Chapter 56: Chapter 56: Just in Time Crunch! The sound of shattering porcelain echoed in the council chamber. Owen gripped the broken cup, ignoring how the shards cut into his skin, blood flowing profusely as his bloodshot eyes stared intently at the middle-aged man sitting across from him. In a hoarse voice, he asked: "Did the Marquis really say that?" The middle-aged man was dressed impeccably, sporting a small mustache and displaying the airs of a pampered nobleman. After hearing Owen’s words, he took a sip of tea before leisurely replying. "The Marquis is currently busy dealing with matters in Storm Territory and doesn’t have time to attend to your issues." "Moreover, the Marquis has already helped you considerably before, even going so far as to contact the Starfire Sect assassins for you. He’s done more than enough, yet how have you repaid him?" "You’ve let two greenhorns push you into this predicament. Do you have any idea how many nobles are mocking you outside now?" The middle-aged man spoke leisurely, but his words were merciless. Owen’s temple throbbed in fury, but he dared not lose his temper in front of this individual, forcing himself to endure it through gritted teeth. To be honest, he really couldn’t comprehend how things had come to this. In less than two short years, how did those two brothers manage to grow Black Stone City to its current stature? And Sunan, who couldn’t even grasp the basics of breathing techniques two years ago—why had he suddenly become a Wizard, even defeating Martel? Incomprehensible! Owen truly couldn’t understand! Perhaps he shouldn’t have been concerned with appearances at the start and should’ve just eliminated the two brothers. But it’s too late for regrets now. Unless the Marquis Golden Rock is willing to send troops, with his current remaining forces, holding Flash City seems unlikely. Besides, even if he could hold it, his title of Baron Flash might become nominal. Thinking of this, Owen took a deep breath, suppressed his inner anger, and said, "Envoy Giller, if the Marquis is displeased with me, he can punish me later; I won’t have any complaints. But once Flashing Territory changes hands, it will be difficult for the Marquis to regain control. Is the Marquis willing to abandon Flashing Territory?" Giller glanced at Owen with a smirk and said, "That’s not something you need to worry about. Even if Flashing Territory changes hands, the Marquis will reclaim it himself in the future." Owen was stunned. What does this mean? Is the Marquis Golden Rock finally going to tear down the unspoken rules among nobles and directly seize other nobles’ territories? If he really does this, surely all the nobles of the duchy won’t allow it and will band together against Marquis Golden Rock! Even the Marquis Golden Rock can’t bear the consequences of such an action. Or does the Marquis Golden Rock have a way to make other nobles turn a blind eye to it? "What does the Envoy mean by this?" Owen asked, uncertain. "That’s not for you to concern yourself with." Giller waved his hand, squinting his eyes as he said: "Though you’ve been incompetent, the Marquis is generous enough to value your past service. He has instructed me to take you away from Flash City. You will live as a stable manor lord in Golden Rock City." Owen’s face turned ghastly white in an instant. To fall from the position of a noble Baron to a mere manor lord was a disparity he found difficult to accept. However, if he didn’t act now, he wouldn’t be able to hold Flash City by himself, and the result would be nothing but his demise along with the city. Giller sipped his tea slowly, looking down at the faltering Owen. He believed Owen would make the wise choice. Or rather, at this point, Owen had no other option. Just then, a sudden rush of footsteps sounded from outside. The secretary hurried into the hall, seeming to wish to report something, but hesitated upon seeing Giller and the cloaked man sitting beside him. Owen, annoyed, waved his hand dismissively. "Speak quickly!" The secretary immediately bowed and said, "Sir, the scouts have reported that the Black Stone City army has advanced to five kilometers outside the city. They’ll reach the gates in an hour at most." Upon hearing this, Owen shot up from his chair, unable to mask his panic. "How did they come so quickly?!" After blurting that out, he realized his loss of composure and forced himself to calm down, signaling with his hand. "Send orders for Dario to fortify the city; the forces from Black Stone City must not step foot inside!" Once the secretary had left with the orders, Owen no longer hesitated and quickly turned to Giller, saying, "Envoy, I agree, I’ll go with you to Golden Rock City!" Giller set down his tea cup and smiled slightly, "A wise decision." "Envoy, please wait a moment. I will have my things packed immediately." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺 Even in fleeing, one must take one’s wealth along. To be a manor lord, one must have the money to purchase land. He had to gather his wealth before Black Stone City launched their attack. Trying to appease Giller, Owen handed over a small bag of gold coins. "Thank you for your trouble, Envoy." Giller weighed the bag of coins and his smile broadened. "Baron, do not worry, take your time. With Lord Hodge here, even if the Black Stone City army surrounds Flash, we’ll leave unharmed." Owen curiously glanced at the cloaked man beside him. Ever since entering the council chamber, the cloaked man hadn’t spoken, quietly sitting there. He had assumed the cloaked man was Giller’s guard. But from Giller’s tone, it seemed this Lord Hodge in the cloak was of equal standing. "May I ask who Lord Hodge is..." As Owen tried probing into the cloaked man’s background, the sudden sound of commotion outside interrupted him. He frowned, preparing to call for guards, only to see Hodge abruptly stand up. "Something’s wrong, there are screams—it’s assassins!" Assassins?! Half skeptical, Owen wondered how any assassins could get in with the Black Stone City army still ten kilometers away and his residence heavily guarded. However, Owen’s doubts were soon dispelled. The clash of battle cries swiftly approached the council chamber, then suddenly fell quiet. Following that, a lone figure slowly stepped into the council chamber. The moment Owen saw the newcomer’s face, his eyes widened in horror. "Sunan!" Giller’s eyes narrowed, instinctively straightening his back, curiously observing the young man standing at the door. This was the rumored Wizard of Black Stone City? Sunan glanced over the three individuals in the hall, his gaze pausing briefly on Hodge, and he squinted slightly, smiling coolly: "Looks like I arrived just in time. Are you three planning your escape?"