Chapter 771: Approachable

What exactly had the assassin come to do?

Thales's eyes moved.

"Yes. What Reverse Blade did by breaking into the ghoul tunnels... was it for Lausanne the Second, or for Lady Covendier? Or something else?"

Wya spoke extremely quickly to conceal the panic and unease in his heart.

"If it was only to rescue Lausanne the Second, then on the surface, that benefits Young Master Federico. After all, Lausanne the Second is his killer, and once free again, he would be a major aid. But you had already reached a compromise with the two Covendiers. Such an obvious act of favoring one side would only draw your deep suspicion toward Federico, which in substance is extremely unfavorable to him..."

Wya's deduction surprised Thales.

"These are... your own thoughts?"

After three days apart, one truly had to look at Wya with new eyes.

"Then was Reverse Blade there to kill Lausanne the Second and silence him? If so, starting from the wine merchant, those murders, the murders Federico committed in the name of revenge and Zayen covered up with political methods, which eventually unearthed old events and dragged them into noble arbitration, would have no living witness left... You lost the direct leverage that could threaten them into sitting down to negotiate, and you also lost clues for further investigation. Compared with the Covendiers, you are the one who suffers the greatest loss in this matter..."

But Wya did not pay attention to Thales and continued on his own.

"And was Reverse Blade there to kidnap Lady Covendier? If that was the case, then the mastermind behind the scenes may have been targeting Duke Zayen, wanting to force him to submit... In that case, Young Master Federico would undoubtedly benefit again..."

"Or it can be understood the other way around."

Thales interrupted him, the prince saying in a low voice:

"If Hilley were kidnapped by Reverse Blade and hidden away, then she could neither communicate with me nor become Zayen's weakness. In that case, he would actually be relieved... For no other reason than this: Zayen only has to act furious and mad, throw dirty water on his cousin, then insist, 'Find my sister first,' while holding tight to Jade City's authority and refusing to let go until I have no choice but to give ground first... After all, I cannot just kill him directly..."

The prince's analysis made Wya's heart jump.

"And the worst possibility is that Reverse Blade came to kill Hilley. If the assassination succeeded, then the balance I and the two Covendiers worked so hard to maintain would be broken in an instant. Noble arbitration would lose meaning. Jade City would have no further possibility of peaceful resolution. At that time, unless His Majesty orders the Kingdom's Wrath to send troops and pacify the region, the South Bank of the kingdom will never again have peace. By then, it truly will be 'all I see before my eyes is pitch-black darkness.'"

High above, the iris banner was stirred by the wind and snapped loudly. Beneath it, Thales looked out over the extraordinary cityscape of the Queen's City, his gaze dim.

"Yes, yes." Wya lowered his head. "So the purpose of Reverse Blade's trip is extremely important. It will reveal the position of the mastermind behind the scenes. However..."

Wya paused and sighed.

"It does not fit. Reverse Blade seems neither to have come to rescue Lausanne the Second nor to silence him. She failed to kidnap Miss Hilley, and does not seem to have intended to kill her either. The current result is that Lausanne the Second did not escape, but he... and Miss Hilley was put in danger, returning to the palace gravely ill. Of course, we have strictly kept the tunnel incident and Reverse Blade confidential, preventing leaks..."

"It was a warning."

Thales stared at the distant horizon.

"Your Highness?"

Thales turned back, his gaze deep.

"You are right, Wya. It does not fit. Compared with decisive killing, Reverse Blade seemed more like she came to put on a performance. She proved that she had the ability to break the balance, but also restrained herself and stopped at the right point, as if... as if merely to warn someone."

Wya frowned.

"Warn... whom?"

"Whoever holds power, whoever controls the situation," Thales said faintly. "That is who receives the warning."

"But that is too..."

Thales's eyes moved.

"Do you think there is a possibility that the mastermind is indeed dissatisfied with the situation and unhappy with the current compromise, but they lack the ability to turn the tide and clean up the situation? Perhaps, given their position, it is even inconvenient for them to openly appear and state conditions..."

Wya thought of something, and his expression changed slightly.

"Therefore they still need to rely on me," Thales pondered. "Rely on the person who is at least nominally the regent and ruler of Emerald Palace at present, to achieve what they want?"

"Then..."

At that moment, Mallos came from afar and interrupted them.

"Your Highness."

"Tor."

"Lord Mallos."

Mallos first bowed to Thales, then nodded to Wya.

"Forgive the interruption, Your Highness. From what I saw, Guard Officer Doyle is recovering well, though he may still need some psychological counseling..."

Thales rarely let out a long breath.

"Unfortunately, Priest Chadwi, who was attacked, has still not awakened. They say it depends on whether the Sunset Goddess shows favor." But the Watchman's words turned. "Also, although we tried hard to keep it secret, the news that Miss Cecilia returned to the palace seriously ill has already spread outside."

The smile Thales had finally raised collapsed again.

So be it.

It was only a matter of time.

"As for the effects of the attack at the temple, leaving aside the case's confusing nature... from yesterday until now, at least seventeen groups of visitors have come outside Emerald Palace. Butler Ashford blocked all of them. Those asking privately are countless," Mallos said.

Seventeen groups...

"Excellent." Thales released a breath.

"Regarding the sudden appearance of the Supreme-class assassin Reverse Blade, we have already discussed a response plan..."

At that moment, Thales thought of something and interrupted him with a turn of his eyes.

"Right, Tor. Can you contact the kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department?"

The kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department.

As soon as these words came out, even Wya could not help pricking up his ears.

Mallos was silent for a while.

"I can write to Eternal Star City, Your Highness, and then pass your request to..."

"But I mean right now, locally, the Secret Intelligence Department personnel in Jade City."

Mallos paused.

"My apologies. I do not have such channels."

Thales sighed and waved his hand in disappointment.

Looking at him, Mallos suddenly said, "But I can ask Fubi. The standard wing may have special channels or methods."

Thales's eyes lit up, then immediately dimmed again.

"All right. Thank you."

"But Your Highness, forgive my bluntness. Is the key problem truly there?"

"What do you mean?"

"Even if we contact... the people you want to contact," Mallos said faintly, "what should you say to them? What can you say? And what kind of response do you expect from them?"

"I..."

Thales instinctively began, but was briefly speechless.

Thales lowered his head dispiritedly and braced both hands on the terrace.

"Fine."

"There is one more matter."

"Mm-hm?"

"Priest Chadwi's teacher, the highly respected chief priest of the South Bank diocese, Fable, is extremely furious. Over his student's assassination, he sent a letter with severe wording, declaring that no matter what, he must enter the palace and meet you."

"Chadwi's teacher? Fine. I do owe Chadwi. If taking a scolding from his teacher can..."

"The key is that Chief Priest Fable did not send a letter only to you," Mallos said softly, as if talking about a small matter. "He also sent letters to nobles, high officials, landlords, great merchants, and weighty honored guests throughout the whole city. In the name of the Sunset Goddess's mercy for all living beings, he invited the faithful to enter the palace together and deliberate with Your Highness on Jade City's situation."

Throughout the whole city...

Enter the palace together...

Deliberate on the situation...

Thales used several seconds to digest this matter. Once he reacted, his expression changed violently.

"What does that mean? Is he coming to demand an accounting? Or gathering people to force the palace?"

Wya was shocked as well.

"Holy shit..."

Thales turned in disbelief.

"Why do they not simply rebel?"

"Then I will go mobilize troops..."

In his urgency, Wya had not finished one sentence and had only taken a step before Thales, who still retained some reason, grabbed him back.

"Do not worry. Although the momentum is large..."

Mallos was calm, as if he were used to rebellion.

"It should not yet reach the level of revolt."

"Momentum... so someone responded?"

"After all, matters of true faith are no small thing, and the chief priest himself is a famously good man. His reputation is high, from the Karabeyan family to the Lassia family..." Mallos spoke tactfully.

Thales exhaled painfully.

"Can I refuse to see him?"

"Of course you can," Mallos remained calm. "But this matter is already making a great stir and has spread throughout the city. If they gather before Emerald Palace..."

Thales clutched his head and groaned.

"Someone, where is my court staff?"

Wya froze.

"Your Highness?"

Thales rubbed his messy hair.

"Forgive me. I lost composure. Where is Federico? And Zayen?"

"They have arrived in accordance with your order."

"Good. I will go see the two of them now and see how to respond."

Thales nodded with relief, then immediately cursed.

"Fuck."

He knew it.

This matter would not end with Reverse Blade alone.

"Your Highness."

"What?"

"Do you remember martial lessons?" Mallos narrowed his eyes in reminder. "When being beaten, you must avoid losing your head."

Avoid losing your head.

Fuck.

"All right. Thank you... wait, being beaten?" Thales's expression turned unhappy.

Mallos wisely fell silent.

The Duke of Star Lake was vexed, but many guards and servants were watching from afar, so he had no choice but to arrange his appearance and settle his mood.

"Wya," Thales frowned. "You said just now that there is a third suspicious point in the ghoul tunnel matter?"

"Oh! Your Highness, yes, it is..."

The prince's attendant, still immersed in "forcing the palace and rebellion," came back to himself. But after opening his notebook, he hesitated and finally shook his head awkwardly.

"Forgive me. I have not thought of that point yet. I will report it once I have."

Thales was burdened with concerns.

"Good. Thank you for your work."

He nodded to Mallos and Wya, clenched his teeth, and turned.

"Excuse me. Now, I must go face the storm."

Mallos waved his hand. Toledo and Italiano, who attended him, followed the prince without leaving even half a step. The palace guards farther out also withdrew from the terrace together.

Watching the prince leave, Wya bowed to Mallos and also prepared to follow, but Mallos called him back.

"What is the third suspicious point?"

"What?" Wya froze.

Mallos gestured toward the notebook in his hand.

"Oh, about that... in truth, I have not thought of it yet..."

"Something you have not thought of would not be listed by you as a point of suspicion," Mallos pointed at his notes, speaking unhurriedly but with full certainty. "Much less numbered as the 'third' suspicious point."

Wya's expression froze, and he fell silent.

Mallos smiled, turned, and left without forcing him.

"It is fine. No need to mind."

Wya looked at the Watchman's back, then at his own notebook, hesitating.

"My lord!"

After struggling for a long while and looking left and right, the prince's attendant finally could not help speaking:

"Can I... can I trust you?"

Mallos's back stopped.

"That depends on the matter." The Watchman stopped, turned, and smiled faintly. "If it is rebellion again, I will probably turn around and sell you out..."

But he was immediately interrupted.

"The ghoul tunnels themselves are secret and hidden. Only the lower-class people excluded from society inside them know of it. The interior of the tunnels is also like a maze..."

This time, Wya spoke very quickly, almost panting as he finished.

"Only the insiders and the manpower we sent to guard the place over these days knew."

In that moment, the playfulness in Mallos's eyes disappeared.

"But Reverse Blade had a clear target and went straight for the dungeon, as if she knew from the start where Lausanne the Second was, and also knew where Lady Covendier was." Wya clenched his teeth.

"It may have been forced from that temple priest's mouth. After all, the temple assassination came first, and the tunnel attack immediately afterward. Once Reverse Blade obtained intelligence, she went straight..."

"My lord! Please!"

Wya almost roared as he interrupted him.

"Do you truly believe there is such a coincidence?"

A gust of wind struck. Above their heads, the tricolor iris banners rose and fell, shadows shifting.

"You have been holding that in for a long time, haven't you?"

The Watchman looked at Wya for a very, very long time before slowly speaking.

"What else? Say it all together."

Wya closed his eyes and exhaled.

"The shackle."

He opened his eyes, raised his notebook, and showed a sketch on it.

"The mechanical shackle we requisitioned from Emerald Palace's armory to restrain Lausanne the Second. It was passed down from an ancient forbidden mage tower. Unless one is the person who set and locked it, supposedly even a Supreme-class expert cannot open it. Although Mute objected to that, still..."

Mallos's eyes focused.

"But it was opened. Lausanne the Second regained his freedom. That was how he could use source blood to save Doyle. I do not have any objection to Guard Officer Doyle being alive. I only..."

Wya said gravely.

Mallos said carefully:

"You mean..."

Wya snapped the notebook shut.

"Yes! My lord, I suspect that at this very moment, within Star Lake Castle, within the Star Lake Guard... no, to be precise, among the people around His Highness..."

On the empty, open terrace of Emerald Palace, Wya stood before Mallos, anxious and uneasy, opening his mouth with difficulty:

"There is a mole."

Mallos fell silent.

He examined Wya with an unprecedented gaze, and examined him for a very long time.

A mole.

Interesting.

But Wya's mind was a mess at this moment. He had no time to consider the other party's gaze and only kept rubbing the notebook in his hands.

"If my guess is true, then that means we, we..."

"Then..."

Finally, the Watchman spoke softly.

"Whom do you suspect?"

Hearing the guidance, the restless Wya seemed to gain a backbone and hurriedly continued:

"Right! Many people came into close contact with that shackle, even witnessed it being locked. But those who had just returned from tunnel shifts, who had time and space, even... even motive to contact the outside world... even an opportunity to face the enemy directly..."

Wya clenched his teeth, drew in a breath, closed his eyes, then opened them again.

"I know she is strong. She has always been strong."

Mallos's expression shifted slightly.

He knew whom Wya meant.

"But is she truly strong enough to withstand a Supreme-class assassin alone, not fall into disadvantage, and hold on until His Highness came to help?"

Wya frowned gravely.

"If she truly is that strong, then how do we explain her previous performance against Lausanne the Second?"

Wya could not help rubbing his hands.

"Also, she said, she said she was nearly killed by Reverse Blade, but... I asked the doctors. Some of the scrapes and cuts on her body look frightening, but basically there were no fatal wounds. After the bandage on her abdomen was removed... the wound underneath had already scabbed for a long time. And Miss Hilley is unconscious, unable to corroborate her words..."

The attendant carefully observed the Watchman's response.

"Mm..."

Mallos narrowed his eyes.

"Go on."

Receiving encouragement, Wya adjusted his breathing.

"Most of the people in the Star Lake Guard, we know their roots and backgrounds. Only Lady Arunde came... came after His Majesty visited Star Lake Castle. She stayed behind, joined the team, and came with us to Jade City."

In that instant, cold light flashed through Mallos's eyes.

"Who said that?"

"Is that not obvious..."

Mallos spoke coldly, solemn and severe:

"No. Who told you that His Majesty the King once came to Star Lake Castle?"

Wya froze at once.

He stared blankly at Mallos.

The Watchman coldly stared back at him.

As if, with one wrong word, he would act immediately.

Only after a long while did Wya exhale and dispiritedly flip his notebook back.

"All right... On the day the Flower of the Fortress visited Star Lake Castle, His Highness Thales held a banquet to receive her, but left midway and only returned after a long time."

Wya flipped pages while shaking his head.

"At that time, His Highness's face seemed normal, but in his eyes... after the banquet, the Chief Guard and his people returned to the royal capital. Only His Highness Thales was heavy with worries. Then, only a few days later, the royal order arrived from Renaissance Palace: His Highness was to go to Jade City."

Mallos looked page by page through his notes, his brow tightening.

"So you concluded that His Majesty came personally?"

Wya shook his head.

"I compared the physical features of everyone in the visiting party that I recorded that day..."

"You recorded... what?" Even one as composed as Mallos could not help freezing at those words.

"...one by one with the rosters of the Royal Guards and Starlight Guards..."

Wya ignored him and continued on his own.

"And found that on that day, there was a person who never removed his helmet, stayed close by Guard Captain Adrian, never left his side, yet did not match anyone on the roster.

"D.D. thought the person looked unfamiliar and wanted to strike up conversation as usual, but was pushed back by those old colleagues of his from the guard wing without courtesy.

"Zombie told me that the guard wing's formation that day appeared excessively tight, and not to escort Lady Sonia, but more like they were tightly protecting Lord Adrian, or something beside him.

"And most importantly, Mr. Vitano, the old caretaker of Star Lake Castle, has always been muddled and half-mad, yet that day he actually spent half a day sweeping and cleaning the reception hall, far more seriously than we did.

"So although I dared not believe it, I also had no choice but to believe it. That day, His Majesty personally came to meet Prince Thales."

Mallos took his notebook, and the way he looked at Wya grew more and more astonished.

"And it just so happened that on the day His Majesty came to Star Lake Castle, Miranda Arunde also came. And once she came, she did not leave. She even wanted to go to Jade City with us."

Wya raised his head and hesitated for a moment.

"My lord, tell me, Lady Arunde, why exactly did she join His Highness's team and swear loyalty to him?"

Mallos could not answer him.

"Is she... is she truly only doing it for old affection, to repay an old debt, to save her father, and to find a place in the kingdom's future?"

Wya was deeply worried.

"And in order to do these things... what is she willing to pay? What is she willing to sacrifice? What is she willing to step over?"

Mallos finished reading his notes and was silent for a long while.

"These words, why did you not report them to the prince just now?"

Hearing "the prince," Wya paused.

"You saw it too. His Highness has a pile of vexing matters now. There are three Covendiers in the palace, each harder to handle than the last, and outside the palace another group of people wants to make trouble for him."

The attendant shook his head helplessly and bitterly, laughing self-mockingly.

"And long ago, Lady Arunde and His Highness shared life and death together. It is inconvenient for me... mm, not convenient to become too... too involved..."

"According to custom, Miranda Arunde will be the second prince's attendant, and one personally chosen by him," Mallos said without hesitation, direct and without concealment. "You do not want him to think you are unwilling in your heart, jealous of the worthy and envious of the capable."

Wya shook all over, his face embarrassed, and immediately denied it.

"No! I... I actually have never thought... I am not jealous... I mean, different attendants should be collaborators, not competitors. We... we serve His Highness together. Even if it were not Arunde, there would be someone else... Paul, for example... I mean, His Highness has to give him a proper title eventually. He cannot just keep following without clarity..."

"Wya Caso!"

Mallos closed Wya's notebook and slapped it against the chest of the incoherent attendant.

The Watchman stared hard at him.

"Who do you think, among the people around His Highness the Prince, is truly worthy of his trust?"

For an instant, Wya was stung by Mallos's eyes and actually instinctively wanted to turn his head and retreat.

"The Star Lake Guard are elite soldiers chosen from the Royal Guards. Their loyalty is..."

But Mallos's cold glance choked the polite words in his throat.

Wya had no choice but to swallow and answer seriously:

"Worthy of trust... all right, let me think. Mm, Mute followed His Highness earliest and has no other burdens of interpersonal ties, so he should be without issue. His Highness saved D.D.'s life, and his relationship with Glover is also good. Of course, there is also me. I consider myself utterly loyal to His Highness. As for the others, His Highness is, after all, the kingdom's heir. Even looking to the future, for their own interests..."

"No," Mallos denied him lightly.

Wya immediately choked.

"Remember this, Wya. In all of Star Lake Castle, aside from that silly dog that chases birds, no person or living thing is worthy of trust."

Mallos spoke slowly in a solemn tone Wya had never encountered from him before.

"Whether it is the so-called loyal Imperial Guard, or the veteran old ministers who began following the brat long ago, none can be trusted. Even the cats and rats throughout the castle, and even that bad horse that steals nighttime feed, are sinister and cunning, exhausting every possible scheme."

What?

Wya froze.

In all of Star Lake Castle...

No person or living thing...

"That... that is absurd..."

Wya could hardly believe it.

"Then His Highness, His Highness would be living in..."

At that moment, Mallos grabbed the prince's attendant by the shoulder, startling him.

"But tell me..."

The next second, Mallos changed direction.

"Among the royal ministers who labor over state affairs for His Majesty in Renaissance Palace, and the loyal, brave generals throughout the kingdom who swear loyalty to royal business..." The Watchman narrowed his eyes and looked down toward Jade City. "How many are worthy of entrusted trust?"

What?

Wya wanted to speak but stopped.

"But..."

"Even your father, the famous Sly Fox, the eminent minister who brought peace to Star and Dragon, Gilbert Caso. Tell me, is he worthy of entrusted trust?"

In that instant, Wya's expression froze.

"I... he..."

Mallos looked at him coldly. Only after a long while did he slowly release Wya's shoulder.

"Do not employ those you suspect, and do not suspect those you employ. It is easy to say."

The Watchman said softly:

"But in reality, if you do not employ those you suspect, you often have no one to employ."

"As for employing people without suspicion..."

Mallos did not explain, only giving a mocking laugh that expressed his attitude.

Wya stood there blankly.

Mallos patted his shoulder and brushed past him.

"But you did well. As expected of the real Wya, you truly are different from the other 'Wyas.'"

Wya shook at these words.

"Keep suspecting. Maintain suspicion. Then accept reality," Mallos said with emotion. "Because this is the principle by which the world operates."

Wya came back to himself and hurriedly turned.

"Wait, my lord. Then Arunde..."

Mallos snorted softly.

"Patterson, Fubi, Stowe. The three great chiefs of the punishment wing, standard wing, and logistics wing. These masters usually order their subordinates to work while too lazy to move themselves, yet now they are all busy front and back. Why do you think that is?"

"That... that is of course because the guard suffered a major accident and almost lost personnel, while Guard Officer Doyle was badly hurt..."

Wait.

Halfway through, Wya froze.

"So they are busy because they went to..."

Mallos smiled.

"The questions you suspect, they have long suspected as well, and have long been handling."

Wya was immediately startled.

Of course, as for whether it could be handled cleanly, or how cleanly it could be handled, whether it should be handled cleanly...

Mallos shook his head.

Besides, they could handle Wya's question.

But who could handle his, Mallos's, question?

Mallos strode forward and no longer paid attention to Wya behind him.

"But my lord, you did not answer my earliest question." Wya suddenly spoke.

Mallos stopped.

Wya looked at him, incomparably serious.

"Tormond Mallos," the attendant said coldly, "can I trust you?"

Not a bad reaction.

Quite intuitive.

Mallos smiled.

"For you, of course," Mallos patted nonexistent dust from his hands. "I am the head of the Star Lake Guard, and you are the prince's attendant. If you do not even trust me, how will you carry out your work?"

Wya stared fixedly at him. Only after a long while did he slowly nod.

"Good."

But the prince cannot.

Mallos said silently in his heart.

He cannot trust anyone.

Not even himself.

Wya swallowed.

"But I still want to say that today's matter, including what you just said, I will... I will find a chance to report it to His Highness."

Mallos raised an eyebrow.

"Very good, including the part where your eyes turned red over Arunde and your heart became unbalanced."

Wya instantly stiffened.

But the attendant said nothing further. He bowed unnaturally.

"Then, forgive me for leaving. I am going back to look for a fourth point of suspicion, if there is one."

Mallos nodded, and he and the attendant left in two different directions.

But Wya had taken only a few steps before stopping.

"What stole your trust?"

"Hm?" Mallos asked in confusion.

Wya stood still.

"What was it, Lord Mallos? What stole your trust in others, and even your trust in this world?"

Mallos paused.

In that instant, Wya and Mallos stood with their backs to each other, their emotions different.

"I know you have no home or family, that you are alone... but what I mean is, if you suspect everything this way and do not even offer basic trust," Wya frowned. "How are we supposed to live on and face this world?"

"And you, Little Tor, do you think this is over?"

Mallos closed his eyes, drew in a deep breath, and slowly exhaled.

"You will pay the price, Little Tor."

When the Watchman opened his eyes again, only deep cold remained beneath them.

"Far more than you imagine."

"Then what stole your trust?"

Mallos said without emotion:

"Especially your trust in your father?"

Wya's eyes abruptly widened.

"And what made you want to place that kind of trust on the prince?"

The Watchman spoke coldly, his words like claws and fangs, tearing through heart and lungs:

"Is it because... you are jealous? Jealous that your father treats him more like a son than he treats you?"

In that instant, within Mallos's Power of Eradication perception, the young attendant behind him instantly became a sharp blade.

Cold light gleaming.

Edge turned outward.

No strangers allowed near.

Only after a long time did Wya Caso raise his head, expressionless.

"You know..."

The prince's attendant spoke slowly, flat and rippleless, like a reading without feeling:

"Chief Arunde said that you are skilled with short blades, which is why you gained the title 'Terrifying Blade.'"

Mallos turned his head slightly and frowned tightly.

"Are you... certain?"

"But I have a feeling," Wya said slowly, "that in your title, the most crucial and fitting part is not the 'Blade' part."

Not the Blade part.

Then what other part could it be?

But Wya said nothing further and strode away.

Mallos turned back and watched Wya's departing back. After a long while, he gave a soft scoff.

Nonsense.

He, Mallos, was clearly the most approachable person.

In the colorful and lively Jade City, the Watchman stood atop Emerald Palace, looking at the gray, dreary, black-and-white world in his vision, and raised the corner of his mouth.

So approachable he had nearly become human.