"I hope my presence doesn't surprise you too much, Lord Viscount Edward Witwood. Please be able to accept my small audience. ”

In the gloomy alley, in addition to the mess and rats all over the ground, there are only two drunkards who lie on the ground and sleep on the horse. With an extremely humble tone, Ludwig Dorian knelt down on one knee at Edward's feet, and his expression could even be seen in his panic and excitement: "The glorious cross is above, I have been waiting for this opportunity for too long!"

"So you took the lead and killed all the crew on that ship, so that now you and my squires know the whereabouts of that gold - and suddenly you have the secret that could kill me. Edward sneered, "Should I really praise you for being ruthless, or being loyal?"

"Because I want to meet you, and this is my only chance. Ludwig humbly bowed his head, almost kissing Edward's boots: "And I assure you that everything is to protect you, to make sure that this secret will not be passed on and used by someone with a will, nothing more." ”

"The price of loyalty is a dozen lives, and that's really not cheap. Edward was unimpressed, at least for now he didn't have any liking for the somewhat crazy fellow: "Your explanation is really unconvincing. ”

"Yes, killing is a means, not an end - Chief Marco Tasker told us about you. Ludwig replied: "Unfortunately, this is the only one I have the most beautiful of all abilities, and I can't find any other way to solve your problems." ”

"What do you want to do?"

"Give you my strength - Ludwig Dorian's only power is to kill, either quietly or blatantly. But the result is all the same. You'll never have to worry about someone's actions again. "Only when it comes to that. Ludwig's voice showed a slight smugness: "And you must very much want to make someone disappear from this world!"

"I want to do things for you, be loyal to you, that's all!"

“...... If that's the case, it's okay in the Blood Banner Brotherhood. After a moment of silence, Edward said without even moving his head, "Or do you think you can surpass Marco Tasker's value to me?"

"No, you can't. Ludwig shook his head: "But I don't want to be across the Marco chieftain, but the most direct kind - to you alone, and with all my heart!"

Traitor...... Edward laughed suddenly, though he didn't know what the reason was. But this Ludwig was obviously aware of the relationship between himself and Marco, so he made such a bold decision, and it is conceivable that if the silver-haired wizard found out, Ludwig would definitely not end well.

Yes, on the surface, Marco Tasker did owe allegiance to himself, but this loyalty was still different from that between master and servant, more like the relationship between lord and vassal, not to mention that Marco was also conditional when he surrendered - he desperately wanted to restore his status as a nobleman, and only he could help him.

"Can you tell me why?" said Edward softly, "I know Marco Tasker very well. You are a secretive killer who must treat you well, and you are standing in front of me now. Said he was willing to work for me alone. ”

"Chief Marco Tasker is a very capable and charismatic leader, but the Blood Banner Brotherhood he leads is very different from when Lord Cortez was around. Ludwig's expression suddenly fell silent: "It is true that the Brotherhood is stronger than in the past, but people like me have lost their usefulness. ”

"We were joined by Cortés for revenge in the Blood Banner Brotherhood, and we don't know anything but kill - we, and those who have died under the sword of you and the Knights of the Sacred Tree, have the only power that can keep us alive, only how to kill, but with the leader of Marco Tasker, we don't have the opportunity to use any of our abilities at all!"

"We are a bunch of hyenas and vultures without a goal, and we don't even know how we can survive without the leader of Cortez, because we can only be loyal to those who need hyenas and vultures!"

"You have targets to be loyal to, like Lusen Minest. Edward sneered: "He spent a lot of money to hire you to kill me, right, isn't now the best time for you to do it?"

"Because people like Luson are not worthy of my service - some of the Minestes are substitutes who are willing to die for them, but only under someone like you can I feel alive!" Ludwig slowly pulled out his short knife and held it in front of Edward: "I don't want money, if you don't trust me, you can just treat me like a hyena, but please accept my loyalty!"

"Loyalty?" Edward gripped the hilt of the dagger, the sharp tip of the knife aimed at Ludwig's eyes, only less than half an inch away, "Loyalty comes at a price, you have to prove yourself." ”

"Do you want me to have a showdown with Leader Marco Tasker?" Ludwig asked without hesitation, "I'm willing to bear all the consequences - there are many people like me in the Brotherhood, and if you reveal the slightest hint, they will all be loyal to you!"

"No, I need a Blood Flag Brotherhood that is still united, and I don't want to create a gap between myself and Marco. Edward shook his head. Ludwig could only feel the disappointment emanating from his chest before he was heard to continue: "But the Brotherhood does need to make some changes. ”

"But that doesn't mean I trust you anymore, Ludwig Dorian - you still don't have any place with me, you have to prove yourself if you want, and then you have to win my trust. Edward said in a deep voice, "You said Lusen hired you, right?"

"Do you need me to kill him?"

"No...... There's so much more I need you to do. Edward's eyes flashed with a sly glint: "I need you to figure out which of the lords of the South are allies of House Minest, but you are not allowed to act rashly until I give the order - I will not treat you for a hyena, you are a dagger at most, and the dagger does not need to think!"

"Yes, Lord Edward Wetwood!" Ludwig muttered as he watched Edward leave, his eyes flashing with joy, his right hand clenching his dagger bleeding uncontrollably, and still kneeling motionless in the empty alley. "Do you really believe what he says?" said little Goodwin, who followed behind Edward, nervously and confused, as if still wondering why he would say that, with a faint fear in his eyes, "You shouldn't have spoken to him alone in a place where no one was there, it was too dangerous." ”

Little Goodwin still didn't know anything about Landzel - but that's how dangerous this man really was, like a poisonous snake hidden in his shell, that would burst out at any moment and attack those around him, without even having time to react. This unspeakable fear and apprehension always occupied little Goodwin's heart.

"I know exactly what I have to do, dear little Goodwin. Edward patted little Goodwin on the head, "You don't think he can hurt me, do you?"

"It's true. Little Goodwin nodded and muttered to himself, "How did I forget, Dominica's army of thousands of people didn't kill the adults!"

"By the way, Lord Edward—how did you know we were here?" It was only now that little Goodwin remembered the strange question, "Aren't you supposed to be still at the banquet in the castle?"

“...... Actually, I'm curious about this. Edward smiled and looked at his squire playfully, "Why does Angela know where you are - maybe you can give me an explanation?" (to be continued......)

PS: Thank you Mo Qinghong for the monthly pass!