For the citizens of Merova City, the recent period has been turbulent.
Gonzalez's visit, Director Carl's declaration of war, the Dark Prince's attack, the King's Festival, the annual auction... one after another major events followed.
After finally waiting for the popularity of these things to subside a little, negative news and various black materials about Sir Ackerman, who has been in the limelight recently, began to spread everywhere.
It was probably after the auction that some small and medium-sized newspapers began to expose the negative information about Ren Ackerman.
The titles are all exaggerated and sensational.
"Shocked! Master Ackerman, one of the most popular young masters these days, is actually a shameful warmonger!"──"Plain Plains Evening News"
"Exclusive reveal! Sir Ackerman is actually the controller behind the evil Thorn Security Company, a combination of careerists and evil mercenary companies..."──"Morning Daily"
"Revealing the news, how the superficially glamorous Master Ackerman rose from an insidious villain step by step to clear his name..." ─ "Faroran Explorer" magazine.
On the Roman Square.
"Hey, what's going on in these newspapers recently? Is it true or false about Sir Ackerman?"
An office worker in a suit got off the carriage with a look of surprise on his face, shaking the newspaper he had just read in his hand.
His companion shook his head:
"I don't know. This kind of news suddenly increased. It feels like someone is targeting Master Ackerman."
"Who knows, there is no smoke without fire, what kind of young talent in the kingdom, maybe that Sir Ackerman is really a villain and scumbag..." Someone sneered.
over time.
Rumors spread that Ren Ackerman had colluded with the indigenous Kangao people, sold arms, and provoked disputes.
At the same time, the Thorns Security Company killed innocent people indiscriminately, made war profits, carried out violent activities, and caused a lot of negative news about bloody conflicts.
Ordinary citizens were talking a lot, while many nobles were watching.
The situation is treacherous, and the various forces have different reactions. Some are trying to help to show their goodwill, some are preparing to add insult to injury, and some are planning to remain on the sidelines...
And as these news spread, the originally lively and festive atmosphere as the New Year was approaching became a bit more subtle.
………
Ten-leaf Clover Hotel, in a certain room.
"Captain, it seems he is in trouble."
"Holy White Sword" Michelle, who was drinking afternoon tea, frowned slightly and put down several newspapers in his hand.
Although these are articles published by some small and medium-sized newspapers and magazines, no authoritative major newspapers are involved.
But the number of articles is large enough to arouse public discussion.
If it's not handled well, Rainn Ackerman's reputation will be completely ruined.
"Interesting, the old nobles suppressed those who dissent? Some underground organizations seem to have emerged. It feels familiar... the demons are also involved?
But this has nothing to do with us. Whether that young man is the prophesied 'son of the stars' or a variable, it has nothing to do with the church. "
Gonzalez, the leader of the Knights Templar, put down the black tea in his cup, his light blue pupils as deep as a pool of water.
Michelle and Renn worked together to kill the clone of the Demonic Archduke in the Demon Realm... It was not difficult for the church to deduce his origin.
The Demon-Slaying Technique coupled with the nature of the star power locked his identity.
"Then...we don't have to worry about it?"
Michelle's paralyzed face showed a rare hesitation.
He still admires Rennes as a teammate, and the potential and strength shown by him are worthy of friendship and goodwill.
Although he often has a dead face, Michelle is by no means ignorant of the world. Making friends with a genius with amazing talent and potential will bring many benefits to the church.
"Even if the church wants to be nice, it can't be of much help."
Gonzalez shook his head. He could see that the young demon hunter was in quite a lot of trouble this time.
These days, he and Carl the Butcher have finally finished their negotiations, and will return to the St. Joan Empire today. Michelle also has other tasks... The church can't be of much help.
"Yes, our influence in the Kingdom of Faloran is too small."
Taking a sip of green tea, Michelle sighed softly.
A hundred years ago, the St. Joan Empire and Faloran finally came to an armistice.
The Church of Light gained the power to preach in the Kingdom of Faroland.
However, with the hundreds of years of grievances between the Kingdom of Falorland and the Empire and the Church, plus the agreement that saints of the Church are not allowed to enter... one can imagine the difficulty of preaching here.
Even today, with the hostility from the royal family and nobles to the common people, the church does not have much influence in Falorland.
Moreover, the church is seriously lacking experts in the Kingdom of Falorland.
Not to mention the departing leader, apart from him, there is only one other temple-level transcendent in the entire kingdom, Cardinal Anthony.
Two or three big cats and kittens.
"For the church, the selection of saints is the most important thing at the moment. I am leaving. Michelle, you should stay in the Kingdom of Falorland. It is best to go to the royal capital Wisteria City quickly to help Bishop Anthony preside over the selection of saints. matters."
After a few instructions, Gonzalez stood up.
Without saying any more words of farewell, he opened the door and left.
Michelle just watched the group leader leave expressionlessly.
After a moment, he reached out and picked up a few newspapers on the table, and a blazing golden flame burst out from his fingers:
"The filth in the world cannot be burned away!"
The blazing holy flames jumped and burned the newspaper in an instant.
………
Two days later.
The fiery red sun shines brightly in the afternoon, and rays of sunlight flow among the green branches and leaves of the potted plants, giving a touch of golden glow to the shiny green leaves.
“Boss, I think it’s better for us to calm down.
It's hard for two fists to defeat four hands. How about we escape... Ahem, boss, how about we shift our strategy? "
Cowboy Garcia had cold sweat on his forehead as he flipped through a document left by Princess Sophie a few days ago──to be precise, it was a list of enemies.
"Calm down! Why are you so cowardly? Don't be afraid, just do it!"
On the balcony, Ren's nostrils were turned upward and he said domineeringly.
Cowboy Garcia was surprised by the iron-clad attitude.
This is not in line with the boss's always despicable and cunning style!
Garcia has also experienced a lot of ups and downs, and is not timid, and ordinary scenes cannot scare him. But... there are too many enemies above this time!
A large group of nobles on the edge of the plain, several underground gray organizations with influence across various countries, and the entire ghoul clan... the three forces were eyeing them at the same time.
After just learning that his boss and Thorn Security Company had offended so many people, Cowboy Garcia felt bad.
"Boss, I'm really not a coward.
We need to be sensible and not fight head-on... As long as the people are there, we can open up the situation by developing the empire! "
Seeing that Renn seemed very stubborn and planned to fight against the large group of enemies, Garcia persuaded him earnestly.
"Reason? How can reason be used as food?!"
On the balcony, Ren was grinning widely, but there was no warmth in his smile.
Boss, you have changed and become swollen... Garcia twitched the corner of his mouth and hurriedly explained:
"Boss, that's not what I meant. What I meant is that we might as well do what we did last time...how about a strategic shift?"
As long as the green hills are still there, he won't be afraid of running out of firewood. Anyway, he is used to it.
When the boss made such a big mistake on the plain, he quickly passed the blame to "Weirdo" Zorro and fled overnight.
He ran so fast that the enemy couldn't even see the horse's butt!
The result was that they were all safe and sound, but Zorro, the scapegoat, did not run away, but was caught by the demons who had nowhere to vent, and had one of his arms broken...
"Garcia, what are you looking at? Could it be that in your eyes, I only know how to shirk responsibility and escape...and change my strategy?!"
Ren stared at him with dead eyes and lightly kicked the cowboy.
'Is not it? '
He cursed in his heart, and Garcia, who had been kicked, looked a little aggrieved.
He also knew why the boss didn't take anyone away this time.
It's not that the boss suddenly became brave and upright, but that Thorns Security Company has grown so big now that it's not easy to escape.
Moreover, running away would be equivalent to giving up the foundation, and all the hard work before would have been in vain.
"No need to persuade me. No matter how many enemies I have, it doesn't matter. In my eyes, they are all scum anyway. I will accept them as much as they want!"
Ren said without fear.
He has decided to give the enemy a head-on blow!
Seeing Renn so confident, as if he was possessed by the Sun King, the God of Storm came, and Cowboy Garcia was also infected.
His expression gradually calmed down, and he was no longer as panicked as before.
After calming down, the cowboy also knew that escaping was not an option after all:
"Boss, there are so many enemies, who should we kill first?"
There are three groups of enemies.
First, there was an interest alliance composed of some nobles on the edge of the plain, led by more than a dozen nobles, including Earl Wilton, Earl Ange, and Viscount Pierre.
Then there are several underground gray organizations, headed by a large transnational criminal group-"The Night Clown"!
Finally, there is revenge from the ghoul clan. The main enemies are some of the demons that Duke Marcus can mobilize.
"What's the point? Of course I'm picking on the weak!" Renn smiled coldly, his words containing piercing murderous intent.
"The Alliance of Nobles?" Garcia replied.
"That's right!"
Strictly speaking, that noble alliance is not weak at all.
But Ren and them are not mortal enemies. They are just conflicts of interest arising from the rise of Thorns Security Company. Moreover, they are both nobles of the kingdom and cannot attack each other uncontrollably.
So there is no need to fight to the death, just let them retreat.
The cowboy asked, "How?"
"I remember that the company has also acquired several newspapers. Isn't it just a smear campaign? Then let's hurt each other! Inform Susanna and ask our newspaper to release some black materials about those nobles as a counterattack."
Ren said coldly.
"Information obtained from drug lord Matt?" the cowboy asked.
"That's right!"
Thorns Security Company wiped out the power of drug lord Matt and obtained a lot of shady information afterwards.
How could a drug lord have been able to get away with it for twenty years without colluding with some local nobles?
Drug lord Matt is also a member of the "Night Clown", so he can take advantage of both black and white.
Exposing this part of the black material was enough to make the nobles scramble, but it was not enough and could not solve the problem.
"Also, didn't they say that we colluded with the indigenous people? We can secretly stir up conflicts between Kangao and the nobles, right?"
Renn showed a hint of amusement.
"Yes, but what if the situation gets out of control?" Garcia looked hesitant.
At least 20,000 Kangao people live in the tent area built by the company.
During this period, many employees of the company almost deceived the unseen indigenous people into losing their way. Not only did they find ways to make money from them, but they also became brothers with them...
Instigating someone secretly is not a problem at all.
"It won't get out of control. The war is coming. Because of the threat of demons, the natives and nobles must exercise restraint and patience." Renn's words were full of sarcasm.
"Boss, you are awesome, but your methods are dirtier."
Garcia nodded, feeling very impressed.
With the exposure of dirty information and conflicts with the natives, the nobles would have no time to take care of themselves.
At least all the methods that can be used on the surface have been abolished. As for the secret methods... Thorn Security Company is a mercenary company with many desperadoes!
I'm not afraid of you making small moves in secret, but it's hard to deal with those upright methods.
Da da da……
Cowboy Garcia's footsteps sounded in the living room. He walked downstairs, preparing to call Susanna.
Renn entered Kesha's bedroom and dug out a small black box from the bedside table.
Light blue light flowed from his fingers and poured into the box. Shining lines outlined a six-pointed star pattern on the black outer wall of the box.
Click~
With a slight tremor, the box opened automatically, containing some photo stones and photos full of artistic flavor.
Among them are several sexy photos of the Valkyrie with a shy look on her face, wearing only lace underwear, which Master Renn took with a camera in her boudoir.
Renn actually wanted to take some beautiful photos with more artistic value.
However, Valkyrie disagreed, saying that she would only allow him to do this if the two of them were truly married.
"A little couple fun."
With a smile on his face, Ren looked through the photo album he had taken for Valkyrie. Then, he slowly pulled out a photo hidden in a hidden compartment.
Above, is a very beautiful and seductive woman.
Her long burgundy hair hangs down like waves, her fair face is flawless, her red lips are sexy and charming, her nose is straight, and her emerald green eyes are watery and captivating.
She has a graceful figure, a slender waist and long legs, a flat and smooth lower abdomen, and her skin is like ice and snow, as warm and shiny as jade, making people's blood flow.
This is a beautiful wife, a pretty widow to be precise.
It is also the most artistically valuable photo in Lane’s hands.
The key is - she dedicated herself to art and had no clothes on at all!
Speaking of the origin of this photo, it is full of twists and turns.
This beautiful widow once had a scheming rivalry with Renn, and the two battled wits and courage... She was the only woman besides Kesha who had successfully calculated against Master Renn.
"Hey, it's time to use this card."
Staring at this stunning woman, this vicious widow in the photo, a strange smile appeared on Renn's face.
This is a smile that is as sinister as an old man's and makes people shudder.
He opened the box,
