Chapter 56: Just in Time

*Crack!*

The sound of breaking porcelain echoed in the conference hall.

Owen, gripping the cracked cup, ignored the shards that pierced his skin, blood trickling down as his bloodshot eyes fixed on the middle-aged man seated opposite him. His voice was hoarse as he said, "Did the Marquis really say that?"

The middle-aged man, impeccably dressed with a pair of small mustaches, exuded an air of comfort and privilege. After hearing Owen's words, he took a sip of red tea before leisurely responding.

"The Marquis has been busy dealing with matters in Storm Territory and has no time for your affairs."

"Moreover, the Marquis has already provided you with considerable assistance, even arranging for assassins from the Starlight Church. What have you done to repay him?" 

"Being forced into this position by two young pups, do you even realize how many nobles are out there laughing at you?"

The man spoke slowly, his words lacking any mercy.

Owen felt his temples throb with anger but dared not explode in front of this man. He gritted his teeth and suppressed his rage.

To be honest, he couldn't understand why things had deteriorated to this point.

In less than two years, how had those two brothers managed to bolster Blackstone City to such an extent?

And that Sunan—who had been a complete failure, unable to even grasp the breathing technique two years ago—how had he suddenly become a wizard, with even Mathel falling to him?

It was incomprehensible!

Owen truly found it baffling!

Perhaps he should have disregarded appearances and taken out the two brothers directly when he had the chance.

But regretting it now was too late.

Unless Marquis Jinyan was willing to send troops, his remaining forces had little chance of holding Shimmering City.

Even if he could hold the city, his status as Baron of Shimmering would likely become a mere formality.

With that thought, Owen took a deep breath, suppressing his frustration, and said, "Gillette, if the Marquis is dissatisfied with me, he can punish me later—I'd accept it without complaint. But once Shimmering Territory changes hands, it will be difficult for the Marquis to regain control over this land. Does he really wish to abandon Shimmering Territory?"

Gillette glanced at Owen with a half-smile. "You don't need to worry about that. Even if Shimmering Territory changes hands, the Marquis will personally take it back in the future."

Owen was taken aback.

What did that mean? 

Was Marquis Jinyan finally going to break the unwritten rules among the nobles and directly seize land from other nobles?

But if he were to do that, the entire principality's nobles would surely rise against him!

Even Marquis Jinyan couldn't bear the consequences of such an action.

Or could it be that Marquis Jinyan had a way to make the other nobles turn a blind eye?

"What do you mean, Envoy?" Owen asked, filled with uncertainty.

"You don't need to concern yourself with that," Gillette waved his hand dismissively, narrowing his eyes. "Though you have failed in your duties, the Marquis is broad-minded. Considering your past service, he has instructed me to take you away from Shimmering City. You can settle down as a lord in Golden Rock City."

Owen's face turned ashen.

The difference between being a baron and a mere lord was a bitter pill to swallow.

However, if he didn't do this, there was no way he could hold Shimmering City on his own. The only outcome would be to perish alongside it.

Gillette leisurely sipped his tea, looking down at Owen, who was shifting through a myriad of emotions.

He believed Owen would make a wise choice.

At this point, Owen really had no other path left.

Just then, a sudden flurry of footsteps echoed from outside.

A hurried clerk rushed into the hall, seemingly wanting to report something, but when he saw Gillette and the cloaked man sitting beside him, he hesitated.

Owen waved his hand impatiently. "Speak quickly!"

The clerk quickly bowed and said, "My lord, scouts report that the army from Blackstone City has marched to within five kilometers of the city. They will reach the gates in less than an hour."

As soon as the words fell, Owen jumped up from his chair, panic evident on his face.

"How could they arrive so quickly?!"

Realizing he had lost his composure, he struggled to regain his calm, waving his hand to feign composure.

"Send orders for Dario to hold the city! We cannot allow anyone from Blackstone City to step inside!"

Once the clerk bowed and left, Owen no longer hesitated. He quickly turned to Gillette and said, "Envoy, I agree! I'll go with you to Golden Rock City!"

Gillette set down his teacup, smiling slightly. "A wise choice."

"Please wait a moment, Envoy. I'll have my things packed right away."

Even in flight, he needed to take his possessions with him.

If he wanted to be a lord, he needed money to purchase land.

With time running out before the army of Blackstone City launched an assault, he needed to gather his assets quickly.

To avoid displeasing Gillette, Owen even stepped forward to slip a small bag of gold coins into Gillette's hand.

"Thank you for your trouble, Envoy."

Gillette weighed the bag with a smile.

"Baron, there's no need to rush. Rest assured, with Lord Hodge here, even if the army from Blackstone City surrounds Shimmering City, we'll be able to leave safely."

Owen looked in surprise at the cloaked man beside him.

Since entering the hall, the cloaked man had remained silent, quietly sitting without saying a word.

He had thought the man was merely Gillette's guard.

However, from Gillette's tone, it seemed that this Lord Hodge held a status not lower than his own.

"May I ask who Lord Hodge is?"

Owen was about to probe further when he suddenly heard a commotion outside, frowning as he attempted to call for guards to investigate. But Hodge suddenly stood up.

"Something's wrong! There are screams—assassins!"

*Assassins?!*

Owen was skeptical. The army from Blackstone City was still ten kilometers away, and his estate was heavily guarded. What kind of assassin could break in?

However, Owen wouldn't need to wonder for long.

The sounds of shouting quickly approached the conference hall and then fell eerily silent.

Moments later, a figure stepped slowly into the hall.

As soon as Owen recognized the person's face, his eyes widened in horror.

"Sunan!"

Gillette's gaze sharpened, and he instinctively straightened up, looking with keen interest at the young man standing in the doorway.

This was the rumored wizard of Blackstone City?

Sunan scanned the three figures in the hall, his gaze lingering momentarily on Hodge before he smirked and said:

"It seems I came just in time. Are you three discussing how to escape?"

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