Malin’s words were filled with anger.
The Nobles he mocked all fell silent — had it been any mber of the Northern Principle, they would have argued incessantly.
But facing Malin, they had nothing to say, responding only with silence.
Content to have shattered their psychological defenses, Malin changed the topic: "Of course, I also know that by selling these families to , you provided them with so travel expenses, albeit a sowhat reduced amount. You did not abandon them completely, and after they beca my assets, you still took care of them to such an extent. I have no grounds for complaint. I am aware of your difficulties, with the famine that began in the past two years on one hand and the invasions from Chaos and the Eastern Dark Zone on the other. The families you chose were relatively intact, with fathers possibly disabled from injuries, but at least the children also headed south. I have taken notice of all this."
As clever as a Hagelberry, of course he understood what Malin ant and imdiately joined the conversation, emphasizing the difficulties the Northern Kingdom faced in recent years.
At this point, the older generation of Dukes also understood, and as the saying goes, many hands make light work, the previously tense atmosphere suddenly relaxed.
"Lord Malin, does the Northern Principle truly believe we are not the murderers?" Just then, an Earl spoke up.
Malin noticed the sweat on his face, and as a young man singled out for the task, he was certainly under great pressure. Malin specially offered him a cigarette, reassured him, and then affird with a nod: "Yes, I’ve spoken with them. After analyzing all possible scenarios of the assassination attempt on ndel and receiving King Manheim’s repeated assurances, I told them it’s impossible that the royal family targeted ndel specifically for elimination. Moreover, I don’t think you are capable either. Even disregarding the Lord of Justice, those who assassinate Lord ndel would be universally despised by the Church, , and the Northern Principle."
Perhaps you would know the nas of the mbers of the Northern Principle council, perhaps not, but Malin would certainly not ntion the nas of any living leaders.
At this point, old Hagelberry also ntioned his friendship with ndel, which sowhat surprised Malin. However, upon hearing that he had broken off a marriage between ndel and one of his daughters, Malin found it to be unsurprisingly normal — with the Hagelberry family background, it was certainty known that the Church of the War God had its ’problems’; hence, he would rather trust his entire family to Lady Winter Wolf and the Lord of Justice than to get involved with the Church of the War God.
Old Hagelberry’s self-disclosure made the ’younger’ Dukes of lower hierarchy laugh.
Even those of the sa age as him had an expression of reminiscence.
"Regardless, as much as I dislike that young man ndel, I could not possibly kill him, knowing his relationship with Malin. I wouldn’t want to cause my son-in-law to despise , this old fellow, nor would I like to see my granddaughter injured by my own actions. So, I am the least likely one to do it," said Hagelberry before looking towards Malin: "Malin, do you believe ?"
"Honestly, I can’t find a reason not to believe you," Malin replied with a smile and a shake of his head.
He understood that this old fox wanted to remove any lingering doubts between Malin and the Nobles, as everyone knew of the cordial relation between ndel and Malin.
"I am willing to undergo a lie detection test from Lord Malin regarding ndel," said an old Duke from the corner, the eldest of them all.
With him taking the lead, all the Dukes stood up. They corroborated their innocence with actions, which made Malin even more certain about his judgnt — in Malin’s eyes, it was extrely difficult for liars to prove themselves through acting, especially now that these Dukes, regardless of their strength, had a certain distance from Malin.
It made Malin even more convinced of their innocence.
Thus, with a wave of his hand: "I appreciate your sentints, but I think all this is unnecessary. Indeed, you have no reason to kill ndel, and I don’t sense that anyone among you would lie. Considering you are the heads of your families, I don’t think anyone in your family would dare bypass you to assassinate an Assistant Priest of the Church."
With these words from Malin, the Nobles’ expressions relaxed significantly — after all, everyone has their own pride, and even with Malin’s status and power present, to undergo a lie detection test under the watchful eyes of the Earls behind them would be an extrely embarrassing ordeal.
Malin’s ability to refuse was already quite impressive.
It represented that His Highness the Prince of Farole and Duke Carterburg of Sydney had given him their trust, which was a great honor.
So nobles who served in the army simply gave a military salute.
"This is not the army, no need for that. I believe it is because having gone through so much, your families are still willing to stand on the front line against destruction. The reason I want my group to help you is because I am moved by your courage and perseverance. I swear, no matter what, if one day Chaos disappears, if one day due to different ideals, you and Northernism finally resort to arms, I will not assist either side, nor will I join Northernism."
"That’s great, I have many noble friends who are afraid that you, this young man, would beco an indelible flag for Northernism." Old Hagelberry said emotionally.
To his sentints, Malin nodded with a smile: "I also need to speak frankly; my condition for not taking sides is based on the premise that you choose civil war after negotiations fail. If any of you opt for a surprise attack that plunges the entire country into war, then I will stand with his enemies. Rember what I said today, this is not a threat, but a fact that will surely happen."
Facing Malin’s warning, the nobles all assured him that they would absolutely not resort to surprise attacks or assassinations against Northernism mbers, even if they had differing ideals—they would not stoop to such despicable ans.
With their promises, Malin smiled as he bid farewell to each of the dukes and also greeted the earl who ca with mission and courage, before leaving under Old Hagelberry’s warm send-off.
"It’s good that you can say this." Old Hagelberry said to Malin outside the door: "Honestly, my boy, I am really frightened by the thought of you standing in the camp of Northernism. They... so of their beliefs are too extre. We nobles do indeed conduct ourselves in a way they find despicable, I acknowledge that so nobles indeed do not live like humans. But Malin, my child, you must also understand that the world is not just black and white, right."
"Yes, Old Hagelberry, you are not wrong." Malin smiled and offered a cigarette to the old man, but received a response that he had quit smoking.
"I am getting old, and my health is not what it used to be. I know what that ans; I want to live longer, to see the child of you and Lulu being born. Malin, if your first child with Lulu is a daughter, could you allow her to be adopted by the Hagelberrys, to beco the next female duke. I swear, I will never let those with ulterior motives touch her; the Hagelberry family has already had four female dukes, one more won’t be an issue." Old Hagelberry said with a smile.
"How can you guarantee that, old man, you’re almost a hundred." Malin asked with a smile.
In response to Malin’s question, the old fox laughed cunningly: "I may not live to see that day, but as the father of the future female duke, you surely won’t have a problem."
Facing the smile on the old man’s face, for so reason, Malin suddenly felt a pang in his heart.
You old thing, do you not know what kind of desperate situation I am facing, do you think I can live longer than you?
Have you woken up yet?
Malin really wanted to ask this question.
But looking at his hopeful eyes, looking at Lulu’s anxious gaze, Malin eventually simply smiled and reached out to wrap his arm around Lulu’s waist: "It’s a deal, if it’s a daughter, she’ll take the na Hagelberry."
So beautiful dreams are better not shattered.
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