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However, Orlando didn’t find what he’d just said ridiculous, nor did he mind Ron’s laughter.

He quietly waited for Ron to finish laughing before continuing with an unfaltering expression, “Lord Mayor, if I really wanted to trick you, I wouldn’t have chosen such a clumsy excuse.”

Ron’s laughter subsided, and he said lightly, “Then, Orlando, do tell why the Lute Clan is on the brink of disaster?”

“Lord Mayor, have you ever wondered how such a priceless bond could be so easily stolen by two of my subordinates?”

Ron wore a thoughtful expression, having previously suspected that everything was part of Count Angler’s scheme, based on a similar line of reasoning.

However, facing Orlando, Ron didn’t want to reveal too much of his own thoughts and just silently listened to the other’s recounting.

“My two underlings, both brutally tortured to the point of being unrecognisable, did not disclose the location of those ‘stolen’ bonds. Heh, I know them well, and if they truly had stolen those bonds, they would’ve confessed long ago.

Now everyone believes the bonds are in my possession, but I can frankly tell you, this is a lie!

So, this whole matter was a trap from the beginning!”

“Orlando, you should be telling Capen all this, it’s of no use telling me.” Ron said lightly, “And what does this have to do with the Lute Clan? What did you mean when you said the Lute Clan is hanging by a thread?”

“Lord Mayor, I admit that at this point, my word alone cannot absolve me of suspicion. Everyone is convinced that I hold the bonds.

But, did you ever consider a question.

Originally, when the caravan reported the incident, they did not mention the bonds. So why, when Capen found me, was he so certain that my men had stolen the bonds?”

Ron thought for a moment, then explained, “Perhaps originally the people of the caravan didn’t want to draw too much attention. If everyone knew the staggering value of the stolen goods, their chances of recovering their possessions would be even slimmer.”

“No, Lord Mayor. You must also know that the caravan belongs to the North Wind Business Association; they came to Alfalfa City intending to exchange the bonds with the Easterners for an equivalent amount of food.

That is to say, people from the East must have been dispatched to pick up the bonds.

Therefore, the reason Capen was sure of the bonds’ existence is that the Easterners told him so.

On this point, Capen trusts the Easterners, and the Easterners also trust the North Wind Business Association they’re trading with.

But the problem is, I didn’t steal the bonds at all.

So, the only truth is – the North Wind Business Association lied!”

Orlando, eyes gleaming, continued, “So why would the North Wind Business Association, who is evidently colluding with the Easterners behind the scenes, deliberately lie and plunge Alfalfa City into turmoil?

Clearly, while the North Wind Business Association appears to have secret dealings with the Easterners, they, in fact, are being manipulated by Count Angler!”

A thought struck Ron, as he began privately agreeing with Orlando’s reasoning.

This was because he’d just reached a similar conclusion himself.

However, he’d gotten there by working backwards from the final outcome and motive, whereas Orlando arrived there through the most vital piece of evidence – the bonds.

When he put the two reasoning together, Ron was fundamentally convinced that the turmoil in Alfalfa City was a result of Count Angler pulling the strings behind the scenes!

Nevertheless, in the presence of Orlando, Ron certainly wouldn’t reveal his true thoughts, so he just responded lightly:

“Mr. Orlando, you’ve said so much just to prove that the bonds aren’t in your hands. But except for you, no one will simply believe you.”

“I understand.” Orlando nodded and continued, “But, Lord Mayor, my purpose in telling you all this is merely to give you a warning.”

“A warning? Hehe, Mr. Orlando, I still haven’t understood how the trouble in Alfalfa City will reach the Lute Clan?”

“Is that so?” Orlando looked intrigued, “Have you considered what the outcome might be if things continue to escalate?”

Ron frowned, delving into deep thought.

Meanwhile, Orlando continued, “A showdown between Capen and me is inevitable, but regardless of who emerges victorious, this matter will need to find closure, and whether the bonds exist or not will have to be concluded.

By then, the Easterners would realise they’ve been played!”

“The true face of the North Wind Business Association will be completely seen!”

“So what does this have to do with the Lute Clan?” Ron still wasn’t following Orlando’s train of thought.

“My lord, when the North Wind Business Association decided to help Count Angler set up this plan, did they not consider their own end?

When the Easterners and the various forces in Alfalfa City react to the realized they have been tricked, do you think that the caravan would be able to safely leave Alfalfa City?”

“What are you trying to say?” Ron squinted his eyes, asking in a deep voice.

“I mean, the Easterners and the various powers in Alfalfa City will eventually come to realize they’ve been tricked. Their rage needs an outlet.

And since the North Wind Business Association had the guts to set up this scheme for Count Angler, they must have certainly known that they would be able to escape, or rather, they knew there would be a scapegoat.

Then, my lord, who do you think the scapegoat will be?”

Ron’s face finally changed.

Seeing this, Orlando smiled triumphantly and continued, “My lord, you must have thought of it. I am not surprised at all that Count Angler has made such arrangements.

The North Wind Business Association, as the foremost Association in the North Territory and a successful undercover asset trusted by the Easterners, is much more valuable than the struggling Lute Clan in Alfalfa City.

So, when I say that the Lute Clan is in imminent danger, it’s not an exaggeration, is it?”

“Impossible! The Count would never do such a thing…” Jason blurted out, his face flushed with panic.

But Ron remained silent, his face dark.

“Why is it impossible?” Orlando stated nonchalantly, “We lesser figures are indeed no more than chess pieces, and as chess pieces, we must be prepared to be sacrificed.

The only question is whether we have anything valuable enough to be worth the attention of the player.

Forgive my frankness, my lord, but the chips that the North Wind Business Association holds are clearly more significant than the Lute Clan.”

“Nonsense!” Jason was still trying to refute Orlando, “This whole thing has nothing to do with our Lute Clan from beginning to end, how could it involve us?”

“How can it not be related? You are the ‘owners’ of this city in name, you have the motive, and the ability to set up such a scheme.” Orlando sneered, “As for how to make you the scapegoats, there are many ways. I don’t know what Count Angler’s specific plan is.

But it’s not difficult, for instance, he could conveniently make those priceless bonds ‘appear’ in the City Lord’s Mansion…”

“No, it can’t happen…” Jason kept shaking his head, as if by doing so what Orlando had said would not happen.

However, Ron had already accepted Orlando’s judgment in his heart—they, the Lute Clan, were indeed at great risk of being used as scapegoats.

After all, it would be no big deal for Queen Isa to appoint a new city lord.

Besides, the actions of the Lute Clan had truly been disappointing recently.

Knowing that Ron had been persuaded, Orlando quickly continued, “But my lord, even chess pieces have their own consciousness, they can struggle, they can resist!

This is what my adopted son, Bruce, taught me.

Heh, you may not know, but the reason I am in my current situation is all thanks to this wonderful son!

Of course, I can understand his actions because when he needed help most, I chose to be a bystander. His anger, his disappointment, I am now completely understand.

My lord, Bruce, a helpless chess piece, ultimately chose to retaliate against me in his own way.

What about you?

Are you willing to let Count Angler use you as a scapegoat?

Ron meditated for a moment, finally lifting his head again, his eyes emanating a dangerous glow.

Staring intensely at Orlando, he asked in a low voice, “Then what do you think I should do?”

Orlando raised his eyebrows, a look of relief spreading across his face, then confidently said:

“My lord, I have a plan.”