Father James, who held the calendar, came to Simon's castle in person, and he reminded Simon that in a few days it would be the wedding day of Count Lange and Miss Josephine.

Simon didn't realize that time was passing so quickly. However, surprisingly, Father James didn't just bring such news.

"Your Excellency," Father James's face turned red like an apple. It seemed that he had drunk some honey before he set out, "I have discovered something unusual recently."

"Let me tell me." Simon held up his chin with his hands, his eyes full of doubt.

"Some time ago, a monk from the Kenpon Valley Diocese came to visit our diocese. In order to observe the miracle of God's increase in yield on this land, he proposed to live here for a while," Father James fell into deep thought. "It was a normal thing, but..."

"But what?" Simon's heart suddenly became alert.

"But this monk is a little different from other monks who come to observe and learn," Father James swallowed. "I heard from a believer in the village of Esbai that the monk had given him a gift and asked him many questions, including the former proclaimers on this land and the past of their family."

"Is that true," Simon had already smelled the fake claim, "I already knew roughly what he was going to do."

"Yes, you are a smart man," Father James nodded and said helplessly, "But what may not please you is that, in any case, this is just a one-sided statement from a farmer. I cannot forbid this brother from wandering around in your territory to provide relief and continue to do something unusual but difficult to convict."

"This cunning mouse," Simon rubbed his temples with some headaches, "I will let Ludwig send someone to watch him."

"Although this is something that is difficult for lords to tolerate, I still have to remind you that you should not arrest him or hurt him unless it is absolutely necessary," said Father James, who is obviously experienced in such matters. "If we do not have conclusive evidence that he is forging claims, blind actions will only reduce the church's favorability for you."

"This is really tricky. I guess after he collected enough information and materials, the final paper claim and seal would be returned to the Kenpon Valley Corner and forged it," Simon shook his head. "Maybe you can make him understand in a vague way that I already know what he is doing in my territory. At least it will restrain him a lot and hinder his progress."

"I think this method is feasible," Father James' expression became serious. "If he showed his feet and left enough evidence to convict, I will notify you as soon as possible."

"You don't need to notify me as soon as possible, just inform Ludwig," Simon's eyes were as sharp as a sword that had just been taken from the whetstone. "He knows what to do."

Not long after Father James left the Lord's Hall, a sound of horse hooves rang out from outside.

After a while, amid the loud shouts of the guards outside the door, the fat man, or Sir Hoffman, followed his trembling chin, and strode into the lord's hall with his round belly.

"Sir," the fat man took Simon's right hand and kissed Simon's ring of power. "My Sir, I pray every day and night that I can meet you again soon. Without you, I feel that my life is dull!"

"Fatty, when did you become so eloquent," Simon couldn't help laughing, "Calling your belly, can you still swing your sword? To be honest, you look like a pregnant woman about to give birth!"

"It's not my fault," the fat man scratched his head embarrassedly. "Who made the harvest in the territory last year so good? I can eat delicious white bread and barbecue every day and drink the wine that is brewed just right."

"It seems that black bread with beans is more suitable for you," Simon joked, patted the fat man on the shoulder, and returned to his lord throne. "This time I call you to accompany me to Lange's wedding banquet, not to let you have a big meal."

"Of course, my lord. But for some reason, I've always been a little worried lately," the fat man suddenly started to frown. "You know, Lange is a ruthless guy. I believe you've heard of that thing?"

"Well..." Simon nodded.

The thing Fatty said refers to the fact that several powerful local nobles who were dissatisfied with the new earl in the Kenpon Valley Territory last year died in various accidents within a few months. However, there is no evidence to prove that the biggest beneficiary, Earl Lange, was the envoy behind it, and this matter was finally left unresolved.

"You are well protected in your own territory, but who can guarantee that when you leave the Baron of Foldburg, there will be no assassins coming to attack you during your journey?" The fat man said his thoughts.

"Langer is my biological brother after all. If I had an accident on my journey to his wedding, he would have been pushed to the forefront," Simon said without hesitation. "He is not stupid. Even if he is suspected of killing his brother, he will let everyone see his true face clearly. Everyone does not want to be the next target he is murdered for the sake of intake of benefits, whether it is his in-laws and ally, Earl Wolf, or our monarch Duke of Cologne."

"Don't forget that although he is an ambitious man, he is also very short-sighted," the fat man sat down, grabbed the white bread from the pottery bowl on the table, and chewed, and analyzed, "At least, in his short-term goal, the one he placed first in his short-term goal should be to seize everything you have when he is the first heir to your territory. Now there is a wonderful opportunity to put it in front of him."

"Fatty, what you said makes sense. Since he became the count, I have become increasingly unpredictable. He is changing, becoming more and more cold-blooded and ruthless." Simon sighed.

"Because he tasted the sweetness of power." The fat man finished eating the bread in one bite and licked the crumbs left on his fingers.

………………………………

The next day, fully armed Miller also came to Esbaibor.

Simon ordered the finance director Ryan and the seal officer Ludwig to deal with when he left. Then, with Fat Miller and Fatty Miller, they arrived at the castle courtyard, where a team of elite guards had been gathered by Captain Hann.

This time, there were twenty soldiers who followed Simon to the Kenpon Valley. Except for two crossbowmen, the others had experienced the tempering of the last war.

As his personal guard, Simon not only hoped that they could protect themselves during the journey, but also hoped to show his strength to other nobles in the public so that they could win over more allies.

So, the best equipment for each of the guards was equipped with, including a hooded chain mail shining with rabbit oil, a strong Norman helmet, a large and thick round shield, and weapons they thought they could be good at.

The two cavalrymen who acted as scouts looked superb riding. The horses under their crotch were full of fodder and the muscles on their legs were strong and powerful. Simon knew that this was indispensable to the credit of the Cavalier Gabriel.

Several mailmen who followed the trip struggled to move a large roll of wolf-skin carpet as a gift to the convertible carriage, while the chef wrapped the iron pot and ingredients in a cloth and carefully tied it to both sides of the saddle of the pack horse.
Chapter completed!