Edward（part3）

Lin Tan's decision to deal with those thugs was partly to solve his meal payment issue and partly because of the person behind them, the underground boss of Helke Town, Baggins. After his awakening, his first target was naturally Uncle Dukar, who had caused his demise. Although, strictly speaking, Dukar had only killed Edward, which had nothing to do with Lin Tan, and one could even say that Dukar had helped Lin Tan. If it weren't for Dukar killing Edward, Lin Tan wouldn't have been able to come back to life. Nevertheless, Lin Tan wouldn't let Dukar off the hook. Not to mention avenging this body, even if Dukar were to see him, he probably wouldn't spare him. It's better to strike first.

However, having just awakened, Lin Tan had nothing but his tattered body, not even a longsword, let alone the means to confront Dukar. So, seeking the local underworld boss, Baggins, was an excellent choice, as Edward had been on good terms with him.

Sure enough, after a while, Baggins arrived at the inn's door with a group of subordinates, looking fierce and imposing. He brushed aside the ingratiating innkeeper, strode into the inn, and bellowed, "Who dares to cause trouble for my men? Don't you want to live?" With that, he chopped a large axe into a table. The sharp battle-axe gleamed menacingly, causing the onlookers who had been preparing to watch the spectacle to lower their heads and focus on their food.

"Baggins, long time no see," Lin Tan emerged from the side, a toothpick now in his mouth, as he addressed Baggins.

Baggins turned to stare at Lin Tan fiercely, but the next moment, his gaze turned to one of surprise: "Aren't you..." He stopped mid-sentence. However, Lin Tan keenly grasped this piece of information—this guy seemed to know something.

"Haha, Brother Edward, so it's you here. You guys, how dare you oppose Knight Edward? Do you want to end up on the gallows?" In the Liverpool Principality, any unprovoked attack on a noble was considered illegal. If the noble wanted to make an issue of it, then commoners without backing would only face the gallows. Although knights were not true nobility, they were part of the noble class and had the right to kill attacking commoners with a sword without any punishment.

"Boss, bring two jugs of ale. I want to have a good drink with Brother Edward," Baggins invited Lin Tan, who gladly accepted.

At the table, Baggins toasted Lin Tan with a cup of ale, then chatted about trivial matters. After several rounds of drinks, Baggins cautiously probed, "Lord Dukar is still at the manor. Why aren't you practicing martial arts at the manor and instead came here?"

This guy indeed knew something. Lin Tan sneered inwardly and got straight to the point: "Dukar has probably already contacted you. Let's be frank—will you help him or me?"

Baggins was completely taken aback by Lin Tan's directness and was momentarily at a loss, a bead of cold sweat appearing on his forehead.

"Help me or him?" Edward's cold words immediately caused Baggins to break into a cold sweat.

Although Baggins was an underground boss, this was not a big city. Helke was just a small town with a population of less than two thousand. Baggins, as a small boss, could only bully small merchants and vendors. In the face of nobility, he was just a bit better off than an ordinary commoner.

The highest-ranking noble in Helke was nothing more than a minor baron without real power or fief, and the number of lower-ranking knight families did not exceed five fingers. As the offspring of a knight, Edward's status in this town was not low. Normally, Baggins would have to ingratiate himself with Edward, and helping with small favors would naturally be a must. However, the current situation was extraordinary.

The news of Edward's death had quietly spread, and now anyone of any standing in Helke Town knew that the Fleyg family was about to change its master. As the leader of the gray forces, Baggins was naturally well aware of this. He was still considering whether to pay a visit to the new Knight Dukar when Edward, who was rumored to be dead, appeared right in front of him. How could he not be shocked?

Choose Edward or Dukar? This multiple-choice question seemed not difficult at all. One was a third-level quasi-knight who had not yet received formal investiture, with his father dead and his family manor taken over; the other was a fifth-level regular knight who controlled a mercenary group of over thirty people. Anyone with a brain would know not to make the wrong choice, right?

Baggins was not only not stupid but also quite clever. He looked at Edward, a glint of contemplation flashing in his eyes: "Should I capture this kid and hand him over to Dukar? That way, Dukar might give me a substantial reward."

Lin Tan gave a nonchalant smile; he was well aware of what Baggins was thinking.

"Young Master Edward, you'd better return to the manor to avoid worrying Mr. Dukar," Baggins stood up, his face still wearing that expression, but his body began to slowly retreat. Edward was, after all, a third-level knight. If he were to suddenly attack, Baggins really had no confidence in being able to withstand it for long, as he himself was only a second-level rogue.

Baggins was on high alert, but Lin Tan leisurely sat in his seat, mockingly watching the man. Once Baggins retreated into the protection of his subordinates, his expression turned grave. He waved his hand, and the dozen or so thugs he had brought with him charged towards Lin Tan...

After dinner, Baggins, along with his dozen or so subordinates, arrived at Fleyg Manor, located three miles outside Helke Town.The manor was in the style of a small village, surrounded by a fence. In front of a still well-maintained wooden gate stood two mercenaries.

The manor was in the style of a small village, surrounded by a fence. In front of a still well-maintained wooden gate stood two mercenaries.

He handed a letter to the gatekeeper and waited outside.

Not long after, a middle-aged knight emerged from the main gate. There was no doubt that this man was Dukar.

"Mr. Baggins, haha, I've been wanting to invite you to the manor for a visit. I never expected you to come on your own today. It's truly delightful," the knight's face was flushed, indicating he had been living quite comfortably these past few days.

"Where, where, Knight Fleyg was a well-known good man in our town. I never expected him to pass away like this," Baggins followed Dukar into the manor with a sorrowful expression, even feigning wiping away tears that did not exist, "Even Edward has gone missing. He was a fine young man in the town." In reality, whenever a notable person in town died, he put on this same act.

Upon hearing Baggins' words, Dukar's face turned slightly unnatural, though he quickly recovered. However, Baggins, the ruffian leader, still caught a glimpse of it.

Baggins' subordinates were led away to rest by the mercenaries, with only one subordinate wearing a low-brimmed hat following closely. The two conversed as they entered the original Fleyg family residence, which was now Dukar's dwelling.

In the living room, several individuals were already seated. Baggins glanced around and recognized most of them as prominent figures in the town. These people, of course, had also received the news of the sudden change in the Fleyg family and had come to assess the situation. It seemed that Dukar had already swayed them for the most part. There weren't many in the town who were close to the Fleyg family, and even if there were one or two, they wouldn't oppose the rising regular knight Dukar for the sake of a dead man.

Baggins took his seat and began chatting with a few acquaintances, discussing topics from all over, without a single useful word. How Dukar had obtained the manor was an open secret; everyone just wanted to befriend this new rising star.

Soon, servants filed into the living room from the outer door, carrying a variety of dishes. Helke Town was not a wealthy place, and even these gentry lived only slightly better than the commoners, with no means to extravagantly spend on food. However, this time Dukar had spared no expense; his acquisition of the manor was not legitimate, and without the support of the local gentry, the inheritance procedures would not be easily completed.

After the deaths of Old Fleyg and Edward, the direct owners and inheritors of the manor, Dukar, as a friend of Old Fleyg, theoretically had no right to inherit the manor. But Dukar naturally had his own connections, and the rest depended on the help of the local gentry, so he had put in a lot of effort to befriend them.

By the end of the feast, Dukar had quickly become close with these local wealthy individuals, who were all swayed by the promises he had made. Although making these promises caused Dukar considerable distress, the sight of the prosperous manor lifted his spirits considerably.

As the banquet drew to a close and everyone was well-fed and rosy-cheeked, preparing to leave, Dukar saw them off one by one.

At the Fleyg Manor's main gate, the gentry bid Dukar farewell: "Mr. Dukar, rest assured, we will all sign your application letter. Old Fleyg Knight's manor should be in the hands of a fine gentleman like you."

Dukar replied with a smile, "Thank you all. Once I obtain the inheritance certificate, I will host another banquet. I hope you will all honor me with your presence."

"Of course, of course."

And just as everyone was exchanging pleasantries, the hat-wearing lackey who had been standing behind Baggins stepped forward and stood at the front of the group, saying, "Uncle Dukar, you want to inherit my father's manor without even informing me?"

Upon hearing this voice, Dukar's face immediately turned ashen. He looked at the young man before him, who had removed his hat to reveal a head of golden hair and a handsome countenance, and the panic in his eyes could not be concealed.