Chapter 395: 393 Design (Lower)_1
“Vincent, you’ve met him before, haven’t you?”
“Yes. He is a knight from the St. Prowse Family. When I led the Pegasus Army to Silver Moon City last year, he also went on the Expedition.” Marquis Vincent’s face turned solemn, “So, after that battle, he swore his loyalty to you?”
Colin nodded, “That’s right. Although when announcing it publically, I explicitly stated that all the prisoners of war from the Pegasus Army had been killed, that was merely to appease the Blood Knight Army and the Half-Elves.
In actuality, many high-ranking professionals from the Pegasus Army who were willing to lay down their arms, I had secretly spared them.”
Marquis Vincent was not surprised by this; after all, it would indeed be a significant waste to kill these high-ranking professionals like ordinary prisoners.
If he were Colin, he would do the same.
Although these Eastern knights who have changed their allegiance can never return to their homeland with honour, it is still better than being dead.
“I appointed him as your guardian this time, mainly considering that he came from the East, so he would be more careful in dealing with you. But I didn’t expect that he was actually plotting to assassinate you! Could it be that he blamed you for the defeat of the Pegasus Army and his capture?”
“No, if it were merely that, it wouldn’t be enough to drive him to take the risk of assassinating me.” Marquis Vincent’s eyes flickered as if he had understood the real reason behind it.
Colin furrowed his brow, asking: “Oh? According to what you’re implying, could there be another reason?”
Marquis Vincent solemnly nodded, “Master Chosen One, this man is named John Fein. Although he is a knight of the St. Prowse Family, he is actually from the Fein family.
However, because he is from a collateral branch of the Fein Family, he could not inherit the nobility. After demonstrating his talent as a knight, he chose to pledge loyalty to the St. Prowse Family, and has been by my side ever since.
Nevertheless, he is, after all, a member of the Fein Family. And the Fein Family… heh heh, they have been very active in the East lately.”
“Fein?” Colin stroked his chin, pretending to ponder for a while, then asked, “If I’m not mistaken, the Viscount who recently appeared in Alfalfa City was from the Fein family, wasn’t he?”
“Correct. That Viscount Fein is this man’s cousin. And the operation against Alfalfa City has always been managed by my dear younger brother, Count Evan!”
As if suddenly understanding everything, Colin exclaimed: “Could it be that the Fein family are supporters of your younger brother, Count Evan?”
“Indeed. The Fein Family was originally a decent one, although they didn’t follow me closely, nor did they deliberately side with Evan.
However, recently they must have noticed Evan’s engagement to Princess Lexie, and it triggered them to actively and openly support Evan to become the successor of the Duke of the East.” Marquis Vincent said resentfully,
“Heh heh, it’s unexpected that they dare to act against me! No, the Fein Family probably still lacks the guts. It must be my dear younger brother, Count Evan, who edged them on behind the scenes!”
Watching Marquis Vincent who had conjectured the “truth,” Colin couldn’t help but be inwardly amused. However, he quickly put on a regretful expression: “It seems that I failed to fully understand the situation and assigned the wrong person …”
“Master Chosen One, you don’t need to blame yourself.” Marquis Vincent quickly responded, “In fact, if it were not for your arrangement, this person would not have been exposed. I wouldn’t have known that Evan was so ruthless as to use such a drastic measure against me for the inheritance rights!
Foolishly, I thought Evan was a bit weak-hearted previously. While he also wanted the Duke of the East’s position, he might not dare to resort the most extreme measures … Heh, it looks like my dear younger brother is really a man of great ambitions!”
Looking at the grim-faced Marquis Vincent, Colin laughed, “Rest assured, since you have become my apostle, no one can snatch the Duke of the East’s title away from you.”
Marquis Vincent’s spirits lifted, quickly expressing his loyalty, “Thanks for the Master Chosen One’s support! Please rest assured, no matter what the plan is that my Master has for your arrival in this world, I will do my utmost to assist you!”
Colin nodded in satisfaction, “Alright, you should list out the names of the Half-Elves involved in the rebellion.”
“Yes!” Marquis Vincent promptly confirmed.
Soon after, he came to the writing desk, picked up the Goose Feather Pen, and began to write.
After a short while, Colin took the list of names involved in the rebellion written by Marquis Vincent and began to examine it.
Actually, Knight Logh had previously provided Colin with a list of Half-Elves involved in the rebellion as well, but the list from Marquis Vincent was noticeably more “extensive”.
This was understandable as many crafty Half-Elf nobles had originally agreed to participate in the rebellion, but when the reality hit, some backed out, some got scared, and some wanted to wait a bit longer and let others take the lead. As soon as they noticed the operation was not going smoothly, they directly backed down.Take as an example the Savoy family, according to Kathy, my maid’s report, this once half-elf royal family was trying to probe into information about the doctor who delivered Queen Isa’s child. They were clearly plotting something sinister, but during the rebellion, they did not show up.
So, the Savoy family was not on Knight Logh’s list.
However, Marquis Vincent’s list included them.
“Savoy family, are you sure they participated in the plot?” Colin asked.
“Yes, Baron Savoy personally participated in the secret meetings I organized. Obviously, he was also up to no good.”
“So, did the Savoy family have any plans?”
Marquis Vincent exposed a hint of ridicule, saying, “My lord, Baron Savoy wanted to bribe the doctor who gave birth to Her Majesty. But in my opinion, this is an utterly stupid move. The doctor who delivered Her Majesty’s baby must be handpicked. How could he be easily bribed? His plan could only backfire.”
“Therefore, I dismissed Baron Savoy’s plan at that time and just had him follow the Silver Moon Guards.”
Colin nodded knowingly, saying, “Clearly, he did not do as you told him.”
Marquis Vincent understood Colin’s meaning and shrugged, saying, “It’s not surprising, There are always some fools in the world who believe they know better.”
“Indeed.” Colin glanced at Marquis Vincent and said with a smile, “The plan you chose, to allow Duke Miller and Lady Sharon to take action was much smarter.”
Marquis Vincent paused upon hearing this. After a bit of hesitation, he said, “My lord, I don’t understand what you mean.”
Colin looked seriously at Marquis Vincent and asked, “Duke Miller and Lady Sharon, weren’t they arranged by you?”
“No.” Marquis Vincent shook his head, “Queen Isa is from the Miller family. Why would I risk getting Duke Miller and Lady Sharon involved in the rebellion?”
Colin furrowed his brows and hurriedly went through the list of traitors that Marquis Vincent had compiled. Indeed, there were no members of the Miller family on it.
He didn’t believe Marquis Vincent would lie; after all, the rebellion had already failed and there was no need to continue lying or hiding anything.
Besides, if you think about it, since Marquis Vincent had already convinced the High Priestess of the Goddess of Fate to perform the Blessing of Blood ceremony to forcibly enhance Isa’s fetus’s bloodline causing complications, he would not need Lady Sharon to intoxicate Isa with an energy potion.
So, did Lady Sharon and Duke Miller participate in the rebellion on their own?
Colin thought about it and felt it a possibility. Although Duke Miller was not subverted by Marquis Vincent, when he noticed the upcoming rebellion in Silver Moon City, he likely planned to take advantage.
After all, if anything happened to Isa’s child, Duke Miller would be the first in line for the throne.
However, Colin also remembered that when he exposed Duke Miller, the Duke admitted he joined the rebellion due to manipulations from the Eastern border. There was no need for him to lie in that situation.
Colin furrowed his brows, realizing there might be information he had overlooked.
Seeing Colin fall silent, Marquis Vincent hastily asked, “My lord, is something wrong?”
“Just some minor issues.” Colin shook his head with a smile, planning to interrogate Lady Sharon in person later.
He carefully stored the list of traitors listed by Marquis Vincent and said, “Next, I need your cooperation on some matters.”
Marquis Vincent immediately bowed and said,
“It’s my utmost honor to serve you, my lord!”