Chapter 760: Provocation

"Yes. I did not believe it at first either."

Fisso grinned.

"But Little Blade really did send word on the road. She forgives you and Old Fogg, and also pardons those rebelling higher-ups, even though she lost a hand for it, along with countless loyal subordinates."

She had even lost the Blood Bottle Gang's businesses and territories scattered throughout the whole city. One had to know, this was Jade City.

Fisso sighed inwardly, but his mouth did not stop.

"For this, she asks you and Old Fogg to put aside hatred and sit down with her to negotiate, reconcile, and let the divided and internally fighting Blood Bottle Gang unite again. As long as you and Fogg agree to reconciliation, not only will she let bygones be bygones, she is even willing to give up the position of gang leader."

Give up the position of gang leader...

His opponent had lowered her head and shown goodwill, but Nekra felt not the slightest pleasure of victory. He only felt extremely angry.

Give?

He could seize the gang leader's position himself. Did he need that blade bitch to give it?

What qualification did she have to give it?

To give it from on high?

Who did she think she was?

Old Turnbull or Black Sword?

No.

This could not drag on.

He had to get that old bitch killed earlier, lest she come out to disgust people again.

At worst, he would bleed a little and hire a better killer. Damn it, now that he had use for him, how had Lausanne the Second vanished?

If that truly did not work, he would go back and discuss it with Old Fogg, then pull in those fools Gutierrez, Gamandia, and Sangare, mobilize a large number of men to search for her, and not stop until she was slaughtered.

"And Catherine ordered all Blood Bottle Gang members: before the three of you reach a compromise..."

The Head Wolf narrowed his eyes and spoke, perfectly interrupting Nekra's thoughts.

"No unauthorized conflicts, no seeking revenge and causing trouble, no private retaliation. Even those who formed blood feuds during the internal strife must get along peacefully with one another, lest brothers kill brothers and play straight into the spies' hands."

What?

Nekra's thoughts froze.

No unauthorized conflicts?

Nekra seemed to understand something and was inexplicably furious.

"Ordered? She, that blade bitch, ordered?"

The Red Viper grinned viciously and mocked:

"Ordered whom?"

Rick's gaze moved.

"She should open her eyes and look," Nekra said through gritted teeth. "Franco, Tommy, Zeka, Jaga, even shitball Roger. Those higher-ups in Jade City loyal to her are all dead. Those left are all turncoats and people who dislike her. A crippled old woman like that blade bitch still thinks she can 'order' anyone?"

Order the dead?

How many thugs were even left in Jade City who were unafraid of death and valued brotherhood enough to risk being settled with by him and Fogg in order to work for her?

As for that leg-using expert in the warehouse on the day of the rebellion...

There could not possibly be a second person like that, right?

"In any case, that was the word she sent..."

Fisso said faintly.

"She has reached the end of the road!"

The Red Viper spat viciously, but his breathing grew increasingly rapid.

"I know. Bartha the barber brought word from the palace. The new regent prince has many rules. Both black and white paths across the city are being pressed down and forbidden to cause trouble. The blade bitch wants to read the wind and use this chance to save her life..."

In his heart, he repeated and affirmed it again and again.

Yes. Death is at her door, so she has gone back to the old routine, putting on airs and borrowing another's might.

As for "the three of them reaching a compromise"...

"Put a broken tile on your head and call it a helmet. Who does she think she is? Does she really think she is that prince, born deserving to stand high above, while others deserve to kneel the moment they see him?"

Nekra's anger was hard to suppress, and his words carried a few traces of resentment and injustice even he could not detect.

"As long as he sits there and shouts 'my father,' then curls a finger, the Duke of the Iris and that enemy cousin of his roll and crawl, lay down their hatred, kneel, and beg him for mercy and grace? Miss Covendier hurries over in a panic to offer kisses and herself? All the city's high officials and rich households obediently come to his door bearing gifts, begging him to show mercy? The ignorant people of the entire South Bank cannot wait to carve steles and raise statues to pass down his name forever?"

Fisso frowned repeatedly as he listened.

The Red Viper's eyes were cold, full of hatred.

Good. Good that they had not killed the blade bitch that day.

Otherwise that would have let her off too easily.

When he caught her, he would make her live worse than death.

"Why?"

Fisso and Nekra turned their heads together.

Rick, who had fallen into thought and spoken subconsciously, reacted and turned pale.

"Oh, sorry! Sir, Boss Nekra, I did not mean to interrupt. I... I was only wondering why Boss Catherine would..."

Seeing the Red Viper's gaze become increasingly fierce, Rick did not dare continue and hurriedly lowered his head.

"She said she believes you and Fogg are innocent, Little Red."

Fisso did not mind. He carefully flicked away some pipe ash.

"She said the Blood Bottle Gang's internal strife was provoked by malicious spies in order to turn you against her, thereby splitting and weakening the Blood Bottle Gang."

"Spies? Weakening the Blood Bottle Gang?"

Nekra was confused.

"What does that mean? Is she pushing the blame onto you people again, onto the Black Street Brotherhood?"

Did the blade bitch think that by turning back to the old routine, inventing a spy story to shirk responsibility, showing goodwill and weakness to them, he and Old Fogg would forget old grudges and let her go?

Fisso did not answer. He only raised his head and smiled at Rick.

"What do you think, Mister Rick?"

Rick had originally been terrified, but he suddenly froze and understood something.

It is time, Rick.

The rational voice deep in his heart encouraged him, making him take a deep breath. He first bowed slightly to Fisso, then glanced at the Red Viper.

Countless thoughts turned in that instant.

But all of them stopped when Nekra turned his vicious face toward him.

Show your value.

Seize your chance.

It is time.

"Well... Sir, Boss Nekra..."

Rick coughed. Under Fisso's encouraging gaze, he summoned his courage and carefully said:

"As for spies, I am not sure whether that is true. But lately all of Jade City has been spreading rumors... saying that all the bad things and disasters recently, like the duke's fall, worsening public order, the great drop in trade and so on, were all provoked by spies sent from across the sea, from Hanbol. Their goal was to throw Jade City into chaos and overthrow Emerald Palace... Perhaps it has something to do with that?"

Hanbol...

Spies?

Confusion appeared on Nekra's face.

Rick nodded.

Mm, correct. He had only heard this explanation this morning.

It was said that Emerald Palace had even sent the Jade Legion to protect the posthouse where the Hanbol envoy was staying, lest it be surrounded and attacked by angry residents. Meanwhile, the well-informed Temple of Dark Night had arranged its program overnight:

Heroes of Star-Park Fort Display Their Abilities and Capture Evil Spies, the Holy Princess Turns Back the Tide and Settles the World.

Of course, the heroes of "Star-Park Fort" could not be without the Dark Night God's benevolent enlightenment, and the "Holy Princess" who turned back the tide owed much to the Dark Night God warning her in a dream.

"The place name and gender are completely different, so of course it cannot possibly be alluding to the kingdom's contemporary politics!" said Vaeb, contemporary playwright and honorary priest of the Temple of Dark Night's cultural creation department.

Fisso was still smiling.

But Nekra remained puzzled.

"But what does this have to do with the Blood Bottle Gang..."

"For this, Catherine also called on the Blood Bottle Gang's comrades to discard former grudges."

Fisso interrupted him. His speaking speed was not fast, and he narrated it smoothly.

"They must unite as one, for the country and the people, for Jade City and Emerald Palace, to pull out the spies, in cooperation with the wise and brilliant His Highness Prince Thales as he restores order."

Pull out the spies?

Restore order?

But...

Nekra froze.

"I understand."

Rick's voice trembled, making the two gang figures glance sideways at him.

"Sir, and Boss Nekra. That, I guess Phantom Blade seems magnanimous, but..."

Rick cleared his throat and hurriedly said:

"First, ever since the old gang leader died, the Blood Bottle Gang has been torn apart. Whether Phantom Blade is the new gang leader recognized by everyone, and whether she has the qualifications to 'give up the gang leader position,' is still hard to say..."

Nekra nodded lightly, extremely angry.

"Second, did she forget to say exactly whom the gang leader position will be given to? To you, Boss Nekra, or to Fogg? Or perhaps whichever of the two compromises first? Or..."

Rick paused and carefully looked toward the Red Viper.

"Whichever of the two first names the other as the spy?"

The Red Viper immediately shook.

"Furthermore, forgiveness, pardon, and letting bygones be bygones all sound good. But looking at it in reverse, doesn't that mean you and Fogg, Boss Nekra, actually did have bygones and guilt, and once betrayed your own people?"

Fisso raised his brows.

"Also, since she has already 'called on' everyone to this extent and offered such 'generous' conditions, if there is still anyone in the Blood Bottle Gang who refuses to agree to her, insists on opposing her, and would rather not become gang leader than compromise and cooperate, then wouldn't that make them..."

Rick's words became increasingly clear, and the Red Viper listened with growing alarm.

"What was it called earlier? A spy sent by the Hanbol people?"

Only Razzanchi Fisso, the Head Wolf, lightly beat his own calf, his expression simple, and played with the pipe in his hand now and then.

"Finally, and worst of all, I have received quite a bit of information over the past few days. These days, especially after the prince became regent and invited a bunch of people into the palace for meetings, Jade City began to improve and recover. The Jade Legion and security officers across the city, even City Hall's Finance and Tax Division, have been unusually diligent, working hard to maintain order, improve security, and sweep away crime..."

Nekra's expression changed.

"But whether it is coincidence or not, the bluecoats have been striking everywhere these days. From illegal operations to tax evasion, from indecent customs to cheating with weights and measures... the ones they have swept the most are none other than the old businesses under those Blood Bottle Gang bosses who betrayed Catherine, and the new plates they swallowed after the infighting. Some are even the Wanderer Fogg's own profitable streams..."

Hearing this, Nekra trembled.

"The arson case on Luhsan Street. The Escort Cart Group and Shovel Gang involved were originally small gangs and groups under the Blood Bottle Gang, managed by Wheel Ruper and Shitball Roger respectively. But ever since their bosses disappeared... these days, they have almost been arrested by the bluecoats in batch after batch. If not for our Brotherhood helping and paying a batch of ransom..."

Fisso remained as still as an ancient well.

"Even your legal businesses that have no problems are being inspected at the door, picked at, and fined. One must know the Blood Bottle Gang has always valued official and merchant relationships, and is better than us at public relations. These things did not happen often before, at least the damage was limited..."

Rick tightly frowned.

"Even Sea Wolf Tanganga, who originally had a decent relationship with the Blood Bottle Gang, has those wolf cubs under him who commit all kinds of evil immediately hand over Blood Bottle Gang members they catch fleeing by sea to the Security Hall and Jade Legion, saying they are law-abiding and strictly following the prince's teachings...

"And yet this time, the bluecoats' tip-offs are accurate and the evidence is complete. Following the territory, they catch one accurately after another, as if, as if experts are guiding them. They understand the Blood Bottle Gang even better than the Blood Bottle Gang..."

Accurate tip-offs.

Complete evidence.

Catch one accurately after another.

Understand better than the Blood Bottle Gang...

The Red Viper's heart shook. He took a deep breath.

"Blade bitch!"

Nekra, having reacted, was full of hatred.

"Fuck her mother! She sold out brothers and borrowed the bluecoats to deal with her own people. None of the bosses in the gang and brothers on the road have any objections?"

Sold out brothers?

Boss Nekra, you are not really the one who should say that, right?

Rick took a deep breath and looked at his direct superior. Unfortunately, Fisso still had no reaction.

"That, Boss Nekra, I think, at least in Jade City's Blood Bottle Gang..."

Rick's voice lowered.

"Those 'own people' who were qualified to express opinions, whose words mattered, and who were still loyal to Catherine, should have been almost entirely slaughtered by you and Boss Fogg."

Nekra was immediately rendered speechless.

As for those who were not loyal to Catherine, and even those traitors who had stabbed her in the warehouse...

Rick shrugged.

She probably wished the bluecoats would trouble them every day.

"In addition, I would guess that even if someone on the road has objections, no one dares say so. Right now, all of Jade City is stirred up. They are saying that the criminals arrested over these days must be spies infiltrated by the Hanbol people, and deserve their crimes..."

"Even if they all die, it would not be wrong, right?" Nekra spoke hoarsely, his voice sorrowful.

Rick carefully nodded.

Of course, if a few were truly wronged...

With righteousness before them, a little accidental injury was unavoidable.

Even if they were all wronged, probably no one would care.

And once someone dared sing a contrary tune...

Look at that. Drawing the snake out of the hole. Hadn't they found the Hanbol spy?

Thinking of this, Nekra placed both hands on the desk and dug at his own hair, wanting only to laugh loudly.

Only the laughter was desolate.

"I do not know how you and Boss Fogg divided the shares... But if this continues, with bluecoats and green hats sweeping back and forth, comrades on the road throwing stones into the well, plus city opinion being difficult to reverse for the moment... Not only will you have to spit out the businesses and oil you swallowed from Phantom Blade, even the plates Fogg himself has operated in Jade City for many years... will probably be hard to maintain."

Bang!

Nekra slammed a fist hard onto the tabletop.

"That's right. On the surface, Boss Nekra, you stabbed Catherine hard, and she lost Jade City's territory and manpower. Right now, there truly are not many people left in the whole city still loyal to her."

Rick continued carefully:

"But after Emerald Palace changed hands, with the prince as regent restoring order, he needs achievements. So from City Hall to the Finance and Tax Division, from the bluecoat nest to the green hats, from Sea Wolf's fleet to all the major guilds and merchant groups, even our Black Street Brotherhood, with the greater trend before us, whether willing or unwilling, consciously or unconsciously, active or passive..."

Rick swallowed.

"At least for now, many people outside the Blood Bottle Gang, under the situation of the prince's regency and beneath the great banner of 'for Jade City,' have no choice but to become..."

"Her people."

Her people.

The Red Viper swayed when he heard this.

Rick observed his expression and said no more.

Fisso did not speak either. He merely sat quietly, looking sideways at his old friend, occasionally glancing at the sweating Rick.

The office fell into complete silence.

----

"At present, it appears both Covendiers are behaving themselves."

In Emerald Palace, Thales sat behind the desk, reviewing administrative documents while listening to his subordinates' reports.

"Although they have regained freedom, Duke Zayen and Young Master Federico still stay in Emerald Palace most of the time. At most, they go to places such as temples and official offices, and all have reports and records. When checked, the itineraries match as well," Komuto reported cautiously.

"They also rarely receive outside guests. The nobles, wealthy households, officials, and envoys in the city also rarely come to visit. Even when there are visits, they are brief, reported, and all written correspondence is entered into official records." Wya flipped through his notebook.

Thales nodded, distracted.

A pity. He had hoped to let more people see these two troublemakers being released.

"Even high officials and capable administrators used to entering and leaving the palace, such as Chief Administrator Milarhovich and Judge Iboning, traditional vassals such as the Karabeyan and Lassia families, military and police backbones such as Captain Cecil and Second Lieutenant Cherky, including foreign envoys from Hanbol and Tyren State, and even Jade City's iconic great merchants, wealthy men, and heads of every trade. Not many have come to visit Duke Zayen..."

The one reporting this was Paul. Speaking of which, did he truly not feel inconvenienced carrying that bow everywhere?

"Ah! Young Master Federico is the same! Although he sent out quite a few letters and invitations, not many dared write back, let alone come visit him..." Neshy and Bastia competed to respond, speaking in fits and starts.

Because the Jade City at this moment was full of cautious, careful, clever people.

Thales understood it clearly in his heart.

Even now, when both Covendiers had compromised and been released, and Jade City seemed to have recovered calm.

Zayen's supporters were wary of the prince's attitude, and also wary of Zayen's reaction after losing power in Emerald Palace. They did not dare approach him at this moment.

Meanwhile, Fed's supporters had always been sneaky and careful, unable to see the light. Now, they did not dare show themselves either.

Of course, after he had appeased and used so many representatives of Jade City's different circles and levels, some rumors concerning the two Covendiers' destinations had already spread from Emerald Palace.

Some well-informed high-level figures had likely already judged from various signs that Jade City's "red and black" would be forced to coexist peacefully under pressure from the North Star.

But no matter what, seeing the two Covendiers safe and sound, even free again, and seeing the harmonious atmosphere when he spoke with them, should let people across the city set their hearts down to the greatest extent.

This was not a war of either this or that.

Not an outcome where life and death must be decided.

No matter which position everyone stood in, there was no need to worry about being settled with by the prince or by their opponents.

And Prince Thales, whom many people had considered to have come with ill intentions, had already used various methods, openly and implicitly, to assure people: Jade City, including the South Bank, would not meet a tragic ending of heaven collapsing, earth splitting, and a total reset in this shocking storm that affected the ownership of political power and the governing structure.

As for why...

Thales sighed and closed the reviewed document.

Because you are filthy rich and can still bring in income.

Otherwise, if this had been some other place in the kingdom, such as Blade-Tooth Dune, and it experienced similar political turmoil, guess whether that pretty boy of the Wings of Legend would settle accounts afterward, blade rising and falling, chopping the camp until heads rolled.

Oh, right. He would.

And he already had.

As for the result, yes, heads had indeed rolled.

Cold Castle in the North was a bit better. After the struggle, they merely locked up Duke Arunde until he died of old age. Along the way, they sent royal officials to strip his sympathizers and supporters down to nothing, leaving the duke's great administration existing only in name.

As for Blade Fief, the Tebak family of Blade Tomb City did not need to worry.

After all, their whole family had already died once.

"As for 'that side,' according to Your Highness' instructions, their movements are strictly confidential, and entry and exit are low-profile and careful. That vampire culprit is still in custody, guarded strictly twenty-four hours a day, with Knight Cassian there as well... Only, noble Miss Hilley does not seem very cooperative and often disappears..."

Messenger Toledo carefully observed Thales' expression and chose every word.

That was normal.

After all, even her brother could not watch over that girl.

But there was no need to worry. With Hilley's character and ability, even without revealing her identity, only she would find trouble for others. There was no share for others to find trouble for her.

After Thales finished listening to this series of reports and made a series of important instructions, "You have to say something, at least, to prove there is a difference between you and the little teddy bear," as a certain Star Lake Guard watchman whose name Thales could not conveniently disclose, a serpent-hearted, vicious, and poisonous man who would surely die miserably, put it, he sent everyone back to their posts and duties. Then unhurriedly, he casually reviewed the list reported today of people requesting entry to the palace for an audience.

An old town mayor nearing retirement who wanted to donate money to the office while recommending his son to inherit his position.

Throw him to Judge Iboning.

A robbed shipowner who claimed that if he was not given triple compensation, he would go to the capital and lodge an imperial complaint.

Throw him to Tanganga...

Ah, no, throw Tanganga to him.

A snack stall owner holding an IOU signed "Wya" and coming to collect.

Throw him to D.D...

Ah, no, throw him to the old steward. After all, his own food and lodging should reasonably be reimbursed by the host family.

A herb merchant who wanted to take advantage of Jade City's unrecovered vitality to buy land cheaply.

Throw him to Chief Administrator Milarhovich of the Finance and Tax Division.

An excited young count who claimed he wanted to duel the prince again to win back his Covendier fiancee.

Directly beat...

Cough, cough. Invite him out.

An enthusiastic citizen claiming to have witnessed Miss Hilley and the culprit's movements and coming to collect the bounty.

If fake, kick him out. If real, send people to look, then say it was fake.

The door was knocked at this moment.

"Your Highness?"

Thales raised his head.

"Oh, Mira. You have returned from changing shifts on 'that side' to rest?"

Miranda walked into the study, working hard to ignore the prince's repeated wrong form of address despite repeated correction.

"In fact, I changed shifts at dawn. Now I have rested and am preparing to return to 'that side' to change shifts with Glover."

Not getting off duty, but going on duty.

"Ah, sorry!"

Thales regretfully slapped his forehead.

"There have been a lot of things these past few days. I cannot even tell time anymore. I also have not had time to care about how you have been lately, whether you are adapting to the team..."

"I came this time..."

Miranda frowned at the messily piled documents and letters on the desk and decisively cut off the prince's small talk full of nonsense, handing over three letters.

"Because I intercepted a suspicious messenger in front of the guard quarters..."

Suspicious?

Thales took the letters in confusion. Looking at the words "market discount sale" written on them, he tore them open without hesitation.

Mm. This was a copied standard thank-you letter, signed by the Election Conference's official betting agent. The style and content of all three letters were identical. Only the addressees were different: the three "Mister Wya" of Stand Eight, Stand Nine, and Stand Ten, thanking them for placing generous bets during the Election Conference as "high net worth clients."

Huh?

Thales widened his eyes and turned to the back.

Mister Wya's predictions were accurate and his betting methods excellent. The prize redemption vouchers for the winnings were delivered with this messenger. Please sign personally, and we look forward to your return at the next Election Conference to once again display your abilities!

Special note for the errand messenger: All three Mister Wyas cannot conveniently receive guests. Please do not make noise, do not expose their identities, and especially do not hand the redemption vouchers directly to them. Instead, deliver them to Room Six of the guest barracks in the guard quarters, the bed with the little teddy bear at the head, to be signed for by the Wya family's youngest fourth brother.

Thales suspiciously raised a magnifying glass and looked back and forth three times.

For Wya?

Election Conference?

Betting winnings?

That meant that at the climax of the Election Conference turmoil, when the contradiction and conflict were at their most intense, when His Highness Thales was at his most dangerous...

"He even won money?"

Thales found it hard to believe.

Under Miranda's suspicious gaze, the prince quickly restrained his expression, lowered his volume, and calmly summoned Logistics Officer Stowe, who became overjoyed after learning of this matter. He secretly ordered him to bring the little teddy bear and, as the Wya family's youngest fourth brother, "If he doubts your age, just say you were adopted halfway," as the calculating Thales instructed, go receive the messenger and conveniently sign for the prize redemption vouchers of the three Wya elder brothers.

Mm. The travel expenses back to Star Lake Castle were no longer a worry.

As for D.D...

Thales shook his head reluctantly.

One had to know, a certain guard watchman whose name could not conveniently be disclosed was famous for having a human face and beast heart, vicious and poisonous. A monstrous crime like D.D "slacking off at work, betting and drawing cards" would, if discovered by him, lead to skinning, tendon-pulling, beheading as public display, crushing bones and scattering ashes, and even confiscation of the little bear at the head of the bed.

Too cruel.

But who made Prince Thales kindhearted? Even a treacherous official with a serpent heart like that certain guard watchman whose name could not conveniently be disclosed could be tolerated and employed by him without sticking to one pattern.

Forget it, forget it.

With a wave of his little hand, Thales turned the big matter small and the small matter into nothing, pardoning D.D's crime right there. There was no need to let a ruthless man like Mallos know.

Along the way, he had Logistics Officer Stowe quietly dispose of this illegal income, since Jade City's roads turned seven ways and eight bends and messengers delivering to the wrong place happened all the time, as if nothing had happened.

At most, Thales would suffer a bit of loss and let his money vault temporarily keep this money.

Mm. Better not tell D.D himself either. After all, the prince was kindhearted and could not bear to see Doyle feel guilty after learning that he had helped him avoid punishment. What if D.D could not accept it, became ashamed and angry, and killed himself?

Thales stroked the long, elegant beard on his chin that had not yet had time to grow and nodded in satisfaction.

The prince does not love money. D.D does not fear death. The world is at peace.

If this continued, why worry that Star Lake Castle's wealth would not flourish and its rule would not prosper?

"What is Your Highness busy with?"

A familiar voice came from outside the door.

Ah!

In the midst of his busyness and panic, Thales shoved the three letters underneath and casually pulled out another document.

"Cough, cough. Tormond, look at this. This old Sunset priest named Feble is outrageously bold, actually submitting a letter implying that I am not worthy of Hilley. Tell me, should he die? How about we send an assassin to the temple..."

Miranda looked at Thales strangely and unnaturally bowed to Mallos.

Looking at the two of them behaving oddly, Mallos paused slightly and closed the door behind him.

"I led people on patrol for the entire morning. Jade City is recovering to normal in an orderly manner."

The watchman looked solemn. After seeing through the abnormality of the two, he did not expose it, but shifted to the main topic.

"Especially after you released Duke Zayen and that... Young Master Federico. Whether the atmosphere in the city or Your Highness' reputation, both have improved considerably."

Good.

Thales breathed a sigh of relief and threw down the document in his hand.

He did not discover the matter of the Election Conference prize money.

"Good. Then releasing those two irises achieved its purpose."

Thales exhaled.

"At least before they tear off their masks, start killing each other again, and drag Jade City back into the gutter..."

"They will not."

Miranda said with certainty:

"At least they will not so obviously and foolishly court death. At this moment, Your Highness is the existence with the greatest power and strongest authority in Jade City."

Miranda had not joined them long, and there had not been many chances to discuss affairs with them like this, but judging from the current situation...

Mira is a good comrade, Thales concluded, smiling slightly.

"At the peak of the storm, Zayen and Fed may not, but their lackeys may not necessarily behave," Mallos suddenly said, without politeness.

Thales' heart sank.

True. The Karabeyan and Lassia families alone, and even those merchants, officials, and pirates, were enough to cause trouble for him.

Or rather, they had already caused him quite a bit of trouble.

Hopefully they would not suddenly change their minds.

Mm. He had to find someone to ask Bartha and pay attention to their news at all times. Along the way, he could check where those rumors of "Hanbol spies overthrowing Jade City" had leaked from.

After all, Dusuan, that secretly traveling Lisheng Talal, had helped him greatly. Yet now Jade City's public sentiment was stirred up, harming this Jungle City Lord so much that he did not even dare leave the posthouse. It was rather embarrassing.

"You were willing to lower yourself to appease them, and you also released the two Covendiers to show your attitude. That has already given them quite a bit of face."

Miranda's gaze was sharp.

"The major forces and factions of Jade City, whether they support Zayen or sympathize with Federico, or remain neutral and protect themselves, should understand no matter how dull they are: compared to a winner-takes-all defeat, mutual destruction, or even Jade City's decline and fall..."

Her tone allowed no doubt.

"With Your Highness mediating and reconciling, a balance formed by compromise between both sides is already the most peaceful result that best suits every side's interests."

The sword of Northwinter from the fortress changed the subject.

"And you need to let them know: His Highness the Prince will not tolerate any side destroying peace or raising arms without permission."

After saying the final words, Miranda's expression was cold, and her right hand was already on her sword.

Thales swallowed.

"If we are too forceful, could it backfire? After all, we are outsiders, 'Exter people'?"

Miranda's gaze sharpened.

"Then it is the perfect chance to kill the chicken to warn the monkeys."

Clearly, in the dictionary of House Arunde, there was only "forceful," not "too forceful."

"At present, no."

Mallos, who had been thinking, spoke:

"Because the two representative Covendiers are still alive, and even more because you will leave after the Praise Banquet. At this moment, the two sides in the city, perhaps not only two sides, but all sides, have different interests and positions. Compared to throwing eggs at stone and challenging the authority of your regency, they are more likely to look to the future and thereby restrain one another."

Thales' eyes lit up.

Mallos explained:

"On one hand, even a family as powerful as Karabeyan, after being interviewed by you, will certainly act cautiously and avoid being the first to move, lest they leave a handle for others. On the other hand, every side will surely watch with unblinking eyes, staring at whether their opponents overstep bounds at any moment, to use as ammunition for attack. Every side fears you, but fears even more that your thunderous heavenly might will be provoked and used by their opponents. They look forward to you, but what they look forward to is your royal wrath punishing their political enemies for them."

That seemed...

It seemed to make some sense.

Thales rubbed his chin.

Having been flattered comfortably by phrases like "thunderous heavenly might" and "royal wrath," Thales felt somewhat light and floating.

"Correct. In the Jade City that Your Highness rescued with both grace and might, exhausting every effort..."

Miranda was murderous.

"There is already no person and no force that dares make small moves lightly, dares offend your authority, destroy the balance, and rekindle war."

Thales scratched his head in some embarrassment. He wanted to offer a few modest words, but still held back.

Too much modesty would be hypocrisy.

Speaking of which, Mallos, this fellow. Sigh. Really, really...

Thales curled the corner of his mouth and scratched his forehead.

He had truly misjudged him before.

In the future, perhaps he should treat him a little better.

"But Your Highness would not be naive enough to think this means everyone is delighted..."

The next second, Mallos' tone turned, coldly saying:

"And you can rest easy, right?"

I knew it.

Thales, who had been immersed in the bearing of a holy ruler, jolted and hurriedly waved a hand in a heroic posture.

"Of course not."

Thales sighed.

"After all, I still have to leave."

And he had to make all of this settle at the Praise Banquet, making everyone, including Zayen and Federico, willingly accept the final result.

Thales leaned back against the chair and closed his eyes.

"As for after I leave, who cares if floods..."

"Cough, cough! I mean, I am making plans and arrangements for afterward."

"Or Your Highness could force them to act," Miranda said coldly.

Thales and Mallos both froze.

"What?"

The swordswoman's gaze moved. She stepped back and saluted.

"My apologies. I misspoke. What I mean is, Your Highness can look forward to them acting."

Look forward to it?

Under Thales and Mallos' strange gazes, Miranda said softly:

"Your Highness released the two Covendiers, which was naturally magnanimous. But what if one of them remains greedy and unable to restrain himself, ignores authority and the greater picture, and before Your Highness leaves, breaks the tacit balance and makes the first move against his cousin?"

Thales first froze, then sighed.

"Then Jade City would face the danger of falling back into chaos..."

"As long as one of them is defeated first or placed at a disadvantage before the harm expands, then Your Highness, as regent, will have reason to become angry and act, striking heavily at the remaining person and administering punishment."

Miranda was unhurried, but the words she spoke were forceful and cold, making Thales' heart tremble.

"At that time, every side will see that the mutual destruction of the two Covendiers is the result of their own actions. Their authority and position will also fall to the bottom, no longer enough to be a concern. Only Your Highness, standing outside the matter and cleaning up the aftermath, will be able to control Jade City more conveniently, even allowing Renaissance Palace to come receive the fruits of victory."

Miranda's words fell.

Mallos said nothing, only carefully sized up Miss Arunde.

What?

Thales listened in a daze.

Look forward to...

Even allow, provoke one of them to move first?

Let them kill each other?

Thereby strip them of authority?

"No. Leaving aside whether they are that stupid..."

Thales subconsciously shook his head.

"If we really do this, would we not return to the old path from earlier? Watching one Covendier fight the other to the death, causing conflict to escalate and the situation to lose control, dragging ourselves and Jade City into..."

"It is different."

Miranda cut him off, her words firm and sincere.

"Previously, everyone tacitly assumed you were Zayen's enemy, Federico's support, and that you came to Jade City to 'pick a fight,' so you were restrained everywhere. But now, Jade City has already gone through one round of chaos, and Your Highness has already mediated one round of the situation. Jade City's forces have also already revealed their cards and understand that you came to 'break up a fight.' Naturally, the circumstances are different. And most importantly..."

She paused.

"Previously, Your Highness had only a virtuous reputation, yet was merely a passerby in Jade City, carrying little weight."

Miranda pressed the hilt of Eagle Soar, confidence abundant.

"Now, you hold the position of regent. One word from you can decide the South Bank's direction. You carry great weight."

Passerby.

Regent.

Little weight.

Great weight.

Thales trembled all over. For the first time, he felt that the chair beneath him was somewhat different.

The next second, Mira lowered her head and lowered her voice.

"The Four-Winged Basilisk divided its enemies and subdued the Marshlands. There is already precedent from old times. I believe that by then, Jade City's 'clever people' and 'royalists' will suddenly become quite numerous."

In the study of Emerald Palace, the descendant of the Mournful Eagle Marshal, Miranda Arunde, had a sharp expression.

"What does Your Highness think?"