Westminster Bank

Chapter 285: Chapter 173: Baron... Identity Exposed?

Then, both groups of people froze in shock.

"Could it be we misunderstood Master Jack’s intentions? I never realized this was the gap between a Bronze and a Silver Master... This Dragon Tide must have been disturbed by something to scatter out here... The paths both Silver Masters chose ran into the Dragon Tide... Master Jack hasn’t emerged. Maybe his choice was the only right one."

A Black Iron Dragon Guide said, his voice laced with lingering fear.

"It’s also possible they’re all dead," a Bronze Dragon Guide stated flatly.

...

「Ten minutes before the Dragon Tide erupted.」

At the three-way fork, the Dragon Guides had already made their rough assessments, but they still hesitated. The paths ahead were shrouded in an unprecedented, agitated aura of the Dragon Species, far more restless than usual.

It was like being a gambler at a table where the stake was one’s own life.

Although they had ruled out the middle path with the most potent aura, the two remaining paths still felt like a dragon’s lair and a tiger’s den.

The consequences of a wrong choice could be devastating.

Thus, they desperately needed a person of prestige to take on the duty of leading the way. (PS: In reality, they were afraid of the responsibility and just wanted someone else to blame.)

And so, the two with the Silver Masks became the best candidates.

If only they hadn’t chosen different paths...

Jose’s Dragon Guide and Tune’s Dragon Guide each chose a different path. As they departed, they both shot a meaningful glance at Baron. According to their prior arrangement, Baron, as the supposed mole, was not to follow either of them.

Without a doubt, the only path left for Baron was the middle one.

If Baron refused, he would be in breach of their contract and would undoubtedly suffer the backlash from the many Laws that had served as witness to his oath.

Baron showed little reaction to their pointed glances. ’After all, I used a fake name for the oath. If heaven’s lightning is going to strike anyone, it’ll be Jack, not me, Baron.’

Seeing the two Silver Masks make conflicting choices, the other Trial Takers, who were already hesitant, grew even more indecisive.

’It was impossible to use them as a guide.’

However, the more decisive among them quickly made a choice based on their own gut feelings and followed one of the paths, trying not to fall too far behind the Silver Mask.

The rest also made their choices, but before they left, their eyes subconsciously drifted to Baron and the silent Isabella, who had yet to move.

’This guy... why isn’t he moving?’

"Miss Isabella, why don’t you join me? I suspect this Master Jack may have lost his nerve after that encounter with the Cyan Flying Dragon and is now unable to analyze the situation."

Roy issued the invitation to Isabella. Upon hearing this, Roy’s sister-in-law, Freya, sized up Baron and let out a cold snort.

"The Dracul Mountain Range is a complex and perilous place. A Dragon Guide who has lost their ability to judge isn’t an asset, but a liability. Isn’t that right, Baron?"

At her words, Isabella frowned, and Freya’s own pretty face turned cold.

’Baron... My identity has been exposed?!’

Baron’s heart froze. He instinctively glanced at Roy, only to realize that when Freya had said "Baron," she wasn’t looking at him, but at the Bronze Dragon Guide standing beside Roy.

’Wait, this guy is also named Baron?’ Baron first let out a sigh of relief, then immediately wondered how his name had gotten so common.

With the backing of the Hestia Family’s young master, the Dragon Guide named Baron, who believed he had seen through Jack’s fake identity, said coldly, "Master Jack, times have changed."

With two genuine Silver Masters to take the blame, the Fake Baron felt he was being sufficiently subtle.

Freya, from behind her Bronze Mask, showed her approval.

The other Dragon Guides secretly watching the scene silently cheered. It was likely due to the "the real masters are Bronze, while the clowns are Silver" mentality.

Roy smiled. "So, Isabella? I’m sure you’ve seen it for yourself. If you want to compete with Young Master Jose and Young Master Tune for the Patriarch position, you don’t necessarily need the most experienced Dragon Guide, but you absolutely need one who won’t make a mistake."

"As for this Master Jack, perhaps, as my own Dragon Guide says, he’s a bit behind the times."

Unlike his Dragon Guide, Roy, as a young master of the Hestia Family, was much less concerned with showing Master Jack any respect.

For some reason, whenever he got close to this Master Jack, he felt a strange, restless sense of unease.

Roy chalked it up to simply not liking the man.

In response, Isabella said, "I appreciate the kind offer, Young Master Roy, but Master Jack is the High Tier Dragon Guide I hired. I trust that his experience and skill will be more than enough to help me collect the required Dragon Scales."

"Isn’t that right, Master Jack?"

Baron glanced around, well aware that many were waiting to see his cover blown and for him to be made a fool. He couldn’t care less. He simply said, "Miss Isabella, it’s getting late. Let’s go."

"Which path?"

Everyone present, including Roy and his party, found themselves subconsciously wondering which path Baron would choose.

And Baron, in a move that was both completely unexpected and yet exactly what everyone expected, chose the middle path—the one with the densest, most foreboding aura, the path that even Trial Takers with no formal training knew was impassable.

’He’s insane.’

’He really is an imposter.’

’Miss Isabella is doomed! I have to expose him... No, I can’t. What if Young Master Jose or Young Master Tune becomes the Beowulf Family’s next Patriarch? I’d be finished.’

The expression on the face of Roy’s Bronze Dragon Guide—the one also named Baron—changed drastically. "Master Jack... you... you..."