Super Righteous Player
Chapter 735 - 276 Opener Jacob_1

Chapter 735: Chapter 276 Opener Jacob_1

Annan could now roughly confirm that Jacob and the Brotherhood of the North were indeed not on the same side.

If Jacob had any malicious intent towards Annan’s regime, all he needed to do was kidnap Russell and sell her, not only to gain immense profit but also to cause catastrophic damage to the rule of the Winter family and even the traditions that the Winter Duchy had inherited to date.

Russell, being the only mutated Frost Beast with high-level Wisdom that could communicate through language,

held irreplaceable Transcendent significance for the Brotherhood of the North, and even other rebellious nobles... or any organizations or individuals who intended to or were thinking of rebelling.

Being able to speak and understand meant the ability to communicate – which also meant the ability to threaten, seduce, brainwash, and negotiate. It also indicated the possibility of being controlled.

...If Maria were dealing with this issue, she would probably have killed Russell directly to cut off this "possibility" once and for all.

Among the three of her generation in the Winter family, she was the most decisive and ruthless in handling matters—she was the one closest to a "king". If it weren’t necessary for someone to inherit the Tower of Storms, perhaps Grand Duke Ivan might have given the tri-colored scepter to her.

Being able to discern the essence of things and not hesitate to eliminate the most fundamental problems... This was a talent similar to Annan’s, only she lacked some patience and was less tolerant.

Maria, although possessing personal ability and authority to control Russell and suppress her subordinates, what one can do is not always what one does—being in a position to bridge the past and future within the family, she had to support her elder brother while caring for the young Annan.

The dual pressure of an unreliable elder brother and a young brother who had shown extraordinary talent from a very young age made Maria accustomed to cautious actions.

She would never leave any weaknesses for herself.

Even if there was only a sliver of a possibility that could crumble the rule, tradition, and authority, she would not let this crisis continue to exist... Once this young creature was persuaded, kidnapped, or defected on its own, or even if its blood was stolen, Winter was destined to face turmoil.

The so-called cannot solve the problem, then solve the person who raises the problem... If Maria became the Grand Duchess, she would be capable of making such decisions immediately.

And if Dmitry were responsible for dealing with this matter... Annan could be certain that he would definitely hesitate.

He couldn’t bring himself to deal with Russell directly, nor did he have the ability to keep Russell under his control—he had been bad at saying no to others since he was little.

He was a kind, gentle, and not-so-clever person... If it weren’t for the incident with his ex-girlfriend, he probably wouldn’t even think of using or harming Russell, the Frost Beast cub.

Only Annan could turn Russell into his own strength.

And only when she was with Annan... she had the possibility of having a name of her own.

The name "Russell" was a possibility that belonged exclusively to Annan.

"Woo—Awoo—"

Knowing she now had a name, the creamy white little fox-dog raised its neck and excitedly made a howling sound like that of a young wolf.

You see, isn’t this child much cuter than Dorin...

Annan lifted her up with a smile and tucked her back into his clothes.

"Then, Mr. Jacob."

Annan, looking down and not at Jacob, casually said, "I hope you know that you have only proven that you are not one of them for now.

"Whether you are truly a Noahite, whether you have indeed accepted the benevolent order from Earl Geraint, whether you have anything hidden about this mission... even whether you are ’Jacob’ at all.

"Many such questions will not disappear just because you have been confirmed as not an enemy for the time being."

"...So what should I do?"

The man with straw-like hair helplessly spread his hands, "I’ve said what I had to say, and even what I should not have said. I’ve provided all the evidence that I could..."

"You should follow me for now."

Annan raised his eyebrows, "You said that people call you ’Path-Opener’? Are you good at opening paths?"

"If needed, I can give it a try,"

Jacob shrugged, "Whether it’s creating a hole for a person or a wall—I’m equally adept."

In front of three silver-rank Transcendents, two "Fingers", and Annan Winter, the Duke holding a tri-colored scepter, he stood as a mere mortal without the slightest hint of panic.

"Then let’s do this, Your Majesty. I can use a ritual to forcefully establish a Curse Binding—the content of which you will determine. Will that be okay?"

"Good."

Annan nodded without hesitation and spoke, "Then swear this oath: ’I as well as any individual or power under my command shall never from this day forward be an enemy to Annan Winter or his direct relatives and subordinates, nor shall we carry out any direct or indirect actions that harm the interests of Annan Winter and his direct relatives.’

"...Your Majesty, are you a lawyer? This is the longest Curse Binding I’ve ever heard."

Jacob was stunned for a moment and then said with a wry smile, "I actually didn’t catch all that... It would be better if you wrote it down."

"So the Curse Binding can’t be too long."

Annan raised an eyebrow, "Otherwise, I would certainly have written you a thick contract. For someone like you, one can never be too cautious."

After Jacob established the Curse Binding.

The curse transformed into runes and branded onto his right forearm like a bracelet.

After all, he did not possess a cursed item carrier, nor did he have an independent soul... Even though the ritual bypassed the ’lack of a soul’ part, to utilize Curse Binding, he could only bear the curse directly with his body.

—Under such circumstances, defying even one stipulation of the backlash would be instantly fatal. Moreover, the curse itself would damage his body and shorten his life.

"...It seems I won’t be able to return to Noah."

Jacob rubbed his wrist.

Being branded directly onto the skin, the sensation in that instant felt as though a branding iron seared a mark into his flesh.

Even though the skin wasn’t burnt and hence, there was no persistent burning pain, the flash of pain in that moment still left a lingering sting on his wrist that he couldn’t shake off.

He winced and said, "If the Earl sees that I’ve established such a Curse Binding, he’ll probably just kill me outright."

When one’s own intelligence agent in another country turns into a devoted traitor serving the leader of the opposition—

"You might not necessarily die."

Annan chuckled lightly, assuring him softly, "I have a good relationship with your Princess Kafney. If Kafney ascends the throne, perhaps we could form an alliance."

"Even if we really did form an alliance, Crow surely wouldn’t allow me to return..."

Jacob muttered.

He looked at Annan with an awkward smile, "Your Majesty, see—I’m just a stray dog with no home. So regarding the treatment I’ll receive..."

"Winter can’t offer you as much as Noah."

Annan replied leisurely, "But what I can give you is more than what Earl Geraint can."

Having said that, he gestured for Zoya to take off his gloves.

"I will heal you, then give you half an hour to rest and fill your stomach. Afterward, I’ll need you to guide us."

Annan squinted his eyes, "Since you’ve been here for quite some time... you must have some understanding of the Brotherhood of the Far North.

"You will set up the ritual to teleport us behind those rebels—to a position that’s sufficiently safe and hidden."

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