Chapter 165: Nineteenth Episode: Chapter 2 (2/2)

Oscar shook his head in denial, ”That lunatic wouldn't be able to execute something like that, I have my bet on… Rolyn Kate! She had one sexual encounter with His Majesty not long before the poisoning incident was exposed, however, the encounter wasn't registered in the Imperial Secretariat's record.”

Marshal Robin disagreed with the idea, ”Do you have sufficient reasons to think so?”

”Yes!” Oscar held on to his own marshal's sword. ”Empress Rolyn Kate was born into Karl Arnold House, one of the Big Three in the north, but His Majesty the Emperor and Marshal Alan were desperately trying to get the Big Three back to their original state. For the benefit of her House and her immediate interests in the north, Rolyn Kate has every reason to murder her husband.”

”Since you have thought of this, His Majesty the Emperor is not stupid, and he will certainly suspect this too!” the old marshal looked at the young prince with amusement. ”But how come he and Alan haven't been taking any action? This shows that suspicion against Empress Rolyn Kate is still without proof.”

”I don't believe it!” Oscar shook his head again and again, ”I don't believe that His Majesty will let go of those who hurt him. This must be the reason for him to mobilize this assassin unless you can think of any other possibility?”

The old marshal sighed softly at the loss of what to do. It seemed that there was indeed no other better explanation.

”Well! I have traveled thousands of miles away to the capital for weeks but you haven't welcomed my return yet!” Oscar stretched his arms widely at his tutor, and the latter received it with a warm smile.

Winter in Dulin was dark and solemn, as slight snow north-western wind would visit the huge capital at the end of the 11th month. The streets at night appeared to be extremely desolate under the dim influence of the streetlights and extended itself with turns and twists like a drunk man trying to walk straight. During the day, the fallen snow formed layers of frost on the road. The silent dark alleys occasionally witnessed the cursing of pedestrians when the careless men slip on the ground.

Dulin Scott Cathedral was the temple of worship for Titan Imperial Family. Its position in the center of the city's geography allowed it to stand tall quietly in the night. Moonlight cast a faint silhouette over the ancient half-timbered porch and towering fleche. Upon entering this mythical religious world, one can discern those new decorations from the old ones.

Archbishop Karl Arnold held the highest authority in Titan parish as assigned by the Holy See. His stature was as tall as his status. This hearty man wearing a white wig does not enjoy the Langeais style mural nor did he like overly bright-colored paintings. Even the plated golden fence in front of the God of Light's stature was an annoyance to his sight.

In short, Archbishop Karl Arnold had enough of the years as the guardian of God. Once he had carefully studied the classics teaching of God. In comparison to the theological discovery founded by Narcissus, he thought these words of God were nothing more than nonsense babbled by a group of drunkards.

There was no essential difference between Karl Arnold and the rest of the senior clergymen. They served the God, but they also insulted the God. They feared God, but deep down in their hearts, they knew they weren't the most devout believers. Nothing else was more practical than the gold coins. Since his youth, Archbishop Karl Arnold had believed that as long as he bribes the angels that lead the way, the gates of heaven would naturally be opened for you. Similarly, as long as the relationship between Death was well maintained, then the demons from hell would not bother you with trouble.

Bright lights of candles illuminated the cathedral. This was the time when even the most pious believers couldn't resist the urge to fall asleep, but someone just had to confess to the bishop at one o'clock in the morning. The middle-aged man, dressed in very ordinary clothing, entered the hall from the corner door at the back of the cathedral and immediately hurried into the narrow confession stall. The nervous and anxious man, who carried himself like a guilty thief, appeared to be really in need of some appeasement.

Karl Arnold joined in the confession stall a few moments later dressed in a neat robe. In his hand was a book of God's words and a cross-shaped worship totem which hung the stature of God.

The archbishop in high spirit knocked on the wooden partition in the confession stall, ”Poor man, you can begin!”

The middle-aged man took off his hat respectfully, and the faint candlelight illuminated his face. Marquis Laston Cambre, the palace chief of Titan Emperor stared deep into the eyes of the archbishop behind the wooden walls.

”Aren't you a little too comfortable?”

Karl Arnold shook his head lightly, ”My poor child, this is not the tone suited for confession.”

”Alright!” Laston Cambre moved his head nearer to the wooden partition, ”My poor hostess would like to know when can she take the next move? The convent you assigned her to is going to drive her mad!”

Archbishop Karl Arnold again shook his head from left to right. ”Tell your hostess that she can take the next step when I think the time is ripe for action!”

”When would be considered a good time?” Laston was genuinely anxious. ”Prince O'Neil and his wife have returned to the capital, and Princess Alanis was just checking in on His Majesty on his sick bed. Everywhere in Dulin is surrounded by the armed forces of His Majesty's favored officers. Our advantage…”

”Our advantage is that no one knows the truth!” Karl Arnold interrupted the palace chief. ”Don't look for me if there's nothing urgent. The poisoning incident of His Majesty has already damaged your reputation in the palace, I'm worried that Rudolf Hoss the hound has picked on some suspicious scent. You better be extra cautious!”

”There's no need to worry about Rudolf Hoss. He seems occupied handling some shady affairs for His Majesty.”

”Any idea what it is?” Karl Arnold showed his concerned.

”Not sure! Seems to be a cleansing, or perhaps aiming at one specific person!”

Archbishop let out a sigh of relief, ”It's not going to be us. Osli Alfa Morisette wouldn't have guessed the truth even after he goes to hell!”

The palace chief shook his head with anxiety, ”I think the condition is not so optimistic! Not only will Marshal will keep your House under surveillance in the north, he will definitely have bigger actions. Otherwise, he will not turn a blind eye to the news of the emperor's critical illness.”

”That's Alan's attitude! Even if the Titan Emperor really did go to hell, this Silver Fox wouldn't even frown a bit. Alan is used to analyzing things from the top of the cloud, the gravely ill emperor to him is just a pawn that he could sacrifice at any time.”

Marquis Laston Cambre nodded in agreement, but suddenly he was reminded of another issue.

”Out of expectation, Prince O'Neil brought back Her Elder Highness Ashfin Kristen from Damorga prison. We miscalculated this time! The forces that have been assigned to the South have been seized by the Military Intelligence secret agents.”

”It's not necessarily something bad!” Karl Arnold smiled slightly, ”At least for now, since Rolyn Kate can't hurt Her Elder Highness Ashfin and her little princess, so... let Prince O'Neil protect them. We can use that dirty bastard sooner or later.”

”You mean the little princess?”

”Yes!” replied Karl Arnold with his usual evil laughter. ”We'll let Alfa III's descendant reap what her father has sown. Now that's fair, isn't it?”

Laston grew impatient ”You have to at least give me an order or something, if not what am I supposed to explain to Rolyn?”

”You address her as Rolyn?” The archbishop's gaze suddenly became threatening.

”Oh... I mean Her Majesty Empress Rolyn Kate!” the palace chief quickly corrected himself, and lowered his head in panic.

Karl Arnold snorted coldly, ”Remind my sister to wake up from indulging herself in those absurd sexual fantasies, and keep a safe distance from the ridiculous men!”

Laston Cambre's face turned bright red but he didn't refute.

”Go on, poor child... The night is still young!”

The palace chief hurried out of the confession room as if he had been granted amnesty, and then put onto himself a huge black cloak before stepping into the dark.

Darkness spread on the land of Titan like thick black ink, from the mountains of the south to the snowy forests of the north, from the valleys of the western hills to the daffodil fields of the east. The city light of Dulin appeared as if the brightest star in the still, quiet night. It spread warmth to all corners of the city and illuminated the ground with its faint light.

Its greatness spread out from the center of the great Dulins Plain, extending all the way to the fortress in Imperial Guards' First Region, over the national route that leads to all ways, and only gradually dissipated as it reached the historical Ravenhan.

Ravenhan had flourished in history because of its wool trade, particularly for its production of the famous blue fine woolen fabrics. This kind of soft, dense, but durable fabric has always been used by noblemen as material for clothes. It was said that the Marshal of Imperial Guard, His Highness Prince O'Neil Andrew Morisette, of distinguished reputation also used this kind of fabric to tailor more than 500 pieces of uniforms. It was definitely a rare luxury.

At the end of the seventh century, Ravenhan lost the foundation for the production of wool, because the Hoillanders brought in cheaper and more durable fine woolen fabrics. Ravenhan has since transitioned from a production site to a vacation center. This location, which was only two days' journey away from the capital, became of the capital of nobles who adored the scenery of pastures and grasslands, and a popular site for property investment.

As the Secretary of State of Titan, Duke Kachev Drakas Ferdinand considered himself as half a Dulin. The old man, who loved peace and quiet, naturally followed the capital nobles' tradition and purchased a huge villa on the outskirts of Ravenhan. This villa as tall as a castle was given an adorable nickname of ”Kachev's Hut” by people who were familiar with it.

Most of the time, old Kachev wasted the majority of his valuable sleeping time at night due to the need to wake up to urinate. Unlike many other old people, the empire's Secretary of State had very little sleep, sometimes not even having the desire to sleep. However, when exhaustion hits, the old man may fall asleep whenever and wherever. Most people thought Kachev was just exploiting his seniority, but the truth was he wasn't. The empire's Secretary of State no longer had the energy and dignity of his youth. He hated his own hands because they often trembled without reason; he hated his ureter because he usually stood for half an hour and only managed two or three drops of urine even though he constantly had the urge to pee.

”Hence... I didn't have time to beat around the bush with the Emperor anymore!” the old man exclaimed as he looked at his daughter.

”Are you giving up now?” Marquis Erdogan Vas Ferdinand went close to her father's side in an almost threatening manner. ”You are thinking of giving up that after you sold me to the bastard?”

Kachev slowly shook his head, ”Our initial goal was too ambitious, and it was completely my fault!”

”No!” Erdogan broke free of her father's hand, ”It was O'Neil Andrew Morisette's fault! If it wasn't for him, my son would become a prince. My son would have everything O'Neil has! This includes the Young Lady of the Andrew House, the authority of being Marshal of Imperial Guards, and the position of the Chief of Military Intelligence Bureau.”

The old man shook his head again, ”That's not true! If you think of this matter as the responsibility of Prince O'Neil, then I advise you to quickly find a hiding place for yourself! Look around us, all around us are the secret agents of Military Intelligence Bureau and Secret Service Department! I underestimated Rudolf Hoss, as well as Prince O'Neil. Really, when I first saw him many years ago, he was just a little kid who knew only to show off his wealth!”

”It's not too late!” Erdogan took the initiative to grab his father's arm. ”They can't fight you! You can utilize your network of contacts and Secretary of State's authority to continue to outwit them! They...”

”Wake up, Doran!” This time it was the old man who shook off his daughter's hand, ”Do not forget that they have Alfa III behind them. When the emperor falls, the empress will come out to handle the situation. Even if the empress remains silent, it will be Alan who presides over the overall situation. If Alan isn't interested in participating in the battle then O'Neil Andrew Morisette's Red Tigers will have control over the capital. Supposed that I can defeat one and bring down two, but the last one will definitely knock us down! We don't have any true allies on the same boat, we simply can't compete with the whole Morisette Imperial Family!”

Discouraged, the elderly sunk himself into the chair, ”Perhaps His Majesty wouldn't have been so cautious around me if I wasn't that arrogant and aggressive in Dulin over the years! My guess is he will not leave the world in peace. He has probably already made all the necessary arrangements for the future in order to ensure the continuation of his dynasty's! His final cleansing before he passes on must be extremely terrifying, maybe we wouldn't be spared from it too.”

A wide smile spread over Erdogan's face. ”Father, I think... Osli would never have guessed...”

The old man's ear shook slightly as his daughter's whispered, and his face was washed over with panic. ”What are you saying?”

”Haha!” The coquettish woman leaned back into her seat, and her glamorous face was replaced with a proud look. ”You heard me, didn't you? This is what His Second Highness Prince Lobmus told me!”

All of a sudden, Erdogan exclaimed her disgust. ”The only advantage of that disgusting guy is that he tells me everything! Besides, I'm sure he will not joke about this kind of thing!”

”Hahahaha!” laughed the old Kachev. ”Oh! No wonder Rolyn Kate quickly accepted my offer, she was actually planning a huge conspiracy! Look at me! I can't deny the fact that I'm really old. How did I not realize that sick old witch was the source of all trouble?”

”It's not too late to discover now!” Erdogan's eyes glowed with intense brilliance, ”If we just try a little harder and assist the empress in her scheme to push over the court, I believe she will accept my son and let him becomes a prince of the Empire like O'Neil Andrew Morisette!”

The old Kachev smiled slightly but didn't say anything to his elated daughter. Why would Rolyn Kate win? Or that Silver Fox Alan and O'Neil Andrew Morisette definitely lose? God of Light never agreed to a smooth and easy coup! It would have been a great mistake if they chose to stand with the wrong team now! The Secretary of State was calculating the gains and losses silently in his heart, but no matter how he imagined, old woman Rolyn Kate's determination and means were not comparable to the prince who was willing to risk anything and everything.

Well, wasn't the answer fairly apparent now?

***************

”No! I don't know anything at all!” Oscar Andrew Morisette waved his hand at his wife, ”Obviously, your father has had certain affairs arranged accordingly, but I have only a little or no knowledge of all that. Those people who might be associated are not even here in Dulin. This is not merely tacit understanding, but a prelude to a storm!”

All of a sudden Alanis became impatient, ”You only care about those things! I've returned so late at night and you didn't even bother to ask about Father Emperor's health condition!”

Oscar made a disgusted noise, ”Don't you talk to me like that, Alanis! You're no any better than me! Haven't you been calling Alfa III His Majesty a male dog? And you should be delighted now that the male dog is in trouble!”

”Shut up!” Alanis waved her hand forcefully and it hit a teacup nearby. It flew slightly above the prince's head and shattered into pieces as it hit the wall.

Oscar stared at his wife for a long time, and he finally softened.

”I'm sorry!” the man apologized as he wiped the tears from the woman's cheeks, ”It's not a laughing matter, and I shouldn't have said that. I know we are both not in a good mood.”

Alanis turned her head away sharply in annoyance. Although she did call her father names, she felt devastated when she saw the skinny body slowly dying away on his sick bed.

”His Majesty is still not getting any better?” Oscar finally remembered to ask. Alanis shook her head in sorrow, ”He came to consciousness when I arrived. He recognized me and opened his mouth trying to speak to me, but no words came out, then… then he just kept smiling!”

The imperial princess could no longer contain herself. Her grief was too immense she could hardly bear the pain inside her heart. So what if her father was the biggest rogue under the heaven?

Osli Andrew Morisette was still the empire's Emperor who crawled on the ground and let toddler Alanis rode on his back, he was also the excited father who dissolved into tears at his daughter's wedding.

Oscar pulled his disheartened wife into an embrace, ”He will be fine! Everything will be fine...”

His Highness the Prince appeared to be comforting himself. His gaze went across the forehead of his shuddering wife. He noticed that the night outside the window began to snow.

Wind and snow turned into a burly giant near the horizon, and above the giant's head was a vast sky covered with dark clouds as cold frost froze his waist. His feet were made up of an abundance of snow, and the white marks hovered heavily over the Titan ground.

The blizzard spread from the capital of the empire up north, through the majestic Black Forest, through the bleak and dark hills, all the way to the Jebron Fortress which stood high on the edge of the mountains.

The old commander of Imperial Guards wanted to open the window on the fortress tower, but the cold wind that resisted against the heavy wooden window caused his hands to shiver. In the end, he managed to open it with the help of his new bride Bie.

Marshal Alan's infamous silver hair fluttered as the northern wind blew, his wrinkles tangled into a mass due to the cold frost. The old man stared quietly into the snowy night. In addition to the whistling wind, noises of snow crushing the crispy branches could be heard from the distance.

Alan was waiting! He no longer had hope in the current emperor, but he still attached great importance to what the emperor entrusted him. This was probably the last thing he could do for the Emperor of Morisette Dynasty – Alfa III His Majesty.

The old man unfolded the confidential letter that the emperor handed him as he looked out to the wind and snow.

Scribbled handwriting in trembling strokes...

The commander of the Imperial Guards carefully identified the characters who appeared dancing under the lights of the fortress.

The ruler of the Empire only said one sentence.

”Whoever who forces an abdication of my eldest son is the real enemy of the Morisette Dynasty!”