CHAPTER 448: CHAPTER 250: HEARD YOU WERE LOOKING FOR ME? _2

"That reporter?"

"I will make sure he stays silent forever."

"Hmm."

With a slight nod, Duke Charles, dressed in a silk gown, asked no more questions about the matter, only turning his head to look at the many passersby outside the carriage.

Respect, fear, flattery...

Everything in Banli Port belonged to their Charles family, the lives of a few commoners were truly insignificant.

"Killed that sequencer named Tuler, are you sure it has something to do with the Lei Long Fleet?"

"Yes, Father."

Lunde solemnly said truthfully, "Although that Lei Long is tight-lipped, one of his crew members let it slip after getting drunk at the Red Orchid Tavern."

"Combining this with previous investigations, it’s likely only the Lei Long Fleet visited Fishman Bay during that period."

"Hmm... what about that sequencer?" Duke Charles spoke with an indifferent look in his eyes.

"That Lei Long refuses to reveal the whereabouts of that person, I even captured his family, hoping to give him a chance, but he does not appreciate it."

"And the crew members?"

"Most are the same, some were made to talk, but what they said was of no use, only that he is a black-haired man, somewhat like a warrior sequencer."

After a pause, Lunde speculated, "Father, do you think that sequencer will reappear?"

"I feel he might have already left Banli Port, should we wait a bit longer and continue to expand the search?"

Without answering immediately, the middle-aged man simply withdrew his gaze from the group of shabbily dressed commoners.

"Whether he appears or not, if he dares to offend our Charles family, he must be cleansed with blood."

"No need to delay any further, since today’s execution is set, let it be so."

"Yes!"

Lunde nodded, but quickly saw the other side asking another question.

"I heard a little guy ran away?"

"This... yes." Lunde truthfully said, "That child may have also seen that sequencer."

"But it seems someone is interfering with us, hiding him away."

"Father, do you think... could it be related to Master Adler?"

Lunde cautiously asked, sensing that someone seemed to be targeting their Charles family.

Especially since Master Adler visited Banli Port, it always feels like someone is lurking in the shadows.

"No matter, it’s just some people unwilling to see our Charles family grow stronger."

"But unfortunately, they seem to have forgotten how we, the Charles family, stand firm."

A cold light flashed in his eyes, Duke Charles, with the same brown hair, spoke with dignified calmness.

Lunde, hearing this, repeatedly agreed, for he knew very well how powerful his father was.

Across the entire Steel Kingdom, aside from those scarce Sixth-order Saints, no one could threaten him.

Even that Adler couldn’t rival him, and the renowned Blood Sea Admiral also never dared to act recklessly near Banli Port.

Suddenly, a trace of worry in his heart quietly dissipated, seeing the Golden Spearfish banner fluttering in the wind, Lunde gently adjusted his gentleman’s suit and smiled at the pig-like commoners.

The carriage thus passed through the crowd that made way, slowly approaching the stone brick platform behind the judgement statue.

Square, as large as several dozen meters.

In the rear, a jury-like seat was occupied by the great nobles of Banli Port, or perhaps the Chief of Security and naval officers, and the Frost Church’s new bishop invited to witness the ceremony.

Soldiers belonging to the kingdom, dressed in dark brown military coats, holding rifles, stood below the seats and on the left and right of the execution platform, separating the crowd.

The followers of the Frost Church were dressed in blue hooded robes, praying to God nearby, whispering words about impending judgement on the wicked who collude with pirates.

"Look, it’s Duke Charles!"

"Lei Long’s family is beyond saving!"

"Hey, why did Lei Long collude with the pirates?"

"I feel like something’s fishy..."

"Shut up, do you want to die?"

Near the execution platform, outside the area separated by soldiers, it was already crowded with people.

Youths in sweaters, old men wrapped in woolen coats, and middle-aged men scolding others to shut up.

Someone was still coughing, then watched as the carriage parked, with some bowing nearby, serving as a stirrup.

Click!

The Charles family members stepped on the backs of people to alight from the carriage, a squad of soldiers respectfully greeted them, escorting them to the seat.

"Duke, it’s getting late, do you think..."

"You may host it."

"Alright."

The obese Chief of Security in Banli Port put on a flattering face, welcoming him to sit at the main central seat, then instructed a squad of soldiers to bring out the prisoners.

Clang! Clang!

Amid the clash of shackles and chains, more than a dozen people with their heads wrapped in black cloth were brought onto the gray execution platform.

Sounds of discussion buzzed in his ears, and as the black cloth was pulled away, the glaring sunlight left the bearded middle-aged man momentarily dazed.

Brute force pressed from behind his restraints, pushing him to kneel on the ground.

The Spiritual energy of his Storm Series had long been sealed, and he knew there was likely no escape from this calamity.

"Daddy...."

Suddenly, a little girl with curly brown hair appeared at his side.

She shrank in fear, huddled between her mother and him, wailing uncontrollably, her hands bound by hemp rope, her clean sweater already stained with dirt and filth.

"Antti, don’t cry."

Lei Long spoke bitterly and guiltily, trying to imprint his daughter’s image into memory one last time.

Her tears pierced his heart, but before he could get closer, footsteps approached from in front of him.

"You have one last chance."

A young man named Lunde, dressed in a black gentleman’s suit, walked to the front of the platform, surrounded by soldiers, approaching them.

The light was blocked, a long shadow cast over them.

Seemingly repulsed by their stench, Lei Long saw the youth wrinkle his nose in disgust.

"Tell me, where is he?"

From a commanding stance, the young Lunde’s tone was chilling.

Lei Long’s heart was in turmoil as he turned his head to see his daughter’s cries so heartbreakingly affecting.

"Heh, what a lovely little girl."

Purposely pausing, the young Lunde slowly crouched down, looking sideways at the daughter beside him.

"What a pity."

"She has a cruel father."

With a mocking tone, young Lunde reached out to touch Little Antti’s hair, and Lei Long’s eyes reddened as thoughts surged in his mind.

Betray the benefactor who saved him?

Or watch his daughter die because of him?

"Daddy, no!!"

Sobbing, Antti suddenly struggled free of the reaching hand, curling up beside him in tears.

Seeing this, Lei Long’s heart skipped a beat, and he met the indifferent gaze of the young man.

"I don’t know."

His final answer — how could such a cold and cruel noble ever spare them?

As if seeing his resolve, Lunde’s smile faded, his expression turning cold as he stood up.

"I gave you a chance, but... you seem not to cherish it."

With a mocking tone, he lost all patience.

Turning his head to look at his father in the distance, who nodded slightly in agreement.

"Execute them."

With eyes that seemed to regard pigs, he glanced at Lei Long and the others, including the crying little girl.

He turned to leave, but suddenly....

Whoosh!!!

A gust of wind swept up, as if a beast had awakened among the crowd.

Blood Pattern Wings flapped in the sky, and the cyan-black Single Horn pierced the blazing sun and heavens.

The world stood still, and everything seemed to fall silent.

Young Lunde clearly saw his father’s sudden change of expression.

At the same time, he also saw in front of him the shadow of the Single Horn covering the ground like a monster.

"You seem to be... looking for me?"

A deep voice sounded from behind, and Lunde felt his body stiffen, ice-cold.

He strained to turn his head, like a puppet, to see the Glass Steel’s scarlet eyes overlooking him, cold and devoid of emotion, just as he had been moments before.

Clack!

A thick cyan-black hand gripped his head, and he opened his mouth to speak.

Boom!!

A brute force grip, and blood spurted wildly.

A violent punch shot out like an arrowhead, piercing everything, emerging from the left side of the chest at the heart.

All signs of life faded, and Chen Feng gazed down at Lei Long and the others.

"Sorry, I’m late."