Baron Cullen

Michael Webber Frederick, a charming old gentleman.

In Karen's memory, the old man had been in the Waller family for over twenty years, and could be said to have watched the original owner and Cecilia grow up.

My initial impression of Phelps when he first arrived at Waller's mansion was that he had two wisps of hair hanging down his forehead, while the rest of his black and white hair was combed back and tied in a small ponytail.

Now, his hair is completely white, but his back is still as straight as it used to be.

His eyes were always calm, as calm as a bottomless pool of stagnant water, as if nothing could move him.

Previously, the original owner only thought of Phelps as a taciturn and dutiful old servant.

But in Karen's eyes now, this old butler seems to be more than he appears.

Whether it was his calm arrangement of the servants when his family suffered a great upheaval at the beginning, his keen awareness when he returned home after being attacked, or the powerful aura he exuded when he calmly stood in front of the Knights most recently.

All of this proves that this old butler was no ordinary person.

In the study on the second floor.

Karen poured Phelps a glass of water and said with a smile, "Mr. Phelps, please have a seat."

At the architecture studio, Phelps showed no expression, merely bowing slightly before calmly sitting down. "Your Excellency, is there anything you need from me?"

"No, I just...you know, I just wanted to talk to you." Karen chose her words carefully. "The city has been in turmoil lately. The former Grand Master of the Knights, Kevin Connor, escaped from prison last night and killed many innocent guards."

Now I don't know where he's hiding, and I have some past conflicts with him, which makes me very worried about my father and sister's safety.

Phelps nodded calmly, his tone unchanged: "I understand. I have already increased the night patrols in the manor as you instructed, Baron, and I will also keep a close eye on the surrounding area."

In case of danger, I will immediately take the head of the family and Miss Cecilia to the safe house.

Safe house.

That was a facility that had been in Waller House since its construction, located underground in the very center of the house.

When his father Jocelyn was still a viscount, he foresaw that the family might face danger in the future. Therefore, he not only built an extremely sturdy and well-hidden safe house, but also spent money every year to maintain and reinforce it.

Even he doesn't know what the underground safe house looks like now.

However, with a little thought, one can guess that ordinary superhumans would absolutely not be able to break into that safe house.

Pulling herself back to reality, Karen looked at the calm eyes of the old butler, Phelps, and changed the subject, asking, "Mr. Phelps, I'm just asking, did you... experience a lot of things when you were young?"

What I mean is that you always seem very calm no matter what happens, so I guess you're used to those kinds of things.

Phelps glanced at Cullen, then his gaze became distant, as if he were reminiscing about the former king.

A hint of sadness appeared on his face as he said with a sigh, "When you live a long time, you're bound to experience some storms. It's nothing."

After saying this, his face regained its usual calm, and he looked at Karen with a smile, "Baron, are you... going to ask me about what happened at the gate that day?"

Karen was taken aback for a moment, then nodded.

He wasn't intentionally trying to find out the secrets of his old butler; he just wanted to know if the man was a superhuman.

But then, something suddenly occurred to him.

When the old butler Phelps was punishing the knight, he was very shocked, but he also vaguely noticed that his father did not seem to have much of a reaction.

It felt like I had expected it all along.

Could it be that his father actually knew something about the old butler, Phelps?

Just as he was pondering, the old butler, Phelps, smiled faintly and said, "Your Excellency, I am just an ordinary person, and I have never awakened any extraordinary profession before."

Not only do I lack any extraordinary elements in my body, but I am also completely ignorant of ordinary combat skills or magic.

I have done many things in my life, but without exception, I have failed.

Now, perhaps the only thing I'm good at is managing this mansion.

He spoke frankly, but when he said the second half of his sentence, a subtle sadness flickered in his eyes.

However, Karen did not notice this unusual emotion.

Upon hearing this, Karen nodded slightly.

He naturally believed what the old butler said; the other party was a loyal servant who had served his family for more than 20 years, and he had no reason to doubt him.

Moreover, although he was called a servant, he was actually more of an elderly man who looked after the family.

Moreover, he had already used the mysterious runes to examine it carefully last time, and indeed he did not see any trace of the extraordinary realm on the old butler, Phelps.

The mysterious runes deep within his right eye are the foundation of his existence in this world, so he never doubts their accuracy.

Am I just overthinking things?

But what about that terrifying pressure that day?

Karen looked at the old butler Phelps's wrinkled yet calm face, though she still had doubts in her heart.

But since the other party had already explicitly denied it, he couldn't press the matter further.

Thinking of this, he nodded and smiled, "I see. Please understand why my actions were so powerless."

"Your Excellency, there's no need for that. Everything I've done so far has been voluntary," the old butler, Phelps, gestured to stop him. "It's my honor to have met the head of the family, Miss Cecilia, and someone as easygoing as you."

"Mr. Phelps, you flatter me. I'll leave the house to you during this time." Karen maintained a polite tone. "And Cecilia, aside from attending classes at the Mage's Association, please keep her home as quiet as possible these days."

"Rest assured, Your Excellency." The old butler, Phelps, maintained the proper etiquette expected of a butler. "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

After saying this, he bowed slightly and turned to leave.

But as he walked out of the study, he suddenly turned back to look at Karen, a smile appearing on his face:

"My Lord, I am very pleased to see the changes in you."

...

The next day.

Karen had just arrived at the chapter's base when someone he never expected came looking for him.

Lamo Eddie!

At this moment, Lamoir's expression was quite calm as he handed Karen a piece of paper covered in writing and said:

"Karen Waller, it's your turn to be on duty today! Remember not to slack off. I'll be keeping an eye on you, and if you dare to leave early, I'll report it to Vice Commander Lamont immediately!"

Karen glanced at Lamoor, then her gaze fell on what she was holding.

That was a list of personnel who needed to be on duty every day within the battle group, with one person required to stay behind for night watch each day.

And today it just so happens to be his turn.

Karen hadn't thought much of it at first, but looking at the list in his hand, he suddenly remembered something!

When he followed Lamor to the "Destruction Axe" tavern, he personally witnessed the other handing a piece of paper to the knight.

And that piece of paper was clearly the list of personnel on duty within the battle group every day!

At that moment, Karen's mind raced.

The reason Lamor handed over that list was undoubtedly because it was what the knight, Bastian, and the others needed.

But why would they need a list of personnel on duty for the warband every day?

At first, Karen thought they were preparing to attack the warband.

But now, seeing the list in his hand, and especially seeing that he was the one on duty today, he suddenly understood.

This is a trap that's obvious to everyone!

According to the rules of the battle group, apart from the fixed daily training and going out to handle commissions, they would be dismissed and go home in the evening.

Of these, only the person on duty that day needs to stay overnight at the base.

In other words, from evening until the next morning, there was only one person in the camp!

Thinking of this, Karen even felt a slight chill in her heart!

This is a trap set specifically for him!

Moreover, since it utilizes the rules set by the chapter itself, no one would even consider this possibility.

The enemy's goal was to wait until he was alone on guard duty at night and then launch an ambush that would leave him with no chance of survival!

As for who the killer is?

Karen sneered inwardly.

Kevin Connor, a fourth-tier warrior, had just successfully escaped from prison yesterday. He was not only highly skilled but also wanted throughout the city, so he no longer had any worries.

Such a person would undoubtedly be the most useful knife!

He never imagined that the moment he stepped into the battle group's base today, he would be stepping into a carefully laid trap.

He was just waiting for nightfall, when this large net would trap him securely.

Then, the venomous spider hiding in the shadows should reveal itself.