I've Become the King of Villains in the Game

"Snake... Lord Snake?"

Neil secretly found this name very strange, but outwardly he forced himself to remain calm and asked:

"What do I need to do for you to gain that 'wisdom'?"

"Find an opportunity to go to your uncle's study."

Chen Lun said calmly.

"Go to Uncle Miller's study...?"

Neil couldn't help but be stunned.

This matter was indeed very dangerous for him, as books are not only valuable but also carry symbolic meaning.

They are high-level resources only rulers are qualified to possess.

Besides the family's direct lineage and meritorious officials, no one else is qualified to touch even the most useless miscellaneous book.

If Neil is discovered to have entered the study without permission, it could lead to consequences far more severe than just a beating...

But compared to what Neil originally guessed, like murder, arson, or cruel sacrifice, this was overly simple.

"No problem! I'll do it, Lord Snake!"

Neil took a deep breath and nodded heavily in agreement.

At this moment, he suddenly remembered something, and couldn't help but frown deeply.

Tomorrow is the monthly mass day, and Uncle Miller will cease his rounds in the various villages of the Black Horn Domain, return to the castle, and lead his offspring Kru Fork and others to the Redemption Church for the service.

After that, there would be no chance to enter the study for a long time.

Neil, as a noble by birth, knew the importance of seizing the moment and decided to go to the study under the cover of night!

"Lord Snake, I'm going to act now..."

Neil whispered.

"Very good."

He only heard a brief response, and that voice fell silent.

Neil rubbed his face to perk himself up.

It wasn't until more than ten seconds later that he began to act.

He first cleaned the blood and dirty clothes on himself, then went to the yard outside and drew cold, bone-chilling well water to wash himself, calming his inner turmoil as well.

Taking advantage of this time, he devised a plan in his mind.

After washing up, Neil changed his clothes and quietly left the residence.

Following familiar dark corners, he successfully avoided the guards patrolling with torches, sneaked into the side building of the castle, and quietly opened the door to the old butler Rolf's room at the corner of the first floor.

Except for the eldest son Kru, only the old butler had the key to the study!

Fortunately, Neil knew well that the butler was old and had light sleep, so he was extremely cautious, feeling his way through the darkness to find the key hanging on the wall.

He held his breath and moved very slowly, taking almost ten minutes to quietly remove the key and leave successfully.

Hiding in the corner outside the side building, Neil was drenched in cold sweat and panting heavily.

"Good! Getting the key is half the success!"

He then tensed his face and quickly entered the castle, climbing up to the third floor via the wooden stairs in one go.

Besides Uncle Miller's bedroom, there was only the study here.

Neil's heart was pounding, and his nerves were extremely tense.

Fortunately, he didn't panic, remaining calm and composed as he took out the key and inserted it into the lock of the study door.

With a soft click.

Neil slipped into the study and gently closed the door behind him.

It was then that he noticed his hands were trembling uncontrollably.

His temples were rhythmically and powerfully throbbing due to the extreme tension.

"Snake... Lord Snake, I completed your task."

Neil said cautiously.

A gentle laugh soon echoed in his mind.

"Not bad."

Chen Lun used the crystallization parasitizing in Neil's body to sense and cover every corner of the study, exploring valuable information.

Soon, Chen Lun scanned through the not-many books on the shelves, about two hundred of them...

Chen Lun felt quite disappointed.

Because these books did not record information on the Mystic Realm, they at most contained snippets about the Redemption Church.

However, he quickly found valuable correspondences from two hidden compartments under the desk.

Some of these letters documented exchanges between Miller and Pastor Jordan about this year's baptism process for six of his knights.

According to Neil's understanding of this world, Chen Lun knew that "knights" were the main force in territorial and kingdom-empire wars.

They were often of noble birth, at the very least somewhat related to it, having received the necessary education and training from a young age.

They initially need to serve as "squires" by a real knight or noble, gaining experience. When their physique and swordsmanship reach a certain level, they need to go to a large city of at least Duke's territory scale for baptism at the Redemption Church there.

Only then are they qualified to be knighted and officially become a knight.

Knights are not just the lowest rank of nobility, with corresponding territories and populations, they also experience a leap in strength.

Handling ten opponents singlehandedly is not difficult.

Chen Lun was quite surprised by this kind of "leap," as it was familiar to him, similar to a mortal stepping into the Mystic Realm and becoming a Transcendent.

But in reality, knights were not Transcendents.

They were still ordinary people but possessed physical qualities beyond those of ordinary people and most importantly, extremely high combat skills!

'It seems that it's not due to the effects of potions or Mysterious Substance, interesting... The knights of the Outer Continent, measured solely by strength, are absolutely comparable to the Royal City Guardians cultivated by the Tresor Empire, but the knights here have no firearms; they rely solely on a Cross Sword to gallop on the battlefield.'

Chen Lun found this quite intriguing.

He also guessed that the most important aspect of becoming a knight was indeed the "baptism ceremony" at large Redemption Churches!

This was the key to their leap in strength!

However, with limited information, Chen Lun did not yet know what that entailed.

Among Miller's letters, there were several secret messages that caught his attention.

These were Miller's conspiracies over several months with his friend, Baron Karl.

Baron Karl was the lord of Lipo Domain, adjacent to the northeast of Black Horn Domain.

Miller intended to join forces with him to attack and occupy the Yadan Domain in the southeast, expanding his power...

"Lord Snake?"

Neil stood in the darkness for more than ten seconds before he couldn't help but ask softly.

Soon, he heard the male voice say:

"Under the desk, in the bottom of the right drawer, there is a hidden compartment. Open it and read the fifth letter in sequence."

Neil was at first stunned.

Then, obediently and cleverly, he stepped forward to do as told.

Just as expected, he found the secret compartment, and upon opening it, discovered a thick stack of envelopes. Following His Excellency the Serpent's guidance, Neil carefully opened the fifth envelope and thoroughly read Uncle Miller's secret letter.

In Neil's eyes, there was an expression of disbelief.

He hadn't expected his uncle's ambition to be even greater than he imagined!

After all, within the Morris Kingdom, lords are strictly forbidden from attacking each other... If Uncle Miller's actions were exposed, their entire family would be exiled!

Suddenly.

Footsteps were heard from outside the study.

Neil's face changed dramatically.

He hastily put the letters back into the compartment, then quickly hid in a corner, in the gap between the bookshelf and the wall.

The next second.

The study door opened from the outside.

"Father, the kingdom strictly forbids private fighting, if discovered..."

The voice of Dutte family's eldest son, Kru, was heard.

Neil dared not peek, only silently listening to the conversation.

However, he held his breath, his heart beating rapidly.

Uncle Miller actually returned early!

This unexpected occurrence scared him into a cold sweat.

Immediately, he heard Miller's deep voice say:

"Kru, my child, rules are made to be broken... Now is a special time. Your grandfather once served Earl Franco. A few months ago, I received definite news from the Franco Family that the Brilliant Empire is about to go to war with the Mela Empire. The Duke of Rainbow Island is preparing to respond to King Morris II's call and go to the front lines. Right now, is a critical time for manpower."

Miller paused briefly.

Then there was the sound of flint striking, and the sound of a kerosene lamp being lit.

The sofa creaked, and then Miller continued:

"So no matter how we small lords fight internally, the Duke of Rainbow Island won't intervene, as long as the final winner obediently enlists and joins his forces, then all past grievances will be forgiven... and rewards will be given according to strength!"

"I see, so if we really could take over the Jordan Domain, we'll not only have more people and land, but also gain more rewards from the Duke of Rainbow Island!"

Kru's excited voice was heard.

He suddenly fell silent for a few seconds and cautiously asked:

"But father, apart from Uncle Thomas and Uncle Xing'er, you only have thirteen knights under your command, is that enough for the coming battle…"

"Don't worry, I've already spoken with Pastor Jordan, after tomorrow's mass, you will follow Xiz and six others to Rainbow City to complete the baptism at the Redemption Cathedral and become true knights."

Miller said with a deep laugh.

"That's great! Thank you, Father!"

Kru said excitedly.

The father and son continued to discuss this topic for a moment before ending their conversation and leaving.

Neil was drenched in sweat, not daring to make a sound.

It wasn't until the kerosene lamp was extinguished and the study door was closed again that he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Come out! You bastard!"

With a loud shout, Neil's scalp went numb.

The next second, he felt a big hand grip his neck, and his whole body was dragged uncontrollably out of the gap.

Bam!

Neil only felt the world spinning, then he was heavily slammed to the ground.

In the darkness, there was only faint moonlight.

He saw the dark silhouette of Uncle Miller and the fierce expression on his face.

Kru stood aside, shocked and angry.

Just as they were leaving the study, he noticed his father's gaze fixed on a shallow footprint on the floor at the doorway!

Then he saw his father suddenly turn around and drag out a figure from the corner of the bookshelf.

Neil!

This guy had been hiding in the study the whole time, eavesdropping on their conversation!

Damn it!

"Kill him, Father!"

Kru said furiously.

"If this gets exposed, we're done for!"

Miller Dutte didn't respond, he just drew the English Lion Sword, gleaming with a cold light, from his waist with a swish.

"Neil, my dear nephew, what brings you to my study?"

Miller showed a gentle smile.

Neil opened his mouth, cold sweat streaming down.

He didn't rashly reveal the presence of His Excellency the Serpent, so he lied:

"Uncle, I, I wanted to read."

"Hmm, not bad, many knights don't like to read, but books can indeed broaden one's horizons and cultivate virtues... If only Fork were half as diligent as you."

Miller shook his head, half approval, half regret.

But his eyes suddenly turned cold.

"But you shouldn't act without permission, using a stolen key to open the study door, and eavesdropping on things you shouldn't have heard."

"Uncle, I'm sorry! I was wrong, I won't tell anyone!"

Neil was incredibly nervous, staring wide-eyed at that sword, stammering.

"Of course, you won't say anything, Neil."

Miller's eyes were full of meaning.

Neil suddenly felt a chill, sensing something bad was about to happen.

The next second.

Miller, with a cold face, pressed Neil's right hand down, and with one slash of his long sword, cut off his thumb.

"Ah——"

Neil's scream lasted only a second, then abruptly stopped.

It turned into a muffled moan.

His tongue was flicked away by the sword tip!