Torture the hero, why has the Demon King's castle collapsed again?

Chapter 139 The Greatest Noble of the Year

“Calm down, Dane.” Thanaus, whose face was only vaguely visible in the darkness, remained unmoved in his chair and said calmly, “Don’t forget, you are my adopted son.”

“I know the failure of the last operation was a big blow to you, and you almost lost your life, but... you’ve gotten yourself into a dead end.”

"Our real goal is to make you a hero. Taking over the hero's position is just an easier path. Now that path is blocked... the other methods will only require a little more effort."

Dane was taken aback: "Could it be that you intend to..."

"No, that would cause too much commotion, and it's not feasible in the near future—"

Thanaus shook his head. He had also considered that simple and crude plan, but at least before he could make a complete decision, the sudden appearance of that person completely disrupted his plans.

"Don't worry, there are plenty of ways to win without bloodshed. We just need to patiently hide for a while."

Thanaus explained, "The Iron-Blooded Pope Brad has returned to the capital. That old man, who is just as powerful and insightful as Chief Lak of the Round Tower, is someone we'd better avoid... otherwise, he might easily spot us."

"Moreover, there is a very important event for nobles during this period. You and I can take this opportunity to behave yourselves for a while. Starting today, you can frequently show your face at the Grand Duke's mansion. In addition to commoners, it is also necessary to make your face known among nobles."

"An event? What kind of event?" Dane asked, somewhat curious.

As a commoner, he currently lacks the mindset and insights of an aristocrat. However, upon hearing that he also has the opportunity to appear as the adopted son of a grand duke, he can't help but feel a little hopeful. It's better than continuing to mingle in the commoner's district.

Thanaus smiled easily: "It's just a formality every year, and if nothing unexpected happens, it will still be my home game this year."

Even though the title of Grand Duke of Glory was a joke known to both father and son, Thanaus still wore a composed and arrogant smile.

That was the 'Greatest Noble of the Year' award selection event—

"The original intention was for the royal family to promote the nobles’ benevolent treatment of the common people around them and to build a good image through the selection competition. However, the final result was determined by the people in the capital. It was also a small competition among the nobles themselves."

“Every year at this time, I’m always at the top, and this year will be no exception…”

Dane suddenly realized, and then nodded expectantly. It would be good to enjoy some glory in front of everyone, just to get rid of the bad luck he had been having lately.

“Then I won’t be coming to this base for a while. We’ll continue our plans after this selection event,” Dane said to Thanaus. Thanaus nodded, but then, still feeling uneasy, added:

"Don't give yourself away anytime soon. You didn't leave any traces in the Dragon Hidden Mountains, did you?"

"Don't worry, nothing was left except for the remnants of your blood crystal." Dane waved his hand dismissively.

He lifted his foot to leave, but suddenly remembered something and turned back: "Speaking of which... your blood crystal is quite useful. Do you have any more? It would be good for me to use for self-defense."

"Blood Crystal Stone... Don't even think about it for a while." Thanaus's grey-red eyes flashed as he turned to look out the window.

The daytime sun streamed into the small house through the window sills, casting long streaks on the floor at every angle, but it stopped powerlessly before Thanaus's chair.

The lively laughter of children drifted from the walls of the neighboring orphanage outside the window, but the warmth seemed unable to penetrate the dark little house. Thanaus's tone revealed a deeper meaning:

"That thing requires enough resources to manufacture..."

Resources? What resources?

Dane was curious, but seeing Thanaus's somewhat frightening appearance, he wisely refrained from asking further questions.

"I'm going back to the Grand Duke's residence first. Be careful in the palace as well."

Muttering to himself, Dane stepped out of the room and slammed the dusty door shut behind him.

The house suddenly felt isolated from the world; darkness and silence began to spread in the enclosed space, creating a world apart from the daytime and noise outside.

Inside the room, Thanaus sniffed lightly, and only after confirming that Dane's scent was fading away did he reveal a faint smile: "Evil and young blood, that's the most tempting... It's a pity it's not now."

He stood up, turned to look at the window, where sunlight streamed in, and gently reached out his hand... A finger entered the light, and soon the sound of burning skin sizzled in the room. Under the sunlight, the scorched skin seemed to heal at a visible speed, accompanied by a frantic and chaotic black and red blood aura, appearing eerie and unsettling.

Two long fangs gradually grew out from the corners of his mouth, and a faint red light spread across Thanaus's gray-red eyes... It was an incomparably vivid, blood-red color!

If Dane were still here, he would have noticed that the blood energy leaking from Thanaus's body and the red light in his eyes were exactly the same as that blood crystal!

"The noble selection? After it's over, it'll be time to reap the rewards..."

Thanaus's crimson eyes burned with intense intensity as he looked toward a spot, not where Dane had left, but right before him... just inches from the hut, bathed in warm sunlight—the orphanage.

……

Wangdu, East District.

This area is home to numerous noble residences in the capital, with the magician's round tower occupying half of the land. Apart from the pleasure-seeking and lazy Duke Moss, few nobles reside here for long. However, during the noble elections, this situation is slightly reversed.

On the main road not far from the Grand Duke's mansion, Dane, dressed in a magnificent suit, strode confidently along.

In front of the mansion, two well-dressed paladins stood guard with solemn expressions... Dane nodded in satisfaction. As expected of the Grand Duke of the Kingdom who was responsible for taking care of the old king, even his mansion was guarded by paladins from the royal family.

The two serious paladins looked even more serious when they saw him and quickly walked up to him.

"You..." Dane was about to speak with a smile when he was quickly interrupted by the two paladins.

“Lord Dane, please forgive our overstepping." The paladin looked at Dane with a serious gaze and asked, word by word:

"On the day of the explosion in Longzang Mountain, at dawn, where were you, what were you doing, and do you have an alibi..."

Dane's pupils contracted slightly!

Fortunately, his years of habit of disguising himself in front of others prevented his facial expressions from betraying him, but the stern tone of the two paladins interrogating him, as if they were torturing a prisoner, still stirred up a storm in his heart...

What happened? He's been exposed...when?!

Chapter 140 Hidden merit and fame

Slightly breathless, Dane did not lose his composure. Adopting the air of the adopted son of the Grand Duke, he calmly and respectfully asked, "Why are you asking this? Do you have any special permission from the Knights or the Royal Palace?"

After a brief moment of thought, he became even more certain that the other party had no clear evidence. Otherwise, why waste so much breath on a warrior who had made unwarranted contact with the mountain range where the dragon contract was located? He could have easily captured even the adopted son of the Grand Duke!

The two paladins exchanged a glance, nodded, and honestly replied, "We are searching for all suspicious individuals who have appeared in the Dragon Hidden Mountains. I apologize, Lord Dane, but everyone who meets the criteria must be questioned; this is a necessary procedure."

In other words, it didn't pinpoint him precisely. Dane breathed a sigh of relief and replied with a bewildered expression:

"I wasn't that diligent; I was probably still sleeping at that time, but there are still witnesses..."

Thanaus had already prepared an impeccable alibi for him. Although Dane hadn't expected it to actually come in handy, speaking from memory at this moment was the most truthful and irreproachable performance.

The two paladins listened attentively, took notes, and then quickly sighed and bowed to themselves.

"Thank you for your cooperation, Your Excellency Dane. We sincerely apologize for taking up your time!"

“This is the duty of every citizen of the Kingdom of Kur,” Dane said with a smile, indicating that he didn’t care at all.

The two paladins exchanged a glance, nodded with some admiration, and remarked that Dane, despite being of commoner origin, possessed a level of refinement far superior to many nobles.

Dane's deliberate actions greatly enhanced the two paladins' goodwill. After he coughed to indicate that he wanted to rest, the two paladins quickly made way for him and watched him enter the Grand Duke's mansion until the gate blocked their view.

Dane smiled as he closed the door and strode into the depths of the mansion. His back was soaked with cold sweat. After looking around to make sure no one was around, his eyes finally revealed a deep, undisguised terror.

what happened?

How did they target me? What do they want from me?

Dane's heart pounded anxiously. If he hadn't just met with Thanaus and it wouldn't be too conspicuous to go looking for him now, he would have sent him an urgent request for help immediately!

"No, don't rush... Obviously, they have only drawn up a general range of candidates. I am just inevitably included because of the second son of the eldest prince or because of my potential."

Slowly calming himself down, Dane bit his nails, reminding himself to completely rid himself of the cowardly thoughts of a lowly commoner.

With his noble status as the adopted son of a high-ranking official as a shield, even if the other party is certain that it is him, as long as there is no clear evidence, they cannot do anything to him!

Dane was in a state of confusion. The matter was already over, so what did those paladins and the royal family they represented still want to do?

Could it be that they had detected, in just one instance, a dark force within the capital attempting to overthrow the kingdom's rule?! This was Dane's greatest fear, but he quickly dismissed that fear.

Gritting his teeth, Dane made up his mind:

"No matter what, we absolutely cannot let them find any substantial evidence!"

"I'd rather die than admit it!"

……

In front of the Grand Duke's residence.

After watching Dane enter the mansion, the two paladins exchanged a glance, revealing the helplessness in their eyes.

Then they slowly moved away from the noble residences in the eastern district of the capital, and came to a secluded corner on the edge, where they knelt on one knee in front of the three figures in the corner:

“Your Highness, Commander, and Minister Tus, the alibi provided by Lord Dane is indeed convincing... Judging from their reactions, they did not show much panic, so we cannot determine their situation.”

From the shadows, three important figures gradually revealed themselves; they were none other than the Kingdom's Three Musketeers... no, the Kingdom's Trio.

If Dane saw this, he'd probably be scared out of his wits. This wasn't just doubting himself; it was practically trying to pin the answer on him!

"Okay, I understand. You can leave now."

Grand Master Erwin nodded slightly, arranging for the two paladins to leave. Turning his head, he looked at Prince Ota and Minister Tus beside him:

“Your Highness, it seems that the most likely candidate for Dane is not that user of the Ex Curry Stick.”

"Don't jump to conclusions, Erwin."

Ota shook his head: "If the other party can hide for that long, then hiding now is also possible."

“But… assuming it really was Candidate Dane who saved Hero Shana on the mountaintop,” Erwin said, somewhat puzzled, “then why wasn’t he the one who became the hero during the awakening ceremony? Why would he hide himself after performing what is tantamount to saving the kingdom?”

"This...is really strange," Otta said, also puzzled. "Why won't he admit it?"

It should be noted that "Ex Curry Stick" is a sacred honor in itself. If Dane shows even the slightest interest, he can use it as a typical example of a commoner's struggle to spread throughout the country, or even directly grant him a noble title. The fame Dane would gain would be no less than that of a hero, after all, it is the light sword skill of an ancient hero.

"Could it be... that the hero who used the Ex-Curry Stick doesn't actually exist, or doesn't belong to our human camp?"

Minister Tus asked in confusion.

In return, Ota and Erwin rolled their eyes at him: "Tus, that's a sword technique created by our ancient heroes! It's impossible for a demon to learn it, is it? You're such a humorous minister!!!"

"I'm not a humorist minister! I'm just doing rational analysis, rational analysis!" Tuss said, his face turning red with anger.

Otta then turned his gaze back to him: "Then use your reasoning to analyze this. If Dane really was on the mountaintop that day, why wouldn't he dare admit it? It couldn't be because he had a guilty conscience, could it?!"

Tus opened his mouth, intending to explain with "a guilty conscience," but Prince Ota immediately cut him off. Holding his breath, Tus pondered for a long time, and finally came up with another guess:

"Perhaps he is practicing the spirit of 'doing good deeds anonymously'..."

"Do good deeds anonymously? What is that?" Ota frowned, somewhat puzzled. In the entire human kingdom, whether it was royalty, nobles, adventurers, or scholars, who didn't want to be famous?

It's worth noting that the "Greatest Noble of the Year" competition, which has been in preparation for this period, is something many nobles are eager to participate in, even without any prizes, just to boost their fame and presence, except for Duke Moss...

"How could there be such a noble and pure ideal... Who proposed it? Tus, you?"