Chapter 54 Unlucky Lis
"If someone is indeed pushing for war behind the scenes, who do you think it could be?"
Fusis asked calmly.
"Father, I..."
Arsen shook his head. In fact, after hearing Lis's information, he had not slept all night, pondering over who could be the one to propel such acts of war.
He had run through all the possible names in his mind but could not pinpoint any likely suspect.
"Alright, stop guessing,"
Fusis said with a smile, taking a fine southern cigar out of the brown wooden box and carefully using silver scissors to snip a smooth notch in it.
After lighting the cigar with a match, Fusis didn't rush to put it to his lips. Instead, he just held it in his hand, quietly observing the bluish-grey smoke from the burning cigar wafting through the air, and asked:
"Why do we need to prevent the war?"
"Because many people will die?"
Arsen said uncertainly, having never been on a real battlefield.
"Indeed, there are no wars without casualties, but you also need to see what can be gained."
"Just as you and Lis discussed, the Boditch Kingdom to the east, with its inept ruler and corrupt officials—if not for the Church of the Gods, our kingdom would have conquered it long ago."
"If our kingdom can acquire an eastern seaport, do you understand what that means?"
Fusis looked at his most outstanding youngest son, hinting at the implications.
"It would be very beneficial for the kingdom's development, but..."
Arsen spoke with a tinge of uncertainty.
"You see, the kingdom needs war to seek change; some sacrifice is acceptable, and the Church's attitude has shifted."
Duke Hade suggested.
"So, Father, are we just going to stand by, or even promote the outbreak of the war?"
"Of course not."
Fusis stood up and walked to the window of the study, speaking slowly:
"Our Hade family has the absolute trust of His Majesty the King. Why is that?"
Then, without waiting for Arsen to answer, Fusis continued:
"Because we always follow behind the King, obeying his commands. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Father,"
Arsen hesitated, then asked softly:
"So His Majesty the King does not wish to start a war?"
Fusis did not answer, instead continuing:
"Therefore, what His Majesty the King does not wish to see is exactly what we must prevent."
"The current question is, how will they compel His Majesty to agree to war?"
Arsen thought carefully and shook his head as well.
Fusis paced back and forth in the study before looking up at Arsen and saying:
"Since it was Viscount Kane who mentioned this to you, go and see if he has any other information."
After a pause, Fusis said with a smile:
"And make sure to properly express the Hade family's gratitude and sincerity. After all, it's interesting that such a young fellow would disclose these kinds of secrets to you."
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Arsen shook his head; discussing serious matters with the old man always gave him a headache. It wasn't very clear to him, and it didn't tire him out.
Watching Ya'er rolling on the living room sofa with the Little Moon Spirit Leopard, his temples began to throb.
Why did His Majesty the King entrust the care of the Princess to me?
These past six months had felt more exhausting than ever before.
"Arsen, Arsen, what are you looking at?"
Ya'er, perched on the sofa, lifted her head with suspicion and, noticing Arsen watching her with an odd look, asked.
"Nothing, I'm just thinking that the Little Moon Spirit Leopard is about to be bullied to death by you."
"Not at all! Little Black always likes me a lot."
Ya'er hugged the Little Moon Spirit Leopard tightly, oblivious to its utterly spent expression.
With Ailina not at home, it could not escape Ya'er's clutches.
"Arsen, what are we having for lunch? I'm hungry!"
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"Alright, alright."
Arsen resignedly stood up and headed out to buy lunch at a nearby restaurant.
Thinking about the special food he needed to bring for Little Moon Spirit Leopard, Arsen couldn't help but sigh deeply.
I really don't want to be a nanny!
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Meanwhile, at Kane Mansion
Lis walked out of the basement with an impassive expression and said to Welf and the others waiting outside:
"That was just a thief who tried to kidnap me. I've killed him. Understand?"
"Understood, Master Lis."
Welf and the others hurriedly responded.
"Well, if anyone asks, that's what you'll say."
Lis nodded his head and lifted his foot to go upstairs.
Suddenly, Lis missed a step and couldn't maintain his balance, crashing headfirst into the hard wall beside him.
"Young Master!"
Welf, shocked by the sight, hurriedly helped Lis up, but accidentally, due to an uncontrolled strength, "crack", dislocated Lis's right arm.
Lis's temples twitched as he sharply inhaled a breath of cold air.
With a bump on his head and a dislocated arm, he was in too much pain to utter a single word.
Seeing this, Welf immediately stopped moving and was full of question marks.
As a Golden Warrior, how could he not control his own strength?
Moreover, Master Lis had trained for a long time; how could he dislocate an arm from a simple helping hand?
After a few seconds of bewilderment, Lis, who had regained consciousness from the pain, quickly signaled Welf and the others to step back with his uninjured left hand.
Holding back a breath, he pressed down on his dislocated arm, bit his teeth tightly, and applied force.
"Click!"
Lis's eyebrows furrowed tightly, his face somewhat pale, but even so, he dared not let Welf and the others help.
He had already realized where the problem lay.
Looking at the status panel notification
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[Unlucky Fellow Status: Remaining duration 70 hours 10 minutes]
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How miserable. How am I supposed to get through three more days?
Lis had not expected that Acadia's lucky brooch would have such a swift and negative effect, almost causing him to pass out.
What to do, now I'm even afraid to move!
Lis was somewhat troubled, sensing danger everywhere—it was the kind of feeling that walking on a staircase could lead to its collapse or stepping onto the second-floor ceiling could cause it to fall.
I can't just stand here all the time, can I? Who knows if a brick is going to fall off the ceiling and hit me on the head next.
Feeling the burning pain on his forehead, Lis took a deep breath and cautiously started to climb the stairs.
One step, two step, three steps...
With every step, Lis dared not be careless and focused all his attention on controlling his body and observing his surroundings.
Welf and the others watched Lis's strange movements but dared not speak up after what had just happened, fearing it would startle the young master and cause greater trouble.
What usually took only a minute to climb, Lis now took a full ten minutes, stopping with each step to check for any loose bricks above his head or damage to the stairs under his feet.
Finally reaching the hall, Lis heaved a sigh of relief, as if a burden had been lifted.
As long as I'm careful, I can still avoid mishaps!
Just as Lis was contemplating where to go and wait out the effects of the Unlucky Fellow,
"Ah, Young Master! I made a toast fruit pie as you instructed, please have a taste!"
The maid Rossi, seeing Lis standing there, joyfully ran toward him with a steaming hot fruit pie.
There seemed to be a puddle of water on the floor that hadn't been wiped up, and Rossi's feet slipped, the fruit pie flying out of her hands under Lis's horrified gaze.
Luckily, it flew towards Lis.
"Unlucky, unlucky, unlucky, unlucky!"
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