Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Fairy Town.
That was the town where the Fairy Castle was located. It was also one of the four major towns on the border. The relatives of the people who worked in Fairy Castle, such as maids and guards, were all qualified to live in that town and protected by the border count.
At that moment, the mayor of Fairy Town, Andre, had gathered all the high-tier officials to look at a burnt scroll on the table.
Andre used to be Fairy Castle’s commander of the guards. He was nearly ninety years old, so he retired and became Fairy Town’s mayor to help manage its affairs. The scroll he kept on him had suddenly burned into ashes, so he gathered the officials to discuss it.
“The border count sent an order to say that Blackmoon Castle would manage our town in the future. He also wants me to go there, and I plan to leave soon.”
Andrew, who had a white beard and hair, sat upright in the chair as he looked around at everyone.
“Lord Andrew, didn’t the border count go to Blackmoon Castle in person? He can make his own decisions. Do we still need to go there?” a subordinate asked weakly.
“Do you think he didn’t think of that? He even sent us a message while he’s there. He definitely wants us there.” Andrew waved his hand and stood up. “Go and prepare. We will leave now. Remember to bring more gifts.”
“We are the border count’s people. The things in Fairy Town also belong to him. Isn’t it unnecessary to bring him his own things?”
“Idiot! Don’t you have to prepare gifts when you go to someone’s home? This is basic noble etiquette! Furthermore, the border count has always maintained a competitive relationship with the other four towns on the border. But he did not particularly favor any one of them. He must have deliberately supported Blackmoon Castle for a reason. Perhaps he is dissatisfied with us. Do you think it’s okay not to bring anything? Use your brain!”
After he reprimanded his subordinates, Andre turned around and looked into the distance.
He had been working for the border count for at least a few decades, and that was the first time he had seen the border count make such a decision.
In his heart, the border count had always been a fair and impartial person, and he would never act in a biased manner. Furthermore, if the border count wanted to support a small town, it would be better to choose Fairy Town. Why did he choose Blackmoon Castle, which was not even well-known? What was so special about Blackmoon Castle?
..
Vermilion Town.
It was the last town on the border, and it was also a relatively small town.
“Your Highness, we have just received news that the border count has burned a communication scroll to send a message. He wants us to make a trip to Blackmoon Castle. Should we go?”
In the city hall, a few guards knelt respectfully on the ground. They looked at a woman in gorgeous red and yellow clothes in the shadows with respectful eyes.
The woman’s name was Adele; she was the mayor of Vermilion Town.
Vermilion Town was famous for its bronze-tier mineral heat ore. It was a high-energy ore that was equivalent to one thousand catties of coal per catty. Every winter, the ore that absorbed the moonlight would emit a faint red light that gathered in the sky. It was like a blood-red river that hung in the sky, which was the town’s wonder.
Unlike other towns, Vermilion Town was a town with a high concentration of power. It did not have a city hall, and there was only one mayor, Adele. During her tenure, Vermilion Town had developed rapidly, and she was in a high position. Adele often worked with the town residents. At night, she slept in the shabby cowshed and ate the simplest couscous bread. Everyone addressed her as the sun princess instead of the mayor because of her approachable personality.
The moon symbolized cold and darkness, while the sun was the opposite. It represented warmth and sunshine. In the eyes of the people, Adele was such a person.
“I understand. Let me think about it. You guys can go.” The woman’s beautiful and gentle voice echoed.
“But the border count is in a hurry—”
The guards wanted to say something, but when they saw the woman waved her hand, they could only shut their mouths and leave.
The woman, who was hidden in the shadows, gently supported her cheeks with her right hand. There was a slight sound when her fingers tapped on her cheeks.
“The border count wants to unite the four towns. Did he discover that the King sent me to spy on him? I have always been very low-key about my work. The Vermilion Town is not particularly outstanding among the four towns. There’s no reason for him to discover it.
“Something’s wrong. There have been a lot of changes at the border recently. Not only did the Dragonspine Snow Mountain collapse, but a group of rats and magical beasts appeared near Vermilion Town as well. Things are gradually getting out of my control. I need to consult His Majesty first. I won’t answer the border count’s invitation lest he finds out something’s wrong.”
After she made up her mind, the woman knocked on the legs of the chair. There was a sound before the chair moved to reveal a pitch-black passage below. The woman put her palms together in a praying posture and walked into the path.
..
Blackmoon Castle’s banquet hall.
Sylvan sat back in his chair in satisfaction after he used magic to send a message to the people in the other four towns. Suddenly, he thought of something and patted his forehead. “Something’s wrong. I seem to have sent a message to Fairy Town just now?”
There was no need for him to send a message to Fairy Town while he was there. It was a slip of hand; he had sent the message to everyone.
“The Fairy Town mayor was once the commander of the guards at my residence, Andre. He was not only a peak gold-tier warrior, but he was also a man who was proficient in human nature. I believe he’d understand that the message was a mistake.”
With that thought in mind, Sylvan was utterly relieved.
“Watson, I have already sent a message to the other four towns. I believe that they will arrive in a few days. I will have to bother you and stay here for the time being. Oh, right! I have mentioned the reward for the diamond-tier magic staff.”
Watson said, “Lord Sylvan, you must be joking. Of course, you should stay here. How would that bother me?”
“Yes, you and Sylvan are a family. What do you mean by disturbing?” Antonio seemed to have rested well. He shook his dizzy head and interrupted them.
“Lord Astrologer, you are too courteous. We are only an unimportant family. How can we be related to the border count? Perhaps if he has a daughter Watson’s age, then there might be a chance for us to be a family.”
Edward did not understand Antonio’s words. He smiled and continued to say, “Of course, if the border count doesn’t have a daughter of the right age, then Miss Nightingale will do too.”
Nightingale had helped Blackmoon Castle, and she had a good relationship with Watson. Edward had wanted to make Nightingale his daughter-in-law, so he said that to Sylvan. If Sylvan could agree to that marriage, then Blackmoon Castle and the border count would continue to have a relationship.
What was the identity of the border count? He was the master of the entire border. If they could build a relationship with the border count, then Blackmoon Castle would be able to do whatever they wanted at the border.
Edward had not even fawned over Antonio so much—the man was the greatest mage in the kingdom and Sylvan’s master. However, there was a saying in that world—a strong dragon cannot suppress a local snake. No matter how strong Antonio was, he would have to return to the kingdom, unlike Sylvan, who could always protect them.
When Watson signed the contract with Sylvan, Edward sweated profusely. Since Sylvan did not intend to exploit Blackmoon Castle and did not care about Watson’s rudeness, Edward felt it easy to rope him into their favor.
To his surprise, as soon as he finished speaking, Antonio frowned and said, “Edward, I already know about the relationship between you, Sylvan, and Watson. I’m Watson’s master, so I’m not an outsider. There’s no need to hide it between us, right?”
What relationship?
Edward was confused. Watson was also bewildered.
“Watson is Sylvan’s illegitimate son, so he was adopted. The maids said you and Sylvan raised the same son, so aren’t you considered a family? And you still have to pretend to say things like marriage. Seriously, do you really need me to say it before you understand?” Antonio leaned against the chair and rubbed the space between his eyebrows. It seemed that talking made him feel uncomfortable again.
His words were like a clap of thunder that caused waves in the entire hall.
“Watson is Sylvan’s illegitimate child?”
Edward and Catherine parted in shock. Their eyes were filled with questions and vigilance; did their partner cheated on them?
Sylvan was also perplexed. He knew that he was not Watson’s father and that Antonio had imposed that relationship on him. Sylvan felt strange when he saw how Edward and Catherine had reacted when Antonio said that sentence in public.
Watson was visibly confused; he stood up with a bewildered expression on his face.
How could he not know that he was the border count’s illegitimate son?
