Chapter 142 Cautious
"Adrian! You're courting death! Don't you know what happens to those who defy the Kingdom?! You will doom us all! Cease this nonsense at once!" Baron Craith shot up from his seat and bellowed aggravatingly, his eyes wide as saucers and his face pale with terror.
Adrian narrowed his eyes and fell into contemplating for a moment as if he was truly pondering on what Craith had said. But just as Craith began having some hope of redemption, Adrian grinned mockingly. Then, he burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! Tell me, dear Lord Craith. If you know what happens to those who go against the kingdom then why did you betray the kingdom?" Adrian said calmly, flicking his sleeves in contempt.
Indeed, hearing these words, Lord Craith's face paled further as all blood drained from his face in an instant. A severe pressure like that of a mountain crushing him descended upon his shoulders.
The pressure of his guilt. The pressure of his sins. The mountain of his guilty conscience slowly crushing his heart and mind.
Recalling everything that had occurred and all that he and his family had done, Craith Maugier wanted to cry but had no tears left to shed.
Smiling bitterly in resignation, he asked, "When will you give us the antidote?! You promised to set us free!"
"Heh, what's the hurry? Hmph! I have no interest in taking your or your family's lives… as long as you all behave properly."
Saying this, Adrian's eyes flickered as he stood up from his seat, looking down on the pitiful baron, and said, "Baron Craith Maugier, don't forget, we are on the same boat at this point and there's no going back! And as for the poison… Hehe… What's the hurry?"
Baron Craith simply couldn't take it anymore. His entire body shuddered with humiliation as he heard the pompous and utterly arrogant words spouting out of a lowly bandit's mouth. Suddenly, his gaze flickered and he spat out a mouthful of blood.
Seeing this, Adrian clicked his tongue and unceremoniously threw the medicinal vial at Baron Craith, which Baron Craith caught in panic just barely. Without wasting any time, Baron Craith opened the cap of the vial and immediately chugged down the medicine as if he was parched and found water in weeks in the middle of a desert.
At this moment, a flurry of footsteps sounded as a ground of unscrupulous-looking men along with a red-robed ambiguous man appeared at the doorstep of the hall.
Seeing Adrian, the men bowed respectfully, their gazes glinting with fanatical worship as they piously waited for Adrian's permission to enter.
Adrian stoically looked at the newcomers without any ripples on his face as if he didn't have anything to do with those men looking at him respectfully with fanatical fervor.
Normally, any man would at least feel prideful or have some emotion after seeing such a scene, but Adrian was as calm as a pond as if it didn't matter at all. This signified a calm and cunning character as well as a showcase of his established prestige.
Secretly observing this from the side, Baron Craith wore a bitter smile on his face as he wiped the train of blood from the corner of his mouth while thinking inwardly, 'Such a man who is capable of hiding his emotions on this level is indeed terrifying. No wonder such misfortune befell us…'
What Craith didn't know was that Adrian was also paying attention to himself although it didn't seem like it. And as if reading Baron Craith's inner thoughts from his face, Adrian smiled with satisfaction.
"Come in…" After a short moment of silence, Adrian finally responded, wearing a dignified smile on his face.
The unscrupulous-looking bunch of men entered merrily as if they had won a lottery. Their faces were brimming with joyful smiles as they entered the hall and stood in front of Adrian.
"Everything okay?" Adrian asked nonchalantly.
"Hehe, boss… What could go wrong when you're here?" One of the men flattered shamelessly.
Adrian abruptly narrowed his eyes, an indomitable aura gushing out of his body that made one choke on their words. Exuding immense pressure on his underlings, he spoke, "Is that so? I hear something else entirely! Did I not order for everyone to leave the people of this city alone? Then why are your men still acting like some roadside thugs?! If they want to act like thugs then perhaps they are not worthy of our cause. And in extension, since you're their leader… Perhaps, you're not worthy either. What do you think?"
The man, whose name was Jyn, shuddered from the authoritative aura as his legs went limp. He was suddenly struck speeches and felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured on his head. He began sweating buckets meeting the Boss's cold gaze and kneeled down in fear.
"B-boss…. Forgive me… But…Why should we care about those puny commoners?" Jyn asked with great courage, making the others gasp.
"Oh? So you dare question me now?!" Adrian flared up.
Jyn panicked, cursing himself a thousand times inwardly as he banged his head on the ground and pleaded, "Ah! Boss… I wouldn't dare! I wouldn't dare! J-just… Just… I-"
Adrian gave a cold harrumph and interrupted, "Enough! What's the point of everything we have done if people start to realize that the city isn't in the hands of their beloved lord anymore? We must act in the shadows! How the hell can we do that if you idiots go around causing trouble in the city?!"
Jyn's eyed widened. He jolted all over as if his soul was enlightened and banged his head on the ground again. "Ahh! Boss is a sage! I was stupid and didn't realize the wise intentions! Forgive me!"
"Hmph! You sure know how to act! Alright, stand up now. You didn't come here just casually, did you?"
Hearing this, another man spoke up with excitement, "That's right! Boss! The mission is done! They have returned!"
Hearing this, a trace of anticipation flashed in Adrian's eyes as he stood up. Furrowing his brows, he asked, "Where are they now?"
"Outside the city walls! They're asking permission to enter."
Adrian's happiness couldn't be hidden at this point. While Baron Craith lost color from his face, Adrian looked like as if he had drank some heavenly nectar.
However, the excitement soon subsided as Adrian fell into contemplation. The entire hall became silent as everyone eagerly waited for Adrian's decision while holding their breaths.
A complicated, doubtful look flashed in Adrian's eyes making everyone confused. But only Adrian knew how cautious he was.
Finally, after some time, he raised his head and declared boldly while narrowing his eyes in a scrutinizing manner, "Let's go! Let me personally see first. Only then I will allow entry!"
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