Chapter 601: Chapter 387: Return to the Cave_2
Orkot was pushed back by the ice fence, stumbling a few steps backwards, his face showing astonishment as he didn’t understand how things had suddenly turned out this way.
Colin didn’t explain, and Conmonds’ concealment had led him to some unpleasant conjectures.
For safety’s sake, it was better to make the first move and take control of everyone present.
It just so happened that Orkot returned today when Conmonds was here gathering the Family for a morning meeting.
Looking around, there were nearly a hundred people, which pretty much meant that more than half of the Wood Family was present— an excellent opportunity to take control.
Conmonds, upon seeing all of this unfold, finally showed some changes in his expression.
He had thought he could delay for a while longer until there were absolutely no more explanations to give.
Yet, he didn’t expect Colin to act so decisively and to turn his face so quickly!
"Lord Colin... what are you doing, why are you imprisoning us?" The old fox still struggled, asking in confusion.
"Before I answer your question, can you first tell me what exactly happened with Martina’s death?" Colin frowned and asked.
"Martina... it was a very simple matter, just a death of an insignificant Maid. If my lord wishes to find her body, I can summon the servant who was in charge of handling the body to inquire..."
Colin just shook his head lightly and performed the modified Deep Red Marking Technique on the Wood Family members in front of him.
Now, he simply didn’t believe a word Conmonds said.
Unfortunately, due to the presence of the Spirit Fog, it was very difficult to directly read someone’s memories, and he had not learned any witchcraft that could assist with interrogation...
But no matter, the mere Wood Family couldn’t stir up any trouble in front of him, a Second Rank Wizard; best to take control first and ask questions later.
The results of the Deep Red Marking Technique came through, and there was no trace of the Divine on any of the Wood Family members present.
While Colin sighed a breath of relief, he also wondered if he had overreacted.
However, he quickly shook his head.
Regardless, since Conmonds chose to hide something, there were only two possibilities.
The first was that this matter was a profound secret of the Wood Family, not to be revealed to outsiders.
The second, that it was something that conflicted with the interests of a Wizard like himself, and knowing of it would bring trouble to the Wood Family.
Thinking of something conflicting with a Wizard’s interests, Colin immediately thought of the Divine.
But now that the check revealed nothing unusual, the situation became even more perplexing.
"Conmonds, I’m asking you one last time, what exactly is the truth behind Martina’s death?"
Conmonds paused and still maintained that bewildered and aggrieved look as he spoke:
"Lord, I’ve already told you..."
Colin’s brow furrowed slightly as he instructed Orkot at his side:
"Orkot, take the Fire Element and gather all of the Wood Family members here. I will go inform the City Lord of Intuo."
Orkot, still not having fully grasped the situation, looked at Colin somewhat blankly: "My Lord, what’s going on?"
"Orkot, you have destroyed this Family!"
Conmonds, seeing Colin about to notify the City Lord of Intuo, could no longer bear the pressure and suddenly turned his head, staring fiercely at Orkot as he bellowed.
If he had known such a disaster would happen, he would have never agreed to Mika bringing Orkot back to the Family!
Not to mention teaching Colin the Giant Mountain Breathing Method!
"I..." Orkot was startled.
"This Wizard in front of you, insatiable as he is, not only wants our Giant Mountain Breathing Method but also wants to enslave our entire Family..."
Swipe!
A flash of witchcraft light passed, and Conmonds’ voice abruptly stopped.
Colin knitted his brows; apart from anything else, this old fellow had a knack for twisting the truth.
Conmonds’ reaction solidified the suspicion in his heart.
But, looking at Orkot’s complex expression, he asked with some concern, "You don’t really believe what that old man said, do you?"
To Colin’s surprise, Orkot shook his head.
"I believe there must be some reason for your actions, Lord."
Colin nodded slightly, not having misjudged this Knight before him.
"Conmonds has been lying all along, and so has Orkot; although the reason is still unknown, they are concealing the truth about Martina’s death."
Orkot paused, a look of hope suddenly flashing in his eyes.
"Don’t get your hopes up too early." Colin shook his head, cruelly dousing the hope in front of the young man: "The likelihood of Martina being alive is not high. Otherwise, there’s no reason for Conmonds to speak in such a manner.
I suspect, though, that Martina’s death is not as simple as you imagine."
Conmonds and Orkot were clearly hiding something about how Martina died, obviously suggesting that Martina’s cause of death was not as straightforward as it seemed.
Orkot nodded, understanding Colin’s analysis.
Elder Conmonds and Orkot were clearly hiding something... something he wasn’t aware of.
Orkot suddenly felt a trace of loneliness.
Even though he was now a Great Knight, standing at the pinnacle of his Family’s power... it seemed the Family still didn’t consider him a true member.
’If only Elder Conmonds had been willing to tell him about this matter, maybe today wouldn’t have come to such a pass.’
Inside the ice fence, Conmonds’ mouth kept opening and closing, but no sound came out; looking at Orkot, his heart was not regretful but filled with hatred.