My older sister is a villainous rich girl

“If I win, I'll just get what's rightfully mine, but if I lose, I'll die a horrible death.” Belle stared at her hands. “Maybe there’s an easier path I could take, like—”

"Like killing me right now?" Wayne took a gold coin engraved with the Edgeworth family's merchant guild emblem from his purse and toyed with it between his fingers.

"You can assume that I was just being mysterious and talking casually for fun, or you can guess that as long as you get rid of me, no one else will know your secret. This is a different gamble, and the price is different from now. Want to give it a try?"

The woman with wavy hair standing behind Wayne was almost in tears. She should have known that there was no such thing as easy money in this world, and that her life might be staked on this extremely simple game, with the risk of being silenced at any moment.

“说笑了。”贝莱揭开了盖子，1、1、1、1、4、6。

"This round is over, 400 points."

Wayne took the dice cup, shook it rhythmically three times, and then stopped.

Lift the dice cup.

1、1、1、1、1、1。

carry on.

1、1、1、1、1、1。

"This round is over, 1200 points, I won."

The instant the words left his mouth, a sharp, explosive sound, as if magical elements had been compressed to their limit, came from the other side. A water arrow shot straight at Wayne's face. "You're cheating!"

With lightning speed, Wayne tossed the gold coin he was playing with. Empowered by magic, the shockwave it created was sharper than a sword, shredding everything around them to shreds. The woman with the wavy hair let out a panicked scream, crouching behind Wayne's chair with her eyes tightly shut.

Hearing the commotion, the thugs waiting outside immediately broke down the door and entered.

All of this happened in the blink of an eye.

In the blink of an eye, the once exquisitely decorated and elegant private room was now a mess, leaving the intruders stunned.

"Boss—"

"Get out! Can't you see I'm having a pleasant conversation with this guest?" Without waiting for his men to ask for permission, Belle suddenly burst into laughter. "Hahahaha, what a brilliant move! I was outmaneuvered, I admit it."

The thugs looked at each other, the devastation inside the room hardly suggesting a pleasant conversation.

But since the boss had spoken, they could only suppress their doubts and retreat again.

His desperate gamble was not beyond Wayne's expectations, but the fact that the other party could sit down as if nothing had happened the next second when things went wrong did amuse him.

"Go ahead."

Belle saw the young man's long, slender, fair fingers take out a second gold coin from his purse.

He paused, then let out a long, dejected sigh.

“If I tell you, could you spare my life? I’m willing to spend the rest of my life in prison in the capital,” he said. “If I’m going to die whether I tell you or not, then there’s no point in me asking for trouble. Even if you let me go, I’ll spend the rest of my life being hunted by the rebels until I die.”

"That depends on your performance."

……

Brutus has barely slept a good night's sleep in the past few days.

Things had completely spiraled out of control, and he had no idea how he had ended up in this predicament.

Although he was rewarded for his meritorious service in suppressing the rebellion, the cripple and Mrs. Nelfa, who were imprisoned in the dungeon, could betray his secret at any time. His perfect mask had developed irreparable cracks, and soon the shameful face behind it would be revealed.

Although the guards still respected him, and the newly appointed General Kent trusted him because he was unfamiliar with the other officers, he knew that all of this was like bubbles floating on the water, which might disappear without a trace at any moment.

He suppressed the surging worries in his heart and wandered around the city like a headless fly under the pretext of searching for fugitives, but unconsciously walked to the vicinity of the entrance to the tunnel where Mrs. Nelfa had secretly met with him.

The nominal owner of that house died in last night's rebellion, and the actual controllers of the several tunnel entrances had changed hands several times, so searching the residence alone wouldn't reveal anything.

After a fruitless search of the house, the royal guards threw all the few remaining items outside, making Brutus frown.

His gaze shifted to the casino he frequented across the street.

Then, his eyes widened, as if he had been suddenly doused with a bucket of cold water and woken up from his half-dream state.

The entire casino was surrounded by fully armed royal guards. Lord Wayne Wincher was walking out of the main gate, shielding his eyes from the bright midday sun.

Chapter 711 Escape

"You...you are..."

He noticed that the special envoy's gaze had already turned in their direction, and after hesitating for a long time, Brutus still stepped forward.

“Oh, we just raided a rebel hideout.” Wayne squinted, seemingly not taking the matter very seriously. Suddenly, he remembered something and turned to the royal guard beside him, instructing, “By the way, also make a record of those officials who frequently gamble here, and investigate them one by one.”

Alarm bells rang in Brutus's mind, and his heart pounded so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of his throat.

"Lord Wayne!" Brutus heard himself ask rashly and abruptly, "What did you just extract from the captured traitor?"

"Guess?" Wayne asked back.

Perhaps it was because the midday temperature was too hot, because Brutus's forehead was covered with beads of sweat.

"Why are you asking about this? Could it be—" Just as Brutus thought the envoy had become suspicious, he heard the next sentence, which sounded like a pardon. "Could it be that you also want to join in the interrogation and investigation of the rebel prisoners?"

"Yes, yes, that's exactly what I meant."

His heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down. It seemed his secret hadn't been exposed yet.

But we absolutely cannot delay any longer. The cripple, the lady, Bailey... they could betray us at any moment.

“That won’t do. I know you’re eager to make a name for yourself. But just to be on the safe side, no Buffalo official is allowed to contact the imprisoned traitors to prevent them from colluding.” Wayne even went so far as to inquire about Brutus’s situation in a friendly manner, “How are things going? How’s your cooperation with General Kent? Are there any issues with the Royal Guard’s defenses? Are you managing the heavy workload? You need to take care of your health…”

Brutus answered them all appropriately.

He was indeed a considerate superior. If it weren't for their differing stances, he would have felt incredibly fortunate to have gained the appreciation of such a benefactor. Brutus thought to himself.

However, the timing of his encounter with the other party was simply terrible.

After successfully escaping under a pretext, Brutus immediately began planning his escape.

First, he needed to get all the available funds into his hands as quickly as possible. Fortunately, he had been careful and hadn't set up many assets in Buffalo, instead hiding most of his money at the rebel headquarters, so it didn't take much time.

Although I killed several accomplices who infiltrated the crime last night, the situation was urgent. Even if I hadn't done it, they would have died at someone else's hands anyway. Considering the many contributions I've made, Boss Inofan shouldn't want my life.

Although the city gates are open, strict checks are still required for entry and exit. I have no reason not to leave the city without permission, so I need another order. Given General Kent's trust, it shouldn't be difficult if I volunteer to leave the city to deliver a message to the kingdom's garrison camp in the suburbs.

Having planned each step carefully, Brutus once again donned his perfect mask of progressive youth and calmly carried out each step.

Everything went more smoothly than expected.

As Brutus galloped along the forest path, he felt like a free bird about to enter a new world.

It was a pity to have to give up my position as a garrison officer in Buffalo, but compared to that, my life was more important.

But free birds are often unaware that as they fly towards the endless sky, hunters have already silently raised their guns behind them.

……

"Lord Wayne, the target has gone deeper into the forest, and the magical senses are normal."

"Let's keep following and see what surprises this friend has in store for us."

The entire mage corps led by Wayne was mobilized to monitor Brutus's every move, waiting for the fleeing Brutus to lead the way.

In a gamble, Belaine ultimately sold Brutus.

As a confidant of the rebel leader Inofan, Brutus's position within the rebels was more important than one might imagine. For the sake of secrecy, the rebels within Buffalo often used various identities to blend into different areas, relying solely on a single contact person, and might not even know that the other was also a rebel.

Within the garrison, the rebels needed someone capable of discreetly concealing the identities of others, responsible for constantly spying on the kingdom's plans to suppress the rebels, and seeking opportunities to erase investigative records concerning the rebel core, thus ensuring the smooth operation of their rebellion. Brutus was the person chosen by the rebel headquarters.

Few knew his true identity. Brutus was a low-key and honest man, with a good reputation among the guards. However, Belai had a good personal relationship with Brutus and had long cooperated with the rebels. Over time, this relationship became an open secret, and the two provided each other with financial and power benefits, making them a perfect match for each other's evil deeds.

The owner of the Bayley provided Wayne with the general location of the rebel headquarters, but could only define a vague area, as he had never been allowed to enter. However, this was enough for Wayne to confirm Brutus's destination.

Sure enough, Brutus wandered through the forest and finally arrived at an inconspicuous village.

The villagers, who appeared to be just ordinary people, were surprisingly well-trained in dealing with visitors. The person who welcomed Brutus into the village seemed to know him quite well. Wayne's men did not follow him but instead brought the news back.

Wayne immediately ordered the sealing off of several exit routes from the village, and then, before nightfall, he led a few mages, disguised as passersby, into the village.

"Halt! Who are you?" Upon seeing them from afar, a burly man shouted warily.

The other villagers in the surrounding area also cast ambiguous glances at Wayne and his group.

“We are merchants who were originally heading to Buffalo, but we accidentally got lost in the forest. After wandering around for a while, we finally discovered that there was a village here. It’s like a fairy tale wonderland.” Wayne’s face was full of surprise. “It’s almost dark. Could you please host us for the night? We are willing to pay a reasonable price.”

"No, our village doesn't receive outsiders!" The burly man said firmly, refusing to budge no matter how Wayne tried to persuade him.

The two sides were locked in a stalemate for a time.

“Surely providing a meal shouldn’t be a problem. We’ve been wandering aimlessly in the woods all day, starving and thirsty. Surely they can’t refuse such a small request. What happened to the supposedly kind and honest people of Buffalo?” Wayne conceded.

The middle-aged man's eyes flickered upon hearing this, and he suddenly changed his mind. "Alright then, since you insist on staying here, you can stay in my room for the night."

Chapter 712 Underground Castle

Along the way, Wayne carefully observed the village's layout and the villagers' production activities.

The village is not large; at a glance, there are about twenty households scattered among the mountains and forests.

However, the middle-aged man did not lead the group deeper into the village, but instead headed towards the outer edge of the village on the other side.

A simple wooden hut leans against a hillside, with a few benches placed monotonously on the compacted dirt ground. In the small room that could barely be called a bedroom, a dirty mattress is just thrown on the ground.

"There aren't any extra beds, so you'll have to make do with sleeping on the chairs." The burly man didn't bother to introduce himself, leaving them there before hurriedly departing. "I'll bring you food later. Don't wander around the village; I'll be keeping an eye on you."

After he left and closed the wooden door, several mages turned their gazes to Wayne.

“I reckon he’s going to smear the food later.” Wayne pondered for a moment and then said, “I’ll sneak out and scout the situation. You guys stay inside and make your move when he comes in next time. Make as much noise as possible. Once the people outside receive my signal, they will also sneak in at the same time. We’ll work together from the inside and outside to find out what’s wrong with this village.”

"The rebels must also have a group of mages, so stay vigilant and don't let your guard down."

A high-ranking mage is a guest of honor in any kingdom, easily attaining a superior status and wealth. Therefore, most mages tend to choose positions that allow them to focus on their studies, such as becoming a teacher at Qingxi Academy, a retainer of various nobles, or a high-ranking officer in the kingdom's army. Not everyone is willing to devote themselves to the life of a rebel, hiding like a rat in a sewer.

However, there are some exceptions, such as the old nobles of the Principality of Milistan.

They were not accepted by the new nobles of the Kingdom of Lornes, nor did they have the opportunity to enter the kingdom's major magic academies for systematic training. The original magic knowledge education system of the duchy had been destroyed. If these people could not die in the War of Mist Moon, they would only be able to wander like lost souls in places unseen by the world for the rest of their lives, venting their disappointment and resentment in revenge.

A large portion of the forces now loyal to Wayne's restoration movement are the former nobles who were the most steadfast supporters of Grand Duke Laird back then.

The rebels, on the other hand, are a more complex force in terms of personnel composition.

Grand Duke Laird is a banner, but not the entirety of the Duchy of Milstein. Under the Church's hostility, the Laird family, as dark mages, are doomed to have no hope of restoring their kingdom—this is an open secret. The rebel headquarters merely wants to use Laird's reputation and the hatred of the restoration forces towards the Kingdom of Loens to create trouble for their common enemy.

The real goal of those outside the Laird faction is to establish a new duchy. This duchy does not necessarily have to be the former Milstein, and the rulers do not necessarily have to be of Laird blood.

Since Norman Laird's disappearance, the rebel headquarters' subtle suppression and marginalization of the Restoration forces has blatantly revealed its ambitions.

They were unwilling to be subordinate to Norman Laird, and were only forced to nominally respect him due to the tyranny of the dark mage.

“It’s too dangerous for you to go out alone!” Bernie said worriedly. “Why don’t we wait for Olive and the others to create some chaos first, lure everyone to the village entrance, and then we can attack together.”

"Don't worry, I'm confident. When the time comes, you two will make trouble, and they won't even notice that someone in the team has disappeared."

Seeing that he still wanted to persuade him, Wayne patted him on the shoulder: "Obey orders!"

Bernie, seeing this, really couldn't say anything more.

"—Begin the operation."

The people inside pretended to open the windows to ventilate the room, and then Wayne secretly climbed out under the cover of a water mirror spell cast by a water mage.

Avoiding the main entrances of those houses, Wayne's figure shifted, and his magic power immediately surged by another order of magnitude.

The immense magical perception covered the entire village, and a few faint points of reaction revealed the whereabouts of other mages.

"Underground?"

Wayne followed the flow of magic and touched a warning magic circle hidden in an empty pigsty.

Perhaps feeling completely confident in the magic circle's functionality, and with no one else nearby, Wayne unhesitatingly poured in magic power to alter its elemental flow structure.

Soon it will bring a surprise to the mages monitoring the outside world from underground: the areas with a large number of elemental reactions are free of mages, while the areas without elemental reactions are already in fierce fighting.

However, this can only delay things for a short while at most.

After thinking for a moment, Wayne launched a magical signal from this position.

A brilliant orb of light rose slowly, exploded in mid-air, and illuminated the faces of all who looked up. The ambush troops guarding outside the village immediately sprang into action, startling a flock of black crows into flapping their wings and flying away.

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!" someone shouted.

Upon hearing the alarm, one after another, burly men rushed out of the houses, armed with metal knives and arrows that gleamed with a cold light, rather than the pitchforks commonly seen in ordinary farmhouses.

Wayne silently counted the number of people and locked onto a warehouse at the back of the village that looked like a storage room. More than thirty people came running out of it.