Chapter 270: Please Understand Our Difficulties

“What should we do with this little guy?” Wizard Stardashan’s gaze fell upon the bruised young man on the ground. His injuries weren’t severe, but he was temporarily unconscious from the dragon’s Intimidation.

“Rhea, help treat Salmon’s wounds. No matter what, he’s a relative of the main family, and it’s really not good to treat him this way.” Molly’s expression was a bit complicated as she looked at the young man on the ground. Coincidence or conspiracy? Molly leaned more towards the latter.

“It’s better not to do that for now.” Little Will stopped Rhea’s movements.

Molly chuckled, “What? Are you jealous? Don’t worry, Lilith doesn’t even look at this little guy now. Compared to a monstrous talent like you, among their peers, only Lilith can barely keep up. Everyone else is far behind.”

Wizard Stardashan gently shook his head. Molly’s words were true on this continent where faith in the gods was strong, but it was a different story on the Wizard Islands. Little Will could be considered a genius there, and among the top tier, but he was no longer a monstrous talent.

The focus of the two places was different. This continent revered gods, while the Wizard Islands were people-oriented, so the definition of genius also varied greatly.

Little Will rolled his eyes dramatically and slapped his forehead in exasperation. “Please, use your sparse brain matter to think carefully. How long has it been since you two siblings sent that secret letter? Would the main family send someone over? Or, if someone from the main family wanted to come, would the true power-holders not stop them? Have you properly considered the problems involved? This is a hot potato, and if not handled well, the Kendall family of Drake City will face annihilation.”

“Molly, this isn’t alarmist talk. Your father, who is more likely to mess things up than succeed, has already started acting!”

Molly was startled. How long had it been since the last incident? How could she be so easily complacent? Was it the arrogance that came with her increased strength? Molly looked deeply at Little Will, her expression becoming incredibly serious. “I’m sorry, I admit I underestimated the situation. I will handle this matter.”

“No! You can’t handle this matter yourself, but I think Patriarch Wright Kendall definitely has his own plans. Let’s first ask about the specific situation, then you can take him back to the family and hand him over to Patriarch Wright to deal with.” Little Will waved his hand, saying somewhat helplessly, “I hope you can be a bit more assertive and not force everyone in Drake City to become your opponents and enemies. At that point, I won’t be able to stand with the Kendall family either.”

“But you’ll stand with Lilith and me, won’t you?” In that instant, Molly suddenly felt so exhausted having such a family and such a father. If he really caused too much trouble, at worst, she would have her brother take her, Lilith, and other relatives, as well as those willing to leave, to start their own household. They would return an empty shell of a family to their father and let him fend for himself.

Or he could even drag a bunch of parasites from the main family down with him. Molly’s eyes lit up, feeling that this was a good idea. She needed to discuss it thoroughly with her brother.

External injuries didn’t require treatment. After Rhea quickly healed his internal injuries, a wake-up spell brought Salmon slowly to consciousness. He found himself in a hall, which, though not comparable to the Kendall family’s reception hall, was quite elegant. At least it was well decorated, and he didn’t recognize many of the people inside. Where was he? He remembered hearing a dragon’s roar, and then he passed out.

“Danger! That’s a dragon’s roar, Cousin Lilith, run!” Salmon leaped up, only to be met with everyone’s astonished gazes.

Little Will sat in the main seat. Wizard Stardashan and Wizard Darkra had no interest in such childish games. After briefly explaining the matters concerning Brand and the dark wizard, they returned to the backyard, leaving these minor issues for Little Will and Molly to resolve.

With a light cough, Little Will’s gaze sharpened and fixed on Salmon’s face, making the young man freeze. “H-High-level Knight?! How is this possible?!” The young man opposite him must be that genius young man, the one the family members were discussing who was pursuing Cousin Lilith, right?

The commoner who advanced to a formal knight at thirteen and a half?

“I am Will Declan, a High-level Knight, Honorary Baron of Drake City, and supervisor of the Everything Agency under the City Hall.” Little Will’s tone was very calm, but his words made Salmon feel a chill. Was this still a boy not yet fourteen?

“This unfamiliar young man, can you tell me how you stumbled into our pre-set trap? You should know that this place is quite remote; it’s a pre-selected battlefield for our Everything Agency to lure dark wizards. We checked this uninhabited area many times before.” Little Will’s words stunned Salmon.

“Dark wizards? What dark wizards? I don’t know. I just followed Cousin Lilith’s carriage all the way from the city to here.”

“Are you saying you’ve been lurking outside the Everything Agency, watching our movements?” Little Will’s question was problematic. Molly rolled her eyes fiercely, almost unable to resist punching him. This little guy was clearly trying to trick Salmon, and Salmon was very likely to fall for it.

“Not for long. I only waited for less than an hour. Your place is too strange; it actually has an illusionary wizard formation. I tried several times but couldn’t get in, and I was even beaten by someone who came out.” Salmon felt very wronged, but that feeling was quickly replaced by the joy of seeing Cousin Lilith.

“Cousin Lilith, it’s truly wonderful to see you again. How have you been lately? I heard you’ve advanced to a formal knight. As expected, you’re the family’s genius girl; your future achievements are limitless. I only advanced to an intermediate knight two months ago.”

Lilith glanced at Salmon and said softly, “Auntie said you’re a cousin from the main family. Although I don’t know when we met, your news is probably very outdated. I’m currently an intermediate knight, intermediate knight high-stage.”

“What?! That’s impossible!” Salmon was greatly astonished, his face twisting. When did his cousin become so powerful? Wasn’t she a genius in wizard cultivation? How could her knight aptitude be even higher than his? The resources she enjoyed shouldn’t be comparable to his treatment in the main family, Salmon suddenly fell into deep self-doubt.

“Salmon, Auntie knows you’re a good child. I have a question, and Auntie hopes you can answer me truthfully: who sent you to Drake City?” Molly couldn’t quite bear to watch anymore. He was still a child, was it really okay for the two of them to repeatedly attack him like this? What? You said the two of them were under fourteen, and the other person was over sixteen? Haha, could you two monstrous talents even be judged by age?

“I overheard it myself. On the way to the training ground, I heard two high-level warriors of the family discussing the Imitation Beastman Fist technique, and then they started talking about the young talents in the family, mentioning that you, cousin, had advanced to a formal knight and had a commoner fiancé.” At this point, Salmon cast his gaze towards Little Will.

A High-level Knight, and an Honorary Baron at that! Even an honorary baron was still part of the nobility, and while a baron could be inherited, an honorary baron could only be earned through one’s own efforts. How could he defeat such an enemy? Salmon felt disheartened, seeing no chance of victory.

“Such a low-level tactic. Salmon, did you offend someone? Do they want to put you to death?” Molly’s words startled Salmon. He suddenly remembered Uncle Wright’s previous words. Why did they all suspect he had offended someone? Was coming to Drake City really that dangerous?

Salmon was simply naive, but not truly foolish. “Auntie, is there some hidden truth I don’t know? Did I cause you great trouble at an inappropriate time?”

Molly looked deeply at Salmon, then nodded gently and said, “Yes, your arrival has brought disaster to our Kendall family in Drake City. If not handled properly, the Kendall family of Drake City will cease to exist.”

“How is that possible?!” Salmon’s eyes widened.

Molly couldn’t help but shake her head gently. “Salmon, although you may be innocent, for the sake of the Kendall family of Drake City, we need to send you to the Church of the Morning Goddess for a purification ritual, and then have the Church escort you back to the capital. You may be blacklisted by the Church for life. This is the only way that doesn’t require killing you; otherwise, we would have no choice but to kill you with a heavy heart. That’s why I asked if you had offended anyone.”

Salmon was stunned. What had he done wrong? Why was he being treated this way?

He had fallen into a conspiracy, inadvertently serving as a pawn and scout. Salmon suddenly sobered up. “Someone in the family is trying to deal with you? Who is it?”

“We don’t know, but it must be the person who plotted against you. You’ll need to investigate that yourself. For a long time to come, all members of the main family who come to Drake City will receive this treatment: either death or suppression. It depends on whether the other party has malicious intent, but absolutely no one will be spared; otherwise, we won’t be able to account to everyone. And Salmon, you are the first! So we must deal with you severely.” Molly knew he was innocent, but for the family, she could only do this.

“How could the Church cooperate with you in such an absurd matter?” Salmon couldn’t believe his ears.

“I, Will Declan, Honorary Temple Knight of the Church of the Morning Goddess and the Church of the God of Storms, and a favored one of the Goddess of Night, the Goddess of Earth, the Goddess of the Ocean, and the Elf Goddess, can only sacrifice you for the greater good.” Little Will felt very pleased. This feeling of suppressing others under the pretext of the greater good was indeed very satisfying.

“I, Rhea Wood Moon, a favored one of the Goddess of Night and the Elf Goddess, young man, everyone must take responsibility for their actions. When you chose to secretly come to Drake City, you should have considered the trouble you might bring to others and pay the price for your youthful recklessness.” Little Rhea put on a convincing act, but her age and appearance made it difficult for her to command authority.

Salmon fell silent. He didn’t know what to say. What had he done wrong? He had only wanted to see his cousin, whom he had longed for day and night. Why was this happening?

“You being wronged, or the annihilation of the Kendall family of Drake City—how do you think we should choose?” Lilith’s voice was soft, but it landed heavily on Salmon’s ears.

“I don’t know why you would use me as an excuse to come to Drake City at this sensitive time, but we are already struggling to protect the family. Any existence that threatens the family must be eliminated. Although I can’t recall any interactions with you, please understand our difficulties and don’t cause us any more trouble, okay?”