Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 765 Passenger

Emerald City, Sunset Temple, Altar.

Beneath the solemn and majestic statue of the goddess of the setting sun, Thales stood with his hands behind his back before the altar, staring expressionlessly at a corpse on the ground.

"This is the assassin himself."

The coroner, crouching on the ground, cautiously pulled back the white sheet covering the corpse's face, revealing the face of an unfamiliar middle-aged man.

"Based on our on-site investigation, we speculate that he committed suicide after realizing he could not escape the assassination attempt... We are currently confirming the assassin's identity and making every effort to track down any accomplices..."

Thales remained silent, simply observing.

Inside the temple, the Star Lake Guards and Emerald Soldiers who had accompanied the prince automatically and consciously guarded the main passage, standing guard against the walls. Everyone had a serious expression and a terrifying look in their eyes, making the atmosphere even more solemn and grim.

Even the security officers, who were busy investigating cases, dared not breathe too deeply.

“We found a suicide note on him, but we dared not open it ourselves, awaiting Your Highness’s decision,” the head of the Goddess District’s security department arrived personally. Sweating profusely, he presented the letter, striving to appear neither servile nor overbearing, demonstrating his training, at the urging of his assistants. “However, we have reason to believe that this perpetrator had planned this for a long time, came prepared, and had a clear target…”

Wyatt tried to step forward, but Thales reached out without hesitation to take the assassin's last letter, unfolded it, and read it, his brows furrowing more and more as he read.

"...Based on our initial assessment, this assassin is likely a novice, lacking experience, and failed to completely break through the wooden partitions of the confessional, but..."

The portly police chief paused, waiting for another police officer in charge of the case to whisper a few words in his ear before continuing:

"But he still managed to stab the priest... Unfortunately, the dagger appears to be poisoned... We are doing everything we can to trace the type and possible source of the poison..."

poison.

Thales listened to the warden's report, looked at the suicide note in his hand, and occasionally glanced at the assassin on the ground:

The other man was middle-aged and balding, with a weathered face and a sorrowful, desperate expression. His half-open, half-closed eyes were staring blankly back at Thales.

Another death.

Another challenge.

Thales thought silently.

I don't know when it started, but he has become so calm and natural in the face of death and bloodshed, pain and despair.

It was as if he were entitled to do so.

It seemed like a matter of course.

As if he, as a ruler, had long been accustomed to the absurdity of the world, he was able to remain calm and composed, handling things with ease, without noticing anything amiss.

what?

Thales was startled by his own thought.

He subconsciously turned his head away, avoiding the slightly grotesque and terrifying face of the dead man, which was contorted by the slight deformation after death.

The coroner, sensing the situation, covered the body with a white sheet to conceal it.

"We are currently investigating the various leads methodically, but there must be many rumors circulating outside. If Your Highness can find anything in that suicide note that could help solve the case..."

"Have you read this suicide note?"

“Of course not, Your Highness,” the warden denied decisively, answering fluently. “The assassination attempt occurred at the sacred Temple of the Setting Sun, and in matters of faith, no matter is insignificant. Before someone of Your Highness’s stature arrives, your humble servant and I would never dare to inspect it without authorization…”

“It’s precisely because you saw it,” Thales’ words made the director’s expression tremble, “that you dare not see it.”

The warden offered no explanation, no apology, and dared not refute; he simply lowered his head even further.

Thales glanced at the words "Kevin Deer family" on the "suicide note" and gave a soft snort.

He felt he was beginning to understand these shrewd but deliberately roundabout people from the South Bank.

Just like he understood those northerners who fought and killed.

“What about Chadwi?” Thales asked softly.

"Who? Oh, you mean the assassinated priest—" The warden was taken aback, then realized what was happening, but he was quickly interrupted by another voice.

“Thank you for your dedication, Director Zelot,” Marius said, leading Wyatt from behind. He smiled and nodded at the cautious director of the guard. “This concerns the temple, and no matter is too small for the faith. The Duke was concerned and came to investigate in person. Of course, please continue your investigation and don’t mind us.”

Upon hearing this, Director Zelot felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He wiped his sweat and repeatedly apologized, taking the opportunity to retreat to a distance with his men.

Under the watchful eyes of the guards on both sides, the hall master and the guards pretended that Duke Starlake was not in the hall and continued to hold a serious meeting of the task force on the 'XXX Major Murder Case'. They even "forgot" to ask Thales for the assassin's suicide note and "forgot" to take away the assassin's body.

Thales frowned and looked at Marius.

"The priests and healers are using divine magic and the Crystal Grace Altar to do everything they can to save Chadvi."

Marius answers Thales's question:

"I only glanced at it from afar, but judging from the tone of their voices, the poison was potent and the situation was not optimistic. Even if they could be saved, the chances of a full recovery were slim."

All efforts to save him...

The chances are slim...

Thales took a deep breath, recalling the fat priest who was unkempt and lax in his discipline, yet secretly helped countless people in unseen underground corners.

Why him?

Why him?

“Furthermore, because of this assassination attempt, the temple has some reservations about us,” Marius said, watching as Director Zelot in the distance forcefully and loudly sweared an oath, forcefully demanding that his gloomy subordinates “solve the case within a time limit.” “Your Highness, you may need to be prepared.”

Preparation? Preparation for what?

Thales opened his eyes.

Are we going to hunt down that bastard who dares to cause trouble and ruin this great situation from the corner, skewer him from bottom to top with a spear, and hang him on top of Kongming Palace as a flag?

"Specific details of the case have not yet been disclosed, but news of assassins infiltrating the temple has already spread, and the entire Emerald City is still in shock, waiting for them to react..."

“They’ll turn their attention to me,” Thales said, rubbing his temple. “What do you think, Wyman?”

Wyatt paused, somewhat surprised that Thales had asked him first instead of Marius.

“Based on the information we have so far, Your Highness, this assassination was organized, and even the target and location were carefully chosen,” he subconsciously touched the notebook in his hand, and after hesitating for a moment, he tentatively asked, “I heard from Vanguard Officer Golov that the priest who was assassinated seemed to have a close relationship with Miss Hilla, and that they were on good terms?”

Chadwi and Hilay.

Thales thought of the poor souls in the Corpse Pit, and their respect and devotion to the Chadwi priest, and his expression turned cold.

“I hope I’m overthinking it,” Wyatt observed Thales’s expression with concern, “but if this matter jeopardizes Your Highness’s relationship with Miss Kelvin Deer, and consequently affects your authority over the two Kelvin Deer, your influence over various factions, and even your control over the situation in Emerald City…”

“How dare they?” Thales interrupted him coldly.

He turned to face the vast, empty temple, watching the guards come and go in the distance, and the soldiers standing guard ready for action.

Marius and Wyatt exchanged a glance.

Thales said in a cold voice:

"Now that things have come to this, do you think they really don't know or care, or are they simply not afraid of my anger and retaliation?"

They don't care whether the Emerald City, which they overcame countless difficulties to escape from chaos, will return to its old ways and be crushed to pieces in the millstone of power struggles.

Could it be, as Miranda suggests, that he has been too kind and polite for too long, not tough or ruthless enough, and lacks the decisiveness to make an example of someone?

As Thales thought this, the voice in his heart grew stronger.

"Them?" Wyman asked doubtfully.

“Or they actually know,” Marius interjected, looking at the assassin’s corpse on the ground, “they know how you will react, and that is their goal.”

Thales' eyes flickered.

“As the aide-de-camp Casso mentioned,” Marius said softly, “the ease over the difficult is often the origin of tyranny.”

Wyatt was flattered and quickly bowed to Marius.

tyranny.

Thales took a deep breath, trying his best to suppress his anger and impulse.

So this is what they wanted?

Force yourself to act violently in a fit of anger, thus destroying your own foundation?

Or is there some other, more despicable purpose?

"Have Komuto and Oscar Elson pass on a message to the local security department in a moment—privately."

Thales frowned as he watched Director Zelot in the distance, spittle flying everywhere, as he swiftly and decisively gave his orders to his sweating subordinates.

("Mobilize all manpower and gather all resources! I'm telling you right now, no matter what methods or means you use, even if you turn the entire South Bank upside down and pry up every paving stone in the city, you must solve this case within three days! Let them get away with this, whoever dares to make me—cough cough, whoever dares to make Emerald City suffer, I'll make them suffer! I want all citizens to see that our guard team is the most solid last line of defense for humanity in Emerald City, the most solid thirty-eight watchtowers in the South Bank. In the face of adversity, I will take responsibility...")

"Just investigate this as a normal case. Don't overcomplicate it or do anything like a city-wide search, which would only cause panic."

"Your Highness is wise." Marius gladly accepted the order, and Wyatt was relieved.

Thales hesitated for a second:

"Also, about Chadvi, the Corpse Pit..."

“The orders have already been given,” Marius replied immediately before Thales could finish speaking. “The details of the case, including the identity of the victim, are to be kept strictly confidential. Led by Aaron, the people in the tunnels will keep the news under wraps and prevent Miss Hilly from knowing, so as not to affect the investigation.”

Thales glanced at Marius with some surprise, but the latter remained calm and showed no sign of distress.

“Oh, really?” Thales said with mixed feelings, but finally nodded. “Well done, Thor.”

Marius remained expressionless.

"But the rumors are rampant, and it probably won't stay hidden for long."

Wyman couldn't help but interject:

"Furthermore, if Miss Hilly knew that you deliberately concealed this from her..."

Wyman was right.

Thales clenched his fist.

But it won't take him long.

Hopefully it won't take too long.

Did you bring them?

Thales interrupted Wyman, deliberately ignoring the other's concerns.

Wyatt paused, glanced at Marius, and nodded in agreement:

“Yes, Your Highness. But if it really was one of them who did it…”

“So I’m bringing them,” Thales said coldly. “Both of them.”

Let's see who, or whose subordinates, dares to cause trouble at this crucial moment and undermine Duke Xinghu's position.

Dismantle the entire Emerald City platform.

Wyman, filled with worry, accepted the order and turned to leave.

“You’re not worried that they did it, are you?” Marius suddenly asked.

Thales glanced at him.

“You’re worried that they might not have done it,” Marius said meaningfully, “and that’s bothering you.”

Thales pursed his lips but did not answer.

He simply turned and looked up, only to meet the gaze of the Sunset Goddess statue above him, eyes that held both tender compassion and cold ruthlessness.

She calmly and naturally looked down at Thales, at the tragic scene unfolding in the mortal realm.

It was as if it were her duty to do so.

It seemed like a matter of course.

It was as if she, as a deity, had long been accustomed to the absurdity of the world, thus being able to transcend worldly affairs, remain detached from the world, and not feel anything amiss.

This made Thales frown even more deeply.

Marius said nothing more; he simply bowed and turned to leave.

"I knew it!"

The voice of Jann Kevin Deer, the deposed Duke of the South Bank, came from behind Thales with his undisguised footsteps, cold and disdainful:

“Some people just won’t accept it, Thales, even though you and I have already compromised so much. Some people just can’t let go of the chips they have, they always feel unwilling to give up, they always feel that they can win more.”

On the other side, Federico Kevindir, the already designated honorary viscount of Archsea City, spoke in sync with his cautious footsteps, his words carrying a hidden meaning:

“Then I guess, Your Highness, this kind of thing will happen because ‘someone’ will remind the world again and again: without someone, Emerald City will be in chaos; without someone, even the sun will stop turning.”

Jenn and Federer exchanged a cold glance, locked in a fierce confrontation, neither willing to back down.

Listen to this, it's always "someone" and "someone".

"Thank you for your insightful and helpful advice, distinguished and wise Mr. Kevin Deer."

Thales shifted his gaze from the goddess statue above his head and turned back to the mundane world.

Feder bowed respectfully to Thales, but Jenn snorted and turned away without any courtesy.

The prince casually waved his hand, gesturing towards the assassin's body covered with a white sheet on the ground:

"Look, do you recognize this unfortunate fellow? He died a horrible death."

Jann frowned as he looked at the body and the bloodstains on the white sheet, and his nose twitched almost imperceptibly.

Federico glanced at his cousin, gave a disdainful snort, and stepped forward without a care, yanking off the white sheet to reveal the deceased's desperate and hideous face.

At that moment, the two Kevin Deer wore almost identical expressions of confusion.

"This is the deceased?"

Jenn covered his nose and asked in confusion:

"Where's the assassin? How was he killed?"

"Who is he? A believer who came to pray?" Fede approached to observe him without any hesitation, his brows furrowed.

Thales didn't answer, but simply crossed his arms, his face ashen, and let the two Kevin Deer ask their questions one after another:

"Who was he? Why did you kill him?" This was Jann's question.

"Was it still Lausanne II who made the move? Did he escape from Hilay's clutches?" This was Fede.

Were any clues left at the scene?

"Are there rumors circulating again outside? How did His Highness handle it?"

"What's going on in the city? Are they forcing you to find the murderer?"

"Who the hell is this guy?"

Thales carefully observed the two men's reactions, pondered their words, and tried to see through the complex power and interest-related activities that occurred in their minds after they saw the corpse.

“The guy’s identity is still under investigation,” Thales nodded, “but based on the initial assessment, an assassination of this magnitude is unlikely to be a lone wolf; it’s an organized operation.”

The two Kevin Deer were not surprised; they simply exchanged a calm glance.

“Then here’s the problem,” Thales sighed, “After all my hard work, using both soft and hard tactics, to finally reach an agreement with the two of you and stabilize Emerald City… who is still dissatisfied and insists on doing something like this to disrupt everything?”

Thielston paused, glanced at Federer, then at Jenn, his tone becoming more forceful:

"And who is it that, if they don't get the result they want, simply overturns the chessboard, hoping that Emerald City will fall and be destroyed, and everyone will go their separate ways?"

Both Kevin Deer remained silent for a moment.

“If such a person really exists, then he certainly doesn’t understand you,” Jann said first, with a hint of disdain, “at least he doesn’t understand your stubborn moral fastidiousness.”

Federico remained unmoved:

"Or perhaps he knows you too well and is trying to use this to coerce Your Highness, and even all of us, into making some compromises that benefit him—just like someone once did."

Jenn sneered, showing no sign of backing down:

"Yes, I have done it, so I'm not that stupid. But someone who is used to assassinations and was forced to compromise by us halfway through is a different story."

“As we all know, any action that breaks the balance, disrupts the situation, or causes unrest and fear at this time will be detrimental to Your Highness’s rule and reputation,” Fede said, his expression as usual, but his words were uncompromising. “If too many of these things happen, people will inevitably miss the Emerald City before Your Highness’s regency.”

Jan and Federico exchanged a hostile glance.

"Do you guys still remember?"

Thales spoke up, interrupting the brothers' heated exchange.

"What we said at our last meeting: Before the celebration banquet, before I announce the arbitration and the dust settles, neither of you should be trying to pull any tricks to get rid of the other, right?"

Both Kevin Deer stood at attention.

Thales lowered his voice, his tone threatening:

"No way?"

He looked at the two of them separately:

"Is it because you think you haven't got enough?"

Upon hearing this, Federico immediately lowered his head, showing respect and obedience.

"Or is it that you hate losing too much?"

Jenn also turned his head to avoid him, his brows furrowed.

Under the gaze of the statue of the goddess of sunset, three influential figures in the Emerald City stood silently facing each other.

“I don’t know if you did this or not,” Thales said softly, looking down at the body on the ground, “but you all wish it was the other’s doing, right?”

Thales looked around:

"Ideally, I could also take care of the other party?"

The two cousins ​​remained expressionless and silent.

It fully embodies the essence of the Iris family's grand and prestigious style.

Thales scrutinized the two of them carefully before finally letting out a soft hum.

"Never mind, the details of the case are still under investigation, and the truth will come out sooner or later."

Thales looked at the body on the ground:

"But the question now is: what should we—Emerald City—do?"

He waited a while, but there was no response. He frowned and said:

"I'm asking you."

Upon hearing this, the two Kevin Deer seemed to snap out of their daze as if a statue had come to its senses.

“Suppress the news, make the story coherent, and say it’s an isolated incident, a private feud between the murderer and the victim,” Jann said coldly. “Starting from the temple, the three of us will step in together to appease the various factions and assure them that everything in Emerald City will remain the same until it’s all over.”

“Simply repeating the same old trick,” Federico retorted with a sneer, “but it’s pointless.”

The two Kevin Deer exchanged a glance.

“This is a temple where people come and go. The more we try to hide and block it, the more uncontrollable the consequences will become,” Fed said. “The people behind the scenes will not sit idly by and watch us block the news. They will make things bigger and bigger, and try every means to let the whole world see it, so that people will doubt that our ‘guarantee’ is just empty talk. At that time, we will only be more passive.”

“That sounds familiar,” Janne sneered. “They’re not going to hire another vampire assassin to expose some old case at some banquet or tournament, are they?”

Federico ignored the other's sarcasm and continued in a deep voice:

"Therefore, we need to face reality. Your Highness, please announce this to the entire city and unleash the thunderbolt. On the one hand, this will serve as a warning and deterrence to all suspected factions; on the other hand, it will force them to fully cooperate with us until we find the person behind the scenes, eradicate the problem at its root."

"That would be tantamount to telling the whole world that Emerald City, under the Duke of Starlake's rule, has spiraled out of control again, and that he is powerless to manage the situation and can only wield his sword haphazardly," Jann said disdainfully. "What if, during the investigation, someone suffers heavy losses and becomes increasingly dissatisfied, harboring resentment... and the hard-won restoration of Emerald City is ruined..."

“On the contrary, Emerald City has been at peace for a long time, indulging in extravagance and becoming accustomed to selfishness,” Fede shook his head. “It needs to be cleansed of its deep-seated problems so that when it returns to His Highness’s rule in the future, there will be less growing pains.”

"And thus rely even more on you, the 'Royal Envoy Viscount'?"

“If you insist on relying on your cousin, that’s fine too: ‘Everyone, please rest assured, everything in Emerald City is as it is, nothing has changed, just like when Duke Jann was in power.’”

Seeing that the conversation was about to veer into sarcasm and mutual recrimination, Thales coughed and interrupted them.

"After saying all that, don't you really care who the deceased is?"

Duke Starlake coldly looked at the corpse on the ground:

"Or rather, do you not recognize him?"

Or is it that for them, it doesn't matter who dies?

The Kevin Deer cousins ​​realized what had happened and turned to look at the dead man.

"Should we know him? Or at least know him?" Jann asked cautiously, re-examining the deceased's slightly distorted face.

"Which noble family? A wealthy merchant? An heir? Or a renowned clergyman?" Fede glanced at Janne. "His assassination had far-reaching and far-reaching consequences, forcing Your Highness to rely on Janne to appease all sides and thus grant him greater power?"

"Is he an old acquaintance from Emerald City? Connected to my father's old case? Leaving clues behind?" Jann glanced back at Federico with disdain. "Thus forcing you, Thales, to reopen the arbitration at the celebration banquet, according to certain people's wishes, and redefine the truth?"

"Yes, but also no."

Thales gave a soft hum, stroking the suicide note left by the assassin in his pocket:

"In fact, this person is..."

But before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by the sound of a newcomer entering.

The three of them turned their heads at the same time, and saw a familiar figure approaching them, accompanied and even "escorted" by Marius and the Seychelles knights of the Emerald Legion, under the strange gazes of the guards on both sides.

"Cassian?"

Jenn was the first to react, filled with surprise and doubt:

"Why are you here?"

Federico, standing to the side, frowned.

Thales was equally puzzled. He looked at Marius, who shook his head almost imperceptibly.

The disheveled knight, who should have been guarding Lord Lausanne II in the Corpse Pit, bowed slightly and frowned as he looked at the corpse in front of the altar.

“Yes, I have a friend who was supposed to come to our appointment but failed to show up, so I was asked to go and check on him,” Cassandra stared intently at the body. “Then I was walking down the street and I heard people saying… something had happened here.”

friend.

Broke your promise.

Entrusted.

Upon hearing these words and enduring Cassandra's gaze, which clearly sought to uncover the truth, Thales's brow twitched.

Not good.

Pretty bad.

Did Hillay hear something?

"Where is your mistress? Where is Hilaire? Did she send you? Why?" Federico's eyes lit up as he asked the crucial question: "Where is King Lausanne II?"

“You shouldn’t have come here.” Jenn said, his face turning serious as he realized something.

"The Emerald Legion is on the outskirts of martial law, and yet he comes and insists on coming in," the Seychelles knight said coldly, standing beside Cassie.

“Knight Cassien is rather… persistent,” Marius added, using a more polite word.

Cassandra ignored them, staring blankly at the dead man on the ground, his expression bewildered.

“If necessary, we can arrest him immediately and interrogate the assassin… interrogate him about his experiences these past few days, Your Highness…”

Upon seeing the two Kevin Deer standing before him, Captain Seychelles, who was originally preparing to report to Thales, hesitated.

He habitually wanted to bow to Janne individually, but stopped himself halfway through. After much hesitation, he bowed to all three of them in general, choosing the plural form of address:

"...Adults."

Oops.

Thales looked at Cassandra, who was clearly sent by Hilla, and felt a headache coming on. Had the details of Chadwi's assassination been leaked? Had she discovered it? Or did she suspect it?

Should he get rid of him, or pretend to hide it?

Thinking of this, Thales remained unfazed: "Alright, Thor, Captain Seychelles, please have him wait aside. I'll finish up first..."

“I might recognize him.”

Cassandra stared at the dead man and suddenly spoke.

Everyone around was startled and followed his gaze to the body on the ground.

"what?"

Federico asked suspiciously:

"You mean him? The one on the ground?"

Cassandra nodded slightly, his brows furrowed.

Jenn shook his head at Thales, looking worried.

But Thales calmly loosened the suicide note from his pocket, casually leaned against the altar, and sat down on the ground.

“Lord Cassien, come forward—no, Thor, Captain Seychelles, you don’t have to leave, I might need you in a moment,” Thales said in a deep voice, gesturing for Seychelles and Marius to stay. “You said you know this fellow?”

Cassandra approached the body, gazing at the bald, middle-aged man who had been dead for some time, his expression complex.

"Before, they were just vaguely familiar, but now..."

But Federico interrupted him:

"So you're here on Hillary's behalf? Can you speak on her behalf? Where is she? What does she want?"

Jenn couldn't help but speak up:

"Is my sister... alright?"

Cassien frowned as he looked at the two men from the Kevin Deer family.

On the other side, Thales spoke up without hesitation, inadvertently helping Cassie out of the predicament:

"Oh? Are you sure, Lord Cassien? Are you sure you know this person? You know him personally?"

Cassandra gave the two Kevin Deer, who were sworn enemies, a deep look before turning to Thales.

“Yes, Your Highness. This person’s appearance hasn’t changed much; it should undoubtedly be him…”

He paused for a moment, then looked at his old friend:

"And you've met him too, Seychelles."

"Me?" The Seychelles knight was taken aback.

Cassandra nodded slightly.

"Many years ago, we worked together briefly. He was...someone who worked for Kongming Palace."

Kongming Palace.

All eyes turned to Jenn, who was frowning.

"But... I don't remember this person at all."

From bystander to participant, Seychelles was incredulous. He examined the deceased repeatedly but remained completely baffled.

“You haven’t spent enough time with him,” Cassandra said, his face grim.

Federico sneered.

“So it’s one of your old subordinates, cousin,” he said softly. “How come you didn’t recognize him?”

“I really don’t know him,” Jenn coldly rejected the other’s suggestion.

Marius frowned and looked at Thales: The prince did not speak; he simply stood with his hands behind his back, observing the reactions of the others.

"Because at that time, he was temporarily transferred from Gonghai City, and the job he was doing was not a formal assignment." For some reason, Knight Casien sounded rather dejected when he said this.

Seychelles' eyes flickered:

"Gonghai City?"

All eyes turned to the other Kevin Deer.

“Gonghai City… I knew it, no wonder,” Jenn realized, and said disdainfully, “Fed, you just can’t let go of that old grudge…”

“I’ve never seen him either,” this time it was Fede’s turn to frown, “at least not among the officers I’ve known since I was a child.”

Thales sat on the ground, looking at the body lying at his feet, observing the performance of these people standing on their respective sides.

Look, Thales.

A faint, mocking voice echoed in his heart:

Look at this scene of intrigue and backstabbing.

Who's putting on an act?

Who knows the truth?

Who is being kept in the dark?

And you, Thales, how much can you gain from their farce by using your status, power, methods, and the information gap that comes with it?

Is it enough for you to distinguish friend from foe and decide victory or defeat?

“Be careful, old friend, none of us remember this person,” Seychelles warned his old friend. “Why are you the only one who remembers him?”

Facing a skeptical gaze, Cassandra sighed:

"Because, because a long time ago, when I was still in the Tower of the End, this person was my classmate, and we trained together."

The Tower of Termination.

The Ultimate Swordsman?

The group exchanged glances, then looked at the body on the ground, and couldn't help but wonder:

This middle-aged man, in terms of both physique and clothing, did not look like someone skilled in martial arts.

"You were still in the Tower of Endings for so long... Back then, the Duke Guardian of the South Bank was Uncle Lenster, wasn't he?" Federico asked thoughtfully, his words carrying a hidden meaning.

"And back then, the Viscount of Gonghai City was still Sona's uncle... After saying all this, who exactly is this person?" Jann couldn't take it anymore.

“His name is… I… I’m sorry, I really don’t remember his name,” Cassandra stared blankly at the bald, middle-aged man on the ground, his tone filled with unspeakable guilt. “All I can remember is that he’s a local from Emerald City, his family is in business, very wealthy, and has strong connections, which is why he was able to go to the Tower of the End and even get a position after returning…”

Seychelles couldn't help but snort coldly:

"You say you know him, but you don't even remember his name?"

Cassandra hesitated, then turned away in shame.

"It's normal."

Surprisingly, it was Marius who spoke.

“Everyone will meet and know many people in their life, most of whom are just passing through. We may not even remember their faces, let alone their names,” Marius said, looking at the body on the ground. “So most of the time we don’t know how important some of these passersby can be to our lives.”

His words made everyone think deeply.

"And you still remember his face, Lord Cassien, that's quite good—just tell us what you know."

Cassien paused for a moment, then nodded respectfully to Marius.

Seychelles stared at Marius, especially at the bandages showing at the other's collar, and snorted coldly.

"Because we're from the same hometown, we met and had a meal together in the Tower of the End, but we weren't very close. I didn't like his personality, habits, or his extravagant spending..."

Cassandra tried hard to recall:

"Later, it seems he failed in his training and gave up his studies to return to his country. When I saw him again many years later, he seemed to have taken up an administrative job, related to maritime business..."

"Then why would a civil official in Gonghai City, whose family is rolling in money, come to work with us?"

Seychelles hated being dragged into this for no reason and impatiently retorted:

"When did this happen? What was the matter? What was the assignment?"

Cassandra glanced at him, then at Jenn, and shook his head sadly.

"I'm sorry, but I'm bound by my vows, so this is all I can say."

Seychelles scoffed disdainfully:

"The knight's oath?"

"Or is it the oath you swore to my uncle?" Federico's gaze sharpened. "Lord Cassien, what are you hiding? And for whom are you hiding it?"

He turned his head:

"Do you know the inside story, cousin? Why would an assassin target him?"

Jann stared at the bald, middle-aged man's remains on the ground, still seemingly puzzled, but then his expression changed slightly as he remembered something.

"Your eagerness only makes you look more suspicious, Fede," the Duke of South Shore retorted coldly, glancing at Thales, who seemed lost in thought.

Federico sneered and shook his head.

“That’s simple. If what Cassandra said is true, then check the personnel records of the Gonghai City government office from back then. By comparing each person’s identity and resume, we should be able to identify: what his name was, what he did, and why the assassin specifically targeted him…”

Thales sat on the ground, arms crossed, and suddenly spoke softly:

"Bot".

Marius noticed his master's unusual behavior. He interrupted the two arguing Kevin Deer and turned around sharply:

"Your Highness?"

Everyone fell silent and looked back in confusion.

“I say, Bottoms,” Thales sighed, turning to the body beside him, “this man, his real name was Perry Bottoms.”

Everyone, including Janne and Federico, was taken aback.

"Your Highness already knew?" Federico's expression shifted.

"Has the Security Bureau made any progress?" Jenn frowned.

“Perry Bott… Perry… So, that’s his name… Perry…” Cassie chewed on the name, looking at the middle-aged man on the ground, and felt a little less guilty.

“Perry Bott… Bott, Bott?”

But Seychelles noticed something else, and he was taken aback:

"Could it be that 'Bot'?"

Jann and Federico exchanged a glance, both looking surprised and uncertain.

Cassandra was taken aback:

"That Bot? What Bot?"

Seychelles snorted and pointed at the corpse on the ground: "You just said that he was a local of Emerald City, that his family was in big business, that he was rich and had strong connections, and that he spent money extravagantly... So which Bot could he be?"

Cassandra was still completely confused:

"I don't understand, is this some prestigious family?"

"You do not know?"

“Should I know?” Cassandra countered.

Seychelles shook his head and gave his old friend a laugh that was hard to tell whether it was mockery or helplessness:

"Alright, young master... no, this surname isn't from a noble family, but in the underworld, and among us commoners..."

He realized what he was doing, glanced at the several extremely wealthy and powerful figures around him, and quickly changed his tune:

"At least it's well-known in the illegal world."

Both Kevin Deer frowned.

Seychelles is a difficult place:

"In fact, they were once a notorious underworld family in Emerald City and even the entire South Coast Territory. But the business they did was..."

“Drug trafficking,” Jann looked at the little Bot on the ground in disbelief, picking up where Seychelles left off, “They traffic drugs, and they traffic them so heavily that they’ve infiltrated the entire city and are affecting the future development of Emerald City.”

Thales clapped his hands.

"That's right, the poor Perry on the ground, his father is none other than Old Bot, a key figure in the Blood Bottle Gang in Emerald City many years ago, a giant in the underworld, the kingdom's number one drug lord, nicknamed 'Dogtooth'."

Thales raised his eyes:

"Remember anything? Anything?"

Marius remained silent.

Cassandra realized something: "Yes, 'Dogtooth' Bot, yes, I've heard that name before..."

“Their family was wiped out a long time ago,” Jann said coldly as he came to his senses. “Because that old dogtooth was lawless and greedy, endlessly producing and selling dangerous drugs in the South Bank Territory and even the entire kingdom, which aroused public anger. Even the benevolent and commercially minded Kongming Palace could not tolerate him.”

“And Old Bot’s territory and influence were taken over by the Blood Bottle Gang’s men,” Thales said softly. “The market and business were taken over by their rivals—the Black Street Brotherhood.”

"The Blood Bottle Gang?"

Federico repeated it.

“Thor, send someone to find the barber later and have him pass on a message,” Thales said, looking at his captain of the bodyguard, “say that if that female leader of the Blood Bottle Gang calls, calls…”

“Phantom Blade Catherine,” Marius reminded him.

Thales snapped his fingers: "Yes, her... Tell him that if Catherine doesn't come to see me before sunset today..."

His expression darkened.

"Then it'll be my turn to see her."

The prince did not explain the difference between these two views.

But the two Kevin Deer, and the two knights beside them, looked at each other, each with a different feeling.

Federico's eyes darted around:

"So this guy is the son of a washed-up drug lord, but why would an assassin target him..."

Thales raised a hand and interrupted him.

"It is said that when old Bot was still alive, the Bot family, through the huge profits from drug trafficking and the Blood Bottle Gang, made some connections with officials, and made his son, Perry, a minor official responsible for acting as an intermediary, relaying messages to the Blood Bottle Gang, and doing some dirty and tiring work for the Sky Palace."

Thales looked at Kevin Deer and smiled:

"That sounds familiar, doesn't it?"

Jenn remained unmoved, while Federer seemed lost in thought.

“After his father died, the Bot family name no longer carried any weight with the Blood Bottle Gang, and Perry became much more obedient.”

Thales continued, his tone mysterious:

"Until one day, Little Bot received orders from his superior to travel from Archsea City to the other side of the sea, to the Night Kingdom of the Eastern Continent, to meet several mysterious experts in order to participate in a political conspiracy that would affect the succession to the Star King's throne: to gather assassins of unknown origin, intercept the Exter delegation, trigger a diplomatic crisis, and force the king to choose an heir to the throne from among the lords—of course, we all know what happened next."

Marius frowned.

Thales stared intently at the impassive Jenn:

"Now you should remember, right?"

Jenn suddenly looked up!

"You already knew the deceased's identity, so you must have also uncovered the truth?"

Duke Iris said coldly:

"You were just testing us, trying to see if we would distrust each other?"

“Because it really has something to do with you, doesn’t it, cousin?” Federico began, but his tone was no longer certain, but rather filled with worry.

Cassandra, standing to one side, sighed softly, while Seychelles lowered his head, not daring to utter a sound.

These two experts at the pinnacle of skill suddenly realized:

It's unclear when exactly, but these three important figures around me have quietly taken over the battlefield.

At this moment, the battle horn has sounded.

War is dangerous and perilous.

Ignoring Jann's questioning and Federico's hints, Thales sighed softly:

"But whether it's the king or the princes, the achievements and failures of those great figures have nothing to do with poor Perry: this unlucky little Bert, he clearly followed the rules, but still messed things up. Instead of the agreed-upon vampire experts, he brought back disgraced nobles from the Night Kingdom after the coup failed."

Both Kevin Deer frowned, their moods differing.

"That's right, Serena Corleone, the number one traitor of the Night Kingdom, the Queen of Night's own sister and mortal enemy. Eight years ago, she landed in Arch City and entered the Star Kingdom by taking advantage of Iris's ship."

Thales clicked his tongue, a strange feeling creeping over him:

"As a result, this shameless vampire nicknamed 'Ugly Face' tried to get Iris for free. Not only was she not interested in being cannon fodder for Kevin Deer's political conspiracy, she even caused trouble and caused countless disasters, which completely led to the bankruptcy of the 'New Star' project, causing heavy losses to the Iris family, and the trouble has lasted to this day."

Federico stared intently at Jenn:

"That's quite a generous gesture, cousin, quite a generous gesture."

The latter simply pursed her lips and remained silent.

"In short, this matter enraged the Duke of Iris, who personally questioned him."

Thales spoke softly:

"Obviously, poor Perry Bot was unaware of what was going on, and it wasn't his fault. So the Duke gently comforted him, saying he wouldn't pursue the matter further. This moved little Bot to tears, and he wished he could sell himself to Iris for the rest of his life—until Perry left the castle and was inexplicably sent to the high seas."

high seas.

Federico suddenly looked up.

Seychelles frowned and remained silent.

Cassandra remained expressionless, his eyes only dull.

Jenn glanced at Little Bot's remains on the ground, then gently closed his eyes.

“Of course, maybe it was the sunset’s blessing that made Perry, who had been unlucky for half his life, survive that doomed ocean liner,” Thales waved to the goddess statue above his head, “so that we could see him again—in front of the goddess of the sunset.”

The crowd remained silent for a long time.

It wasn't until Jenn opened his eyes and regained his composure that he understood.

Perhaps there is also indifference.

“Survived a ship on the high seas, and returned from exile many years later,” Duke Iris said coldly. “Doesn’t that sound familiar, cousin?”

"Do you really think this is a good time to shift the focus, cousin?" Federico replied casually.

Jenn did not answer.

“Little Bot barely escaped with his life,” Thales sighed, and continued, “but as a ‘side effect’ of his disappearance on the high seas, his family was destroyed and his wife and children were torn apart in Arch City.”

Seychelles snorted coldly:

"Karma for drug trafficking."

Thales shook his head:

"Therefore, from that time on, young Bot harbored a deep grudge and went into hiding, waiting for the day when he could avenge his blood feud against that arrogant, cold-blooded, cruel, and vicious Duke of Iris."

Everyone looked at the person involved on the ground:

The middle-aged man's face after his death was filled with resentment and despair, as well as cruelty and distortion.

Cassandra sighed, then knelt down and covered little Bot with a white sheet.

But Federico sensed something was amiss:

"But if he came to the Sunset Temple for revenge, what was he doing there? Seeking justice from the priest? And who exactly wanted to assassinate him..."

Federico paused.

He realized what was happening and looked at the prince in surprise.

Jenn took a deep breath, looked at the bloodstains on the white sheet, and realized something as well. He spoke with difficulty:

"He's not a victim, is he?"

Thales looked back at him, trying to discern some different emotion in the other's expression.

“No, he is not,” Thales said quietly. “This Perry Bot is the assassin himself.”

Jenn suddenly turned his head and stared intently at Thales!

Federico, Seychelles, and Cassien were all taken aback.

"Clearly, he came to assassinate someone, and seeing no hope of escape after the assassination, he committed suicide out of fear of punishment—at least that's the preliminary investigation result."

Thales slowly pulled the letter from his pocket:

"The things I just mentioned, these unknown details, were all left behind in Little Bot's suicide note—I must say, his handwriting is quite beautiful."

Jann suddenly stepped forward, but was stopped by Marius, who was prepared, who reached out to prevent him from getting close to the prince.

"Who?"

Looking at Marius, whose expression remained unchanged but left no room for negotiation, Jenn had no choice but to take a deep breath, step back, and suppress his emotions.

He clenched his fists, gritted his teeth, but his voice trembled:

"Who...who was the person assassinated by him, by that bastard drug dealer...?"

Thales sighed, his heart heavy.

He unfolded the assassin's suicide note and looked at the last few lines.

It was written in the most venomous language, the most desperate curse.

"In his suicide note, young Bot said that he had nothing left, and his only remaining wish over the years was to make that once incomparably noble and untouchable, renowned and universally praised young duke taste the bitter fruit of his actions..."

Janne's face grew paler, and Federico frowned deeply.

"...Little Bot wanted him, wanted him to be proud of that arrogant arrogance, that he thought he could never be threatened by lowly insects and nameless passersby... wanted him to be guilty of those heinous crimes—his viciousness, his shirking of responsibility, his disregard for human life, his murders to cover up witnesses, yet he could still go unpunished and be respected..."

Thales sighed:

"...at the cost in blood."

Heinous crimes...

Marius frowned involuntarily:

Would a drug dealer really say that...?

Thales put away the letter:

"For this, he was willing to sacrifice everything, even to the point of death."

As soon as he finished speaking, Cassandra sighed deeply.

Seychelles' face turned ashen.

"Then what is he going to do..." Federico wanted to say something, but hesitated.

Jenn's expression changed:

"Do not……"

“And little Bot, he’s going to start from there, to find the whereabouts of a certain lady—who has to hide because she angered the prince,” Thales said, looking at the statue of the sunset goddess, frowning and nodding. “Because he once swore to the sunset that he would make Jann Kevin Deer, and make him taste the bitterness of separation from his family and loss of his loved ones, just like himself.”

Family members separated...

Losing a loved one...

Jenn's body trembled, and he seemed dazed.

"No, no, no, no... it can't be her..."

"Yes, the one who was assassinated was none other than the priest of Chadvi."

Thales nodded heavily and told the truth:

"His, or rather their, target is Hilla."

As soon as he finished speaking, Jenn turned pale, swayed, and collapsed to his knees with a thud.

They knelt before the altar in the Temple of the Setting Sun, where countless offerings and sacrifices had once been made.

They knelt before the high and untouchable goddess of the setting sun, who coldly observed the myriad aspects of human life and witnessed the cycle of retribution and reincarnation.

(End of this chapter)