"Aiden Manor Lord should know the whereabouts of the bandits now..."
"Yes, I clearly remember that Aiden has been to Kakasong City twice, and on both occasions, he hired Mercenary Corps to attempt to annihilate the bandits..."
Aiden, sitting at the far end, listened to their words with his eyes glaring fiercely at them.
These guys are betraying him!
In the face of Lawrence's inquiry, they were the first to throw him under the bus!
Fine, very well, excellent!
Once I occupy the land behind the city wall and gain inexhaustible salt mines, I'll rise and kill you all!
Lawrence, with a curious look, followed the gaze of several Manor Lords to Aiden.
A sudden and immense pressure appeared in Aiden's heart.
Jonas glanced at Aiden and added, "Not only that, my lord."
"Previously, Aiden had also come to my territory, claiming there were many bandits that he couldn't handle."
"However, at that time, I was unwell and really couldn't leave to assist him in suppressing the bandits..."
Lawrence's gaze fixed on Aiden, his words filled with curiosity, "Aiden Manor Lord, are their statements true?"
Everyone's eyes fell on Aiden, and he panicked slightly.
To the point where his layers of fat gently quivered.
Aiden took a deep breath, exerting all his effort to calm himself, "Lord Lawrence... it is true!"
No sooner had Aiden finished speaking than Lawrence's authoritative voice suddenly boomed.
"When questioned by the Ducas Clan, what right do you have to sit?"
In his heart, Aiden was horrified. He hastily stood up and painstakingly performed the vassal's courtesy.
"My apologies, Lord Lawrence, it was disrespectful of me, please forgive my offense."
The faces of several Manor Lords showed schadenfreude.
Jonas just took a glance, continuing to droop his eyelids as if it had nothing to do with him.
Lawrence challenged, "Faced with the threat of bandits, if you cannot resist them, why didn't you immediately go to the Ducas Clan for help?"
"You are vassals of the Ducas Clan; while you pay taxes to the Ducas Clan, you also enjoy the protection of the Ducas Clan!"
"Could it be that Aiden Manor Lord even forgot this basic principle?"
"Or, does Aiden Manor Lord disdain the protection of the Ducas Clan?"
Aiden, with his head down, suddenly widened his eyes, and a surge of intense anger emerged from within him.
Since the Iron Blood Brotherhood roamed into his territory, he did intend to solve it on his own.
However, upon discovering ineffectiveness, he immediately sent Ford to Marquis Ducas' Mansion.
Ford was directly executed and expelled from Bordeaux City.
He had no choice but to travel to Kakasong City, spending a fortune to hire a Mercenary Corps to suppress the bandits.
After enduring so many hardships, does he also have to endure Lawrence's questioning?
Why should he?
Aiden forcefully restrained the anger within him, almost speaking word by word, "It was Aiden's intention not to trouble Marquis Duca, and I took the liberty to act on my own; I hope my lord forgives my offense!"
Of course, he knew that if he mentioned anything about seeking help from Bordeaux City and being driven out,
that would only be further shaming Lawrence.
Besides that, there's no benefit.
Jonas and the others also sensed the change in Aiden's tone, but none stepped forward to explain for him.
They still wore expressions of schadenfreude.
In fact, two of the Lords even folded their arms in front of them, leaning back against their chairs.
Lawrence's eyelids narrowed slightly as he asked, "Aiden Manor Lord, tell me, where has the Iron Blood Brotherhood Bandit Corps gone now?"
"You all know, Mark Duca has just inherited the title of Marquis; he needs achievements to prove he has enough ability to show the Emperor of the Empire, to show those who covet him."
"Therefore, this time the army's march can be both to eradicate the rampant Bandit Corps and to overthrow the Lords who betrayed Marquis Ducas..."
The hearts of many Manor Lords suddenly sank.
Lawrence's words were already simple and clear.
Under Lawrence's intense gaze, Aiden's angry emotions instantly cooled, his mind quickly pondering.
He truly didn't know where the Iron Blood Brotherhood Bandit Corps had suddenly gone.
They had seemingly vanished into thin air.
However, Lawrence must require achievements...
Without bandits, they might possibly treat him as the achievement!
Perhaps...
Should he tell Lawrence about the Lord of the land behind the city wall?
This notion emerged but was instantly dismissed by Aiden.
Under no circumstances should he tell Lawrence!
No matter the risk, he must not expose that land to anyone.
Even if he was to lose his current land, not one word must be said.
Because that land has salt mines for mining and extraction.
With salt mines, you have everything!
At this point, Aiden spoke steadfastly, "Lord Lawrence, I truly do not know where the bandit corps suddenly went..."
"They plundered over a dozen of my villages, killed so many of my peasants; no one hates them more than I do."
"Just as several have said, I spent hundreds of Gold Pounds, a huge sum, to hire Mercenary Corps to eliminate the bandits!"
"But, Lord Lawrence, I still do not understand why, despite there being so many villages in Morgan Town, the bandit corps only plundered my villages, killing my peasants?"
Upon hearing this.
The few Manor Lords who had just been gleeful suddenly changed their expressions dramatically.