Hostage Situation

Translator: Cinder Translations

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Zane led the militia brothers from Tata Village, quickly running into the main hall of the lord's mansion, where the front door was now open.

The scene inside left them stunned.

A burly man, seemingly the head of the Public Security Department, was tightly squeezing someone's neck with his arm, which was as thick as a regular person's thigh. The person being restrained was none other than Captain Blare McReynolds, the police chief who had brought them to the lord's mansion for a security mission.

McReynolds was in a dire situation, being held like a chick by Ross Hayden, who towered over him by two heads. His hands gripped the muscular arm around his neck, desperately trying to pry it off, but Ross Hayden's arm was as immovable as iron. McReynolds's temples bulged with veins, clearly exerting all his strength, as beads of sweat the size of peas rolled down his forehead.

The lord's mansion guards tightly surrounded Ross Hayden and the other officials, nervously watching their surroundings, while the police officers who had entered slightly earlier stood dumbfounded at this incredible scene.

If it was just Ross Hayden, he could be seen as a rebel lurking in the city, but… looking at the current situation… Zane carefully observed Sir Ford, the head of the Affairs Council, and Philip, the old butler of the lord's mansion, who stood beside Ross Hayden, their expressions showing no signs of panic, instead appearing resolute as they looked at everyone else.

Sir Ford and Butler Philip… betraying? How could that be possible!

Although Zane didn't live in Alden Town, he had heard of these two. In every aspect, they were supposed to be the most trusted and relied upon individuals by Earl Grayman, and they could not possibly betray him.

As for the other officials, their reactions were no better than those of the police and militia; they were equally shocked by the events unfolding around them.

"Let go of Lord McReynolds! You're staging a rebellion!"

Several police officers shouted at their public security head.

Hearing his comrades' cries, Lucas, standing among the police, furrowed his brows tightly. He could recognize that these shouting police officers were among McReynolds's most trusted individuals. However, they were now facing the police chief Ross Hayden, and on top of that, the head of the Affairs Council and the butler of the lord's mansion also seemed to be on Ross Hayden's side.

Ross Hayden widened his eyes, his gaze as intimidating as that of a former captain of the guards.

"Everyone listen!" he bellowed, his voice echoing in the lord's mansion hall like thunder.

"Beluga Walter and Blare McReynolds are the true traitors."

"Don't listen to his nonsense!" Blare McReynolds's face turned red from being choked, yet he still shouted, "Get me out of the hands of this traitor!"

The militia were at a loss, and nearly half of the police raised their guns at Ross Hayden—they too were armed, but the guards protecting Ross Hayden immediately raised their weapons to confront the police.

"Put down your guns!"

Seeing this, Ross Hayden glared furiously, applying more pressure to McReynolds's neck, causing him to grimace in pain. He hurriedly told his police officers, "Put down your guns! Put down your guns!"

The police officers holding their weapons looked at each other, silently lowering their arms.

"Sir Ford? What's going on?"

The officials surrounded by the guards, initially panicked, regained their composure. Cecil, Hansel, Bernard, and others looked at old Ford, seeking answers.

"Everyone listen to me!" After clearing his throat heavily, Head Ford spoke.

Except for the vigilant guards, everyone in the hall turned their gaze toward him.

"We just received news from the lord—yes, that's right, our lord, Earl Paul Grayman, is still alive—he was indeed attacked by traitors, and among that group of traitors are the Walter family, of which Beluga is a part, and the McReynolds family!"

"Wow—!"

A wave of astonished voices erupted in the hall.

Cecil reacted, "So, the rebels Beluga mentioned are actually themselves!"

"Yes!" Butler Philip confirmed.

Blare McReynolds, being restrained, was sweating profusely, both terrified and anxious.

He couldn't fathom how old Ford and Philip had received this information. The communication channels inside and outside Alden Town should have been severed; could they possibly have telepathic abilities? He had come to oversee these "hostages," yet unexpectedly became one himself.

"Brothers of the militia! Brothers of the police!"

Ross Hayden shouted at them: "Wake up in time from the lies of these traitors! Beluga took advantage of the garrison's absence from Alden Town, using his power to deceive the militia that had come for training. Blare also deceived his police subordinates. Perhaps other departments have their people too; they spread the news of the lord's assassination—though it's not entirely false—to throw the entire city into chaos, seizing the opportunity to control the situation, even appointing their puppet lord!"

As he said the last sentence, he shot a glare at the still-seated Julian, the acting lord.

Julian, now devoid of his previous composure, trembled like a leaf, with two guards gripping his shoulders on either side.

"It's not my fault! I… I really didn't know Beluga was the traitor!"

Julian, drenched in sweat, cried out miserably, his voice echoing through the hall, but no one paid him any mind.

"Ha ha ha ha!" Blare McReynolds laughed heartily, though everyone could tell it was a forced bravado.

"It's too late! Too late! You know too late. The tyrant Paul Grayman is finished! We have already achieved victory in essence! If you could see the situation clearly, surrendering early would be the correct choice."

Ross struck him hard in the stomach, and Blare wilted like a frostbitten eggplant.

"Everyone, don't listen to the traitor's nonsense! Lord Grayman is safe; the 8th Infantry Battalion is protecting him."

Old Ford firmly rebutted, though it was just his speculation.

"And, Chief Schroeder recognized the traitors' conspiracy in time, and has rushed out of the city to seek reinforcements. He is now leading a force back. Beluga just left in a hurry because of this. However, with his militia underlings, he cannot possibly contend against Schroeder's regular troops—I have great respect for the militia, but the fact remains that everyone's roles and training investments are not the same."

Old Ford's last sentence was directed at Zane and the other militia.

(End of the Chapter)

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