I was a lord farming, how did I become an emperor?

Chapter 270 Bloody Night

……

……

early morning.

Red Griffin Castle, fourth floor.

In the old count's bedroom, heavy curtains blocked out the sunlight, with only slivers of light filtering through the gaps to illuminate the old count's pale face.

The maid, Katina, carefully pushed open the door and tiptoed into the room.

"You've brought me new news again?"

The old count noticed the movement, opened his eyes, and smiled.

"Which guard and which maid were seen together today?"

Katina smiled helplessly, "Your Excellency, today is important business."

As she spoke, Katina walked to the bedside, leaned close to the old count's ear, and whispered a few words in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz.

The old count's cloudy eyes were filled with surprise as he struggled to sit up.

But his weak body allowed him to barely support his upper body.

"So fast?"

Looking at Katina's serious expression, the old count asked, "How did you do that?"

“I’m sorry, Your Excellency, there are some things I cannot tell you, and I don’t know much about them.”

Katina said seriously, "I can only tell you that the lord has spent a lot of resources on this."

"I never expected him to be even more capable than I imagined."

The old count, with a satisfied expression, pondered for a moment and asked, "What does he want after going to such lengths to help me?"

"These lords did not say."

Katina shook her head slightly and said, "The master only said that Susanna is your and his common enemy, and helping you is helping us."

"Good, smart, has a good perspective, I like this child."

The old count's pale face flushed slightly with excitement. "Tell me, what do you need me to do?"

"You are indeed wise."

Katina nodded in respect, then said, "We can deal with the people of Red Griffin Castle, but we can't deal with the armies of other nobles."

“We need your token to show them that your authority has been restored to its former glory.”

As she spoke, Katina took an envelope from her bosom and handed it to the old count with both hands.

"This is Miss Avril's letter, proving that she knew all this."

"Her letter?"

The old count, his hands trembling, took the envelope, eagerly unfolded it, and took out the letter.
"It's her handwriting; it's still so beautiful and elegant."

The old count murmured to himself and immediately began to read.

The expression on his face gradually changed from initial worry and tension to a warm smile.

The old count put down the letter and looked at Katina.
"It seems she's doing quite well in the wasteland."

Katina nodded.

"And I have more good news for you,"

"Miss Avril will be back soon."

"what?"

The old count's eyes widened, his smile vanished instantly, and his words were filled with worry: "What are we doing sending her here? She has no real strength; it's dangerous for her to be here!"

"Get her back to the wasteland immediately!"

The old count spoke solemnly, his voice carrying a commanding tone.

“Your Excellency, Miss Avril is no longer the noble lady she once was.”

Katina understood the count's concerns and reassured him, "Don't worry, she will be in no danger."

"She misses you very much, and coming back is a good opportunity to see you."

"Besides, this is something that neither you nor I can stop."

The old count frowned, as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately held back.

"Fine, I'm just a useless person now, let them decide what I do."

The old count sighed and casually reached into the blankets, rummaging around haphazardly.

A moment later, a golden badge appeared in his hand, engraved with a lifelike griffin.

Upon close inspection, even the fine feather patterns on the griffin's wings can be clearly seen.

It just smells extremely unpleasant.

The mixture of sweaty odor, foul smell, and the distinctive odor of an old man was somewhat unbearable even for Katina, the maid who emptied the chamber pot.

"Don't be fooled by its unpleasant smell."

The old count solemnly introduced it: "It is a symbol of the power of the Red Griffin family."

"When the blood of the red griffin is dripped onto it, the badge will emit a red glow, and no one can imitate it."

"That sounds amazing."

Katina was somewhat surprised, "This badge..."

Katina had intended to say that this could test whether someone's bloodline was part of her family.

Before she could finish speaking, Katina immediately realized what she was doing and covered her mouth—

No wonder the old count knew that young master Kolank wasn't his child!

Not only that, but they're not even of the Red Griffin family bloodline!
Katina was shocked, but she couldn't utter a single word.

After all, it would be too insulting for the old count to say that Susanna had cheated on him in front of him.

The old count seemed to have seen through Katina's thoughts, but he ignored them.

He held the badge and asked suspiciously, "This is very important, but can you guarantee it will be taken out safely?"

"I can't guarantee that."

Katina shook her head, smiled, and pointed to the door. "But he can."

As soon as the words were spoken, the dimly lit door panel rippled, and a dark figure gradually emerged.

The old count immediately hid the badge under the covers, his cloudy eyes gleaming as he questioned:
"who are you?"

"I'm sorry, Your Excellency, I'm sorry to have startled you."

The figure bowed and introduced himself: "I am Vika, the leader of the Shadow Guard under Lord Rhodes."

"I am primarily in charge of this operation."

The old count frowned, staring intently at Vika. "When did you come in?"

“Before Miss Katina.”

"Then why didn't I notice you?" the old count pressed.

Vika did not answer directly, but calmly said, "So I am the Shadow Guard."

"No wonder."

The old count nodded. "No wonder you dared to say you'd help me reclaim my power so quickly."

The old count took his hand out from under the covers and handed over the gold badge.

Vika stepped forward, and just as she was about to reach for it, she felt something was wrong. She turned her head and stared intently at the dark corner by the window.

At the same time, the dagger slipped from his hand.

The room fell silent instantly.

"Alright alright."

A moment later, a tall and beautiful woman emerged from the shadows.

"You little guy actually found me! You're amazing!"

Vika stared at the figure before him, his emotions unable to calm down for a long time.

The way the woman came out just now was exactly the same as the way Miss Vivian emerged from the shadows!
Moreover, the woman's appearance was very similar to Miss Vivian's, only with the added charm of age.

Vika sheathed his dagger and cautiously asked, "And this lady is...?"

"Don't be nervous, Avril's aunt, Jenny Nightingale."

The old count offered, "If it weren't for her, I probably would have died at Susanna's hands long ago."

Upon hearing the old count's approval, Vika finally relented.

No wonder they look so alike.

Although she still had many guesses and doubts in her mind, Vika had no time to waste and reached out to take the golden badge.

“My Lord, I have important matters to attend to.”

Vika bowed slightly. "I can't stay any longer, I have to go now."

"Yes, we'll all have to rely on you."

The old count smiled and said, "I will definitely give you an extra reward after everything is over."

Vika smiled but didn't say anything, quickly retreating to the doorway.

Then the figure disappeared completely.

"It's time for me to leave, Your Excellency."

Katina gave a slight bow. "We must keep everything calm."

"Ah."

The old count nodded in response.

Just as Katina was about to turn and leave, the old count spoke again, asking,

"Will Avril...will Avril return to take over the family?"

"I do not know about this."

Hearing this question, Katina looked somewhat helpless.

"No one has mentioned this before, I'm sorry."

"alright, I got it."

The old count sighed softly.

Watching Katina's departing figure, the old count couldn't help but sigh softly.

"He is indeed very composed."

……

……

Unlike the northern wastelands.

Red Griffin Castle is located in the southeastern part of the Shattered Rock Empire.

Although the nights are not as hot as in the southern provinces, the end of midsummer month here is still shrouded in high temperatures.

Even with the occasional night breeze, the sticky feeling made one feel uncomfortable all over.

Especially the guards in armor.

"Damn weather."

Prague wiped the sweat from his forehead and shook his heavy chainmail, trying to cool himself down.

Another guard, Wolf, nodded. "I feel like I'm about to suffocate."

Wolf also unfastened several buttons on his chest, trying to let more air in.
"I don't think you should wear this damn metal in the summer, because nobody wants to launch an attack at this time of year."

"Shut up, Wolf, you'll get into trouble for saying things like that!"

Prague cursed under his breath, then quickly looked around.

The other sentries on the city wall were all dozing off at their posts, and all was quiet.

"What are you afraid of?"

Wolf sneered, "Where's anyone? Where's anyone?"

"There aren't even any ghosts."

"You can't just say things like that!"

Prague warned, "Don't let me hear that again, or I'll fucking kick you away."

"Alright, alright, you're the captain, so you call the shots."

Wolf shrugged. "I'll go get the second one out to cool off. My esteemed captain, I'll leave this to you."

"Get out of here."

Prague waved his hand, pulled a rag from his robes, and began wiping his sword blade. Wolf walked along, shaking his chainmail, and familiarly entered a secluded spot in a corner of the city wall.

There's a recessed corner here where the guards usually relieve themselves.

Wolf loosened his belt.

With a splash of water, Wolf let out a long sigh of relief.

In that instant, he felt a chill on his neck, and blood gushed out!

At the same time, a dark figure appeared behind him and covered his mouth with its hand!

They only gently laid Wolf down after he had completely lost his life and stopped struggling.

Why does it smell like blood?

Prague, who was wiping the blade, sniffed hard. "Wolf, have you finished relieving yourself?"

The only answer he received was the sound of the night wind blowing.

Prague frowned.

"Something's wrong..."

Prague reached out to wake the dozing teammate, when a sharp blade suddenly plunged into his neck!
Prague stared wide-eyed, trying to struggle, but found that his strength was rapidly draining away, and his mouth was covered when he tried to shout.

Finally, he collapsed to the ground, utterly exhausted.

The three team members who were dozing off beside him also did not escape the reaping of the sharp blade and died in their sleep.

The thick stench of blood lingered like a ghost on the city walls, and another group of guards in the distance immediately sensed something was wrong.

Before they could even sound the alarm, sharp short blades slit their throats one after another.

In a short while, a dozen dark figures moved like ghosts along the city wall, silently sneaking behind the guards and swiftly reaping lives.

A chilling atmosphere enveloped Red Griffin Castle, and blood flowed slowly down the walls, staining the gray stone bricks crimson.

Inside the most secluded tower on the west side, Knight Garrick was organizing the patrol logs on the table.

A gentle breeze blew by, carrying a faint scent of blood.

"problem occurs!"

Garrick instantly became alert, grabbed the longsword beside him, and prepared to get up.

Just then, the wooden door in front of him was pushed open, and a beautiful black figure silently appeared in the doorway.

Garrick instinctively raised his sword, the tip pointing directly at the approaching figure.
"Stop! Who are you?"

"Calm down, Sir Garrick."

The shadowy figure's voice was clear and pleasant, yet calm and composed.
"I have come to convey the orders of Earl Red Griffin."

"The Earl's orders?"

Garrick's sword was still pointed at the shadowy figure, but his eyes were full of confusion.

"Isn't Your Excellency the Earl supposed to be recuperating? What order needs to be given at this time?"

The shadowy figure ignored Jake's words and slowly took out a badge from his pocket.

—It was the golden griffin badge that the Earl gave to Vika.

"This is a golden badge symbolizing the highest power of the Red Griffin family."

The shadowy figure held the badge up to Garrick.

"Now, please obey the Earl's orders."

Garrick stared at the badge, his pupils instantly contracting.

As a knight who had served the Red Griffin family for sixteen years, Garrick had seen this badge with his own eyes.
But Garrick remained vigilant.

"Tell me who you are."

The shadowy figure didn't answer directly, but reached out and removed the mask from its face, revealing a delicate and beautiful face that Garrick recognized very well.

"Miss Avril!"

Garrick immediately gave the figure in front of him a proper knightly salute.

The shadowy figure smiled slightly and asked in return:
"Do you believe it now?"

Garrick nodded solemnly, "Please give your orders!"

"very good."

The shadowy figure nodded in satisfaction.
"Now conveying the Earl's urgent order: Susanna has lost her noble honor, betrayed her marriage vows, lost her loyalty, and is attempting to assassinate the Earl and usurp the Earl's title of the Red Griffin family."

"Such a grave crime cannot be forgiven!"

"really!"

Garrick's face was filled with indignation, and his hand holding the sword began to tremble.
"That woman... I've always felt something was off about her!"

"The Earl knows that you are the family's most loyal knight, yet you have always been bullied and oppressed by Susanna and her henchmen!"

"The Earl now orders you to take your trusted confidants and eliminate Susanna's henchmen as quickly as possible, and to take over the entire defense of the castle."

The shadowy figure immediately pulled out a scroll and tossed it to Garrick. "This contains the Earl's orders and seal. Arrest all the names recorded here. Anyone who resists will be executed!"

"Furthermore, any guards or knights who refuse to obey your commands will be punished for treason!"

"Yes, Miss Avril!"

Garrick's eyes widened, his blood boiling!

He has indeed been suppressed and neglected by Susanna all these years!

Despite being a long-serving member of the family, he was regarded as a thorn in the side by that woman!

Many of the duties and honors that should have belonged to him were given to many newcomers!
"Don't worry, none of those traitors will escape!"

Garrick bowed respectfully to the shadowy figure, then rushed out of the tower with the scroll in hand and his sword in his grasp!

The shadowy figure inside the tower breathed a sigh of relief.

"It seems that even if I don't play other roles, people will still treat me like an older sister."

The shadowy figure smiled slightly. "It's time to go find the Baron."

……

……

Inside the study of the main building of Red Griffin Castle.

Susanna, dressed in a deep red silk dress, leaned lazily against the chair.

The neckline was very low, revealing a large expanse of snow-white skin, exuding an alluring charm.

But at this moment, her alluring face was filled with sorrow.

"Kortalen has not shown up for five days."

Susanna's voice carried a hint of allure, forcing Sam, who stood before her, to constantly restrain his desires.

Do you know what he's doing?

"Madam, we've been a bit short-handed lately..."

Sam wiped the sweat from his brow. "Seven spies went unreachable, so I had to redeploy others and stop monitoring Lord Cortalon."

"Idiot! You didn't report something this important?"

Susanna immediately sat up straight, revealing even more of her snow-white chest, which completely distracted Sam.

"Most of our spies are underground rats; a few of them aren't normal..."

Sam carefully explained, "It's just that there are a few more missing this time, and I've already started investigating."

“The important thing is that Winster has also been missing for more than a month.”

Susanna frowned when the name was mentioned.

Winster was Susanna's favorite plaything, both obedient and handsome young.

Susanna had initially assumed Winston had gone off to mingle with other wealthy women, but now it sounded like something was definitely amiss.

"Madam, could it be..."

Sam tried to say something, but Susanna waved him off.

“Someone is targeting us.”

Susanna's pupils contracted as she realized the seriousness of the situation.

The disappearance of a few people may be a coincidence, but the successive disappearances of so many people are definitely not accidental.

Susanna's voice turned cold, her gaze sharp.
"Moreover, the other side may already have our personnel list."

As she spoke, Susanna immediately sat up, picked up a pen, dipped it in ink, and began to write rapidly on the parchment.

"Activate all sentries immediately and thoroughly investigate their whereabouts. Don't overlook any suspicious clues."

"We also need to raise everyone's guard; we must prepare for the worst!"

Susanna pushed the parchment with the writing on it in front of Sam.

"Give this to Bolton and Phillie, and order them to assemble their troops at Griffin City to prepare for war!"

Sam was visibly taken aback, but upon seeing Susanna's sharp gaze, he immediately responded respectfully.

"Yes, ma'am!"

He then grabbed a small handful of fine powder and sprinkled it on the ink stain to absorb the moisture.

Then shake off the powder, roll up the parchment and store it away.

"Then I will go and convey your orders."

Just as Sam was about to leave, he suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside the door.

Boom boom boom!
A rapid knocking sounded at the door.
A guard's panicked voice rang out.
"Madam! Something terrible has happened!"

Susanna and Sam exchanged a glance, and Sam immediately put on his mask.

"Come in!"

At Susanna's command, the guards immediately pushed open the door and reported in trembling voices:

"Chaos has broken out outside! Sir Garrick is arresting people everywhere!"

"Ok?"

Susanna was somewhat surprised, but then she realized what was happening.

Is this the beginning?

Susanna sneered and asked with a hint of disdain:
"What right does a mere knight have to arrest people without authorization? What does he want to do?"

The guard, panting heavily, struggled to organize his thoughts.

"He said... he said he was acting on the Earl's orders!"

"They also claim you betrayed the family and want to eliminate you and all your henchmen!"

"The Earl's orders?"

Upon hearing her confession, Susanna remained calm, her smile growing even more alluring and intense.

It seems the old goat knows everything, but how can he control all of this?
Or rather, he wanted to rely on a high-ranking knight to deal with me?
Could an old goat be that stupid?
Susanna frowned, thinking to herself.

No, things aren't that simple.

"Garrick is talking nonsense. His current actions are a betrayal of the Red Griffin family!"

"Those who are with him are all rebels!"

Susanna's face suddenly turned cold, and she commanded the guards in a righteous and stern tone:

"You must immediately gather our men and launch a counterattack! Whoever kills that traitor Garrick will be rewarded with one hundred gold coins!"

"Five gold coins for each of the other rebels' heads!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

The guard answered loudly, turned and ran out!
Susanna then whispered an order to Sam:
"Go out through the secret passage and tell those little guys outside to get ready."

"Yes, ma'am!"

Sam nodded vigorously, then ran to the window and jumped out!

At the same time, a pair of tattered wings sprouted from Sam's back, and he glided directly out of the castle.

Susanna stood up, walked slowly to the cabinet, opened the door, and overturned all the books inside, revealing a wooden board with strange patterns drawn on it.

Susanna skillfully drew in the air with her fingers while muttering incantations.

With a soft snap, the wooden board split open from the middle to both sides, revealing a dark compartment filled with black mist.

Inside were three glass bottles filled with pink liquid, and a black and red nine-tailed whip.

The whip felt like it was made of some kind of animal hide, with a metal ring full of spikes inlaid on the handle, barbs all over the whip, and a hook tied to the end.

It looks full of wildness.

Susanna took the whip out and brought it to her lips, her bright red tongue tracing its edge, a sinister yet alluring smile spreading across her face.
"You will soon find out who the true master of this castle is!"

(End of this chapter)