Wizard: I Have a Cultivation System-Chapter 85 - 83: Planning a Treacherous Banquet

Several days later, at dusk, Arthur and Luca entered the castle’s council chamber, covered in dust.

Bernard was already waiting for them.

Arthur’s voice was heavy with exhaustion. "The disease hasn’t spread, but Green Shade Manor has lost nearly half its livestock. Yor did his best, but against a natural disaster like this, there was nothing more he could do."

Just as Bernard was about to speak, Murphy’s voice emerged from the shadows. "I read a few books back when I was in the South. I recall several methods for preventing epidemics."

’The territory’s tax revenue is already tight,’ Murphy knew. ’If we increase taxes to compensate for the manor’s lost income, it will only place a heavier burden on the farmers. That’s unacceptable.’

Drawing on the knowledge he’d gained from [Horse Trainer], he calmly gave his orders. "Bury the dead animals deep underground and cover them with lime. Keep the surviving livestock in separate pens and add garlic juice to their drinking water..."

Bernard respectfully noted it all down and immediately set about making the arrangements.

In the hallway, Aurora ran into Murphy and gently tugged on his sleeve. "Brother, will you be attending the reception for Viscount Hans’s delegation tomorrow?"

Murphy considered it for a moment. "I’m not going."

Aurora’s eyes widened. "Why not? It’s such an important occasion. If the Baron is absent, wouldn’t that...?"

Murphy explained, "The experiment I’m conducting has reached a critical stage—a study on the directional properties of lodestones. I need to observe the angle of deflection of a magnetic needle in different parts of the castle for three consecutive days. Any interruption would ruin the continuity of the data."

This wasn’t a complete lie.

He had, in fact, been conducting various observational experiments on natural phenomena for years. The lodestone experiment was simply a convenient excuse at this particular moment.

Aurora blinked. By now, she understood that her brother wasn’t actually busy, but she was also well aware of his dedication to these studies.

Although slightly disappointed, she said considerately, "I understand. Go on with your experiment, Brother. Don’t worry, I’ll represent us well."

As he watched Aurora’s retreating figure, a complex emotion flickered in Murphy’s eyes.

The system had presented Option Two: "Secretly appropriate all of the Pavilion’s resources for yourself, and use deceptive methods to gradually hollow out the foundations of Lingyun Pavilion."

For the current Murphy, there were many ways to complete this task.

’Maybe I should set up a treacherous banquet at the very end...’ The thought had no sooner appeared than he suppressed it. ’It’s not time for that yet. I’ll think about it during the final year.’

He shook his head, setting aside his chaotic thoughts for the time being.

’At the very least, my absence from tomorrow’s reception will show Viscount Hans the internal discord within the Duval Territory.’

’The more chaotic the Baron’s Domain appears to outsiders, the more it will help me complete the system’s task.’

...

Inside the reception hall, candlelight cast a warm halo on the curtains embroidered with the Duval Clan crest.

The Former Lady Baron was seated to the right of the main seat, with Aurora sitting quietly beside her.

Terence and Cecilia sat in the guest seats opposite them.

Aurora discreetly studied her rumored competitor.

Cecilia wore a dark green velvet long gown, her golden hair woven into an elegant chignon. Her every move carried a natural grace and poise, so beautiful it made one look twice.

But what caught Aurora’s attention the most were Cecilia’s sapphire-blue eyes, so similar to her own, which held a composure that belied her age.

Cecilia was observing Aurora as well.

The rightful heir of the Duval Clan wore a pale gold silk gown. Her delicate features were completely different from the naive young girl Cecilia had imagined; her seated posture faintly exuded a sense of authority similar to that of the Former Lady Baron.

"Does the Lord Baron not intend to make an appearance today?" Terence asked directly, his gaze sweeping over the empty main seat.

The Former Lady Baron’s fingertips tightened slightly. Suppressing her displeasure at Sylvan’s absence, she maintained a proper smile. "Sylvan is unwell. I will be presiding over today’s meeting in his stead."

Terence leaned back in his chair, sneering inwardly.

’The same excuse again.’

’It seems the rumors about the mother and son’s discord are true. The so-called ’harmonious siblings, smooth transition’ I heard about before was probably just false information deliberately spread by the Former Lady Baron.’

Terence said, "In that case, let’s get straight to the point. According to the agreement from all those years ago, Baron Sylvan is to relinquish his title after Miss Cecilia is married."

Very few people knew of this agreement, as making it public would have undoubtedly affected the stability of the Baron’s Domain.

Back then, at Sylvan’s insistence, the agreement was signed under the witness of the Church Court.

Confident in his own power, Viscount Hans had agreed to this arrangement.

The Former Lady Baron’s smile turned icy. "The premise of that agreement was that Cecilia must be of the Duval Clan’s bloodline. But tell me..."

Her gaze swept coldly over Cecilia. "In what way is she worthy of the name Duval?"

Terence’s eyes sharpened. "You, of all people, must be aware of the current state of the Baron’s Domain. The small garrison at Gray Rock Outpost could hardly fend off any real threat."

The Former Lady Baron was, of course, aware of the territory’s weakness.

The root cause of their military laxity was financial, a problem that could hardly be solved by simply raising taxes.

Even if she had vetoed Sylvan’s tax reduction policy back then and increased levies instead, the revenue would still have fallen far short of the required military funding.

Therefore, she had never placed her hopes in that, and for that matter, neither had Sylvan back in the day.

The Former Lady Baron said, "The Church Court will not stand by and do nothing."

"The Church Court?" Terence scoffed. "They wouldn’t raise a finger over a family squabble like this."

The Former Lady Baron’s voice suddenly became unnaturally calm. "And what if I were willing to give the Church Court forty, or even fifty, percent of the territory’s tax revenue?"

Terence shot forward, gripping the armrests of his chair. "You’re mad! If you do that, the Duval Territory will be reduced to nothing more than a church parish!"

The Former Lady Baron said coolly, "If the territory is not in my hands, what is the point of keeping it?"

Terence stared at her in disbelief.

To voluntarily turn an independent territory into a church parish was an act of madness unheard of in all of noble society.

Countless noble territories that had fallen under church control fought to regain their independence and failed, yet this woman before him was willing to sacrifice her family’s foundation of several hundred years for her own selfish desires.

Terence said in a low voice, "Not everyone in the territory will agree with your decision."

A knowing smile appeared on the Former Lady Baron’s wrinkled face. "They will agree. Every last one of them."

All these years, she had gone along with Murphy’s tax reduction policies, using them as an opportunity to purge opposing factions. It was all for this very day.

Otherwise, there would have been no shortage of dissenting voices within the territory.

And even if some were to appear now, a number of them had already been cleared out ahead of time.

Terence took a deep breath and turned to Cecilia. "Miss Cecilia, would you please step out for a moment? I need to speak with the Former Lady Baron alone."

The Former Lady Baron also nodded to Aurora. "Aurora, give Miss Cecilia a tour of the castle. And remember, do not lose the dignity of the Duval Family."

The two young women rose at the same time, bowed silently, and exited the reception hall.

...

The heavy oak doors of the reception hall closed behind them. Aurora and Cecilia walked side-by-side down the castle’s deep corridors.

Aurora was the first to break the silence. "Where would you like to tour?"

Cecilia said, "The garden."

"Alright."

As the two of them slowly descended a stone staircase, Cecilia gradually sensed that something was amiss.

This wasn’t the path to the garden that she remembered.

The path a maid had led her down on that afternoon seven years ago was completely different.

’Could I be misremembering?’

Just as doubt began to form in her mind, Aurora spoke.

Aurora’s voice was laced with sarcasm. "Do you know why they specifically asked you to leave before they began their discussion? It’s because you’re an outsider. Viscount Hans has never truly accepted you, just as we never will."

Cecilia responded calmly, "I understand. What they’re discussing is nothing more than how to carve up this territory."

Aurora turned to look her straight in the eye. "If you know that, then why are you still their pawn? Are you content to be a puppet manipulated by others?"

Cecilia said coolly, "A pawn? At least I’m aware of my situation. But you... do you really think sitting in the main seat makes you the true master? Isn’t your dear brother also using you as a tool to consolidate his power?"

Aurora’s gaze turned cold. "Watch your words."

Cecilia’s voice remained calm. "Is it not the truth? As long as he supports you, he can keep his seat as Baron. And the future Lord, a twelve-year-old at that, will have her own marriage used as a political bargaining chip. In essence, what’s the difference between you and me?"

Aurora wanted to say, ’I won’t marry any of those people,’ but facing Cecilia, she instead lifted her chin. "At least I have the blood of the Duval Clan. This is my territory, and these are my people."

Cecilia shook her head gently. "Bloodline? Just because of that, you think you’re better suited to rule this land than I am? I’ve studied the tax records of the Duval Territory. I know how many farmers go hungry under your rule. And you—aside from your inherited surname, what have you ever done for this land?"

Aurora was about to retort, but Cecilia continued, "You say Viscount Hans hasn’t truly accepted me, but is your Duval Family any different? For the sake of power, you’re willing to use your own flesh and blood as a bargaining chip. At least I know exactly where I stand. And you? You’re just pitifully living in a fantasy of your own making."

As they spoke, they arrived before a wrought iron gate with intricate carvings.

Aurora shoved the gate open, revealing a meticulously tended garden.

There were neat rose bushes, shrubs trimmed into geometric shapes, a marble fountain, and vast patches of blooming Snowball Flowers.

"These Snowball Flowers symbolize the resilience of the Duval Clan," Aurora said, her tone thick with suppressed anger. "They can bloom even in the harshest environments, just like our family’s determination to protect this land for generations."

Cecilia, however, froze, not responding for a long moment.

This brand-new garden was indeed a completely unfamiliar place. It made her suddenly realize that seven years had passed. Time changes everything.

Even if she had found the courtyard from her memory, everything there would have long since changed from what it once was.

"What’s wrong?" Aurora noticed her strange behavior.

"It’s nothing," Cecilia said softly, suddenly losing the will to argue any further.

Aurora watched her, puzzled.

Just a moment ago, Cecilia had been sharp and confrontational, but now her eyes were veiled with a hazy sorrow.

"What are you..."

"My, a noble’s home is so luxurious," a lazy female voice suddenly interjected. "A commoner’s home really has nothing to offer."

A woman in a black robe had appeared under the garden’s archway at some point.

She looked to be about thirty years old, with a beautiful face. Her fingers gently brushed against a nearby Snowball Flower, a faint, flickering light flowing from their tips. She exuded an aura of profound mystery.

"I am Ailendra," she said, smiling as she curtsied to the two young women. "A passing traveler. I hope I haven’t interrupted your conversation."