Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 758 Raising a Glass in Solidarity (Part 2)

Place a bet.

gambling?
Facing Jenn and Thales, who were both staring at him, Federico was covered in cold sweat and muttered to himself.

How did the conversation take such a turn...?

Have we arrived here?

“I know, cousin, I don’t like this outcome either,” Jenn said slowly, “but he’s right about one thing: this is the option that results in the least loss for all three of us.”

Thales nodded slightly, trying to extricate himself from the non-existent web with a deep breath.

“Minimum loss…” Federico looked intently at Jann, like a captain finding his compass in a thick fog.

“When I was a child, my teacher, Fabre, said in a political class: ‘A triangle is balanced.’”

Jan picked up his teacup, but didn't taste it; instead, he gently stroked the rim of the cup.

"If one party is thinking of minimizing their losses..."

“That means the other two sides will suffer even greater losses,” Federico interrupted, glancing at the silent Thales, and said absentmindedly, “You forgot, I also took his class, right here…”

“Before I went to study in the Eastern Continent,” the Duke of the South Shore said with a dangerous smile, “thankfully, thankfully you haven’t forgotten.”

Federico's expression changed slightly.

From triangle to balance...

So what about the other two parties...?

"What do you say, Fed?"

Thales glanced at the Everlasting Clock and checked his schedule for the day:
"Become a viscount, or I'll find you another place?"

Federico glanced at Thales, whose face was tense, and then at Jann, who seemed to have a plan in mind. He suddenly realized that he was the only person still standing in the study.

Abrupt and isolated.

Thinking of this, Federico's expression grew even more unpleasant.

However, after only a few seconds, the exiled nobleman took a deep breath, composed himself, sat back in his seat with proper posture, and began to think seriously.

This rebalances the height of the study.

As expected of Kevin Deer.

Seeing Federico quickly adjust his mindset and return to calm thinking, Thales couldn't help but admire him.

No wonder he was able to bring down Jenn.

He truly deserves to be called a man who, even after more than ten years of exile and living under the roof of others, would still climb back to Emerald City to seek revenge.

If he hadn't been born this way...

Recalling his past experience as a hostage to Exter, Thales stared at Federico at this moment, understood something, and slowly nodded.

A good opponent.

The voice in the boy's heart gave his approval:

I just don't know if he's a good ally?

Thales's heart sank.

"Don't worry, I don't mean to force you to put aside your grudges and love each other," Thales said again, trying to escalate the situation. "One day, you will have the chance to fight to the death again—and I will not interfere then."

They might even be happy to fan the flames.

The Kevin Deer brothers both frowned.

“After all,” Thales sipped his tea, deliberately repeating the phrase he had once used to tease his opponent, “I’m not some kind of demon, am I?”

“That’s true,” Jann said sarcastically, stroking his teacup. “No devil is as cruel as you.”

"Thank you for the compliment." Thales was not angry at all, and even took another sip of mate tea.

Hmm, once you get used to it, the bitterness fades.

"But I didn't have a chance to win, right?"

Fede, lost in thought, appeared dazed.
“As I said before: back in Emerald City, back in Kongming Palace, back in the territory he has ruled for more than a decade, it will be difficult for me to defeat him—even with His Highness’s support.”

Thales' teacup paused.

"Is that your reason for not daring to place a bet?"

Jenn mocked his cousin:

"When you returned in a rage seeking revenge, didn't you have a 'benefactor' to help you?"

With the help of a benefactor...

Federico's expression changed slightly, but he did not retort.

“I understand, Fed, this decision wasn’t easy to make.”

Thales observed his expression, then glanced down at the schedule again, and said gently:
"It's alright, take your time to figure it out. You'll have plenty of time before the celebration banquet."

“It’s not like you absolutely have to figure it out,” Jenn added casually.

“I suggest you shut up, Jann,” Thales turned to the Duke of South Shore, his friendly expression vanishing, “unless you can’t figure it out either.”

Jann's expression changed, and he wanted to refute something, but he clenched his fist and ultimately held back.

"very good."

Thales nodded in satisfaction as he watched him swallow his anger.

"Then as a reward for you, Jan, from this moment on, you are free."

Jann was taken aback.

Federico was incredulous; he turned to Thales:
"What? Him? Freedom?"

Thales leaned back in his chair and shrugged at Federer:

"He's obedient."

"No, Your Highness—"

Federico realized what was happening, and was both shocked and furious, but he was immediately interrupted by Janne.

“I’m free…now? Even before the celebration banquet?”

Jenn just chuckled dismissively:

"If word gets out, won't people think that you predetermined my victory from the start?"

Federico lowered his head and clenched his fists.

“Don’t push your luck, Janne,” Thales said coldly. “I am still the Regent until the Feast of Praise. If you think Emerald City is too big and want to go to the capital to be imprisoned, I welcome you anytime.”

Jenn's smile froze.

“The meeting is overdue now, you can leave,” Thales said, bowing his head and making a few more meaningless circles on his already annotated schedule. “I have a lot of things to do today.”

"This is unreasonable."

Federico suddenly spoke, causing Thales and Jan to turn their heads at the same time.

“Your Highness, Janne, your... conversation just now, trying to smooth things over, a bet..."

Federico took a deep breath, seemingly thinking of something, his expression constantly changing:

"None of these are reasonable."

Thales's eyebrows twitched.

"nonsense."

Jenn said with disgust:
"If there were a more reasonable solution, who the hell would be willing to play along with him and gamble with Emerald City?"

"Do not!!"

Federico suddenly looked up, his emotions running high:
“You, Janne, are a gambler desperate to turn the tables, while His Highness is a dealer with other plans. Whether it's to turn the tables or for other purposes, you've reached a compromise and colluded to cheat. In the end, you'll be facing the mastermind of the game—the house!”

Thales and Jann paused together.

"But you shouldn't have so easily and hastily revealed the inside story and the stakes, dragging me, and another gambler at the table, into your conspiracy to cheat."

Federico looked grim and shook his head slightly.
"Especially since this gambler joined the game with the tacit approval of the bookmaker—what if, after hearing the conspiracy, he not only refused to participate in cheating, but even went to tell the bookmaker?"

Fed picked up his teacup and, looking somewhat dazed, emphasized again:
"This shouldn't be the case, and it doesn't make sense."

Thales tightened his grip on the teacup.

“Ask this guy,” he said, pointing at Jenn. “He just has to be so blunt.”

Jann remained unfazed.

"unless……"

In an instant, Federico realized something. He stared at Jann in disbelief, then at Thales:
"Unless that's the goal."

The study fell silent.

“He deliberately made things clear, trying to drag me into this,” Federico said, his eyes wide, “just to force me to…make a choice.”

The prince and the duke exchanged a glance.

Thales had to cough:
“Listen, Fed…”

But before he could finish speaking, Jenn interrupted him loudly:
"Choose what?"

The Duke of the South Bank stared coldly at his cousin:

"Now that things have come to this, Federico, do you think you still have a choice?"

Federico turned his head in a daze, looking at his kinsman and his greatest rival.

"There are still options..."

He muttered to himself, then suddenly understood something and smiled knowingly: "So that's how it is, Janne, so that's how it is."

Federico twirled the teacup in his hand:
"Now, as someone who knows about your collusion to cheat against the bookmaker, if I don't compromise... even for the sake of safety, you and His Highness cannot let me leave Kongming Palace alive."

He is quick-witted, and the deeper he thinks, the more certain he becomes:

"You have created this situation precisely to force me to see things clearly and to understand this: either I compromise with you, or you eliminate me."

Thales frowned upon hearing this.

Jenn's gaze grew increasingly cold as he glanced at Thales:
"Who knows? This good-for-nothing is always soft-hearted..."

Thales looked grim.
What snacks?
Which dessert?

All I heard Jan said was, "...Even if you refuse to compromise, he will probably still spare your life and let you go back to 'the dealer' and betray him?"

Federico's eyes narrowed upon hearing this.

"In contrast, that bookmaker must be able to distinguish right from wrong."

Jann absentmindedly picked up the teaspoon and stirred the cup lightly:

"He probably won't suspect why you survived Emerald City despite your defeat, just to return to his ranks, report something that everyone knows about, and then continue serving him?"

Boom!
Federico slammed his teacup down heavily on the saucer.

His face was ashen, and he stared intently at Jenn.

"So, Triangle Balance... after you brought this up, I, as a third party, had no choice."

Federico suppressed his anger and tried his best to think:
"...Or will we join now, or will we inevitably be eliminated?"

Jenn didn't say anything.

Thales had to scratch his head and suppress the urge to say, "Welcome to the Anti-King Club," which he had been holding back for so long.
"It's not that absolute..."

“In other words,” Federico said quietly, unable to hide his disappointment, “you two were in cahoots from the very beginning.”

Thales awkwardly avoided his gaze and scratched the back of his hand:
"Of course not! We've been negotiating all the way here..."

"It's all an act."

Federico stared intently at Jenn, leaving the guilty Thales speechless for a moment.

"As for the shock, hesitation, and struggle just now, and even the tense bargaining, it was all an act you put on to cooperate with His Highness... It was to create a situation, to emphasize to me that he had won a great victory, and that you had no choice but to bow your head, leaving me alone to bear the burden. It would be best to assess the situation carefully."

Thales coughed repeatedly, but Jann remained unfazed.

Federico looked at Jenn, his expression grave:
“That’s right. I should have thought of that earlier. One moment Emerald City was on fire everywhere, and the next moment it was back to peace and prosperity… Your Highness’s control of Emerald City’s progress came so easily and effortlessly, even before the Kingdom’s Secret Service… No, Jan, without your active cooperation, without the various secrets you leaked, without the various obstacles you helped open up, it would have been impossible with just the small amount of leverage I gave him.”

Federico slowly shook his head:

"So, Janne, you gave up resistance a long time ago. You compromised completely in exchange for His Highness's leniency. As for waiting until the celebration banquet, killing the one who gets into trouble first, getting a discount for those who agree first, and rewarding him with freedom... Haha, it was all an act, all an act."

Federico's laughter was mournful.

Thales was extremely embarrassed, while Jenn remained silent.

"Because in today's three-way negotiations, the only person Your Highness has been trying to persuade from beginning to end... is me."

He was the only one fighting against both of them.

Federico took a deep breath, his eyes blazing with anger:

"Because to you, I am the person closest to the 'bookmaker,' the one who is the hardest to compromise with, and also the most dangerous and unsettling factor."

After he finished speaking, the study fell silent.

Thales gently covered his forehead and closed his eyes.

Damn.

He dislikes intelligent people.

Jenn was right, there's another person in the palace...

It was also Kevin Deer.

So what should you do?
A voice from the depths of his heart spoke to him:
And you, Thales, do you have the ability to re-tangle the threads and force him back into your net?

Thales unconsciously clenched his fist.

“Listen, Fed.”

Thales sighed, pointed at Jenn, and revealed the truth:

“I was originally going to be honest with you and lay it all out. But that guy Jenn just wouldn't budge, saying he couldn't agree too quickly, that we had to leave him some dignity, otherwise he would never compromise…”

Federico kept staring at Jenn, his sneer never fading.

"Did he also say that he knows me very well, and that I will only agree to compromise if you create an atmosphere where we compete with each other, stirring up my competitiveness and resentment?"

Thales paused for a moment, about to explain, but then something occurred to him, and he simply sighed and looked away.

"It seems he doesn't know you that well either."

Especially after more than a decade of living in exile and relying on others.

"Sorry, Fed."

At that moment, Jenn finally broke his silence.

He ignored the gaze Thales cast at him and slowly turned to Federico:

"I apologize."

This certainly impressed Thales.

Wow, this guy actually apologizes?
And it was directed at an enemy?

Until Jenn's next sentence, full of disdain:

"I overestimated you."

Thales raised an eyebrow: No, I overestimated you.

Sure enough, people don't change.

Federico's eyes turned cold.

“Yes, he and I, we conspired, we were in cahoots, we colluded, call it whatever you want—but so what?” Jann said softly.

Federico frowned and met Jan's gaze.

Only Thales was caught in the middle, awkwardly smoothing his scalp.

"So what...?"

Federico squinted and slowly repeated his cousin's words.

Jenn nodded and said:
"You saw through our scheme, very well, that embarrassed us for a while, but did you have any other choice?"

Federico did not answer.

“If I were you, Fede, I would have used the wisdom of the officials in Emerald City. Even if I discovered something amiss, I would have pretended not to know, cooperated with our act, and accepted the terms with gratitude.”

Jann raised his teacup nonchalantly:
"Why do we have to expose them and embarrass everyone?"

Federico curled the corners of his mouth into a smile:
"So I am not you."

Jenn nodded, then shook his head, casually blowing on the tea which wasn't hot at all.

"It seems you've really been away from Emerald City for far too long—so long that you've forgotten your own name."

Federico's expression changed drastically.

Thales frowned:
Is this really good?

Their goal is to reach a compromise, isn't it?
At that moment, Federico stared intently at his cousin, his expression shifting from anger to surprise, and then to relief.

"No, this is not you, cousin."

Federico chuckled as if it were the most absurd thing in the world, a stark contrast to the serious expression on Jann's face.

"You can't compromise so easily, and you're so decisive in taking risks..."

He glanced at Thales:

"I suspect that the idea I gave His Highness worked?"

Thales' eyelids twitched, while Jann's expression darkened slightly.

“Tsk tsk, looks like it’s working even better than I thought—you probably threw up your underwear for Hilla,” Federico observed Jann’s expression and sneered. “Should I say you’re too weak, or too afraid of death?”

Jenn's face grew increasingly grim.

Oh no—Thales instinctively felt something was wrong.

"And I'm still hoping you'll resist to the death and die a heroic death so I can get my revenge."

Federico squinted:

"I overestimated you."

As Fede smiled, he didn't forget to glance at Thales:
“You shouldn’t have kept it from me, Your Highness. You should have let me experience his panic and helplessness, his humiliation and his forced bowing to you just to protect his sister.”

Jann clenched his fists, closed his eyes, and tried his best to suppress his anger.

Thales frowned, his tone carrying a warning:

"Fed, that's enough."

Perhaps the prince's words had worked, for Federico's smile faded, and he stopped mentioning Hilla, but he remained relentless in his accusations against Jenn:

"Unbelievable, cousin, you've become even more docile and obedient than Uncle Gregor's hound—by the way, where did Uncle go after he changed his surname? Is he some bankrupt baron in some small town, living under the name of the Iris branch? Farming on some country estate? Indulging in debauchery in some brothel? Reading ledgers in some business? Traveling the world on some ship? Or did he go on a trip overseas?"

Jann suppressed his anger, took a deep breath, and shook his head:

He died of illness.

“Unsurprisingly,” Federico said with a venomous look in his eyes, “there are fewer and fewer family members who are qualified to have their names inscribed on the Ancestral Rock.”

“Uncle Sonna should have been up there,” Jann said coldly. “And you, Fede.”

Upon hearing this name, Federico's smile vanished without a trace.

“As long as you’re willing to compromise and consider the bigger picture,” Jann said seriously, getting back to the point, “I know it’s difficult because it requires restraint and sacrifice.”

Thales scratched his head:
It's rather odd that these words came out of Jan's mouth.

Federico spat angrily:
"To 'sacrifice' like my father?"

Sensing that the conversation was veering back towards personal grudges, Thales frowned.

“Trust me, cousin,” Jan said in a deep voice, “Once the Iris are united and Emerald City is out of danger, we can deal with the rest behind closed doors.”

"Should we resolve this behind closed doors?"

Federico snorted coldly:

"that's it?"

Thales shrugged: "If you have any other requests..."

"Then what is the truth?"

Federico said quietly.

Upon hearing this, both Thales and Jann were taken aback.

Thales frowned:
"the truth?"

"Yes, the truth."

The next second, Federico glanced at Jann, who remained unmoved, then at Thales. "Today, you talked about power, clarified your interests, and even made arrangements for things years and decades from now," he said, his smile turning ugly, the resentment and bitterness in his eyes transforming into venom and indifference, "but you didn't say a single thing..."

Federico's tone turned serious:
"the truth."

the truth.

For a moment, Thales was lost in thought.

the truth?

At this moment, the word seemed somewhat unfamiliar to him.

Thales recalled a conversation he had with Marius:

[The truth, Thor, is nothing to 'some people'.]

That's right, the truth is nothing.

In that instant, a cold voice from the depths of his heart revealed the truth to him:
It's just one way of saying it.

It's just the one that best fits the narrative of power among the many versions.

Of course, as for what kind of power, and what kind of power it is...

It's up to you.

Thales pressed his hand to his chest, instinctively feeling unwell.

but……

But you are not 'some people,' Your Highness.

Marius's voice echoed in his ears, drowning out the unsettling explanation deep within him:
For you, the truth means everything.

"What is the truth behind this old case?"

In reality, Federico raised his voice, his eyes resolute:
"My father died in prison without any explanation."

He turned to the silent Jenn, his face filled with indignation:

“Even your Uncle Lenster—who was your father, Jenn—was assassinated under mysterious circumstances, and the truth remains unknown? If so… then what am I doing back here?”

Jann remained expressionless, like a stone statue.

Federico's smile slowly faded.

He paused for a moment, then shouted angrily without any politeness:
"Are you playing house with me?!"

Perhaps the noise was too loud, because there was a knock on the door and a worried inquiry from Wyman.

"I'm fine! You don't need to come in!"

Thales reassured his men outside the door with a hint of annoyance, then turned back and sighed.

I knew it.

“Fed, people break free from their cages to escape them,” Thales said softly, recalling the killer prisoner in the Corpse Pit, “not to reinforce them, to carry them on their backs, and to see only them from now on.”

Federer remained silent, his thoughts unknown.

“And I said, Federico…” Thales paused, the rest of his words sounding hypocritical even to himself, “If you promise… your father will eventually be exonerated…”

"why?"

Federico was unmoved:

"Is it because he is innocent, or because I compromised here and made a shady deal with you?"

Thales was speechless for a moment.

"And him?"

Federer turned angrily to the other side, pointing directly at Jenn:
"Whether it's plotting to seize power, framing someone, fabricating charges, or covering up the truth, what punishment should he receive? Is it just that the deal is done and that's it?"

Thales' heart sank.

"really?"

Just then, Jenn, who had been silent, expressionless, and seemingly lost in thought, suddenly spoke, drawing their attention:

"Is that true?"

Jenn slowly turned his head, and his empty eyes gradually regained their light:

"Is all you want, Fed, just the truth?"

Federico was taken aback.

"how?"

He looked at Jenn in this state and said warily:
"What excuse are you going to make now?"

Jann snorted coldly.

"You're the one making excuses, Fede."

"What do you mean?"

Jenn suddenly smiled:
"Tell me, all these years, you've been hiding in the underworld of the Night Kingdom, living under someone else's roof, in complete darkness. It must have been a tough time for you, right?"

Federico's expression changed, his face darkening:
"Thanks to you."

Jenn sneered:
"You must be tired of being manipulated like a bargaining chip, having to put on airs and sell your value so that those inhuman old devils will give you a scrap of food?"

Federico's last smile vanished.

Jenn continued with ill intent:

"And Federico, what price are you willing to pay to escape those days, to get out of that quagmire, to take back everything you once had?"

Federico turned his head away with a cold expression:

“I’ve had enough of your nonsense, Janne. Your Highness, I believe…”

But Jenn wouldn't let him go, and he shouted:
"Be honest! What you want is not the truth at all!"

Jenn gave a cold laugh, gently raised his hand, and slowly clenched his fist:
"It is power."

Federico trembled slightly.

Thales also propped himself up on his arms.

"The power that allows you to change your circumstances, forget the past, and thus numb yourself..."

Jenn clicked his tongue, his expression full of disdain:
"Perhaps there's also the chance to regain... a prominent position and recognition?"

Federico stared at Jenn in disbelief, his eyes filled with anger.

Thales coughed:
“Jayne, perhaps we should get back to the main point…”

"This is the point!"

Jenn interrupted him without any politeness:

“Since you keep demanding the truth, Fede, and even use it as your shield to accuse me of being hypocritical and cold-hearted, then, dear cousin, let’s get to the bottom of this!”

He looked directly at Federico and spoke slowly and deliberately:
"What is the truth?"

Federico's gaze sharpened.

“All the shameful things you’re trying so hard to cover up, your father and my father…” he said softly.

Jann gave a cold laugh.

"Then why, Fede? Think about it with your intelligence: why did our fathers, Lenster and Sonner, those two brothers who once trusted each other so much, turn against each other and fight amongst themselves?"

He raised his voice and shouted angrily:

"tell me!"

Wyatt was knocking on the door again, asking questions, and Thales had no choice but to continue reassuring his subordinates through the door.

Perhaps startled by his cousin's sudden change in attitude, Federico paused for a few seconds before speaking with difficulty:
"Emerald City".

He gritted his teeth and said:

"Back then, the political struggles in Emerald City were fierce. They stood on different camps, representing different groups of people and diametrically opposed interests..."

Jenn coldly pressed on:

"What camp, what group, what interests?"

Federico frowned and looked at Thales.

"Don't look at him! You're a damn Kevin Deer!"

Janine had a cold expression, seemingly adopting the attitude of reprimanding her younger brother:

"Look at me and answer me!"

Federico seemed shocked by Jann's resolute decision. He took a deep breath before continuing:

“Your father, Uncle Lenster, he… he made a mistake in governing, he was impetuous and radical…”

"really?"

“Yes!” As if unwilling to show weakness in front of Jann, Federico unconsciously raised his voice and quickened his pace, “Taxation system, corvée labor, official system, land, commercial shareholding, Emerald Legion, Blood Bottle Gang… especially after the Crimson Years, Uncle’s measures were too hasty and too fast, provoking a lot of opposition…”

"Whose objection is this?"

"Everyone!"

Federico roared in response, then took a deep breath and composed himself:

"Everyone except the beneficiaries."

Thales listened to their conversation, feeling inexplicably uneasy.

Federico stared at Jenn:

“My father saw the hidden dangers of the Duke’s actions. He valued old friendships and human relationships. He was indignant, resentful, and dissatisfied. So he stepped forward to take responsibility and spoke out for them, for those old friends, relatives, and loyal servants who had supported us since the Duke of Kevin Deer was knighted!”

"Really? Speaking out for justice?" Jann said sarcastically, "Speaking out for a bunch of parasites who are dreaming while resting on their laurels, speaking out for a group that is destined to become obsolete?"

Federico scoffed in response:

"Don't forget, your mother's family, the Popon family, is part of such a group! My mother's family is too, and there are many others who originally..."

But Jenn continued with ill intent:
"Or is it because if his uncle doesn't oppose the Duke, he will lose a lot of privileges and benefits if he changes his surname and gets a fiefdom one day? Because he can't bear to part with the past, he might as well get rid of the Duke of the South Bank and become the Duke himself?"

boom!
Federico slammed his fist on the armrest of the seat, his gaze icy.

“Your father is not like that. He is not so narrow-minded and selfish, nor is he so cold-blooded and cruel.”

He said coldly:

"Regardless of the outcome or the disagreements, everything Father did was for the greater good, proceeding step by step, so that Emerald City would not fall into chaos and Iris would continue to prosper!"

boom!
This time, it was Jenn who struck the armrest.

Surprisingly, instead of mocking or dismissing the other person as he had done before, he expressed his agreement:

"Then you're right."

Federico, who was prepared for another argument, was taken aback.

“Your father, Uncle Sona, never took sides.”

Jenn looked nostalgic and wistful.

"As the most outstanding male member of the previous generation of the Iris family, and my father's closest brother and most trusted right-hand man, my uncle never stood against the Duke of the South Bank, let alone opposed him. Never, not even once."

Federico and Thales were both taken aback.

"The reason he is seen as the spokesperson for those old nobles and stubborn old fogies—many of whom are relatives and friends of Iris Flower, childhood classmates and playmates—and even has to confront his elder brother from time to time, is to temporarily appease them, to ensure that their actions do not go too far, to preserve their already dwindling rationality, to give their resentment and hatred an outlet, and to prevent them from losing everything in the future tide!"

Jenn closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then opened them again, and said bitterly:

"Do you think that if they hadn't had a prior agreement with Uncle Sona, those penniless, delusional lizards from Zedi would have escaped my purge? The entire Popon family, whose men combined are less intelligent than a grandmother who married into the Eastern Continent, could have secured such a lucrative position in the funeral industry? And our aunt, who can't even count her coppers, and her husband, who's obsessed with young male servants, could have gotten the opportunity to partner with Kalabyan in mining? And that little idiot from the Pintor family could have indefinitely delayed a low-interest loan that even his father couldn't repay after his suicide attempt?"

Thales frowned slightly.

"Not only that, Uncle Sona also stood between the two sides, easing the conflict between the two forces and doing his best to hold on and prevent Emerald City from falling apart! Even when my father was falsely accused of believing in witchcraft and being senile and incompetent, and when my uncle was publicly elected by his supporters to take over the government in place of his brother, he resolutely refused."

Thales was somewhat surprised by Jann's attitude, but what shocked him even more was the role of Viscount Sonner in Jann's words.

Stretching across the middle...

Struggling to hold on...

Maintaining... to prevent... collapse...

Thales clenched his fist slightly.

So did he die because of this?

A voice in the boy's heart sighed softly: What a pity.

Just because he stood in the middle?

Federico looked at his cousin in surprise: "You..."

“That’s right! Our fathers, whether dukes or viscounts, have always stood on the same side,” Jann said with a pained expression, “the side of Kevin Deer.”

The Duke of the South Bank abruptly looked up, staring at Federico as if interrogating a criminal:

“You know all this, Fede. You know, you’ve known it from the beginning. You know your father.”

Federico stared blankly back at Jann.

“But you don’t care about either your father’s last wish or his sacrifice as Kevin Deer.”

Federico's expression changed.

Jenn sneered:
"Because all you care about is yourself and your own status and interests."

"No!"

Federico instinctively denied it outright.

But Jenn ignored him and continued coldly:

Do you know why we offered you the title of Viscount of Gonghai City?

Federico clenched his fist.

“Because I know, Federico Kevindeer: from the very beginning, what you wanted was neither truth, nor justice, nor even revenge, nor to see me punished. What you wanted was not even a satisfying end!”

Federico's eyelids twitched!
Jann stated his conclusion coldly, disregarding even manners and etiquette:

“You’re not stupid, but you’re desperately trying to link our fathers’ old grudges to me and pin the blame on me, not because you really think so, and not because it concerns your father’s innocence, but simply because of me—because I’m sitting in the current Duke of South Shore.”

Thales glanced instinctively at the expensive chair beneath him.

Whether from anger or shame, Federico trembled slightly.

Jenn sneered:
“You don’t accept the compromise you just made, not because you hate me, nor because the truth is hidden, but because you feel the spoils are not divided fairly: even if you become the Viscount of Gonghai City, you will still be in a position inferior to me, obeying my orders, being subject to my control, and bowing to me.”

Federico's face was grim.

"As for the old cases of our fathers, what you hate is not injustice, not unfairness, not the inability to uphold justice and the truth."

Jenn shook his head:
"What you truly hate is that the unjust power doesn't belong to you, that you can't benefit from injustice, and that the justice and truth that are being upheld are not working, and that they just happen to be on your side?"

Federico was stunned.

Jenn's gaze sharpened:
“And you, Federico, I see through you. You are not worthy of being Uncle Sonna’s son, and you are not worthy of the name Kevindir.”

Federico was startled!
"What did you say?"

He gritted his teeth, burning with rage.

"Come on, Federico Kevindeer!"

Jenn suddenly raised his voice and burst into laughter:
"The so-called truth is how your father, Uncle Sona, died, and even how my father, Duke Lenster, died..."

The Duke of the South Bank spoke out bitterly:

"You really don't know anything at all? You're completely clueless?"

Federico was both shocked and furious, but he glanced at Jan and Thales, then hesitated to speak:

"What excuse are you going to make now..."

But Jenn continued, his eyes cold and fixed on Federico:
“That’s right. For our family, for my brother’s ideals, Uncle Sona gave his all, self-righteously burning himself to ignite the last bundle of firewood left in Emerald City by the old era—to prevent it from spreading to the entire city, even if it meant that he himself would perish in the flames.”

Jann paused, his voice hoarse:

"But before that, an accident happened first."

The Duke of the South Bank shook his head wearily:
“My father died when the conflict was out of control, so my uncle naturally became the most suspected murderer.”

"No!"

Federico couldn't help but retort:
“My father, my father protested, he explained… he didn’t murder the Duke, he didn’t murder his brother…”

"Of course he didn't!"

Jenn abruptly interrupted him.

"But if he insists on protesting, if his men rebel like you, just to put him on the ducal throne..."

Jenn glanced at Thales, his gaze sending chills down one's spine:

"That would play right into the enemy's hands."

Thales unconsciously repeated:
"enemy?"

Jan ignored him and continued to look at his stunned cousin:
"The Duke of Leinster was caught in a political struggle and assassinated. His political rival, Viscount Sona, refused to admit to the murder, causing the forces loyal to Kevin Deer to split into two factions. Emerald City was in grave danger, and the old story of the Eight-Fingered King and the Duke of Cork vying for power was about to repeat itself..."

He sneered:

"For external enemies, could there be a more opportune moment to intervene in the iris crisis?"

Thales realized what was happening and exclaimed in surprise:
"Wait a minute, you mean Viscount Sona—"

boom!
Jennton clattered his teacup, his gaze icy:
"Shut up, Thales."

Thales frowned and pondered carefully.

“I don’t understand, why, what does this have to do with my father…” Federico said in a daze.

Jann gave a cold laugh.

"What don't you understand!"

He spoke angrily, emphasizing each word, his tone intense:
"The Duke of the South Bank has been killed, Uncle Sona is unable to defend himself, Emerald City is in ruins, and the enemy is at the gates—they are coming!"

By the end, Jenn's chest heaved, his breathing became rapid, and he could hardly contain himself.

“Them?” Thales couldn’t help but interject.

"Tyrs, shut the fuck up!"

This time, Jenn didn't even look at Thales, and practically yelled it out.

Sensing the other party's unusual anger, Thales could only remain silent.

Federico didn't say anything, he just stared blankly.

"With a formidable enemy at hand, if we delay and do nothing..."

Jenn realized his loss of composure and began to consciously adjust himself, but he still couldn't hide the trembling in his voice:
"They will, just as they do today, condescendingly send envoys to Emerald City, frame Uncle as a suspect in fratricide, use the 'Rodley Ordinance' to arbitrate the 'fratricide' of the Kevindale family, determine the punishment the family should receive, decide on the inheritance of the Iris, and even go further, make Emerald City and even the South Bank Territory theirs."

“Them?” Fed asked with difficulty, but only repeated Thales’ question.

“At that time, the whole city was in a state of panic, subordinates had their own agendas, major forces were disloyal, and even the lowest-ranking Blood Bottle Gang was completely dismantled by them. The situation was even worse than it is now,” Jann nodded with difficulty. “I think Uncle Sona, your father, was caught between his brother’s body and the ducal throne, in a dilemma.”

All that could be heard was Jann's quiet voice:
"So, after discussing it with my mother, Uncle Sona made the bravest choice—to act before they could launch a full-scale attack and seize Emerald City."

"what?"

Federico instinctively gripped the teacup in front of him.

It seems that the tiny cup handle is the only real handle at this moment.

"Yes, Fede."

Jenn closed his eyes:

"Only your father sacrificed himself, only he confessed, only he died in prison, only he used righteousness and reason to force Judge Brennan to bend the law and betray his conscience, so that this case could be closed without any evidence, only he could bring this case to a swift and quiet conclusion..."

Jenn said painfully:

"Only the iris, on the verge of extinction, can barely survive by cutting off its own arm, and endure the deadly poison that the enemy has been preparing for a long time."

At this moment, the entire Duke's study fell completely silent.

Silence fell.

Federico remained motionless.

Thales found it unbelievable.

At that moment, he suddenly remembered the heartfelt last letter from Inquisitor Brennan.

There were a few sentences in it that Thales just couldn't understand no matter how he looked at them:

Ever since that verdict was handed down eleven years ago, I knew this day would come...

Are so-called justice, morality, and law merely tools we use to unite ourselves and garner public support? Do they serve to deceive the masses, maintain power, and serve the ruling class? Are their values ​​less than nonexistent, and their meaning less than clear?

Where, then, should the line be drawn between justice and public interest? And where should those who have the right to interpret them be?