Chapter 703: Misdirection

"At that time, my uncle was still the Honorary Viscount of Archsea City. To Emerald Palace, that title was much like the Duke of Star Lake to Renaissance Palace: a position of special importance, prominent and weighty."

Amid the thunderous cheers, Zayen sat in the stands, applauding as he nodded toward a smug vassal on a neighboring platform. The warrior sponsored by that vassal had just won.

"Like the Duke of Star Lake?"

Thales also clapped for the victor. He spoke with a smile, appearing to outsiders as if he were merely chatting with the Duke of South Coast. "That special?"

Hilley glanced at him, as though she felt he was being insufficiently modest.

"My father once relied on my uncle as his right-hand man and entrusted him with political affairs. You can imagine the trust Sonar once enjoyed, his position within the family, the power and energy he possessed," Zayen said, pausing amid the cheers, "and his weight in the hearts of Jade City and even the South Coast."

And his weight in Father's heart.

Zayen added silently.

"Let us welcome Bischoff's opponent for this round: the Heaven-Blessed Battlewoman from Red Earth! Warrior Dorsalan! The time to place your bets has arrived!"

Another duel began. A strong female warrior named Dorsalan, a rare sight in itself, stepped into the field. The spectators erupted.

So Sonar was once deeply trusted, powerful enough to influence the court...

Thales was thinking this over when the drums and music announcing the start of the fight interrupted him.

After several successive bouts, the contestants who remained in the selection meeting grew stronger with each round. The bloodshed and intensity rose sharply, but Thales had long since grown weary of it. He had to force himself to look as though he was enjoying the spectacle, endure scenes of cruelty and blood that somehow always drew louder cheers, and, beyond all that, worry about the future of Jade City.

By contrast, Zayen, who was the focus of the entire arena, maintained a proper posture and a friendly smile from beginning to end. From time to time, he applauded, cheered, or called for bets. Depending on the course and result of each fight, he displayed expectation, excitement, pleasure, regret, surprise, and every other fitting emotion at exactly the proper moment. He also had to interact with vassals and guests in different stands. Whenever the host mentioned him, such as, "Look at that astonishing backhand thrust! Even Duke Zayen cannot stop praising it!" he had to rise and respond to the crowd.

Every gesture displayed the Duke of South Coast's interest in and concern for the selection meeting, which made many spectators, who had come precisely for the brutal fights, relax further and immerse themselves even more recklessly in their hobby.

Such self-cultivation was beyond Thales. He could only sigh in admiration.

"I remember Uncle Sonar was very stern with outsiders. Many people feared him," Hilley suddenly said, her voice filled with feeling. "But he never once scolded me. On the contrary, he treated me very well, almost like his own daughter. Sometimes he was even better to me than Father was. Perhaps because he had no daughter of his own."

Thales instinctively turned his eyes toward her. Zayen frowned deeply.

"When I got into trouble and offended the Karabeyan sisters because of my 'improper behavior,'" Hilley said, lost in memory, "it was Uncle who rushed back to stand up for me. He confronted Lady Karabeyan over it and even had a huge argument with Father."

"But he neither stopped you from being sent to the temple for your 'education,' nor persuaded Father not to marry you into the Pintor family," Zayen said, casting his sister a glance. "It was only posturing."

"Of course. That was... the past." Hilley noticed her brother's look and returned a meaningful smile.

Thales took in the exchange between them.

"He also supported me greatly. When I traveled to study in the East Continent, I often corresponded with him and relied on his network," Zayen coughed, his tone becoming serious. "So when Father was unfortunately murdered ten years ago, no, it has already been eleven years, and the suspect turned out to be my uncle, the entire South Coast and even the Kingdom of Stars were shaken."

Zayen and Hilley were silent for a while.

"Look! How dangerous!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

In the arena, the female warrior fought with overwhelming momentum, driving her clumsy black-armored opponent into disorder. Victory seemed close at hand. The cheers from the stands grew increasingly frenzied and rhythmic.

"If Viscount Sonar was so close to your father, so deeply trusted, almost the duke's deputy, then why would he..." Thales asked tentatively.

Zayen snorted.

"If I followed the official line and told you my uncle coveted the dukedom, I suppose you would not believe it?"

"Not necessarily," Thales said, choosing his words. "But what I have experienced over the years has taught me that people are complicated."

"It was a political disagreement," Hilley sighed.

Thales' eyes shifted.

The duke nodded, his gaze complicated. "Even brothers who share the same blood and wear the same family crest become different once the retainers standing behind them differ. Emotion gives way to reason, and blood cannot overcome interest."

As Thales listened, his thoughts drifted slightly. He remembered the words of Falkenhaus and King Kessel.

When your vassals and subordinates are roused, when the crowd's will is high, you who stand before the wave have few choices other than to drift with it.

If you perform too well, conceal yourself too deeply, convince everyone, and successfully become the savior of the nobles and the hope of the vassals, then those deceived into supporting you will gather into a rolling wave. With reputation, stance, faction, interest, connection, circumstance, and everything else, they will sweep you forward. They will not allow you to argue, will not allow you control, and will not allow you to regret. They will love you more than they hate me.

"I was still young then. I had a bad temper, disliked seeing outsiders, and paid little attention to those things, so I do not remember many details," Hilley said, shaking her head, her expression tense. "But Father and Uncle Sonar never brought outside matters home. They never once flushed with anger or quarreled at the dining table, in front of family."

"That was the problem," Zayen interrupted coldly.

Thales and Hilley both looked at the duke. His gaze had changed.

"Mother once said that compared to family, only guests never quarrel at the dining table."

Hilley frowned deeply.

"If that is the case, then His Majesty and I are truly father and son."

Zayen and Hilley both turned to the prince.

"Never mind. Just something I said casually." Thales coughed. "So?"

"So afterward, it happened," Zayen said, quickening his pace as if unwilling to dwell on it. "Although Father failed to avoid disaster, he had foreseen danger before his death and had prepared in advance. The moment the incident occurred, the Jade Legion arrested Sonar and his party. By the time I returned to Jade City from thousands of miles away, the case was nearly settled."

"In the end, Uncle Sonar confessed to the crime and committed suicide in prison. His followers scattered and were brought to justice one after another."

Hilley's expression was tight. She stared fixedly at the duel in the field.

"That fast?" Thales' eyes moved. "Even before you returned to Jade City?"

"To be precise, before the central royal family could send envoys to Jade City," Zayen said calmly. "I think some things need not be stated too clearly."

Thales' heart tightened.

He suddenly remembered something Duke Koshder, the one-eyed dragon of Cliffland, had said long ago before Thales left for Eckstedt.

He even wants to interfere in the succession of the six great houses and the thirteen distinguished families... Even in the Covendier internal strife two years ago, his shadow was there.

"Moreover, Jade City has complete institutions and its own laws," Zayen said steadily. "The matter involved the private affairs of the Iris family. To avoid suspicion, and even more to calm the people, Sonar's case of fratricide and rebellion was handed to the city offices. Jeff Rene was then the chief of the Canal District Security Hall, known for impartial conduct and few omissions. Srimanny was a capable man under him. Back then, both participated in the case."

Thales and Hilley exchanged a glance.

"Ah. So that is the reason."

Zayen continued.

"There was also Security Officer Kaquere, who was murdered this morning. Eleven years ago, when my uncle was imprisoned, he was one of the prison guards. I suspect the enemy has a revenge list and is crossing names off one by one."

"What about the others? The wine merchant? And the wool merchant?" Hilley pressed.

Zayen shook his head. "Before his fall, Uncle Sonar held a special and important rank. He was once in charge of Jade City and South Coast's intelligence merchants, secret account revenue and expenses, and even the monitoring of civil organizations, such as the Blood Bottle Gang."

Hilley's expression changed.

"Dagori Moss, and Diop?"

"They both once served Sonar," Zayen nodded. "Although they were small people at the time. Uncle may not even have remembered them."

"Wait. They were all once your uncle's subordinates, yet you still trusted and used them until now?" Thales found it hard to believe.

"Uncle Sonar's relationships and contacts throughout the South Coast were intertwined like roots. Even Ashford once handled matters for him under Father's instruction. If I purged every person who had ever bowed to Sonar or reported to him, then all of Jade City would have no one left to use."

At this point, Zayen leaned forward and applauded warmly for an attack from one of the fighters below. Thales could only lean forward as well, pretending to watch the match with excitement while trying hard to hear Zayen through the cheering.

"Moreover, among those who served my uncle back then, Moss and Diop had only recently been recruited. They were already among the least involved. That was why, after the great rebellion case, they could still be promoted and reach their positions today."

Thales reacted and picked up the thread.

"So they can be considered beneficiaries who rose only after Sonar's fall?"

"Or defectors," Hilley said with certainty. "Perhaps that put them on the revenge list."

Thales narrowed his eyes.

Then Wya's guess was correct. Rene, Srimanny, Kaquere, including young Bolwin, who was implicated by his father, had indeed been targeted because of the same incident. Sonar's old rebel followers had returned to avenge their lord?

"But it is far more than that."

Zayen's face was cold as he watched a contestant in the field get knocked down hard.

"The wine merchant Moss was one of our intelligence merchants stationed outside. His death alone would not matter much, but if news spread that he died in a rebel's revenge, his peers would inevitably be terrified. Diop managed secret account revenue and expenses. The dirty work entrusted by the city's nobles and powerful figures to groups such as the Blood Bottle Gang passed through him as an intermediary. If he died violently, then from high nobles and officials down to gangs and civil groups, suspicion would grow."

Thales' eyes shifted.

Zayen grew more solemn the more he spoke.

"As for Rene and Srimanny, both once worked in the Security Hall. The latter was even a defense lawyer who argued countless major cases and had wider connections, involving many parties. Their strange murders would draw more attention and concern. Kaquere is even more obvious. He was a special security officer dispatched by Emerald Palace and responsible for the prince's security. If his corpse were exposed in the street during the Emerald Celebration, Jade City's official prestige would suffer a serious blow."

"In short, these targets were positioned in different parts of Jade City, each with their own duties and weight. If the enemy wants to incite the public and stir panic under the name of rebel revenge, choosing them is undoubtedly the most efficient method."

Rebel revenge, inciting the public, stirring panic...

Thales sank into thought, vaguely feeling that something was wrong.

"Do not forget the Blood Bottle Gang," Hilley said with a frown.

"Correct," Zayen said cautiously. "If they succeed, at best they will affect the city's operation. At worst, they will shake the Iris family's rule."

"The Emerald Celebration welcomes guests from everywhere. They can use revenge to spread panic at just the right time... You should have told us earlier." Hilley's expression was grave.

"I should be the one saying that," Zayen said sternly. "And you, my dear sister, when did you get involved in this mess?"

"When I was born," Hilley retorted. "Dear brother, why don't you guess my surname?"

"Sorry to interrupt," Thales suddenly said, cutting off the siblings' argument. "But affecting the city's operation and shaking your rule... with only these few targets? Is it really that serious?"

Zayen turned back, his gaze cold. "Only? What, do you hope a few more die?"

Thales raised his eyebrows. "You know that is not what I mean."

Hilley coughed.

"Fine. Perhaps they are not enough by themselves." Zayen glanced at his sister and looked at Thales again. "But what if you are added to the calculation?"

Thales froze.

"Me?"

"Of course. You."

Zayen stared at the duel in the field, which had reached a critical moment. His voice tightened.

"Imagine it. Sonar's rebels, frustrated and hungry for revenge, return and spread slaughter from an outside wine merchant to a wool merchant, from a great defense lawyer to a retired security officer, and then to an active security officer from Emerald Palace. Perhaps there will be more. For a time, public order in Jade City, which sustains a million people, collapses. Nine households in ten close their doors. The Emerald Celebration, through which goods from the Seven Seas flow, withers and suffers heavy losses. Yet the Security Hall is overwhelmed, Emerald Palace is stretched thin, even the gangs in the streets are chaotic and reckless. As for the lofty Duke of Iris, he can only sit in his honored seat and sigh helplessly..."

Hilley frowned. "Brother..."

Zayen ignored her. He looked at Thales with an increasingly cold gaze.

"Over time, the frightened people throughout the city gradually lose their patience and grow resentful. Why should they bear the poison and disaster left behind by the Covendier family years ago? The tormented vassals and subjects, inside and outside the city, will also grow restless and weary. Why should the family hatred and inherited sins of the tricolor iris drag down the entire Jade City?"

As Thales listened, he looked around. The spectators in the major stands were focused, or at least appeared focused, on the fight below. There were nobles and vassals, wealthy merchants, honored guests, and many local citizens. They all waved their arms frantically, shouted encouragement, and immersed themselves in the atmosphere of the selection meeting. Even the people below them had gathered together, seemingly arguing intensely about the outcome of the match.

Except for the three of them.

"And at that moment, our wise and brilliant Duke of Star Lake decisively acts," Zayen continued. "In the name of the Covendier family's incompetence and poor governance, he justly takes over authority, then governs, grants favors, rewards merit, punishes crimes, and ultimately returns Jade City to peace and prosperity. Would that not be the proper time?"

Thales frowned deeply.

The next second, the female warrior in the arena, who had held every advantage and seemed about to win, met an unexpected reversal. Her opponent slipped, fell in heavy armor, and pinned her thigh beneath him. She had neither expected it nor reacted in time. With a cry of pain, she collapsed.

The balance of victory flipped in an instant. The crowd let out disappointed sighs and dissatisfied boos.

Then, amid the cheers, Zayen laughed loudly and rose to applaud.

"A good bet, Palacio! This Bischoff truly is lucky," the duke called loudly, waving toward a vassal in the neighboring stand. "Had I known this, I should have placed a heavy wager with you!"

"This wager was won for you, Your Grace, for your many years of strong support for Jade City's oceanic fisheries! And of course for His Highness Thales as well. Your arrival has added even more glory to the selection meeting!" The vassal stood in the stand, removed his hat, and bowed.

Thales had no choice but to stand with Zayen and nod in response.

But the prince's expression immediately turned bitter. In that stand, Kasha and Qina occupied prominent positions just below Count Lassia.

They smiled at Thales and opened two folding fans, one on the left and one on the right, specially chosen for the selection meeting.

On the left was written: Delighted at the Hunt, Victory in Hand.

On the right was written: A Victorious Start, Determined to Win.

Thales felt dizzy.

It was not until Hilley also stood and smiled like a blooming flower beside Thales that the Karabeyan sisters' expressions changed at the same time. Their gazes abruptly cooled. Both sat down, hid their faces behind their folding fans, and began whispering about something.

"Smile. Keep smiling. Wider. Good. Now pretend to be discussing the match enthusiastically. With me, not Hilley," Zayen said, his smile unchanged as he quietly guided Thales through the public response. "So, have you considered your price?"

"What? Oh, I, uh, I do not bet..."

"That is not what I mean." Zayen sat back down, but his voice suddenly turned cold. "I mean our unfinished conversation at the Banquet of Conflict."

Thales froze.

"When it truly reaches the final moment, what price would make you willing to lend a hand and stop your father, rather than stand aside, or even kick me while I am down?"

"What price?" Hilley turned her head curiously.

But neither Thales nor Zayen paid attention to her. The two exchanged a look.

Several seconds later, when the host began announcing the next duel, Thales finally sighed.

"The problem is not the price, and I do not think..."

But Zayen turned his head and cut him off.

"Moss, Diop, Srimanny, Rene, Kaquere... including the key young Bolwin," the duke said, returning to his usual steady composure. "They used each murder as bait. Aside from disturbing the public mood, their purpose was to draw your attention, to use the old grudge between you and me, to make you pursue the matter to the end, thus inserting yourself into Jade City and rewriting what happened in Eckstedt and the Western Desert. In one stroke, they would pierce the sky over Jade City, just as you did in the Western Desert."

The duke applauded with springlike grace, welcoming the next fight.

"So what price did the Western Desert offer you in exchange for your help?"

Damn it.

The final sentence made Thales' eyes move. Hilley's expression also changed slightly.

"The matter in the Western Desert is a long story, and even more complicated," Thales said after a moment of silence. "As for Jade City, since I am already sitting here, the kind of thing you are talking about... will not happen."

"It has not happened for the moment, but not because you are sitting here," Zayen said, his mouth smiling without much warmth. "It is because I foresaw it first. Every time, before you could bite the bait, I cut the fishing line."

Perhaps because a certain guard captain's sarcasm had made him increasingly sensitive, Thales felt, while listening to this, that Zayen was subtly scolding him.

"Otherwise, from before the celebration until now, if so many murders in the streets had been exposed by you, news that 'rebels are taking revenge on Jade City' would already be everywhere and shaking the entire city." Zayen spoke calmly.

"Boys..." Hilley smelled trouble.

"Ha. Cutting the fishing line." Thales exhaled. "You mean covering up the news, fabricating the truth, putting a lid over it and deceiving everyone?"

"Yes," Zayen said, his voice suddenly cold. "I am not proud of it. But I did what I could, and what I had to do, for Jade City."

"Interesting. That defense lawyer Srimanny said the same thing. He did what he could, and what he had to do," Thales said, staring hard at the two contestants entering the field. "Until the consequences of those deeds inevitably caught up to him."

"Then did he tell you when the consequences of not doing those things would have caught up to him?"

"Enough!"

Hilley interrupted them.

"I came here to solve problems, not to watch you two quarrel and posture."

The young lady glared at them both until they awkwardly turned their heads away.

Hilley looked at the two of them, sighed helplessly, and turned to her brother.

"So, Zayen, what do you plan to do next? How will you respond?"

Zayen smiled slightly.

"Look around," the duke said properly, raising a hand to signal Ashford below to continue placing bets. "This is my response."

"What does that mean?"

"The selection meeting is the most popular focus of the Emerald Celebration, watched by the entire city," Zayen said, looking relaxed and at ease. "And at this very moment, the whole arena appears loose outside but is tight within. A net has already been laid."

Thales and Hilley were both startled.

"Zayen?" Thales looked around at the Emerald soldiers in their green caps, then at Knight Cecil below, who seemed calm and composed. He suddenly felt something was wrong. "What are you going to do?"

Hilley also looked suspicious.

"Brother?"

Zayen raised his eyebrows, his posture calm.

"Do you know? This year's selection meeting is unusually lively. Many of the people who came to compete have problems. Some conceal themselves, some hide their origins, some shrank back at the last moment, some have unclear sponsors, and there are even more than a few impostors."

Thales' eyes changed. Hilley looked in disbelief toward the two dueling contestants and the tents where the other fighters were resting.

"But the selection meeting still went on. You still let them enter and compete... You did it on purpose?"

Zayen smiled again. He pointed at the warriors fighting below.

"I dare say that right now, among this hot-blooded group killing each other down there, someone is hiding a trick and waiting to act."

"What action?" Thales could not help growing tense. "What are you going to do?"

"As you said, Thales, yesterday's Blood Bottle Gang incident was the last straw. They cannot wait any longer," Zayen said lightly. "Jade City's enemies are coming."

He looked at Thales, his words carrying a hidden meaning.

"And here, the selection meeting, is the stage they have long awaited. Or rather, their grave."

The battle in the arena again reached a critical point. A warrior from the Barren Mountains held spear and shield. In only a few minutes, he had drawn blood from his opponent. Under the united cheers of the crowd, he fought with increasing ferocity.

"What?" Thales found it hard to believe.

"So this place, this selection meeting, is a trap you set?"

Hilley did not understand either and pressed him. "Why, Zayen? Why here? Why today? What do you know?"

"Right. How are you so certain they will act at the selection meeting?" Thales asked.

Zayen snorted.

"Because this is their only chance, and their best chance."

Hilley frowned.

"Zayen. Explain."

Zayen patiently listened as the host began introducing the final eight contestants. He cooperatively applauded and waved.

"Simply put, from the Banquet of Conflict until now, from the inexplicable attack on the Blood Bottle Gang to the successive murders of key figures," Zayen said, his eyes sharpening, his words full of killing intent, "I have grown tired of waiting and being passively beaten. Even more tired of the enemy being hidden while I stand in the open."

"So, aside from ordering the Blood Bottle Gang to clean up the aftermath and prevent the murders from coming to light, I also sent specialists to investigate these murders in secret, including the background of every victim. Only then did we discover the connection between young Bolwin and the other dead."

He paused and snorted coldly at Thales.

"That is how I obtained all this intelligence and all these answers, which you can hear for free by doing nothing but sitting here and spreading your hands."

Thales frowned in displeasure.

Hilley coughed, forcing Zayen to continue.

"And every action by the enemy, every murder, brought Catherine's investigation closer and closer to them, until..."

"Wait. Who?"

Thales was startled. Hilley's eyes also moved.

Zayen looked at them and gave a thought-provoking smile.

"Ah, I understand. It was Catherine, the Phantom Blade!" Hilley saw the connection and came to a realization. "She was originally doing perfectly well as the boss in the capital, but secretly returned to Jade City. You specifically summoned her back and ordered her to investigate these murders!"

Thales reacted as well. "You?"

"She is not an official person, so she can act more conveniently."

Zayen nodded with a cold smile.

"Though she was not especially willing."

So you would not feel heartache if she were sacrificed? Thales could not help thinking.

"Damn it. She never told us she had received your mission..." Hilley said unhappily.

"More than that," Thales could not help saying. "She even said you were planning to discard her after use and kill her to silence her."

"I suspect she was trying to protect herself," Zayen said, staring at Thales with complete confidence. "She fell into your hands and judged that you were not on Jade City's side, so she deliberately hinted to you that I was her enemy. This way, whether you felt compassion and wanted to pity her, or thought there was profit to be gained and wanted to turn her, Catherine would have a chance to survive."

"Fuck," Thales said, his head aching as he listened. "So many twists?"

At the same time, he could not help noticing that while the host introduced the final eight contestants one by one and warmed the crowd up for the team battle, more and more members of the guard were gathering below the stand. Wya, Miranda, Glover, Komuto...

But their expressions grew increasingly stiff.

Thales wanted to ask them something, but no matter how he waved, not a single member of the Star Lake Guard looked up even once.

It was as though they were deliberately avoiding the prince's gaze.

They... could not be betting, could they?

"Hidden beneath layers upon layers. That is the knife-bitch of Jade City, and the reason she could sit steadily in her position," Zayen said with some feeling.

"So we were all tricked by her. A bitch who would not tell the truth," Hilley said bitterly. "If I had known, I should have thrown her to... cough, that assassin."

"And then? What else did Catherine find?"

"Nothing," Zayen said, shaking his head, yet smiling mysteriously. "Or rather, before she truly touched the key and found anything..."

"The Blood Bottle Gang changed overnight," Hilley frowned and finished for him. "I suppose the reason the news of Kaquere's murder in the street this morning spread so wildly is that the Blood Bottle Gang was in complete chaos and you could no longer mobilize them?"

Zayen nodded. His smile disappeared.

"Catherine vanished. At least half the bosses and leaders in the Blood Bottle Gang have disappeared without a trace..."

"I told you," Thales said, shaking his head.

"...and the remaining half began seizing territory and dividing the spoils. It is noisy and chaotic. Farther below, the gang members, including the businesses under their protection, are all panicked, afraid, and suspicious of one another. It is difficult even to find someone whose words count, much less assign work and keep things running," Zayen said calmly.

"In that case, the Blood Bottle Gang's upheaval was not accidental," Hilley said seriously. "It was because our enemy realized that not only were you using the Blood Bottle Gang to cover up the news and stop them from spreading panic, you had also sent Catherine to track them down?"

"So they could not sit still and acted," Thales nodded. "They set a trap to surround and kill the Phantom Blade, and crippled the Blood Bottle Gang along the way?"

"Stir the lake water muddy," Hilley said with a frown. "Blind your eyes and ears."

Zayen took a deep breath.

"This is only temporary. Once this matter is settled and I have spare time..."

Zayen's gaze sharpened, but he immediately drew another deep breath and recovered his composure.

"But at least it let me know one thing. My response was effective. From Moss to Srimanny, while I used the Blood Bottle Gang to lock down the news, Jade City's losses were also minimized. Whether the enemy wanted to stir up a storm or lead you to attack me, they failed." Zayen looked at the two of them, whose faces were full of surprise. "So they grew anxious. They could no longer endure, and had no choice but to emerge from behind the curtain and act directly against the Blood Bottle Gang."

Thales picked up the thread. "So the Blood Bottle Gang stopped functioning, and you no longer had the strength to hide the news of Kaquere's murder. You could only watch as the case shocked the entire city?"

Zayen laughed coldly.

"Change the angle, Thales. Change the angle," the Duke of South Coast said, his eyes bright. "Our enemies, whether they are Sonar's old party or employees of the Secret Intelligence Department, have done so much and killed so many people, but under my interference, everything ended silently and without result. They failed to spread the news..."

"And watching the Emerald Celebration pass day after day, and the prince's investigation end fruitlessly, they finally made up their minds to stake everything. They let Lausanne come to the front and act directly to clear out the Blood Bottle Gang..."

"So..." Thales understood something, and his eyes changed.

Clap!

Zayen gently clapped his hands.

"First, after waiting so many days and paying no small price, this morning they achieved their goal for the first time. Kaquere was murdered in the street. The entire city knows. People are panicking, and Jade City can no longer pretend not to see it. For the enemy, that must be quite encouraging. The Duke of Iris finally made a mistake and exposed a flaw."

"Could it be..." Hilley's eyes widened.

"Second, aside from rare success, they have also waited for a rare occasion: the Iris selection meeting, anticipated by everyone and watched by the whole city. Do not forget, murders, rumors, killing in the street, cleaning out gangs, all that they have done was merely for one chance: to declare revenge to all of Jade City and even the kingdom, and to spread terror."

Zayen looked at Thales.

"Just like Anker Byrael. Only by killing and taking lives can one make people listen."

Thales clenched his fists. "Do not mention his name again."

Hilley could not help looking at Thales.

Zayen smiled, unconcerned.

"Third, since yesterday, the lower-level tool I relied on to suppress them, the Blood Bottle Gang, has suffered a great disaster and finally lost its effect. It is no longer under my control. At least when it comes to suppressing murder cases, I am short-handed. I can no longer cover the sky with one hand and control the whole situation.

"Also, as you said, Catherine's investigation in Jade City has already alerted the enemy. They have realized not only that I was already aware, but that I was pursuing them closely from behind. Her escape was the final straw, forcing the enemy to quicken their steps and avoid further delay. They do not know what Catherine found, nor do they know what I have already grasped.

"Finally, since they have successfully turned Kaquere's case into a major affair known throughout the city, theoretically, they should press forward while the iron is hot. Before people grow tired or accustomed to it, they should create more, bigger, more sensational incidents and murders, so as to intimidate Jade City's people and shake my rule. Only this will achieve the greatest effect and reach their final goal."

"Zayen, you..." Thales thought of something and found it increasingly hard to believe.

"Situation, occasion, conditions, timing, effect. Every factor gives them reason to continue acting," Zayen said, his tone growing lighter. "Add all five together, and the weight only grows."

He turned to Thales.

"And you, if you are not lying, and your young master's guard worked together to kill one of their supreme-class assassins?"

Thales swallowed.

Zayen smiled slightly.

"Guess, this time, when they are desperate enough to jump the wall, yet also lucky enough to find a way out..."

He glanced at his sister.

"Will they be restless, anxious, and eager enough to bite the bait? For example, at the selection meeting, right now?"

Bite the bait?

Take the hook?

Thales looked at Zayen before him, his expression growing heavier.

"Fuck you, Zayen!"

Thales turned his head.

"Hilley?"

Hilley had abandoned all regard for appearances. She raised both middle fingers and thrust them fiercely at the Duke of Iris, making both men frown.

"Do you still not understand, Thales? Catherine did not lie to us that day. She really was abandoned!"

Zayen looked around and coughed. "Sister, mind your..."

The young lady pressed urgently.

"Why, Zayen? If she was investigating in secret, then as the boss of the Blood Bottle Gang, why was Catherine discovered so easily by Lausanne II, and why did she walk into a death trap meant to ambush and kill her, splitting the Blood Bottle Gang apart?"

Zayen did not speak.

"Because this was your masterpiece! Catherine was the discarded piece. You deliberately sent her out under the name of 'investigation' to draw the enemy's attention and provoke them into action. I suppose you also leaked the news and made them focus on Catherine? You wanted to remind them that you had become alert." Hilley was furious.

Zayen remained silent.

"No. Not just Catherine. The entire Blood Bottle Gang. They were all bait," Thales realized as well, sighing. "The internal strife and chaos in the Blood Bottle Gang that day in the warehouse, including its present scattered state and loss of function, were all results you deliberately allowed. They were part of a higher game, because you wanted the enemy to think you had lost the Blood Bottle Gang."

The corner of Zayen's mouth rose.

"You!" Hilley said angrily, raising another middle finger. "That day we were unbelievably unlucky and were chased all afternoon by that ghostly assassin from the Blood Bottle Gang. In the end, it was all because of the fine mess you created? And you still had the face to blame me for causing trouble?"

"If that is the case, then including Kaquere's murder this morning, the reason it spread throughout the entire city..." Thales deduced step by step, his brow furrowed. "All of this was the trap you laid, only to draw the enemy into taking the bait?"

In the arena, at the host's command, the much-anticipated multi-person team battle of the selection meeting finally began.

Facing Hilley's indignant gaze and Thales' wary expression, Zayen smiled.

Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!

The duke applauded vigorously. His applause mixed into the arena's mountain-roaring, sea-surging cheers, yet it had a distinct rhythm that Thales could not confuse with anything else.

"You truly are not betting? It is a good way to blend into the atmosphere and numb the surroundings." Zayen asked while signaling Ashford to continue placing bets.

"Fuck you!" Hilley greeted him warmly.

"As heir to the kingdom, I should handle matters evenly and without bias," Thales sighed, bringing out the excuse he had prepared earlier. "Choosing sides and placing bets does not suit my status or position."

"Oh, so it is because of your position," Zayen raised an eyebrow. "I thought it was because you were poor."

Thales felt his expression stiffen further.

"But this is reality. Whether the Blood Bottle Gang, Catherine, or poor Kaquere," Zayen smiled, his eyes filled with an unsettling light, "most of the time, the person with more chips is the one who wins the wager."

The person with more chips...

In the arena, the melee of over a hundred people was vast and noisy. Some fought alone, some formed teams against enemies, some avoided sharp attacks, and some defended with their backs against the wall.

Thales sat in the duke's stand, facing the scene of countless people throwing themselves into slaughter, his expression ugly.

"What about the chips themselves?"

The prince gritted his teeth.

"And if you keep moving chips around like this every day, do you not get tired?"

Zayen gave a soft sneer.

"You may bear the name of duke, Thales," he said lightly, "but you have never ruled a city or land, not even a village or town, have you?"

"I... rule Star Lake Fort."

At least... Star Lake Fort was now full of life, with a certain rustic charm.

"Rule? As Hilley said," Zayen said disdainfully, "buying cats to catch mice, and buying dogs to catch cats?"

"That..." Thales was momentarily speechless and looked unhappily at Hilley.

"Do not look at me. Someone beside you named Wya said that," Hilley shrugged unhappily.

Damn it. Buying cats had been to clean up the mess left behind by Aida that night, when she killed a roof full of rats. As for buying dogs...

He had never ordered it. It was entirely the stupidity of the people below trying to guess his intentions and extrapolate them!

"When you reach that point, Thales, you will understand and you will learn," Zayen said, slightly distracted and with some feeling. "You must do what you can, and what you must."

All three of them fell silent.

Fine. I really am not suited to playing these shadowy games...

Thales sighed inwardly.

Perhaps I am not suited to be king...

Then become someone who can be king.

A small voice rang in his heart.

Thales frowned.

Perhaps when that day comes, you will be able to win, Thales Jadestar.

And...

Sometimes, those who are not in the wager win more than those who possess the chips.

Thales' brow moved.

"How will they bite the bait?"

The prince's words drew the attention of the other two.

"Right, Zayen. You set a trap. Good work. But how will they act? Through this murder that shocked the whole city, through this event the whole city is obsessed with, what can they do to..."

"I do not know," Zayen interrupted. "Perhaps after the final match, when I walk down from the stand with a full smile to award the champion. Or perhaps when he rides a horse around the field and comes before me. Of course, it may also happen during the fighting..."

"My father wants Jade City and the South Coast, Zayen. Not your head."

"You mean," Zayen said coldly, "not only my head?"

"Of course. If you stand between him and Jade City, I think he would not mind taking your head first. But..."

"They can do whatever they want."

The Duke of Iris glanced at Thales.

"Perhaps they can do something even more excessive. Create a crisis and let His Majesty the King's most precious son suffer a few scratches. In that case, you would have even more reason to intervene in Jade City, and the kingdom's wrath would have even more reason to march south, just like Blade Fangs Camp?"

Hilley's expression paused.

"But no matter what..."

Zayen stared into Thales' eyes.

"As long as they come, they will not escape."

Thales looked back at him.

"But there is still one thing I do not understand," the prince said after several seconds. "Why would your uncle's old subordinates kill young Bolwin?"

Zayen frowned.

"What? Were you listening just now? They want revenge, and Bolwin's father was the assassin who murdered the former duke, and also the one who confessed against Sonar..."

"Here. This is exactly where I do not understand," Thales said thoughtfully. "How do you know the enemy is made up of Viscount Sonar's old subordinates?"

Hilley's eyes shifted.

"Do I have to repeat everything?" Zayen grew a little impatient. "Because I found young Bolwin's background, then connected the clues, and discovered..."

Zayen's words abruptly stopped.

Thales nodded.

"If it is truly as you said, and every killing is meant to make people panic and shake the foundation of Jade City's rule, then killing Moss, Diop, and Srimanny makes sense. Their identities were key, and one after another of them dying in the street would be enough to cause panic. But..."

Thales took a deep breath.

"But young Bolwin was just a person at the bottom, fighting black-market matches in underground rings and living by taking beatings and placing bets. Killing him, aside from alerting you and making you connect him to his father, old Bolwin, would that help them in any way?"

Zayen's brow locked tight.

Hilley raised an eyebrow.

"Right. That is a bit too... obvious?"

"I said it. They want revenge. The more obvious, the better," Zayen said through gritted teeth. "Aside from disrupting Jade City, they also want to vent their anger. They want all Jade City to know. So young Bolwin..."

"Is that what they want, or what you guessed they want?"

Zayen froze.

"What are you trying to say?"

Thales cleared his throat. "All right. Put it this way. If I were them, if I were your uncle's old subordinate, your enemy and foe..."

"Then would the best method, the best strategy, the most satisfying revenge, not be to first let go of a small fry like young Bolwin? He did not even participate in the events back then. He only had an unlucky father. Would it not be better to focus on other more valuable targets?"

The Covendier siblings' expressions changed slightly.

"I would kill key figure after key figure and expose their corpses in the street..."

The shouts of killing in the arena could not cover Thales' words.

"I would panic Jade City while leaving everyone unable to grasp the logic, keeping you in the dark. Then, when the moment truly comes to topple the duke and bury Jade City, I would suddenly bring out young Bolwin and announce to the world, catching you completely off guard: 'Covendier died for this.'"

Thales rubbed his chin and pondered.

"So that when you can no longer reverse the situation, you finally wake up as if from a dream. When the general trend is gone, you finally realize the truth. You want to mend the pen after the sheep are gone, but no longer have the strength. Thinking of today's outcome, you regret not acting sooner. In the end, all hope is extinguished. You roar in grief and anger, filled with boundless resentment, carrying the grievance and rage that can never be redressed in this life, dying unwillingly and bitterly, entering the Prison River with regret, never to be reborn."

When he finished, Zayen looked at him with a complicated expression.

"Wow," Hilley said in disbelief, voicing the question Zayen had not asked. "Why can you say that last sentence so smoothly and skillfully?"

Thales coughed and returned to the main point.

"Ahem. I said if. If I were them, then that is what I would do."

Zayen's expression froze.

Thales continued.

"Instead of killing young Bolwin at the very start, making you alert and allowing you to counteract them, just like now. You suppressed the murders, locked down the news, calmed the storm, and avoided chaos. Would that not be counterproductive, obstructing my own revenge?"

Zayen frowned deeply and said nothing.

Hilley tested the idea.

"Is there a possibility that when they killed young Bolwin, they were blinded by hatred?"

Thales nodded.

"It cannot be ruled out. After all, people are not always rational. But is there another possibility? That when they killed young Bolwin, they were not trying to let Jade City know, but..."

"Fuck!"

Thales was interrupted, but both he and Hilley were shocked. The one who cursed was none other than Jade City's master himself.

Zayen clenched both fists, his face full of anger.

"What is it? Fuck what? If they were not trying to let Jade City know, then who were they trying to let know..."

Hilley's words halted. Her face changed as well.

"Misdirection," she murmured.

Hearing that word, Thales' eyes widened too.

"No way?"

Zayen's breathing quickened. He stared fixedly at the melee in the arena.

"No, no. I have to find Ashford, and the Jade Legion. Something is wrong..."

Thales subconsciously leaned forward, only to suddenly discover something.

At some point, the Star Lake Guard had disappeared from his sight.

Strange. Where did they go? Abandoning their posts without permission?

Thales felt faintly uneasy.

"Zayen." Thales swallowed. "Those old followers of your uncle you just mentioned, the fish that slipped through the net in that rebellion case back then, what kind of people are they exactly? I mean, are there specific names?"

But in the next second, Thales felt his wrist tighten.

Zayen had grabbed him.

"Zayen?" Hilley asked in surprise.

Thales realized with a start that Zayen was drenched in sweat.

"Thales," Zayen said with difficulty. "After the Banquet of Conflict, did that old fellow from the Kingdom of Night, Lee Corleone, come to find you?"

"What? Why?" Thales was baffled.

Zayen's hand trembled slightly. He shook his head.

"No. Even if it was him, it is too late now... The urgent matter now is..."

"Brother? Are you all right?" Hilley asked worriedly.

But Zayen ignored her. He continued staring at Thales and asked through gritted teeth.

"Thales. Do you remember? The price?"

Zayen stared at Thales so intensely that the latter grew even more uneasy.

"What price do you want before you will act decisively and, in the dark hour when heaven collapses and earth splits, save Jade City?"

"What?" Thales was utterly confused.

At that very moment, an accident occurred in the arena.