Warhammer Divine Throne-Chapter 510 - 219, Another Sacrifice_2

Sure enough, Mogiana took out the patterns of all the family crests from baron to duke in the Duke of Connet's domain. Many family crests closely resembled Mathew Bade's shield emblem, but none were identical. However, this crest gave off an immediate impression that he was indeed a Ranger Knight of Connet Duchy.

Laine's conclusion was that Mathew Bade, or someone behind Mathew Bade, was well-versed in heraldry.

"I have a question, Your Highness. How did Mathew Bade successfully register for the knight tournament?" Laine continued to ask.

"Obviously, there is a traitor within the upper echelons of our Kingdom!" Mogiana paced under the moonlight, her long gown gently moving: "Mathew Bade either bribed or found a Great Noble already corrupted, successfully registering himself." 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"That's why I advise you, Your Highness Mogiana, not to act immediately." Laine shook his head slowly: "Perhaps as soon as your order goes out, Mathew Bade's side will receive the news."

Mogiana nodded slowly. The Lake God Witch walked gently in front of Laine and said to him: "You truly are the Lady's Champion."

"Oh, if possible, I truly wish I could seize Mathew Bade single-handedly first." Laine shook his head repeatedly: "But, Your Highness, we can't do that. Mathew Bade... is the runner-up in the knight tournament. If we rashly capture him, it would have a terrible impact and would harm the Lady's reputation."

"Now, this is the only way. I'll first send people to investigate Borelion Duchy, then find a reason to put Mathew Bade under house arrest." Mogiana's golden long hair draped over her shoulders, her green eyes stared at Laine, her expression rarely softened, with an indescribable flavor: "You look very tired. Francois specially took you out not because he wanted to walk with you, but because of the matter of Marchioness Surya, am I right?"

"Yes." Laine did not intend to lie about this matter, he answered directly.

"Because you and Marchioness Surya were dating in the windmill and overheard Mathew Bade's conversation with Fiona." Mogiana continued: "Laine, you haven't fully recovered, but you're already so eager?"

"Your Highness, we really didn't do anything." Laine said somewhat embarrassedly: "We were just..."

"Just what?" Mogiana continued to press, her gaze very serious, even somewhat dangerous: "Tell me."

This topic lasted a long time, until the moon reached its zenith.

......

"Huff~huff~" A young Ranger Knight was sprinting in the night, riding a Half-Elf Warhorse, galloping across the plains of Kulona.

The young Ranger Knight was Mathew Bade.

Immediately after Fiona's questioning earlier today, the young Ranger Knight sensed something was wrong. Precisely because of his rude act in the windmill, the girl felt embarrassed, angrily telling him to leave and not want to see him again.

Mathew Bade immediately misconstrued Fiona's intention as telling him to get lost, so the uneasy young Ranger Knight rode his own warhorse, carrying his belongings, leaving a message for Fiona that since she didn't want to see him, he would continue his travels, quickly leaving Kulona and heading south to Arden Forest.

It took him a day to traverse the fields and lands near Kulona. As the sun gradually set, Mathew Bade arrived near Marquis Glasgow's domain.

In the distance, a massive castle appeared before Mathew Bade's eyes. The young Ranger Knight scoffed a few times, spurred on his warhorse, quickened his pace, for the sun was about to set, and he needed to hurry.

Since Marquis Angxi Desmond's death, Marquis Glasgow's domain had been in chaos. This territory wasn't large, and most parts were located within Arden Forest, with only the Marquis Glasgow castle and some nearby land under true control, roughly the size of two Baron's Domains.

After Marquis Angxi's death, as he didn't have a legal heir, King Richard ordered the temporary management of the land by Marquis Angxi's uncle, Earl Aljero Roselle. This led to chaos in the castle, with countless merchants, adventurers, Wandering Knights and many fleeing peasants gathering near the castle, mostly aiming to explore Arden Forest.

These people chose to venture into Arden Forest for good reason. It once had villages and settlements, as well as treasures hidden deep within by bandits, nobles, and even ancient Elves. After Ten Thousand Demon Rock was destroyed, the Beastman Tribe could only hide deep in Arden Forest. Many adventurers and Wandering Knights hope to explore Arden Forest to find treasure.

Mathew Bade increased his pace, passing through the towering castle, heading into the depths of Arden Forest.

A fire of resentment burned in the young Ranger Knight's heart. His hand clasped his longsword at his waist, emitting continuous sounds.

He was determined to win the knight tournament's championship because it was crucial for him and his godfather's future plans, truly crucial.

Though winning second place wasn't too bad, Mathew Bade still felt deeply humiliated.

A powerful loathing hovered in Mathew Bade's mind, his face shrouded in darkness. Someday, this kingdom built on lies and deceit would be utterly destroyed, he swore.

Traveling through the narrow forest, Mathew Bade examined those mysterious marks.

After several hours of progress, Mathew Bade grabbed a passing Hunter, knocked him out, tied him up, and secured him to the back of his horse, as advised by his godfather for later use.

Following his godfather's marks, Mathew Bade bent down into the dark, deep, damp cave, noises within echoing, a mature female's voice hysterically shouting: "Give me blood! I want blood!"

"Oh, quiet down, Lady Merciful Archbishop, calling out like this won't help; on the contrary, it will intensify your bloodthirst and magnify your pain," a shriveled voice said, still gracefully: "Your painful appearance makes me uncomfortable, truly."

"Undead, I curse you!"

"Very honored to be cursed by you, Lady."

Mathew Bade dragged the unconscious Hunter, tossed him aside: "Blood has arrived!"

In the dark cave, only green ghostly flames flickered; they were cursed fires. In his youth, Mathew Bade believed firmly, until his godfather revealed the truth about the Lake Fairy.

Thus, he embraced this flame, and power, but his godfather told him it wasn't the right time—there was still much more he needed to do.

Lady Merciful Archbishop had lost her former dignity and elegance, her eternally loving smile replaced; her carefully groomed long hair now tangled and muddied, her dress long unwashed and filthy.

Seeing a source of blood, she shrieked, instinctively gnawing at the unconscious Hunter's neck, greedily guzzling human blood.

In this process, Lady Merciful Archbishop would gradually transform into a true Vampire, much like Akhan had done, with this capture going relatively smoothly.

"Scattered pieces are gradually coming together, my godchild." Akhan raised his head, the cyan flame in his eyes and on his Magic Staff daunting: "But we've encountered a little surprise... my godchild, you've let me down."