Chapter 138: Episode 16 Chapter 2 (2/2)
The huge doors of the Dulin Scott Cathedral banged open and the joyous crowd surged forwards. If it weren't for the Princess' train having wasted so much time when she turned around, the people definitely could have seen the newlyweds who just completed the ceremony earlier.
Oscar's smile was so calm that it made the people's hair stand on end. He pulled his wife to him while the crowd flocked him. The people were like ants that just left their nests, recklessly surging forwards, painstakingly advancing through the sea of flowers and flying ribbons.
The soldiers of the guards finally managed to separate the elated nobles from the worsening commoner area. According to the custom in weddings, the young noble ladies could fight over the garland in the bride's hands, which was a symbol of blessing and luck.
Alanis blushed a deep red. She sneaked a glance at her husband, then exchanged furtive glances with her companions in the crowd.
”Give it to me!””Your Highness Princess, over here!””Niz, give the garland to me!”
The enthusiastic young ladies were like little chicks waiting to be fed, extending their necks and producing waves of high-pitched screams. At last, after weighing it for a good while, Alanis suddenly tossed the garland. The garland that was woven by olive branches and violet jasmines immediately flew into the air. The sun imprinted a golden strand onto the garland. The shadow and radiance reflected by the garland captivated the people.
The garland fell gradually, bringing with it the blessings of the bride. However, what did Oscar catch sight of among the joyous crowd? The young Marshal swiftly took hold of his beautiful wife, putting his chest before the pitch-black muzzle of a cannon!
A boom that sounded like an explosion rang out. The powerful wave scattered the falling garland into pieces. The branches and leaves of olives and jasmine petals dispersed in every direction. The group of young ladies let out startled shrieks that were enough to rupture one's eardrums. Just when the people were still dumbstruck, the groom, who was in the bride's embrace, covered his chest and gradually collapsed, limp.
”No!” Alanis let out a heart-wrenching wail. Her world seemed to have fallen apart. Her wedding dress was stained with drops of blood and the man she deeply loved was completely still, his eyes closed.
”A mini hand cannon! A mini hand cannon!” Torry bellowed and leaped forwards. When he drew out his sword, the group of young ladies immediately scattered!
”Where's the assassin? Who saw him?” Dortmund led the Narcissus officers and guarded the front of the Emperor. Fine beads of sweat covered his forehead.
The wails of the people and roars from the soldiers of the Guards rang out simultaneously. The crowd who attempted to flee the scene was met by weapons and shields that surged towards them. The disoriented people started to trample over one another. The young ladies who were scared stiff by the thunder-like crack of the cannon and the sight of fresh blood started to wail and scream like mad.
The soldiers of the Guards arranged themselves into a tight formation around their Marshal who had collapsed onto the ground. They retreated step by step into the church and as one, closed the huge doors. The rowdy crowd was isolated outside, the hellish outdoors. The Emperor's bellow of rage suddenly sounded in the cathedral that was filled with sounds of criticism and all sorts of yelling.
”Who saw the assassin? Who saw the assassin?”
”Your Majesty, I only caught sight of the assassin being a girl! But she vanished into the crowd at once!”
The Emperor stared fixedly at the officer dressed as one of the guards, ”you're saying the assassin escaped?”
No one dared answer the Emperor's question and only the sobs of the women could be heard in the silent cathedral.
Looking at the unconscious Oscar, and then his daughter who had fainted in the Empress' arms, Alfa III's eyes glistened with a terrifying ferocity.
”Seal off the city district! Seal off the transportations! Mobilize all the units surrounding the capital, the patrolling soldiers of the Ministry of Justice, the secret agents under secret service system! Find the assassin! Thresh out anyone suspicious! Bring out all who futilely resist and violate the Empire!”
”Yes, Your Majesty!” numerous soldiers in the cathedral responded to the Emperor's order in unison. However, they all knew that it wouldn't be easy finding an assassin hiding among the crowd. Year 798, 1st day of the 4th month was destined to be the most chaotic day in history, but as soldiers, there were certain things that they must do!
”Your Majesty!”
”What?” Alfa III twisted his head around in annoyance.
”I'm a doctor, His Highness Prince isn't dead yet!”
The Emperor grabbed the man by the collars violently, ”then what are you doing standing there for?”
Percy was dragged by the Emperor to stand before the prince. Everyone had gazes filled with awe trained on him and this was probably sufficient for the former Poison Doctor to feel a wave of pride.
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Flames were flickering in Dulin City. The huge group of knights leaped over the bonfire that was separating the blocks and vanished into the completely deserted streets. After a while, panicked screams came from the houses in that direction. The flames went from the south to north and from the east to the west. The blood-red rays of light enveloped the greatest city of Westland all the while.
The people in the city were all praying, praying for this day to end quickly. Some pleaded with the gods to protect the life of the young hero, while some hoped for O'Neil Andrew Morisette to finally be laid in his coffin. Some slipped onto the streets and tried to take advantage of the crisis for their own personal gain and some were shot by the soldiers of the Guards who were unable to distinguish between friend or foe.
The suffering of the citizens was apparently boundless, but to their satisfaction, they saw that the fierce knights also barged into the homes of the nobles. The masters of every day could only stand aside in rage when being confronted with the search warrant signed by the Emperor. With the roughness of a scoundrel, the soldiers turned over their residence and belongings.
The stream of people who have gathered outside the main hall of Hamilton Palace were those of the exceptionally astute. They held the flag signal as they kept watch over His Highness Prince that night, who lost consciousness due to his grave injury and were making inquiries about the authenticity of the Imperial Household's fake actions. These clever ”Neutral factions” exchanged ideas and their topics were centered on one, which was, who would dare at this time conspire to assassinate O'Neil Andrew Morisette, who has accumulated honor and power?
”It's the Deiss! I bet ten thousand Golden Tis that it's the Deiss who did it!” the Finance Minister, Almodovar Godzilla cried out loud in the huge living room outside the Emperor's quarter. Don't tell me no one noticed the Deiss envoy's queer expression after he witnessed the assassination incident at noon? They are definitely taking revenge!”
”You don't have proof!” Marshal Robin snorted derisively.
”Could it be the Rielese?” a cabinet minister joined the discussion.
”That's a wild guess!” another cabinet minister replied his colleague's question.
”Then it's the Farans!”
”Give me a break!” Duke Andrew stood up impatiently. The Empire's best surgeon is rescuing his son in the Emperor's bedroom and he didn't have the time to talk nonsense with these fools.
”I say, respected men, why can't the person who attempted to assassinate the prince be one from among you?” Dortmund raked his gaze over the ferocious demons of the capital circle in irritation.
”Could it be that you all think yourselves as not the slightest bit suspicious?” Duke Andrew glared at them. The Sea Creature hung his head, Old Kachev obscured his face with the teacup while the other respected men eyed the Narcissus Commander-in-chief's hand that was placed over the hilt of his sword, not daring to utter a sword. Only the Military Affairs Chancellor, Marshal Alan responded with a smile.
”Dortmund, calm down! I understand your feelings, but your deduction is unfair! The people seated here are the outstanding ministers who have strived their hardest for the Empire. You can't just slander them!”
”Hmph!” Duke Andrew brushed aside the lean hand that Alan placed upon his shoulder. The Narcissus commander sat in the corner, sulking.
”Viscount Sukhoi, have you ever encountered an assassin who uses a mini hand cannon?” Alan suddenly swiveled around to face the Brigadier General of the artillery soldiers who stood in a corner of the living room.
”I didn't get a clear look!” Torry replied promptly, but his senses were instantly on high alert. ”Wait! Hold it! Sir, be a little clearer in your words! What are you suspecting?”
Alan strode over while the other respected men started to crowd around the Sukhoi Family's firearm, whispering fervently.
”Sir Viscount, I merely wish to ask you your opinion regarding that firearm and judge the matter as it stands, nothing more!”
”There's nothing that can be said! I have absolutely never seen a mini hand cannon of that model. That isn't a product of us Sukhois!”
”But didn't you say you didn't get a clear look at it? How would you know it isn't one of your precious products?”
Torry finally lost his patience! He rolled up the sleeves of his uniform like a hoodlum.
”Old man, are not yet satisfied with bullying our family? Do you think you don't have to fight just because you're old?”
”Brigadier General Tove Van Sukhoi!” Marshal Robin suddenly wedged himself between the young man and Silver Fox Alan, ”is this an attitude you show towards a Marshal? Get lost and come back again when you're sober!”
”Yes, sir!” Torry hurriedly saluted his former tutor, then left the huge living room without a backward glance. He wasn't foolish. Even if Alan were to pick a fight with him, he wasn't his opponent.
Unable to make a fuss about the matter, Alan acted unconcerned. He once again resumed his seat and took up a transparent teacup.
Practically brushing past Viscount Tove Van Sukhoi, Count Rudolf Hoss burst into the room with a gloomy face, his hand carrying a kraft paper bag that was emitting a potent stench.
The appearance of the head of Secret Service immediately aroused the attention of the military men and ministers. They left their seats and flocked him.
”Where's His Majesty?” the great Head of the Secret Service spun towards Marshal Alan.
”Still inside. Before ascertaining that His Highness Prince's life is out of danger, he will definitely not come out!” Alan's tone revealed a hint of jealousy. ”What's up? You caught the person?”
”No!” Rudolf Hoss shook his head exasperatedly, ”the murder weapon has been found! Someone saw a suspicious person duck into a toilet of an apartment building after the incident. My men found it in the toilet bowl!”
With a start, the respected men dispersed at once. However, they sized up the murder weapon that the head of Secret Service presented with curiosity.
”Has anyone seen such a mini hand cannon?” Rudolf queried with embarrassment. He was the officer of the Secret Service's overall operations. He should know these kinds of things, but at that moment, he completely had no idea at all.
”Let me see!” Torry popped out again from who knows where. The crowd of cabinet ministers, seeing that it was the son of the First Corps' Firearms Family, all opened up a path for him.
Without caring about the stench that the mini hand cannon was emitting, Torry carefully inspected the unique model of the murder weapon. After inspecting for a good while, he finally shook his head.
”This isn't a standard product, it's too crude! The workmanship is the Hoillands' while the casting is the Faran's! This toy is put together by a few blacksmiths!”
”Hold on, let me have a look!” the Commanding Officer of the Guard's Eighth Region, Vangol Abberning Hagrid shoved through the crowd and emerged. Torry passed over the mini hand cannon and General Vangol took it carefully.
”If I'm not mistaken, this is one of those things forged personally by the southern rebels! My suppressive army has confiscated such a mini hand cannon before.”
”This thing is already widely used?” Alan's eyes widened.
”No!” Vangol shook his head, ”the rebels are unable to attain gunpowder and ore. They acquired it at a high price from the Faran and Hoilland's weapons and ammunition traffickers!”
Alan shook his head, ”then we cannot just limit our targets to the southern rebels. This is because since this thing is on the market, anyone with money will be able to buy it.”
”Not necessarily!” General Vangol shook his head, ”Faran and Hoilland are putting great effort in combating arms trafficking, particularly firearms. There aren't many firearms to begin with and those able to make their way into the black market are only these few!”
”Probably!” Count Rudolf Hoss nodded, ”I agree with General Vangol's view. It seems that I need to teach those arms smugglers who frequently roam the Empire's inland, a good lesson!”
”Do you need help from my side?” Deputy Chief of the Military Intelligence Bureau, Lieutenant General Tivoli Hadley at that moment sidled over to the group.
Rudolf Hoss spared him a glance, ”forget about it Wolly! It's best if you calm the secret agents under your care and the Military Intelligence special agents down a little. I saw them searching a group of children not taller than tables when I was returning to Hamilton Palace!”
Tivoli Hadley shrugged, ”what can I do? Our Sir Chief of Bureau suffered such an ordeal after taking office for only four days. This is equivalent to peeing over the doorstep of the Military Intelligence Bureau! My subordinates will naturally be infuriated! Don't tell me you expect my men to let it pass?”
Rudolf was about to say something, but he noticed that the Emperor's huge bedroom doors were slowly creaking open.
Dortmund was the first one at the door but realized that it was merely the weary and frail Alfa III. Osli Alfa Morisette closed the huge doors and leaned against the door, gasping for breath.
”How... How is my son?”
The Emperor shot a disdainfully look at Duke Andrew. He couldn't tell whether the man hoped for his son's end or for his son to still be alive.
”The doctor is still rescuing him. I only came out to see if there were any developments in the matter!” Alfa III said while eyeing the important figures in the room, ”What? No one wants to explain it to me?”
Lieutenant General Tivoli Hadley smiled slightly. He then unobtrusively made an ”inviting” gesture to Count Rudolf Hoss of the Secret Service.
Rudolf spat quietly, but could only step out grudgingly.
”Your Majesty, we have found the murder weapon. The assassin is still being tracked down. Based on the first impression, we believe...”
”Enough!” the Emperor shouted not too loudly, ”the culprit hasn't even been caught. What can you determine? Do you think I'm an idiot?”
The head of the Secret Service withdrew a few steps. The Emperor's outburst and the saliva that suddenly flew his way startled him!
Alfa III lifted the Emperor's scepter in his hand abruptly and swept this symbol of supreme authority over everyone in the room.
”Do not question my determination of looking into this matter to the end! My son-in-law is bleeding, my daughter is weeping. I'll have to cut the enemy up into tiny pieces before I can cancel out my debt! The enemies of the nation better start praying that they're not discovered by me and that their identities remain unknown!”
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The Military Intelligence building was brightly lit. Every member has arrived at their post and every official capital operative has taken onto the streets. Everyone was like headless houseflies, disordered and confused! Compared to the clueless men who could only verify things by comparing the map and intelligence, things were far easier for Baron Messier De Quixote. On his left, he had Westland's King of Assassins refilling his teacup while on his right was the former assassin of the Imperial Household rummaging through the files.
”Okay Mes, stop making us guess! Who is this girl?” Paul leaned in closer to the chair impatiently.
The head of the Military Intelligence Analysis Division suddenly put down his teacup, ”Shaw, hold on, it's this one!”
Shaw Shorenstein took out a thick file from a tattered canvas bag, ”this one?”
”Yes, that's right! Hurry, give it to me!” Messier rubbed his hands together in glee. ”That's it! Haha!”
Paul snatched away the file and placed the cover page of the document beneath the light.
”Military Intelligence Secret Zero File! What is this?”
Messier snatched the file back, ”don't both of you want to know which little whore assassinated His Majesty Prince? It's her! Zero!”
”Who's a whore?” the cold voice of a girl suddenly traveled out in the room.
Paul's dagger and Black Devil's short sword were drawn simultaneously in a flash, stirring up a powerful gust of wind in the room! Practically in a blink of an eye, the whipping of the wind died down. The dagger and short sword were lodged in the woman's throat and chest!
The woman smirked. Each of the mini hand cannons in her hand was already aimed at the heads of both the top-notch assassins, ”will you like to test whether your blades are faster than a hand cannon? Or will you admit defeat?”
Although the mini hand cannon wasn't aimed at him, Messier still dare not move. His forehead was already covered in beads of sweat. The flame on the candleholder was flickering and the face of the woman slowly came into view under the light.
It was a stunning and compact face with distinct features and a lovely forehead! However, these exquisite features should not belong to Westland's swiftest, highly precise marksman!
Military Intelligence Secret Zero Files! Monia Amerson, birthdate unknown, parents unknown. Church's year 789, Drunboehms Orphanage selected her to join the Guard's 8431st Special Combat Brigade to receive military and combat training. Church's year 794, officially joined the battle sequence with the rank of First Lieutenant.
First Lieutenant Monia Amerson was the first female officer to be officially initiated in the history of the Guards. Personally recommended by the Commander of the Guards, also the Empire's Military Affairs Chancellor, Marshal Van Hewitt Alan; Monia Amerson, codenamed ”Zero”!