Chapter 409: Chapter 404: Interrogation

Duane found no clues related to Fel Energy within Freddy’s castle, so he had John escort the viscount to him.

"How have the past few days been?" Duane asked, like a host inquiring after a visiting guest.

Freddy looked at Duane, who sat in the high seat. A flash of resentment crossed his eyes. He was the master of this castle, yet now he didn’t even have a place to sit.

"I need to write a letter to my son. He can petition His Majesty the King to ransom me from you!"

Freddy ignored Duane’s question and brought up the matter of his ransom instead.

"You captured me for ransom, didn’t you? This should be exactly what you want."

The corners of Duane’s mouth lifted slightly. "And how do you know I’ll actually release you once they’ve paid the ransom?"

Freddy’s eyes narrowed. "What? You intend to kill me?"

Duane countered, "I even dared to kill Veselar, one of your King’s own men. You’re just a viscount. Do you think you’re more important than an Ascension-level Warrior?"

Freddy froze. An ordinary warrior, even one who reached the Shooting Star Level, couldn’t compare to him in status. But someone as powerful as Veselar was another matter entirely.

An Ascension-level Warrior was treated like nobility wherever they went.

It was only then that he realized Veselar had actually been killed. He had assumed the man had escaped.

"Duane, this will only make the Akutas Kingdom see you as a mortal enemy! When that happens, even if you can occupy the Starfall Islands, do you really think you can hold this land against an entire kingdom by yourself?"

He lacked conviction as he said this, terrified that Duane might do something reckless.

Duane had no desire to argue the point. "I had you brought here today because there’s something I need you to confirm."

He paused. "Do you know about Fel Energy?"

’Fel Energy?’

Freddy was slightly confused; he had never heard of it. However, since he couldn’t figure out why Duane was asking, he didn’t answer.

Duane caught the flicker of confusion on his face. ’It seems he really doesn’t know.’

"Or, let me rephrase. Have you ever eaten a ’Sauce Meat Fruit’? It’s a type of Magic Potion that enhances a person’s strength."

At these words, both Kaelon and Freddy reacted.

Kaelon instantly felt ill; the nauseating sensation from before vaguely welled up inside him. His discomfort was followed by a wave of hostility toward Freddy. ’If the Lord is asking this, he must have some kind of proof.’

Kaelon quickly realized there was something unusual about Veselar and the Flying Squad. ’Could they all be products of Fel Energy?’

Freddy, on the other hand, was simply surprised. "How do you know about Sauce Meat Fruit?"

Duane chuckled. "So, you’ve eaten it, then?"

Freddy had indeed eaten it; the Sauce Meat Fruit was the reason he had become a Shooting Star Warrior. But Duane’s tone and Kaelon’s increasingly hostile gaze made him hesitate to answer.

Instead, he said, "I have not. I’ve only heard it’s a special cultivation resource from Sun Stealer Castle that might be sold externally in the future."

Duane nodded slightly. This more or less confirmed his suspicions. ’King Tyron is probably just a bigger version of Daniels. I wonder how many people that monster has killed, how many sins he has on his soul?’

"Duane, what is it? Is there something wrong with this fruit?" Freddy asked warily.

Duane gave a faint smile. "It’s nothing. I just have a habit of collecting recipes for various Magic Potions. Since you don’t know anything, there’s no point in asking you."

He waved his hand. "Please escort Viscount Freddy out. Give him a pen and paper to write his letter, but remember to show it to me before you have it sent."

Simone and John acknowledged the order and led him away.

"My Lord, the leadership of the Akutas Kingdom must be Demons, just like Daniels!"

Kaelon said excitedly as soon as Freddy left. "We need to destroy them!"

Duane nodded slightly. "I know that incident left its mark on you, but the Akutas Kingdom is different from Daniels. Based on the current situation, King Tyron likely has other Ascension-level Warriors under his command."

He glanced at the empty doorway. "Freddy may be arrogant, but he made a good point just now. If we face Akutas alone, we won’t be able to hold this land for long under the current circumstances."

Hearing this, Kaelon’s excitement gradually subsided. "You’re right, my Lord. I was too emotional."

"Our first priority is to secure and develop the Starfall Islands. Then, we can look for an opportunity to eradicate them."

Duane was determined to deal with King Tyron, not just because of the Sauce Meat Fruit, but also because the king was connected to an Ancient God.

The abilities of the Black Bear in the Secret Realm were still vivid in his memory. As fellow incarnations of an Ancient God, Veselar and even King Tyron were likely just as powerful. ’No wonder they believed the turning point for the Akutas Kingdom had arrived.’

"Go and approach the prisoners from the Starfall Islands. If any are willing to pledge their loyalty to me, I don’t mind releasing and recruiting them."

Kaelon was taken aback and said worriedly, "My Lord, these people have been loyal to Freddy for years. Even if they’re willing to submit to you now, aren’t you worried they might rebel one day?"

Duane smiled and asked, "This land requires many people to manage it. Do you expect me to pull everyone from Black Forest Island and Silver Jade Ridge? Even if we transferred more than half of the officials from both places, it probably wouldn’t be enough, would it?"

"Well..." Kaelon was at a loss for words.

"I’m planning to transfer Julian and Ralph to oversee the administration and finances here, but running this place will still require us to rely mostly on the local population. Furthermore, our army needs reinforcements. As for the betrayal you mentioned, it’s certainly a possibility. It all depends on how we use them and what we expect of them."

The talent pools of Black Forest Island and Silver Jade Ridge were barely enough for his own needs, let alone enough to supply other territories.

He was only able to transfer Julian and Ralph because Natalia was holding down the fort on Black Forest Island.

Duane’s tone shifted. "Start by approaching the common folk, especially the young and promising ones who held low status in the Starfall Islands. As long as they’re willing to work for me, I will grant them status and benefits. As for Freddy’s cronies and the confidants of the other nobility, we won’t try to win them over for the time being."

Duane never intended to reduce all the prisoners to slaves.

Promoting one group while suppressing another was standard practice.

Kaelon nodded. "I understand, my Lord. I’ll get right on it!"

Duane nodded and continued, "In addition, you should also prepare to relocate from Silver Jade Ridge. I’ll feel more at ease with you stationed here permanently."

"I will not let you down!"

Duane waved his hand, about to dismiss him, when he sensed a powerful aura rapidly approaching from the sky.

His expression turned grim. He quickly cast Wind of Inquiry and soon sensed the auras of one person and one beast rapidly approaching Scorching Wind Castle.

"This is...?"

He froze for a moment, then broke into a smile and strode outside.

It was none other than Count Kais. He had successfully bonded with a Flying Demon Beast from the Silent Mountain Range.

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