In the eastern district of the city, at the Duke's mansion...
The gray-haired Duke of Borde reclined halfway on a chaise lounge, gently closing his eyes.
Behind him, a professionally trained maid cautiously massaged his shoulders using techniques said to be inherited from the Elven tribe.
A faint smoke rose and swirled around from the incense on the table. It was a magical incense from the Luna Island, capable of calming the mind and relaxing the mood with a slight refreshing effect.
Occasional coughs echoed, causing the old Duke's body to shake violently. The intense coughing seed as if he might cough out his heart and lungs, making everyone uncomfortable to hear.
However, the old Duke was already accustod to it. He knew his health was deteriorating day by day.
Aging and illness were natural, and although he had struggled and strived, he had long since accepted it.
Being able to peacefully pass down the family legacy was enough for him to be content.
"What's Leno doing?"
After a few coughs, Duke Borde asked slowly.
The attendants looked at each other, and finally, soone stepped forward and nervously answered.
"Your Grace, today the evaluation team from the Holy Court has arrived. Lord Leno has gone to the cathedral for the ceremony."
"The ceremony? Heh, that lad isn't so concerned about the Holy Court. Is he going to see that knight from the Demon Hunter Bureau?"
The old Duke chuckled and sneered.
The attendants lowered their heads, tense and nervous, focusing on their tasks, and no one answered.
The Duke felt bored and said no more. He knew his son had a crush on a certain knight.
He had even investigated personally, and indeed, she was a promising talent, becoming a Silver Moon Knight at such a young age.
But unfortunately, she was of common birth, not a noble.
Leno's origins already had flaws, and Duke Borde would not allow the future Duchess of Borde to co from an even lower background.
Talent only represents future potential, and the future is always uncertain.
Since she wasn't a noble, she was not within his considerations.
Leno's origins were already flawed. Even if he made preparations, he might not gain the recognition of other nobles, especially those of the sa standing in the kingdom.
Without recognition, the Duke's position wouldn't be stable.
Duke Borde couldn't possibly let a crude rcenary knight beco the future Duke's wife.
But his own considerations were not enough.
The old Duke knew his son well. He knew Leno wouldn't give up.
Thinking of this, Duke Borde pondered for a mont and said calmly.
"Go and contact the High Priest. After the evaluation, ask him to transfer her away."
Duke Borde couldn't personally deal with a knight belonging to the Church, especially a Silver Moon knight.
But he could have soone else do it.
Once she was transferred from Borde, out of Leno's sight, with his years of connections, the old Duke was confident he could handle her quietly without dirtying his own hands.
He was quite adept at this kind of thing, experienced too.
Thinking of this, the old Duke squinted slightly.
Borde's upper and lower echelons thought he had been tricked by the Castell family and the Church deals, while his foolish brother thought his secret actions went unnoticed...
But who knew, he actually knew everything his foolish brother had done?
As the master of Borde, nothing could escape his eyes.
From the mont he knew he had a bastard wandering outside, Duke Borde began to pave the way for his future.
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However, just as the Duke of Borde was contemplating how to deal with the little troubleso female knight, suddenly a guard knight hurriedly returned from outside.
"Your Grace! Sothing's happened! There's trouble at the cathedral!"
Seeing the guard panting, the old Duke frowned.
"What's happened?"
"The High Priest has been arrested by the Church's evaluation team!"
"What? The High Priest has been arrested?"
"Yes! It's said that they received a specific report, claiming the High Priest was the patron of the Dreaming Salon and colluded with the Blood Demon Cult!"
A specific report?
Soone knew the High Priest's secrets?
Duke Borde's expression turned serious.
He quickly got up from the lounge chair, feeling sowhat uneasy.
He had recently been using the pretext of the Dreaming Salon to deal with the nobles within the Duchy.
If the secret of the High Priest being involved as a patron was exposed, would this fire burn onto him, who had so kind of transaction with the High Priest?
However, after careful consideration, the old Duke soon cald down again.
If this fire were to burn onto him, the ssenger wouldn't be the guard knight of the Duke's mansion, but rather the judgnt knight from the evaluation team.
He sat back down, closed his eyes, and recalled, confirming that he hadn't left any traces of involvent in the Blood Demon Cult's turmoil that lasted more than a decade.
Exposing his dealings with the High Priest wouldn't matter much, it could be argued that it was to avoid scandal for the Borde family.
The role of Count Tulip was evident at this mont.
As for himself... ten years ago, he did indeed take more intense and risky actions, indirectly dealing with the Blood Demon Cult.
But at that ti, he remained behind the scenes, and all those who knew had already died.
Duke Borde believed those secrets had been buried in history with the passage of ti, existing only in his mory.
Thinking of this, Duke Borde regained his composure.
With the Holy Court arresting the High Priest, he was probably done for.
Life was unpredictable, and even he hadn't expected the High Priest to be finished off so suddenly and unexpectedly.
"Even I only had so guesses about the High Priest's affairs. Who could have reported him?"
The old Duke couldn't help but wonder.
At this mont, he suddenly felt as if there was a force in Borde City manipulating everything.
For a mont, he thought of the terrifying existence that defeated the Fla Demon that night, and the mysterious Evil God.
But he quickly shook his head.
That Evil God was so powerful that if she wanted to do sothing in Borde, no one could stop her, so why bother?
Just then, a noise ca from outside, and Leno pushed aside the knights guarding the door, bursting into the study with a nacing air.
Seeing Leno, the old Duke frowned, rebuking him discontentedly.
"What's the rush? You have no trace of nobility left in you. Have you forgotten all the etiquette you were taught?"
However, Leno just looked at him coldly and threw a parchnt in front of him.
"Etiquette? If noble etiquette ans associating with evil, then I'd rather not have such etiquette."
Leno said coldly.
The old Duke's expression darkened.
He picked up the parchnt and glanced at it casually, and soon his gaze froze instantly.
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