Translator: 549690339
The streets of Silver Moon City had become somewhat deserted.
A middle-aged half-elf hurriedly walked down the street, brimming with fallen leaves, his hat brim low.
However, a patrol of guards stopped him quite quickly.
âName?â
âRoss.â
âWhat are you doing? Where are you going?â
After some routine inspection and questioning, Ross was finally let go.
He wandered the streets for a long while before finally entering a nondescript tavern.
He bypassed the bustling main hall and headed straight to the kitchen as if he knew the place well, then, led by a chef, he slipped into a concealed basement.
âBrother, Kathy has sent an urgent message from the royal palace.â
Under the dim candlelight in the basement, a half-elf raised his headâit was none other than Cis from the Windbell Commerce Association.
Cis furrowed his brows, accepting the piece of paper that Ross handed over. He said somewhat discontentedly, âThe Modewen family is looking for us everywhere now. Why does she have to take the risk and send messages out?â
Ross sighed, âIt must be vital information. In order to get it out, weâve already lost three of our insiders in the palace.â
Cisâ brows furrowed even deeper, but he still patiently unfolded the paper, then took a book from a shelf.
After translating the cipher on the paper, his face instantly became grave.
âWhat happened?â Seeing the sudden change in his brotherâs expression, Ross asked worriedly.
Cis handed the translated paper to his brother, saying in a serious tone, âWe must take action now; we canât just sit around and wait for death!â
After reading the intelligence, Ross hesitated, âBrother, but Mr. Jiâ¦â
âForget that damned Mr. Ji!â Cis said angrily, âAt this point, the only one we can rely on is Duke St. Hilde!â
âButâ¦â Ross seemed to still have some doubts.
âYounger brother, itâs not three hundred years ago anymore. Between the two, you still canât see who we should choose?â
After a long silence, Ross seemed to be persuaded by his brotherâs words, and nodded, âAlright! So what should we do?â
âMake arrangements, I need to see Duke Lute!â
âYou dare to see me?â
Duke Lute snorted coldly as he saw Cis appear before him.
With a calm expression on his face, Cis retorted, âYour Grace, donât you dare to see me at this time as well?â
Duke Lute chuckled, âHow do you know that I didnât agree to meet you just to deliberately lure you out? You should know, Prince William is searching for you throughout the city.â
âDo you know why Prince William is looking for me?â
âI heard itâs due to your Windbell Commerce Associationâs tax evasion.â
âDo you believe in this reason?â
âOf course not.â
âThen what do you think is the reason?â
Duke Lute sneered confidently, âI believe, it should be because of Queen Isa.â
âOh?â Cis blinked, âAnd what do you know about my business with Her Majesty the Queen?â
Duke Lute laughed, âNo wonder youâre getting on so well with Queen Isa, under the guise of cultivating Blood Roses. You probably took advantage of that, didnât you?â Duke Lute bore a knowing smile, âYou really are lucky, a lowly man like you is favored by splendid rose-like Queen Isa!â
Cis was taken aback.
He once thought his secret affair with Queen Isa had been discovered by Duke Lute, but he didnât expectâ¦
âHahaha! Your Grace, indeed you have a discerning eye!â
Duke Lute wore an air of self-satisfaction, hummed lightly and said, âIn the royal palace, there arenât many things that can escape my eyes.â
âAbsolutely, absolutely!â Cis forced back a laugh, âSo, are you intending to take me to His Majesty?â
âThat depends on your performance.â Duke Lute slightly smiled, âThough the Windbell Commerce Association has been sealed off, I believe that you must have your own little treasury.â
âSo you want money?â
âAnd alsoâ¦â Duke Luteâs eyes flashed an unclean light, âYouâve spent so much time with Queen Isa, there must be something that you can use against her, isnât it? Give it to me.â
âAnd then, you can use it to threaten Queen Isa to favor you, is that your plan?â Cisâs look was somewhat peculiar.
Duke Lute harrumphed, seemingly admitting to it.
Cis couldnât stop laughing, shook his head and sighed, âYour grace, you misunderstand. My relationship with Queen Isa isnât what you think. But, if you really want her favor, maybe I can help.â
Duke Lute felt that Cisâs denial was just bluster, but at the end, he still couldnât help asking, âHow would you help?â
âI can help you seize the Royal Palace. Then, all the Half-Elf beauties in the palace, including Queen Isa, would be yours.â
Duke Luteâs eyes popped out and he shouted angrily, âAre you toying with me?â
âIâm absolutely serious, Your Grace.â Cis laid his hand on his chest and bowed, looking perfectly serious.
âHeh, you lowly creature, daring to toy with a noble! Do you really think I wouldnât dare kill you?â
In the face of Duke Luteâs threats, Cis merely laughed, âYour grace, I am no commoner.â âWhat did you say?â
âMy surname is Savoy.â
âSa, Savoy? Savoy!â Duke Lute sprung up from his seat, his face full of disbelief as he looked at Cis.
Cis also stood straight and met Duke Luteâs gaze without flinching.
Then, to convince the other of his identity, Cis pulled out a finely crafted badge.
âThe Golden Wing Bird!â The moment Duke Lute saw the badge, he finally confirmed Cisâs real identity.
He was indeed the descendant of the previous Half-Elf royal family, the âGolden Wing Birdâ Savoy!
âNo wonder Prince William is desperate to catch you.â Duke Lute finally understood.
âYour Grace, now you know that my proposal to help you seize the Royal Palace isnât mere talk.â
â Hmph! Are you out of your mind? Even if you are part of the Savoy family, so what? Do you think this is still three hundred years ago? That by revealing your identity, I would instantly be at your beck and call?
Wake up. The current Half-Elf royal family belongs to the Modewen family!â
Cis also laughed, âYour Grace, if you donât follow my advice, do you think the record of our past dealings will end up in front of His Majesty?â
Duke Lute instantly became a bit flustered, but still managed to growl, âWould His Majesty believe you?â
âWhy not?
Do you know, I have always been in the habit of keeping records. For every bribe Iâve ever given you, I have detailed records.
And not just for you, but for your family members and loyal subordinates.
Perhaps youâre not fully aware, but the Windbell Commerce Association has become deeply entwined with your Lute family.
Normally, it might not matter, but at this sensitive time, do you think His Majesty would choose to believe your innocence?
Or would he choose to âbetter to kill an innocent than let a guilty go free?ââ
Duke Lute broke out into a cold sweat.
Because he knew his brother-in-law all too well.
A cold-blooded political animal!
The moment he found out about the murky dealings between the Lute family and the Savoy family, the old king would absolutely raise his butcherâs knife without hesitation!
After a long silence, Duke Lute finally forced out, âWhat exactly is your planâ¦â
The corners of Cisâs mouth lifted into a bloodthirsty grin..