Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 579 That Damn Prince

Jann Kevin Deer.

At that moment, Dagori froze.

On the other side of the glass, Thales' expression also shifted.

"Why?" the wine merchant asked instinctively.

“You know why,” Raphael said, his smile undiminished.

Dagori sat up straight and said nervously:

"This, young man, you...you say you serve the kingdom?"

"Which department exactly?"

Raphael nodded, becoming increasingly interested:
"It's strange that you're not afraid of the tax bureau, which is known for its ruthless exploitation, nor the guard bureau, which is known for its fierce and menacing demeanor, nor the courtroom, which is known for its superior status."

"He only lost his composure to this extent when he heard the name of a nobleman from out of town."

Dagori shuddered.

He realized something and nervously looked around:
"This isn't any kind of security headquarters, is it?"

"Whom do you actually work for?"

Raphael gave a soft snort:
"Oh, perhaps you're afraid that the Duke of Iris will find out that Dagory Moss, the capable merchant who received his help, favors, and even a mission from him to act as his agent for the Central Winery, has been secretly lining his own pockets, pocketing huge kickbacks for so long, and operating so many private properties elsewhere..."

Thales noticed that Dagory trembled every time Raphael uttered a word.

Raphael smiled amiably:
"And he actually dared to say that his business failed and then go back to the Duke to complain about being poor?"

Dagory's breathing began to quicken, and he swallowed hard.

"Listen, young man, there must be some misunderstanding between us. I don't understand a single thing you're saying..."

Raphael picked up the documents, got up from his seat, and looked like he was about to call it a day and leave.
"Don't worry, we'll arrange a carriage to send you home in a grand and public display to thank you for your cooperation and honesty—right after this evidence is delivered to the Emerald City and into the hands of Duke Jann."

Dagori was stunned; the smugness and confidence he had just displayed vanished from his face.

"You...can't..." He tried to say something, but stammered.

Raphael turned his head, gave a wicked smile, and threw in the final straw:
"After all, you know that the Royal Secret Service cannot use illegal torture."

In that instant, Dagori shuddered violently!
"What? You say you're the King? What kind of King?" the wine merchant asked blankly.

The Bone Man simply smiled and then turned and left.

"Wait a moment!"

"I remember now, I remember!"

Perhaps the last sentence was too powerful; Dagory slumped off his chair, scrambled to his feet in a panic, and spoke with a sob in his voice:

“A large sum of money came in today, and I guarantee that those who are owed wages and payments will receive their money soon. There’s also a large surplus, which I’d ​​like to donate entirely to you personally, or to your department, to support your work… Could you please just pretend I was never here…”

But Raphael's smile was wicked, and he remained unmoved:
"Don't worry, you're quite familiar with Boss Catherine, right? Once you get out, the Blood Bottle Gang will definitely treat you well."

"Or I've heard that the custom in Emerald City is to send a ship out to sea with people, and whatever happens on the high seas is irrelevant to the kingdom's laws..."

He smiled, his eyes narrowing:
"We can't control it even if we want to."

It seemed that Dagory could recall something from every word Raphael uttered.

As a result, his sobs grew louder and his eyes became increasingly terrified:
"No, no, no, please, you...you're killing me...I...I'm a citizen of the kingdom too, you can't just stand by and watch me die..."

Raphael realized what was happening and smiled apologetically:
"Not at all. Duke Iris is so magnanimous and approachable, perhaps he wouldn't mind?"

"After all, you have such a big family, you have to support them too."

To support one's family.

Dagory shuddered, frozen in place, staring blankly at Raphael.

Raphael smiled as before, looked back at him cheerfully, and waited patiently for a response.

Ten seconds later.

"Damn it."

Finally, under Raphael's gaze, Dagori could no longer withstand the pressure and collapsed to the ground:

"Okay, okay, whatever you want, I'll give you anything."

He completely broke down, tears streaming down his face, sobbing uncontrollably.

"As long as, as long as you don't tell the Duke... I, I... I just want to make a fortune before I retire... for my family..."

Raphael laughed, a very happy laugh.

"Welcome to the Kingdom's Secret Service, Mr. Morse."

He bent down with satisfaction and helped the trembling Dagori to his feet:
"You know, now we're 'family' too."

Dagori stared blankly at the young man before him, his hands and feet trembling uncontrollably, his face numb.

At the other end of the room, Thales turned around with disgust:

"Is this how you recruit people and win them over?"

The Black Prophet in his wheelchair chuckled softly:
“I know you look down on this kind of method.”

“I don’t mean to look down on you, it’s just…” the prince shook his head, looking uncomfortable.
"This reminds me of the Shadow Shield."

“That’s more like it,” Morat scoffed.
"Because that's our division of labor: we stay in the dark and do the dirty work, while you stand in the sunlight and condemn the dirty work."

"Pleasant to work with."

Thales glanced at the Black Prophet, his brow furrowing deeper.

On the other side of the glass, Raphael finally calmed down the distraught Dagori and put him back in the chair.

"Now, can you answer my question?"

Dagori, his eyes bloodshot, was wiping the blood from his nose with a handkerchief when he looked up blankly:

"What, what's the problem?"

Raphael patiently repeated:

"Why, why is there no future for the kingdom's wine industry?"

Perhaps startled by what he had experienced in those ten minutes, Dagori paused for a moment before he came to his senses.

“Yes, yes,” the wine merchant replied sullenly.
"Although it was just a rumor before, it was confirmed last night..."

"Now, the news should have spread among wine merchants all over the country."

Raphael's eyes flickered slightly:
"what happened?"

Having just experienced a dramatic change in his life, Dagor pouted and reluctantly said:

"That prince."

Upon hearing the news, Thales was stunned.

Dagori said sullenly:
“Our wise Prince Thales, the Duke of Starlake, does not like wine.”

“At yesterday’s banquet, the wine I brewed was placed on his table, but he didn’t touch a single drop.”

Even just a drop.

In that instant, Thales felt a jolt in his ears, a buzzing sound.

Dagori said bitterly:

“Even when toasting, he just goes through the motions, deliberately spilling the wine instead of drinking it.”

Raphael grunted:
"Perhaps the wine at your house doesn't suit your taste?"

"Ha, what difference does it make if the prince doesn't like drinking, or if the wine doesn't suit his taste?"

After Raphael had utterly broken down his psychological defenses, Dagori, once he started talking, went on and on, sounding somewhat like someone who had given up on himself and was in a state of self-destructive despair.

"And not only does he not drink alcohol."

The wine merchant said unhappily:

He also doesn't like other people drinking.

Thales looked up in surprise.

Raphael also frowned:

"Really?"

Dagory laughed heartily, his face full of sarcasm:

"I didn't go to yesterday's royal banquet, but a friend of mine did, and he saw it with his own eyes: before the hostage situation happened, a noblewoman, who was very beautiful and came from a good family, went to invite the prince to dance."

"As a result, just because she had two glasses of wine before talking to the prince, she was publicly reprimanded by His Highness and came back crying."

Raphael remained skeptical, asking, "Are you... sure?"

"It's all over the socialite circles!"

Dagory spat:
"His Highness refused every girl who had drunk wine. Even his own aunt, who had drunk a few extra cups of wine, was not spared. He kicked her out of the banquet early!"

"Another servant testified: after the banquet, when His Highness spoke privately with Duke Janne, he drank only water!"

Raphael pondered for a moment:
"That's it? Just because of the trivial things that happened at last night's banquet?"

"Perhaps this is just an excuse you've come up with to cover up your business failure, your attempt to default on debts, and your actions that have implicated hundreds of families..."

Dagori interrupted him indignantly:
“I told you I was just on vacation out of town… Listen, the prince hates alcohol, and there have been signs of this for a while, not just last night.”

"How to say?"

Dagory snorted softly:
"First, there are the northern merchants from the Black Sand Territory. They have a rumor that Prince Thales and the current King of Exter fell out over a cup of wine and now hate each other."

“I don’t know how the prince is doing in the north, but his behavior back in the stars is quite obvious: he lives a secluded life, is frugal, and abstains from alcohol and women.”

Dagory raised his finger, looking quite serious:

"At the Blade Fang camp, our fellow warriors from the Western Wilderness prepared a jug of fine wine, bribed a soldier of the Wings of Legend, and intended to present it to him as a gift, hoping to advertise it a bit. However, the prince was very uncooperative and smashed it on the ground without even looking at it!"

"You know, he's the heir to the kingdom."

"The rumors started around that time."

Dagori exhaled angrily:

"And I just heard about what happened this morning. A message from the Star Guards responsible for guarding the Mindis Hall: Prince Thales' two personal guards—the Royal Guard, genuine members of the Star Seven Guards—drank a few too many drinks last night, which caused them to mess things up and lead to the hostage situation."

"So the prince ordered them to be whipped, right there in the Hall of Mindis, and they were beaten half to death. It is said that he even counted the lashes himself."

Raphael listened intently, glancing at the one-way mirror out of the corner of his eye.

Dagori slumped backward:
"That's great. Soon the entire planet will know that the future king doesn't like drinking, nor does he like people who drink."

"Damn prince."

Raphael coughed:
"Perhaps you're overreacting. The prince's aversion to alcohol doesn't have that much of an impact..."

"Oh! He's a prince! The future king!"

Already in a bad mood, Dagori impatiently interrupted the Bone Man:

"Everything he does, every single thing, every tiny detail, has a super, super, super huge impact, okay!"

Raphael said nothing.

The other side of the one-way glass was completely silent.

"Listen, young man, you're still young, but I've seen it all, I know..."

Dagory grabbed a handkerchief and wiped his nose:

"It may not be so quick, but as time goes on..."

"A trend will gradually form in the upper echelons of the capital: in order to curry favor with the prince and get closer to the duke, first, some people will start drinking less, then everyone will follow suit, then those with prestige will advocate not drinking, and then the trend will spread to the entire city of Yongxing, urging everyone not to drink, until the kingdom officially enacts laws to limit or prohibit alcohol..."

Raphael was skeptical:
"Isn't that a bit too much?"

Dagory shook his head:

"Okay, maybe I exaggerated a bit, but buddy, you're a government employee too."

"When the superiors have a certain preference, those below will surely follow suit."

"Haven't you heard? If a cup falls in the Palace of Restoration, a head will fall within the kingdom."

The wine merchant glanced at Raphael and gave a sarcastic smile:
"And did you know that Prince Thales broke quite a few glasses at the banquet? Hahahaha..."

His laughter was discontented and desolate, gradually fading away.

"If the king despises a certain type of person, then when he goes down to the capital, the people will exterminate them."

"If the Duke glances at something a little longer, it will become incredibly expensive and unavailable to the common people."

"People regard a drunken, idiotic remark by a great man as a profound truth, studying it diligently, and academics even fund projects to research it..."

"Or if some nobleman forgot to wear his trousers during a walk, it would be hailed as a new kind of elegance and fashion trend, attracting people to worship him and scramble to imitate him..."

Dagori said with no small amount of resentment:
"Aren't these kinds of situations common?"

The wine merchant sighed:

"Power is a hook that lures everyone toward it, for a pitiful amount of bait."

"Otherwise, how do you think I got rich?"

There was a moment of silence in the interrogation room.

“So your decision to close the winery was a well-considered one,” Raphael said calmly.

Dagory nodded.

"Do you think I want to close down? Believe me, if I don't cut my losses and get out now, in a few months, when the rumors that the prince doesn't like wine have spread, my business statements will only look worse, and my patrons in Emerald City will be even more unhappy."

"And I'm not the first to know: the market has a better nose than I do, and gold coins only follow the power."

He pouted:
"Just last night, after the banquet, a total of six noble buyers cancelled their orders for next month, saying that their own homemade wine would be enough."

"There were still ten this morning..."

Dagory's eyes became confused:

"I originally thought that after the prince returned to the country and the royal banquet was held, the capital, which had been quiet for more than ten years, would have many more banquet occasions, and the demand for alcohol, especially for luxury banquets like ours, would definitely increase significantly."

"So I expanded my partnerships, acquired several more wineries, and prepared to increase production, for which I borrowed a lot of money..."

He snorted coldly, wiped away the last bit of blood from his nose, and threw the handkerchief onto the table.

"Now, now I can only cut my losses in advance."

"At least in the short term, I won't have any more substantial orders for banquets in the capital, big or small."

Raphael was silent for a moment before speaking:

"According to you, you were just one of the first to act based on rumors. In your line of work, many more people will suffer and many more will lose their jobs?"

Dagori let out a strange groan, a sound that was both a cry and a laugh.

"What can I do?"

"I'm desperate too!"

He was in low spirits:
"But who is it that has caused the wine merchants to lose all confidence, made the future of the wine industry bleak, and left all my workers eating dirt?"

"If you're so capable, don't come looking for me. Go find our Prince Thales, who tells the whole world 'I hate alcohol'!"

Morse slumped into his chair, muttering for the second time:
"Damn nobles."

"Damn prince."

The interrogation room returned to silence.

Raphael sighed:
“Great, thank you for your advice. I will make sure he knows.”

"Make sure he knows..."

Soon, Morse, who was immersed in despair, realized something.

"No, no, no, I #&%￥&..."

The wine merchant, suddenly realizing what had happened, changed his expression drastically:
"Don't write down what I just said... Sunset knows, my whole family is loyal and wholeheartedly supports the Starry Sky Royal Family!"

He waved his hands frantically, trying to explain himself to Raphael.

But Raphael merely glanced at the one-way glass, then waved for someone to take Morse away.

“It’s true, my mother can testify! I’ve been a loyal supporter of Prince Thales since birth…”

"Aren't we on the same side? You can't treat me like this!"

The wine merchant's words faded into the distance, but their echoes lingered:
"Well then, may Duke Xinghu enjoy good health and be crowned king soon..."

"Wait, don't misunderstand, I also wholeheartedly support His Majesty Kessel! I sincerely wish the Iron-Fisted King a long and healthy life, and eternal rule over the stars..."

The interrogation room door closed, and Dagory's voice disappeared completely. Raphael let out a long sigh and looked at the one-way glass.

On this side of the glass, the Black Prophet watched the prince with great interest.

For several minutes, Thales simply stood there, lost in thought.

Silent for a long while.

Two updates in a long time.

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(End of this chapter)