Chapter 291 - 289: Absorption

Chapter 291: Chapter 289: Absorption

And so, the bloody incident instigated by Orisien and Thomsen came to a temporary end with their capture.

Duane assigned men to clean up the battlefield and resecure the castle.

"My Lord."

Lune walked over. "If needed, I can write a letter to my grandfather and ask him to put in a good word for you in this matter."

Rikson Holmes was a Kingdom Baron. Although he wasn’t in a good position, he could still appear before the King and have his ear for a moment.

Duane nodded slightly. "Thank you for the offer, Lune. If the need arises, I will contact Baron Rickson."

Simone came forward and asked, "My Lord, what should we do with these two?"

He was referring to Orisien and Thomsen.

Duane had severely injured them, breaking who knows how many of their bones. They couldn’t even stand.

"Find a room here and lock them up. To prevent any accidents, put them in heavy iron chains. Also, have a few of you take turns guarding them."

Duane warned Thomsen, "I know you can still attack, but I advise you to behave. Even if you escape your guards, you can’t leave Black Forest Island!"

Black Forest Island was surrounded by the sea, and the Holy Radiance Court’s ships would also be confiscated by Duane. In Thomsen’s current state, it was impossible for him to escape alone.

"Rest assured. I am well aware of my predicament."

Thomsen had lost his previous arrogance. "I only ask that the Count treat me as a proper noble prisoner."

"Of course!"

Duane said with certainty. He then glanced at Orisien, who looked as utterly dejected as a neutered cat, and ordered:

"To make guarding them easier, lock them up together. They can chat when they get bored."

"Yes!"

After giving a series of orders, Duane prepared to deal with the fallout from the incident.

After all, members of the Holy Radiance Court had been killed and wounded on his territory; things couldn’t possibly end here.

When Duane left the Royal Capital, he felt that the Holy Radiance Court’s affairs had nothing to do with Black Forest Island. He had only wanted to lie low and develop his territory.

He never expected this incident would thrust him into the spotlight.

’What a pain.’

’It would be so much easier if killing people simply ended all your problems.’

But he knew that was impossible. Bishop Clement and that Grand Commander Mitchell surely knew of Orisien and Thomsen’s whereabouts.

’There’s no hiding it.’

Fortunately, the Holy Radiance Court and some of the Grand and High Lords were not allies, which gave Duane an opportunity.

He planned to use Orisien and Thomsen’s crimes—meddling in a Lord’s affairs, carrying out illegal punishments, and their callous disregard for human life—to file a formal accusation with the King. He would also share this information with the Kingdom’s Grand and High Lords, such as Marquis Sean and Earl Orlando.

Duane believed that these nobles, who were intentionally delaying the King’s new policies and even openly opposing them, would definitely not pass up this opportunity to discredit the Holy Radiance Court, thereby buying themselves more time.

Although Duane had a history of enmity and disputes with these people, on this matter, their interests were aligned.

Of course, before sharing this information, Duane needed to first inform Count Kais.

It was most appropriate for the Count to take the lead.

With this in mind, Duane walked straight toward Manny and Jesse, who were resting nearby.

"Thomsen has expelled you from the Church Court. What do you plan to do now?"

After resting for a while, the two of them looked a bit better. But faced with Duane’s question, they fell silent.

Manny sighed. "Count, I’d like to borrow one of your Messenger Birds to inform my father of what happened here."

This matter involved his clan’s interests and was beyond his scope to handle. He had to write to his father.

"No problem!"

Duane pondered for a moment, then added, "The Kennedy Clan is holding a banquet soon, and I’ll be making a trip to Silent Shore. If your father is interested, he can meet you there to talk in person. As it happens, I can also see if I can heal his injuries."

Manny nodded. It was indeed better to speak face-to-face. "Then let’s do as you suggest."

Duane said, "As an ally who fought by your side, let me offer some advice: you should take this opportunity to leave the Holy Radiance Court."

Although Orisien had expelled Manny from the Church Court, if Viscount Charlemagne reached an agreement with the other side in the subsequent negotiations, Manny might end up continuing to serve the Church Court.

The reason Duane offered this counsel was twofold: he valued Manny’s status and was also interested in the Haydon Clan’s Secret Realm.

"To be honest, I’ve wanted to leave for a long time."

Manny once thought it was an opportunity, but after joining the Church Court, he discovered that reality was the complete opposite of what Bishop Clement had preached.

He had no chance to command more men because the Church Court would send its own people directly.

With Celestial, Earth, and Human Tier experts—so many people stronger than him around—it would be a long, long time before he could rise through the ranks.

"However, this isn’t a decision I can make alone. I need to discuss it with my father."

Duane said no more. He had a guard help Manny to a room in the castle to rest.

Then he approached Priest Jesse.

During their trip, Duane had heard from Manny about the relationship between Sarah, Otto, and Jesse.

In Manny’s eyes, Jesse was kind and pure, the only one who truly practiced what the church preached.

Moreover, thanks to the supplementary effects of the Hot Spring Mountain Tea, she had also recently broken through to become a Level 2 Mage.

Usually, Sarah and Otto would palm off many of the healing tasks onto Jesse.

Duane had no intention of letting such a talent slip away.

"Jesse, you’re no longer a member of the Holy Radiance Court. What do you plan to do?"

Jesse was slender, and being hung up for so long had left her utterly exhausted. If her Spiritual Power weren’t greater than that of an ordinary person, she would have broken down long ago.

Now, faced with Duane’s question, she buried her face in her knees and began to sob quietly.

Duane was caught off guard for a moment; he had no talent for comforting a crying girl.

"Raymond, comfort her."

Raymond scratched his head. "Asking me to kill someone is one thing, my Lord, but asking me to do this... I really don’t know how."

’He’d given Raymond an opportunity, but the man couldn’t seize it.’

"Alright, Jesse. There’s nothing to be sad about."

He had no choice but to speak up himself. "Although you’ve been driven out of the Church Court, as long as you live on Black Forest Island, you are my subject and under my protection!"

Jesse looked up, tears clinging to the corners of her eyes. "My Lord..."

"I value your kindness, attentiveness, and ability. Follow me, and serve me! This way, you can continue to do what you love and pursue the light in your heart."

Duane said in a deep voice, "Black Forest Island needs you!"

After all, Jesse was just a girl of seventeen or eighteen.

She had followed the Church Court to an isolated island overseas, only to be abandoned by the one organization she relied on. The despair and helplessness she felt were palpable.

But when she heard the kind Lord extend an olive branch to recruit her, when she heard that she too was needed, it was as if she saw the light.

The Holy Radiance Court she believed in had not brought her any radiance, but she saw it in Duane.

"What are you still standing there for?"

Raymond prompted, "Aren’t you going to thank the Lord?"

Jesse wiped the tears from her eyes and said, weeping with joy, "Thank you. I’m willing... I’m willing to follow you!"

Duane patted her on the shoulder. "Excellent. From this day forward, you are Black Forest Island’s Holy Light Physician. I hope you will use your magic to bring more hope to the people living on this land!"

A new light appeared in Jesse’s eyes. She said with determination, "I will, my Lord! I will!"

Duane nodded in satisfaction. He looked at Raymond. "Take her to rest."