Chapter 172: 172 Quarrel

From the very beginning, when Luo Ning first identified him, he had hinted at Raisen’s involvement in the assassination of Blanchette at the Colosseum—but he offered no concrete evidence.

Yet when Toru appeared, draped in a robe embroidered with a golden skull, the link between Raisen and Blanchette’s murder became undeniable.

The identity of the Skull Order’s members remained shrouded in mystery; even the Castle of Wushan had no confirmed base of operations for the organization.

But Raisen had somehow compelled the Skull Order to issue a contract to assassinate Luo Ning—proof enough that he maintained a direct channel with them, perhaps even that he himself was a member.

As the only person present known to have close ties to the Skull Order, Raisen could no longer escape suspicion in the assassination of Blanchette.

Luo Ning glanced at Raisen’s ashen face, his lips curling slightly. “Raisen, what more is there left to deny?”

“You’ve seized resources that rightfully belong to Wushan Castle. You’ve assassinated Marina and Malik of the Green family. You’ve tried to kill me multiple times. And you are inextricably tied to the murders of my father and the Princess.”

Luo Ning’s gaze sharpened like a blade. “This is a capital offense.”

“No—you’re lying!” Raisen roared, his voice thick with fury. “Your testimony is false! This Tom is false! Count Viggins and the Princess—they had nothing to do with me!”

“All of it is fabricated! I deny it!”

Luo Ning said nothing.

Then another shadow leapt from the balcony—Sir Brol, deputy commander of the Royal Gryphon Knights.

Brol landed directly behind Raisen, his voice icy. “Whether you admit it or not, as long as suspicion clings to you, you are my subject of investigation.”

For the past several hours, Brol had been tormented by the lack of any credible suspect in the assassination. If this investigation ended with nothing, he had no idea how to answer to his superiors.

Now, at last, a suspect had surfaced—how could he let him slip away?

Without a word, Brol reached out.

Raisen erupted in rage, spinning and hurling a punch. His battle aura coalesced into a colossal fist, roaring toward Brol.

“Foolish arrogance.”

Brol snorted. His right hand snapped into a claw, shattering Raisen’s aura-forged fist with effortless precision, then clamping down on his knuckles.

Crack. Crack.

Raisen’s hand twisted grotesquely, bones snapping beneath the crushing grip. His scream tore through the air, raw and agonized. His right arm was ruined.

Luo Ning blinked in surprise. Brol’s counter had been silent, almost casual. He’d seen only a flicker of aura—no armor, no flourish—yet it had shattered Raisen’s attack as if it were paper.

“No wonder he’s deputy commander of the Gryphon Knights. What rank is he, really?”

Above, Viggins could no longer contain himself.

“Toru,” he barked, “take Raisen to the dungeons. Interrogate him thoroughly. Find out just how many betrayals he’s committed against Wushan Castle!”

Toru secured the evidence and cast a glance at his son Galil. The young knight immediately stepped forward, flanking Raisen with armed men.

“Count Auson, I am innocent! I am innocent!” Raisen screamed, his noble composure shattered. “Please, Count Auson, uphold justice for me!”

Among the crowd, many nobles turned their eyes toward Auson. He showed no outward emotion—only a faint furrow of his brow.

Finally, he spoke, his voice clear and measured. “Sir Toru—wait.”

Auson stepped beside Rulans, bowing respectfully. “Your Grace, the only evidence linking Raisen to the Skull Order is this testimony. But its veracity cannot be confirmed until the assassin is brought to Wushan for trial.”

He paused, then continued. “Therefore, I urge that, until then, we treat Raisen with the dignity befitting a noble.”

“Father, I see no reason to wait,” Viggins interrupted before Rulans could speak. “I know Luo Ning’s character. He wouldn’t dare forge evidence. Raisen is unquestionably a traitor to Wushan!”

Auson said nothing—but inside, he cursed Viggins a dozen times over.

Your son outshines you by a thousandfold, yet you still claim to know his character? You still say he lacks the courage? How utterly blind you are.

In Auson’s mind, he’d believe Luo Ning forged the testimony himself.

“Auson,” Rulans said slowly, his gaze fixed on Luo Ning below, “whether Raisen participated in the assassinations of Viggins and Blanchette does indeed require trial.

But his repeated attempts to kill Luo Ning—this is already proven fact. On this single charge alone, I may strip him of his title and lands.”

He turned to Auson. “Therefore, we no longer owe such a traitor the courtesy of nobility.”

“Your Grace, is this not too hasty?” Auson’s tone had lost its earlier deference. “We all know Luo Ning’s past. My own granddaughter died because of him. With his history of treachery, one testimony and one witness are enough to topple a noble? This is farce!”

Beside him, Blanchette could no longer stay silent.

“Everyone grows. Everyone changes, Count Auson. Yesterday, if not for Luo Ning’s protection, I would already be dead beneath the Skull Order’s blades. I do not believe such a brave and powerful knight would falsely accuse a noble.”

“Blanchette, let me remind you,” Hesus appeared beside them, uninvited, offering no deference to the Princess. In front of all, he spoke as if instructing a child:

“One should never judge a man’s character by a single act. Luo Ning saved you—but that does not mean he cannot lie about others.”

Blanchette’s brows knitted, her face taut. Quiet and solitary by nature, she had no reply.

“Mind your tongue, Hesus,” Brol stepped back onto the balcony. “You have no right to speak to the Princess in such a tone.”

“And you, Brol—mind your own posture. You serve the Crown. My name is also ‘Auduin.’”

“I serve only King Bruno—not your petty countship of Moonvale!”

The argument threatened to spiral.

Rulans rose from his chair.

“Enough. Calm yourselves.”

He turned to Auson. “By the way, Wushan has entrusted the eradication of the Skull Order to Black Serpent City. Auson, for two months now, you’ve achieved nothing—yet the Order’s agents have had the time and freedom to stir chaos here in Wushan City. You bear responsibility.”

“I—”

Auson froze. He hadn’t expected blame to fall on him—and worse, he had no defense.

Rulans turned back to the courtyard.

“Toru—take Raisen to the prison. Arrest and interrogate every knight and servant who came with him. Report to me by dawn.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Toru bowed and departed swiftly, his men moving to seize the men of Sayn’s retinue.

“Capturing a traitor is cause for celebration. Let us not let this spoil the evening.”

Rulans turned to the gathered nobles. “Let us return to the banquet hall. Let the festivities continue!”

Whether others were pleased—he did not care.

But he was very, very pleased.

(End of Chapter)