Chapter 180 Killing Trap
Chapter 180 Killing Trap
Paris City Center, Presidential Suite Study
Leo sat in the oversized leather executive chair, a Cuban cigar held between his fingers. Through the curling wisps of smoke, his deep-set eyes calmly observed Erwin and Pierre standing before the desk.
"Public opinion has reached the breaking point."
Leo exhaled a rich plume of smoke, his voice low and carrying an undeniable authority. "Here's what I need you to do next—issue a public statement. Say that for the sake of the Valois family's century-old reputation, and to give the French people an answer, you're willing to go alone to the Valois Manor for a face-to-face 'peace negotiation' with Louis."
The moment those words left his mouth, the air in the study seemed to freeze.
"What?" Pierre's entire body shook violently, his hands gripping the edge of the desk. "Mr. Ashford! Absolutely not! That's a suicide mission!"
"You just said it yourself—Louis is a rabid dog backed into a corner right now! That estate isn't just full of his most loyal thugs; there are Templar Knights from The Evernight Order stationed there too!"
"It's a meat grinder with no way out! If Erwin goes there publicly, Louis will definitely kill him by any means necessary!"
Erwin remained silent, his gaze locked on Leo.
Because he knew this godlike, demonic man before him would never issue a meaningless death sentence.
"Pierre, you're only half right."
Leo flicked ash from his cigar, the corner of his mouth curving into a cold smile of calculated control. "What I want is exactly that—for this rabid dog to get desperate enough to strike personally."
He rose, his tall, imposing frame casting an oppressive shadow in the lamplight as he walked toward them.
"If Louis keeps hiding in his shell at the manor playing dead, no matter how loud the public outcry gets, without concrete, direct evidence, the police will struggle to force their way into an old aristocrat's private estate. But once Erwin publicly shows up under the pretense of 'negotiation,' every media outlet and eye in France will focus on that location."
A flash of extreme, brutal killing intent flickered in Leo's eyes. "Louis knows this is his last chance to turn things around. He'll definitely set a trap, planning to take out Erwin and your entire group in one sweep during the meeting. And the moment he makes his move, I'll catch him red-handed—along with those Evernight Order scum backing him—and nail them all to the pillory!"
"But... what if Louis really goes for the kill, and Erwin..." Pierre still couldn't shake his fear.
Twenty-five years of running and hiding—Erwin was the only reason he had to live.
He'd rather be cut to pieces himself than watch Erwin take such a near-suicidal risk.
Leo didn't explain further. He simply extended his large, callused hand and placed it heavily on Pierre's slightly hunched shoulder.
The pressure was neither light nor heavy, yet it radiated an absolute confidence capable of crushing heaven and earth.
"I'm here."
Leo's eyes, deep as an abyss, locked onto Pierre's with unwavering seriousness. "As long as I don't want Erwin to die, even if God himself came down, he couldn't claim that soul. Trust me."
Feeling that mountain-like steadiness pressing on his shoulder, Pierre's wildly racing heart began to settle.
"Pierre, stop. I agree."
Erwin took a deep breath, his hands clenched into tight fists, his eyes burning with the flames of vengeance. "I've been hiding like a sewer rat for twenty-five years. I'm done living like that. Since Mr. Ashford has already paved the way for us, even if what's ahead is a mountain of blades and a sea of fire, I'm going to collect this blood debt personally!"
---
Two hours later.
Erwin's public "peace negotiation" statement detonated like a nuclear bomb across French media circles, triggering a tidal wave of coverage.
Faced with Erwin's public challenge from the moral high ground, Louis—trapped in his manor—had no way out.
If he didn't respond, it would be an admission of guilt, cementing his reputation as a murderer. If he refused, the police and enraged public might storm the manor gates directly.
Louis was forced to issue a brief response through the family's media channels—[Agreed to meet and clarify misunderstandings].
Inside the manor, in the luxurious yet deathly silent drawing room.
"Erwin... you bastard, you dare walk into my trap!"
Watching the rolling news on the TV screen, Louis hurled his crystal wine glass to the floor. Shards of glass mixed with crimson wine splattered everywhere.
His face, already haggard from days of panic, twisted completely into a ghastly, demonic grimace.
"Does he really think having a few media vultures waiting outside will stop me from killing him? Naive!"
Louis whipped around, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Ashfall, who sat on the sofa casually sipping wine. His voice carried hysterical madness. "Ashfall! The kill zones throughout the manor are fully prepared! The moment that bastard and Pierre step through that door, I guarantee they'll be turned into Swiss cheese within one second!"
Ashfall swirled the champagne in his glass, his pure blue eyes flashing with deep calculation.
He knew perfectly well how foolish Louis's plan was, but he also knew it was the perfect bait to draw out Leo.
And so these two, who had just broken their alliance, were now partners once again!
"Louis."
Ashfall took an elegant sip of champagne, the corner of his mouth curving into a condescending smirk. "The Evernight Order only cares about results. If your kill zones can not only eliminate Erwin but also take out Leo—who's hiding in the shadows protecting him..."
Ashfall stood and walked over to Louis, looking down at him as he patted his cheek. "Then you'll not only keep your position, but there'll be a seat for you at The Evernight Order's Round Table."
Hearing the promise of a Round Table seat, the fear in Louis's eyes was instantly replaced by extreme greed and madness.
"Rest assured! I've buried enough high-grade explosives under this manor to blow up half the block! Every corridor is rigged with top-tier poison gas dispensers! Even if Reaper's made of iron, today he's getting melted into a puddle of blood!"
Louis erupted into a shrill, maniacal laugh, as if already seeing Erwin and Leo dying miserably at his feet.
However, neither the crazed Louis nor the arrogant Ashfall realized one thing.
An invisible, lethal net had already been quietly spread right under their noses.
---
Meanwhile.
At a secret command center ten miles from the Valois Manor.
The massive holographic projection screen glowed with an eerie blue light.
Olivia, dressed in a tight tactical suit, her hands moving like afterimages across the holographic keyboard.
"Boss, we've successfully hacked the manor's internal security system. Infrared distribution maps, underground explosive detonation circuits, poison gas outlet coordinates—everything's been extracted."
A disdainful smirk crossed Olivia's striking face. "Louis's setup is like transparent paper to us. Those kill zones he's so proud of are riddled with holes."
Leo stood before the screen, draped in a black trench coat, the cigar clenched between his teeth.
He gazed at the densely packed red dots on the holographic map, his deep eyes showing not a ripple of emotion, and spoke coldly, "Proceed as planned."