Chapter 171: Nineteenth Episode: Chapter 8 (1/2)

Chapter 171: Nineteenth Episode: Chapter 8

Translator: EndlessFantasy TranslationEditor: EndlessFantasy Translation

The unusually exciting and eventful 13th day of the first month was finally over! This stage play didn't intend to come to an end even when the Venus star rose to the top of zenith. The patrolling cavalry in the streets had already retired to their respective military camps, but this didn't mean that Dulin was not under surveillance for the late-night shift. When the cavalry was dismissed, footsteps of the infantry which came from the north-western direction of Dulin city were heard loud and clear.

First Independent Brigade of Steinberger House was a heroic force who had participated in the Battle of Saijo Mountain. The then Brigade Commander General Endorph had retired, and his position was replaced by a young Major General who was currently leading Steinberger's army to patrol around the city center.

Wellington Steinberger, the former messenger of Prince O'Neil, was able to fight well with swords as well as with knives. Wellington had been serving his family's armed force since he fled from Deiss. According to the records of Steinberger's warfare, Wellington, who had participated in more than a hundred battles, had grown into an experienced and steady field commander.

Wellington deployed a group of guards to enforce martial law for the east, south, west, and north districts respectively. He had also arranged the most elite team around the Road of Kings where the Imperial Palace was situated.

In the wee hours of the morning, the imperial princess finally met with her familiar old friend.

Both parties were filled with emotions at the reunion! Wellington was only a naive messenger at that time, and the princess was just a young girl who daydreamed her time away.

”Your Imperial Highness, I suggest My Lady move to another palace!”

”Why?” Alanis was puzzled.

Major General Wellington pointed to the direction of the bedroom where Poison Doctor Percy was still providing emergency treatment for His Elder Highness Prince Lobble, ”My Lady, Kenshin Palace is not as safe as the Imperial Palace of the Emperor and Empress!”

Alanis shook her head firmly at the suggestion, ”I will not leave Lobb behind, at least not until he is out of critical condition.”

Wellington didn't insist. Instead, he gave a random excuse and exited Kenshin Palace.

At first notice of the Empire's His Elder Highness's poisoning incident, head of Secret Service Rudolf Hoss issued an order for his secret agents to arrest all the attendants in Kenshin Palace, including Executive Secretary and Confidential Secretary. In Rudolf's opinion, this method of poisoning was not something that ordinary people could come up with. Besides, it wouldn't be easy to produce a book which was heavily poisoned. The most likely possibility was that the book was produced somewhere outside of the palace and later brought into the bedroom of Her Imperial Highness the Princess by attendants of Kenshin Palace.

If this was the case, wouldn't Poison Doctor Percy be the biggest suspect? He was an expert in the use of poison, a murderous medical fanatic! But he was currently carrying out emergency treatment on His Elder Highness Prince Lobble. How could this explain?

Rudolf Hoss didn't know how it could be explained. In fact, he didn't want to know. If Prince O'Neil was in Kenshin Palace at this time, Rudolf would also seize His Imperial Highness the Prince, because Rudolf Hoss was the head of Secret Service, and the head of Titan's Secret Service was a mad dog as he was a loyal dog. This hound with a dexterous sense of smell and sharp fangs was capable of doing anything, especially when his master was violated or hurt.

When the first ray of sunlight lightened up the horizon after a torment of five hours, Poison Doctor Percy finally opened the princess' bedroom door. The people waiting outside the hall were all startled by his appearance.

”My God, Percy! What happened to my brother? And what happened to you?” Alanis rushed forward anxiously.

Percy shook his head weakly as he wiped off blood from his body helplessly. ”You can enter but please don't disturb His Elder Highness!”

The princess and the head of Secret Service walked into the room together. Alanis' hands flew to her mouth as she tried hard to stop herself from crying uncontrollably. Her brother! He appeared to be on the verge of death! There was an accumulated pool of fresh blood and an unknown black jelly-like substance on his chest.

”I'm sorry! But I must cut off his tongue to release the poisonous blood,” Percy washed his hands in a basin full of alcohol.

”Will...will he survive?” the princess caressed Lobb's face gently. Her brother's calm face seemed ridiculous as it gave her an illusion that he had left the world.

Percy wiped his palms with a white towel gently. Then, he walked to the bedside and checked the patient's breathing and heart rate with a stethoscope. Finally, Poison Doctor nodded in affirmation at the princess, ”No problem! It is estimated that His Elder Highness didn't try too hard to flip the pages over in the Book of Hell.”

Rudolf Hoss glanced at Poison Doctor with suspicious eyes. He knew about all the precedence wrongdoings conducted by this man.

”How did you know immediately that the book was the source of poison?”

Percy just shrugged with indifference, ”You should have already read the file regarding my background. Book of Hell is my own invention, but I have eliminated it out of my tools back then.”

”Why so?”

Percy spread his hands at the victim lying on the bed. ”Is it that difficult to understand? This method is very likely to kill an innocent by accident, that's why it has to be eliminated.”

”Shut up, all of you…” the impatient Alanis ordered in a low but firm voice, ”Get out if you want to argue! Get out!”

Rudolf who asked for a snub and Percy who had suffered out of his own actions left the room feeling dejected.

Alanis looked at the closed door for a while, but she quickly set her sights on her brother's bloodless face. She touched her brother's high nose with her fingers, and suddenly she was reminded of her younger self who loved to play with her brother's nose. Alanis went close to his brother's ear and whispered, ”Brother, there is only two of us now left in the family, don't you leave me! As for the people who are trying to hurt us, I will break them down into pieces!”

Suddenly, Lobb's eyelids which were shut firmly fluttered, as if showing his agreement.

How rare it was! Church Calendar year 800, 14th day of the first month was greeted with warm sunshine and a gentle breeze. It was already a little past six when the sun climbed up from the horizon. The early risers didn't set their fireplace alight for economical reason. For ordinary people, saving even one candle was a good effort.

The martial laws had caused a lot of inconvenience to the people. But at most, they only dared to complain silently in their hearts. The soldiers in the city today were replaced with northern faces in red and white. These soldiers with longbows and double blades examined the magnificent capital and well-dressed Dulin people with shy but curious eyes.

Most people had some respect for the soldiers of Steinberger House. However, there were a few rogues who bullied these soldiers who came from other villages as they didn't dare to draw their swords rashly in the capital. These rogues threw stones and garbage to tease the Timberwolves.

Major General Wellington, accompanied by a team of knights, began shooting down a handful of troublesome rogues on the sidewalk. The Timberwolves' arrows were not only quick but also accurate. They only shot people's hands and feet. Then, they hoisted these rogues to the trees. These unlucky but well-deserved men had to be tortured for about two hours before they could finally die.

Wellington told his soldiers after seeing the city's immediate peace restoration. ”See this? We implement necessary measures to deal with those who do not obey the martial law!”

Steinberger homeland soldiers responded firmly. As a result, there was no longer an idler on the streets just slightly after breakfast.

Princess Alanis Alfa Morisette only moved to Tacheles Fortress a little past eight in the morning. With her swelling belly, she had struggled hard in Kenshin Palace. She had kept herself awake for more than 30 consecutive hours. Her body was about to collapse in extreme fatigue.

Tacheles Fortress had always been the palace of the Titan's Emperor. The paladins inside the castle were replaced overnight by Marshal Robin to those of First Special Warfare Brigade of the military intelligence. Although the change made the paladins felt somewhat frustrated, they were well aware of the fame of the Special Warfare Brigade.

The news of poisoning the empire's new ruler was certainly a massive incident! But the princess didn't want people outside of the palace to learn about it. She only told Rudolf Hoss to investigate all those who entered and left Kenshin Palace on the day of the incident. Rudolf was willing to work hard for his master, but he began to complain when he learned that the people who came in and out of Kenshin Palace were almost two to three hundred in total.

”Master! In fact, the problem is rather simple!”

Alanis shook her head, ”And tell me how simple it is?”

Rudolf took a deep bow at the imperial crown princess, ”I'm sorry to say this, but this is just an analogy. If you are poisoned, it means that the succession to the throne according to ranks will not work! Since His Elder Highness the Prince is still down with dirty scandal, and he has given up his inheritance rights, when this happens, the Imperial Secretariat and the House of Lords will find a new ruler among the Imperial maternal relatives or the closest blood-related person! For example –”

”My husband?” Alanis' eyes widened. Her sleepiness was immediately replaced by horror.

”Oh no! How could it be Prince O'Neil?” The head of Secret Service shook his head repeatedly, ”His Imperial Highness is far away in Narcissus County, and I believe that everything that has happened here in Dulin has nothing to do with His Highness. He wouldn't be on the top of the list even if the Imperial Secretariat and House of Lords want to seek for a new king. He is a member of the Andrew House. The Imperial Secretariat and House of Lords wouldn't dare to allow the Morisette Dynasty to change its name.”

Alanis rubbed her forehead, ”Not my husband?”

Rudolf Hoss rolled his eyes. He knew that the princess was exhausted and was losing her concentration.

”Your Highness, I can promise you that this matter has nothing to do with your husband.”

Alanis exhaled a long breath. Her eyelids became heavier but still, she resisted to let it close.

”Then, could it be Kachev?” the Imperial Crown Princess gently mumbled the name of the Cabinet Chancellor.

”Haha! You're right! It must be Kachev!” the head of Secret Service laughed through his gritted teeth. His twisted features were a horrible sight to the eyes.

”Oh, no wonder he insisted for his illegitimate son to have the legal status as the Prince of the Empire.”

Alanis used the last bit of motivation left in her mind to do the thinking.

”Yeah!” Rudolf revealed a determined smile, ”His grandson is a member of the Imperial Family whom the late Emperor Alpha III had confirmed through a legal proceeding. Back at that time, the House of Lords had paid a considerable price to press the Imperial Family in explaining the matter. Now that His Late Majesty Alfa III is gone, the House of Lords has regained their power. I'm certain the House of Lords would nurture the illegitimate son once the Imperial Family lost all the heirs –”

The head of Secret Service suddenly closed his mouth at the slight snores of his tired master.

”Your Imperial Highness...Master...” Rudolf called out carefully but Alanis didn't respond. ”If so, I shall leave then.” The loyal dog saluted his sleeping master respectfully and then tiptoed out of the Emperor's sleeping chambers. This palace once lived his old friend, Osli, but now, the owner of the palace had been replaced by Princess Alanis – the daughter of Osli.

”Rudolf...” Just as the Count was about to exit the room, a crisp female voice suddenly beckoned him.

”At your service!” The head of Secret Service turned back abruptly and bowed slightly in the direction of the voice.

”Don't let go of anyone from the Ferdinand House...”

Alanis closed her eyes once again. It seemed that she was really asleep this time.

The hound remained loyal. In fact, Rudolf Hoss was really a peculiar creature. After having experienced a full day of drama, except for those who had lost their script, each cast member and staff who participated in the show took the time to recuperate, while Rudolf Hoss happily jumped on the carriage. He brought with him several assistants and then ordered the coachman to head for the subterranean drainage tunnel.

The carriage moved along the middle of the road in average speed and those guards didn't hinder them as they noticed it was the carriage from Secret Service Department. The carriage wandered along the wide streets into the filthy and chaotic slums. Gradually, the figure of the patrol horses became scarce and eventually, they couldn't be spotted at all after the carriage turned into an alleyway.

The four attendants who played the role of bodyguards for the head of Secret Service stood on the pedals around the four corners of the compartment.

They only deserved some insignificant tasks, but today, things seemed to be a little different. The coach of Count Rudolf Hoss came to a halt at the back of the alley. In front of the window on a stone brick wall, people of all ages from the neighborhood were queuing to purchase their breakfast. Behind the brick wall stood old Lavin which was the owner of this famous beef waffle store. His waffle tasted so amazing that even His Majesty the Late Emperor enjoyed and praised it.

Rudolf's subordinates scared off the people waiting in line and yelled loudly into the window.

”Old Lavin! Old Lavin! Four beef waffles and four milk teas! Then another one with pepper for my Lord! Do you hear me? My lord wants to add pepper to his!”

Old Lavin had no choice but ordered his staffs to prepare the lords' order first. It wasn't like these bandit-like secret agents should never be provoked, but they lacked the time and energy to bargain with these people. The secret agents wanted to leave behind a few coppers but was refused by Lavin. Eventually, they give up at the owner's insistence.

Then, these evil-looking men returned to the carriage with a couple of oily paper bags in their hands. One of the secret agents opened the door and handed the breakfast through the door respectfully. As another pair of skinny hand revealed from within the carriage and grabbed the paper bag tightly, a sudden light flashed from behind.

The secret agent looked at his arm in disbelief. The man behind the door was also surprised as he stared at the paper bag he was holding in his hand and a broken hand attached at the other end.

”Attack!” The crowd broke out into chaos at the stern command. A dozen killers with rapiers in hand swooped into the scene.

The crowd fled to watch the fighting from behind the alleyways. The resistance of the four bodyguards was almost instantaneously destroyed with three to four long swords pierced through their respective body! Bright blood oozed out as the rapier was removed from the bodies swiftly, making noises as the blood splattered against the wall.

Obviously, the target of the assassination was the head of Secret Service Rudolf Hoss who was resting in the carriage. Twelve rapiers penetrated the body of the carriage from twelve directions at the same time. The swordsmen were surprised when their swords pierced through all positions, but none felt like it pierced through a human body.

Just as they were thinking of the possibilities that could go wrong, in this split second, a black shadow broke free through the roof of the carriage. Shards of debris and the shouting of that dark silhouette shrouded the audience instantly. The assassins looked up, but their reaction was slightly hindered because of their rapiers embedded in the thick wooden carriage. The body which leaped out of the roof was covered in a dark cloak, and from his cuff emerged a sharp longsword. The assassins who were present had never seen such a sword. It was 1.2 meters long and 3.4 centimeters wide. The goldsmiths in the entire Westland had no capability to produce such a long and narrow sword!

The cloak fluttered in the air and its huge shadow covered for a semicircle under the sun for a brief second. Six of the twelve assassins screamed and scampered off from the dark shadow. Their hands held their broken trachea as they issued their last groan.

The long cloak of the dark shadow fell gently on the horseback, and the remaining six assassins couldn't help but exchanged nervous glances with each other. They just witnessed something that went against the laws of nature. Instead of piercing into the horseback, their rapiers were bent into a U shape by the gravity force against the human body. With extreme agility, the black silhouette leaped and landed behind the assassins.

The assassins turned their back abruptly to witness two of their people being killed. The fluttering cape of the black silhouette obstructed the sword from the crowd's view, but blood could be seen splattering out from the bodies which fell to the ground one after another.

Almost instantaneously, the only one left among all twelve assassins who attempted to kill the head of Secret Service, Rudolf Hoss, stood horrified as he stared at the approaching ”black cloak”.

”Who…who are you?”

The black cloak slowed down his pace. The Titan language he knew had constructed themselves in a question for him.

”Thirteen! I'm Thirteen!”

The assassin turned to his heels immediately, but just as he took the first step of his escape, he realized from the corner of his eyes that a dark shadow was engulfing him from behind. The long sword was raised aloft in the air and pierced sharply from below. Since then, the assassin's eyes lost their luster forever.

Thirteen inspected the dead bodies splayed across the ground, then turned to the crowd. The secret agent responsible for the tailing of the target had already hidden among the people. Imperial Guards who heard the news also arrived at the scene and blocked the crowd's sight with shields.

A secret agent quivered to the front of Thirteen whose long sword was pointed at the ground. It appeared that he pretended not to notice the approaching silhouette in front of him.

The secret agent pulled out a glass syringe which was filled with a thick white liquid from within his arms. Thirteen seemed a little nervous, but his sword eventually stopped shaking, and the blade shifted away from the body of the approaching silhouette slowly.

The injection needle pierced accurately at the neck of the King of Assassins, and a burst of blood gushed through the needle hole and dissolved quickly with the liquid in the syringe. The secret agent continued to press down the syringe. He was pleased to see the Eastern killer in front of him relaxed gradually. The scene resembled a life-and-death duel.

Perspiration formed on his forehead and slowly, his body became as soft as a sponge.

Finally, the real King of Assassins of the Westland fell to the ground!

”Hurry! Hurry! Take him away! Take him away!” the secret agent yelled at his companions. They cooperated to shift the King of Assassins into a military carriage and left the scene quickly.

More soldiers of the Imperial Guards gathered in the alleys to collect the corpses for the staff from the Ministry of Justice and Military Intelligence Bureau to confirm their identities. It was expected that no results would arise from the examination because professional assassins were not careless enough to leave any trail behind for identification.

However, there was always an exception! The person in charge of the Military Intelligence Operation of the capital discovered a beautiful cigar butt during the post-mortem process. Its brand was printed on it. There was only one store in the whole of Dulin that sold this brand of cigar. In other words, things were starting to get interesting!

A team from Special Operations rushed to the store, and fortunately, although the owner of the store couldn't recognize the person who smoked that cigar, he gave the name of the Lord who purchased it.

”Who was it?”