Secrets: Priestess

Chapter 150 Audrey, the Mastermind

In the Hall family's mansion in Queens, Backlund, crystal chandeliers with burning candles were hung alongside exquisitely crafted gas lamps, and the interlaced soft light filled every luxurious corner.

Audrey was sitting elegantly at the dining table, savoring the delicious food in front of her slowly.

With the exception of her older brother, the second-born child in the Balam Empire, the entire family gathered around the table to enjoy dinner. Every bite of food brought Audrey happiness and the warmth of home.

However, just as the dinner was about to end, her father, Earl Hall, suddenly put down the cutlery in his hand and a serious expression appeared on his face.

He looked at his eldest son who was sitting opposite him, signaling to his eldest son, who had already made a name for himself in various government departments, to be prepared.

"Audrey, dear," Earl Hall said gently, a hint of apology in his voice. "Your brother and I have something to discuss. It may be a little sensitive, so we hope you can step aside for a while."

Audrey was slightly stunned, then smiled in understanding.

"Of course, Father." Audrey stood up and adjusted her dress gracefully. "I'll go back to my room. You can talk without worry."

After saying that, she gently supported her mother Caitlin's arm, nodded to her brother Hibbert, and then turned around and left with her mother.

Susie, who was ignored by everyone, lay in the corner, observing her surroundings with a bored look.

Watching his daughter and wife leave, Earl Hall showed a relieved expression. He didn't need to explain to his wife because their long-standing relationship made them understand and support each other, so there was no need for further explanation.

But as for Audrey, Earl Hall was afraid of causing his most beloved youngest daughter to have wild thoughts, so he explained in more words.

However, judging from my daughter's understanding attitude, she has grown up.

Earl Hall felt a sense of relief in his heart, but also a sense of reluctance and worry.

But it is also because the children have grown up that he slowly highlights the special status of his eldest son Hibbert in some details, hoping that when his eldest son is older, the family power can be smoothly transferred.

This is also the reason why Earl Hall asked Audrey to leave the table instead of taking Hibbert to the study to talk. He hoped to gradually strengthen the family members' impression that Hibbert was reliable and had taken charge of the affairs.

Earl Hall did not want to see his children become estranged in the future because of titles, wealth, family resources and other factors.

Even as he grew older, Earl Hall understood that such things were difficult, especially in a noble family.

In fact, Earl Hall knew that there was already some rift between his two sons, so he not only acquiesced to his second son Alfred's going to the Bailang Empire in the southern continent to join the army, but also secretly used the influence of the Hall family to lend power to Alfred.

He hopes that through various efforts, the probability of such incidents happening can be reduced.

But what made him happy but also worried was that even his youngest and most adorable daughter was gradually developing her own ideas and pursuits, and was working hard to achieve them...

When only the father and son were left at the table, Earl Hall watched Audrey disappear around the corner and couldn't help but sigh, "Audrey has grown up. One day, she'll spread her wings like a young eagle."

Hibbert, with his handsome face and brilliant blond hair, thought his father was worried about Audrey's future marriage, so he gently consoled him, "Even after turning eighteen at the end of the year, Audrey will only be officially entering the social scene. We still have at least five to eight years to find a suitable marriage partner for her."

Earl Hall did not respond to this topic. He sighed lightly and changed the subject. His expression became serious and he said, "Do you know why I kept you here?"

"About the Air Pollution Investigation Committee?" Hibbert speculated, then responded cautiously, "I've already followed your instructions and made all necessary communications. Don't worry, I'll successfully become the Chief Secretary of the Air Pollution Investigation Committee."

"Although this matter is important, it's not why I want you to stay tonight." Earl Hall stared at Hibbert, his serious expression slightly softened. He said, "You always focus too much on yourself... You need to broaden your horizons."

Earl Hall changed the subject and asked Hibbert, "Have you been following the Kingdom's crackdown on the Aurora Society, a terrorist organization?"

Hearing his father talk about specific things, Hibbert responded confidently:

"Yes. Although we haven't yet punished Beth Lyonness, the assassin of Ambassador Intis, this operation eliminated many cultists lurking in Backlund and prevented the arrival of the evil god. It was a very successful operation. The kingdom also used this opportunity to declare to the world its determination to combat terrorist organizations."

Earl Hall nodded and asked, "What is the origin of this action?"

Hibbert quickly responded, "It's because Beth Lyonness, a member of the Aurora Society, assassinated the Intis ambassador. This is the kingdom's explanation to Intis, and also to the people of the kingdom."

Earl Hall shook his head: "That's just the official statement."

Hibbert hesitated. "Father, you mentioned before that Beth Lyonness is a Conservative. Based on this clue and various other pieces of information, I suspect the Conservatives are offering the king an opportunity to start a war. Those crazy Conservatives want to provoke a war."

Earl Hall said, "War won't break out simply because of a single incident, but rather depends on the will of His Majesty the King and his ministers. The Kingdom has recently implemented too many new policies, requiring a period of stability. The Kingdom will not lightly start a war, especially not this year. Furthermore, the swift and fierce attack on the Aurora Society speaks volumes about the will of His Majesty the King and his ministers."

Hibbert pondered, "Did Beth Lyonness's murder of the Intis ambassador act privately? Is the Kingdom's series of actions truly intended to appease Intis's wrath and prevent the outbreak of war?"

Hibbert said, suddenly overturning his previous speculation, frowning and said: "No, could it be that Beth Lyonness is from the Feysac Empire, and she wants to provoke a war between the kingdom and Intis!"

Earl Hall knocked on the table. "You still haven't remembered what I emphasized just now... I said that as long as the Kingdom or the Intis Republic across the border are not prepared for war, 'war will not break out simply because of a single event.'"

"Have you forgotten? In the recent investigation, it was confirmed that Ambassador Baker is the highest-ranking official of the intelligence department that Intis has planted here."

Under constant prompting, Hibbert's eyes lit up slightly. After a pause, he replied, "The Republic of Intis has always believed that we intend to wage war against them, especially our King's undisguised bellicosity. They are afraid that if we investigate and find the truth, they will use this as an excuse to start a war. Therefore... Ambassador Bakeran's death was planned by the Republic of Intis!"

Earl Hall said, "Yes, this is the current consensus of His Majesty and the ministers. However, the kingdom had no intention of provoking war, so naturally, no further investigation was carried out. Now that both countries have jointly classified this incident as a terrorist attack, it also shows that they have reached a consensus on this matter."

"Actually, regardless of whether this inference is true or not, at least Bakerlang's apparent death has eliminated the hidden danger of a conflict between the two countries."

After saying this, just as Hibbert was nodding repeatedly, Earl Hall suddenly changed the subject and said, "Actually, I personally suspect that it was the Conservative Party of the kingdom that directed all this. Beth Lyonness is one of them, and she was originally a character who did dirty things for them." Hibbert was stunned, and his brain circuit could not turn around this corner for a while.

Lord Hall sighed. "The truth doesn't really matter, because the current situation is acceptable to everyone. But you must remember from this incident that the Conservatives will do anything to protect their increasingly vulnerable interests."

Hibbert thought for a moment and said, "You always show me the power transfer of the Intis nobles, which makes me realize that the nobles will eventually fall behind the times, and the influence of commerce will become increasingly greater... But haven't the Conservative Party in the kingdom thought about this?"

Earl Hall snorted coldly, his smile mocking, but within that mockery was a hint of sadness, a sense of grief for the lost. "It's hard to turn a large ship around. They're not blind to the current of the times, but no matter how much benefit they gain, it can't satisfy their ever-growing appetite. How can they afford to accept a new and powerful group?"

“But these people are already sitting at the table.”

“And they think they can suppress this new wave, just as they have done so many times before.”

During the night's rest, Susie sneaked into Audrey's room and repeated to her everything she had heard but didn't understand. "Human beings are so complicated. How could so many people be suspects in one person's death?"

After listening to Susie's words and trying hard to understand the conversation between her father and brother, Audrey praised her, "Well done, Susie."

It turned out that his father wanted to talk to Hibbert about the mastermind behind the murder of Ambassador Bakerland!

Audrey thought with mixed feelings.

"So Beth Lyonness is a Conservative...?"

Audrey thought back to her commission at the Tarot Club, and how the "Queen" had promised her that the assassination would be blamed on the Conservative Party.

"So... it's very likely that the one who completed the assassination mission was the Queen?!"

"The Queen has always been unwilling to pray to Mr. Fool, so the truth of this matter can only be confirmed with the Queen at the Tarot Conference."

"But if it was truly the 'Queen' who completed the commission, then the mastermind behind this, who has my father and brother so worried, must be me, the one who issued the commission in the Tarot Club?"

"I was just worried that my parents and brother would be harmed by the incident created by the intelligence chief, Baker. I didn't expect that this incident would attract more attention than I expected..."

"But...could this actually eliminate the hidden danger of a war..."

Audrey lay in bed with a pounding heart, unable to sleep all night.

……

The successful conclusion of the operation against the Aurora Society at St. Samuel's Church earned the Red Gloves involved in the operation praise from the church and numerous merits. Leonard and Claire were particularly honored for their achievements in killing Lanevus.

The end of this incident gave Lord Cecima a slight sigh of relief and also gave the Red Gloves involved in the operation a short break to recuperate.

After unexpectedly receiving news from Xio about Tessa, Claire found Daly and discussed the matter. "Ty Perslan has not concealed his identity this time and wants to ask us about Claire Meazza. What do you think?"

Dai Li, who was called in for the discussion, thought for a while and sighed:

"I don't think Tai is that bad. The fact that she dared to take the risk to snatch Claire's body shows her deep feelings for her..."

"And unlike other members of cults who have committed numerous crimes, Tai has not yet sunk into them and committed various bloody crimes."

"Perhaps, we should tell her the truth about Claire's sacrifice. If possible, try to pull her out of the dark world."

After listening to Daly's suggestion, Claire didn't directly deny it. She just stated what she knew:
"Based on my research and understanding of this person, if I tell her about Claire's death, there's a high probability that she'll lose control. Even if she doesn't, I think there's a high chance she'll lose her rationality and even retaliate against society. Either way, it's bound to cause a great disaster."

After hearing Claire's analysis, Daly thought for a moment and sighed in agreement, "Captain Galadilla, you're right. This kind of thing is very likely to happen. And we will never allow it to happen."

Dai Li sighed and said helplessly, "Then refuse the other party's meeting request?"

Claire waved her hand. "No, I still want to get answers from her about some things. I hope to establish a stable communication channel with her so that we can understand the situation more easily."

"Moreover, she kidnapped Claire. We can't simply forgive her for Claire's sacrifice." Claire said firmly.

Daly sighed, and after putting herself in Claire's shoes, she agreed with Claire's idea. "Then... should we continue to hide the truth about Claire's death from her? But how long can we keep it a secret? We can't just send her to see Claire and ask for her forgiveness..."

Daly believed that based on her current understanding of Tai Perslan, she would not ask him to pay with his life, and that he had "sacrificed" in the Battle of Tingen when he was disguised as Sharon.

All these experiences mean that the other party can be saved.

"At least she should confess why she kidnapped Claire..."

Judging from the current clues, Claire had once believed that the woman was after a male body, but the gradually resurfacing fragments of memory and the falsehood of the town of Omlite made Claire realize that there might be something else behind this that she didn't know.

But no matter what the secret is, at least that woman should get the punishment she deserves for her past actions!

"Anyway, let's get in touch with her first. Let's see for ourselves what kind of person she is."

She spoke righteously, but deep down, Claire was planning how to use the switching between the two identities of Galadilla and Claire to extract the truth from the woman while venting the emotions that were pent up in her heart!

This has nothing to do with justice or right or wrong, it is purely out of an emotional desire for revenge.

(End of this chapter)