The recent series of events had left the shrewd Lloyd feeling deeply exhausted.
He realized his energy was not what it used to be.
If it were his younger self, simply dealing with such minor matters would never have caused him fatigue, yet even with the Imperium's most advanced life-extending technology, Lloyd felt his time seemed to be running out.
Just then, Lillian returned, forcing Lloyd to pull himself together.
Looking at the returning Lillian, there were signs of multiple beatings on her arms, neck, and face.
Lloyd frowned slightly and asked, without emotion, "Did he lay a hand on you?"
"Yes, Grandpa," Lillian lowered her head, biting her lip gently. "He… was very angry that you dared to threaten him."
In front of this cunning and seasoned power-holder who controlled the Fernando family, Lillian knew she had to be extremely vigilant!
Even a tiny flaw would lead to total defeat!
This was also why she deliberately exposed these injuries; to avoid being suspected by the wily Lloyd, Lillian had intentionally created some wounds when she left the estate, to cover up her secret conspiracy with Emrys.
Otherwise, Lloyd would surely become suspicious: how could the lustful Charles let go of a woman who offered herself?
And this reason was clearly quite acceptable… even Lloyd couldn't find fault with it.
Because she had been threatened by the Fernando family a few days prior, she was used as a tool for venting, and the scars on her body were the best proof!
Sure enough, after seeing the numerous whip marks and bruises on her body, Lloyd did not become suspicious.
He then inquired about another matter.
"How did the task I gave you go?"
Lillian truthfully replied, "No, he has been very cautious and unwilling to reveal anything about how to control the Destroyer."
"Oh?" Lloyd's eyes narrowed slightly, as if a cold glint emanated from them.
For days, he had sent Lillian to monitor and seduce Charles, attempting to use the gentlest possible means to extract from him the method to control and awaken the Destroyer armor, but all efforts had been in vain.
This was somewhat unexpected for Lloyd; he had initially thought that a timid noble like Charles would give in with just a scare.
But unexpectedly, this bastard actually managed to hold out, stubbornly refusing to speak.
Meanwhile, the research on the armor by the Grand Mechanicum Sage Bourne Cork had also stalled; the mysterious characters inscribed within the armor were completely different from the Eldar runes, offering almost no reference value.
Let alone further analysis.
This meant that to awaken this armor, they would have to obtain the method of controlling it from Charles' mouth!
"Heh, he is indeed a descendant of the Emrys family…" Although Lloyd's words sounded somewhat admiring, the cold glint in his eyes was chilling.
He pondered for a moment, then shifted his gaze to Lillian.
"What do you think we should do next?"
"I believe that since gentle methods haven't worked, we can appropriately put some pressure on him," Lillian said expressionlessly. "Charles still holds hope for his noble status. We might as well shatter his illusions and make him understand that there's no other way but to cooperate with us."
"Elaborate," Lloyd's eyes gleamed with a hint of appreciation.
"Throw Charles into the family's prison," Lillian met his gaze without flinching. "Let him suffer a bit, and he'll naturally become docile."
This plan perfectly hit Lloyd's thoughts, and he couldn't help but show delight.
"Good, good, good, worthy of my Fernando bloodline! Since you say so, then this matter is entrusted to you!"
"Yes, Grandpa," Lillian lowered her head, her tone calm and cold. "I will not disappoint you."
Looking at the still somewhat naive young girl before him, Lloyd suddenly saw a reflection of his younger self in her.
The same coldness, ruthlessness, treating everyone as tools for power, and an inner ambition!
"You've been wronged, child," Lloyd's voice, uncharacteristically, showed a touch of warmth. He raised a hand to stroke Lillian's hair, sighing softly, "Everything I do is for the continuation of the Fernando family. You must try to understand Grandpa's painstaking efforts."
"I understand, Grandpa," Lillian said softly, her head still bowed.
"I know you must deeply resent your father," Lloyd said, still stroking her hair, trying to appear as a benevolent elder, while assuring her, "Bear with it a little longer. As long as you can help me complete this task, I can decide for your mother and make you a direct descendant of the Fernando family!"
He believed that such a temptation no collateral relative could refuse!
Becoming a direct bloodline meant having the right to inherit the family's assets, thus escaping the term 'humble' forever.
And for a collateral relative like Lillian, the allure of these words was undoubtedly immense!
"Thank you, Grandpa!" Lillian still kept her head down, but her voice clearly contained a hint of excitement.
"I will definitely help you get the method to control the armor from Charles!"
"Very good, that's my obedient granddaughter!"
Lloyd couldn't help but laugh heartily, very pleased with his 'granddaughter's' performance.
For the family, he didn't mind using this little trick to secure the loyalty of a capable collateral relative!
However, Lloyd, immersed in his own world, overlooked Lillian, who, with her head bowed, kept her fists tightly clenched, her knuckles white and veins bulging, undoubtedly proving that her thoughts were not as calm as they appeared on the surface.
"Grandpa, you are wrong…" The moment Lillian looked up, a chilling cold light flashed in her eyes.
She had hidden her emotions very well for over twenty years; even the cunning Lloyd had never discovered her true inner thoughts.
"What I want is not to become a direct descendant…" She whispered to herself in her heart, "What I want is… to destroy this filthy, ugly family that you built with your own hands, Grandpa!"
However, a panicked cry from outside the door interrupted this 'warmth'.
"No, this is bad, Father!" A pale-faced, breathless, clearly very weak middle-aged man stumbled in, shouting in terror, "Someone… Someone has broken into the Temple of Eternity's Furnace!"
"What?!"
Upon hearing this, Lloyd, who had been feigning affection and acting as a benevolent elder, immediately showed his true colors.
"Who is it?!"
"It's… it's…" The middle-aged man stammered in fear, "It's that escaped Inquisitor! He secretly infiltrated the Temple of Eternity's Furnace, cut off the Warp signal jammer, and sent out a Warp message!"
These words struck like a bolt of lightning!
Even the composed Lloyd couldn't help but show expressions of terror and panic!
Lloyd, who had always kept his emotions hidden and was well-versed in the art of manipulation, rarely showed such genuine anger.
"Say that again!" he growled, his gaze dark and ruthless, fixed on the pale man before him.
An invisible pressure enveloped the entire room, as if the air itself had solidified, sending shivers down one's spine, creating a suffocating illusion.
"That… that escaped Inquisitor infiltrated the 'Eternal Furnace' temple."
Under this oppressive aura, the pale-faced man's legs trembled, and he stammered, repeating.
"Then, he shut down the Warp astropathic shielding device and sent out an… astropathic message."
"Riley, are you saying… you let the Inquisitor break into the 'Eternal Furnace'?"
As he spoke, Lloyd's face was so dark it looked like it could drip water.
"And you let him send out an astropathic message, is that right?"
Lillian, who had followed Lloyd for a long time, was very familiar with his temperament.
Because of this, she knew very well that the seemingly calm Lloyd was actually on the verge of an outburst.
Looking at the trembling middle-aged man prostrate on the ground, a flicker of hatred crossed Lillian's eyes, for this man was the culprit who had imprisoned her mother, leading to her eventual demise in sorrow, and he was also her biological father!
"Yes… yes, Father." The pale middle-aged man opposite him was so terrified that his voice trembled.
Lloyd had governed the Fernando family for many years, and his iron-fisted and tyrannical methods were feared not only externally but also internally.
Even Riley, as a direct descendant, was equally afraid of this cold-blooded and ruthless father.
"You idiot! Useless!"
Lloyd angrily grabbed the golden pot beside him and threw it with force!
"I… I'm sorry, Father!" Riley was hit on the head, and the pain intensified his panic, making his knees buckle. He immediately fell to his knees, pleading with a terrified expression.
"Please give me another chance, I will definitely catch him!"
"You? Why should I trust you, this good-for-nothing, again?"
Several veins bulged on Lloyd's forehead, his pupils were bloodshot, like a furious lion, his red eyes revealing a ferocious, man-eating glare, and he shouted in a nearly roaring voice.
"Get out, get far away from me, I don't want to see you, this useless person, again!"
The nearly two-hundred-year-old man suddenly became emotional, causing blood to rush to his head, almost making him faint.
But more importantly… he was afraid!
"You… useless!" Lloyd was so angry that he spat out a mouthful of blood, then swayed and slumped onto his chair.
He had painstakingly sealed off the entire Drifting Port, and even endured immense pressure to block Warp astropathic messages, all because he feared the Inquisition!
Once the Inquisition learned of what Fernando had done in the Drifting Port, only… destruction awaited them!
To confront the Inquisition head-on?
Listening to his own son's brain-dead remarks, even with Lloyd's usually good temper, he almost died of anger on the spot.
"You, you imbecile!" Lloyd finally couldn't hold back. He grabbed his cane and fiercely struck Riley's head, roaring.
"Who do you think you are, to confront the Inquisition? How could I have given birth to such a stupid descendant?!"
Since the establishment of the Inquisition, all who have attempted to oppose them have long since become dust in the universe!
No matter how powerful the Fernando family was, they were ultimately just a frontier Trader Dynasty. How could they compare to the Inquisition?
Putting everything else aside, the power the Inquisition could mobilize was simply unimaginable for a single family.
The power the Inquisition could mobilize ranged from Imperial Navy fleets, millions of Astra Militarum, hundreds of Space Marine Chapters, to an almost unlimited extent; if necessary, even the Grey Knights could be called upon to deal with stubborn heretics!
The Inquisitor who suddenly broke into the Eternal Furnace and sent the astropathic message completely disrupted Lloyd's original plan.
In his ideal scenario, he should have waited until the Fernando family completely controlled the Calixis Sector, using that 'artifact' to completely isolate Imperial forces, before he would have the capability to deal with the Inquisition, and even the Imperial armies.
But now, the Fernando family was not ready and simply could not cope with the Inquisition!
"Then, what should we do, Father?!"
By now, Riley, who had realized the seriousness of the situation, was completely at a loss, frantically clutching Lloyd's leg like a headless fly.
"You."
Looking at the panicking Riley, Lloyd was furious.
But he had to come up with a solution quickly, otherwise the Fernando dynasty he had built with his own hands would be destroyed!
"Grandpa, I think the most important thing right now is to quickly take control of the various fortresses in the Drifting Port." At this point, Lillian, standing nearby, spoke. Unlike her father's panic, she appeared very calm.
"Although the astropathic message has been sent, it will still take time for the Inquisition to receive it. We must seize the opportunity while others still don't know about this, to seize control of the PDF!"
Lloyd, having calmed down again, carefully considered Lillian's suggestion.
Then, he nodded heavily.
"Good, we'll do as you say. Charles' matter will be put aside for now. You go and see the planetary governor to seize control of the ground forces. If necessary… you know what to do, right?"
"Yes, Grandpa."
Lillian nodded in agreement.
But Riley, standing by, was clearly displeased with Lloyd's arrangement.
"Father, how can you let her do this? She's just a lowly collateral!"
"Shut up, imbecile!"
Lloyd stared at him coldly.
"You, get out of my sight immediately. If it weren't for you, this imbecile, letting the Inquisitor infiltrate the Eternal Furnace temple, how would we have become so passive?!"
If Riley weren't his biological son, he would probably have been dragged out and executed by now!
Yet, even so, it was difficult for Lloyd to calm his anger.
Especially when comparing the incompetent Riley with Lillian, the disparity immediately became apparent!
He just couldn't understand how the gap between father and daughter could be so great?
They say a tiger father has no dog sons, he had been brilliant his entire life, how could he have given birth to such a good-for-nothing?
"Shut up, you slut!" Riley vented all his anger on Lillian, believing she had stolen his father's favor. In a fit of rage, he rushed forward like a madman and grabbed Lillian's neck, growling with a contorted face.
"Don't think that just because Father favors you, you can escape your lowly status; you will always be a despicable collateral!"
Lillian was choked by him and couldn't breathe, but her eyes remained calm, seemingly without a hint of fear.
Those perfect emerald, gem-like eyes were like a mirror, reflecting Riley's face, which looked like a vengeful ghost.
"Slut! Slut! Slut!"
Looking at those calm eyes, Riley grew even more furious.
However, before Riley could do anything, he saw Lloyd's dark gaze, like a knife, fixed on him.
Suddenly, a chill ran up his spine. Riley swallowed, and fearfully released Lillian's neck.
"Fa-Father… I…"
"Shut up, you pig!" At this point, Lloyd no longer wanted to waste words with him. He said coldly.
"Now, Lillian is the person I have designated. You had better behave yourself, otherwise… I don't mind letting her give you a taste of your own medicine first!"
The sudden blow left the over two-hundred-year-old Lloyd feeling even more weary and mentally devastated.
Yet, the entire Fernando family's only one capable of stepping forward to control the situation was a woman from a collateral bloodline!
How pathetic?!
Looking at his biological son kneeling on the ground, a wave of sorrow suddenly rose in Lloyd's heart.
"I—how could I have given birth to such a good-for-nothing?"
At twelve, he inherited the chaotic Fernando family; at that time, Wanderer's Port was in turmoil, its political situation a mess. It was he who cautiously led the already declining family to survive step by step in the cracks!
He swallowed countless heartaches and bitter fruits, endured assassination attempts and attacks time and again, which allowed the Fernando family to achieve its current status!
However, all of this—was destroyed by his own biological son due to his negligence!
Riley, kneeling on the ground, trembled and dared not speak, but seeing this made Lloyd even more disappointed. He was even considering that even if they overcome this crisis, once he dies in the future, what will become of the Fernando family?
Relying on Riley—it's probably impossible.
Originally, Lloyd had hoped that even though this son was useless, as long as he could be stable, he could at least ensure the continuation of the Fernando family.
But now, he couldn't even manage the small matter of guarding the temple of the Eternity Furnace. He had recognized the reality: handing over the family's power to this useless son would only bring the Fernando family to ruin!
Thinking of this, Lloyd's heart suddenly stirred, and he turned his gaze to Lilian. A bold idea instantly emerged in his mind!
Although his son was a good-for-nothing, the daughter he bore was not!
Although she was of a collateral bloodline, and her mother was merely a lowly receptionist, it was undeniable that Lilian was the most outstanding among the younger generation of the entire Fernando family!
He had witnessed this firsthand.
Lilian was originally the 'blade' he meticulously cultivated and trained to be given to the next family head, a sharp edge born of shadow, but now it seemed she was more than that!
"Lilian, how do you plan to seize the Planetary General's military power?" Lloyd's thoughts stirred slightly; he still wanted to test her.
"I will invite them to a gathering in your name," Lilian, who had already planned everything, answered fluently, "including the Planetary General, and the major nobles and high-ranking officers of the Defense Force who support him. Then, during the banquet, I will blow up the entire banquet hall."
"And then?"
Lloyd asked, expressionless.
"I will announce to the Defense Force that this is a demonstration from the heretical cult lurking in Wanderer's Port," Lilian said, seemingly calm but uttering extremely terrifying words, "Then, we can use this incident to openly demand military power from the planetary governor, under the pretext of eradicating the cult lurking in Wanderer's Port, to purge those restless noble factions, and use this as an opportunity to completely seize power."
Still a young person, after all—a trace of disappointment, almost imperceptible, flickered in Lloyd's eyes.
"Your plan is very good, but have you ever considered why the planetary governor, the Naval Lieutenant Commander, the Ecclesiarchy, and the Mechanicus people would believe our one-sided story?"
What their Fernando family was about to do was a major act of betraying the Imperium!
In daily skirmishes, colluding with xenos for illicit gains, perhaps no one would take these matters too seriously, as everyone could profit.
But betraying the Imperium was a matter of principle, and these major factions would not agree!
This was also why the Fernando family, though seemingly all-powerful in Wanderer's Port, still acted discreetly.
"I have a way to make them believe." In Lilian's eyes, a cold light seemed to surge, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue.
"Hmm?" Lloyd frowned slightly, an ominous premonition vaguely stirring within him.
"What way?"
"It's actually very simple, Grandpa."
Lilian's lips curved slightly, and she said, word by word.
"Just—arrange for some members of the Fernando family in the bombed banquet hall, wouldn't that be enough?"
At these words, Lloyd's pupils constricted sharply!
Even Riley, kneeling beside them, showed terror and shock on his face, looking at her, his own daughter, as if seeing her for the first time!
"It's best to arrange some direct and important family members. This way—the cult attacked our banquet hall, causing heavy losses to the Fernando family. Even if the planetary governor suspects, he won't suspect us, right?" Lilian said with a faint smile, much like a daemon.
Ruthless enough!
This was Lloyd's assessment of his granddaughter!
He hadn't expected Lilian to come up with such a vicious plan, which could be described as killing a thousand enemies at the cost of eight hundred of one's own!
But undeniably, this way, their Fernando family would gain the initiative and clear themselves of suspicion!
"Then who do you think—is most suitable?" Lloyd's admiration for Lilian grew. Ruthless, decisive, and firm, she was simply himself in his youth!
"Isn't there one right here?"
Lilian smiled, looking down at Riley, who was kneeling beside her, utterly shocked, and who was also her biological father. "You, you bitch!!!" Riley hadn't yet recovered from his shock when he heard his daughter wanted to send him to be blown up. He screamed in terror and rage.
"How dare you commit patricide! You shameless bitch, just like your mother, you are both bitches!"
With that, Riley furiously rushed forward, swinging his fist to hit Lilian, but his body, already hollowed out by wine and women, was easily dodged by Lilian, who hooked her foot to trip him to the ground.
"Bitch! Bitch! It's all your fault!" Riley fell face-first, his face bruised and swollen, his eyes filled with deep resentment. He glared at Lilian with a vicious and sinister look, gritting his teeth.
"You and your mother are both bitches! If I had known, I should have beaten you to death back then!"
"You dare to harm a direct descendant, this is a capital crime!"
Riley was like a rabid dog, seemingly fierce, but in reality, filled with fear.
"Father, kill her quickly, don't listen to her nonsense, she's seeking revenge!"
However, to Riley's horror, he found that his father had not said a single word the entire time, but was instead watching him coldly.
"Fa—Father, what are you doing? I, I am your biological son, your only biological son!" Riley screamed in terror.
He wanted to crawl over and beg Lloyd.
But, after crawling two steps, his hand was stepped on, making him cry out in pain. He looked up to find that the person stepping on his hand was his most despised illegitimate daughter!
"You, you dare to step on me!" Riley was about to curse her 'bitch,' but before the first word could leave his mouth,
the hard tip of a boot kicked him in the mouth!
Crack!
This kick was truly powerful.
Falling teeth and blood, mixed with pain, made Riley wail incessantly.
"Too noisy."
Lloyd was expressionless, but in his heart, he was utterly disappointed in his son.
"Yes, Grandpa."
Lilian understood perfectly, drew the dagger from her waist, and fiercely plunged it into Riley's hand!
Pfft!
Blood gushed out. Riley was about to scream when a dagger was thrust into his mouth.
"Sob—!"
Riley's pupils constricted, filled with terror!
"Shh—"
Lilian smiled and squatted down, caressing his bruised face, the face she had once hated the most, and said with a gentle smile.
"Father, said you're too noisy, so—if you say another word, I'll cut out your tongue."
With the dagger in his mouth, its sharp edge made Riley too afraid to speak, his eyes filled with tears. Fear, regret, resentment, and other emotions intertwined, he could only place his hope in his father.
However, Lloyd merely watched this scene coldly, showing no intention of stopping it.
"Good, do as you say!"
A fierce glint flashed in Lloyd's eyes as he looked at Lilian and said indifferently.
"I'll go too. Since the banquet is convened in my name, I must be present. Only if I am injured will they believe your plan!"
This was a true overlord, not only ruthless to others but even more ruthless to himself!
After saying this, Lloyd looked at her.
"Lilian, you are very good—cunning, decisive, and intelligent. You also know how to hide yourself."
Upon hearing this, Lilian's heart trembled slightly, and her pupils inevitably flickered.
"But, it's not enough. You are still too young, you don't hide well enough, and your heart isn't ruthless enough!"
Lloyd slowly stood up, came to Lilian's side, patted her shoulder, and said indifferently.
"I know you have always hated Riley, hated our Fernando family, but it doesn't matter what you think,
the blood flowing in your veins is always that of the Fernando family!"
Saying this, he turned his head expressionlessly, an invisible pressure seeming to emanate from his gaze.
"Remember this point, you will always be a member of the Fernando family. After this matter is over, you will be my—only heir!"