Wizard: I Have a Cultivation System-Chapter 35: Winter Night at Baron’s Castle (II)

Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Winter Night at Baron’s Castle (II)

Baron Duval’s Castle, the north tower.

Candlelight danced in the stone fireplace, making the room as warm as spring.

This was Kelvin’s residence. While not as luxurious as Baron Duval’s own quarters, it was a world apart from the servants’ lodgings in the Outer Fortress.

Kelvin stood by the window, gazing at the snowflakes drifting down outside.

He had the Duval Clan’s signature high-bridged nose and a head of dark hair—the latter being the only inheritance his mother, a Singing Girl from the South, had left him.

Old Jimmy sat in an oak chair by the fireplace, the wine glass in his hand trembling slightly. "Who do you think killed that Groom?"

Kelvin turned, a shadow of gloom flickering in his eyes. "Norton? An insignificant Groom, but at a sensitive time like this..."

He paused. "Father is bedridden with a serious injury, and Sylvan is cursed. For a murder to happen now... it’s far too much of a coincidence."

Old Jimmy slammed his glass down. "Two years ago in the Twilight Mountain Range, if Moby hadn’t underestimated the enemy and rushed in recklessly, my son wouldn’t have died there."

His voice was thick with suppressed fury. "Now Sylvan is cursed, too. It’s poetic justice."

Kelvin keenly sensed that while Old Jimmy hadn’t mentioned Baron Duval, his resentment was nearly overflowing. He walked to the liquor cabinet and poured himself a glass of red wine. "Uncle Jimmy, do you think this could be a ploy by Sylvan? Deliberately causing trouble just to frame me?"

The room fell silent for a moment before Old Jimmy spoke slowly. "Sylvan’s strength may be greatly diminished, but he still has a few loyal followers. If he wanted to use this opportunity to oust you, this would certainly be a good way to do it."

Kelvin took a sip of wine, the red liquid swirling in his glass. "Father has always favored Sylvan, even if he can’t even hold a sword steady now. As for me..."

He gave a self-deprecating laugh. "An illegitimate son of a Singing Girl. In Father’s eyes, I’ll never be presentable."

Old Jimmy leaned forward. "But things are different now. The Baron is grievously injured and unlikely to recover, and Sylvan has been crippled. The domain needs a new heir."

Kelvin walked to the fireplace, staring at the dancing flames. "That battle two years ago changed everything. Moby died in combat, Sylvan was cursed, and I... I was given an opportunity."

Old Jimmy reminded him, "But Sylvan won’t give up so easily. He is the legitimate son, after all."

Kelvin’s gaze sharpened. "So he wants to get rid of me. He orchestrates a murder and then pins it on me. In Father’s mind, it wouldn’t be surprising for an illegitimate son like me to do something like that."

Old Jimmy stood up and paced around the room. "We need to uncover the truth. If Sylvan really did this, we must have proof."

"Investigate? How?" Kelvin sneered. "Rotton Knight will definitely favor Sylvan. He’s Father’s confidant and has always looked down on me."

"We can start with that Groom, Norton," Old Jimmy said, stopping his pacing. "Who has he been associating with lately? Any unusual behavior? We might find a clue."

Kelvin mused for a moment. "This has to be done in secret. If Sylvan finds out we’re investigating, I’m afraid he’ll turn around and bite us."

Old Jimmy sat down again. "Leave it to me. I still have some old connections in the castle. But Kelvin, you must remember: don’t make any rash moves until we have concrete evidence."

Kelvin looked out the window at the thickly falling snow. "Uncle Jimmy, how do you think Father will see this matter?"

Old Jimmy sighed. "The Baron’s main concern right now is the stability of the domain. If he starts to see you as a problem..."

"Then I’ll be thrown out of the castle like a stray dog," Kelvin finished, his voice laced with bitterness.

"No!" Old Jimmy shook his head. "I know the Baron too well. He’s a man who would sacrifice anything for the sake of his family’s legacy. Just like when he personally led troops to open up the Northern Trade Route, knowing full well the danger, and ended up gravely wounded. In his heart, the continuation of the Duval Clan is paramount."

A glimmer of understanding flashed in Kelvin’s eyes. "Are you saying... Father is actually just watching? To see which of us two brothers is more capable of inheriting the family estate?"

The two fell silent again.

The candlelight cast their shadows on the stone wall, making them flicker and sway with the dancing flames.

Finally, Old Jimmy said, "First, we investigate. If it really was Sylvan, we can turn the tables on him. If not..."

He paused, leaving the thought unfinished.

Kelvin seemed to understand. He nodded. "We’ll do as you say. But we need to be quick. I’m worried Sylvan will make another move."

...

Baron Duval’s Castle, the west tower.

Sylvan’s room was more spacious and luxurious than Kelvin’s. Exquisite tapestries covered the cold stone walls, and candles on silver candelabras brightly illuminated the interior.

The fire in the hearth chased away the winter chill, but it could not dispel the gloom from Sylvan’s brow.

He was reclining on a chaise lounge covered with a bearskin rug, his face pale and his forehead beaded with fine sweat.

The weakness from the curse made it an effort for him to even sit up straight, but his deep-set eyes were still sharp.

Leo stood by the fireplace. The young follower was dressed in an exquisite follower’s uniform, a Knight’s Sword hanging at his waist as a symbol of his status.

But his gaze remained respectfully fixed on Sylvan.

"Leo," Sylvan’s voice was a bit hoarse, "what are your thoughts?"

Leo dropped to one knee. "My lord, I am your most loyal servant forever. If you hadn’t promoted me back then, I would still be just a Mill Master’s son, and it would have been impossible to..."

He paused, but both of them knew Leo was referring to the time Sylvan had helped him get a chance to join the search party in the Twilight Mountain Range.

Though he hadn’t succeeded—and not going had turned out to be a stroke of luck—Leo didn’t finish his sentence, as it touched upon Sylvan’s old wound.

Sylvan nodded slightly. "Rise. Tell me your thoughts on this matter."

Leo stood up, choosing his words carefully. "Norton was my Groom. His death is indeed suspicious. But what’s even more suspicious is how obviously the blame is being pointed."

"You think so too?" A flash of relief crossed Sylvan’s eyes. "A single-strike decapitation. This is clearly meant to imply the killer is someone who wields Life Energy. Who in this castle doesn’t know that I, right now..."

He didn’t continue, but Leo understood his meaning.

The news that Sylvan’s power had been severely crippled since he was cursed in the Twilight Mountain Range was no longer a secret.

Leo said, "That’s precisely what confuses me. If Kelvin really did it, why would he use such an obvious method?"

Sylvan’s fingers unconsciously stroked the bearskin’s fur. "You mean..."

Leo lowered his voice. "I was thinking, could this be one of Kelvin’s schemes? He deliberately killed the man this way to direct suspicion toward you. After all, in everyone’s eyes, you are the noble Baron Duval’s heir."

The firewood in the hearth crackled, and their shadows danced on the wall.

Sylvan was silent for a long time before suddenly asking, "Do you think Father will believe me?"

Leo hesitated. "The Lord Baron has always valued you most, but..."

He trailed off.

Sylvan’s tone was unreadable. "But what? Speak plainly."

Leo spoke cautiously, "But the Lord Baron is gravely injured, the domain’s future is uncertain. For the continuation of the Duval Clan, he might make some... unconventional decisions."

Sylvan’s face grew even paler. "Are you saying Father might use this as an opportunity to get rid of me?"

Leo quickly lowered his head. "I wouldn’t dare presume to guess. It’s just that there are some voices within the domain now who believe you may be unable to bear the heavy responsibility of inheriting the estate."

A long silence fell over the room.

Sylvan stared at the dancing flames, a complex light flickering in his eyes.

"Actually," Sylvan said abruptly, "I sometimes wonder if Father orchestrated this whole thing himself."

Leo looked up in shock. "My lord!"

Sylvan waved a hand. "Hear me out. You know Father would do anything for the domain. If, in his eyes, I have become a burden to the Duval Clan..."

He didn’t finish, but Leo already understood his meaning.

To ensure a smooth succession for the domain, the Baron might truly resort to extreme measures.

"Then what should we do?" Leo’s voice was filled with anxiety.

Sylvan took a deep breath. "First, we must uncover the truth. If it really was Kelvin, we have to find evidence. If it was Father..." He paused, a flash of pain in his eyes. "Then we must be even more careful."

Leo nodded. "I understand. I’ll secretly investigate Norton’s recent activities and see if I can find any clues. But my lord, we must be quick. I’m worried Kelvin’s side may already be making their move."

Sylvan struggled to sit up straighter. "Remember, don’t make any rash moves until the truth is known. Every step we take from now on must be exceptionally cautious."

As Leo was about to leave, Sylvan suddenly called out to him. "Leo, if... if it turns out this was really Father’s will, what will you do?"

Leo turned, his gaze resolute. "My oath of loyalty is to you, Lord Sylvan. No matter what happens, I will stand by your side."

The door closed softly, leaving Sylvan alone on the bearskin lounge.

The candlelight cast flickering shadows across his face.

"Heh... heheh..."

At first, it was just a low, suppressed chuckle that escaped his throat, but it soon grew into wild, crazed laughter.

Sylvan shot up from the chair, a sickly flush rising on his pale face.

"Mine! It’s all mine!" he roared into the empty room, his voice tinged with madness. "The Duval title, this domain—it should all be mine!"

He staggered to the fireplace, the hearth-fire dancing in his eyes and reflecting the madness hidden deep within.

"Father? Heh..." Sylvan sneered. "You think I don’t know what you’re thinking? You want to pass the title to that bastard born of a whore?"

He suddenly slammed a fist against the wall. Blood instantly seeped from his knuckles, but he seemed to feel no pain.

"The rumors aren’t spreading fast enough..." he muttered to himself, an insidious glint in his eyes. "I need to add more fuel to the fire... make everyone suspect Kelvin, so even Father wouldn’t dare pass the title to a man who murdered his own brother..."