After confirming he didn't see any soldiers, Ackman left the merchant guild hall.
Walking with measured steps, he moved through the shadows of the small town.
The night was already deep.
On the flat and clean red brick road, there wasn't a single figure in sight.
Except for the squads of armored soldiers passing by from time to time!
These patrols were holding torches and wearing armor he had never seen before...
Compared to the lazy and amateur guards in the Aiden Mansion, these were real patrolling soldiers!
Hiding in the shadows, Ackman watched the patrol soldiers disappear into the distance.
He stepped forward, slowly making his way to the large castle ahead.
However.
Barely walking a few dozen meters, a squad of torch-holding figures appeared in his path.
Their steps were orderly, and their destination was clear.
Exactly the shadowy corner where he was hiding.
Discovered?
Ackman's body tensed, and he quickly turned back the way he came.
But on the road he came from, there was another squad of armored soldiers approaching him.
A few minutes later.
Flickering torchlight shone on his face.
Staring at the soldiers in armor before him, and a tall, burly man.
Ackman awkwardly explained, "I'm the guard captain of the merchant Gasper, I got lost accidentally..."
"This place is just too big..."
Red ignored his words and said, "The lord wants to see you!"
Hearing the low voice of the burly man, Ackman's brow immediately furrowed.
The owner of this territory wants to see him?
Shouldn't he be meeting Gasper, the merchant?
The next second.
Ackman realized something.
From the moment they entered the territory, the lord had been observing them.
But had never shown himself!
And directly instructed these soldiers to come looking for him.
Indicating that the lord of this territory already knew their identities, and their every move was under his watch.
This explained why the soldiers were only looking for him, not for Gasper!
Before Ackman could respond, the burly man began walking toward the castle ahead.
Behind him, the soldiers held torches, staring directly at him.
Since they already knew everything about him, Ackman felt no need to ask questions.
Following the burly man, he walked away.
Walking over the red brick road, entering the castle walls, through the winding and dim corridors.
Climbing the stairs, he quickly reached the second floor of the castle.
Gazing at the spacious and bright reception hall before him, Ackman's eyes held a peculiar light.
Such scale was far beyond what the reception hall in the Aiden Mansion could compare with.
After walking a dozen meters more.
The burly man stopped in front, bowing toward the high-back chair ahead as he spoke, "Lord, the person is brought."
Ackman didn't speak, instead staring straight ahead.
There was a side profile of a man who felt both familiar and extremely unfamiliar to him.
When the man turned around, Ackman's eyes slightly contracted.
It was indeed him!
Before the city walls were even constructed, as an attendant, he had followed Ackman into the woods.
The young man before him had presented a sealing document bearing the Ducas Clan's emblem!
An air of disbelief rose in Ackman's heart.
It was only less than half a year ago, appearing so young.
He had transformed the forest beyond recognition!
Even the dozen guards with iron spears had become today's soldiers clad in armor and weapons!
Lynn, still seated in the armchair, turned to glance at Ackman, speaking in a calm voice.
"Aiden Morrison Manor's Chief Attendant, Ackman?"
Hearing such precise words, Ackman bent slightly, responding, "Lord, I am Ackman."
The feeling he now had.
Wasn't just that the lord had started monitoring them after they entered the territory.
But rather, it began from the time at Morrison Manor, already under surveillance!
In Morrison Manor, there was a spy planted by this lord.
Beyond that, Ackman couldn't think of any possibilities.
Lynn acknowledged, "Very well, then I won't waste words with you."
"I want to support you in becoming the new Manor Lord of Morrison Manor!"
Ackman, pondering over what this could mean, was momentarily wide-eyed upon hearing this statement.
He incredulously said, "Lord... What did you say?"
"Supporting me to become the new Manor Lord?"
Ackman had imagined various dialogues for this unanticipated summons.
Questioning why he infiltrated the territory.
Torture, extorting all sorts of intelligence on Aiden.
...
But he had never thought that the lord before him would say such words.
Ackman did not respond immediately, but instead asked in confusion, "Lord... I don't understand what you mean..."
Lynn, unbothered, repeated, "I want to support you in becoming the new Manor Lord of Morrison Manor."
"Everything controlled by Aiden Morrison will be yours."
"You will be their master, free to do as you please!"
At this point, Ackman dared not say another word.
Once again, he felt the terrifying presence of the young lord before him.
In those simple words, he detected the lord's control over Aiden Mansion.
Furthermore, he sensed the lord was subtly hinting at him!