Kingdom Simulator: I, a Fallen Noble, Build a God-Level Kingdom!-Chapter 68: Bring Back the Family in Hiding

Thomas Nightingale felt despair wash over him, compounded by his physical injuries, causing a mouthful of blood to gush from his lips.

He never would have imagined that Princess Angelia would take responsibility for a mere Romon.

Even more inconceivable was the fact that the real Princess Angelia had an even deeper relationship with Romon.

"I, I..." He struggled to form coherent words for several moments.

Romon, however, brought even worse news, "Nightingale, there’s something I must tell you. Your son, he’s at Highmount Fortress, right?"

"You!!!"

Thomas Nightingale’s eyes widened in terror, his sclera turning blue as his veins threatened to burst.

His body had already been reduced to this state today, and without Aiken, there was no way to heal him.

Thus, he had more or less accepted that his eldest son would inherit the Lord’s position.

But Romon’s words plunged him into a deep chill.

"This is between you and me. Don’t touch my son!" Thomas Nightingale, like a man in his final moments, managed to utter a complete sentence.

In response,

Romon said regretfully, "I haven’t touched him, but my most intelligent vassal might. Seeing how things are going, he might cut off your son’s head and come to me for a reward."

"What...?"

Thomas Nightingale’s heart nearly stopped. Only now did he realize that the people at Highmount Fortress hadn’t just misplaced the military funds; they had damn well given them to Romon!

Unfortunately, in his concern for his son’s safety, he had specifically placed him at Highmount Fortress!

Even if he had kept his son by his side, with Aiken keeping him alive, he could have begged Romon for mercy.

But this situation left him utterly powerless. No one knew what Shawn Nightingale might be facing at Highmount Fortress.

With this despair and powerlessness weighing on him, Thomas’s life thread snapped, and he died.

He never got to see Romon Thune a second time.

"Finally dead, phew..."

On the giant rock halfway up the hill, Romon removed his monocle and let out a long sigh.

He was fully aware of the consequences of a territory with a power vacuum at various levels.

Thomas Nightingale was clearly not yet in his advanced years; such middle-aged men often clung to power and were reluctant to delegate it to their younger sons.

Thus, his sudden death would plunge the entire Nightingale Territory into chaos. His vassals would likely pressure his family, either to secure more benefits, to replace the Nightingale family, or to settle old scores for years of oppression.

Thomas had five children in total, Romon knew.

Among them, his eldest son, Shawn Nightingale, had some ability, but Romon was certain that Mangton at Highmount Fortress would seize the opportunity to kill Shawn to seek a reward.

His second, third, and fourth children were all daughters, and only the youngest, his fifth child, was a son.

The youngest son is probably only fourteen this year. If the position of Lord of the Nightingale Territory falls to him, how can a boy of his age govern so many vassals?

During his lifetime, Thomas was heavily involved in religious faith and rarely cultivated his wife, so she was merely a decorative figure and could not provide any support to her son.

In other words, when Thomas Nightingale dies and Shawn Nightingale dies, the entire Nightingale family will be virtually non-existent, like a tiger on its last legs, waiting to be devoured by others.

"Master, the targets have all been eliminated."

A black shadow approached from a distance and abruptly stopped behind Romon.

"I saw it all. Relay my orders: have the Stone Town Chamber of Commerce repair the official road. Since the battle has destroyed the forest, widen this road. Then, fully renovate the rural areas below. I want to transform this poor, drab village into a picturesque new village. I will name it Thune Village. Make sure the Chamber of Commerce prepares a sign."

Nini nodded and replied, "Yes, Master!"

"By the way, have the Magitech Drone battalion return in an orderly manner. Treat the injured, and those who are not injured should prepare immediately. All damaged third-generation machines should be transported to the dwarf factory for repairs."

"Understood."

"Go ahead."

With his orders given, Romon turned and walked back to the castle.

The news of Thomas Nightingale’s death hasn’t spread yet, making this the best time to start encroaching on his territory. Once his young son goes through the formalities, he will inherit the position of Lord. If that boy suddenly surrenders, it wouldn’t be as fun.

However, as a member of the royal guard, Thomas Nightingale’s movements must be reported to the king in a timely manner.

For instance, in today’s situation, a message must be sent to the king as soon as possible. The report should be from our perspective, detailing the ’facts’ of the scene.

This is necessary to receive the king’s ’just’ judgment. If the message is delayed and someone else sends it first, the content will be unfavorable to the Thune Territory.

Therefore, Romon needs to send both the army and the message simultaneously.

One part will take advantage of the opportunity to encroach on the Nightingale Territory, while the other will report the situation to the king.

"Angelia?"

"I heard the commotion. Please tell me it’s good news." Angelia had just finished writing a letter but was still uneasy.

Romon smiled slightly and said, "Thomas Nightingale is dead. Everyone he brought, including the priest, is dead."

Upon hearing this,

Princess Angelia breathed a sigh of relief and immediately jumped forward, hugging Romon’s neck.

"Thank goodness, that damn guy is finally dead. This way, the marriage he proposed to my father will be put on hold, and I will have more reasons to stay here."

"We should celebrate, but not here... I’m a bit nostalgic for your Ground-Dragon Cart."

"Naughty."

Angelia giggled coyly, then immediately pulled Romon’s hand, leading him out of the castle toward the Ground-Dragon Cart.

Romon had two purposes in mind.

The first was that he had finally eliminated Thomas Nightingale, and it was indeed worth celebrating. He preferred the company of women over drinking.

The second was that the Ground-Dragon Cart would allow them to reach Highmount Fortress much faster.

Ever since the third-generation machines had threatened Highmount Fortress, the place had been in a state of pretense—Mangton had submitted to Romon, but on the surface, he still pretended to be loyal to the Lord of the Nightingale Territory.

Today, Romon intended to fully take over Highmount Fortress and incorporate it into the Thune Territory.

...

The ground dragon sped along, and the atmosphere inside the cart was intensely intimate.

Romon first picked up a select group of elite soldiers in Stone Town, then set off for Highmount Fortress.

By the time they reached the eastern gate of Highmount Fortress, Angelia had been reduced to a pile of mush.

Romon admired his handiwork, dressed himself, and jumped out of the cart.

This was the first time he had personally come to Highmount Fortress, and he was impressed by the muscular and imposing architecture.

At this moment, the interior of Highmount Fortress was not very crowded. Perhaps Mangton thought of it as a refuge, but Romon saw it as a place of hostages.

To ensure the loyalty of those in Highmount Fortress, Romon had not only transferred most of the people to the Thune Territory under the guise of providing refuge, but he had also separated their families, relatives, and close friends among those who remained. He temporarily held their families, relatives, and friends in the Thune Territory to ensure their loyalty.

At this moment,

When Romon arrived at the gates of Highmount Fortress with his army, not only Mangton but even the ordinary citizens ran out to greet them.

When they realized that the arrivals were not their families but an army, their faces turned pale.

Everyone knew that the Thune Territory and the Nightingale Territory were at war. Could it be that the enemy was coming to massacre the city?

As the citizens were terrified, Mangton pulled out an object from behind his back.

It was a square wooden box.

"Lord! Lord, please look!" Mangton placed the wooden box heavily in front of Romon, then slowly opened the lid.

Inside, there was a human head, with features that bore a resemblance to Thomas Nightingale.

Romon observed it and, as expected, recognized it.

The clever Mangton had indeed killed Shawn Nightingale to claim a reward.

Calling him clever was not a derogatory term.

He had done well. This was exactly what needed to be done.

Especially given his public identity, this act would serve Romon’s purposes well. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

"Who is this?" Romon asked, feigning ignorance.

"Lord, this is Shawn! Shawn Nightingale! Thomas Nightingale’s son!" Mangton’s voice was loud enough for everyone around to hear.

Romon, seeing the reaction, also spoke loudly, "Very good, Mangton. You truly are my most intelligent vassal. How should I reward you... Ah, I know. Your son, I have always admired that young man. How about making him the administrator of the next town?"

Upon hearing this, Mangton was stunned for three seconds before hurriedly kneeling down.

"Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord!"

Mentioning the next town implied that the Thune Territory would continue to expand. The nearest town was a place with a pleasant climate and suitable elevation, far better than Highmount Fortress.

Mangton was the type of man who put his hopes in the next generation, desiring each to be stronger than the last. A better living environment was a step in that direction.

He bowed several times before standing up and loudly announcing to the people behind him, "Listen up! Thomas Nightingale was a tyrant who cared nothing for the lives of the border people, declaring war on the Thune Territory. But Lord Romon Thune of the Thune Territory is diligent, kind, and magnanimous, willing to accept us despite our past! From today onward, Highmount Fortress is part of the Thune Territory!"

The people had no objections. They were tired of empty words. Only a genuine improvement in their quality of life would make a good ruler.

Nonetheless, for the sake of appearances, they echoed Mangton’s declaration.

What they were more concerned about, however, was whether they could see their families, relatives, and close friends.

After the crowd’s voices calmed down, Romon slowly spoke, "Since Highmount Fortress has now joined the Thune Territory, you will enjoy freedom, except for specially restricted military areas. Go, bring your families back from refuge. The disaster is over."