Chapter 252 (2/2)

Magician Damwade, who was in the research lab, was quickly sent to them. Once he found out that his feudal lord was facing a crisis, the magician took out a silver scroll.

“I do not know teleportation spells very well. But I do have this “return spell” scroll. It can bring three people back to the Highest Tower,” he said. “Me, the feudal lord, and room for one more.”

Crick’s subordinates sighed with relief. Old housekeeper laughed, “What a coincidence; just enough to bring Miss Anna along.”

Nikola shook his head. “We should let Thomas follow. Even though he is a bastard, his hands are quite strong.”

“He should bring housekeeper Wade,” D’vor suggested. “If the Keane family wants to be revived in the future, we will need housekeeper Wade’s experience and wisdom.”

“What will you all do if I ran away?” Crick asked worriedly. He stopped their arguing. “Machee and her gang are coming with ill intentions!”

“Ha-ha! Once you leave, we will have many ways to survive!” Nikola said smugly. “With our abilities, no one will be able to stop us from running away!”

“That’s right, this is the only way!” D’vor nodded repeatedly. “Quickly, go now!”

Crick was silent for some time before summoning all the high-positioned officers in his territory.

His orders were executed very quickly. The group of officers who were allocated and promoted by him, whose fidelity levels all had an average of 80 and above, were gathered in the government affairs office.

He told them briefly about the enlistment order from the grand duke and the problem of elite forces from the Church of the God of Aristocrats arriving in town. Then he let everyone express their comments.

Just like D’vor and the others, these highly loyal officers all advised him to run away, and disobey this ridiculous order to go and kill in the war between the Eagle Kingdom and Orc Empire. That was as good as sending him to die!

“I can run, but what about you guys?” Crick asked.

The officers were suddenly solemn. Everyone looked at each other. More than one of them expressed that, “Somehow there will be a way,””We don’t think these big characters will vent their anger on insignificant little pawns like us,””The territory will need someone to be in charge of it,” etc.

Crick sighed and secretly shook his head.

A change of sovereigns would bring about a change of ministers. Even he was not exempt from cleaning up the cabinet ministers before. He had a few dead bodies on his conscience from the process. If he ran away and the territory was granted to some other nobles, the officers loyal to him would most likely have their heads chopped off.

Moreover… the commoners of the territory were already living poorly. If an increased tax was imposed, how could they cope? He was afraid that many people would not survive the coming winter!

The young traverser raised his head and looked at the grains in the wooden ceiling. He could not help but laugh bitterly.

“I cannot run away,” he said. “Go and contact Aunt Lily. I remember their house is in a nearby town. They still have magical equipment that can be used for communication…”

But after the magical equipment was activated, there was only a red shining light and no reply.

“The target contacted had been destroyed,” magician Damwade said with a frown. “As expected, I am afraid your Aunt Lily had met an ill fate, considering that her house is on the way from Gale Prefecture to Keane City. We can assume it was probably done by Machee and her gang.”

Crick gritted his teeth and clenched his hands into fists. He took a few deep breaths to suppress his anger.

Now was not the time to be furious. Being furious would not solve the problem.

“Bring Anna here!”

Anna was Crick Keane’s sister. She was also one of only two direct heirs to the Keane family. She was only nine years old this year; still a child who did not know anything. But even if she was a child, she could sense the heavy atmosphere and felt uncontrollably afraid.

“Brother Crick… what is going on?” she asked timidly.

Crick looked at her and his heart was filled with worry.

Handing the family over to this little girl; would that really work?

But… there was no other choice.

He thought for a bit and said, “Anna, would you be willing to believe in His Highness Void Mask?”

“Void Mask? The big green jellyfish? Brother, I thought you wanted me to try and believe in the God of Light?”

The corner of Crick’s rose as he smirked bitterly. “The God of Light… suddenly, I’m afraid only the big green jellyfish is reliable now. After all, He is a fierce character who killed two Gods for the death of his believers!”

“Sir, actually, you can also…” D’vor started.

Crick shook his head. “No, I cannot. Military orders are like mountains. The enlistment order has been given, so I will need to be accounted for anyway. Even His Highness of Void Mask cannot protect a betrayer who refuses his duties.

“Alright. Let’s rearrange our troops.” After making the most important decision, he felt his whole body relax. “I need to use all the time I have left to write some plans and programs for ruling the territory. When I am gone, I will need all of you to please assist Anna.”

All the officers were quiet. There was more than one who started sobbing.

“Do not cry. I am only going to war. That does not mean that I will die for sure.” Crick managed to squeeze out a smile. “Who knows, I might become famous during the war! When I win I will come back to get married and have a bunch of sons… Amyveile, are you interested in changing jobs to become a baroness?”

With the surprised and shy approval from the servant, he laughed as he waved his hand to ask everyone to leave, and concluded the meeting this time.

After he had also ushered Amyveile out of the study room, saying, “I need to write a secret report,” he did not immediately start writing. Instead, he circled around his government affairs office and sighed deep and long.

“F**k it! How did I get so f**ked up!”

Tears were streaming down his cheeks as he smiled bitterly.