章 155: Chapter 155

He swallowed hard. This single decision could determine the fate of his house.

"I—I'll give you an answer in a month!"

"A month? The Great Chief can wait that long," the messenger said, leaving with a meaningful look, hinting that they wouldn't wait longer. Lugres sighed, unable to discern whether it was a bluff or the truth. Barbarians were notorious for deception, after all.

"Send spies. We need information on what's really going on."

Contacting the six families directly was out of the question. If they'd submitted to Ragnar, they were likely concealing it, pretending loyalty to the Empire. Any questions would receive only perfunctory replies or rebukes. The only way to get reliable information was to gather it himself.

"I hope I get something useful," he muttered.

A few days later, a spy returned with information—but not about Ragnar. Upon hearing the report, Lugres' eyes widened in shock.