Chapter 725: Destined to Be King

"I understand."

On the abandoned watchtower, watching Wya's departing back, Lee Corleone slowly spoke.

"Your Highness has reason to believe that the murderer is a long-lived species," he said, cleverly gesturing toward Yannik's direction, "and therefore suspects us?"

Yannik gave a slight smile and humbly stepped aside.

"There is no 'us.'"

Lee was silent for a while.

"Your Highness may not understand my race deeply," the Eastern Continent bloodkin said softly beneath the moonlight. "The long-lived species of this world are not necessarily all protected by a clan. There are solitary ones abandoned by their kin, strays who fled their families, and even certain clansmen who privately violate the inheritance laws of our race, bestowing the 'gift' of source blood outside and giving birth to bloodkin juniors not recorded in any register..."

Thales still did not turn back.

He raised the monocular spyglass and closely watched the homes not far away, occasionally frowning.

"Do you know?"

But the prince interrupted Lee the moment he opened his mouth, making the envoy of the Nation of Night's eyes turn cold.

"Ever since the Duke of Iris reformed things and promulgated the Jade City laws, the nobles of the South Coast Territory, great and small, have had a tradition that is both clever and self-deceiving."

Thales's voice was faint. He did not put down the spyglass.

"If they want to make someone shut up forever, and in a non-voluntary way, they are hindered by the law. They will not act directly in their own territory. Instead, they send him onto a foreign ocean-going ship, carry him out to international waters for a 'free trip,' and leave the rest to the Sea Shepherd Maiden."

As long as it does not happen within one's own jurisdiction, then it did not happen.

Yannik narrowed his eyes and looked toward Lee.

"Afterward, not even the body can be found. There is no way to investigate."

And no need to file a case either. It happened abroad, after all.

Thales sighed.

Holding the spyglass, he turned around and, in an extremely rude manner, carefully observed the two guests through the tube, despite the fact that at such a close distance he could see nothing through it.

"Ah, very good. It seems you know this tradition."

Thales put on a look of enlightenment after careful observation, lowered the tube, and rubbed the eye he had almost blinded with his affected posture.

The two guests said nothing.

"Therefore, I was deeply puzzled. Why was Federico Cavendill, eleven years ago, the sensitive and eye-catching son of a traitor and shame of the family, able to survive on the ocean-going ship where Zayen sent him for that 'free trip' to international waters, and even return alive?"

The prince clicked his tongue in wonder as if this were a serious matter.

"Was the shipman in charge of silencing him back then simply incompetent? Or is the Sea Shepherd Maiden truly as the folk tales say, fond of hot-blooded young men in their prime and willing to let him escape?"

Thales studied the two bloodkin's expressions.

Unsurprisingly, they did not move in the slightest. Their reactions were clear and steady as Mount Sigh.

As if they had not heard the prince's frivolous mockery of the Sea Shepherd Maiden.

Only after more than ten seconds did Yannik laugh first. He looked toward the Eastern Continent elder.

"Perhaps, Your Highness, we should not question the fairness and sanctity of the Sea Shepherd Maiden?"

Thales shrugged.

Fairness and sanctity...

Of course.

After all, whether sea merchants, sailors, travelers, pirates, navies, sea kings, or sea monkeys, so long as they went to sea, everyone prayed to the same maiden. One prayed for a safe journey; another wished for a full haul of plunder; yet another asked to advance smoothly in rank and succeed in suppressing bandits...

Then Student Sea Shepherd, who in the classics was the eldest daughter of the Supreme Bright God, though one version said sister, and another even said granddaughter, had to keep the bowl of the sea level, did she not?

For sea merchants and travelers: half the journey safe.

For pirates and raiders: half the ship robbed.

Then, halfway through their fight at sea, let the navy join in. This side has its bribes cut in half; that side has half its bandits suppressed.

What? You ask why several batches of goods and people vanished forever?

Well, of course the fighting was fierce, and they fell into the sea. You did not pay the processing fee, did you? Do sea monkeys not need to eat?

Do not be unhappy. Look:

The sea merchant only earns half, but he still earns.

The pirates robbed half, which is better than earning nothing.

The navy joined halfway, took half from you, and made money.

Since it did not take everything, you did not go bankrupt and can earn again next time.

It also suppressed half the bandits, earning merit.

But half the bandits ran away, so they can be suppressed again later, and everyone can keep earning.

In this way, under the Sea Shepherd's rule, is it not fair and sacred? Does everyone not have food to eat and money to make?

Half alive, half dead. Half gained, half lost. Then the ocean takes another small half.

Leaning back: this is balance. This is the way of the sea.

Everyone says the Bright God is pure and holy, so who dares say the Sea Shepherd is unjust?

What? Someone says if that is so, what is the use of the Maiden shepherding the sea?

That is another story...

The nonsense above was copied from Prince Thales's notes after reading "The Great Fairness of the Sea: The Underlying Logic and Historical Evolution of Sea Shepherd Faith" in theology class. Priest Megan sealed it away immediately after reading and strictly forbade it from being published to the world.

Under Thales's gaze, Lee remained silent.

"Not long ago, Federico told me," Thales sneered, "that over these years, he concealed his name, hid himself, lodged under the protection of an old friend of his late father, until the 'family' protecting him could no longer withstand the pressure, changed their face, and drove him out of their home."

Yannik smiled even more happily.

Thales stared hard at Lee.

"Everyone knows that the Cavendill family dominates Jade City. They have abundant resources, broad channels, and control ocean routes. Along with the Cullen family of the Eastern Sea, they are pillars of the Kingdom of Stars upon the sea.

"Looking across both shores of the Sea of Eradication, even if the Iris family cannot be called overwhelmingly powerful, they are at least a colossus in their region. The surrounding city-states and principalities are unwilling to offend them. During every festival, they send envoys to offer congratulations and greetings."

Thales narrowed his eyes.

"That makes me even more curious."

He put his hands behind his back and slowly paced around Lee.

"What kind of loyal 'family' would be willing to risk offending the Iris and suffering Jade City's retaliation in order to hide Federico, the black sheep of the Cavendill family and the thorn in Duke Zayen's eye?

"And what kind of brave 'family' could, eleven years ago, at the critical moment when Emerald Palace suddenly lost its lord and all of Jade City was furious, go against the wind, secretly preserve Federico's life, and keep the secret for more than ten years without leaking a breath?"

Thales stopped before Lee and stared at the other's pale, bloodless face.

"Unless what that 'family' saw back then was far more than risk."

Thales said gravely:

"Unless the foundation that 'family' could rely upon was not inferior to Jade City in the slightest."

Lee slowly raised his head and met Thales's gaze. His eyes were dead silent.

"And perhaps they were not, as Federico said, forced to drive him out of their home," Thales said coldly, "but did so willingly, even eagerly, respectfully seeing him out and wishing him the fulfillment of his desire and instant success."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk."

Yannik spoke at just the right moment, repeating the prince's wording.

"Willingly, even eagerly."

"And then I remembered something else."

On top of the watchtower, Thales's voice sounded again.

"In those years when the Cavendills and Corleones had not yet fallen out, when your relationship was close and you were even allies, there was an important route from Jade City to the Eastern Continent, to Sea-Watching Cliff in the Nation of Night."

Thales's gaze was like a sword, piercing Count Lee.

"Is there a possibility that the silencing job that sent Federico on his 'trip to international waters' happened to fall into your hands, into the hands of the Corleone family of the Nation of Night?"

At this point, Lee finally slowly turned his head and spoke softly.

"Prince Thales..."

But this time, Thales was no longer polite. He raised a finger and cut off the Eastern Continent bloodkin.

"Or worse, perhaps that job was never yours to begin with."

The prince's gaze was playful.

"Is it possible that, long before you and Zayen fell out, on countless nights, the bats of the Corleone family had already pricked up their ears, monitoring the 'cargo' sent onto ocean-going ships by Jade City's 'allies'? And whenever there was profit to be made, you secretly intervened, stole the deal, concealed it from the heavens and crossed the sea, hoping to pick up rare treasures with generous returns?"

Lee closed his mouth and said nothing.

Perhaps this was the best answer.

But someone did not think so.

"So, according to Your Highness, when the old duke died, the blood fangs across the sea were already stirring restlessly..."

Yannik slowly walked toward the tower platform, gazing at the boundless moonlight in the sky, then at the brilliant lights of the palace city in the distance. When another burst of fireworks exploded in the air, he lowered his head in the colorful night and cast his eyes toward the last patch of darkness in the new suburb.

"Thus Federico Cavendill, the criminal who sought to avenge his father in Gonghai City and incited rebellion, not only survived disaster and hid in the Nation of Night..."

Yannik's gaze was full of ill intent.

"He also became the Corleone family's chess piece and bargaining chip for threatening, restraining, or even opposing the Cavendill family in the future?"

Corleone.

Threaten.

Restrain.

Chess piece.

Bargaining chip.

Hearing these words, Thales felt something and could not help sighing.

"The Covenant of the Inland Sea. Still remembered, I see."

As for whose inland sea it was, whether one family's or two families' inland sea, well, that was not necessarily settled.

Only, daring to snatch food from the mouth of the famously petty and harsh Sea Shepherd Maiden, at least as recorded in the classics, truly would not bring retribution?

Thales shook his head and returned to reality.

"So Federico came back for revenge on a ship from the Nation of Night."

Then it made sense. Jade City's system was strict. From princes down to commoners, identities, destinations, weapons, and sharp blades all had to be registered. Otherwise, entry into the city was forbidden. Even when the Blood Bottle Gang fought in groups, they could only use broken copper and scrap iron.

Thales took a deep breath.

"Only a foreign embassy like yours, with 'special' needs, exempt from inspection and without needing to report its movements, would have the conditions to provide him with weapons, equipment, and even a hiding place."

Thales smiled, eyes narrowed, as he looked at Lee.

"Am I right, Count Lee?"

Lee was silent for a long time.

But Thales was very patient. He even found time to exchange a glance with Yannik, who was smiling on the other side, and the two smiled politely at each other.

"Continue believing the bait given to you by traitors and criminals," Lee finally said coldly, drawing their attention. "Continue enjoying the conveniences they deliberately present."

What?

The abrupt words made Thales and Yannik freeze at the same time.

Lee only said coldly:

"Because one day, they will receive what they desire."

Yannik frowned.

"Who are you speaking to?"

The young Hollier was thoughtful.

"Me? Or His Highness?"

Lee snorted coldly.

"What do you think?"

That made Thales frown as well.

Bait from traitors and criminals?

Was he talking to me, or to Yannik?

Was he talking about...

Federico, or the ugly old woman, Belicia?

Just as Thales was confused, Yannik's expression changed.

"How many?"

The young councilor spoke hoarsely, his counterattack cold.

Lee was expressionless.

"I mean, Count Lee, in those smoky, miasmic wilderness mountains and underground caverns of your Nation of Night," Councilor Yannik Hollier said, eyes bright, "how many exiled political figures like this are secretly hidden away? Sensitive and dangerous ones?"

Lee said nothing.

"It does not matter if you do not say," the young, relatively speaking, bloodkin said, eyes shining. "When I return, I can investigate the fates of political figures from the surrounding countries over the past several decades after political storms. Perhaps I can sort out a list? I hope it is not too long."

The next second, Lee silently turned his neck. His deathly eyes enveloped this western kinsman who had exposed him.

But Yannik was completely unafraid. His smile only grew broader.

Thales's heart tightened.

If the Nation of Night truly had chess pieces like that, and produced one at a key moment, such as this moment in Jade City, then it would be a brilliant move, pushing waves and stirring storms.

But if all of them were exposed, thereby making enemies of every major power...

The entire Nation of Night...

How many troops could it muster?

Compared to the whole Eastern Continent?

On the other side, Lee stared hard at Yannik, his gaze growing increasingly terrifying.

The atmosphere grew tenser and tenser.

"And I suppose that the person who dared take such a risky move and shelter the Cavendill family's mortal enemy, the person who made that decision and implemented it, was neither Katerina, nor you, Count Lee Corleone, nor the other clan counts of the Nation of Night, nor even the Nightwing King himself, who long ago ceased to handle affairs..."

Yannik's tone became increasingly dangerous, and Thales also felt that the surrounding atmosphere was not quite right.

"...but your sinister and cunning old comrade, that elder steward of the Hill of Pain, the 'Dark Wing' responsible for the Sacred Blood Legion's intelligence affairs: Chris Corleone?"

Hearing that name he had not heard in a long time, Thales's brow twitched.

Lee's expression finally moved.

He gently raised the corner of his mouth, forming a smile with deep meaning.

As if that still was not enough, Yannik smiled broadly and bowed slightly.

"Ah, such loyalty, bowing and exhausting himself for his lord. May Sunset bless Chris's faithfulness."

Let Sunset bless a bloodkin...

Damn it.

Thales began to get a headache.

Was asking this brother Yannik to come and hold the field really a good idea?

"Junior, when are you leaving the city?"

Sure enough, the next moment, Lee spoke coldly.

"I would like to see you off."

Yannik's eyes lit up, without the slightest fear.

"Oh? Why not see me all the way to the Banquet Territory?"

Seeing that the confrontation between the two bloodkin was about to break through the upper limit of human endurance, Thales clapped hard and coughed loudly.

"So!"

He spoke gravely, pulling the conversation back to the main topic, successfully drawing the attention of both guests and easing the atmosphere between them.

"In other words, ever since I set foot in Jade City, all the current predicaments of the Queen's City: the bloody cases, the coup, the chaos, and every bit of trouble I have faced..."

As soon as he thought of these things, Thales's disgust and anger came uninvited.

"Were all bestowed by you."

He said coldly:

"The Corleones of the Nation of Night."

That damn crybaby.

Lee fell silent at that.

He slowly turned and bowed to Thales.

"Your Highness's accusations are shocking to hear, but they are inevitably lacking in evidence."

Thales smiled.

"That's right. I have no evidence. Pure deduction and suspicion..."

He suddenly remembered Heroic Spirit Palace long ago, when King Nuven faced Archduke Poffret's questioning, and that answer given with roaring laughter.

When did I ever need evidence?

Since we are Northlanders, we should follow the ways of the Northland.

The prince put away his smile.

"But the good news is, I am neither a security officer nor a defense lawyer, and I do not need to prove anything to a judge."

On the other side, Yannik lightly spread his hands and, at just the right time, made a helpless and regretful expression.

Lee's eyes did not move.

"So I will say no more."

Thales sighed.

"As for the rest, Count, you may do as you please."

"As I please?"

"Yes. You may turn and leave, of course. Or you may try to mend past grievances in exchange for my not pursuing what happened before..."

"And if I refuse?" Lee said coldly.

Thales froze, as if he had not expected this answer.

The prince's face cooled.

Yannik revealed a malicious cold smile.

"If you refuse..."

But a few seconds later, Thales's expression changed from freezing winter to warm spring. He smiled gently and shrugged helplessly.

"Then I have no way either."

Lee frowned, seemingly surprised.

Thales helplessly held both hands over his head.

"If you truly reached an agreement with my father, then I certainly cannot do anything to you, much less to the Nation of Night..."

His face was bitter.

"I can only swallow my anger, watch the city collapse, politics be destroyed, people and wealth both emptied, and then accept the failure and humiliation of this trip to Jade City. I will crawl back to my old nest in unforgettable resentment and fury, amid bone-deep mockery and cold eyes."

At this point, Thales's expression changed.

"After all..."

Thales calmly stared at the other party and said softly:

"I am not yet king."

Lee, who had been silent for a long time, finally showed a change in his gaze.

"Fortunately..."

Yannik looked out at the scenery beyond the tower, intentionally or otherwise.

"You are destined to be king."

Boom!

In the direction of Emerald Palace, a large ceremonial firework burst high into the sky. The light was bright, casting the homes beneath the new suburb in faint silhouettes, while distant cheers came faintly.

The watchtower was bright as day for a moment.

Only three shadows were cast upon the ground, two by two parallel, none intersecting.

The fireworks faded, and the watchtower was quiet for a long time.

The silent Lee finally raised his eyes.

One second.

Two seconds.

Three seconds...

Just as the confident Prince Thales shook his head and counted the beat, waiting with everything under control for the other party to raise conditions, like someone who turns and walks away from a stall and then confidently waits for the owner to shout, "Hey, hey, come back, fine, I'll make it cheaper for you..."

"Hmph."

Lee gave a disdainful snort.

"The last Jadestar who threatened me like this," Lee said softly, "never managed to become king."

What?

Thales froze.

The next moment, before the prince could reply, Lee Corleone turned instantly, his figure flashed, and he disappeared completely into the darkness.

Only Thales and Yannik remained on the watchtower, staring at each other in stupefaction and shock after the matter had gone out of control.

Their faces were full of innocence.