Wizard: I Have a Cultivation System-Chapter 67: Thousand-Faced Illusion [Initial Glimpse]

Chapter 67: Chapter 67: Thousand-Faced Illusion [Initial Glimpse]

Inside Baron Duval’s Castle.

Leo, the Mill Master’s son—once a friend of Carter’s and Lawson’s guide—bowed his head respectfully. "Congratulations, Lord Sylvan, on inheriting the title."

Sylvan leaned back in a chair upholstered in deep red velvet. His pale face looked even more sickly in the candlelight, the vicious curse from years ago still clinging to him. "What of Roton..."

Leo responded immediately, "My Lord, you need not worry. Roton Knight was gravely injured. Even if he was lucky enough to escape to Rosenia, he’ll never recover his former strength. Once the situation stabilizes, we will dispatch someone to eliminate this lingering threat."

Sylvan nodded slightly, a sinister glint flashing in his gray-blue eyes. "If the root of the problem isn’t pulled, it will only cause trouble later. There is another threat that needs to be dealt with now."

The two of them walked straight to the nursery on the north side of the castle.

The moment they pushed open the oak door, the maid caring for the infant recoiled in panic. Cecilia, nestled in her arms, began to cry softly.

This baby girl, with her downy, pale yellow hair, was the sole bloodline Kelvin had left behind.

A vicious look flashed in Sylvan’s eyes as he looked at Cecilia. "A single spark can start a prairie fire."

Understanding the implication, Leo stepped forward, reaching out to snatch the infant from the maid’s arms.

The maid instinctively turned aside to avoid him, but after seeing who it was, she ultimately loosened her trembling arms.

At that critical moment, a resonant voice boomed from the corridor, "Stop!"

Knight Terence’s figure appeared in the doorway. His silver-gray armor was still stained with wet blood, and his deep blue cloak snapped with each step.

The formidable man who had gravely wounded Roton merely gave Leo a cursory glance. "Give me the child."

Sylvan urgently shot Leo a look, signaling him to act at once.

But how could Leo dare to disobey?

He was no noble with the blood of the Duval Clan like Sylvan. If he angered Terence, the Knight could take his life right then and there.

Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and his hands trembled uncontrollably. In the end, he cautiously handed the infant to Terence.

Sylvan’s pale cheeks flushed crimson in an instant. But his frail body needed support just to stand for long, let alone contend with a true Knight.

Terence gently cradled Cecilia, studying her innocent face. "What a beautiful child. The noble blood of the Duval Clan flows within her. As expected of the territory’s future legitimate heir."

These words made Leo gasp, and Sylvan’s face instantly turned livid.

"Do you have an objection to that?" Terence’s gaze shot toward Sylvan like a sharp sword.

Sylvan’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he struggled to speak. "Does Viscount Hans intend to go back on his promise to us?"

"The Lord Viscount has always valued his promises," Terence replied calmly. "The Duval Territory will always belong to the Duval Clan. This is an ironclad rule upheld by both the Noble Council and the Church Court. However..."

He paused meaningfully. "The Duval Clan’s bloodline is not limited to a single branch."

"You..." Sylvan’s teeth ground together with a harsh sound.

Terence continued, "Given that the future Baron is still young and unable to accept the oaths of fealty from her vassals, it is in accordance with etiquette for you to act as regent for the time being."

Sylvan understood completely. This "oath of fealty" wasn’t about recruiting subordinates, but a reference to a man marrying into the family. According to noble tradition, when a man married into a titled family, he had to swear an oath of fealty to the female heir. Viscount Hans was planning to have one of his own kin marry into the Duval Clan, thereby skirting the edges of the Noble Inheritance Technique to gain actual control of the territory. Even if they were to split again in a few decades over conflicting interests, controlling it for two or three generations was more than enough. This was also why the Noble Council and the Church Court generally didn’t interfere; on one hand, they were powerless to do so, and on the other, the Duval Clan would, in name at least, continue on. Sylvan even suspected that Roton’s escape, despite his grave injuries, was only possible because Terence had deliberately gone easy on him, intending for the old knight to continue tying up his attention.

"I... understand," Sylvan said, his voice low as he lowered his gaze.

Just as Terence turned to leave with the infant, he suddenly looked back with a meaningful smile. "By the way, have you been feeling better since taking our potion? There is one thing I must inform you of, though. Congratulations. From now on, you’ll no longer have to worry about not having a ’lamb intestine’ when you’re with a woman."

As Terence’s laughter faded into the distance, Sylvan stood frozen in place, his face livid. Leo watched his Lord, terrified and uneasy.

After what felt like an eternity, Sylvan finally came to his senses and called out in a hoarse voice, "Leo."

Leo hurried forward and said fearfully, "Lord Sylvan, I had no choice in that situation. You saw Knight Terence’s strength for yourself. If I had rashly resisted, not only would I have been killed on the spot, but even you, my Lord..." His voice trailed off. "I swear my loyalty to you has never changed. I just needed to preserve my strength for the future."

A flash of displeasure crossed Sylvan’s eyes, but he still said gently, "It’s not your fault. Even without that bastard child, the Duval Clan has relatives by marriage elsewhere. As long as Viscount Hans is willing, he can always find a suitable candidate to inherit the title. Your decision to preserve your strength was the correct one."

"Thank you for your understanding, my Lord." Leo lowered his head, moved.

Sylvan took a sealed letter from within his clothes. "Now, I need you to deliver this letter to the parish."

Leo looked up in surprise. "Could it be for..."

Sylvan nodded, a cold smile appearing on his pale face.

Leo accepted the letter respectfully. "As you command, my Lord."

Sylvan watched Leo’s retreating back, thinking to himself, ’I hope you’re as loyal as you claim. Don’t die on the way.’

...

「In the woods of the Black Wood Forest Outpost.」

Murphy was about to move Roton Knight’s body to give him a beast’s funeral, courtesy of Mother Nature.

Murphy called it his Human-Beast Burial Rite.

Suddenly, a wave of dizziness washed over him. Countless memory fragments rushed into his consciousness like a bursting dam, and profound techniques for reshaping one’s face and transforming one’s body surged through his mind.

At the same time, the Black Light Energy dormant in his spirit was suddenly awakened, transforming into thousands of fine streams that surged along his meridians.

This dark power resonated strangely with his flesh and blood, each stream of light tracing shifting patterns beneath his skin.

Murphy could feel his bones creaking faintly, and the muscles all over his body twitched uncontrollably.

The arcane knowledge of disguise was no longer just a concept in his mind; it transformed into instinctual memory, deeply branded into every inch of his body.

When the torrent of information finally subsided, Murphy slowly opened his eyes. He looked down at the resentful expression on Roton Knight’s face and said softly, "So, you’re the ’Court’."