Chapter 77: The Calculative Hobrick
After handing over a bottle of mana milk, Locke said, “You’re amazing, Princ.i.p.al Hobrick. Exposing the White family’s misdeeds at such a timing would undoubtedly deal a fatal blow to them…”
After drinking a mouthful of milk, Hobrick responded with a cheerful grin, “Oh, you noticed something, eh? Let’s hear what you’ve found out…”
Locke shrugged and stated truthfully, “It’s clear that they’re in a crucial period of the election. Now that this mess has been exposed, all their efforts to achieve that small lead will be in vain! Not only that, I doubt that they would be allowed to partic.i.p.ate in any future elections…”
Noting that his student’s judgment was correct, Hobrick nodded with relief and added, “Actually, there’s still a crucial part that you’ve missed.”
Locke looked at the old man in puzzlement.
“That’s… You!” Hobrick stroked the white pigeon in his arms, and continued slowly, “I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to suppress the White family permanently for ages. And when Old Man White announced that he was partic.i.p.ating in the elections… It really gave me a headache. However, your appearance had stirred up a series of events that were beyond my imagination.”
“Due to their pride and arrogance, they got themselves caught in the trap you’ve laid for them. If I were to just sit idly by at such a situation, all my years of preparation would have gone to waste!”
“Why are you targeting the White family?” Locke asked.
A grim expression appeared on Hobrick’s face as he explained, “Many people call me petty, but that’s not the case.”
“I was born a commoner, just like you. In order to reach my position today, I have sacrificed many things that I will never be able to reclaim. After getting to know White, I also learned of the debaucherous life of the rich and the immense darkness behind them.”
“The citizens of the Holy City have already suffered greatly under the oppression of these n.o.bles. And yet, that old man still wants more! He wanted to take the position of governor and take full control of the Holy City!”
“Should he be successfully elected, what would happen to the common citizens? Moreover, I theorize that obtaining control of the city is only his secondary objective. I believe that his main goal is to monopolize the array of cultivation techniques and Battle Beasts at the city’s disposal!”
“Once they possess the techniques and beasts, the White family would become immensely powerful! At that point, it would not be an exaggeration to say that they can overpower the entire continent!”
“It’s precisely because of White’s tyrannical ambition that I parted ways with him many years ago…”
‘So that’s how it is!’
The old princ.i.p.al was actually sticking up for the people! Upon realizing this, Locke began to feel more respect for the princ.i.p.al.
‘However, they will soon retaliate. I need to be prepared…’ Locke thought to himself.
However, Hobrick seemed to have read Locke’s thoughts. Regaining his usual benevolent smile, Hobrick consoled, “Child, this is nothing. I’m going to bring the White family’s reign to an end, but I hope that you won’t fear these trials, as this is an experience that Beastmasters… No, all outstanding individuals must face!”
To Hobrick’s surprise, Locke did not look worried or afraid at all. On the contrary, Locke looked excited.
“Let them come. To be honest, Andrew really wasn’t all that strong…”
Locke looked forward to fighting against stronger Beastmasters. After all, his goal was to become the strongest Beastmaster in the world!
“Good! That settles it then… Also, can you hand me some of the bread in your bag, I’d like to feed the pigeons… Hey! Where are you going, Kid? Leave the bread behind, at least!”
“This is my lunch! If you want to feed the pigeons, buy some bread yourself.” Locke picked up his bag and began to leave the scene.
“You rascal! Don’t you want to enter the Divine Cla.s.s? My conditions have changed again!”
Locke looked at the “shameless” old man with a helpless gaze and asked, “And you say you’re not petty?”
…
The situation in the city was getting worse and worse, and most of the television stations had rejected Alva’s request to buy their broadcast materials.
Alva was so mad that he almost used force. Had Old Man White not called him in a timely manner, these TV stations would have already ceased to exist!
In desperation, Old Man White had to rush to the city’s Supreme Court to apply for a ban on the TV broadcasts.
However, his actions were counterproductive!
The people felt that they had suffered an unforgivable insult.
‘They’re trying to ban the news as well? Does the White family’s arrogance know no bounds!?’
In the next few days, both the court and the White famiy’s castle were surrounded by protestors.
Worse still, their approval ratings had plummeted to rock bottom.
Most of the people who had voted for them had already annulled their votes.
The results were to be announced in two days.
Regardless of how much influence Old Man White possessed, the situation was completely irreversible!
He was bound to lose!
Back at home, Mars was constantly comforting Old Man White and Alva.
On the other hand, the second son, Moto, had maintained a relaxed expression, as if the family’s fall from grace had nothing to do with him.
After a long time, Old Man White, who was rubbing his temples, finally spoke, “Well… since it’s already come to this, we no longer have any reason to lie low. Mars, apply to the court for a declaration of war. I want to teach that old b*stard a lesson!”
After serving Old Man White for several decades, Mars was well aware of his master’s character. As such, he was certain that the declaration was his master’s final stand.
“Father, leave that little one to me…” Alva stepped forward and said.
“And me…” Moto finally spoke. After learning about what had happened to Andrew, he seemed to be rather intrigued with Locke.
“We’ll mobilize the entire family this time. Let’s show the continent just how weak their ‘best’ academy is! Let us regain our lost honor through this battle!”
Now that the election was a lost cause, Old White hoped to show the White family’s power by defeating the continent’s “strongest”!
By doing so, they could intimidate those ants and make them shut up!
“Master, more and more people are gathering. It seems that they intend to break into the castle…”a servant reported.
Mars immediately said, “These lowlifes! Does the law mean nothing to them[1]?! The land within five kilometers of the castle is Master White’s territory! They are trespa.s.sing on private territory! Order them to leave. You can use force if you want!”
Just as the servant was about to leave, he was stopped by Alva,
“Wait! I. . . Will personally drive them away…”
With that, a cruel expression reminiscent of his father’s appeared on his face.
After walking out of his castle, he stared at these guys and shouted, “You lowlifes! I’ll give you three minutes to leave! Otherwise, don’t blame me for whatever happens to you!”
“It’s the eldest son!”
“You’re calling US lowlifes? Where would your father get votes if not for us?”
“Please give us an explanation for your collusions with the court!”
“Yes! Why did you stop the TV broadcasts?”
[1] Ironic