Chapter 304：rectify

Dudian sneered: "Mellon consortium doesn't dare to face the Temple of Elements face to face so they are using this roundabout way. They are trying to take advantage of aristocracy's long-term disgust and rejection of hunters to diminish my prestige and reputation. "

"You are clear about the issue." Old Fulin nodded: "That's why you can't let them succeed. You have to fight them back as you stay in the Temple!"

Dudian shook his head: "I'll make a trip to the Temple but to buy materials. I don't have time to stay in there."

Old Fulin looked at him: "Alright, you have grasp of the matter so I assume you will be able to solve it out."

Dudian nodded slightly as he got up: "It's late so I'll go back. If the Temple or Holy Church makes an investigation just tell them that I've been here all the time."

"Alright, leave it to me." Old Fulin agreed to Dudian's request.

...

...

Old Fulin and Sander went after Dudian up to the door to send him off. The others members of the family and servants were shocked because of Dudian's sudden appearance. They weren't aware when the youth had come to the castle.

It was already curfew time as Dudian returned from Yard town to his castle. However he was unimpeded along the way as he was using the carriage which belonged to Ryan family.

He looked at the second floor of his castle which was dimly lit. Apparently they haven't slept yet.

There was a trace of coldness in his eyes. He waited for the carriage to stop. He got off the car. There were two knights from the Ryan family which were transferred to his castle as guards. They recognized Dudian at sight so they quickly approached to salute him. The doors were opened for Dudian to enter.

Dudian directly went to the hall. There were two oil lamps which were lighting the hall. The hall was empty. He glanced at the guard: "Tell the butler and the chef to come down."

Guard was nervous as he saw that Dudian's facial expressions weren't good: "Yes, sire." The guard quickly ran upstairs. Moments later sounds of rapid footsteps echoed from the second floor. The guard came down first as Nicholas rushed after him.

Nicholas's face slightly changed as he saw the similar person sitting in the hall. However there was a pleasant smile on his face the next moment. He stepped forward: "Master, you have come back."

Dudian glanced at him but ignored his question: "Get me tea."

Nicholas obeyed: "Yes!" He grabbed the teapot by the table and filled a cup of tea for Dudian.

Dudian checked the cup: "It's not even hot. Do you call this tea?"

Nicholas's face slightly changed: "I'm sorry sire. I'll get the water boiled." He ran back to the kitchen. However he saw chef Allen joining the hall so he shouted at him: "Go boil the water! The young master is back and you are dawdling! After you boild the water prepare young master's favorite rabbit ribs for him."

Chef Allen was a 30 year old middle-aged man. He had dressed in hurry as he heard the young guard say that master was calling for himself. He was startled as he heard Nicholas shout at him. He bowed and turned towards the kitchen.

"Allen come over." Dudian shouted out loud.

Allen was startled. He stopped immediately and looked back at Nicholas. He bowed slightly and went to stop in front of Dudian: "Master, do you have any orders?"

Dudian ignored the chef as he looked at Nicholas: "Go and boil water! I've something to talk with Allen."

Nicholas's face turned ugly as he replied: "Yes!" He went to the kitchen.

Nicholas boiled the water after a while. Fortunately as a butler he was very familiar with the work of the servants. So he was aware of how to do simple tasks and it didn't baffle him. He came back as he brought pot of hot water. Nicholas saw that the hall was silent as Allen stood in front of Dudian. Dudian was sitting by the table as he fingers gently tapped the table. He looked calm but it seemed that he was thinking about something.

Nicholas's heart turned cold: "Master, the water is ready."

Dudian nodded: "Go and call the others."

"Now?" Nicholas was startled.

Dudian indifferently said: "Why, is it late?"

Nicholas bluntly replied: "Of course not. It's not late. I will go." He went upstairs.

After few moments, Sergei, Gwyneth and Jin came down from the second floor. Sergei and Gwyneth glanced at each other as they came down the stairs.

Jin was the first to get to the hall. He was wearing pajamas and he looked surprised as he saw Dudian: "You have finally come back! We thought... " He thought of something as Jin's face became ugly: "Scar...Scar...he..."

Dudian whispered as he looked back at Jin: "I tried my best."

Jin clenched his fists: "I don't blame you... But his body ..."

Dudian was silent for a moment: "There was no way to bring it back."

Jin bowed his head: "I blame myself...I was too weak. If I was as strong as Sergei then... Perhaps I would be able to kill that thing..."

Dudian didn't say anything but turned to look at Sergei and Gwyneth.

Sergei grinned as he looked at Dudian: "We thought that the monster carried you away too. We waited at the entrance for three days but saw that you aren't coming back. Your hope of surviving for very slim so we came back. It seems your luck is good."

Dudian stared at him: "I have heard that patriarch of Ryan family had ordered you to go outside the giant wall to search for me. Why did you go?"

Sergei shrugged his shoulders: "We did know your location or how to search for you. I don't have abilities regarding that field so I assume you can understand and don't blame me for this."

Gwyneth quietly listened to him and spoke up next: "I don't have tracing abilities from my magic marks. So there was no way to find you."

"Lies!" Jin who was standing in front of Dudian shouted out in anger. He looked at both of them: "I was going to go but both of you stopped me! You said that if Dean dies then we will be free!"

Sergei coldly replied: "Don't slander us without evidence."

"Well?" Gwyneth coldly stared at Jin.

Dudian slightly raised his hand and interrupted them. He lightly said: "I know what is going on in your minds. I don't care much about it but let me see your loyalty at least in action!" Dudian looked at Sergei and Gwyneth as he continued:" Did you really think that you can walk away freely if I died? Sorry to inform you that in case I die the umbrella over your head will be gone too. I can assure you that your death would be much uglier than mine. Note down that you won't be imprisoned again!"

Sergei and Gwyneth's face slightly changed. Sergei spoke up: "He is lying...We did not ..."

Dudian raised his hand and calmly said: "I didn't expect you to search for me outside the giant wall but at least you should have waited for my return at the entrace. Maybe I would have come back in a very bad condition? Wouldn't be enough to save me if you were there?"

Sergei was startled as he couldn't retort.

Dudian whispered: "I have already told you that I will give you three chances. Sergei you have spent two of those. I hope you won't be in hurry to waste the third chance."

Sergei snorted and turned away.

Dudian didn't care much about his attitude as his eyes fell onto Nicholas's body: "Butler..."

"Yes." Nicholas quickly answered.

"Are you aware that you have used all three chances..." Dudian narrowed his eyes as he looked at Nicholas.

Nicholas rapidly said: "Master I don't understand you. I remember that I had offended you once back in the carriage after you bailed us out. But since then I have been in the castle and hasn't done anything. It has to be a misunderstanding. I simply can't stand up against you. I have given up long time ago ... "

Dudian shook his head: "I said that I need your allegiance when I bailed you out. If you had any bad thoughts then you should have kept in your heart. If you wanted to act then you should have done so that I wasn't aware of it! Unfortunately your abilities are not up to par. I am disappointed. I'm not disappointed because you betrayed me but because there were so many loopholes in that betrayal! I thought that you had some capabilities as you were able to emtpy the vaults of your previous owner but I think I have overestimated you!"

Nicholas was stunned.

Sergei and Gwyneth look at Nicholas. There was a gloomy smile on Sergei's face as he folded his arms and watched quietly.

"I don't understand. Please master elaborate more." Nicholas's tone was resolute as he looked back at Dudian.

Dudian indifferently said: "The moment you had arrived in the castle you had asked the chef to inquire about my identity. What was your intention?"

Nicholas looked at chef Allen: "Master, he is slandering me!"

Dudian glanced at Nicholas: "Do you think that money can seal his lips? Indeed, money is useful at most of the time. But you can only give him money while I don't just give him money. I give him more than that, his life! Look at it from your perspective. Your identity or my status? I think even a brainless pig will know which side to stand."

Nicholas bowed as he face turned hard like stone: "Master, I know I was wrong. I just wanted to serve you better..."

"No need for useless words." Dudian indifferently continued: "The third betrayal was in my room. You searched for my things. The fourth betrayal happened when you secretly informed the Mellon consortium about my trip to the outside of the giant wall to hunt."

Nicholas retorted in hurry: "It wasn't me. It really wasn't me! You can't blame that on me!"

Dudian glanced back at him: "You should be glad that I'm very busy right now and don't have time to deal with you. I have said that there will be punishment for the people who had betrayed me. Since you are restless at home then you will be coming with me the next time we go out hunting."

Nicholas's face changed: "Master, y-you, you can't do this to me. I'm not willing to end up like that because of empty words."

"I love the people who are unwilling."

"Master, I ..."

Dudian raised his hand to interrupt him. He waved at chef Allen to retreat and glanced at Gwyneth and Sergei: "You guys get ready too. We will go out to hunt in two days" Afterwards he looked at Jin: "You will stay at home as a butler. Hire a few servants and remember to pick carefully. Don't let the other consortia to know that you are searching for servants. They may take the opportunity to send people in."

"I will." Jin nodded. He was hesitant as he remembered the ferocious monsters from the outside. He was about to open his mouth but then swallowed back his words.