My queen is rebelling!

Keen then asked:

"Where is your father now?"

Perkins trembled and replied:

"He's in South County with Viscount Luca, waiting... waiting..."

As he spoke, he glanced fearfully at Asuna beside Keen.

Keen chuckled:

"Waiting in South County to pay respects to the new Duke?

Too bad he doesn't know that his son has already met him first."

Perkins' face turned pale, filled with panic.

Keen gave a look to Ralph beside him, who walked over with paper and pen:

"Write a letter to Levi Luca, asking him to find a way to return from South County."

Perkins' eyes widened, and he immediately understood Keen's intentions. His heart was filled with even more terror, and he said tremblingly:

"Father is with Lord Viscount. Even if I write a letter, I'm afraid there's no way to call him back..."

Ralph interrupted Perkins in a stiff tone:

"Then you'd better pray that your position in your father's heart is higher than Viscount Luca's, otherwise..."

Ralph revealed a chilling smile.

Perkins' heart skipped a beat, feeling the intense killing intent from the other party. He hurriedly took the paper and pen, and looked up at Keen.

Keen said calmly:

"Just say that the remnants of the Gunter family you took in kidnapped you, wanting to use your life as a threat to exchange for a way to leave the territory and money."

Following Keen's instructions, Perkins wrote a tearful letter for help.

Keen then looked back at the hotel owner from before, and smiled faintly:

"You performed well just now. I hope you can continue to do so.

You'll be the one to deliver the letter. You don't need me to tell you what to say and what not to say, right?"

The hotel owner had been in shock ever since learning Keen's identity. Seeing that His Majesty the King was personally assigning him a task, his whole body was filled with excitement and trembling. He repeatedly assured:

"Your Majesty, I guarantee I will complete the mission!"

After speaking, he took the letter and rushed towards South County.

Keen looked at Perkins and the others who were slumped on the ground, and said to Ralph:

"Imprison them first. After we've dealt with the Luca family, we'll deal with them together."

"Okay."

......

South County, the place to welcome the Red Dragon Duchess.

A thin middle-aged man left the gathering place and came to a luxurious carriage, and went up.

A male noble, dressed meticulously and with an elegant temperament, was sitting upright in the carriage, reading a book.

Seeing the thin man walk in, he asked:

"Levi, how is the situation?"

Levi Luca, the chief steward of the Luca family and Perkins' father, shook his head and said:

"Lord, there is still no news. The latest news is still what came from Redstone County yesterday.

A person of this status actually took office so quietly. I always feel uneasy.

Do you think she received some instructions from His Majesty and wants to secretly visit something in the Southern Territory?"

Levi obviously had this speculation too, and nodded:

"Lord, are you saying that the reason why the Red Dragon Duchess didn't allow anyone to welcome her and entered the Southern Territory in a low-key manner was to travel incognito and search for the handles of the nobles in the Southern Territory."

Viscount Luca sighed and said:

"We have to guard against it.

I heard that the Red Dragon Duchess grew up with His Majesty, and it's hard to say that her behavior patterns will not be influenced by His Majesty.

Our young Majesty is a master at playing the pig to eat the tiger.

By the way, among the welcoming teams, which nobles or officials in the Southern Territory are not present?"

Levi thought for a while and said:

"The chief of the Southern Territory Station of the Military Intelligence Agency, Ralph Zion."

Hearing this name, Viscount Luca couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine.

Immediately thinking of something, his tone became much more unusual:

"I remember that the Red Dragon Duchess also holds a position in the Military Intelligence Agency, it seems to be the director of the Military Intelligence Agency's confidential office, right?"

Levi replied:

"Yes, but she has now come to the Southern Territory to take office. According to our investigation, Miss Naftis is temporarily in charge of the work of the Military Intelligence Agency's confidential office."

Viscount Luca's face became even more gloomy, and he said:

"Normally speaking, this butcher, Ralph, could not possibly not attend the Red Dragon Duchess's welcoming ceremony. Since he didn't show up, it can only mean one thing—he has already met the Red Dragon Duchess in secret!"

The two looked at each other, and both saw a hint of chill in each other's eyes.

Asuna secretly summoned the chief of the Southern Territory Station of the Military Intelligence Agency. The meaning behind this move is not optimistic.

After a brief silence, Levi said:

"Lord, you don't have to worry too much. I have handled our family's affairs flawlessly. Even Ralph can't find any valuable clues."

Viscount Luca lowered his voice:

"We still need to be cautious, especially the traces of contact with that side. We must clean them up completely."

Levi assured him and said:

"Lord, don't worry, apart from the two of us, no third person will know about this."

After comforting Viscount Luca's emotions, Levi left the carriage and returned to the gathering place, continuing to observe the movements.

It was getting dark, and a familiar figure suddenly broke into the Luca family's residence.

Seeing the hotel owner rushing over, Levi felt a bad premonition in his heart.

This hotel owner is his son's confidant. At this time, rushing over from the family must mean that something has happened to Perkins.

Levi pulled the hotel owner to a secluded place and asked in a deep voice:

"Did something happen to Perkins?"

The hotel owner swallowed and nervously took out a letter, and said tremblingly:

"Lord, it's not good, the young master has been kidnapped!"

Levi was stunned for a moment. Who in the Southern Territory would dare to kidnap his son?

He quickly opened the letter, and when he saw the contents of the letter clearly, he was immediately furious and cursed:

"These remnants of the Gunter family are really shameless, daring to threaten us at this time!"

At the same time, a trace of understanding floated in his heart. It seems that the arrival of the Red Dragon Duchess has made these remnants of the Gunter family smell the danger, and they are preparing to flee.

The hotel owner wiped his sweat aside and said:

"Lord, they said that if you don't prepare the money and the passage to leave the territory within a day, they will... they will... they also said that they want to see you in person before they are willing to release him."

A flash of anger flashed in Levi's eyes. These white-eyed wolves, he shouldn't have taken them in for the sake of the so-called treasure!

He took a deep breath. If it were normal times, he could directly send someone to destroy the stronghold of these remnants of the Gunter family, but not now.

The entire Southern Territory is in a sensitive period of power transition. At this time, he can't make too much noise.

Levi, suppressing the anger in his heart, said to the hotel owner: "Does anyone else know about this?"

The hotel owner shook his head:

"No, they took action unexpectedly while Young Master was having dinner at my hotel.

After seeing the letter, I knew it was important, so I didn't notify anyone and rushed to find the Master."

Levi breathed a sigh of relief. As long as the situation hadn't escalated, it was still manageable.

The Gunter family was just trying to save their lives and wouldn't do anything to Perkins. He nodded and said:

"You did well. Wait here for a moment. I'll report to Viscount Luca."

Levi took the letter and hurried back to Viscount Luca's carriage.

After reporting the matter, Viscount Luca was also shocked and quickly asked:

"Does anyone else know?"

Levi shook his head:

"No, it's still under control."

Viscount Luca pondered for a moment and then gave instructions:

"Take a guard back. Agree to whatever demands they make. You must send them out of the Southern Border as quickly as possible!"

Viscount Luca felt a sense of unease. At this time, even the slightest disturbance could trigger a large chain reaction.

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This matter must be resolved as soon as possible.

Levi asked:

"Sir, the passages in the Southern Border are now under the control of the Military Intelligence Bureau…"

Viscount Luca didn't hesitate and said:

"Send them to the Kingdom of Ceylon through that passage!"

Levi was shocked, but he suppressed his surprise and nodded:

"Yes, Sir."

With Viscount Luca's orders, Levi didn't delay. He gathered a family guard with "conventional" combat power and hurried back towards the family's direction.

…

Still the same forest that Perkins led Cohen and the others to. The moment Levi stepped into the transaction point specified in the letter, he felt a chilling coldness spreading from his heart.

He arrived at the agreed location, looked around, and said in a deep voice:

"Come out. I've brought everything."

There was a rustling sound from the forest, and a middle-aged man with a pale face walked out.

When Levi saw the person, anger flashed in his eyes, and he said with a gloomy face:

"Phillips, is this how you repay the friendship of our Luca family?"

The middle-aged man seemed to be threatened and forced himself to remain calm:

"There's no need for nonsense. That duchess clearly came with a mission. I must leave Effiein.

Don't talk about friendship. You people have been coveting the treasures left behind by our family, and you can't wait for us to die."

Levi cursed inwardly, threw a spatial storage ring over, and said coldly:

"There are 100,000 gold coins and a route map inside. Take it and get out!"

The middle-aged man took the ring and asked:

"Aren't the departure passages in the Southern Border all controlled by the Military Intelligence Bureau's dogs? Is the route map you gave me reliable?"

Levi said angrily:

"You'll know when you look at it yourself. This route is absolutely safe.

Release Perkins and get out."

The middle-aged man opened the route map. It showed a sea route. He couldn't help but say:

"This… This has to pass through the territories of the three major pirate groups. Aren't we just courting death by taking this route?"

Levi snorted coldly:

"Didn't you see that there's also a token inside? The 'Dark Tide Specter' pirate group has a cooperation agreement with us. Contact them after you enter the sea area.

Okay, I don't have that much patience. Go."

However, the middle-aged man still didn't leave. He just looked back towards the depths of the forest.

The other party's unusual behavior immediately alerted Levi. He waved slightly, and a guard emerged from behind him, asking in a deep voice:

"I've given you everything. What else do you want…"

Before he could finish speaking, he saw a young couple appear beside the middle-aged man.

The two people's outstanding appearance immediately attracted Levi's attention, especially since he faintly felt a sense of familiarity from their faces.

Cohen took the token and route map from the middle-aged man, looked at them, and chuckled:

"I never thought that the three major pirate groups near the Kingdom of Ceylon, 'Crimson Raiders', 'Black Sails', and 'Dark Tide Specter', would all have some connection with our Effiein.

It seems that the Kingdom of Ceylon has been plotting against Effiein for a long time."

Levi's eyes darkened as he stared at Cohen, preparing to retort, but a chill suddenly ran through his chest, and a chilling guess surged into his mind.

He finally understood where that sense of familiarity came from.

Disbelief appeared in his eyes. He couldn't understand why these two people would be here!

Levi felt his legs go weak, and his mind was in a mess.

Cohen snorted coldly and asked:

"Levi Luca?

What are you trying to do with so many people?"

Hearing this majestic voice, Levi couldn't bear it any longer and knelt on the ground with a thud, his voice filled with horror:

"Greetings, Your Majesty…"

The guards behind him were also frightened by Levi's address and knelt down reflexively.

Soon, a group of soldiers in Black Eagle uniforms surrounded Levi and his guards.

Levi was completely desperate and slumped to the ground.

Cohen came to Levi and asked indifferently:

"The fate of you and your relatives depends on every word you say next. I hope you will consider carefully before answering."

Levi shuddered and replied in a trembling voice:

"Your Majesty, please ask."

"Who is the Luca family's contact in the Kingdom of Ceylon?"

Levi's expression froze. He looked at Cohen's stern expression, closed his eyes, and said in a low voice:

"One of Viscount Luca's nephews is serving as a personal guard under Saxon, the Third Prince of the Kingdom of Ceylon."

Cohen narrowed his eyes and continued to ask:

"What are you plotting with the 'Dark Tide Specter' pirate group?"

Levi's breathing became heavy, and his eyes were instantly filled with blood. He said:

"Your Majesty, I don't ask for anything else. I only hope that those in the family who are unaware can be spared…"

Cohen said coldly:

"You have no right to bargain, but I can tell you that I am not a bloodthirsty person and will not kill innocent people."

Levi seemed to have let go of some burden and said resignedly:

"It's a plan secretly planned by the higher-ups of the Kingdom of Ceylon—

They asked us to cooperate with them in secretly collecting talented children in the Southern Border and secretly transporting them to the Kingdom of Ceylon for training through the secret channels of the pirate group…"