Giant Dragon Lord: Starting from Daily Intelligence

Chapter 78: Chapter 78: Red Leaf City

The next morning, at the first light of dawn, two parties quietly departed from Red Maple Castle.

Moonlight was perched atop a wide cargo wagon, its pale golden eyes half-closed as it occasionally flicked its furry tail.

Viscount Baker’s contingent was much larger. Dozens of wagons laden with goods, escorted by Knights, stretched out for a considerable distance.

Their official story was that they were traveling to Red Leaf City for a large-scale trade, which was a plausible excuse.

The journey was uneventful. Two days later, the silhouette of Red Leaf City appeared on the horizon.

Unlike the rugged and solid construction of Red Maple Castle, Red Leaf City appeared more prosperous and refined.

Although its walls were also tall, they were carved with many decorative patterns. The buildings within were well-arranged, and one could vaguely make out several gardens and fountains.

”Red Leaf Territory’s prosperity truly lives up to its reputation.”

Viscount Baker remarked with emotion as he rode alongside Raylo, gazing at the city before them.

Raylo nodded.

Red Leaf Territory controlled a crucial pass to the heartland of the Duchy. Its commerce was developed and its population dense, a fact made clear by the endless stream of merchants and travelers on the main road outside the city.

To avoid attracting too much attention, the Storm Griffin and the Pegasus landed in a secluded patch of forest outside the city.

Upon entering the city, they were immediately hit by a wave of bustling noise and activity.

The streets were lined with shops, and the air was filled with the ceaseless sounds of merchants hawking their wares, horses’ hooves, and the rumbling of wagon wheels.

As previously arranged, they stopped in front of a shop called the ”Libra Trading Company.”

The trading company had a large storefront occupying a prime corner location, clearly one of the most prominent businesses in Red Leaf City.

A middle-aged man who looked like a steward was already waiting at the entrance. Upon seeing Viscount Baker’s banner, he immediately rushed over, his face wreathed in smiles.

”Lord Viscount, Lord Baron, my master has been waiting for you in the private room upstairs for some time.”

The steward bowed and led the way.

Before their departure, to avoid being noticed, Raylo had sent a Knight to arrange a meeting with Gao Wen at this trading company.

Raylo and Viscount Baker exchanged a glance before following the steward through the bustling front hall and up the wooden staircase to the second floor.

Inside the private room, a young man in a plain-colored robe stood by the window. Hearing their footsteps, he turned around.

He was about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with handsome features, but his brow was creased with a lingering worry.

This was Count Red Leaf’s eldest son, Gao Wen.

”Gao Wen greets Uncle Baker and Baron Raylo.”

Gao Wen took two steps forward and bowed, his posture humble yet dignified.

”There’s no need for such formalities, Gao Wen.”

Viscount Baker made a gesture as if to help him up, his eyes sizing up Gao Wen for a moment before he nodded slightly.

”It’s been a few years. You’ve certainly grown more composed.”

”You flatter me, Uncle.”

Gao Wen stepped aside to guide the two to their seats and personally poured them tea.

”I am deeply grateful to you, Uncle, and to you, Lord Baron, for accepting my invitation.”

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the atmosphere grew somewhat silent.

Gao Wen seemed to be choosing his words carefully, while Viscount Baker held his teacup, looking perfectly at ease, as if he were merely there to sell goods and casually check on an old friend’s son.

Raylo remained silent. He knew that for now, the conversation was in the hands of Viscount Baker and Gao Wen.

After a moment, Gao Wen took a letter sealed with wax from his robes and presented it to Viscount Baker with both hands.

”Uncle Baker, this is a letter my father wrote himself two days ago. He had taken a strengthening Potion and experienced a brief resurgence of vitality. Please, read it.”

Viscount Baker’s expression hardened as he took the letter.

The wax seal on the envelope was indeed Count Red Leaf’s personal crest.

He broke the seal, pulled out the letter, and began to read it carefully.

Raylo noticed that as Viscount Baker read on, his expression grew progressively more solemn, and his brows furrowed slightly.

The letter was not long, but it contained a great deal of information.

In the letter, Count Red Leaf stated clearly that he felt his days were numbered and that he suspected his illness was not from natural causes, but was the result of foul play.

He had already noticed the ambition and subversive actions of his second son, Alan Rickman, and feared that Red Leaf Territory would descend into conflict upon his death.

Therefore, he had decided to grant the inheritance of Red Leaf Territory to his eldest son, Gao Wen. He implored Viscount Baker, as an old friend, to help Gao Wen stabilize the situation after his passing, for the sake of their past friendship.

”This...”

Viscount Baker put down the letter and let out a long sigh, his expression complicated. ”My old friend... alas.”

He and Count Red Leaf were not sworn brothers, but they had been neighbors for decades. Their territories were intertwined, and they saw each other frequently. They had shared drinks on several occasions and worked together to handle certain troubles.

Now, seeing that his old acquaintance had likely met with foul play, and that he had remembered him even on his deathbed, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of sorrow.

”When my father wrote this letter, he was already terminally ill, and his mind was often clouded,” Gao Wen said, his voice tinged with hoarseness.

”He suspects... he suspects that Alan Rickman has been secretly feeding him a slow-acting poison. But he has no proof.”

”Alan Rickman... How dare he!”

Viscount Baker slammed his hand on the table, splashing water from the teacups.

Though he was usually mature and steady, he knew that nobles were capable of any despicable act for the sake of power. But poisoning one’s own father—that crossed a line for most people.

A chill ran down Raylo’s spine as well.

”My father left this letter as a precaution,” Gao Wen said with a bitter smile. ”He said that if he managed to pull through, this letter would be void. But if... the worst should happen, he hoped this letter would allow you, Uncle, and his other old acquaintances to see the truth.”

Viscount Baker looked at Gao Wen. ”You arrived in Red Leaf City less than four hours ago, yet you were able to deliver the Count’s personal letter to me. That capability alone is enough to make me believe you.”

”Since my old friend has entrusted this to me, would I not be cold-hearted and ruthless to stand by and do nothing? Gao Wen, rest assured. Red Maple Territory will see to this matter!”

When they were fighting the Ogres in Red Leaf Territory, Raylo had already noticed that Viscount Baker and his Knights had the air of old-fashioned nobility about them.

Today, he had seen the Viscount’s initial hesitation to get involved in the succession struggle of Red Leaf Territory, but upon seeing Count Red Leaf’s personal letter, he had immediately changed his stance and decided to fully support the young man. It spoke volumes about his character.

Raylo also spoke up at the opportune moment. ”Lord Gao Wen, as the heir to Red Leaf Territory, I am also willing to lend my aid.”

A flash of excitement crossed Gao Wen’s eyes. He rose again and gave the two a solemn bow.

”Thank you, Uncle Baker. Thank you, Baron Raylo! I cannot thank you enough for this immense kindness. I will never forget it.”

He was not one to be ungrateful. For Viscount Baker and Baron Raylo to choose to support him at this time was undoubtedly a great relief in his time of need, and they were also taking on a huge risk.

”Alright, this is not the time for pleasantries,” Viscount Baker said, waving a hand. ”Tell us, what is the exact situation in Red Leaf Territory right now? And on Alan Rickman’s side, how many supporters does he have?”