Chapter 178: Drama in Codo Bosra (2/2)

“What? Really?!”

At the noblewoman’s words, Simba appeared to have a rug pulled out from under his feet, sprawling over the ground in a disappointed (OTZ) pose.

“That’s a little over the top.” Zazu could not help rebuking him. “You didn’t react that much when you received the believer blessing, or are the people of Codo Bosra not being crazy about Blunt Rhinos that important to you?”

Beside them, the noblewoman sharply caught the keywords.

Believer? Blessing?

Could the murderer be supported by a church?

She felt a chill, realizing things weren’t as simple as it looked.

***

Nonetheless, the noblewoman was slightly relieved when Codo Bosra was in view.

Although the Morrisons—her maiden family—wasn’t as influential as Mayor Corinth in Lancaster, their business in cloth and spices elevated them from the range of minor nobles to gain considerable power.

As such, the noblewoman did not have much to fear after returning to the city.

And since those brats didn’t really incur her displeasure on the journey, she wouldn’t overstep boundaries either—she would probably just restrain them and have them drink an alchemist’s truth elixir to get the information she wanted.

However, a weak stuttering voice called out even before they reached the city gates from a roadside bush.

“Y-y-young lady?”

Most would have ignored that frail voice if not for the children’s sharper hearing.

As one of the noblewoman’s maids used her scabbard to push off the withered bush that was piling with snow, they found a skinny old man who was thoroughly scarred and basically a bag of bones.

The noblewoman stared at him in confusion, and only recognized his face after some time.

“Butler Volks? Why are you here?!” She asked in disbelief, holding a hand over her mouth.

“Master and Mistress had been framed as traitors… they were publicly beheaded by Codo Bosra’s mayor two days ago… it’s over for the Morrison family.” The old man was choking in tears even as he tugged at the noblewoman’s sleeve.

“What…” The noblewoman stumbled and almost fell, but her two maids caught her in time while she gritted her teeth and sobbed. “Why would the mayor do that?! Every other noble in Codo Bosra could be a traitor except them!”

“Mommy, is Grandpa and Grandma alright?” Gwendolyn asked softly.

The noblewoman did not answer, and merely continued patting her head while sobbing silently.

“But your parents’ death is actually the mayor’s gesture of fealty towards the emperor… the emperor seems intent on ending the war a year earlier, and then personally see to getting rid of Mayor Corinth…” The old butler stuttered. “The city watch is on the search for any remaining rebels… please run, young lady…”

When he finished, the shadows of city watch soldiers had already appeared over the snow-laden path.