My older sister is a villainous rich girl

Wayne, who had witnessed the whole thing while leaning against the wall, was speechless.

Good heavens, do you guys think you're making some kind of popcorn blockbuster about a desperate couple, having to have sex before getting down to business?

In order not to ruin their plans, Wayne refrained from interrupting and turned to go to the storage room next door.

Finally, while the man was seeing the other person off, Wayne came out of the storage room and left as well.

To his surprise, there was a bustling casino not far away, with some thugs dressed in black glancing in that direction from time to time, clearly keeping watch.

The man discreetly entered the casino through the back door, and soon came out through the main entrance dressed as a guard officer. He seemed to hold some status, as the thugs all bowed and saluted him.

Belle Casino. Wayne memorized the name and the street's location relative to the Radiant Palace, then retraced his steps.

When he returned to the council hall, no one else noticed that he had been gone. The chairs that had been moved from the long table were now fully occupied again.

"Summon all members of the mage corps for a meeting," he said, then sat down at the head of the table and waited quietly.

Soon a group of magicians formed a circle, while some less experienced ones could only stand.

"Olive, Bernie, is the magic circle set up?" Wayne asked first.

"Completed."

He nodded after receiving a satisfactory answer.

"Now let's plan our operation." He took out a map that had been drawn in advance by the restoration forces, and with a gentle push, the map unfolded on the long table.

“I have divided Bufnia into twelve districts, with three mages stationed in each district, using the main streets as boundaries. Their primary task is to maintain order and quell any unrest. Six more mages will guard each point of the hexagram array. Tonight, we will act according to the signals sent by the Palace of Radiance. If a white light appears at the top of the tower, you will activate the magic circle; if the white light disappears, you will deactivate the magic circle.”

He called out several names one by one.

"The rest of you will stay with me at the Palace of Radiance, ready to be deployed at any time."

Chapter 704 Only the Dead Can Keep Secrets Forever

After the meeting of the magicians, Wayne gave Olive a task alone.

"Senior Sister Olive, take my orders to the outskirts to find General Kent and have him secretly lead troops to guard the city gates in all directions, ready to enter the city and take over at any time, replacing all the guards in Buffalo."

Although mages are powerful, they are not omnipotent. Basic order in the city must be maintained by a large number of guards. Fortunately, the soldiers he brought were the most elite in the kingdom, so imposing a temporary curfew was a piece of cake.

Olive was quite surprised.

"Wayne, do you know what you're doing?"

Replacing the original garrison in Buffalo was seen by other nobles as almost a rebellion.

"Of course I know, just do it." Wayne didn't even lift his eyelids.

Despite her doubts, Olive chose to believe. "--Okay, I'll go now."

Two hundred non-magician guards, totaling two hundred men, were stationed in various corners of the Radiant Palace. Wayne had given them a strict order: from this moment forward, no one was allowed to enter or leave without his personal permission.

Once the six-pointed star magic circle is activated, as the source of magic, I can directly interfere with the flow of elements within the entire city from the Radiant Palace, while the surveillance magic in the four directions can help me observe the movements within the city from all angles.

This magic was also a modified version by Wayne himself. Its original prototype was only used to imprison magicians who could not be restrained by ordinary shackles, and it was occasionally used in some high-level prisons.

But apart from Wayne, there is almost no one else who can control the operation of this magic circle.

Because every other mage has a limited amount of magical power that can be stored, excessive consumption could even lead to exhaustion and death due to mental strain. The larger the range of influence and the more precise the manipulation of elements, the more magical power will be required.

However, this was not a problem for Wayne at all. Ekos could manipulate magical elements without absorbing them into his body and then slowly converting them. When he was fully focused, he could directly manipulate all the elemental energies he could sense, as if they had their own will and were dancing with him.

This magic circle is making its debut, so let's call it "Dance of the Elements".

……

Night gradually fell.

Rumors circulated throughout the streets and alleys of Buffalo that the son of Duke Wincher from the capital had entered the Palace of Radiance. Almost everyone knew that some changes might soon occur in the city, but most people were slow to realize it.

The guards wandered around listlessly, and the tavern was filled with noise that rose and fell, but everything seemed the same as always.

"Close the city gates."

At the usual time, curfew began in Buffalo. All shops closed, and civilians who had been wandering outside returned home. Only the faint glow of candlelight shone from the windows of each house.

The only difference is that the Radiant Palace, located at the highest point in the city, does not disappear into the night as it has for decades, but is instead brightly lit, more dazzling than the moon hanging in the sky, giving people the illusion that it can illuminate the entire city.

"The Radiant Palace must have been just as magnificent in the past," a patrolling guard remarked with a sigh.

“I heard from the elders in my family that the banquets hosted by the Archduke of Laird lasted for a whole month, the fragrance of flower petals filled the whole city, and people sang, danced and paraded joyfully in the streets.”

Night patrols are incredibly boring. To avoid falling asleep, familiar guards often pass the time by chatting. Since this is something that can't be controlled, officers at all levels generally turn a blind eye.

"What a pity, what a pity, we can't witness that beautiful sight with our own eyes." The other members of the patrol team were also filled with longing.

“Grand Duke Laird brought happiness and prosperity to the people of Buffalo, but his estate has been completely stripped away, and now even his residence has been occupied by the son of his enemy…” someone couldn’t help but express their indignation.

"Since you miss Grand Duke Laird so much, why don't you go underground and keep him company?" Another forceful voice suddenly rang out from behind the patrol.

The patrol guards were startled and turned around to look.

“Commander Brutus!” The patrol squad leader relaxed the moment he saw the other’s face. “You really… gave me a fright.”

Brutus stepped closer. “These kinds of things can’t be said casually outside. It’s just that I’m the one who heard it. If the special envoy’s men heard it, you might not see the sun rise the next day.”

We know we were wrong! We are so sorry!

Brutus casually dismissed the patrolling guards, silently watching them disappear around the other side of the street, then turned back and gestured.

Another group of cloaked men in black emerged from the shadows. The leader removed his cloak, revealing what was clearly the standard armor of the Buffalo garrison.

"I can only take you this far. From now on, proceed as planned. The handover signal is: 'Wonderful night, win some cards and buy me drinks.'"

The person opposite chuckled: "Pfft, which bastard came up with this on a whim?"

"Of course, it's our wise and mighty garrison commander, Lord Holoferner."

As Brutus was about to leave, he was suddenly stopped by the man in the lead, who had revealed his armor: "Brutus, you really have to buy me a drink after this is over."

"I will," he agreed readily.

—If you are still alive by then.

After successfully infiltrating key locations in the city with several rebel soldiers disguised as guards, Brutus returned to the seemingly ordinary house and stood in an inconspicuous corner, carefully observing the situation.

This is not the only passage. Although he personally opposed it, the internal struggles within the rebel army over the years had inevitably led to various factions opening up several additional passages in their respective territories, which eventually connected into one.

The only saving grace is that, despite the increasing number of people knowing the truth, the secret of the entire underground transportation network has been maintained for so many years without any major incidents. Every time it was about to be exposed, the traitors would be secretly silenced under the pretext of "the curse of Archduke Laird."

He should have avoided directly participating in tonight's operation, since his position would have allowed him to play a more significant role.

However, he needed to make sure the lame man hadn't betrayed his secret.

Not only his public identity as a high-ranking officer in the garrison, but also... the fact that he was caught by the lame man during a secret rendezvous with that lady, which would ruin everything.

Therefore, the lame man was destined to die.

Only the dead can keep secrets forever.

Chapter 705 The Countess

Time ticked by, and finally, after a crow's caw, the silence of the city was shattered by a sudden explosion.

"boom--"

Flames, like long snakes, peeked out from rows of streets and alleys, swirling smoke and dust into the sky.

The beautiful and peaceful night vanished in an instant, replaced by a cacophony of screams and children's helpless cries, a scene that filled one with panic and disarray.

People who were originally indoors preparing to drift off to sleep were suddenly jolted awake, and a series of noisy sounds arose. Some people secretly opened doors and windows to see what was happening, but no one dared to go out into the street.

it has started.

Brutus glanced at the sky, which was glowing red from the firelight, and clenched his fist.

Boss Inofan will take care of some troublesome guys right under everyone's noses, and incidentally greet the special envoy in this unique way.

After all, he is the son of the Duke of Winchester, and his every move represents the reputation of the Winchester family. If they can outmaneuver him, the rebels' momentum will undoubtedly rise to another level.

How many of those who died tonight were originally loyal to Lornes? And how many of those who will replace them are truly loyal? The young master from the capital simply cannot discern this, nor does he have sufficient time to screen them.

This will also provide opportunities for them to rise to higher positions.

—If some people don't die, how can they possibly get their place?

But just as he was envisioning the great opportunities that lay ahead, a white beam of light shot into the sky from the center of the city, illuminating the entire world as if day had arrived.

As if in response, green magical light curtains rose one after another from various corners of the city's edge, connecting with each other to eventually form a crystal-clear magic circle that enveloped the entire Buffalo in a semi-circle.

Something seemed different in the air.

Brutus was taken aback.

The white pillar of light seems to be heading towards the Palace of Radiance.

He glanced back at the house that concealed the entrance to the underground passage, his sense of unease growing stronger. An intense premonition of danger made even the hairs on his arms stand on end. But his leg, which had taken its first step, felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, and he couldn't take the second.

You can't go in with them.

He actually possessed magical talent, but because he hadn't been able to attend a magic academy, he only knew the simplest beginner spell, Fireball, which posed virtually no fighting threat against a true mage. Meanwhile, that lady was accompanied by some of the most elite mages from her family…

Everything will be alright.

Even if Wayne Winche didn't send out most of the mages to maintain order, he would definitely have them protect him nearby. At this moment, the dungeon of Radiant Palace was the weakest point in the defense.

He turned and strode away in another direction, his speed increasing.

Just two blocks away, a man staggered and ran towards him. Brutus stared at the man's face.

In the daylight, the injuries on the other person's body and the trail of blood left behind were clearly visible.

"cloth--"

Brutus stepped forward, his rapier plunging into the man's abdomen.

The man looked on with disbelief.

"I'm sorry, it seems I can't offer you a drink." His voice was barely audible.

"Catch the traitor! Catch the traitor! A traitor has infiltrated the city—" The pursuers, who had been shouting loudly behind the man, finally caught up, showing a slight surprise at the scene before them. But they quickly rejoiced, "It's Commander Brutus! Luckily you stopped this traitor. Tonight, for some reason, many traitors have infiltrated the city. Fortunately, Lord Wayne Wincher had sent mages to guard the streets in advance, and the situation was brought under control."

Brutus pursed his lips, pulled out his still-bloodied rapier, and said with a serious expression, "That was truly a stroke of luck amidst misfortune."

"These traitors were all wearing the standard armor of the guards, I don't know where they got it from, and they were mixed in with our own people, so it was difficult to tell them apart at first. Although most of the traitors were killed on the spot, some escaped when they saw that things were not going well. Lord Holoferne has ordered that no one be allowed to leave the city and that the whole city be searched."

"Is Lord Holoferner alright?" Brutus asked with concern.

"I injured my arm, but it's not serious."

Damn.

Brutus, extremely annoyed, kicked the man who had just moments before promised to drink with him after sending the guard to the city gate to report the news.

Of course, the dead will no longer respond to him.

……

Dark and damp is typical of dungeons, but perhaps because it has been vacant for years, the dungeons of Radiant Palace are remarkably dry.

The bright torches illuminated the awkwardness of the uninvited guests in every detail.

What could be more ironic than trying to break someone out of prison, only to find yourself voluntarily landing yourself in jail?

“My lord mage, please allow Lord Wayne Wincher to come and see me.”

The woman in the lead hesitated for a long time before finally avoiding the gaze of the other side. She slightly pulled down her hood, revealing a fair face that still retained its charm, but she covered it again in a flash.

The magician Bernie graduated from Qingxi Academy years ago and had gained much experience outside before joining Wayne's magic group at his invitation. He was already used to such tricks.

“Madam, please show some respect. Someone as beautiful as you isn’t enough to make someone lose their mind,” Bernie said coldly.

The woman was stunned for a moment, then her face turned bright red.

Brutus had repeatedly assured her that there would be no problems, and she believed that with her magical skills and the cooperation of several capable mages, she could easily defeat a few ordinary guards and retreat even if the operation failed. Who would have thought that the enemy had laid a trap and was waiting for her to walk right into their trap? As soon as they met, she was like a lamb entering a tiger's den, losing her ability to move under overwhelming power.

Now, he has been forced to wear a strange magical sealing device, making escape even more hopeless.

Suppressing her displeasure, she explained, "No, I am not what you think. Or, could you please send a message to my husband? He will come to explain to Lord Wayne himself."

"Explain what? Explain why you led a group of magicians to break into the prison during the chaos?" Bernie mocked. "But you could at least tell me who your husband is, so that he won't be overlooked when you're investigating the rebels' accomplices."

The woman hesitated for a long time, but finally took off her pearl necklace and handed it to the other person. When she got close to him, she deliberately lowered her voice and said in a voice so soft it was almost inaudible, "My husband is the governor of Buffalo, Lord Earl Sivers."