Chapter 111

Staring at the old duke, his neck wrapped in bandages, unable to even sit up and half-reclining on the hospital bed, the surrounding nobles couldn’t help but share similar thoughts.

In a single night losing over two hundred clan members, with their core strength almost entirely wiped out, the only person capable of standing up to turn the tide was now this old duke, who had suffered from a cut to the neck’s veins, lost too much blood, and triggered heart failure. He looked like he was breathing out but not taking in any more.

It could be said that the Lane family’s collapse had thoroughly entered its final countdown. Beyond just an empty title of duke and a seat as the vice-chairman of the Upper House, everything else would be divided among those present.

Thinking about this, the representatives sent by various noble families to “pay respects” or “condolences” couldn’t help but exchange glances, revealing knowing expressions to each other.

As one of the former twin pillars of the kingdom, the “legacy” of the Lane family was certainly not meager. Even though they had been related through marriage for hundreds of years, maintaining some semblance of familial ties, compared to the vast “inheritance,” this bit of sentiment wasn’t worth a damn.

Just wait until the old duke hands over his title and breathes his last, then countless mouths filled with sharp teeth will immediately come forth, gnawing every ounce of fat and lean meat from the Lane family until even the bone is licked clean! Those damned jackals! I’d rather feed them to dogs than give it to you! The old duke naturally understood the ways of these “in-law” families. Looking at those seemingly respectful eyes filled with ill intent, a deep hatred flashed in his cloudy eyes. He then gathered the remaining air in his lungs and let out a heavy hum.

“You speak! I’m listening!”

The nearby butler hearing the hum immediately bent down, bringing his ear close to the old duke’s mouth. The nobles also instinctively held their breath, and the room instantly became silent as a crow.

After panting a few times, the old duke finally managed to spit out a few words.

“First… first successor? Why hasn’t he… has he… huh…”

The old butler naturally understood; the first successor referred not to the deceased Bobby Lane but to the new first successor after the Blood Night.

After quickly conversing with the responsible individuals, the old butler deftly adjusted the pillow under the old duke to make his breathing smoother before reporting:

“He’ll be here soon. The first successor is closest, in the building next to this hospital.”

“Next door?”

“Hmm… next door…”

After hesitating slightly, the old butler truthfully informed him:

“The current first successor was originally third in line. Eight years ago, due to some conflicts with your younger brother… with Bobby Lane, he got hit on the back of the head with a stick. Though he didn’t die, he was paralyzed, losing sensation below the collarbone, so…”

“Get out!”

Whether because of the situation of the first successor or hearing the name of the person who caused his current state, the old duke suddenly erupted in anger, shouting hoarsely despite his condition.

“Let him… that first… get out! Second! Second!”

Second…

Hearing this, the old butler clenched his teeth and leaned in again to whisper: “The second is in the asylum. He initially competed with Bobby… with that person for control of the arms company, and somehow went mad…”

Bobby Lane!!!

Hearing that name again, the old duke’s heart rate, which had dropped to forty beats per minute, suddenly accelerated to eighty, and his sallow, aged face flushed red.

Damn it! Why are you in such a rush? If only you’d waited a little longer! Just a few more years, and the Lane family would have been yours! You damned…

Recalling his cunning and competent but utterly despicable younger brother, a deep pain flickered in the old duke’s eyes.

After being injured in his youth and losing his ability to reproduce, he had practically raised this younger brother as his son. And Bobby Lane did not disappoint, using methods he himself didn’t fully understand to ruin numerous competitors, successfully pushing his older brother onto the ducal throne. Thus, the bond between the brothers had always been strong.

But… why were you in such a hurry?

I knew you wanted my position, but how could you not even wait these two years? Everything would have been yours after I died!

Remembering his younger brother’s betrayal, the old duke’s weakened heart throbbed painfully, and he weakly asked: “Three! Four! Five! Any… normal ones?”

“These three ranks are relatively normal people-wise, but still unsuitable. You might want to call those further down the line…”

“Here! Here! The fifth successor arrived!”

???

How is this another cripple? Seeing the wheelchair appear at the door, and the bandaged Leon sitting in it, the old duke, who had just regained a bit of strength, couldn’t help but bulge his eyes, lifting his hand and yelling at the butler: “You… you said that three, four, five were… were…”

“He just sustained some skin injuries, and the wounds got infected, but he’s otherwise normal.”

The old duke’s clouded eyes moved up and down, assessing Leon’s condition, then nodded slightly.

Though also a patient, at least he looked like a normal adult, better than the previous four! “Then… him!”

Feeling he was reaching his limit, the old duke firmly decided on the heir and instructed:

“Let him… get over here! I need to tell him how to deal with those… those who covet the Lane family… the… jackals…”

“This… maybe you should look further?”

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Upon hearing the old duke’s choice, the old butler hesitated briefly before suggesting:

“He has black hair, not golden, and there are others with inheritance rights beyond the top five…”

“Huh?”

Seeing the old butler’s hesitant expression, the old duke’s eyes sharpened instantly.

“You… what are you hiding… speak!”

“…”

“Speak fast!”

Though somewhat worried about the old duke’s endurance, having been pushed this far, the old butler had no choice but to reluctantly lean in and whisper softly:

“Your younger brother was killed by him.”

?!?! Upon hearing the butler’s words, countless complex emotions surged into the old duke’s heart like a breached river.

Looking at the man who had killed his only younger brother but also avenged him, the old duke’s heartbeat doubled and doubled again, surging to 160, then he suddenly sat up in bed, pointing at the bewildered Leon and roaring: “You! You! You!… uh!”

Duke Lionheart, passed away.

…

【In full view of everyone, Duke Lionheart named you thrice as his successor, granting you the Silver-level identity badge “Duke Lionheart”】

【Duke Lionheart: One of the Kingdom’s twin pillars, the 29th Duke of the Lane family】

【Wearing Effect: When interacting with people who recognize noble status, you naturally receive preferential treatment; otherwise, you will encounter strong hostility】

【Advancement Route: None】

【Hidden Trait (No need to wear): Since you are only nominally part of the Lane family and not truly of Lane lineage, if this fact is exposed, the badge will undergo unknown changes】

(End of Chapter)