

The Command Headquarters, also known as the Red Dragon Palace, was built during the Duyi Dynasty. It is a brick palace that stands 10 meters high and is over 60 meters long, far more grand than the headquarters of the Intelligence Agency.

These words left Mom in a state of gloom; although he was not a good person, as a member of the Fark, he felt a sense of pride and honor for having such a great genius in the Kingdom of Fark.

Brother Bu was welcomed into the fortress, and Mom instructed the soldiers to summon the other three officers to his office, where the four of them lined up.

Yes, sir. Those two subordinates reacted very quickly. There are some things that, once known, can only be treated as if they are unknown

Miss Canny completely ignored the old man's expression, and she continued to browse through the roses. After a while, she said to Andrew: "Could you help me get a mortar, some vinegar, olive oil, and a few other things? These roses are just right for making rose water and rose essence for the books." Once again, the essence of this young lady's resourcefulness was revealed.

He was also afraid that Boge would think he was being perfunctory, so he took a careful look and added, "It is somewhat like our fortress."

At the time these letters were sent, at least a corps commander was qualified to receive them. Not to mention having seen this letter, even hearing about it was unheard of for a fortress of over one hundred people.

Such insights cannot be detailed in any book, and most of them do not have friends from prominent families, making it impossible for them to know.

When he arrived at the agreed meeting place and saw the two subordinates who had gone to check the records of the guard knights anxiously pacing back and forth, his intuition told him that even worse news was awaiting him

At the forefront is an officer named Mom, who has been stranded here for ten years. Two years ago, he applied for a transfer, but the response from above was to promote him to a first-class sergeant. Even Brother Bu could see that this promotion was merely a consolation.

Although the identities fabricated by these young ladies vary, Canny and Rili are from prestigious families, while the other three are somewhat less distinguished. However, compared to the families residing here, they are certainly much better off

Achieve the most with the least cost

Momu did not dare to answer; although he already knew the answer, he was determined to play dumb. Otherwise, he would have to explain the reasons for his guesses and the sources of the information.

No one dares to underestimate these two emaciated old men anymore. Correspondingly, the public has once again elevated their perception of Brother Bu's status. For from these two old servants, they have witnessed the demeanor of a prestigious noble family. In Fak, only true aristocrats are qualified and capable of affording such "formidable" servants

Mom silently cursed "dog shit" in her heart, but did not dare to show any signs of dissatisfaction on her face

The person receiving Mom was a young officer of no more than twenty years. After taking the letter, he went inside to check and found that there was indeed a record of such correspondence. However, this reprimand letter was classified as a document that did not need to be archived. Understanding this, the young officer did not think much of it and casually tossed the reprimand letter into the pile of documents awaiting destruction.

The ones receiving the list are undoubtedly those two "old servants". The two stewards glanced at the list and immediately realized that their objective had indeed been achieved. Andrew had been working here for many years, and the catalog of goods he had collected was still less than half of what was on these lists. The smugglers in the town truly did not trust Andrew, and they were unwilling to bring out the real good items.

During the time when Commander Bu was keeping the four officers of the fortress in a state of confusion, the ladies around him were also toying with a group of noble young men like flies

He was initially uncertain about the accuracy of the information and had intended to send a soldier to the town to investigate. However, he did not expect that the soldier on duty would inform him that a knight-errant had arrived outside.

At that moment, Miss Canny's voice came from outside the door: "These flowers are for us, and the authority to handle them is in my hands"

"How is this possible? The records of the guard knights are public," Mom exclaimed.

"No matter what the matter is, we can help." A fly suddenly jumped out and said

Since Mom has already boarded Brother Bo's ship, he no longer possesses the original arrogance, nor does he maintain the earlier sense of distance. He smiled sheepishly and then said in a tactful tone: "If you need a villa that is presentable, you can completely rely on me without spending a single penny. I will help you find the most renowned architect in the capital, Rupnair, to build the villa with the finest materials"

These servants are all trained from the age of six or seven, specifically spending money to have them attend classes. After reaching adulthood, they are sent to various places to manage estates. After decades of honing their skills, it is only possible to obtain one or two of them. The monthly salary of such servants is often not less than the allowances received by these nobles.

At this moment, Mom is looking quite gloomy, having heard a little about the new mayor of the nearby town. The old mayor's son, young Spencer, had once come to him, asking for help in giving the new mayor a taste of his own medicine.

Mom has fallen silent, the Bhavadevi family holds the title of the God of Wealth family in Fak, discussing business trade in front of those serving the Bhavadevi family is almost akin to showing off one's skills in front of an expert.

Those engaged in smuggling are not merely reckless and violent marauders; they are also a type of businessman, thus they are not unfamiliar with matters related to trade. Most of the questions posed by the old man can be answered by them.

The events that took place on the day of the carnival have surely reached here. Brother Bu glanced at the first-class officer, who quickly nodded in agreement

Mr. Bu came here specifically to deliver this letter; he will wait until these officers verify the authenticity of the letter before proceeding with the next step of the plan

Pity those young people waiting at the door, who have exhausted their strength in the wait. The composure they had put on with such effort has been completely worn away during the long hours of waiting, and even the roses in their hands have become somewhat wilted after being exposed to the sun for several hours

In the midst of conversation, Miss Canny has already barged in

"Those suppliers you are familiar with, bring their product catalogs here. If we are satisfied with the goods from any supplier, I will express my gratitude to the gentleman who brought that supplier." Miss Canny's understated remark left the young men unable to contain their excitement

It is our honor to be of service. There are many who automatically collide with the fishing nets.

He opened the drawer of the table and took out the thick book. Brother Bu pointed to the title of the book below: "My skills are truly not impressive, but the model is made according to the design in the book, and the author of this book is none other than that star of wisdom

"Is everyone here?" Brother Bu asked with a stern face. He did not intend to spend too much effort on these officers; a combination of suppression and allure would be more than sufficient.

In order to prevent smugglers from evading them, the two stewards summoned these individuals before everyone and conducted an inquiry in front of the crowd, employing a highly skillful approach in their questioning

Seeing the four individuals looking anxious and fearful, Brother Bu couldn't help but chuckle to himself

As he reached the door, he glanced at the sword hanging at Brother Bu's waist. Although Mo Mu was very reluctant in his heart, he had no choice but to salute. Within the army, there are two significant divides in rank: one separates soldiers from non-commissioned officers, and the other separates non-commissioned officers from knights.

In addition to the two elderly stewards, there was also Mitter following downstairs. In the case of the Fakes, the secretary often acts as the butler; when traveling, the attendants always accompany the master, while the secretary remains by the side of the ladies