Chapter 638: Chapter 405: Ancestor’s Secret_2
Colin nodded calmly, his expression unchanged.
De Wildt looked at Colin with his murky eyes, trying to find any trace of greed or smug satisfaction on his face.
"It’s a gamble..." De Wildt muttered to himself.
No one knew whether Colin would kill them all after opening the secret chamber and then claim all its contents for himself.
As a First Rank Wizard, Colin had the strength to do so.
But De Wildt had no choice, and neither did the Roon Family.
Even without seeking any Wizards, as time passed, they would not be able to keep the secret chamber hidden.
Even Jennifer, whose strength was closest to that of an Official Wizard, would need years to successfully advance to First Rank.
The Roon Family did not have the time to wait any longer.
Moreover, they still harbored a sliver of hope that Erwin might still be alive.
If they could open this "Second White Tower," they might find clues about the Wizard Erwin’s disappearance.
As long as Erwin, a Second Rank Wizard, was still alive, the Roon Family would remain the supreme rulers of the Roon Kingdom.
As he pondered, footsteps sounded from the passage behind him; Jennifer had arrived.
"Princess Jennifer," Colin greeted calmly.
"Lord Colin," Jennifer said upon seeing Colin, her cheeks reddening slightly, and her gaze somewhat evasive.
De Wildt watched this scene and couldn’t help but sigh to himself.
Although asking Jennifer to seduce Colin was just an impulsive act without much hope for a significant effect, the current situation... Why did it seem like it was his granddaughter who was behaving oddly?
"Let’s begin, Lord Colin."
The dignified middle-aged King continued.
"Alright," Colin nodded and stepped next to the pillar, pressing his hand alongside Jennifer’s at the top of the pillar.
As magic power and spirit extended, a moment later, the iron door carved with wheat sheaves flashed a glint of light. After scanning Jennifer from head to toe, it silently swung open.
Jennifer instinctively looked inside the door of the chamber, as did Colin... or rather, everyone present did—except for De Wildt.
The middle-aged King tensed his body the instant the door opened, his eyes fixated unwaveringly on Colin.
Only when he saw that the latter remained in place, making no other moves, did he breathe a slight sigh of relief.
"It seems my job here is done," Colin said, drawing back his curious gaze. "I will take my leave then."
He wasn’t a fool and naturally noticed that this place must be of great importance to the Roon Family.
But without desire, there is integrity. Colin was not interested in the secrets of the Roon Family, nor was he the type of person to take advantage of a situation.
Therefore, to avoid any awkwardness, it was best to offer to leave on his own accord.
De Wildt was stunned for two seconds, thinking that Colin would at least choose to follow them in and have a look.
After snapping out of it, De Wildt’s gaze softened as he looked at Colin, and a sense of relief gradually rose in his heart.
He had bet correctly!
"Thank you for your trouble, Lord Colin," he bowed respectfully to Colin, then raising his head, he turned to Jennifer and instructed, "Escort Lord Colin out, Jennifer."
Although Jennifer was stronger, she was just thirteen and still a girl.
De Wildt thought that since the door to the secret chamber was open, they temporarily did not need her. She might as well escort Colin; who knew, an unintentional action could lead to an unexpected joy for the Roon Family.
"Yes, grandfather," Jennifer nodded slightly, slowly walking to Colin’s side.
"Lord Colin, please, let me show you out."
She adjusted a strand of hair beside her ear, seeming unable to look directly at Colin.
"Alright," Colin nodded gently.
Jennifer was too young; in his heart, she was at most like a little sister to him. Sister Lillian looked even younger than Jennifer, but she was actually much older; Shelley looked young as well but was already in her late teens, which was entirely different from Jennifer.
"Let’s go."
Gazing as the two figures gradually faded into the distance, De Wildt withdrew his gaze and, along with Serass and Eliza, stepped into the secretive chamber.
Just as before, Colin had traveled home along the small path by a disguised carriage.
Jennifer, as well, not knowing whether it was due to some instruction, had accompanied him all the way to his home. Despite her evident shyness, she lingered for a while before quietly returning to the Palace.
Back at the Palace, while still immersed in her shyness, Jennifer was summoned by De Wildt into the secretive chamber.
The protection on the iron door of the chamber had been removed. To prevent it from accidentally closing, De Wildt even directed Serass to prop it open with a heavy wooden chair.
The chamber had two levels. The door opened to reveal the first level, from left to right, lined with more than ten massive shelves that nearly filled up the entire space. Tags on the shelves indicated that they contained precious resources such as Magic Stones or Golden Flame Barley.
In contrast to the crowded first level, the second level of the chamber appeared much emptier, with only three bookshelves placed on the left side, stocked with crystals and books.
On the right side of the second level was a large desk.
Erwin, before he disappeared, would occasionally come here to read some books or write something, and at the same time, he would check on the chamber. This was why De Wildt and the others referred to this place as the Second White Tower.
At this moment, De Wildt was standing behind the desk, his expression grave, holding a few thin sheets of manuscript paper in his hands.
Jennifer hurried to the second level and, looking at De Wildt, asked,
"Grandfather, what did you want to see me for?"
De Wildt pressed on his brow, looking at Jennifer he did not answer, but suddenly asked with a smile,
"How is your interaction with Colin?"
Jennifer’s face turned red in an instant as she shyly stuttered, "It’s been okay, I guess."
Seeing her like this, De Wildt could not help but sigh, knowing there probably wasn’t much hope left.
"I think I might know the reason for your great-grandfather’s disappearance," De Wildt paused, then continued,
"Erwin and the rest of the Family’s Official Wizards went into the Lightless Forest to attempt to unlock the ’Ancestor’s Secret’ to acquire the complete Roon Meditation Method and other resources contained within.
From the manuscripts your great-grandfather left behind, it seems they had a high probability of success this time, which is why they brought all the Official Wizards."
"This mission was not supposed to be dangerous. Even if unsuccessful, they simply would not have been able to unlock the Ancestor’s Secret."
"However, Erwin and the others have not yet returned, which clearly indicates that an accident has occurred."
At this point, De Wildt couldn’t help but sigh, a shadow crossing his eyes as he turned and said,
"Jennifer, I called you here because there’s another matter that I need you to handle."
Jennifer lifted her head.
A complex expression appeared on the faces of Serass and Eliza standing beside her.
Before Jennifer’s arrival, De Wildt had already discussed his decision with them, and had persuaded them, but at this moment, there was still an inevitable sense of worry surfacing in their hearts.
This was a tremendous gamble.
If they lost, they would be left with nothing...
Serass couldn’t help but want to speak up again, suggesting they reconsider carefully.
"The Roon Family has no other choice, we must gamble!" De Wildt, however, seemed to anticipate his hesitation and preemptively spoke in a firm voice.
His gaze slowly moved across Serass and Eliza: "I trust that Golden Feather, he is a man of principles, and even if he does not agree, he won’t make things worse."
’Agree... what is he asking Colin to agree to?’ Jennifer looked puzzled.
"I need you to represent the Roon Royal Family and ask Colin, request him to go on a rescue mission for Erwin," De Wildt turned his gaze onto her, speaking with a sternness Jennifer had never seen before,
"Tell him in return, the Roon Family is willing to pay everything he desires, Golden Flame Barley, Magic Stones, the Roon Meditation Method that can advance to Fourth Rank, even... you."
Jennifer’s heart, still holding onto the innocence and shyness of a young girl, was shattered by the sudden command before her, leaving her bewildered. Behind her grandfather’s slightly ruthless words, she seemed to witness dark tides rushing forward, overwhelming her, almost leaving her breathless.
"Jennifer, this is about the survival of our Family, do you understand?" De Wildt emphasized again, his expression extremely serious, like a chiseled grey-white sculpture.
Jennifer opened her mouth, then finally, lowering her head, she replied,
"Yes, grandfather."