Incident

Sothos Fort.

Colin walked into the study and saw the grim-faced Count Theodore.

"Cough cough..."

He stared at the parchment in his hand, an unnatural flush appearing on his cheeks, starting to cough violently.

"Colin... What is this about?"

"Tell me, what is your relationship with the Wild Wolf Bandit Group?"

Theodore roared, throwing an investigation report at Colin's face.

A red mark immediately appeared on Colin's face, but he didn't mind. He spread his hands: "Father, you've already investigated this far, do I still need to answer?"

"That batch of military equipment, was it really provided by you? Alan is your brother! Your blood!"

Theodore's chest heaved violently.

"Haha... Have you ever thought about me? I am your heir... But I don't know when it started, you admired him more than me!"

Colin also roared, venting a certain emotion in his heart.

"You..."

Theodore's fingers trembled.

Indeed, recently he had grown to admire Alan more, but he had never thought of abolishing Colin and making Alan the heir.

Otherwise, it wouldn't have been Colin who married Silvia.

It's just that, facing a once-distant second son whom he had titled early, he did have some favor and guilt.

After all... distance makes the heart grow fonder.

At the same time, the rumors about making Alan Shaya's godfather were just to motivate Colin, to make him strive harder.

Good iron only becomes useful through constant tempering!

However, Theodore did not know that some people are not true swords; once the limit of tempering is exceeded, the string of reason in their mind may break, leading to unpredictable consequences.

"Father, if you truly loved me, you shouldn't have investigated at all; you should have directly suppressed this matter to keep your heir..."

Colin straightened his back and said coldly.

Theodore's expression froze.

Indeed, from a ruler's perspective, actions should not consider good or evil, only interests.

For example, if a confidant commits a crime and is caught, it is often not because of the public reasons but because of their problematic stance.

And if a confidant is wronged, even if they are later exonerated, they may not dare to stay by your side again, because there was no resentment before, but there certainly will be now!

Treating heirs is even more so; either trust them completely or eliminate them entirely, no second option!

Theodore hadn't thought this far, only instinctively felt that he had indeed handled this matter poorly.

Or to put it another way, deep down where he hadn't noticed, his handling of the heir had indeed wavered.

After all... compared to Alan, Colin indeed fell short.

If the second-generation heir were Alan, and the third-generation heir were Shaya, how wonderful that would be...

Theodore pursed his lips, his back seemed to stoop a lot, and he coughed violently again: "There are outsiders witnessing this matter, I haven't decided how to handle it yet... Get out of my sight for now!"

Colin became extremely calm, bowed, and left the study.

Lady Sonia walked over with a smile on her face, impeccable in etiquette, but there seemed to be a certain expectation in her eyes...

...

Colin returned to his room and saw Ferlic, whose face was concealed by a hood.

"How did it go?"

Ferlic asked with a smile.

"Father already intends to deal with me..."

Colin's face darkened, "We can't delay any longer, we must act immediately!"

"Are you planning a coup?" Ferlic was hopeful, "I can help with that..."

"A coup?"

Colin looked at him as if he were insane, "The key figures of the castle guards, Turner Shorien and Alfred, are both my father's confidants. We can't win them over. How many people are you planning to attack the castle with? Even if we took it, all of Green Forest would know I revolted. Every lord would come to punish me and put my brother on the count's throne!"

"Then what do you plan to do?" Ferlic asked, smiling calmly.

"I absolutely cannot kill my father, whether from an emotional or a self-interest perspective... So the best way is to exacerbate his illness, rendering him unable to manage affairs, and then I will act as regent!"

Colin continued, "I need a potion that can make someone fall unconscious, appearing gravely ill..."

"Although difficult, there indeed is such a treasure in the palace, called 'The Dream of Konjac'. It can satisfy your needs. I have one on hand."

Ferlic smiled.

Colin glanced at Ferlic with some apprehension, then smiled, "Very good... I've already bribed the scholar who will add ingredients to the medicine. Hmm... Sonia is also unsettled, so we might as well take this opportunity to confine her too."

Ferlic nodded, feeling that Colin wasn't entirely useless. With years of heirship, he could always attract some supporters. This was the capital for a post-coup scenario! With this, he could control the situation at Sothos Castle. Then, at the right time, he would kill the Count of Green Forest and expose the truth, plunging Green Forest into chaos!

...

"Venison... rabbit meat... lamb..."

The next day.

Ginny was in the garden, pondering the serious matter of how to enhance dinner that evening.

Sean, beside her, chattered away, "Mother said Colin is doomed this time... Alan has already separated from the family, so I'll be the count!"

Ginny rolled her eyes and ignored him.

After all, not everyone can be bright. People are emotional creatures, always doing strange things. Especially this brother, referred to as a 'naughty child' by Alan.

Thud! Thud!

At that moment, she saw a team of guards in padded armor suddenly emerge from various corridors, securing every exit.

"Something's happening." Ginny's little face grew serious.

Clatter! Clatter!

A group of soldiers surged in, led by none other than Colin!

"Sean, Ginny..." Colin said with a blank expression, "Father is critically ill and unconscious, unable to handle affairs. I'm currently acting as Count of Green Forest. Go back and stay with your mother."

With a wave of his hand, two soldiers stepped forward and grabbed Sean's arms.

"What are you doing? I'm the count's son!"

Sean struggled violently, shouting continuously.

Colin stepped forward and delivered a flying kick, sending Sean crashing into the flowerbed, screaming in pain.

"Haha, I've wanted to do that for a long time, it feels great!"

Colin smiled slightly and looked at Ginny.

He saw the usually quirky sister, now pale-faced, head down, looking like a frightened quail.

"Hmph... After all, just a child. Take them all! Lock them in with Sonia. Without my order, no one is allowed out!"

Colin swiftly dealt with the situation, walking through the castle hall with the scholar and Ferlic following him, a contented smile on his face, "Where's Alan? Father is gravely ill, immediately send him a message to visit... Also, summon those lords!"

In his heart, he had already decided to take this opportunity to eliminate all the disruptive elements!