Lord Protector Novel

He was the inspector of the Ministry of Celestial Affairs, which meant he knew what he was looking for. Everything he took was the best and most expensive. Because of that, it took him half an hour to fill a basket up.

Even so, that wasn't even a hundredth of the mountain's herbs. Joseph did his best, but still, he wished he could take everything with him.

Ares was pained by the fact that Joseph had managed to take the best things away. If it weren't for the decree, he would have killed Joseph there and then.

After he was done picking the herbs, he looked at Lacey. “You must be the Great Marshal's wife. Lacey, am I right?”

Lacey nodded.

Joseph said, “The Great Marshal wants you to go to the ministry with me. He has something he needs to discuss with you.”

Lacey was confused. She had seen Zeke cutting off two of Joseph's limbs just because he suspected Joseph was colluding with the Netherworld. It hasn't been too long since then. Why would Zeke suddenly give this guy such an important job? Why did he ask Joseph to take me to him? Lacey didn't believe him, so she refused to leave.

That got on Joseph's nerves. “What are you doing? The Great Marshal's orders are the nation's orders. Are you saying you're going against the nation?”

Lacey said, “I want to talk to him myself. I don't trust you.”

Joseph answered coldly, “The Great Marshal is busy. He has no time to make small talk with you. But you can ask Ares if you want to know the truth.”

Ares had just gotten to the summit, so Lacey went up to him. “Father, is everything he said the truth? Did Zeke really send him on this errand?”

Ares sighed. “Yes. I asked him about it, and that's what he said.”

A frown creased Lacey's forehead. “For some reason, he's been acting weird ever since he came back from the North.”

Worried they might notice something wrong, Joseph explained, “The Great Marshal is a smart man. The likes of you can never fathom what he's thinking. He has his reasons to do what he's doing. He's not being himself because he has a plan in mind as well. If you guys keep suspecting him, you might just ruin his plans.”

Ares and Lacey looked at each other.

Maybe he's right. Lacey said nothing more and got ready to go with Joseph. I'll know everything once I see him. She picked Missy up and was prepared to go.

However, Joseph stopped her. “Hold it. The Great Marshal wants you there. He never said anything about the girl, so she cannot go.”