Chapter 32: The New Earl

An eerie silence filled the air.

Lin Wei stared into the hateful eyes of Count Lamo, his face expressionless and indifferent, as if he had just ended the life of a mere chick.

“Mr. Lin Wei!”

Suddenly, Lamdo’s voice rang out from beyond the door, and his footsteps drew nearer. At this moment, Lamdo hurried forward, anxiety etched on his face. Behind him followed more than a dozen guards clad in black armor, yellow silk scarves draped over their shoulders.

“Mr. Lin Wei…” Lamdo had only just reached Lin Wei, intending to speak further, when his eyes fell upon Count Lamo and Reluman lying in pools of blood. His words were abruptly cut off.

Lin Wei turned to face Lamdo, whose expression shifted rapidly between shadow and light.

“What is it?” Lin Wei retorted.

A fleeting sadness crossed Lamdo’s eyes, quickly replaced by desire and a barely contained excitement. The mountain that had weighed upon him had finally collapsed. From this moment on, he would be the supreme authority over the entire Tulip Territory.

Sensing Lamdo’s thoughts, Lin Wei patted his shoulder with a half-smile, half-mockery, “Congratulations, Young Master Lamdo. No, Count Tulip.”

Lamdo’s face flushed red, and he stammered, “Mr. Lin Wei, I did not expect your actions to be so swift.”

Lin Wei glanced at the black-armored guards behind Lamdo, chuckling softly. “Impressive, Lamdo. If I’m not mistaken, these dozen men must be the elite of the Tulip Guard Corps. You managed to recruit them so quietly under the noses of Lamo and Narken.”

Though Lin Wei cared little for the power of such insects, Lamdo’s ability to gather the elite of the Tulip Guard Corps right under the eyes of Lamo and Narken was a clear sign he was not the weak and inept figure he appeared to be.

Especially since the guards’ attire differed entirely from the official Tulip armor, and each bore a yellow ribbon on their shoulder—a clear mark of rebellion, identifying them as Lamdo’s loyalists.

Lamdo knew these forces were pitifully weak against Count Lamo, but still revealed his hand. This was not foolishness, but Lamdo’s way of signaling his resolve to Lin Wei: he was risking everything in a gamble of life and death.

Clearly, Lamdo had won that gamble.

Lamdo bowed slightly to Lin Wei, showing no sign of agitation despite his imminent inheritance of the Tulip title. Clearing his throat, he spoke slowly, “My father and Commander Narken fell victim to the rebellious Reluman’s attack and tragically perished. Brother Jon also lost his life bravely resisting the traitor. Fortunately, Mr. Lin Wei, you acted with courage, slaying Reluman and safeguarding the Tulip Territory’s peace and prosperity.”

Lamdo delivered his carefully prepared statement, twisting the events beyond recognition. Even Jon’s death was discreetly concealed. Lin Wei, the mastermind behind the murders, was cast as the hero defending the Tulip family, while the loyal servant Reluman became the embodiment of evil.

Lin Wei was surprised, pondering silently, “Interesting… Even Jon’s death has been covered up. Is this to hide the news about Saelmeya of the Snowthorn Kingdom, to prevent investigation from the capital’s powers? Lamdo, you truly exceed my expectations.”

“Count, I hope you clean up the aftermath swiftly and succeed to the Tulip title as soon as possible.” Lin Wei did not respond to Lamdo’s speech, but pressed on. The blood on his hands stained Lamdo’s pristine clothes, yet Lamdo paid it no mind.

On hearing this, Lamdo considered briefly, then said, “Mr. Lin Wei, with Narken and Reluman dead, the administrative and military leadership of the Tulip Territory is entirely vacant. I hope you will not shrink from hardship and will serve in both roles, contributing to the prosperity and stability of the Tulip Territory.”

Lin Wei nearly exclaimed aloud in admiration. A bastard son raised in the environment of the Tulip family truly could not be compared to ordinary youths.

“No need,” Lin Wei declined, his tone carrying a hint of something unusual. “If nothing unexpected happens, I will soon leave here.”

“Leave?” Lamdo had not expected Lin Wei’s decision.

Lin Wei smiled, “I will not be your master behind the scenes. You are free—the most powerful man in the Tulip Territory.”

With that, Lin Wei took a pale blue glass vial from his pocket and gently placed it in Lamdo’s hand. “This is the antidote from last time.”

Lamdo accepted the antidote, his expression deeply conflicted. For Lin Wei, he found himself at a loss.

“By the way, there’s another problem for you to handle,” Lin Wei suddenly remembered. “If you want to ascend to the title of Count Tulip legitimately, you must deal with one person.”

“The Lady?” Lamdo’s eyes narrowed.

Lin Wei nodded, “Yes, the Countess. You need her to join you in issuing the succession declaration. After all, as Count Lamo’s lawful wife, her status and reputation are important.”

“But, Mr. Lin Wei… that will be difficult.” Lamdo’s face twisted in hesitation.

The Countess must be well aware of Jon’s death and Count Lamo’s plan to kill Lin Wei. Asking her to cooperate with her enemies was nearly impossible.

Lin Wei remained unperturbed, “A woman who has lost her son and husband surely does not wish to see her own daughter harmed. Tell her, if she refuses to cooperate, not only will she die, but so will the young lady married off to the Wilt family.”

A sharp gleam flashed in Lamdo’s eyes, along with a faint thrill of vengeance. Over the years, he had witnessed the Countess abuse his own mother; the power wielded by the lawful wife had made his mother suffer greatly. Now, to take revenge personally brought him a unique satisfaction.

…

The Tulip Territory was once again thrown into turmoil!

The most esteemed man in the eyes of the people, Count Tulip Lamo Nolan, had been assassinated by his most trusted subordinate, Reluman! Along with him, the heir Jon and the commander of the Tulip Guard Corps, Narken, also perished!

Rumors spread across the territory like wildfire.

Beneath the facade of falsehood, real bloodshed continued in secret.

The young, newly appointed Count Tulip, Lamdo Nolan, used the purge of traitors to ruthlessly suppress dissent.

Yet none of this concerned Lin Wei. At this moment, he stood before the door to the former count’s secret chamber.

The Book of the Mage and the Mage’s Token—just a single door away!