175 Put Down The Knife (1/2)

Half an hour prior to Leon's arrival.

”Your Highness, the information you inquired has been gathered.”

A shadowguard handed over the report. Leon directly swept the report before ruminating through the collected information in his mind.

”Your Highness…?” The shadowguard repeated doubtfully, when Leon did not reach out for the report.

”I don't need it anymore. You may take it back.” Leon opened his eyes and stated.

”Huh?” Although the shadowguard was confused, he recovered quickly. ”Yes, your Highness.”

Leon was quite surprised at how little information the report contained. There were no records of any serious crimes and only a few within the grey area. There was some information on the crimes of the associated nobles of the merchant association.

However, it was committed under personal interest and not the interest of the merchant association. As such, Leon couldn't really use this information to extort the merchants. There were even some merits of the presidents recorded.

They had hosted a few charity events to feed the hungry commoners of the Lower District. Whether it was an act of kindness or strategic move to raise their image, it had indeed saved lives.

Leon secretly noted to give Porter Fischer and Vigo Primrose a chance, but only one chance. There was a limit to one's mercy. After all, despite a fairly clean history, they have seized his property in his absence. That was without a doubt, a crime.

”How is the search progress on my disciple?” Leon asked.

”I'm sorry, Your Highness. Your disciple, Reginald has not been found yet.” The shadowguard showed an apologetic expression.

Leon nodded. He wasn't expecting the shadowguards to produce any results so quickly and only asked on a whim.

”Continue the search.”

”Yes, your Highness!”

The shadowguard disappeared shortly after.

”It would not be appropriate to attend the banquet in these clothes… Fortunately, there's still time until the banquet starts.” Leon thought.

Leon visited a tailor and bought a few dozen sets of clothes to save himself from future inconvenience. His black attire has been slightly worn out from battles and the royal attire was too flashy for some occasions.

After dumping everything in the Worldspace, he went on his way.

…

Present time.

Despite Oliver's condemnation and Porter's plea, Vigo was not swayed in his belief. No one else had said anything either, but more importantly, the Cromwell family had not said anything.

If the brat was the prince, why would the Cromwell family do nothing about it?

”Seeking death?” Leon shook his head. ”I'm afraid the one seeking death is you. Do not say that this prince did not give you chance. Alas, some people cannot accept the truth even after hearing it.”

…

While making the Primrose family's servant lead the way, Captain Dylan of the palace guards became suspicious.

The path they were taking was leading to the Cromwell family's home and there was currently a banquet there. How could the crystal thief be there?

'Leon Bradford… Cromwell family… hm? Wasn't Bradford the surname of his highness when he was still living as a commoner?'

It suddenly dawned on him why the name was so familiar. He had just met his highness earlier in the day as well.

When they arrived at the banquet, Dylan immediately spotted Leon.

'Sure enough, it WAS his Highness!' Dylan confirmed. He immediately felt anger rising inside him. This servant must be tired of living! How dare he accused the prince of stealing!

Hmm no… the servant was just an informant. The real offender is the servant's master, the current head of Primrose family.

”Who among you is Vigo Primrose?”

Dylan swept through the people at the banquet with his cold gaze. He wasn't familiar with the people at the banquet. In the past 17 years, it was rare for the Royal Palace to receive a visitor even once in a blue moon. As such, he didn't recognize anyone.

But the opposite cannot be said for the others. Everyone recognized the captain of the palace guards immediately. The Underground Mines had been making waves in the kingdom. Its not hard to find out who the supervisor placed in charge of it.

”It is I, Captain Dylan.”

Vigo's eyes lit up the moment Captain Dylan arrived and answered his question eagerly.

”You're the one who sent the servant to make the report?” Captain Dylan asked in a low tone.

”Yes, it was me.”

”And where is the 'Commoner' who stole the heavenly crystals?”

”It is that brat!” Vigo pointed at the nonchalant Leon and answered. ”Please be careful, Captain Dylan. That brat has reached the level of one star!”

A number of people immediately became amused, while the rest silently watched on with anticipation, not understanding what was happening.

Receiving his confirmation, Captain Dylan took a deep breath, before a chilly light flashed in his eyes.