Annan could roughly confirm that Jacob and the Northern Brotherhood were indeed not on the same side.
If Jacob had ill intentions toward the Annan regime, all he needed to do was to kidnap and sell Russell. This would not only yield immense profit but also inflict catastrophic damage on the governance of the Austere-Winter Family — and even the tradition of the Austere-Winter Dukedom that had been inherited to this day.
Russell was currently the only variant of the Frost Beast that had advanced intelligence and could communicate through speech.
Her existence held irreplaceable significance for the Northern Brotherhood, as well as for other rebellious nobles, or any organization or individual contemplating a rebellion.
Being able to speak and understand speech signified the ability to communicate — which meant the ability to intimidate, seduce, brainwash, and negotiate. It also implied the potential to be controlled.
If Maria were to handle this matter, she would probably kill Russell immediately to eliminate this “possibility”.
Among the three Austere-Winters of this generation, she was the most decisive and ruthless in handling affairs — she was the one closest to being a “king”. If it weren’t necessary for someone to inherit the Storm Tower, perhaps Duke Ivan might have even considered entrusting the three-color scepter to her.
She possessed the ability to perceive the essence of matters and ruthlessly resolved the most fundamental issues… This was a talent similar to Annan’s, only she lacked some patience and was less tolerant.
Although Maria had the personal ability to control Russell and the authority to keep her subordinates in check, being able to do something didn’t mean she would do it. In her family, occupying a position that bridged generations, she needed to both assist her elder brother and take care of the young Annan.
Feeling the pressure of an unreliable elder brother and a younger brother who displayed exceptional talents from a young age, Maria developed a habit of acting with caution.
She would never expose any vulnerability.
Even if there were just a slight possibility of undermining the rule, tradition, and authority, she wouldn’t allow such a crisis to persist… Once this young creature was persuaded, kidnapped, or fled on its own, or even if its blood was stolen, the Austere-Winter family was destined to face turmoil.
If she couldn’t solve the problem, she would get rid of the source: the person who raised the problem. If Maria became the Grand Duke, she would be the ruler capable of making such decisions immediately.
If it were up to Dmitri to handle this matter, Annan was certain that he would be hesitant.
He neither had the brutalness to deal with Russell, nor the ability to keep Russell under his control — from a very young age, he was not adept at refusing others.
He was a kind, gentle, and not-so-smart person… Had it not been for the incident with his ex-girlfriend, he probably wouldn’t even have thought of using or harming Russell, the young Frost Beast cub.
Only Annan could have transformed Russell into his use.
Only when she was with Annan was there a possibility for her to have a name of her own.
The name [Russell] was the possibility that belonged only to Annan.
“Woo—ow—“
Knowing that he had a name, the milky-white little fox-dog raised its neck and howled excitedly like a young wolf.
This kid is not much cuter than Doreen…
Annan, with a smile, once again lifted her up with one hand and tucked her back into his clothes.
“So, Jacob.” Annan, with his head lowered and not looking at Jacob, casually said, “I hope you understand that you have only proven that you are not one of them.”
“Are you truly a Noah? Did you actually receive Count Geraint’s well-intentioned order? Are you hiding the mission itself? Or even, are you [Jacob]?”
“All these questions will not simply vanish after confirming that you are temporarily not my enemy.”
“Then, what should I do?”
The man with hair like withered grass spread his hands helplessly, “I have said everything I should and shouldn’t. I have also presented all the evidence available to me.”
“Just follow along. ” Annan raised an eyebrow, “What do people call you again? [Lockpicker]? Are you good at that?”
“If you need my assistance, I can give it a try.” Jacob shrugged, “Whether it’s making holes in a person or the walls — I’m equally good at it.”
Before three Silver Rank transcenders, the two “Ten Fingers”, and Austere-Winter’s Grand Duke holding a three-color scepter, he, as a pure mortal, did not panic at all.
“Could you hear my suggestion, Your Majesty? I can use ritual to establish a curse — you decide the content of it.”
“Sure.” Annan nodded and said without hesitation, “Then, you shall swear on this: [I and any individuals or forces affiliated with me will never be enemies with Annan Austere-Winter, his immediate family members, and subordinates from now on, nor will we do anything that directly or indirectly harms the interests of Annan Austere-Winter and his immediate family].”
“Your Majesty, are you a lawyer? This is the longest curse I have ever heard in my life.”
Jacob was stunned for a moment, then said with a wry smile, “I really couldn’t remember it. Could you write it down for me?”
“You’re lucky that the curse cannot be too long.” Annan raised an eyebrow, “Otherwise, I will definitely write you a thick contract. For people like you, it will never be a waste of effort to be more cautious.”
After Jacob established the curse, the curse turned into a rune. Like a bracelet, it was branded on his right forearm.
After all, Jacob did not own a curse vessel, nor did he have a condensed soul. Even if he uses ritual to bypass the “no soul” condition, if he wanted to use the curse, he could only use his own body to bear the curse.
—In this case, breaking any slight part of the curse would result in his death. Moreover, bearing the curse already damaged his body and shortened his life span.
“It seems there’s no way for me to return to the Noah Kingdom.”
Jacob rubbed his wrist.
When the curse was branded on the skin, it gave off the scorching sensation of branding an iron mold on the skin.
Even though the skin wasn’t burned, so there wasn’t any ongoing scalding pain, that momentary sensation still gave him a lingering sting in his wrist.
He grinned and said, “If the count sees me establishing such a curse, he will probably kill me.”
The intelligence agents sent to other countries eventually turned into traitors, serving the foreign leaders loyally instead.
“That’s not necessarily true.” Annan chuckled softly, reassuring, “I have a good relationship with Her Royal Highness Kafni. When Kafni succeeds to the throne, perhaps we could form an alliance.”
“Even if we form an alliance, Lord Crow will definitely not let me return.” Jacob muttered.
He looked at Annan and said with a wry smile, “Your Majesty, you see—I’m just a homeless stray dog. So, in terms of treatment…”
“What Austere-Winter can give you is certainly not as good as Noah’s.” Annan said leisurely, “But what I can provide you is more than Count Geraint.”
After he said that, he motioned to Zoya to take off his gloves.
“I will get you treated, then give you half an hour to rest and have a meal. After that, we’ll need you to show us the way.” Annan narrowed his eyes, “Since you’ve been here for a while… you must surely know something about the Northern Brotherhood.”
“Arrange a ritual and teleport us to a safe and concealed location behind those rebels.”
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