Even the most foolish of nobles inside could tell something was wrong by the smell.
But it was now impossible to leave.
Ning Cuo had always wondered why Toler, who seemed so tall and unintelligent, was so cunning in his actions.
It was as if he understood Ning Cuo's mind.
Often, just a glance would tell him to what extent Ning Cuo wanted to go.
Like now.
While it just looked like he was pinning Carliss Edward to the door with the giant sword, in reality, the giant sword had jammed the door bolt.
Even if those inside wanted to surrender, they couldn't push open the door.
From everyone else's perspective, Ning Cuo was outside desperately pleading with them, but these nobles were fighting to the death.
Driven to desperation, Ning Cuo and all his knights clasped their hands together, lowered their heads, and prayed devoutly.
"God is merciful, God is kind. May you, enveloped in flames, receive ultimate purification, and may your souls return to the Lord's heaven."
"In the name of God, fire!"
As Ning Cuo finished his last words, Toler, under Carliss Edward's terrified gaze, threw down the torch in his hand.
The knights behind him did the same.
This process seemed incredibly long to Carliss Edward.
It was as if he had unlocked an ability within his bloodline.
He could now clearly sense the fear emanating from these nobles behind him.
Unfortunately, though, Ning Cuo had cut off all escape routes.
He had come here with no intention of letting these people leave alive.
The moment the torch landed on the oil-soaked wall of the door, flames shot up with a whoosh.
Thick black smoke billowed out, enveloping the sturdy manor in a roaring inferno.
The intense heat caused those inside to let out piercing screams.
"No! You can't do this! I'm a noble! I'm a noble!"
"Aaaaaaaaah! I don't want to die! Spare me! Please spare me!"
"We surrender! We surrender! Open the door!"
However, having gone this far, naturally no one felt the slightest bit of pity.
Even these knights were no different.
If these people didn't die, how could they, with clear consciences, possess all this wealth?
Toler glanced at the shattered door lock, applied a little force with both hands, and the giant sword in his hand was pulled out.
Sadly, the now half-cooked Carliss Edward was already giving off a burnt stench.
This time, unless God really came down, he was definitely finished.
Even so, Toler pretended not to notice and dragged the giant sword in his hand, smashing his head into pieces.
He then mounted his horse with satisfaction.
He quickly joined Ning Cuo, who was slowly riding away.
The knights all followed suit, turning their horses and leaving with gleeful smiles.
"Following Lord Ning Cuo is truly the life of luxury."
"Lord, after this is over, how about you grace us with your presence and have a drink at my house?"
"Exactly, exactly, Lord, if you need anything in the future, just give us a call."
"One word from you, and we brothers will get it done properly."
It's no wonder they say money talks.
Look at these faces, completely different from when they were following behind.
Ning Cuo smiled and nodded, not initiating, not refusing, not denying.
Using this principle of "three noes," he completely controlled this group of knights.
On one hand, these people had acquired a great deal of wealth during this operation.
On the other hand, they were also amazed by Ning Cuo's methods.
It was too meticulous!
There were almost no flaws.
From the very beginning to the end of the entire operation, Ning Cuo could be said to be completely uninvolved.
Even the final burning of the manor was the same.
From the moment Carliss Edward appeared, he had already sentenced these nobles to death.
And it also cleared the knights who followed him of any charges.
The people were dead, who would go and accuse them of arson, murder, and robbery?
As for the Roman citizens watching?
They were practically itching to get their hands dirty, where would they go to report it?
And the remaining nobles?
Please, these were Nero's Royal Knights!
Each one was backed by a knight family, a substantial force when they came together.
Who in their right mind would offend so many people for a little money?!
Black smoke billowed upwards, like a judgment that pierced the heavens. Everyone in the entire city of Rome could see it.
From within the meticulously decorated manor came the smell of roasting meat mingled with a burnt stench.
The nobles inside screamed, trying to escape.
Unfortunately, the sturdy, heavy stone walls and the shattered, blocked door blocked their last hope of survival.
"Lord Ning Cuo, was all this in your plan?"
There was a mixture of emotions in Joan's voice, not dislike.
But hatred for her own weakness.
From Ning Cuo's impersonation of the Judge Knight to the fire that cleared out the last of the rebels, Joan felt she hadn't helped at all.
On the contrary, she had even needed Ning Cuo to personally educate her.
Toler, who had also not participated in the impersonation of the Judge Knight, had fully demonstrated his professionalism.
He was ruthless and taciturn, loyal and efficient, with only his loyalty to Ning Cuo in his eyes.
Ning Cuo, who had been pondering what to do next, was brought back to reality.
He looked at Joan, who was hanging her head, her emotions low.
He didn't comfort her, instead he began to PUA her.
"Yes, your actions this time disappointed me, but at least you finally woke up. This time I'll let it slide, from now on, it's all down to your performance."
"Okay, yes! Lord Ning Cuo!"
Seeing Joan nearly burning with passion, all the knights who followed behind were wide-eyed.
It was as if they had seen a devil walking among men.
How could you play around with such a kind-hearted girl?
At this point, I'm afraid that if Ning Cuo ordered Joan to go and kill people, she wouldn't even question why.
And that was Ning Cuo's goal.
Was Joan beautiful?
Yes!
And she was the legendary Joan of Arc, a future hero, a walking legend.
But so what?
Ning Cuo didn't need that kind of radiant saint.
In this barbaric and crumbling age, in order to achieve great goals, what was needed was someone who could obey orders, execute them without hesitation.
Excessive kindness would ultimately only harm oneself.
The sooner she understood this harsh reality, the less likely she would end up helping others and being sent to the stake.
In the Roman palace, all the nobles rubbed their eyes in disbelief. They couldn't believe that anyone would be so blatantly greedy at a time like this.
They had ransacked so many noble households.
You actually just brought up a box of gold?
If Roman nobles were really so incorruptible, Nero would be laughing in his sleep.
Yet, the knights behind Ning Cuo were practically chest-thumping, assuring everyone.
They, over a thousand people, had followed behind and kept a close eye on everything.
The nobles' houses had produced this much money, there wasn't a single extra bit!
One or two might lie, they might be bought.
But a thousand knights, all with righteous indignation, all in unison, then the matter became very strange indeed.
Nero sat on his throne, looking at the open box of gold.
He fell into deep thought.
..
ps: Dear readers, could you please give me a little data, whether it be flowers, monthly tickets, review tickets, or anything else, it's the motivation for a humble author to keep writing QVQ, the data is really bad, woo woo woo