Fredrinn Firecrown: The Weakest Villain

After the meal, the city lord invited Roland to his study to discuss something in private.

"It's just the two of us here now. You can tell me what's on your mind." The city lord said while pointing at a vacant seat.

Roland's expression turned serious as he sat down. "Actually, I came here to report about the situation in the slums of Red Flame Valley."

"Are you talking about Dandora Corner?" The city lord rubbed his chin.

Roland nodded. "Yes, that's the place. Some time ago, my men discovered an organization headquartered in Dandora Corner. They called themselves the Snake Gang. They are a criminal organization that extorts poor residents and force them into unfair contracts. If their demands are not met, they forcibly take the…"

"… I sent a small unit to investigate them more thoroughly and we found out that they are also involved in the recent kidnapping cases in the slums. I decided to take action after discovering their illegal activities. My men captured their leader and some of the surviving members. We also temporarily took in their victims…"

"…When we were interrogating the leader of the Snake Gang, we found out that they are being funded by the Morten Household." Roland paused to look at the city lord's reaction.

City Lord Ludwig frowned upon hearing this. As the city lord of Red Sun City, he was also aware of the kidnapping cases in Dandora Corner. He just didn't expect that this was the doing of a criminal organization and that they were involved with the Morten Household.

Ludwig glanced at Roland and asked. "Have you verified this information? That criminal might have lied to you at that time."

Roland was already briefed by Fredrinn before they arrived at the city lord's mansion so he was prepared to answer this. He nodded as he replied. "I was also skeptical about his words so I sent my subordinates to investigate the Morten Household. I had one of my Core Formation martial practitioners infiltrate their estate to search for any leads that could prove their involvement with the Snake Gang.

This was what he found in their estate." He handed a folder to the city lord.

Ludwig took the folder and flipped it open.

Inside the folder were documents that would prove the dealings between the Morten Household and the Snake Gang. The evidence was conclusive and there was even an article signed by Dale Morten, the patriarch of the Morten Household.

By the time he read all the documents, Ludwig's eyes flashed with anger. "How dare they openly do this in my city?!" His voice was shaking with rage.

"City lord, we also captured the person responsible for delivering the funds to the Snake Gang, and from his mouth, we discovered something very shocking…"

"I'm all ears. Go on." The city lord's voice was cold.

"He said that the people kidnapped by the Snake Gang will be sent to the Blackcrow Household as slaves!"

"What?!" Ludwig closed his eyes and rubbed his temples.

After some time, he looked at Roland and asked. "Did you bring the person you captured?"

Roland nodded. "He is in our carriage."

"Bring him here. I want to hear it from his mouth."

"Alright."

***

Meanwhile, Fredrinn was stopped by Hannah on his way out of the mansion.

"I want to speak with you privately." Hannah's voice was filled with authority and it looked like she wouldn't take 'no' as an answer.

Fredrinn turned his head to Lucas and Samantha. "I'll find you two after I chat with Madam Hannah."

Lucas and Samantha stared at their mother before they nodded to Fredrinn.

"We will wait at the back garden," Lucas muttered before he left with his sister.

Fredrinn turned his gaze back to Hannah and smiled coldly at her. "Lead the way, madam."

Hannah's eyes seemed like they could spew fire. "Follow me."

Fredrinn followed her silently. 'She wouldn't kill me, right?' He thought of a terrifying possibility. Knowing Hannah's extreme dislike for him, it was definitely possible. His only confidence was that his father was in the mansion so he believed that this woman wouldn't do something that foolish.

"Are you afraid?" Hannah's mocking voice drifted into his ears.

Fredrinn flinched at her words, but he acted as if he wasn't bothered.

"Don't worry. I won't kill you. At least not for now." Hannah chuckled while looking at him with absolute disgust.

'This bloody psychopath…' Fredrinn's smile froze.

Hannah brought him to the lounge. "Sit." She said.

Fredrinn looked around and he noticed the place was barricaded by Hannah's subordinates. From the looks of it, she didn't want anyone to eavesdrop on their conversation.

"You're quite meticulous, madam," Fredrinn muttered as he took his seat.

"And you have become more daring." Hannah scoffed in disdain.

Fredrinn shrugged and pretended not to see her hostile gaze.

"Speak. Why did you come here with your father? Are you planning to ask for my daughter's hand in marriage? Have you forgotten my warning?" Hannah crossed her arms as she glared at him.

[Hannah Sparks] Favorability: 7 —> 5

Her favorability rating dropped by two points. He didn't know what would happen if her favorability dropped to zero, but it was definitely not good. They still needed the help of the Springfield Household so he must change her perception of him.

"You don't need to worry about that, madam. We didn't come here for that and I don't have any intentions of marrying your daughter." Fredrinn spoke in an unhurried voice.

Hannah narrowed his eyes as she tried to discern if there was any falsehood in his words. "At least you know your limits." She leaned on her seat and crossed her legs.

Fredrinn's eyes inadvertently turned to her white legs, but he hurriedly looked away.

Hannah seemed to have noticed this. A playful smile hung on her lips. "Did you like what you saw?" She muttered as she intentionally exposed her legs.

Fredrinn frowned in disgust. This woman might be above average in terms of looks and body shape, but she was an old woman in her sixties. Her seduction brought an intense wave of repulsion that almost made him puke. "Please have some self-respect, madam." He intentionally revealed his aura when he uttered those words.

When Hannah sensed his cultivation, she was stupefied. 'Core Formation realm! How is this possible?! Was he hiding his strength all along?!'

Fredrinn quickly concealed his cultivation.

"You… you lied about your spirit root!" Hannah muttered with a stunned look.

Fredrinn smiled and shook his head. "Lied? I didn't lie. You people came up with it on your own."

Hearing this, Hannah seemed to have understood the whole situation. "You were…" She slumped into her seat as she stared at him in incredulity.

[Hannah Sparks] Favorability: 5 —> 20

Seeing this, Fredrinn's lips curved upwards in satisfaction.