Chapter 642: Jade Legion

"Truly, truly, truly, I am terribly sorry, Your noble Highness Thales."

Cacqueray, the special-class warning officer of Jade City, and the man responsible for the Duke of Star Lake's security on this trip, was sweating all over as he followed closely beside Thales.

"Please understand. Queen's Day is almost upon us, and Jade City's public security and defense pressure has increased sharply. But even so, with such an accident happening, we are still duty-bound. I cannot tell you how sorry, ashamed, and embarrassed my colleagues and I feel right now..."

At that moment, Thales, dressed in ordinary clothes with his insignia removed, was walking through the bustling streets of the Queen of Cities, brushing past countless common folk busy with their livelihoods. The Star Lake Guards hid themselves around him in a protective formation, while Jade City's warning officers and guards followed farther behind, moving slowly with the whole party and ready to answer any call for support.

"You should be ashamed!"

Wya walked beside Thales, furious.

"Someone actually charged His Highness's party in broad daylight, under countless eyes, while carrying a weapon, and even shouted about a duel? From the perspective of both safety and public influence, that is unacceptable. Something like this is unprecedented... cough... the last time something like this happened was, was..."

Was the last time.

Thales silently finished his attendant's sentence while taking in Jade City's streetscape with interest.

According to Cacqueray, Jade City had originally arranged personnel, cleared the streets, and prepared a "grand and gorgeous" welcome ceremony for the prince's entrance into the city, to show the Covendier family's regard and enthusiasm for the prince's southern tour. Then the inexplicable farce just now happened.

The hotheaded young earl had exposed Thales's identity. News of the prince's appearance spread without wings. Crowds of spectators kept pouring in from all parts of the city until the public security forces were overwhelmed.

For safety's sake, Thales and his party had no choice but to change their route, switch locations, even change their appearance and hide their identities, entering Jade City in a low-key manner.

"Like thieves," Doyle had commented.

Clearly, the stone roads of the Queen of Cities were not especially wide, and its districts did not have the broad, square grandeur of Eternal Star City. But it was clean, orderly, and reasonably arranged. Houses and squares stood in a pleasing pattern. Pedestrians came and went, carriages hurried along, workshops bustled nonstop, and haggling rose and fell inside the shops.

"This is the price. It only rose by two coppers compared with last week. Stars' Midier coppers, not Tyron alloy copper coins! When loading the goods, remember to remind the escort on the ship. Don't get cheated once you reach the Tyron Trade Federation..."

"Be careful with the work in your hands. This batch of orders is for Longsong City. The Anlenzo people's standards are the strictest, but who told them to pay so much..."

"Good, the heat is enough. Yes, now try melting in a little bit of mithril crystal... Less! With that much, are you trying to bankrupt me?"

"Urgent delivery! Urgent delivery! Eight crates of processed iron materials, to be sent to Old Grave Street in the New Suburb District before the end of today! The workers need them to build frames for the Emerald Celebration. Priority delivery!"

"The celebration is here. We'll stop work and take the holiday tomorrow. Today, you two come with me to the Gilding District and deposit the remaining profit as exchange notes..."

Everyone was busy earning a living. No one had much energy to pay attention to anything else, such as whether a prince of Stars had suddenly appeared on this workshop-filled street.

"The street you are on..." Cacqueray tried to say something else to ease the awkwardness, but he was interrupted the moment he opened his mouth.

"This is the Craftsmen District, Your Highness. Although Jade City is prosperous in trade, as you can see, raw materials alone aren't enough. They have to be turned into usable goods before they can be sold. That is why all kinds of workshops and factories gather here and operate day and night."

Dagori, who was also following behind the prince, began introducing Jade City with great familiarity and enthusiasm, as though he were the local host.

"That direction is the Canal District, full of docks. The transport routes to everywhere, including Archsea City, are all there. Sailors, trackers, and laborers fill the place, along with many warehouses and trading houses. Next to it is the Gilding District. Quite a few merchant associations and guilds rent land there, including private treasuries and pawnshops. Many wealthy people live there too.

"The Knights District is where the city management office and barracks are. Don't provoke the soldiers if you can help it. The Goddess District has Jade City's Sunset Temple, hence the name. But what it is most famous for are its schools of various crafts, along with studios belonging to performers, painters, sculptors, and the like. You may free your artistic imagination to your heart's content there.

"The Iris District, because besides being rich, a city should also learn how to enjoy itself. There are theaters, teahouses, bars, casinos, everything you could want. Oh, the Temple of the Night is also there. Their plays are much better than the ones in Eternal Star City. Very competitive.

"The Glory District is the old city. A long time ago, after entering the city, people would gather there to set up markets, so it became a market for all sorts of sundries. That way is the New Suburb District. As Jade City expanded, the outer areas became more complicated..."

"Of course, the center and highest point of the city is still Emerald Palace, where the Covendier family has lived for generations. The administrative hall, trial hall, warning hall, and notary office are all inside. That place is..."

"Wait." Thales suddenly interrupted Dagori. "You mean these public offices and workplaces are all inside Emerald Palace? Inside Duke Zayen's palace?"

"I know, Your Highness. Rare, isn't it?" Dagori's brows danced with excitement. "Of all the great cities I have visited, Eternal Star City, Glacier City, Cold Castle, Radiant Harbor, High Forest, Blade Fief, Wasteland Ruins, even Sword Lake City, Vine City, and the Republic of Revol farther away... only Jade City is like this. In other places, the lord's castle is always a steep and defensible place, either strictly separated from other districts or simply built outside the suburbs, with its own farms and manors. How could it share roads with commoners?"

Thales sank into thought.

"That is true. Star Lake Castle is beside Star Lake, and even the nearest town is quite a distance away."

"That belongs to the grace of the previous old duke," said Cacqueray, the true local, finally finding a chance to cut in with equal enthusiasm. "It is said that when he was young, he pitied his subordinates. He saw that different departments had offices too far apart, and officials of every rank and every household circumstance had to rush back and forth, exhausted. So he overruled all objections, opened the palace gates, and provided the estates and buildings outside the main palace to the city's offices for their use. For this, he even leveled several plots of land that could have been rented out or farmed by the family."

Thales's expression darkened as he listened.

"Did that... work?" Miranda asked with a frown.

"Of course it worked! First, this is the lord's fortress. It has its own majesty. You only need to raise your head to see the duke's room, and you can see Covendier guards every day. Anyone who comes here, whether to handle affairs, file complaints, or stand trial, whether they are rich as kings or noble as the heavens, who would dare be unruly? Second, to work inside Emerald Palace, what an honor that is. The officials naturally feel grateful and serve with even greater devotion. The old duke won the people's hearts because of this," Cacqueray said confidently, proud by association.

"In other words, in Jade City, many people enter and leave Emerald Palace every day?" Wya asked, puzzled.

"Yes, but only the outer areas and first level. The main palace is still forbidden to outsiders. Of course, Your Highness, that is where you are going."

"Wouldn't that create security problems?" Miranda questioned.

"My lady, please rest assured. Especially during a major festival like Queen's Day, let alone Emerald Palace, every single person entering Jade City and every single item of goods undergoes strict registration. I guarantee that not even an extra kitchen knife can be brought in..."

"And Jade City's laws and regulations are extremely strict and detailed," Dagori hurriedly inserted when he saw an opening. "Punishments range from fines and imprisonment to exile and execution. Not only inside the city, but the surrounding canals, ports, post roads, and relay stations are all protected by Jade City law. As for serious crimes like theft, robbery, and fraud, there is even less need to mention them. As long as it happens within the South Coast, even if the culprit flees to the border, they will be captured and brought back for judgment."

"Then it seems the only way is to rob someone and run, fleeing out of the South Coast overnight," Doyle said carelessly. Then his expression froze. "What? Why is everyone looking at me?"

"I can see it. This city is orderly and well-regulated. That shows the care of its rulers."

Thinking of Eternal Star City's three Lower City districts, then Dragon Clouds City's Shield District and Bow District, Thales could not help sighing.

"Does the Emerald Celebration on Queen's Day draw this many people every year?"

"Of course, Your Highness, of course. This is the famous signboard of Jade City. It is the most important festival of the year," Cacqueray said with complicated feelings. "A full seven days of celebration. From foreign dignitaries to traveling merchants and common people, guests gather from the four corners and the Seven Seas. Every year, the inns and relay stations in the surrounding towns are packed full. Fortunately, Jade City has been expanding and opening new land. And every celebration week is the time when Jade City faces the greatest pressure on public security. All kinds of people are mixed together. Our warning hall and the Jade Legion certainly have to work day and night. And this year is even more unfortunate. More people have come than in any previous year..."

Cacqueray quickly shut his mouth and nervously looked toward His Highness.

"I know. Because of me?" Thales was calm.

Cacqueray nodded awkwardly.

"Well, Your Highness attending the Emerald Celebration is naturally an honor for us South Coasters. Your reputation is quite high, so everyone came eagerly..."

"So, just to celebrate a festival," Doyle said, baffled, "Jade City willingly tortures itself like this? Is it worth it?"

"Of course it would not be worth it, my lord. That is why the Emerald Celebration means more than that."

Dagori seized the chance to speak.

"For those of us in business, it is also very important, Your Highness. You may think of the Emerald Celebration as a grand market, allowing many merchants with big businesses in hand to gather in one place and seek new opportunities. It is just that its total amount, categories, and scope far exceed most markets in the world. Many transoceanic, bulk, and regular trades are negotiated during this period. Countless sums of money and goods decide their future direction in this one week."

Thales nodded.

"And this benefits Jade City's development, correct?"

"Naturally. Their tax revenue from all kinds of transactions, especially maritime trade, is substantial. There is also the secondary value extended after these transactions, followed by a whole chain of later trades. They can use this to attract entrepot trade and raise the status of their ports. They can even grasp the price trends of bulk resources, gather merchants of the same trade, form industry guilds and associations in Jade City, occupy the mainstream position in an industry, seize the right to speak, even monopolize it... In short, after the Bloody Year, the territories directly under the Covendiers, especially their port towns, became richer and richer. Jade City, Archsea City, Windchime Town, Blazing Sun Town... some grow rich from fine industry, some from transfer trade, and together with the mithril crystal mines they already had, tsk, tsk, tsk..."

Understood. Zayen was very rich.

Thales had already been reminded countless times.

He sighed inwardly.

If not for that, the king probably would not have sent him here.

"That is why Jade City's laws and regulations are so strict and detailed, why its law enforcement range is so wide, and why even the lord's palace is used as endorsement to increase the authority of law enforcement," Miranda said. "Because it can guarantee the safety of every merchant's life and property here and ensure the smoothness and stability of their transactions, so many merchants are willing to come here during the Emerald Celebration to seek opportunities, and then treat this place as the best trade transit point."

Cacqueray and Dagori turned at the same time. Seeing that the speaker was this young woman, they could not help feeling surprised.

Miranda looked at the busy, prosperous street and felt conflicted.

After all, this place was not a military fortress.

"But I heard Priestess Megan say," Wya hesitated, "'You should be cold to merchants and kind to farmers.'"

"Eh, if Sunset were truly cold to merchants, who would bring farm tools to the farmers? You cannot expect them to make all their pots, bowls, ladles, and basins themselves, can you?" Dagori waved his hand. "And I heard that in this parish of Jade City, the clergy of the Sunset Church are in charge, and they have a deeper interpretation of doctrine..."

When they reached an intersection and Cacqueray left to arrange guidance ahead, Thales summoned Dagori to his side and asked in a low voice.

"Dagori, I have a question. Since public security in Jade City is so good, if I want to do something here that is inconvenient for the authorities to know about, whom should I look for?"

Dagori was startled.

"Uh, about that, Your Highness, the situation in the South Coast is different from other parts of the kingdom." The wine merchant chuckled. "Even the gangs here have to obey the law. They cannot do whatever evil they please..."

Thales narrowed his eyes.

"Is that so? Then your use to me really is only as a guide?"

The prince's gaze made Dagori's heart tighten.

"...But if we must speak of it, it is not as if there are no options," Dagori instantly changed his tune. "It should be said that in Jade City, even doing wrong is a business. Only within the scope allowed by the rules can you use gray methods."

Dagori glanced around, coughed, and leaned closer to Thales.

"In Jade City, whether it is the Blood Bottle Gang or the Brotherhood, their leaders are familiar with the authorities."

"The Blood Bottle Gang and the Brotherhood? Here?" Thales frowned.

"Yes. But as I said, the rules here are different from the capital. They at least have an understanding. Although they are enemies, they rarely fight large-scale battles. At least not inside the city. They know what can and cannot be touched, what can be done in the city, what can only be done outside the city, what can be done by themselves, and what must be reported to everyone before it is done. These understandings are not just about territory, but about spheres of interest. For example, the Brotherhood's 'Head Wolf,' Razanchi Fesol, is running his 'refreshing health supplement' business..."

"You mean drugs?"

Dagori's expression changed.

"They do not use that word here, Your Highness. It sounds bad, and it does not conform to kingdom law or Jade City law... In short, Fesol is rooted in the New Suburb District and North Gate Bridge. He understands the trade, understands Jade City's rules, and follows them very well. He never steals, robs, abducts, or cheats. At least not too excessively. He does not block the authorities' money path. He does relatively, as you said, 'mutually willing' businesses like 'refreshing health supplements,' and he does it quietly in the dark, controlling quality and quantity. Because of this, he integrated into this place over the last ten years.

"In addition, the Blood Bottle Gang has also been entrenched here for a long time. They are in the Canal District and have very good relationships with several major guilds and commercial associations, even the warning hall. Earning money is naturally much easier for them. Most of the time, they take money to handle matters, and someone wipes their backside afterward. As long as they do not harm Jade City, even the warning officers have to give them some face. The person in charge here used to be 'Phantom Blade' Catherine. A few years ago she went to the capital, and the one handling things became 'Wanderer' Fogg. How should I put it? He is, uh, not very content with the status quo, and does not follow convention very much. I heard several major guilds are a little annoyed with him."

Head Wolf Fesol. Phantom Blade Catherine.

Thales narrowed his eyes.

"That's it? Nothing else?"

"Well, Jade City's security is strict. Other than them, most petty thieves and small groups cannot form any real strength and do not dare handle big business..."

Thales sneered and repeated:

"I said, that's it?"

Dagori took several seconds to understand what the prince meant. He hesitated for a while, then squeezed out an ugly smile.

"Then, then... yes. Though this lowly one lacks ability, I do have some connections I can speak to in the New Suburb District and Canal District. So, heh, if Your Highness has anything inconvenient, you may have this lowly one ask some friends to do it on your behalf... Of course, all legal. I mean, at least not illegal. Hm, not entirely illegal. Or not seriously illegal."

Only then did Thales nod.

Then that handkerchief had not been given away for nothing.

"Mr. Dagori? I have a question," Miranda said as she approached them. "Since Jade City must ensure its security and order remain stable enough, it has to hire many warning officers to maintain order inside the city. But as you said, what about the traffic routes outside the city? Surely one cannot be robbed clean the moment one leaves Jade City, whether by bandits or tyrannical noble wastrels, with nowhere to complain?

"Also, if Jade City's boundaries expand every year and the city walls are practically useless, how does it guard against foreign enemies? It is also so wealthy, with rich merchants and nobles passing through without end. What if bandits appear in the territory? Every time a band appears, does the duke summon everyone to take up weapons and go fight them?"

Miranda's question drew everyone's attention. Dagori sensed the focus and his eyes lit up.

"The lady beside His Highness asks an excellent question.

"After the South Coast became rich, its security problems troubled the old duke for a long time. Although it did not directly face the fires of the Bloody Year, after the war, Kessel pirates used the opportunity to plunder at sea. Scattered bandits and deserters also roared in from other places. And after the South Coast responded to the kingdom's conscription order to resist Eckstedt in the north, the territory's strength was badly damaged, and the duke temporarily exempted many vassals from military obligations."

He rubbed his hands together and pointed at a squad of knights passing in the distance. They were well-equipped and fully armed.

"So, with no soldiers in hand, the old duke had no choice but to invite different mercenaries from the Kessel Archipelago, the Great Desert, and even across the End Sea, meaning the Eastern Continent. On one hand, he had them patrol the territory and keep the land peaceful. On the other hand, he had them watch one another."

Mercenaries.

Thales thought of his experiences in the Great Desert and frowned.

"But were they not afraid the mercenaries would rebel?" the duke could not help asking. "In war, there are countless examples throughout history of foreign mercenaries becoming greedy or resentful, even being bought by the enemy, and turning around to wipe out their employer."

Everyone nodded, their faces doubtful.

But Dagori smiled mysteriously and raised a finger.

"That is where the old duke was brilliant.

"First, he knew that mercenary leaders were businessmen in the end, only selling violence. So when negotiating, the old duke gathered the major leaders and told them he would give them an astronomical hiring fee to keep the roads around Jade City open for one year and keep the territory secure."

"Astronomical? How much? Ten thousand Tor? Twenty thousand? Fifty? Eighty?" Doyle's eyes brightened.

"None of those." Dagori shook his head. "The old duke called in his treasurer and showed the mercenary leaders the financial report for that year. While their jaws dropped, he told them that the hiring fee they would receive would be a percentage of the next year's fiscal income of Jade City and its surrounding territories."

The surrounding people instantly fell quiet.

"How much? What percentage?" Doyle could not help asking.

"No one knows. That number remains a mystery to this day. There are all sorts of claims. But it is said that the figure was so large many thought the duke had gone mad, and his treasurer objected fiercely on the spot, even threatening to resign."

"What?" Thales frowned.

"But the old duke continued negotiating. He also had conditions," Dagori said. "He required the mercenaries carrying out the mission to bring their families with them during the assignment. He could assign them houses, even fields and land, for residence. He even gave them discounts on transactions in the city. As long as they completed the road defense mission, they could renew the contract when the term ended. As for whether they wanted to leave or stay, that was entirely up to them. If there were other bandit-suppression missions midway, bonuses and spoils would be calculated separately."

"This, this..." Miranda was somewhat surprised.

"And the old duke did not rely only on enticement." Dagori raised his finger, his gaze sharpening. "It is said he also reminded those leaders that the Covendiers would rather decline because of friends than perish because of enemies. Since Jade City's yearly income was like this, however much he could take out today to hire these people to guard his home, he could take out the same tomorrow to hire others to hunt them down. Across the ends of the world, from heaven to the Prison River, as long as even one member of the Iris Family still lived, as long as the Kingdom of Stars still had their allies, those words would stand."

Everyone felt a chill as they listened.

"After deep consideration, many refused. But in the end, three mercenary companies accepted the contract. Some say there were four, and that the fourth was hired secretly by the duke as a backup means to monitor the first three and prevent change.

"Even so, the three mercenary companies had enough people. They took the deposit, were promised an astronomical fee, and just like that patrolled and trained across the mountains and plains around Jade City, fighting bandits and hunting robbers for an entire year. The duke correspondingly established strict laws to suppress robbers. It is said that even if you picked up one copper coin on the road, you had to hand it over voluntarily, or you would be suspected of being a thief or bandit. So even the fiercest robbers, once they came to Jade City, had no choice but to become law-abiding citizens.

"The second year, the third year... everyone thought the old duke was mad. They said that if this continued, no matter how rich the Covendiers were, their finances would collapse sooner or later," Dagori cleared his throat. "But later, many mercenaries earned enough, so they did not renew their contracts or even retired. However, many of their families were still here. So those planning to retire often stayed and became people of Jade City. By the sixth or seventh year, the number of mercenaries had fallen to a certain level, and the original mercenary leaders had also retired. The old duke renegotiated their contract.

"He kept the officers of the original mercenaries, reorganized the three mercenary companies into one force, then offered a long-term contract. He paid every soldier a fixed sum regularly, letting them serve the Covendier family and Jade City for the long term and maintain peace in the surrounding area. To make up the numbers, the old duke also allowed them to recruit soldiers locally. With houses and land, no great wars to fight, and no distant expeditions, is that not better than running east and west in fear? That is how the Jade Legion was established. Look, those mounted patrolmen on the street are them. They entered the city to support the Emerald Celebration. Don't they look more impressive than warning officers?"

Thales's heart stirred.

"So because of this, the South Coast almost abolished the conscript system?"

Dagori narrowed his eyes and thought.

"It cannot be called abolished. There are still individual lords who forcibly conscript military service and labor service."

So at the National Conference years ago, when the king demanded that the nobles send troops, Zayen could not even produce two thousand conscripts.

Thales sank into thought.

"And although the Jade Legion is a little small, this way the men in the territory do not have to perform compulsory labor or military service for the lord. It does not affect farming or production. That is wonderful. If they truly want to become soldiers, then they can go to the Jade Legion. Isn't that much better than the old days of conscription?"

Miranda could not help speaking.

"Hiring foreign soldiers for so many years. Has there really never been any problem?"

"I heard that at first, everyone had this worry, and merchants did not dare come for a while," Dagori said. "But later it proved that one full meal or full meals every day, even crude mercenaries could tell the difference."

Wya suddenly had an idea as he listened.

"Wait, isn't this a little like, like, like that..."

"The Royal Standing Army." Thales lifted his head and stared somewhat dazedly at those green-armored knights in the distance.

"In fact, the predecessor of the Standing Army was also, a hundred years ago... a mercenary company."

Everyone understood all at once, then fell into thought.

At that moment, standing on the streets of Jade City, Thales suddenly understood why, after the Northland and the Western Desert, he had been made to come to the South Coast.

This place was far more complicated than the Queen of Cities he had heard rumors about in the capital.

"They are still incomparable," Dagori smiled shyly. "The Jade Legion, the Jade Legion. Although it has that name, at best it is a local security force. The Royal Standing Army is an elite force forged in the Bloody Year, with picked troops recruited from all over the kingdom, well-equipped and well-trained, and it is led by three great commanders. Oh, of course, there is also the wise guidance of the Jadestar royal family..."

"Trained soldiers," Thales murmured, "are not the equal of soldiers long used to war."

Dagori nodded.

"So, the green hats are basically a replacement for conscripts..."

Hearing this, Thales could not help frowning.

"Wait. What hats?"

Dagori eagerly leaned closer and pointed out more and more Jade Legion knights in the distance.

"Look, their clothing colors are all emerald green. And look at those hats. Heh, with that, would their nickname not be green hats?"

Thales's face darkened. He stayed silent for quite a while.

"I see. So everyone in this legion was given a green hat by Zayen?"

"Oh, this was not Duke Zayen's achievement, though he is also very wise." Dagori chuckled. "The old duke I mentioned was the late Lord Leinster."

"You mean Duke Zayen's father," Thales murmured, "Leinster Covendier?"

"Of course, Your Highness. The old duke was wise, generous, and benevolent. During his rule, he governed the South Coast in perfect order. Everyone remembers his kindness." At this point, Dagori sighed. "Unfortunately, good people are always envied..."

Leinster.

Leinster Covendier.

Thales looked at the bright, clean street and thought of this previous Duke of Covendier, who had died nearly ten years ago. He could not help frowning.

Hm?

Wait.

Thales suddenly sensed that something was wrong.

Those Jade Legion people...

Why were there more and more of them?

And why were they getting closer and closer?

Just then.

"Star Lake, alert!"

Mallos's roar came from ahead.

This time, his tone was severe, far beyond when that young earl had charged at the checkpoint earlier.

Thales had only just shown surprise when the Star Lake Guards, drilled countless times in Star Lake Castle, instinctively acted. The guards hidden in the crowd rapidly gathered beside Thales and formed ranks, greatly startling the pedestrians on the street. Glover appeared from who knew where and, together with Wya, blocked Thales tightly.

"Be careful, Your Highness... Your, Your Highness, no, no! Stop struggling. This is a necessary protective measure!"

But Thales soon did not need to be surprised.

Clatter, clatter, clatter...

With neat and powerful hoofbeats, the green-armored knights in the distance gathered from scattered groups into a formation, urged their horses onto the main street of the Craftsmen District, and charged toward them.

"Those are the green, green hats?" Dagori cried out in alarm.

Clatter, clatter...

The hoofbeats continued. The Jade Legion did not stop. Instead, they swept around from both sides and surrounded the Star Lake Guards tightly.

What was going on?

"Halt!" Mallos's angry shout rang out.

Thales forced Glover's arm aside and looked forward.

"Name yourselves!"

Under Mallos's command, among the green hats, the Jade Legion, a leading green-armored knight urged his horse out from the crowd. His expression was cold, but his gaze was frightening.

"I am a knight ennobled by the kingdom, Captain Cecil of the Jade Legion."

Cecil spoke loudly, drawing the attention of the pedestrians on the entire street.

"By the command of His Grace Zayen Covendier, the noble Guardian Duke of the South Coast of the Kingdom of Stars and lord of Jade City, I have come to support our colleagues of the Canal District warning hall in their law enforcement action!"

Inside the Star Lake Guards' formation, Mallos lifted his hood and stepped forward alone, refusing to yield.

"There is no law here for you to enforce. Unless it is the law of death."

Mallos and Cecil's gazes met in the air.

The latter sneered and reined his horse back.

Only then did everyone relax.

But in the next second, at the instant Cecil turned his head, he drew his sword from horseback. The sword light flashed, and killing intent overflowed.

In that instant, Thales's whole body tightened. The Sin of Hell's River came uninvited, making him subconsciously want to raise his arm to block.

"Sir!"

Behind Mallos, Toledo roared angrily and drew his blade, only to be firmly held back by Mallos.

Everyone from Star Lake Castle felt their hearts tighten.

Cecil's sword tip stopped between Mallos's eyes, only a hair's breadth away, steady beyond expectation.

On the street, the watching crowd burst into an uproar.

"That knight." Miranda found that she had drawn her sword without realizing it. She gritted her teeth. "From that distance, he could still make us so tense. He is... not weak."

Thales pacified the burning Sin of Hell's River. When he looked back, he discovered Glover, Wya, Ralf, and even Doyle all had solemn expressions. Everyone had subconsciously drawn their weapons.

"Damn it. I felt that sword was coming at me..." Wya said through clenched teeth.

"But little Tomond... Lord Mallos bore the brunt of it..."

Doyle looked incredulously at Mallos, who did not move an inch before the sword edge, his expression calm.

"Looks like he really has something."

So this was...

Miranda stared fixedly at Mallos.

The strength of the Dread Blade?

At that moment.

"Captain Cecil! Knight Cecil! Wait! Wait!"

Thales's security officer, Cacqueray, brought a squad of warning officers and almost crawled out through the crowd.

"This, this is a misunderstanding! A misunderstanding!"

His face was deathly pale. He did not dare approach the murderous Cecil and Mallos, and could only wave both hands from the side.

"This is the honored guest of Jade City and Duke Zayen, His noble Highness Thales Jadestar, Duke of Star Lake!"

As soon as these words came out, the people on the entire street exploded into noise.

But Cecil remained unmoved.

He only stared fixedly at Mallos. The sword in his hand did not tremble in the slightest.

The Watchman of the Royal Guards looked back at him just as coldly, despite his dangerous position. If his foot slipped, the sword edge might pierce through his brain.

"Knight Cecil, please, please..." Cacqueray was almost begging.

After several seconds, Cecil finally withdrew the killing intent from his eyes and instantly sheathed his sword.

Only then did everyone let out a long breath and put away their weapons.

Cacqueray was the most relieved among them. He gulped air and almost collapsed to the ground from fright.

"You did not draw your sword," Cecil said coldly. "Why?"

Mallos looked at the opponent on horseback. After several seconds, he closed his eyes and exhaled deeply.

"Because..."

The Watchman lifted his head openly and smiled politely.

"There was no time."

The moment those words left his mouth, everyone froze.

What?

Even Cecil stiffened for an instant.

"I see." The captain of the Jade Legion was silent for a while, then accurately looked in Thales's direction and bowed from horseback. "Forgive me for failing to recognize you and offending you, Your Highness."

Thales looked at Cecil and frowned, but did not answer.

He seemed to have figured out what trick Zayen was playing.

Sure enough, in the next second, Cecil turned his horse, his expression stern.

"Dagori Moss!"

At the name, the Star Lake Guards all turned and revealed the wine merchant hidden behind the group. Dagori stood in place, dumb as a wooden chicken.

"After a report from the Wine Merchants' Guild, the Canal District warning hall discovered that you are burdened with accusations of multiple crimes in other places, including but not limited to withholding wages, defaulting on payments, overdue debts, and breach of contract. Among them is even a murder case!"

Cecil spoke coldly. The contents of his words excited the watching crowd on the street even more.

Not good.

Thales's face tensed as he looked at Dagori.

When the Secret Intelligence Department developed him into an informant, did they not pay attention to his past? Raphael had clearly used these things to threaten him, hadn't he?

Dagori reacted. He shook his head desperately in panic.

"Your Highness Thales, I, no..."

The people of Star Lake Castle were also startled and uncertain. Their gazes moved between the wine merchant and the prince.

But Thales clenched his teeth and said nothing.

Cecil slowly raised his head and looked toward Dagori.

"So, you are that wine merchant... I heard from my colleagues in the warning hall that you found yourself a powerful patron to shelter your crimes?"

His tone shifted.

"Or are your crimes themselves committed under another person's instruction?"

A powerful patron.

Thales looked at the spectators filling the street and sighed inwardly.

Damn it, Zayen.

I fell into your trap again.

Dagori looked at Cecil in disbelief.

"No, Captain Cecil. Duke Zayen, he..."

But Cecil's words were stern, allowing no rebuttal.

"Listen well! Jade City and the South Coast may be distant and remote, but they are still the territory of the Kingdom of Stars. We remain blessed and illuminated by Sunset and honor the rule of His Majesty Kessel Jadestar!"

"This is no lawless land!"

"No matter whose party you stand in, and no matter whose protection you have sought!"

Dagori seemed to understand something. His whole body trembled, and he collapsed weakly to the ground.

"For law and justice, the Jade Legion will arrest you here."

Cecil spoke, but his gaze pressed straight toward Thales.

The feeling was no better than being pointed at by a sword.

"Now, does anyone intend to obstruct us?"