Fairy tale: Little Red Riding Hood's wolf mentor

The door opened, revealing an unfamiliar eunuch.

"Sir Special Envoy Knight, the Duke requests your presence."

Poro paused, then realized that "Special Envoy Knight" was the Second Leader's position here with the Duke, or rather... someone sent to control the stronghold.

Poro glanced behind the eunuch and casually asked:

"Why isn't the Special Envoy here this time?"

"The Special Envoy has family matters and has resigned to return home."

The eunuch explained expressionlessly, then urged, "The Duke is waiting, please hurry!"

As he spoke, he turned his gaze to the other two people in the room:

"The Duke specifically instructed that your followers should also come along."

"Alright, thank you, friend. We need to prepare."

Once the eunuch left, Poro's expression returned to calm.

He turned to look at Lake and Hans, and said:

"I think the Special Envoy is probably dead. The Duke's invitation this time might be for the so-called 'reward,' but it could also be a trap."

"The Special Envoy... dead?"

Hans put down his bottle of wine, asking with some confusion.

"Ah, just a guess."

Poro didn't say much, but Lake guessed how he knew.

【Ring-shaped Regression: Lucky Guy Hans - Luck of Loss】

【Unsealing Ritual Completion Progress 5/6】

【Completed: Whetstone, Goose, Pig, Cow, Horse】

【He smiled and handed me a knife. I cut off my own flesh to feed the devil's appetite. Perhaps, someone like me, seven years of life, is no different from an ant in their eyes!】

...

The Duke's mansion was large. In the banquet hall, golden-armored guards stood expressionlessly before the exquisite walls and mahogany doors.

The three exchanged glances, and Poro stepped forward to push open the wooden door.

A eunuch guided Poro and the others to sit at the lower end of the long dining table, then excused himself.

Overhead, golden-patterned chandeliers hung high.

The golden-red candlelight flickered slowly, casting luxurious shadows.

The Duke sat at the head of the table.

Beside him was the gray-haired Crimson Witch.

Many other retainers and confidants also sat silently on both sides, sizing up the three who had entered!

"Welcome back. You did well with the matters at the stronghold."

The Duke smiled and gestured. A guard beside him brought over a plate laden with money.

"Take these. I never mistreat those loyal to me."

The Duke said, glancing meaningfully at Poro, then continued, "My Special Envoy resigned last night, which is a great pity. I need someone to fill the position. What do you say?"

"Thank you, Your Grace. I will do my best and live up to your trust!"

Poro was taken aback, but he had anticipated this. He showed an extremely sincere expression of gratitude.

"Mm."

The Duke nodded in satisfaction, finally shifting his gaze to Lake beside Poro.

The bright red cloak caught the Duke's attention.

A magical item?

The Duke unconsciously swallowed.

He had heard rumors that the new Queen of the kingdom possessed a magical artifact...

"Won't you introduce the two followers you brought with you?"

Poro had anticipated this question. He introduced them, saying:

"These two came to our stronghold a few months ago, seeking refuge. They are ruthless killers, having massacred an entire village. They are skilled fighters, so I took them in as my subordinates after they went rogue."

"Mm, not bad, talented individuals!"

The Duke didn't even look at Hans, and even if he did, he wouldn't recognize him.

The number of commoners he had killed was countless, and the number of laborers he had exploited was even greater.

Not to mention... Hans's less-than-ideal lifestyle after returning home had made him almost unrecognizable compared to a few years ago!

"Then... you don't need to return to the stronghold. Stay and work in the mansion."

The Duke said casually.

"Thank you, Your Grace!"

Poro once again showed a grateful expression.

"Then... your two subordinates don't need to follow you either. I will entrust them with important tasks separately," the Duke continued.

"Ah?"

This time, Poro was genuinely surprised, but the Duke didn't notice his stunned expression, instead staring at Lake and Hans, waiting for them to thank him.

However, in Lake and Hans's eyes, the Duke's words sounded like a "reward."

So they hesitated for a moment, then said one after another:

"Thank you, Your Grace."

The Duke picked up the glass of red wine on the table, swirled it slowly, raised it slightly to Poro and the others, then drank it in one gulp.

Having prepared in advance, Poro and the others also picked up the wine in front of them and returned the toast.

However, after drinking, the Duke raised his hand again.

A eunuch once again brought out a plate, containing several stacks of silver coins, placed separately in front of Lake.

"Your Grace, what... does this mean?"

Lake didn't take the plate. She understood that an evil person like the Duke would never give away money for no reason.

"The cloak you're wearing should be a magical item, right?"

The Duke wasn't angry, but instead showed concern. "You don't need such things while working for me. It would be bad if it got dirty—of course, I have no desire to covet it, just helping you keep it safe."

"I'm sorry, Your Grace."

Hearing this, Lake decisively shook her head and refused. "This cloak was given to me by my only family member. I can't give it to you!"

"What? I, a Grand Duke of a country, would never covet your possessions!"

The Duke's face instantly darkened. "You are a criminal, but I have overlooked your past and given you a high position! I merely wish to see your item, yet you refuse?"

Instantly, several guards around them drew their swords!

The sound of clashing metal was deafening!

Beside them, Hans and Poro's expressions also darkened.

This time, the Duke's mansion was too large, and there were many innocent people, so... using poison like they did in the stronghold was clearly not an option!

Although there was a proposal to take action during the meeting, that was only the last resort!

Directly assassinating a Grand Duke was not a rational idea.

But sometimes, plans can't keep up with changes!

"I refuse!"

Lake stood up and pushed the plate in front of her to the ground. "A person like you doesn't even have the right to touch my cloak!"

"You—"

The Duke clearly hadn't expected that the girl in the cloak would dare to speak to him like this deep within the heavily guarded Duke's mansion!

For a moment, he trembled with anger!

"Insolent!"

The Duke roared and pointed at Lake. "Someone, seize this lowly thing for me—"

The candlelight, the golden-red shadows, flickered violently in the banquet hall, and the atmosphere instantly froze—

The silver bowls, dishes, and swords reflected the scorching halo!

However, before the Duke could finish his words, an ear-piercing sound rang out from overhead, interrupting everyone's tense thoughts!

"Crack—sizzle—"

The noise of tearing metal!

An unexpected upheaval for everyone present—occurred!

The connection between the huge chandelier on the dome and the ceiling suddenly broke, falling down with flickering sparks!

The target—was directly above the Duke's head!

"Bang!!!"

With a loud crash, the huge, heavy golden chandelier landed squarely on the Duke's head!

In just an instant, the Duke's fat head exploded like a watermelon!

Blood and white brain matter instantly splattered all over the table!

The entire scene fell silent.