Chapter 357: The Hot-Tempered Kid

“Uncle, the situation is getting out of control…”

At an observation post on the city’s western edge, the expressions of Old Count Albarrez and his nephew William changed slightly as a plane fell from the sky.

The first line of defense was indeed powerful, but it was also difficult to control. Things would have been fine if Investigator Wei Ya’s plan had proceeded smoothly, but the moment they were forced to divert their attention to the plane, the situation spiraled out of control—much like a massive ship that’s difficult to turn.

It was now clear that this Independent Investigator was still desperate to turn things around and refocus on the Black Goat project.

But did he really have the power to change his focus at will, doing whatever he pleased?

Besides, if the enemy could use a falling plane to strike Giant Horn City, why would they let him have his way?

This realization, however, made the young Vampire William a little excited.

‘In that case, couldn’t I keep that letter of recommendation from Uncle for myself?’

“Heh, I knew it all along…”

In response to his nephew’s quiet probing, the Old Count beside him chuckled coldly. “I don’t know who this enemy hiding in the shadows is, but anyone who can silently nullify my Knight’s blessing is by no means an easy opponent.”

“It’s just that the problem with the Fertile Forest emerged too quickly, leaving no time to discuss the matter in detail with Giant Horn City. But now…”

“Regardless of whether Giant Horn City can erase the traces of the Fertile Forest, as long as they make a move, it will have nothing to do with us.”

“We should be thinking about how to stay out of this. If any real problems arise, let Giant Horn City explain it to the Circuit Knight.”

“…”

“Huh?”

The young Vampire’s eyes brightened slightly. “Uncle, aren’t you afraid Giant Horn City will spill everything?”

The Old Count snorted, his gaze chilling. “The Fertile Forest appeared in Giant Horn City. The Black Goat vessel was researched in Giant Horn City. Even our own great-great-grandmother is currently trapped inside Giant Horn City…”

“What evidence does this city have to prove I’m connected to any of this? Falsely accusing a nobleman of conducting forbidden experiments? That’s a serious crime…”

“Of course, that’s all contingent on me returning to my family and regaining their protection.”

The young Vampire asked tentatively, “Will the family be willing to take you back?”

“Heh, that depends on what I have to offer…”

The Old Count sneered. He glanced at the Fertile Forest with an almost fanatical gleam in his eyes and said in a low voice, “My research, in fact, has already succeeded. This expanse of Fertile Forest is the ironclad proof.”

“It would be ideal if I could bring this Black Goat back with me. But even if I can’t, bringing back the complete research notes and data is just as good. The Circuit Knight will inadvertently end up verifying the success of my research.”

“The most important thing right now is that I must return to Skinning Manor, destroy all traces of my research, and get the data back to Salem City quickly. Once I’m gone, Giant Horn City will have to face the Circuit Knight’s questions alone. It will have nothing to do with me.”

“…”

The Vampire nephew now understood. He said in alarm, “You intend to use the ‘Deep Dive’ passage?”

The Old Count nodded slightly. “It’s the only way to bypass the long stretch of wilderness, evade pursuit by the Circuit Knight, and return directly to Salem City,” he said in a low voice. “The only problem is… the Abyssal Passages in every city are in the hands of the Queen’s Organization.”

This was exactly what his nephew was worried about. “Giant Horn City is under lockdown. Will they really let you use the passage?”

“Heh heh…”

The Old Count sneered. “I started deliberately cultivating a relationship with Miss Fatih of Giant Horn City three years ago. I even helped her when she was vying for the title of Empress.”

“And over those three years, she has already left five mirrors at Skinning Manor. We just need to add the final piece to form a single-use Abyssal Device that will send me back safely!”

“I sent her a message just before entering the city. As the Empress of Giant Horn City, she won’t help me openly, of course. But just secretly helping me acquire the last mirror for Skinning Manor… that shouldn’t be too much of a problem.”

“After all, besides helping with her election three years ago and the repeated, heavy investments I’ve made since, for this time alone, I’ve prepared one hundred Ancient Gold Coins for her!”

“…”

After hearing all this, the young Vampire was so impressed he could have fallen to his knees. “Uncle, you are truly devious.”

“Don’t talk nonsense!”

The Old Count glared at him. “This is the wisdom of the nobility!”

“Arrange for our armed forces to rendezvous with us now, under the pretext of delivering a contract. The moment the plan to destroy the Fertile Forest fails, we leave immediately… The one we need to be careful of is the person hiding in the shadows who’s after me. He still hasn’t been flushed out!”

“…”

“…”

Han Su leaped from the seventeenth floor of the hotel. Just as his downward velocity neared its limit, he shot his left hand out and grabbed the wall beside him.

The Cross Copper Pattern emerged on the back of his hand. His grip caught the wall, arresting his downward momentum.

Amidst a shower of crumbling plaster and stone, he landed lightly on the ground, brushed off his shoulders, and melted into the crowd.

The situation was far from easy, but having met up with his people, his resolve had solidified.

As he walked, he mulled it over. ‘Hunting a nobleman within a city is a nearly impossible task. The first step, then, is to force him out of Giant Horn City…’

‘The people from Skinning Manor can’t hide in Giant Horn City forever. The two sides only teamed up to solve a mutual problem. If they discover the problem can’t be solved, their alliance will inevitably crumble!’