Free Web NovelAs wedding preparations reached their peak, the entire Red Tide City became bustling.
The main street was already adorned with red and white ribbons and feather lanterns, children ran and weaved through the crowds, and the sounds of hawkers and blessings rose and fell, bringing a festive atmosphere even to the cold wind.
However, as the central figure of this wedding, the Red Tide Lord, Louis Calvin, was not immersed in the festivities.
He flipped through the thick list of congratulatory gifts in his hand, his brows devoid of the relaxed expression a groom should have, showing only habitual, suppressed fatigue and alertness.
Previously, to avoid alarming the Imperial Capital, Louis had deliberately tightened the guest list when he first announced his marriage.
He limited eligibility to "direct family and ducal circles," even declining visits from other Northern Territory nobles.
But Northern Territory nobles have always valued "etiquette and appearances"; even if they couldn't come in person, they would send congratulatory gifts out of respect for the Calvin Family and Edmund Family.
"My Lord." Bradley hurried in, holding a formal invitation and bowing respectfully, "Count Grant's envoy has arrived."
Louis sighed and slowly draped a black cloak with gold patterns over his shoulders, his long boots making crisp echoes on the redwood floor.
When he walked out of the side hall, the attendants almost forgot that he was a young man barely twenty; his every gesture exuded the steady demeanor of an old noble.
In the reception hall, Grant Family's Deputy Steward, Aubert, had been waiting for a long time.
He was a middle-aged man nearing forty, with graying temples, dressed in a well-tailored black and gold robe, his posture upright, expression serious, and his demeanor exuding the steady style of an old noble's butler.
He brought no attendants, only a young servant behind him carrying a brocade box.
Everything was simple, yet it perfectly showcased the "Grant Family's" propriety and discretion.
Aubert stepped forward, bowed slightly, and said respectfully, "Count Grant was unable to attend in person due to matters, and has specially sent me to deliver the congratulatory gift on his behalf."
"Welcome, Your Excellency, for traveling so far on behalf of Count Grant." Louis's tone was cordial yet appropriate.
Then Aubert opened the brocade box, revealing a deep blue magic crystal stone within.
The crystal resembled a solidified night sky, deep and silent, with subtle light veins flowing on its surface like ripples, and pure, stable battle qi fluctuations contained within.
"This magic crystal stone, sourced from the deep rock caverns of the far north, can store energy and restore battle qi. It is a gift specially prepared by Count Grant for your wedding, My Lord."
Aubert whispered, his expression respectful, but his eyes secretly observing.
Louis gently pressed the lid of the box, not examining the magic crystal stone closely, but simply raised his gaze and smiled faintly.
"Please convey my gratitude to Count Grant." He spoke in a gentle tone, with sincerity in his eyes, "This gift is truly too precious; I will remember it always."
Aubert bowed again upon hearing this.
Then the two sat down and chatted for a while, their conversation impeccable to the point of being flawless.
At their departure, Louis personally escorted Aubert to the front hall, maintaining full courtesy throughout.
"He truly acts like an old lord who has governed for twenty years," Aubert couldn't help but sigh inwardly as he left the Red Tide Territory castle.
After seeing off the Grant Family's Deputy Steward, as soon as Louis sat down, Bradley quietly entered the room and whispered in his ear:
"My Lord, the Calvin Family's representative has arrived. It is the Third Young Master, His Highness Eduardo."
"Is that so?" Louis's tone was steady, his face showing no obvious change.
The teacup paused slightly in his fingers, and a subtle ripple spread across the tea within.
Duke Calvin's third son, Eduardo Calvin—Louis's memory of this "elder brother" was almost blank.
Even his appearance remained a vague image from childhood.
In fact, in the Calvin Family, with its numerous noble offspring, a "brother" who had disappeared for more than a decade was practically no different from being dead.
However, Louis had already learned from the Daily Intelligence System that his "third brother, who had not returned for many years," was not merely attending the wedding on behalf of their father.
Ostensibly a family envoy, he secretly bore a mission from the Bishop of the Golden Feather Flower Church to investigate the disappearance of Grand Mage Jürgen Loken in the Northern Territory.
Louis put down his teacup and said gently, "Let him in."
A few steady footsteps were immediately heard from outside the door.
There was no exaggerated retinue or deliberate show-off, only a young man in a deep gold-patterned robe walking into the reception hall.
A middle-aged man in a deep gold-patterned robe slowly walked in.
The robe was well-tailored, its silk sheen subtly revealing totem-like geometric patterns, clearly crafted by a Southern Shore noble.
His steps were steady, his posture composed, and a perfectly appropriate smile graced his face, making him appear gentle and approachable, with a hint of the leisurely air characteristic of Southern nobles.
Louis had already stepped forward, a polite smile on his face, his demeanor as gentle as a spring breeze: "Third Brother, long time no see."
"Oh, it has been a long time, hasn't it? More than ten years, I think. The last time I saw you, you couldn't even walk yet," Eduardo said with a laugh, extending his hand to gently pat Louis's shoulder, joking.
His smile was as warm as that of an old friend meeting again, his tone so relaxed it was almost teasing: "You've really soared these past few years, the Star of the Northern Territory. Father even said—you've made the Calvin Family's bloodline shine on the battlefield once more."
As he spoke, he took out a gold-edged letter and an exquisite silver badge from his embrace, bearing the Calvin Family's red moon crest.
"Father's personal letter, and this 'Family Core' badge." Louis accepted them with an unchanged smile: "Father has always been concerned; I understand. Thank you, Third Brother, for bringing them personally."
After speaking, the two sat down, and the conversation naturally shifted to everyday matters.
"Actually," Eduardo said, picking up his teacup with a relaxed smile, "the family sent much more than just these two things.
The carriages outside are almost overflowing; I heard the accompanying people say a pile of boxes are stacked in the small plaza, simply unable to be moved in."
"Is that so?" Louis chuckled softly, a hint of helplessness in his voice, "Tell them to wait a moment. The Red Tide City's storerooms are almost out of space these days too."
"Hmm, I can see that."
1,
In the ensuing conversation, both maintained their composure, without false warmth or probing questions. Everything was natural, like thin clouds on a spring day.
But Louis already knew that Eduardo's true mission was not to deliver gifts.
He had come to "investigate."
And his "target of investigation" was precisely one of Louis's core secrets that he did not wish to be scrutinized. freewebnσvel.cøm
According to protocol, they should have conversed longer, but by then, dusk was falling, lights were beginning to flicker on in Red Tide City, and the day's busy activities were drawing to a close.
The city's streets and residences were gradually lighting up, and the candlelight made the entire city appear like amber bathed in soft light.
People came and went in the main hall and front hall, and the City Lord's manor's butler and maids never stopped moving.
Seeing this, Eduardo was about to return to rest, but Louis personally stopped him.
"Third Brother," he said with a smile, a hint of earnestness in his tone, "It's been a long time. Let's have a simple meal together."
Eduardo paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "This is your busiest time; I shouldn't cause trouble."
"It's no trouble," Louis waved his hand, "I just gave instructions. The small hall has already been set up, and only four or five dishes have been prepared. I also want some quiet time."
He looked at his brother, his tone relaxed yet firm: "Having returned from the Imperial Capital for so long without meeting, if we don't talk more tonight, even I would feel bad."
"Since you put it that way." Eduardo finally smiled and nodded, "Then I shall respectfully accept."
So the two walked side by side into the side hall, away from the clamor and excitement.
The banquet was set in a small, warm, and elegant hall. The wooden floor was spotless, and a fire gently burned in the corner, dispelling the slight chill of early night.
The windows were half-covered by curtains, through which faint lights could be seen in the courtyard.
The dishes on the table were not extravagant but elegant and appropriate, consisting of authentic Red Tide City cuisine: clear vegetable soup, honey-roasted poultry, and special smoked fish, all warming and not greasy.
Only Bradley and two trusted attendants remained in the hall, but they stood far back, almost imperceptibly.
"How is the reconstruction of the Northern Territory proceeding after the war?" Eduardo raised his cup, as if asking casually.
"Quite smoothly, I suppose." Louis replied with a smile, "At least my side has largely recovered."
"When I first arrived at the castle, the sights I saw along the way indeed confirmed that. You've done an excellent job."
"Thank you for the praise, Third Brother." Louis gently shook his head, his tone neither humble nor arrogant, "I just did some minor work."
"Before I came, Father kept mentioning how well you govern." Eduardo said with a smile, "I wondered what kind of governance it was, but seeing is truly believing."
"Then please convey my thanks to Father for his concern, but these small achievements are not worth the family's excessive attention."
"Your modesty is almost annoying."
At first, their conversation was unhurried, occasionally exchanging small jokes, like long-lost relatives or chess players testing each other's opening moves.
Then they casually discussed the Imperial Capital.
About the Emperor's recent "relapse of old illness," the unusual movements of several princes in court, and the secret rumors circulating in the Imperial Capital.
Eduardo was like a genial storyteller, making subtle hints but always drawing out intriguing details, even eliciting a low chuckle from Louis.
After a few rounds of drinks, Louis gradually began to notice something.
This "third brother" was probably not as mild-mannered as he appeared.
He spoke with extreme discretion, never leading you to say things you shouldn't.
But he always managed to steer the atmosphere to a point where he could listen, remember, and judge.
If not for the Daily Intelligence System, and if he wasn't vigilant enough, he might very well fall into a trap.
Louis narrowed his eyes slightly, his smile still gentle, but with an added layer of caution in his heart.
He took a small sip of wine, feigning casualness as he glanced out the window at the night: "Speaking of which, Third Brother, do you know—something strange has been happening near my territory recently."
"Oh?" Eduardo's gaze showed a hint of curiosity, yet still appeared leisurely, "Strange? Don't tell me the groom's pre-wedding stress is so high he's seeing ghosts."
"Ha, if only that were the case." Louis chuckled, lowering his voice as if discussing some inconvenient gossip, "Recently, a patrol team found an unconscious mage at the edge of the forest, supposedly attacked by insects in the woods."
"Insects?" Eduardo raised an eyebrow slightly, "A mage attacked by insects?"
"This is different." Louis curled his lips, his eyes chilling slightly, "That person said, it's one thing for the insects to attack living people, but the most bizarre thing is, they don't even spare corpses."
"Corpses?" Eduardo's brows finally furrowed.
"Yes. They can control corpses."
Upon that remark, a silence fell over the small hall.
Eduardo said nothing, as if waiting for more.
Louis didn't immediately continue either, but took another sip of wine, as if to make his words sound more "understated" with the drink.
"That mage personally said that the insects' behavior was not like wild beasts. They cooperated in an extremely orderly fashion, almost like—a well-trained army, and they seemed to retain the combat skills the bodies had in life."
Eduardo gently exhaled, leaning back into his chair, his eyes deepening.
"That doesn't sound like a normal wilderness attack."
"I found it strange too," Louis said, as if discussing something interesting from beginning to end, "I sent people to the scene to investigate, and guess what?"
He looked up at Eduardo, as if to confirm whether his brother had understood the weight behind his words.
"They found almost no intact bodies, and very little blood. It was as if someone had deliberately cleaned up the scene. Only an unbearably foul smell remained, and—some scorched marks on the tree bark."
At this point, the smile on Eduardo's face slowly faded, as if he had finally disengaged from the context of "drinking and chatting,"
and adopted another identity.
He tilted his head and thought for a moment, changing his posture, one hand resting on the back of the chair: "Do those insects you mentioned have any special markings? Like color, patterns, or morphological features? What about their numbers, are there many?"
Louis gently swirled the wine in his glass and replied, "Those insects are very small, only about the size of a fingernail, yet they can burrow into human bodies and control their limb movements, like pulling puppet strings.
It's not like random zombie movements, but purposeful, formation-based, orderly movement. As for the numbers, I don't know."
Then he added, as if inadvertently, "I didn't want to publicize this matter. The Governor also told me not to say too much, but since you're here, I thought some things should be discussed with our own people."
He then stopped talking about this matter and continued to discuss some interesting things about the Imperial Capital.
The dinner ended, servants cleared the silver platters, and the fire in the fireplace still burned, illuminating their final farewells.
But when Eduardo walked back to his temporary living quarters alone, the smile on his face had long since vanished.
He walked slowly, as if digesting ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ the "intelligence" from the meal.
Louis's words, every single one, seemed to still echo in his ears.
He had already made his judgment: this matter was most likely related to what he needed to investigate.
Yet, he was completely unaware that he had already fallen into Louis's trap.
