Theodore's face showed a hint of a bitter smile.

Banaby continued, "Previously, the conditions were simply immature. Jonas's cunning and his network ability were indeed not something we could shake."

"But now, Jonas is dead, and the Frank Manor is controlled by a woman."

"What do we have to fear?"

"A woman like Janet, aren't they always our playthings?"

The smile on Theodore's face had disappeared at some unknown time.

His eyelids were slightly narrowed, as if he was pondering something.

It wasn't just Theodore; Will was the same.

After a while.

Theodore came back from his musing.

He looked directly at Banaby and asked, "What should we do about Lawrence?"

"He is after all, the brother of Marquis Mark Duca!"

Banaby was indifferent as he spoke, "Just a noble scion who knows nothing but playing with middle-aged women, what's to be afraid of?"

"This little Morgan Town is not a place where such a big shot can stay for long."

Banaby's gaze swept over the two of them, his words becoming somewhat faint.

"Moreover, haven't you thought that Lawrence led the Sword and Shield Corps here..."

"And returned with less than thirty ragtag soldiers?"

Theodore and Will's brows instantly furrowed, staring at Banaby.

Theodore inquired, "Banaby, what do you mean by that sentence?"

Will was also waiting for Banaby's answer.

Banaby coldly snorted, "Gentlemen, think carefully."

"The struggle for Imperial Authority is still ongoing, the battle for the throne hasn't officially ignited."

"Where in the entire Karedi Empire has there been any warfare recently?"

Theodore fell silent.

A few seconds later.

Will seemed to think of something, he spoke with a frown.

"The Duchy of the Red Dragon!"

Theodore's eyes widened instantly.

Banaby looked at Will approvingly, "You guessed it! It is the Duchy of the Red Dragon!"

Theodore no longer cared for the young woman sitting on his lap.

He said to Banaby, "You mean Lawrence brought the Sword and Shield Clan to Morgan Town, claiming it was to suppress bandits."

"In reality, he was just passing through the Southern Border, crossing the mountains, entering the Duchy of the Red Dragon."

"The recent tumult of conflict between the two Grand Dukes, is that the doing of Lawrence's Sword and Shield Corps?"

"Is this... possible?"

Banaby did not refute Theodore's words, but rather questioned back.

"Theodore Manor Lord, is there any other reason you think could explain this?"

"Or do you think that the systematically trained troops of the Sword and Shield Corps from the Ducas Clan would be defeated by a Bandit Corps like the Iron Blood Brotherhood that disappeared for over half a year?"

Theodore quickly spoke up, "Naturally, that's impossible!"

As the response fell, Theodore also fell silent.

If that's the case.

Only the reason given by Banaby seems most plausible.

This might even be the sole answer.

In Theodore's mind, he conceived more terrifying consequences.

That is to say.

It was Marquis Duca who dispatched Lawrence to lead the Sword and Shield Corps, disguised as the Feiyu Army of Duke Cangyu, entering the Duchy of the Red Dragon.

And in the Duchy of the Red Dragon, they committed acts of killing and plundering!

Kindling conflict between the Duke of the Red Dragon and Duke Cangyu?

Does Marquis Duca want to incite war?

Thinking of this, Theodore quickly looked at Banaby and Will.

Theodore found that the two were much calmer than he was.

Banaby spoke up, "Theodore Manor Lord, what Marquis Duca is doing has little to do with us minor manor lords."

"When the battle for the throne starts, all we need to do is respond to Marquis Duca's summons, and that will be sufficient."

"I invited you here to consider how to deal with the Frank Manor Lord..."

Theodore nodded.

Banaby continued, "Once Lawrence is bored, he will naturally choose to leave; it's just a matter of time."

"Moreover, Marquis Duca has always disliked vassals engaging in internal strife for profit."

"Hence, we must wait for Lawrence to leave before taking action."

"So, gentlemen, tell me, how shall we respond to Janet!"

Seeing that neither Theodore nor Will spoke.

Banaby said, "Perhaps compared to contemplating a scheme, you two are more concerned about how to distribute the benefits after annihilating Frank Manor."

Hearing this, Theodore immediately took interest and turned to look at Banaby.

Will did too.

Banaby continued, "In my view, the method of distributing profits could be quite simple."

"All the money, farmland, slaves, etc., divided into three, one share for each of us, the Three Great Estates."

"What do you two think?"

Theodore nodded and said, "I have no objections."

Will was just about to nod, but quickly shook his head.

"Barnaby Manor Lord, I have a question."

"No matter what scheme we employ, it will ultimately lead to a battle between two armies."

"With battle, surely there will be deaths and sacrifices."

"Given that each manor will lose a different number of soldiers or guards, how should this be divided?"

"Surely, I can't lose two hundred soldiers and only receive one of the three shares."

"While the Theodore Manor Lord only loses ten soldiers and also receives one of the three shares?"

After speaking, Will turned to explain to Theodore, "Theodore Manor Lord, I was just making an example."

"In reality, it could even be the opposite scenario."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.