Chapter 154: Preparing for Battle

After bowing his head in thought for a long time, Owen decided to try a different approach to find some clues.

He looked up at Ryan and asked.

“Ryan, did the old king ever visit Biānshù Town?”

“No,” 

Ryan shook his head. 

“The old king never came to Biānshù Town. The late master always went to the royal capital or to the Dongsheng Fortress to pay his respects in person.”

“The Dongsheng Fortress? When was the last time my father went there to meet the king?” Owen pressed.

Ryan thought for a moment and replied.

“Twenty-two years ago, the old king visited the Dongsheng Fortress, and the late master went to meet him then.”

Damn! The timing matched perfectly.

Dongsheng Fortress was Duke Eddy’s territory. Could it be that the old king accidentally left a trace there? Hmm… it actually seemed possible.

Forget it. This matter was better left alone.

Thinking about the letter from Duke Eddie, Owen didn’t know what to make of it. That guy actually wrote that Third Prince White Wells is a kind-hearted and benevolent heir to the throne.

If it weren’t for Kuros telling him during a recent visit that the Third Prince was ruthless, Owen might have actually believed that nonsense.

If Owen truly had the Wells royal bloodline, the Third Prince would never let him live.

So, if Owen went to the royal capital to confirm the truth, he might never return.

Yet, if he chose to continue hiding in Biānshù Town, wouldn’t that go against the orders of the new king?

Furthermore, with this rumor spreading throughout the kingdom, the Third Prince would certainly see Owen as a threat and try to eliminate him.

On top of that, Duke Eddie had urged Owen in the letter to set out for the Dongsheng Fortress immediately upon receiving it.

Judging by this, it seemed the Third Prince had left Duke Eddie very little time—otherwise, why would he be in such a hurry?

In other words, if Owen ignored Duke Eddie, it was highly likely that Duke Eddy would hastily send troops to capture him.

Owen certainly had no intention of going quietly, and he could also settle last winter’s score with him at the same time.

A field battle could erupt between Biānshù Town and the Dongsheng Fortress, so preparations had to be made in advance.

At this thought, Owen’s expression gradually darkened.

Seeing Owen remain silent for a while, Ryan asked.

“Master, are you worried about the rumors?”

“Sort of,” 

Owen replied. 

“I have every reason to believe this is all part of Duke Eddie’s scheme.”

“Duke Eddie again?” 

Ryan looked worried.

Owen grinned confidently. 

“Don’t worry, Ryan. I have my own plan—I’m not afraid of him.”

Next, Owen left the castle and went to the northern wall’s camp to discuss the matter with Viscount Jarvis and Rusha.

Upon learning that Duke Eddie might mobilize his forces, Viscount Jarvis confidently picked up a new rifle, declaring that he would lead the people’s army to utterly defeat the enemy.

In the past, he wouldn’t have had much faith in Biānshù Town’s defense, since Dongsheng Fortress had far more people.

But now, equipped with powerful new weapons, Viscount Jarvis felt a bit overconfident.

Lusha, meanwhile, would dispatch a fifty-person squad from their village to reinforce Biānshù Town and promised to speed up the formation of the new lizardman units, selecting Blackwind Clan members for training.

To monitor Dongsheng Fortress, Owen instructed Rusha to send several agile lizardmen to spy, so they could immediately report if Duke Eddie deployed troops.

Additionally, Owen decided to have one of his personal guards act as a spy in the royal capital to quietly gather intelligence.

The People’s Army would begin intensive training starting tomorrow. This time, their enemy wasn’t the undead monsters from the north, but the army of the Eastern Rising Fortress.

After the meeting, Owen made a special trip to the steam engine factory to instruct Jita to speed up production of the new firearms.

The new bullets would continue to be produced and stocked at the current daily output.

With these orders implemented, Biānshù Town once again entered a state of war preparation.

This time, Owen was determined to deliver Duke Eddy a heavy, devastating blow.

…

Two afternoons later, Owen received a report from Clive that someone had come to apply for the captain position of the new ship.

“I understand. Bring the person over—I want to ask a few questions.” 

Owen instructed.

“Yes, sir.”

After Clive left, Owen hurried to the second floor and called Euchina, who had just returned from school, over.

He brought Euchina into the office, crouched down in front of her, and reminded.

“Euchina, remember to do exactly what I taught you earlier, okay?”

“Mm!” 

Euchina nodded. 

“I know!”

The reason Owen brought Euchina was to make use of her ability as a high-level vampire—to detect lies.

To recruit a captain as quickly as possible, Owen’s requirements weren’t very strict, and the salary offered was very attractive.

Because of this, some people would be tempted to take risks and fabricate experience to fraudulently obtain the captain position.

Previously, two people had already applied for the captain role.

Detecting lies through a regular interview was troublesome, so Owen decided to have Euchina detect whether applicants were lying on his behalf.

If the applicant lied, Euchina would pinch Owen’s hand as a signal; if they told the truth, she would do nothing.

That was how the previous two applicants had been caught—so frightened that they knelt and begged for mercy.

“Very well, I’ll leave it to you then.”

Owen stood, gently stroked Euchina’s hair, and she closed her eyes, seeming to enjoy the gesture.

Then Owen sat at his desk. As soon as he did, Euchina immediately ran over and climbed onto his lap.

“Huh? Euchina, didn’t I prepare a chair for you?” 

Owen pointed to the chair beside him.

“Nope, I want to sit here today. Please, Owen.”

Euchina turned back, her big, pitiful eyes gazing up at him.

Seeing those innocent, beseeching eyes, Owen couldn’t bring himself to refuse.

“Uh… fine, suit yourself.”

“Thank you, big brother Owen!” 

Euchina beamed with delight.

Not long after, Clive brought the applicant into the office.

The applicant was a middle-aged man with stubble covering his face and dark skin. His build was neither thin nor muscular but gave off a compact, capable impression.

As he followed Clive into the office, he noticed a little girl sitting on the lord’s lap, and a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.

He thought to himself: I didn’t expect the lord of Biānshù Town to have such a strange hobby, liking young girls. Seems like many nobles have unusual fetishes.

If Owen had known what this applicant was thinking, he would have definitely kicked him out on the spot, never to be hired.

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