Cthulhu Gonfalon

Because he had never studied magic before, Sui Xiong spent almost a day’s time to sort out the common spells with the use of a Directional Spell. Thereafter, he successfully converted himself into a Master of Spells.

That was when he realized that magic was indeed, very useful.

For example, take the day before at that little conflict at the tavern; he could, in fact, use a Mass Illusion Spell to settle the problem. After all, it was just to let everyone witness a scene of “two burly men beating up a black-haired traveler.” It was not the least bit important whether that scene happened or not.

True, the use of magic spells up to a certain extent could really create something out of nothing or even cause make-believe to become a reality. Such spells that could cause a group of people to conjure up an illusion were still not the most advanced ones. The most advanced spells could cause a large group of people to suffer from burns, get frozen or even die, and yet, even a forensic expert would not be able to investigate the cause—in fact, those were only the effects of magic spells.

Compared to other spells, the greatest advantage of magic spells to achieve a particular effect was most probably, speed. Under normal circumstances, a spell was enough to solve a problem—if a spell could not be used to solve a problem because the opponent would temporarily gain an enhanced immunity to the spell, using a few more spells would also be in vain. It was like a “once-and-for-all” business deal.

Of course, given the strength of Sui Xiong’s spells, it was completely impossible for mortals to try and resist the spells he cast. Even gods might not necessarily be able to do so.

“Alright, now I’m also an expert in spells,” Sui Xiong said. Completing his preparatory work, Sui Xiong walked out of his room in full confidence. He went to the small restaurant on the ground level of the hotel to eat.

Just then, he was struck by a sudden vibe that caused him to frown. He cast his gaze over in the direction of the entrance of the Manor of Samat.

A few soldiers had taken a badly wounded Ray Shack into custody. With a rope around his neck, they hung him onto the gallows by the suspension bridge outside the manor. Ray Shack was apparently seriously injured, for he was unable to put up any resistance at all when he was being hanged. A few friends who often went on adventures with him were nearby. Their eyes showed how much they could not bear to watch what was happening to him, but they did not dare to do anything.

Sui Xiong shook his head. He had lost all interest in eating. Turning around, he went back to his room.

On the floor of his room, the wounded Ray Shack opened his eyes in a dazed state.

“I… I thought I was going to die!?”

“How can someone working for me die so easily!” Sui Xiong said lightly. “Even though you are not very bright and your efficiency at work is substandard, putting up with a beating is enough. If I were to let you be hanged, where could I possibly hide my face?

Ray Shack snapped back to reality and looked at Sui Xiong in surprise.

Sui Xiong shook his head, then lifting his hand, white light like raindrops sprinkled over Ray as Sui Xiong watched that injured body rapidly recover. It only took a moment of slightly more than ten seconds, and Ray was already fully restored to health. Other than the bloodstains on his clothes because of the prior injuries, there was not a trace of him being beaten up to be found.

“This fellow, not even capable of doing such a small thing. How did you mingle around to the extent of being hung up on the gallows?”

Ray Shack fell silent for a moment. Then with an awkward smile, he gave a recount of the day’s events.

In fact, it was nothing more than an old-fashioned plot—Ray Shack was discovered when he was investigating for intelligence, and so, he was caught. After being tortured and interrogated, even though he did not say anything, he was still convicted of spying activities and sentenced to death by hanging.

“Can something like the death penalty be decided so easily?” asked Sui Xiong with a frown.

“The Lord Viscount holds militarized management in great esteem. According to his rules, barely scraping the corners of certain things would render a death penalty.”

Sui Xiong frowned again then asked, “Didn’t anyone voice an opinion about it? Hasn’t anyone ever given him any advice?”

“He has a soldier background, and most of the officers under his command are soldiers too. They don’t find anything wrong about his way of doing things,” said Ray Shack. “As for others’ opinions, do you think he would pay heed to any?”

Sui Xiong thought for a moment, then asked, “What about the Duchy? He made and implemented such strict laws. The Grand Lord of the Duchy, or his superior, or even that younger son of his, none of them have had any opinions in this regard?”

“No matter how strict the law is, it cannot punish them. Why would they have an opinion?”

“But you are also from a noble family. A nobleman like yourself, how could he execute you so easily?” Sui Xiong asked.

Ray Shack gave a bitter laugh and replied, “I am merely a son of a noble family; I have no title to speak off, even when it comes to the right of inheritance. I am very much behind in the line. How can someone like me be considered nobility…”

“Then, if it was a true-born nobleman? Would he sentence such a person to death too?” Sui Xiong asked again.

Ray Shack thought for a moment, and then with uncertainty, he said, “I think he would still make the same decision. In fact, for him, it was just to find an excuse. As a confidant of the second son of the Grand Lord, he seldom shows concern for his acts.”

“That’s only the second son, does he need to get this wild?”

“The Grand Duke did not make it clear on who would be his successor. Judging from the current situation, the chances of both the eldest and second sons are more or less equal.”

“Politics are indeed not to my liking!” Sui Xiong said. Heaving a long sigh, he changed the topic and asked, “So what do you intend to do next?”

Ray Shack thought for a moment, then smiled bitterly and said, “I have not been able to complete the task you assigned, but I am indebted to you for saving my life. Now, you can regard this life of mine as yours. I’ll do whatever you want me to do.”

“What if I don’t want you to do anything?”

“Then I will just have to go home and work for my cousin as a clerk or be an insignificant officer or something. I believe feeding one more mouth like me makes no difference to the Baronet Shack.”

Sui Xiong laughed and said, “That would be too wasteful. Why don’t we do this, you shall be a lord, what do you think?”

Ray Shack froze, then said, “I have no intention of vying for the title with my cousin…”

Sui Xiong laughed aloud and replied, “I am not referring to Baron Shack, I am talking about Viscount Samat.”

Ray Shack’s jaws opened wide, and he stood frozen to the ground. He did not know what to say.

“Although this is something quite certain, I still feel that you are a much better choice as a Viscount compared to that Toon Samat. Anyways, based on what you said, whether that eldest son will be the successor of the Grand Lord or not, that is still unknown. Even if he did gain the position of the Grand Lord, he might not necessarily be able to make any meritorious contributions. In that case, won’t it be nice for you to be the Viscount?”

Ray Shack was silent for a moment, then asked, “Given your ability, maybe you could change my appearance to be that of Viscount Samat, but I know almost nothing about his past, it will not take long for someone to see through me.”

“Leave that to me,” Sui Xiong said. “Since I am the one asking you to be the Viscount, of course, I can help you solve this problem. Now, the only question is, are you willing to be Viscount Samat?”

“I’m willing to, of course, I’m willing to…”

“That will do!” Sui Xiong interrupted Ray Shack and said with a laugh, “Since you are willing to, then come with me.”

“Where to?”

“To be a Viscount,” Sui Xiong said as he opened the door. “‘Oh, before that, let’s go and have a meal first. We shall fill our bellies before setting off.”

More than an hour later, Ray Shack sat blankly on the throne of a Viscount. Made out of rough wood, the throne was extremely sturdy, but it could not be considered comfortable. His face registered a dazed and forced expression.

“How did I become a Viscount? This is simply…”

He was muttering ceaselessly, and his eyes had lost a slight bit of focus.

In his eyes, he could see a floating book not too far ahead. The book’s cover was a picture of a ferocious young man who was filled with anger. That was none other than Viscount Samat. Then he flipped open the book, and all major and minor events during the lifetime of this Viscount was recorded in this book.

“Do a good job,” Sui Xiong’s voice resounded by his ears. “Be a competent lord. Don’t blindly do pointless things. I do think highly of you.”