"Look at this... Can't you believe what he actually sent me? Oi, Kevin! Do you know anything about this?" The Sword Arbiter showed him the letter he had secretly received.
Kevin was also curious about it since his daughter hadn't told him anything. When he read the letter as well as the date, he was surprised.
The letter arrived in just one day, meaning that they had been brought by pigeons. However, Noel's city wasn't established yet, so mailing service had yet to be available for him.
In other words, Noel actually utilized another way to send the letter. But considering it ultimately arrived by using the mailing service, it was clear that Noel had this mysterious way to deliver information, which would prove significant in battle.
And the content of the letter was bolder than he could imagine.
"Dear Duke Lorelei,
"This might be sudden, but I'm inviting you to visit my territory. I don't know if there will be another opportunity like this, so I hope that you will accept my invitation."
The Sword Arbiter gritted his teeth while asking, "Did he know that you were the one stopping me from beating him? If not for you, I would go there personally to beat him under the royal family's order!"
"Ahahaha." Kevin scratched the back of his head, not having any explanation. "Or he might actually want you to go there and beat him up... Just saying."
"Huh? He doesn't swing that way, right?" Duke Lorelei's eyebrows twitched. He suddenly fell silent, as if sensing the hidden intention of that invitation.
If he visited Noel, others wouldn't dare to make a move in case they angered him. Even the Supreme Devil Organization wouldn't go all the way to antagonize him for no reason.
That was why Noel's hidden intention must be to repel those people away. But he didn't know what kind of activity Noel was planning to do that would require him to avoid all that danger.
After all, his city had four Spirit Grandmasters. It would be an extremely safe city, unless he had to be separated from all of them. And that separation could only happen... The moment Duke Lorelei realized Noel's true intention, he smirked evilly. "This damn kid is actually trying to use me."
"Sir. Are you angry?" Kevin made a wry smile, trying to calm him down.
"Yeah. I'm pretty pissed right now." The Sword Arbiter rose from his seat and said, "I think I'm going to beat this kid up for a bit... Hmm, maybe forcing him to lay on his bed for a couple of months."
"That would be a problem, Sir." Kevin tried to stop him, but the Sword Arbiter warned him. "Kevin. This is that lad's invitation. If you're going to stop me, I don't mind blasting everyone here, including you."
"…" Kevin stopped for a moment. Duke Lorelei even emphasized Noel's invitation to show him that he shouldn't stop him. Noel must have a plan for inviting Duke Lorelei.
Although there were a lot of questions in his mind, he knew that Noel wouldn't be that foolish. Even his daughter was with him.
Kevin sighed before agreeing to let the duke go. "I understand. But I hope that the duke will be a bit lenient with him."
"You don't have to worry about that. I don't kill kids, women, or elders." Duke Lorelei snorted and grabbed the sword by his side. He rushed outside while shouting, "But that kid is already an adult, so it doesn't apply to him!"
Kevin widened his eyes in surprise, but before he chased after him, Duke Lorelei added, "Just kidding."
Kevin almost stumbled. Even after all of this, Duke Lorelei's simple joke still managed to trick him. He sighed, "Sly old fox. Time to spread the news, I guess."
…
The next day.
As expected of Kevin, he spread the news in the capital city that Duke Lorelei was visiting the new Earl, Noel Ardagan.
It was a huge shock to all parties. While the duke was following most of the orders from the Royal Family, he was still a just man. So, no one could predict what was exactly in his head when he decided to fulfill that order.
Obviously, the Royal Family was happy. Even if the duke didn't kill Noel, he should be able to injure him to the point where he couldn't train or progress for a couple of months.
The other nobles would be panicking because they couldn't see the outcome. Those who supported Anna and Noel would find this situation troublesome.
However, there were three parties that actually handled this differently compared to the others.
The spies from the Supreme Devil Organization couldn't help but gather after receiving this information.
"Have you sent the information to the headquarters?"
"Yeah. But can you believe it?"
"I have confirmed that Duke Lorelei is no longer in the Stargaze Family's mansion. It seems that the Fleeting Arbiter is planning to return to his territory soon."
"But what is going on? If Duke Lorelei is going there, we won't be able to attack Noel Ardagan. No, does something big happen in Lounstein?"
"No idea. We have to wait for orders from the headquarters. Most likely, Noel Ardagan has left his territory. They are going to take advantage of the situation to assassinate him."
The spies from the organization seemed to have reached the same conclusion. This might be an opportunity for them.
Before, they couldn't mobilize their strength fully due to Noel hiding in another country. This time was different. Without the need to care about international law, they could wreak havoc and mobilize at least a few Saints at once.
However, Duke Lorelei wouldn't like it if they showed up when he was fighting Noel. So, there was a high possibility that they would have to wait until Noel was injured and the Duke returned.
The second party that took this matter seriously was the man who had been laying low for some time, the Third Prince.
He was looking at the map while contemplating. The map before him was Lounstein and its surrounding area. It was clear what he was thinking.
However, all of a sudden, the third party in this matter finally appeared. With a single slash of her scythe, she tore apart space and emerged from the portal where the Third Prince was staying.
Two of the Spirit Grandmasters next to the prince hurriedly unsheathed their weapons, ready to fight. Yes, the visitor this time was actually the Void Arbiter, Josephine.
But before a conflict arose, the Third Prince opened his mouth. "Sheathe your weapon; I know her."
The Grandmasters looked doubtful, but since the Third Prince had given the order, they had no choice but to comply.
Josephine, who was supposed to be on the Royal Family's side, was actually visiting the Third Prince and the latter even confirmed their relationship. They didn't know what was going on.
Smiling, Josephine whispered to him.
"!!!" The Third Prince widened his eyes in shock before an evil grin appeared in his mind. "If that's the case, it makes the situation easier."
He looked at the Grandmasters and waved his hands as if telling them they were dismissed. They ultimately had to leave the room, and Josephine could finally speak freely.
"I have just gone to their territory. They are truly leaving the city. But Duke Lorelei will surely not like this." Josephine explained.
"You have gone there?"
"Yeah. Thanks to it, I don't have a lot of Spiritual Energy left, so you don't mind me resting here, right?"
"Of course. To think they have left that city on their own accord. Saving me trouble to come up with a plan." The Third Prince contemplated. "Who remains in the city?"
"Howard and Dimitri among the Grandmasters."
"So, he is only going with your student."
"Don't call her my student anymore. That lowly sl*t dares to fool me for so long." Josephine gnashed her teeth as if she were still bothered by the fact that Anna faked the fact that she was brainwashed.
"Either way, they are leaving the city. I don't need to lure them out anymore."
"But how will you take care of the duke?"
"I don't need to do anything to him. If we want to deal with Noel and Anna, we just have to wait for them to finish or kill them before the duke arrives. The latter is close to impossible, so I'll just extend the duration of their trip, long enough until the duke's gone and the Supreme Devil Organization can assemble."
"Heh? You're not worried that this is a trap?"
"Even if this is a trap, we still have to continue. The longer we wait, the stronger he will become. Unlike Luke, who is not good at fighting, he will become uncontrollable soon."
"Alright then. I will leave everything to you. I've done my job in delivering the message." Josephine nodded with a smile.
The Third Prince's expression darkened as if he were thinking hard about a plan that could fulfill the new objective.
…
While the people in the dark were preparing for a plan, Noel actually went out according to the schedule as if he wasn't bothered by them.
Noel, Anna, and a few soldiers were standing in front of the city with their horses.
"Master. Please be careful out there." Dimitri handed a bag to Noel.
"Alright. Just make sure the territory is safe. At least I hope we don't need to rebuild anything." Noel nodded, thanking Dimitri for the bag.
"I'll also ask Damian to tighten the security. At the minimum, they won't come from the north." Livia assured him.
"I'm counting on you." Noel smiled before turning to Grandell and the other soldiers. "Thank you for coming with us."
"Please don't mind us. We are honored to have the chance to escort you." Grandell politely replied. He was one of the soldiers that had shown the most loyalty to Anna, so when Howard presented the idea, he was the first to volunteer.
Noel then waved his hand to Dimitri and the others. "Thenbrewing, we'll be off!"
The storm had started brewing and which one would be damaged? No one would know until the storm arrived.
