Mavros Territory, Bessare.
Recently, several rumors had been circulating in this city that was hailed as a military base.
"Did you hear that the Mavros family’s main residence was broken into?"
"Did you hear that Marquis Mavros had a duel in the training field?"
"Did you hear that the training field was destroyed for unknown reasons?"
"Did you hear that Marquis Mavros had an incident before, and now he’s back?"
No one knew when it started, but rumors like these gradually spread through Bessare, growing louder with each passing day.
No one knew where these unverified rumors had originated, and no one knew whether these rumors were true or false.
Many people started desperately seeking out more information, only to be warned by the Mavros family.
"No one is allowed to spread unverified rumors. Anyone caught doing so will be punished for acting as a spy."
After the Mavros family issued this warning, the rumors that had been spreading like wildfire were finally suppressed, which caused frustration among those who had been eager to spread or gather these rumors, hoping to uncover some hidden information.
Needless to say, they could no longer use this situation to their advantage.
Considering this was Bessare, the place closest to the neutral zone and the battlefields of the two nations, those hiding in the shadows, when such major news had surfaced, were eager to verify its truth, so they quickly made their presence known, looking to make something of it.
Unfortunately, because Bessare acted as a military base, the Mavros family, fully aware of the consequences of letting rumors spread, acted swiftly and decisively to suppress those trying to stir up trouble.
Despite their efforts, however, some information still found its way into the ears of these people.
For example, the half-destroyed training field was right there for anyone to see.
If one paid attention, it was clear that not only had the field been severely damaged and could no longer be used, but the knights and soldiers who trained there had been reassigned to other locations for their training.
Another example, the youngest Sword Saint in history, Riezel Brynhart, who arrived in such a grand and dignified manner, with such pomp and circumstance, that some in Peace Town had even witnessed the Mavros family’s steward delivering an invitation to him.
When one also thought about the Mavros family being broken into and Raven’s duel with someone, intelligent people could piece together what was really going on.
Consequently, various rumors began to spread, slowly making their way through different channels. Some reached other territories in Jinas, while others spread to Reiburg and various countries on the Akasha Continent, drawing more attention to Bessare.
People were curious to know about the new young Sword Saint, who was known with the phrase ’a flash of lightning means defeat’, wanting to know what kind of conflict he had with the Guardian Sword Saint, to the point where it led to all this drama.
Even the royal capital had taken notice of the matter and sent people to inquire about it in recent days.
However, little did they know, by the time things had progressed, the conflict between Riezel and Raven had derailed, and the two were no longer involved in any way.
In this situation, the conflict between them was practically dismissed as nonexistent, and the Mavros family no longer wanted to clash with Riezel because they couldn’t afford it.
Riezel also stopped targeting the Mavros family over Felix’s matters, so after that, he settled in Peace Town, focusing on organizing various intelligence and findings, putting the issues with Raven and the Mavros family behind him.
Recently, Nibald had been spending all his time with the Mavros family, though it was unclear whether he was researching the books and ancient treasures he brought back from Maya.
Lizbeth, on the other hand, had stayed by Riezel’s side, but she often seemed absent-minded and spaced out, as if she still hadn’t sorted out her emotions.
With time passing like this, about three days later, one day, the Mavros family’s steward, Norman, paid a visit again.
"Greetings, Sir Brynhart. Marquis Mavros asked you to head to the Mavros family to discuss something with him."
Hearing Norman’s words, Riezel paused for a moment.
"Discuss something?"
At this point, what was left to discuss?
Riezel couldn’t help but wonder.
Nonetheless, he took the invitation, and along with Lizbeth, they headed to the Mavros family.
Naturally, this time was a proper visit.
Unlike last time, Riezel didn’t directly transport the entire carriage into the Mavros family’s main residence but entered through the main gate more conventionally, heading toward the Mavros family.
It seemed that the Mavros family had already received word about this visit, as even when they saw Riezel’s carriage, no one attempted to stop them like last time, and no one raised lances or stopped the carriage for inspection.
As a result, the carriage, bearing the Frenzel family crest, was smoothly escorted by the Mavros family’s knights, making its way to the main residence.
As Riezel and Lizbeth arrived, Norman personally came out to greet them at the main entrance.
Following Norman, Riezel and Lizbeth made their way up to the top floor of the Mavros family’s main residence, entering a vast conference hall.
Inside, Raven stood as if he had been waiting for a long time, accompanied by his three sons—Kaiser, Axel, and Diego.
"Thank you for coming."
Raven stood and nodded at Riezel.
It could be said that this was truly a rare sight, at least for those who knew Raven well.
Now, the usually domineering Guardian Sword Saint actually stood up to greet a youngster—it was definitely surprising in the past.
Nevertheless, the three Mavros brothers didn’t find this strange at all, and they clearly all believed Riezel had earned such treatment.
"Speak. Why did you call me?"
Riezel got straight to the point, addressing Raven.
At Riezel’s question, Raven didn’t answer immediately but gave a subtle nod to Kaiser.
"Bring him up."
Kaiser understood and immediately called out to someone outside.
Before long, the doors to the conference hall opened again, and several fully armed Mavros family knights entered, escorting someone into the room.
"Let go of me!"
A man dressed in very luxurious clothing was being escorted by the knights, but the treatment he received seemed to make him extremely angry and humiliated, to the point that he kept struggling.
"Hmph!"
As Riezel was puzzled and confused about the situation, wondering who the man being brought in could be, Raven snorted coldly before a powerful aura emanated from him.
In the next moment, the man, who had been struggling, suddenly froze, and as he looked at Raven standing there, his vicious and terrifying face turned pale.
"B-Brother-in-law!"
Without thinking, the man shouted, then, with a plop, he knelt down.
"Brother-in-law?"
Hearing this name, Riezel was first stunned, then quickly understood.
From what he knew, there was only one person who would call the Guardian Sword Saint Raven Mavros ’brother-in-law’.
Firstly, this person’s elder sister was Raven’s wife.
Secondly, this person’s son was Raven’s nephew.
He was the lord of Karudia, the head of the Hadyth family—none other than Count Hadyth himself.
Indeed, the man was Lydon Hadyth, Felix’s biological father.
"Don’t call me that. I have no relatives like you."
Raven coldly stared at his brother-in-law, speaking in a stiff and indifferent tone.
Not only was Raven’s attitude cold, but Kaiser, Axel, and Diego also coldly stared at their uncle, showing no warmth, as if they weren’t even looking at a blood relative.
"W-Why?!"
Lydon, perhaps sensing something from the coldness of Raven and the others, turned even paler as he shouted frantically.
"What did I do wrong that you’re treating me like this?!"
Lydon’s question was met with nothing but a calm response from Raven.
"I already know about the things your son did."
At these words, Lydon froze instantly.
Not caring about Lydon’s reaction, Raven continued to speak indifferently.
"In Karudia, he oppressed men and dominated women, not once but many times, using the name of the Hadyth family and even the Mavros family to coerce others, plotting the death of those who opposed him, taking women he fancied for himself, all while acting without any sense of law or restraint."
"Using his status, he accepted bribes from nobles and merchants from other regions, lining his pockets and hoarding gold and treasures worth hundreds of thousands of gold coins."
"He secretly sold counterfeit weapons and magic items, collaborated with illegal organizations, worked with criminals, and even allied with bandits, supporting over twelve different bandit groups in their plundering and killing."
Raven, counting these crimes, stared at Lydon with a fixed gaze, as if he wanted to behead him right there—his indifferent voice began to carry a note of anger.
"Of course, the most unforgivable thing was that he also colluded with an unknown mysterious organization, using the refugees from Mavros Territory as bargaining chips, disregarding the lives of innocent people, all to complete his selfish wish, having that organization do his bidding!"
"Now I understand why the missing persons cases in Mavros Territory had no leads. It’s because officials like you were secretly aiding that organization!"
"Are you telling me you didn’t know about any of this?!"
"Lydon Hadyth!"
As Raven suppressed his fury and questioned him, Lydon trembled all over.
"I... I..."
Lydon couldn’t even form coherent words as his lips quivered, his face as white as paper, and his expression filled with the terror of being caught red-handed.
Seeing this, Raven only grew more furious as he continued.
"Mavros Territory has been poorly managed. I thought it was because the people sent by Reiburg had been causing trouble in this territory, thinking that was the main cause."
"Now, I realize that this territory not only had external problems but internal ones too!"
"Harming the citizens, accepting bribes, covering for your son’s deeds, engaging in illegal trades..."
"You’ve really outdone yourself, Lydon Hadyth... Behind my back, you’ve done all those ’good deeds’!"
"So tell me, how should I deal with you?"
By this point, Raven was radiating a terrifying, murderous aura.
Needless to say, Raven was ready to kill Lydon, his own brother-in-law.