Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 725 Manipulation (Part 2)

A few minutes later, in another special room.

“I am so sorry, Your Highness Thales,”

Federico's voice remained as calm, detached, and cold as ever.

He raised his head and gazed at Thales with a deep, wistful look.

“Judge Brennan is an old friend from back then, he is indeed on the list, and I also have plans to question him, just as Lausanne II did,” Federico shook his head, “but I assure you, I never gave the order to kill him except for questioning.”

Thales frowned, his gaze suspicious.

"But as far as I know, your father had a long-standing feud with him, even to the point of attacking each other, and Brennan was the one who convicted your father."

Thales squinted:
"Perhaps in your opinion, his death was deserved?"

"Quite the opposite."

Federico's voice was calm and even:
“My father doesn’t like Lord Brennan, but they only discuss official business and have no personal grudges. In fact, my father respects Lord Brennan quite a bit. He told me in private: ‘The person in the Emerald City with the fewest selfish motives and the least likely to betray Kevin Deer is Inquisitor Brennan.’”

"As for Brennan's conviction of my father, given Jenn's ability to fabricate evidence, I think the judge can only follow the rules."

"Just like what 'Yangjiao Gong' said back then: those you can see are friends, those you can't see are enemies."

Thales did not answer, but simply took a sip of tea and carefully observed Federico.

But at least on the surface, he could not see any flaws.

"And what about King Losang II? That assassin?"

Thales said:

"You're sitting right here, yet he's still running errands for you in the city?"

“Please forgive me,” Federico said solemnly, “when I surrendered to the Emerald City, I entered Jann’s chessboard and lost all initiative. Therefore, I must keep pieces outside the chessboard so that he can act alone even when I am imprisoned. Lausanne II is one of them.”

"Who exactly is King Losang II? What secrets does he hold? What are his purposes?" Thales asked, his voice laced with warning. "Why did he come to the Emerald City with you? And why did he take such a great risk for you?"

“I don’t know much about him, but I can say this: Lausanne II was a very special person, or rather, a very special sword.”

Thales raised an eyebrow.

“It’s obvious,” Thales paused for a moment, “that he is a mentally deficient, capricious, ruthless, and indiscriminate killing machine.”

Federico paused for a moment, then shook his head.

“Believe me, Your Highness, in essence, he is very much like us: every moment, he is waging a cruel and desperate struggle against fate. Many things, he does out of necessity.”

“Us?” Thales was deeply skeptical.

Federico slowly raised his head and nodded slightly:
"us."

We're bullshit.

“Then call him back now,” Thales said, not wanting to waste any more words with him, “to surrender, to submit, and to be removed from your meaningless ‘outside game’.”

“I will obey Your Highness’s orders without question. But I regret that from the moment I stepped into this place and became imprisoned, I have lost control of him—in fact, I have never had complete control over him.”

Thales frowned:
"Los Sanhedrin II told me personally that he was employed by Kevin-Dil—wasn't that you?"

"Indeed."

"So you think I look like a fool?"

Federico shook his head in denial:

"Your Highness, please forgive me. I had no disrespectful intentions, but I also uttered not a single falsehood."

"So you're acting like a fool, unable to even control your own hunting dogs?"

Federico laughed and shook his head.

"Your Highness, with your high position, your orders are strictly enforced and no one has ever dared to disobey you. This is because you are used to everyone being constrained by power and status, obeying orders like hunting dogs and chess pieces."

Federico's eyes flickered, as if he were reflecting on something:
"But believe it or not, Your Highness, there is always a type of person in this world who is not bound by worldly conventions and rules. They are dangerous, but that makes them more useful—those who act according to their free will are necessarily more efficient than those who are forced to follow the rules."

"When I hired him, I promised Lausanne II that I would not treat him like his previous masters. He has always been free with me. I promised him that I would bring him out of the mire of depravity, show him the view from the top, and show him what kind of power had brought him down to the bottom."

Thales did not answer, but stared intently at the other person.

Federico came to his senses:

“Otherwise, someone as arrogant as him wouldn’t be willing to cooperate with me.”

"So that means whatever he does afterward has nothing to do with you?"

"Of course it's related, but I don't know what he'll do or whether he'll keep his promise to me—if he will, the to-do list I gave him is also very long, so it depends on how he chooses to do it."

Thales's gaze grew colder and colder.

“Such eloquence,” the prince said softly. “With just a few words, he absolved himself of all responsibility and shifted all the blame onto King Lausanne II.”

That's the truth.

Thales sneered.

"Not long ago, he almost killed me."

Federico frowned deeply.

"I regret."

Is that all you can say?

“I once explicitly ordered Lausanne II not to harm a hair on your head, and I never asked him to kill Brunnan, but despite this, he still caused unexpected destruction, and I bear the responsibility for that.”

Federico nodded slowly, then shook his head.

"I feel ashamed and very sorry about this."

Upon hearing this, Thales recalled Marius's words.

Chivalry.

Apart from Brennan himself, no one else in the mansion was injured...

Brennan committed suicide by poisoning himself in his study...

But the next second, Federico changed his tone:
“But since he treated you this way and then killed Brennan, it can only prove one thing.”

"what's up?"

“Lausanne II,” Federico sighed softly, “has lost control again.”

Thales frowned slightly:
"again?"

He suddenly recalled his encounter with Losang II in the Corpse Demon Pit, and how the man's demeanor before and after the encounter was completely different.

"Your Highness, are you aware of the connection between King Losang II, the Blood Bottle Gang, and Emerald City?"

“I know a little bit,” Thales said, snapping back to reality. “They are Kevin Deer’s white gloves for doing the dirty work.”

“Not only, Your Highness, not only,” Federico shook his head, “For over a century, when the Emerald City, especially the ancestors of Kevindale, decided to learn from the wise rulers and transform themselves, to establish clear rules and distribute traditional rights to more of the lower classes who were more in our interest and more willing to serve us, in order to stimulate vitality and purify the corrupt, some people suggested: someone must be responsible for monitoring and restraining these nouveau riche who rose to prominence overnight—officials, merchants, artisans, farmers, scholars, landless knights…”

At this point, Federico's eyes flickered:
"Of course, I believe that during your time in power, you must have experienced firsthand how these people are two-faced and out of touch with reality, whether in daily government affairs or market trade."

Thales gave a soft hum, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

"As for who can restrain them, there is no hope for the bloated nobles and their relatives. They can only choose peasants, the poor and the unfortunate, who are even lower than them. Thus, the Blood Bottle Gang was born. They are born outside the rules and are enemies of the law—only to restrain those who are within the rules and may one day eat up the law."

Federico continued:
“They are our unseen tentacles, reaching into the darkness that no one cares about, so that when we cannot come forward, we can use more violent and unreasonable, but more effective, and less damaging to Kevin Deer’s reputation and interests, methods to reorient Emerald City.”

"That sounds nice," Thales said dismissively.

“And so, with the tacit approval and even support of Emerald City, the Blood Bottle Gang expanded step by step, grew stronger, and even spread throughout the country,” Federico said, lost in thought. “Even their former leader, Turnbull, could be traced back several generations to one of Kevin Deer’s illegitimate sons.”

"So much so that one day, my uncle realized: these people were starting to get out of control."

Thales' eyes flickered.

"They learned to collude with high-ranking officials and nobles in various places, and began to deliberately align themselves with the rules, take advantage of the rules, and even start to seek more powerful backers—which is completely contrary to what we originally expected them to do."

Federico's words were chilling:

"And among them, Turnbull, the leader of the gang, was ambitious and wanted more."

Turnbull and the Blood Bottle Gang.

Thales narrowed his eyes as if he remembered something.

"So one day, my uncle and father decided in the Kongming Palace: a stable, unified, and powerful Blood Bottle Gang is no longer in our interest."

Thales frowned and said, "They destroyed the Blood Bottle Gang?"

Federico smiled and shook his head.

“In fact, Kevin Deer did nothing. His uncle and father simply hinted to the vicious puppies who had been eyeing the dog bowls: from now on, they can steal the big dog’s food.”

Thales' eyelids twitched.

He thought of Phantom Blade Catherine, of her and the various Blood Bottle Gang members, and of the scenes where they fought each other to the death for power, status, profit, or even just for face and pride on the street.

All of this, the lives of these gangsters...

"And so Turnbull's doom came."

Federico concluded casually:
"Lossan II, no matter how skilled he was in swordsmanship or how many he killed, was nothing more than an insignificant supporting character in that inevitable fate."

No, it's not just them.

Black Sword, Maurice, Cincha, Rhoda, Belicia, Rick, Leyok, and even Quaid, who has been dead for a long time...

A sudden wave of sadness washed over Thales.

“I tried to make him understand and accept this, to see a higher picture, a bigger world,” Federico shook his head with regret. “Unfortunately, Lausanne neither understood nor agreed.”

Thales clenched his fist.

“Therefore, these people will get out of control. And when they do get out of control,” Federico sighed softly, “they need to be corrected.”

Correction.

“Jane refused.”

Thales, expressionless, suddenly spoke.

Federico didn't react immediately and looked puzzled.

“Whether it was Brennan’s death or my threatening him with his sister,” Thales shook his head, “he refused to compromise.”

Perhaps it was the mention of that name that caused Federico to lose his previous nonchalant and indifferent demeanor, and his eyes lit up.

"No compromise? Is that it? Not even the slightest sign of budging? For example, is Jenn willing to offer some money to get Emerald City to grant a few more days?"

I will write a letter now... to the Popon family, who run a funeral business... to request ten thousand gold coins...

Thales looked at him and slowly shook his head:
"No."

Federico frowned immediately:

"Or has he offered you conditions in return? For example, would he agree to make concessions if you waive arbitration or even hand me over?"

Federico must die.

Thales' eyes remained expressionless as he continued to shake his head.

"No." Federico frowned deeply upon hearing this, looking uneasy for a long time.

"Is that so? I underestimated him..."

Thales remained silent.

He simply observed Kevin Deer carefully, comparing him to another iris.

Red and black.

After a long while, Federico raised his head, his gaze sharpening.

“That’s true. He’s been a duke for so many years, he’s used to being powerful and domineering, he won’t give in easily…” Federico made up his mind, eager to try. “Your Highness, perhaps we haven’t pushed him hard enough…”

“There is no ‘we,’ only you,” Thales interrupted him.

Federico was taken aback.

“Tell me,” Thales leaned forward, “besides sending Lausanne to Brennan, what other methods have you prepared to force me to act, to force Jenn to concede?”

"Your Highness..."

“Tell me, why are you so confident?” Thales pressed on, “Do you think Jenn will back down? What are you hiding from me? What is it about Jenn that you’re trying to control?”

Federico's expression shifted slightly:

"Excuse me, I don't understand..."

“Whether it’s Hilly, Brennan, or the old case,” Thales said, ignoring his explanations, “what is it that makes Jenn so wary? Is it really because he killed his father that he’s compromising out of guilt?”

Federico's eyes flickered upon hearing this.

But just seconds later, he regained his composure and gave a perfectly appropriate smile.

“I understand,” Federico said. “Your Highness, Janne has conceded, hasn’t he?”

Thales frowned.

Federico's eyes lit up at the sight:
"He compromised."

"And the reason you have reservations and are unwilling to tell me directly..."

Federico raised an eyebrow.

"Ah—he wants me."

Kevin Deer, known as the Crimson Iris, stood up and paced back and forth, his excitement barely concealed in his steps.

“Or rather, he wants you to sacrifice me in order to stop the arbitration and make you give up the investigation,” he gritted his teeth, “give up pursuing his past crimes.”

Thales did not speak.

Snapped!
Federico gave a loud high five!

"Excellent, Your Highness!" He glanced sideways, his eyes sharp. "His willingness to concede means you've hit his weak spot!"

"But Your Highness, you must also be wary. You can feign compliance with him, but you must never agree to his demands easily! Jann may seem compliant, but he is actually using this as a pretext for advancement. Once you give up pursuing the old case, you will lose your biggest bargaining chip in controlling him..."

"Federico Kevindeer!"

Thales interrupted him sharply, pausing Federico, who was immersed in the thrill of revenge.

The prince slowly rose to his feet.

“You haven’t answered my question yet,” Thales stared coldly at him. “What truth lies behind this old case? What are you hiding from me?”

Federico stared blankly back at Thales.

"And you returned to Emerald City, scheming and plotting step by step, was it really just to seek justice and avenge your father?"

The two stared at each other silently, one aggressive, the other hesitant.

After a long while, Federico took a deep breath.

“I don’t know, Your Highness. I’m not clear about the truth of the old case either, but I do know that whatever it is, Jann is very nervous.”

He gave an ominous smile:

"And I look forward to exploring this place with Your Highness."

I knew it.

“Then you shouldn’t have any expectations,” Thales said coldly.

Federico paused.

"Because tonight will be the end for Lausanne II—and perhaps for your other allies as well."

At that moment, Thales' words caused Federico's expression to change drastically!

"Your Highness..."

“Your moves outside the chessboard end here,” Thales said coldly, not allowing him to interrupt. “As for the question just now, I hope you’ll have a better answer when I return—you know, there’s another Kevin Deer right across the street.”

Federico's expression changed several times.

“And he seemed more cooperative,” Thales said, walking toward the door without looking back, “and also richer.”

“But it’s even more dangerous!” Federico suddenly said.

Thales stopped in his tracks.

Federico gritted his teeth and said:
"Please, Your Highness, don't agree to him, don't give up your bargaining chips, and don't let Jann get them back—otherwise we'll all regret it."

Thales chuckled dismissively:
There is no "we", only me.

After he finished speaking, he turned around:

"You were already dead by then, so what's there to regret?"

Federico's brow twitched.

The two looked at each other quietly.

"Let me see him."

A few seconds later, Federico spoke again.

But this time, his words were particularly difficult:

"Before you make your decision, please let me see Jenn. Of course, you are welcome to keep an eye on things from the sidelines."

Thales frowned and said:

"That's it? Nothing else you want to tell me?"

Federico took a deep breath and nodded with difficulty.

Seeing that he had nothing more to say, Thales snorted, shook his head, and continued on his way.

"Your Highness!"

Thales paused in his steps.

"Changed your mind?"

Federico took a deep breath, his gaze hesitant.

A few minutes later, he finally spoke slowly.

“Lossan is no ordinary man and cannot be judged by common sense,” Federico forced a smile, but his words disappointed Thales. “Please be careful.”

Thales frowned deeply.

This time, he didn't look back and left the room directly.

Janne and Federico.

Emerald City.

Hilaire.

The King's Expectations.

With so many factors and so many options, how should he choose?

Ignoring the guards' respectful gazes, Thales walked into the corridor, forcibly suppressing the resentment and irritation in his heart.

"Your Highness?"

Upon seeing the prince emerge, Wyatt quickly followed Thales:

"How about it?"

“Not bad,” Thales said confidently, his expression unchanged. “Both of our distinguished guests managed to squeeze something out of them.”

“That’s good… But Your Highness, you don’t seem very happy?” Wyman asked tentatively.

Thales's brow twitched.

In that instant, he suddenly felt a little annoyed.

He was clearly forcing a smile, wasn't he?
How did this guy figure that out?

But when Thales turned his head, he saw Wyatt's worried face and couldn't help but sigh.

“I don’t know,” Thales shook his head. “I just always feel that…whether it’s Jenn’s concessions and compromises or Federico’s attitude, I don’t feel that their reactions are what I deserve.”

"Huh? Deserved?" Wyatt was completely bewildered. "Your Highness, I don't understand—"

"not understand?"

Thales took over his words, speaking both to Wyatt and to himself:
"It's okay, I don't understand either."

Wyatt was even more confused.

But before he could answer, Thales patted the attendant on the shoulder:

"Go tell the logistics wing to prepare a good dinner for the brothers in the guards—the most expensive kind."

"Yes, sir—ah, the most expensive one?"

Wyman was only halfway through his sentence when his expression suddenly changed:

"But the logistics wing said..."

"I'll reimburse you for the meal when I get back," Thales said, pulling an envelope from his pocket with a nonchalant and confident air. "After I've finished talking to a few big shots."

"Uh, yes...yes?"

Wyman twitched his eyebrows, still somewhat skeptical.

Your Highness, what happened?
Should we report this to him?
No—when has His Highness ever been in charge of expense reports?
Does he not know that this is his money?

"After dinner, we'll prepare to set off as a team."

"Yes—Your Highness, where to?"

Thales' smile vanished instantly.

“The outskirts of Emerald City”.

He gazed into the endless depths of the corridor, his eyes revealing a murderous intent:
"North Gate Bridge".