Chapter 29: Fourth Episode: Chapter 2 (1/2)
Chapter 29: Fourth Episode: Chapter 2
Translator: EndlessFantasy TranslationEditor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The summer season could be said as the time when the God of Light got cursed the most. The hot and dry air in Dulin city was so unbearable that even the wild dogs idling along the streets barked loudly in protest of their suffering.
Apart from the irritable weather, these wild dogs were actually living quite a good life recently. Although rotten human flesh was not the most delicious, it was still meat after all, and the amount of this food source had increased to a point where they did not even have to lift a toe to find it.
The Lair appeared even more deserted after being patronized by the wild dogs. It had probably become the emptiest spot in the whole of Dulin. Every night, people made sure that they had locked their doors tightly. The streets were full of patrolmen under the mission led by the Ministry of Justice. All the lazy guys seemed to have turned over new leaves as they tirelessly inspected and searched every nook and cranny of the lair for remaining gang members.
The baron's name became the most discussed throughout the entire Titan over the course of just one night. All of the more important gang leaders had been informed by the baron that if they were still interested in conducting business with Dulin, they should all send a mediator there as soon as possible to settle the business transactions from the past. This was because the current Dulin was controlled only by one big brother, and every transaction must be granted the big brother's permission before proceeding.
After so long, the lackeys of the Ministry of Justice finally had some time to begin clearing up the rotten bodies abandoned in The Lair. However, the clearing operation was still ongoing.
A cemetery had been arranged somewhere outside the perimeter of the city. Although the people who had seen the place realized that it was nothing more than a big pit, for these street gangsters that belonged nowhere, however, this was already much better than they could have ever wished for.
Of course, those who lived in the noble neighborhood of the capital had certainly no idea about anything that happened in The Lair. They did notice the disappearance of idlers on the streets of the capital but no second thoughts were given about that. This was certainly a good thing for them as both the social order as well as the appearance of the capital city improved for the better. The transformation of the capital had added more face for Marquis Andeses of the Ministry of Justice in front of the other ministers.
His Majesty the Emperor had never invite Marquis Andeses to the opera. Normally, the high official Ministry of Justice Roment Huga Andeses would spend his own money to participate in this kind of high-culture leisure activity.
Marquis Andeses was extremely satisfied with his deal with the young prince. Luck seemed to have constantly been by his side after that. Over the past two days, the amount of compliments showered upon the minister was the most he had ever received throughout his entire life. Not only had His Majesty the Emperor awarded him with the Imperial Medal of Honor, but as a reward for his efforts on improving the image of Dulin, his territories were to be tax-exempt for up to two years. At the thought of this the minister could not help but smile from ear to ear, he would never reject any opportunity to collect more Golden Tis.
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Similarly, 31 Penelope Road was also filled with a warm, positive atmosphere. The time in the official residence seemed to pass so quickly. Activities were always happening there: balls, excursions, hunting trips. It seemed like this usually peaceful residence suddenly became Dulin's most visited attraction, the new focus of the capital. People were amazed at the young prince's ability to constantly create surprises.
Indeed, His Imperial Highness Prince O'Neil Andrew Morisette had become a little wild lately. In the words of Celia, the Duchess Lady of Andrew, ”The young fellow has gone crazy! If you do not want your son and daughter to degenerate, then it's best to make them stay away from the young prince.”
With a few other equally esteemed ladies, the words of the Duchess Lady were conveyed to the ears of every aristocrat youth. Despite the plausible warnings of the elders, once they were out of the sight of their parents, these youths became insanely eager to attend all of the young prince's invitations. After all, the idea of degeneration appealed to these superficial youths with empty souls, like the way children were attracted to candies.
These young people were thrilled to gain access to an unlimited supply of illegal substances that could not be obtained elsewhere other than the parties thrown by the young Prince O'Neil. Just to name a few, they could have good quality marijuana smuggled in from distant Papaica, pure tobacco imported from the capital of Persian-Baghdad West, authentic rum wine coming from the palace's collection, and various medications to increase the intensity of illusions. They could possibly get whatever they wanted.
Midnight was approaching, but the Prince's party was still going on loudly and it did not seem like it was to end anytime soon. The Baron's men were proficient in all kinds of extremely obscene or even perverted hedonism, but for the young men and ladies of Dulin, this mode of play was regarded as admirable and outstanding ways of pleasure. It was safe to say that they could be easily contented by merely the companionship of opium and alcohol.
Celia was an old-fashioned, traditional mother. She would never have allowed her son to gather some playboys and horny teenage girls to take drugs in her own house. So the young prince moved the meeting place to The Lair, in a small clubhouse that resembled a hotel. Of course, for privacy and security matters, the invitees to His Imperial Highness the Prince's party would only be told of the time and location of the event shortly after getting approval from all the members of the club.
Inside the club, the light settings had to be always dim, with flirty music playing seductively in the background. There was no need for much food, but wine must always be enough, for the guests to have a hard time deciding which to drink from. The Prince's party looked like the backstage of an acrobatic troupe. Men did things more degrading than a gigolo, and the ladies, hah, they were all entangled in each other bodies, lying on the benches and the floor! When they were naked, one could hardly tell whom among them was Lady Marquis and who were the prostitutes hired from the red light district.
”Godot, shut the door! I can not stand the stink emitting from those guys.” Oscar said disgustedly and waved his handkerchief in front of himself to get rid of the pungent odor.
Godot obediently closed the door at his young master's command. If there was anything else to critique about this big man with the most beautiful pair of eyes in the entire empire, it had to be his uncommonly ugly appearance. Oscar thought that he looked like a big black bear.
The room was quiet all of a sudden. The people in the small living room were relieved, for the indulgence of the scene outside was so crazy that it could even make a mighty Paladin feel unsettled.
”Much better now!” Oscar said before lighting a No. 4 cigar. He had chosen the smallest cigar because all the women in 31 Penelope Road were complaining about it.
Oscar took in a deep, long breath before slowly letting out a puff of delight.
”My God, you are only fifteen! Throw it away! The God of Light will not take smokers in this place!” Annie shouted at him angrily.
”Quit it, Oscar! Quit it immediately! Your father will break your leg for this. Do you think he will have mercy on you just because you're his son? Go home and ask your poor elder brother.” Celia did not want to keep protecting this excessively bad-behaved little fellow anymore.
”Brother! Do you want me to die early? I am only a child, but I will no doubt go to the Pope His Grand Eminence and tell him about it!” Even the young lady was upset at her brother's newly developed vice.
The young prince shook his head vigorously to keep those voices away!
Oscar glanced around him, and he saw the silhouettes of these annoying women drifting up into the ceiling like puffs of smoke. The young man smiled triumphantly, and no one could be certain whether this young fellow was still clear-minded or not.
”I really failed as your doctor. I did not expect at all that the first thing I would see after coming back from the faraway Deiss Kingdom would be the image of you high on drugs. It's doing you no good!” Poison Doctor Percy shook his head and sighed at the young man's degrading behavior.
”Shut up, Percy. First of all, I want to congratulate you for coming back to Titan safely. Secondly, these things wouldn't be here if it was not because of you. Do not put out such an innocent, holy demeanor after the mess that you've created yourself.” Oscar scoffed at the Poison Doctor's advice.
”Young Oscar! Percy was just telling the truth, you are still far too young for the age of indulgence. If you want to live for another few more years, it is best to retreat yourself completely from those harmful things.”
”Oh! Look at our Sarlat! I have not yet welcomed you on your return! How are you doing? Was it a smooth journey back home?” Oscar smiled.
”Well, what's new? It's always the same old story.” The person who spoke was Sarlat Drosha the Hedgehog. This Paladin was famous for his ability to use a rapier as a sniper's bow. He was back at Brother Balance's side once again after wandering away for some time with a few of the gangsters from Damorga.
”Young man, do not change the topic. I am talking about the drugs. You should listen to everyone else's opinion.” Sarlat Drosha was the one who taught Oscar his rapier skills. He was fully qualified to criticize the Imperial Highness Prince's poor behavior.
”Ha ha.” Oscar laughed and scratched his head carelessly. This small action had become a habit of his when being criticized by the elders.
”Ha ha ha, I know about the dangers of these drugs much better than anyone else. Don't worry, I am only fooling around. But that little whore! You know what, Sarlat? If you can't differentiate one naked woman from the other naked women the moment she takes off her dress, then you better not touch her anymore.” At the thought of her alluring naked body, Oscar became excited instantly.
”That little whore! Ah…What's her name again? Ahhh! Nuna! Haha! That's right, she's called Nuna. Although she's not the most stunning, but you know, the place where her thighs meet her hips…Those circular muscles, my God! She was wonderful! The precious medicine was definitely worth it. Her performance just now…”
”Your Imperial Highness Prince, if the main discussion topic of today's regular meeting is about Nuna's circular muscles, then I would like to excuse myself first. I have pushed off several important appointments for this regular meeting. If I could rush back now I might even be able to get some good results.” Ricky was not afraid to show his impatience.
Oscar was not used to being interrupted when he spoke, but he did realize that he was a little over the top this time.
”What happened my dear Ricky? Oh right, you are now Erbe! Well if no one is interested in the amazing circular muscles of Nuna's, alright then, as you wish Baron Erbe, we will have Thomas update you about the recent progress of our current big project.”
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”You are also interested in this?” Duke Robert Carter Brickfield laughed and asked the High Official of the Ministry of Justice that was interrogating him.
”Of course, Robs, I'm curious to death! What kind of benefits made you willing to betray your own country? Do not tell me you have no idea about the importance of these documents! Answer me, who was about to receive these documents? And those two missing documents, where are they now?”
Despite being in deep trouble, Robert Carter Brickfield was still a Duke. Although his cold seemed to have worsened but that did not affect him when dealing with the sly Minister of Justice. After all, he knew his previous colleague well, Roment Huga Andeses was not a very intelligent character to handle.
”Forget about it Roment. I have repeated a million times that I don't know. Oh, now you are talking about the motherland huh? Since now I am being interrogated by you, it means that this country has already abandoned me, am I right?”
Duke Roment Huga Andeses frowned as he did not want to bring this matter up to the national level. ”Robs, I suggest you be cooperative. You were still the Secretary of State just a few days ago, but His Majesty the Emperor had you arrested anyway, that means we have already grasped the evidence of your act of betrayal.”
”Ha! Evidence? How can I know for sure that is concrete evidence that you are holding? His Majesty? Don't even mention about that ungrateful fellow. He had long intended to abandon me. Roment, my old buddy, I advise you not to deceive yourself any longer. If you really believe the evidence, then I suggest you resign as soon as possible. I am fearful for you, for even a three-year-old is more suitable than you to take up the post of the Minister of Justice.”
”You ... you are forcing me, old buddy! I am not here to listen to your sarcasm. Do you not know I am here so you can avoid facing those interrogation experts?” Marquis Andeses was annoyed by the provocation.
”I'm sorry, old buddy. I believe I will have more advantages in facing those beasts. They do not have enough brains to utilize their thinking skills.”
The Minister of Justice suddenly stood up from his chair. Rather than having to serve as a good man to help someone that did not appreciate his kindness, he might as well be a bloody butcher. Roment's face seemed like it was completely covered with a layer of thin ice. ”If so, Your Excellency, goodbye! Your interrogation transcript will be submitted to His Majesty the Emperor, and I swear upon my life to the God of Light, that transcript will never be tampered with. Not even a word!”
The Minister of Justice went to the door of the interrogation room, which his men had already opened for him. Roment turned back to the man, and although he had no personal grudge towards the Secretary of State, his eyes at the time were full of resentment.
”I think I should inform you that your son will be tried soon. Of course, I will not go soft on that kind of unimportant role.”
Robert Carter Brickfield seemed to have aged in that one instant. Like the speed of an old tortoise, he rose slowly, then dragged his steps lethargically toward the only iron bed in the room.
”And what about this piece of information? Did this remind you of anything about those documents?” Roment had lost even the last bit of patience.
The former Secretary of State lay calmly in bed. He forced a bitter smile, and this small movement of facial muscles seemed to have urged out the tears he did not realize he had been holding in.
”Right now, Roment, you are finally acting like the Minister of Justice of the empire.” A few moments later, Robert Carter Brickfield said in a shaking voice.
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”What is this supposed to mean?”
The Minister of Justice could not think of any way to reply to the emperor's question. He should have put the transcripts aside and only handed it to the Majesty again tomorrow.
Alfa III clutched the papers full of words and waved it in front of the Minister of Justice. ”Is my Minister of Justice an empty shell only decorated by name? Roment, I do not expect this kind of conclusion from you, especially not when I am working overtime late at night to read this dossier! Do you understand me?”
”Yes, Your Majesty. I believe I will be able to find out the truth soon.” Marquis Andeses stood tall, hoping he would show a confident appearance in front of the Emperor.
Alfa III shook his head. His Majesty knew that the world needed secrets, but secrets would have to be discovered someday. What really mattered now was not that the secrets had been discovered, but how to find the best solution to deal with the former Secretary of State and its aftermath.
”Roment, my Minister of Justice, please grasp the emphasis of the task. I do not think we have the opportunity to reclaim those documents that have fallen into the hands of the enemy, so all you have to do is to set a charge on the damned Robs. Can you understand what I mean by saying that?”