《Undead Prosecutor》


 Prologue

    It lay nestled in the desolate and uninhabited land between the Odyllian Mountains, quiet and dormant.


    Surrounding it are walls made of massive, pristine white rocks. With the blessing of divine power, not even the harshest weather can leave a trace of dirt on them.


    Three brown-red Romanesque domed towers stand tall in the center of the square, with rows of arched windows set in neatly laid red brick walls. Various strange animal sculptures surround the outer railings of the rooftop, and semicircular arches give the entire building a solid and heavy atmosphere. Long suspension bridges connect the towers in the air, forming the entire main hall.


    The statues of the twelve apostles were scattered around the main hall, different from their counterparts in the far-off Holy City square as they were clad in armor and holding swords or hammers, portraying a warlike stance.


    The wide carpet, crimson with silver edges, runs from the steps in front of the door to the altar. Twenty-four intricately carved pillars surround the area, each adorned with a massive banner depicting swords and holy hammers.


    The orange-yellow murals covering the half-arched ceiling depicted a sinking sun, purple clouds, defeated foreigners, humans praying on the ground towards the heavens, and countless apostles with outstretched wings holding spears.


    The rays of dawn shone through the stained-glass windows, creating beams of light pouring through.


    Just by viewing this sight, even the least devout believers would be moved to tears, kneeling and repenting for their sins towards the shining emblem on the main wall.


    Oppression, majesty, and sacredness. These are the first impressions it gives to every newcomer.


    Of course, it would be even better without those faint moans that seem to emanate from the deepest depths of the earth, containing endless pain and despair.


    Heretic Tribunal, that''s the name of this place.


    Bishop Roland frowned as he walked slowly down the damp steps, the air filled with moisture and the stench of soil making his nose uncomfortable. The thick moss on the walls, nourished by the dampness, occasionally left greenish slime marks on the Bishop''s magnificent robes.


    If it weren''t for the Papal Decree, he would still be in the Church of the Holy City, enjoying the adoration and worship of the faithful.


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    No one wanted to deal with the sadistic tormentors of the Tribunal, not even him as the Bishop.


    Inside this underground water dungeon, there were all sorts of grotesque torture devices covered in dried blood. Roland tried to identify them but could only recognize a few, such as the Iron Maiden and the spiked hanging basket.


    It seemed that the sadists had invented many new devices.


    These monsters made of wood and iron, even looking at them made one feel the pain all over their body.


    It was hard to imagine that someone could endure torture from these things for half a year without repenting.


    "Praise be to Our Lord, I would rather choose to be burned ten times than to be locked up in here for an hour." Roland muttered to himself in his heart, but immediately regretted this ominous thought.


    Passing through the torture chamber, deeper underground, rows of heretics were chained in wooden cages, soaking in water, their bodies marked with horrific wounds.


    Without the wails and whispered curses, Roland would have thought that the figures in front of him were just lifeless corpses.


    However, there was one person who was an exception.


    In the farthest corner cage, a middle-aged, bare-chested man leaned against the bars. In the flickering light of the wall torches, his pale skin reflected a metallic sheen.


    "Leo Angertes." Roland stopped ten steps away, "Or should I address you as Your Excellency, the Archbishop, the most honored thief in all of Anno. Of course, in front of the throne of the Light''s Seal, all honor and arrogance are equally humble."


    Leo lifted his head laboriously, revealing a mocking smile. Perhaps he even wanting to curse crudely - if his tongue hadn''t been disabled in the previous torture.


    "I am sorry that you could have had a bright future if you had not betrayed the light and fallen into the abyss of heresy." Roland prayed for a few moments, as if the word "heresy" had tainted his mouth, and then raised his voice. "Where are the stolen artifacts and the wicked research material hidden? Perhaps the Church will show mercy, offering you a poisoned chalice instead of the gallows in the square."


    After waiting for a while, Roland turned and left. His nose was getting more and more uncomfortable, and there was no need to waste any more time. Besides, he had already obtained many clues in the previous spiritual searches.


    On the Byron Empire''s coastline, along the famous Golden Horn Bay, there was a secular city called Flondeck. What he wanted was hidden there.


    Under the divine spell of exploring holy relics, even if they were placed in a filthy rat hole, he would find it.


    If everything can end perfectly, then he will be one step closer to the position of the Archbishop.


    Leo silently watched Roland''s back, the ripples on his lips growing bigger and bigger, until that eerie and crazy smile spread across his entire face.


    He opened his mouth and screamed wildly without saying a word. If he could make sound, the meaning of those few syllables would be:


    "I will eventually be immortal."

 Chapter 1: Rookie Prosecutor

    Mary walked out of the Golden Goose Tavern. By now, after a whole day of rain and snow, the entire city of Flondeck seems like a damp and exhausted woman after passion.


    The night was already deep with no star in sight, only countless raindrops falling incessantly from the sky, hitting the flesh with pain.


    Even in the midst of the bustling nightlife of Flondeck city, the noise gradually faded away.


    Just walking past the Green Agate Square, Mary stopped at the street corner. Under the dim yellowish magic crystal street lamp, she looked at her newly bought skirt with regret. The beautiful layered hem had already been stained with a few mud spots.


    "Damn weather," Mary muttered, carefully trying to wipe off the dirt with her fingers, but only succeeded in making the brown smudges worse, furrowing her brow deeper in frustration.


    For a part-time bar girl like her, this dress was one of her most popular secret weapons.


    Everyone knew Mary was the most famous showgirl at the Golden Goose Tavern. When she danced provocatively at the bar, the men''s excited cheers could almost bring the roof down.


    Then there was always that one customer, who would whisper a few words to the owner and quietly slip a few silver coins, buying the right to spend some alone time with her in a small room upstairs.


    Usually within two quarters, sometimes a little longer, there will be some jingling things added to Mary''s wallet.


    If she kept at it for a few more years, she could buy a two-story house with a backyard in Flondeck''s outskirts or go even further to find a decent man to marry. Every night before she went to sleep, Mary would count her earnings, happily calculating how much closer she was to achieving her dreams.


    But the cost of cleaning this expensive dress, which couldn''t be washed, would delay her plans for a few more days.


    So, when that man approached her, Mary decided to do some more business.


    The dim light made it hard for Mary to make out the man''s appearance, but his loud, clunky boots, slender cane, and carriage waiting behind him all suggested he could afford her.


    If he was a gentleman, she might even get a chance to visit the expensive, jaw-dropping hotel on Diamond Avenue again.


    Mary had only been there once, six months ago, when an old aristocrat had bought her for a gold coin for the entire night. The aristocrat naturally didn''t go to the small upstairs room, so she was taken to the palace - for Mary, the hotel''s luxurious decor was no different from the palace she had imagined.


    Although the soft, flabby thing the old man had used had made Mary''s tongue sore all night until he was fully satisfied, the cost was her cheeks being sore and numb the next day.


    But Mary still missed the feeling of rolling around on the soft, feather-filled bed.


    She licked her full, sexy lips and leaned against a lamppost, gently twirling her umbrella handle and trying to show off her long, fit legs that protruded from under her dress, and her proud breasts that traced a magnificent curve under her clothes - She is very good at seducing men.


    Soon, Mary regretted her greed.


    When the man raised the hand that had been hidden behind him all along, the cold light of the knife glinted in the light, making Mary''s charming, hazy eyes turn to despair and terror.


    Uncontrollable pain shredded all her thoughts and perceptions, and soon she knew nothing.


    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Inspector Lime Knight of the Patrol Force received a report in the early morning.


    The gray-white mist made the Green Agate Square look dreary. The old square, which had been around for quite some time, was now blocked off by a squad of police cavalry.


    Occasionally, early-morning residents who were curious about what had happened attempted to approach, only to be immediately repelled by the soldiers.


    Lime slowly lifted the black cloth that covered the body, revealing a headless figure before him, a girl with a very good figure.


    Due to the cold, the blood was not yet fully congealed, staining the damp road with a thick layer of red.


    "Quick, find out her identity," Lime ordered his subordinates.


    Then, after pausing for a moment, he looked at the provocative skirt and added, " Go to the bars near Green Agate Street and ask if anyone has gone missing.."


    He weighed the money purse found on the body, listening to the crisp sound of coins clashing together, and muttered a few curses under his breath.


    Every time, body parts were missing.


    Every time, the incisions on the body were clean and orderly, without any mess.


    Every time, the victim''s valuable belongings were not missing.


    He knew that the culprit had struck again.


    "Midnight Butcher," this is the name the patrol team uses to refer to that guy.


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    Perhaps Flondeck lacks a bit of the mystery and beauty compared to the Thousand Towers holy city Anno. Perhaps compared to the eternal capital of Castain, it is inferior in solemnity and atmosphere. However, even the most well-traveled wandering poets cannot deny that Flondeck, the city that never sleeps, is the most marvelous city they have ever seen.


    The cold of the murky winter enveloped the entire city like a thick fog. The sky was so gray that sunlight was nowhere to be seen. Finally, in the middle of the day, the heavy and dull clouds broke open. After a brief respite from several days of rain, the drizzle resumed, weaving a silvery curtain of raindrops.


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    Albert Fraley stood in the stone hall of the apartment complaining about the ghostly weather. He was a tall young man with his mouth always tightly pursed into a thin line, and his brown irises made him appear slightly indifferent. In the words of common parlance, he had a naturally "cold-face".


    "Fraley, he''s a handsome young man, he just looks too cool," many girls would say.


    The bad weather made Flondeck''s transport surprisingly scarce. Carriages filled with passengers flowed endlessly along the road, and the wheels stirred up the bumpy mud water. The coachman deftly steered the carriage to avoid various obstacles, flying down the not-so-wide road.


    A dilapidated carriage stopped in front of Albert. "My lord, where would you like to go?" The coachman asked respectfully.


    The impoverished lord had even lost his private carriage and was relegated to living in the old city. People living here had goodwill and tolerance. After all, it was an honor to have a true aristocrat living among them. Moreover, this Lord was courteous, with manners and style different from the average person.


    "Go to the Golden Goose Tavern, please." Albert grabbed the handle outside the carriage and climbed aboard.


    The ride was smooth, but the cold rain mixed with ice pellets seeped in through the damaged cracks in the canvas of the carriage, causing Albert to shiver and raise his collar.


    After about fifteen minutes, they arrived at their destination.


    A red roof, an exaggerated sign, and rowdy bar-goers could be heard from the windows.


    The Golden Goose Tavern was probably the liveliest place on Green Agate Street, with cheap and delicious beer, enthusiastic barmaids, and the famous small rooms. Although crude, every normal man could find pleasure there.


    Albert took out a silver coin from his purse and handed it to the driver. He watched as the driver rummaged through his pockets for change, his red, swollen hands covered in frostbite.


    Who would willingly suffer the hardship of working outside in the freezing cold if not for their livelihood?


    Feeling sympathetic, Albert gestured to the driver to keep the change, then turned and climbed the two steps to push open the worn red-painted wooden door of the tavern.


    It was warm inside the tavern. Albert moved his stiff body a bit and nodded to some acquaintances who greeted him. He walked towards the table in the corner where a group of Eastern merchants had gathered.


    Although Flondeck is located on the border, a hundred years ago, Markamor merchants carrying valuable cargo crossed the turbulent Sea of Silence and quickly developed this border fishing village into the most prosperous commercial city in the entire Byron Empire.


    Connecting the East and West, the merchant route known as the Spice Route starts in the West with the city of Flondeck.


    Glass, spices, seasonings, and many other rare and unheard-of items can be exchanged for ten times the profit as long as they can be transported to Flondeck without any loss.


    Similarly, transporting pepper and wool produced here can earn any greedy merchant a satisfactory reward.


    This is why countless merchants risk their lives to travel between the two lands.


    Golden Horn Bay, a name that represents wealth and prosperity, was chosen by merchants to name this excellent harbor location in Flondeck.


    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    "Hello... I am the client, Albert," stuttered Albert as he greeted them in the Eastern language.


    Seeing the merchants'' wary eyes, Albert pulled out a note. This is the bill of lading issued to him by Arif, the most powerful figure among the merchants of the Spice Route.


    The apparent leader of the merchants retrieved the delivery note and scrutinized it carefully, showing a small smile. They had heard of this special customer.


    He always insisted on buying some strange plants, sometimes just certain roots or leaves, which although not exotic, were difficult to collect.


    So only large caravans under the command of Ahmed would accept his orders. This was not mainly to make money, but to uphold the reputation of being the first merchant on the spice route.


    If there was no stock, they would request a deposit of half the order and deliver it on their return visit.


    After paying the remaining balance, the merchant would return to the room and hand him a bulging lamb skin bag after a short while.


    For what was inside, Albert not only waited for four months, but also spent a whole twenty gold coins, which is enough for a normal family to live without worries for half a year.


    If Albert hadn''t sold the gold picture frame left by his father, he wouldn''t have been able to come up with the funds.


    Tying the lamb skin bag around his waist, Albert found a spot by the wall, ordered a glass of beer and raised a toast to the merchants who were still whispering about him, slowly took small sips.


    "Lord, it''s been a few days since we last saw you," someone purred in his ear and something slimy licked his earlobe in a flash, startling him almost to the point of spilling his drink.


    When he regained his composure, Albert noticed a young blonde girl standing silently behind him, grinning like a sly kitten.


    She was a vibrant girl, with two green eyes as fine as the highest quality agate, constantly twinkling with affection, and tiny freckles dotted around her nose, making her more playful.


    "Jenny, don''t scare people," Albert grumbled, waving his hand, taking out his handkerchief and wiping away the beer that had splashed on his sleeve.


    "Wow, it''s so pretty." Jenny quickly snatched the handkerchief and carefully examined the lily pattern and lace embroidery on it, then confidently put it in her own purse.


    Albert shrugged helplessly, knowing he couldn''t give her anything too exquisite in front of this little wildcat.


    Ornate nose snuff boxes, beautiful lighters, unique collar buttons... countless trinkets had changed hands in this near-flirtatious game that he and Jenny often played, a symbol of their familiarity.


    Albert was happy to use this way to give her some small gifts.


    "What''s wrong, miss me?" Jenny wrapped her arms around Albert''s neck and gently breathed in his ear, "If we go to the little room now, it''ll cost you."


    "Not now, I still have to work in the afternoon." Albert took out a black badge engraved with the scales of justice, and proudly waved it at Jenny.


    Jenny''s beautiful green eyes widened and she excitedly rubbed her body against Albert, "You got promoted to prosecutor?" she exclaimed.


    "I''m still just a trainee, but I believe I''m not far from becoming an official prosecutor after a few more trials," Albert boasted confidently, infecting Jenny''s joy, and warming his own heart as well. After all, in the profit-driven Flondeck, only this girl sincerely wished him well.


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    Albert''s family, a noble family that had been in decline since long ago.


    From the grandfather''s viscount to the father''s baron, when it was passed down to him, the family had no property except for the lowest ranked noble title.


    This was why he sold the ancestral home and moved to the old district to live.


    Thanks to his father, who had extensive knowledge of the law and had written many notes before he passed away, Albert was able to find a job in the court with the help of a distant relative after studying these notes thoroughly.


    From the age of sixteen to twenty-three, in seven years, Albert had already memorized the law and accumulated a wealth of experience.


    Sometimes, even veteran judges would rely on him to quietly remind them of the contents of legal articles in court.


    They affectionately called him "The Living Statute of the Seventh Court".


    With this astuteness, his position rose from a clerk, to a clerk of court, to a probationary prosecutor. If he made appropriate judgments for a few cases, Albert believed that he would soon drop the word "probationary".


    "When the tavern closes, remember to come pick me up," Jenny''s pretty face turned red as she poked her cute nose and said, "I''ll bring you a gift to celebrate, it''s free."


    Albert knew clearly what the free gift was that she had already given him many times. On many lonely nights, that soft and gorgeous gift lit up his passion in his shabby apartment.


    "Hmm." Albert lovingly patted Jenny''s head and whispered to her, "Wait a little longer, and when I take up the prosecutor''s position, I''ll be able to support you."


    A moment later, in a corner of the Golden Goose Tavern, there were the sounds of table flipping and onlookers whistling as the pair embraced and fell to the ground.


    The tavern owner at the counter shouted loudly,


    "My lord, if you need to use the small room upstairs, I''ll give you a 20% discount!"

 Chapter 2:The First Performance

    Number 244 on Horseshoe Street is where the Seventh Street Courthouse is located.


    Black roof, slightly old wooden two-story building, vines winding up the wall corners, covering half of the wall with green in the summer, but now withered brown stems make the whole building appear desolate.


    Only the sculpture of the St. Muto with rough workmanship in front of the door reminds people that this is a solemn place.


    Although it is only an ordinary third-class courthouse that can only handle trivial cases, it is still the first step in Albert''s career.


    Who knows, one day Albert might enter the noble court and make fair judgments on cases even the king would attend.


    Albert had visited the first noble court in the new district of Flondeck, where a single trial room is big enough to accommodate three hundred people.


    It is said that there is a wizard in the noble court who is proficient in mental magic and can easily make even the most stubborn and cunning person speak the truth about the facts.


    God, a wizard! Albert has never seen such a mysterious person.


    No matter which country it was, wizards were a rare sight, like oases in a desert. It was worth boasting just to have a conversation with them.


    The heating was on full blast in the courtroom. Albert took off his coat and stuffed his sheepskin bag into the drawer of his desk. He nodded at the several record keepers who greeted him and then proceeded towards the office of the presiding judge.


    Albert couldn''t tell if it was because of the bad weather causing the wooden planks of the corridor to rot, or if it was his excited mood, but he felt like he was stepping on smooth wool felt, soft and fluffy.


    Today is the day he appears in court for the first time as a prosecutor.


    The presiding judge, Baron Ross Silva, was a lean and sharp old man. Upon seeing Albert, he closed the large notebook in front of him and motioned for him to close the door.


    "Sir Fraley, what are your thoughts on the case you are responsible for?" Judge Silva pushed his glasses up his nose and asked.


    Albert has been studying this case that is about to go to trial for a long time.


    Two young barons had gotten drunk at a bar and assaulted, tortured, and raped a young girl in an alleyway. The girl''s father arrived upon hearing the commotion, and then something even more tragic happened.


    The young men, overcome by alcohol, punched and kicked the father of a young girl until patrolmen intervened. By then, the poor old man had taken his last breath.


    At first glance, this seems like a simple case of violent assault, and even as nobles, the accused will have difficulty avoiding legal consequences.


    According to the Noble Code, any lower-ranking noble who causes the death of a commoner can only avoid death by paying a hefty sum and performing long-term hard labor.


    However, the key point is that the victim, the young girl''s elderly father, is not purely human, but rather a sub-species called a Goethean.


    Goetheans look like ordinary people at first glance, but often have small scales in concealed parts of their bodies or bone protrusions on their foreheads.The first Goethean in the canon of the Church of Light was Judas, the traitor who betrayed the Son.


    His bloodline was cursed, and his descendants henceforth possessed non-human characteristics.


    Over time, while Goetheans are no longer indiscriminately hunted and killed like before, they are still viewed as a lowly class. Imperial law does not recognize non-human races as citizens eligible for rights, a non-negotiable iron rule established by the founder of the Byron Empire, Komo I, who was known in historical records as an obstinate human supremacist.


    As a result, the young men who are still being held in custody are feeling proud and claiming that they will not make any compensation in order to uphold the dignity of humanity and the emperor.


    After all, the astronomical numbers set by the legal code for compensation are painful for ordinary noble families to bear.


    Nevertheless, a living being has died, and how to deliver a fair judgment that upholds legal justice while not offending the royal face is a headache for any judge.


    This is also the reason why the case, after being delayed for several months by the First Noble Court, was transferred to the Third-Class Court.


    The Seventh Street Court, whose qualifications were not enough to handle such cases, naturally became the sacrificial lamb to cover for the higher-ups.


    And Albert believed he had also become one of the sacrificial lambs.


    As a rookie prosecutor, he was the perfect candidate for sacrifice.


    ¡°He''s a great kid, but from now on, he''ll have to say goodbye to his position in the court. Maybe the dismissal fee can give him a little extra.¡±The court leader has already imagined Albert''s fate. ¡°Prosecutor, I hope you can be rigorous in your role and not make any laughable moves in court.¡± He looked at Albert with pity.


    ¡°I understand.¡± Albert nodded determinedly. He knew this was a trap, but he also knew it was a huge opportunity.


    Putting on the black robe that symbolized justice and solemnity, with the light grey wig made of horsehair, standing in front of the mirror, Albert felt extremely confident.


    ''The stage is set and this will be my first performance. I can''t mess it up.'' He silently prayed as he pushed open the door leading to the courtroom.


    The hearing room was already full of people. Many important figures had condescended to come to this dilapidated place.


    The two defendants stood in the dock, indifferent, whispering to each other from time to time.


    The other lamb in the script: the presiding judge, was an old man who was about to retire. He sat weakly in his seat and announced, in a muffled voice,


    "Court is now in session."


    In court, lawyers and prosecutors are like gladiators in the arena, never giving up until defeating their opponents completely.


    The lawyer for the delinquents interrogated the witness for the prosecution, who was the young girl who had lost both her virginity and her father.


    "Ma''am, may I ask if you have any Goethean ancestry?" the lawyer asked.


    "It was them, they killed my father," the girl repeated.


    "Please answer my question. Do you have any Goethean ancestry?"


    "It was them who killed my father," she replied once more.


    "All evidence indicates that you have half Goethean blood, and your father was a pure-blood Goethean," the lawyer stated.


    "They killed my father!" the girl screamed in anger, her beautiful gray eyes seeming to shoot flames and her white teeth biting her lips, drawing blood. "Why don''t you focus on the culprits and their crimes, and pick a better day for the gallows, instead of being concerned about my poor father''s bloodline?"


    Looking at the out-of-control girl, the lawyer smiled with satisfaction and made a graceful gesture to indicate the end of the questioning.


    Albert remained silent, constantly writing something on his paper.


    The lawyer then called several witnesses who provided ironclad proof that the victim was indeed a Goethean person who was not protected by the law. The lawyer even shouted, "If my client is guilty, then does this absurd court and everyone here want to ignore the greatness of the Emperor Komo and challenge the royal prestige?"


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    Albert remained silent from beginning to end. In the eyes of everyone at the courtroom, the prosecutor had already failed, a rookie completely shut down by the lawyer, destined to become a joke in the legal world after-dinner conversations.


    It was not until the presiding judge asked if the defendant should be declared innocent and released that Albert spoke for the first time.


    He said, "The merciful King George VII, the father of the current holy king, once added a rule to the law that prohibits the slaughter of any rare animal."


    It is well known that the previous emperor was a monarch who loved painting and poetry, and his sensitive, artistic temperament made him love all things vibrant in the world. Not only did he have generous policies that reduced taxes for the people, but he also issued notifications to protect various endangered animals in the realm.


    In the southern part of the empire, the "Heavenly Bird," with its beautiful feathers that were perfect for decorating noblewomen''s hats, was brought back from the brink of extinction, thanks to the protection under this law.


    "The defendant disregarded the laws of the former emperor and slaughtered precious animals like the Goethean? Can anyone here tolerate such a crime? " Albert exclaimed.


    The noisy courtroom suddenly fell silent, and everyone was stunned. A rookie like Albert actually used animal protection laws in a criminal case!


    "According to the defense''s argument, Goethean are lowly creatures not worthy of protection. My goodness, what have you done? You have raped an animal?" Albert exclaimed with exaggeration. "Only heathens can commit such a filthy act. God above, this will be punished by the stake!"


    The Bright Church, which was above all kings and lords, clearly specified in its doctrine that all animal-human sexual activities were prohibited.


    It is not uncommon for nobles to lose their titles because they have favored orc slaves.


    Sitting in the audience, the Bishop of the Flondeck region who was invited to attend closed his eyes devoutly, crossed himself on the chest and murmured, "May the Holy Fire of The Abyss purify the sins of the guilty."


    The lawyer, who had fallen from heaven into hell in an instant, suddenly felt that admitting to the charge of murder seemed much less severe than the prosecutor''s accusations.


    "Thank you for getting justice for my father, but I still curse you because you insulted my father''s reputation," said the Goethean girl as she left the court, then she kissed the rookie prosecutor. Albert felt a hint of bitterness, it was the taste of the girl''s tears.


    "I knew that young man could do it, but I didn''t expect him to be so great," Baron Robert exclaimed with joy to the senior prosecutors who were listening beside him, "He doesn''t look like a rookie at all."


    Albert won his first case in life, beautifully.


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    As the sky gradually darkened, and the dim yellow light from the windows of each household, the sound of children playing at the dining table, and the affectionate scolding of adults were interwoven in the alleys of Flondeck, which made Albert a little confused.


    The charcoal fire in the fireplace was burning brightly, and the family sat around the dining table chatting happily. The smell of buttered potatoes and fish soup in the kitchen made the little dog at their feet restless.


    How long had it been since he had enjoyed such an atmosphere?


    Five years? Or ten years?


    His parents'' passing left his childhood to end earlier than anyone else''s.


    Suddenly, Albert longed for Jenny''s warmth.


    He checked his pocket watch. It was a quarter past five. There was still a long time before Jenny finished work.


    Albert wouldn''t have wanted the little stray cat to continue working at the bar if it weren''t for Jenny''s grandmother needing expensive medication all the time.


    Although since knowing Albert, Jenny has never gone to a small room with anyone else, but the drunken patrons do not mind squeezing a handful on the sexy bodies of the bar girls as they pass by.


    "Just wait a little longer. The salary of an official court magistrate is three times more than that of an apprentice. By then, I will be able to rent a larger apartment and bring her and her grandmother over."


    Albert thought as he reached out to touch the sheepskin bag at his waist. It was filled with various herbs from the Far East.


    This was one of the hobbies his father had left him.


    At that time, his father was almost obsessed with the study of herbs. He tried to combine herbology and alchemy to create a potion that could bring his dead wife back to life.


    Resurrection and the soul ultimately belong to the realm of the gods, and until his passed away, no progress was made in this research.


    However, there were several interesting discoveries in his father''s experimental notes.


    Anesthetic soup was one of them.


    Boiling a mixture of unique Eastern plants such as Datura and Belladonna in water in a certain proportion can create a concentrated soup that can put people into a deep sleep after drinking it.


    For sick and painful patients, a good sleep is better than anything else.


    This anesthetic soup was also the only savior for Jenny''s grandmother during her unbearable pain, but its high cost prevented Albert from producing it in large quantities.


    Since it was still early before the scheduled time, Albert decided to go home first and process some herbs.


    In his father''s research, Datura needed to undergo more careful processing, otherwise it could be a poison that could cause people to suffer greatly.


    Albert''s apartment was located on 3rd Street in the old district, and these old houses, which existed when Flondeck was just beginning to prosper, had long since fallen into disrepair. The wealthy families had moved away, leaving behind residents who were mostly laborers and poor clerks.


    Compared to the homeless in the slums, they at least had their own houses and could escape the cold winter.


    Passing through the entrance hall and carefully climbing the creaking stairs, the room on the second floor, which was thirty square meters, was Albert''s home.


    The furniture inside was old, and the Baroque-style cutlery cabinet in the corner of the wall was carved with decorative four-leaf patterns that had been worn beyond recognition. The two-tiered shelf demonstrated that this was an antique passed down from his grandfather, and only a viscount deserved a two-tiered cutlery cabinet.


    The oak dining table on the other side had also exceeded its lifespan, and the protruding joints and sockets of the base had become loose. Even a slight force could cause it to wobble.


    Only the bed was somewhat new, but the ceiling was empty and lacked a bed curtain. Expensive fabrics like that were still a luxury for Albert.


    As for the research equipment that Albert owned: a delicate scale, an alcohol lamp, various glass test tubes and filters, and a pot for boiling herbs, all of these things cost him most of his savings.


    As Albert stretched and yawned, he realized that it was already late.


    He felt anxious thinking about the little stray cat waiting for him.


    Flondeck at night was not a safe place, especially with rumors about the Midnight Butcher, a lunatic who roamed around killing people. Although the news was tightly sealed, as a government employee, Albert had heard some things.


    That is a madman who specifically appears in the deep night and kills wantonly. It is said that many patrol members have changed their preference for meat because they have seen the bodies mutilated by the butcher.


    Instantly, Albert was frightened by one of his own imaginations.


    He hastily put on his coat and ran to the Green Agate Square, where he always went to pick up Jenny when she stayed overnight at his apartment. Even though he gave her the key to the apartment, this habit had continued.


    "Waiting for the embrace of her lover, hoping to be welcomed back to the castle by him, is every girl''s natural right," said Jenny, always looking at Albert with green eyes flowing with laughter, her tone so soft it caressed the treetops like a gentle breeze.


    The moon emitted a pale glow, and the frigid wind roamed through the winding alleys, emitting a wailing sound, making the red brick and broken tile houses look particularly desolate in the wind.


    The accumulated water dampened the garbage scattered in the streets, causing Albert to stumble a few times.


    As he approached the corner of Emerald Square, he collided with something soft, followed by a scream.


    Jenny sat on the ground, her hair damp and her small face twisted in fear, without a trace of color. When she saw that the person who knocked her down was Albert, she desperately threw herself into his arms. "Someone is following me," Jenny pointed behind her, trembling violently.


    Albert instinctively reached into his pocket and felt around. The only thing he had that could be used as a weapon was a set of keys. This inconspicuous little thing, when tightly gripped in his palm with the pointed end protruding from between his fingers, was just as powerful as a claw.


    The street was even quieter under the moonlight, empty, and there was no suspicious person in sight.


    But Albert noticed that the cover of the underground waterway in the distance was uncovered. He walked over and looked down, but couldn''t see anything in the pitch-black darkness.


    Perhaps it was a sanitation worker who forgot to put it back. Albert thought as he used his foot to move the cover back to its original position, feeling angry at this irresponsible behavior.


    In the patrol team''s records, there were far more people injured by uncovered underground waterways than the elusive butcher''s prey.


    "I swear, someone was following me just now, and my eyelids kept twitching." Jenny grabbed Albert''s clothes corner and secretly looked around. When she was sure no one was there, she breathed a sigh of relief and explained, "You know, this has always been effective. Last time, I almost got hit by a flowerpot blown off the third floor by the wind. It was the twitching of my eyelids that reminded me to be careful."


    ¡°Don''t worry, maybe it''s just a hungry stray dog.¡± Albert put the key back in his pocket and wrapped Jenny in his coat. Seeing the girl unharmed, his heart, which had been beating heavily, finally calmed down.


    "Ouch." Jenny frowned, her foot just twisted, and she leaned against Albert, complaining, "Liar, you said you''d come to pick me up as soon as the tavern closed, but you''re only here now." As she spoke, she twisted the tender flesh around Albert''s waist a few times to vent her grievances.


    "Mary sister disappeared at night, be careful I disappear one day too." Even after Albert carried her on his back, Jenny''s mouth didn''t stop. When this girl gets angry, she''s like a temperamental little cat.


    "Okay, I''ll rub it for you later and soak your feet in hot water." Albert knew that if he didn''t change the subject quickly, she would keep talking all night. "I changed the bed sheets today." Albert hinted.


    Jenny''s complaints disappeared, and after a while, she leaned her head close to her lover''s ear and said angrily, "If you''re responsible for breakfast tomorrow, we can do it three times, or maybe four times if you can handle it."


    Jenny''s hair made Albert''s neck itchy, and he suddenly felt that the road from Green Agate Square to home seemed a bit too long.

 Chapter 3: The competition begins

    The rookie prosecutor began garnering attention.


    His progress in the judicial field surprised everyone, and there were rumors that during lunch one day, the esteemed Count Carmen, the highest-ranking figure in the Flondeck legal community, had mentioned Albert''s name with admiration.


    The courtroom was like a bullfighting arena, where he faced off against opponents, using his wit to gain the upper hand.


    He liked to use a calm demeanor, a slightly humble tone, to make the interrogated relax their guard, and then suddenly become intense, pointing out their weaknesses ruthlessly, catching them off guard. Then with a sword-like reprimand, they would collapse under the shadow of despair.


    One time, when the defendant appeared in people''s sights, everyone was surprised and sucked in a breath of cold air.


    He was a facially asymmetrical, inarticulate man who sat stupidly in the dock, drool constantly flowing and soaking a large part of his collar, his thin arms shaking unconsciously. His eyes, muddy and upturned, muttered incomprehensible words.


    When the judge read out his charge of fraud, many people made sneering laughs.


    Could a mentally disabled person do such a thing?


    The lawyer presented a physician''s testimony declaring his client to be a complete paraplegic unable to care for himself, and sympathetically said, "A person with a confused mind, surviving on meager bank interest, while some ludicrous businessman claims to have been cheated by him. Oh, this is so amusing, a person who made a fortune but whose intelligence is less than a fool!"


    The courtroom erupted in laughter, and everyone looked jovially at the plaintiff, a fair, stout man with a good-sized tea shop in Flondeck.


    He was now trying to wipe the sweat off his forehead, whispering, "He was pretending. When he talked to me about business, he was quite savvy."


    No one believes the fat man''s words, even the judge shows a sympathetic expression towards the defendant. Nine out of ten businessmen are cunning, and everyone thinks that this guy is attempting to seize the estate of a mentally disabled person.


    Albert approached the swindler and asked him several questions. The swindler looked puzzled, twisting his fingers and shifting uncomfortably in his chair, and then gave answers that were both hilarious and absurd.


    When Albert asked him what was sixteen plus twenty-four, he thought for a long time, and then shook his head vigorously.


    The lawyer sighed beside him, saying, "See, if he had even a modicum of logical ability, he wouldn''t have been wronged here."


    Finally, Albert said helplessly, "Perhaps the patrol team should check the eyesight of their selected members."


    The patrol knight who attended as a witness angrily stood up to protest, then red-facedly hid in the corner under the ridicule of the spectators.


    As people thought this farce was coming to an end, Albert said to the judge, "The situation is clear. During the trial process, we should return the frozen funds to the defendant. Hmm, let me think, it''s 200 gold coins." Albert thought of something and turned to ask the lawyer, "200? That''s not a small amount."


    The lawyer hesitated. He had not seen the specific amount of the deposit in the documents presented in court. But he dutifully explained, "This is the inheritance left by his father. By the Holy Light, if it weren''t for this money, he would have starved to death on the streets."


    Albert nodded, seemingly agreeing with the lawyer''s argument. Then he took out a piece of paper and quickly wrote a few words with a quill pen, which appeared to be his signature on the verdict.


    "Before announcing the result, it is more important to return the gold coins to the defendant to clarify the court''s fairness. Otherwise, everyone may privately suspect that we have colluded with the dishonest businessman to embezzle his livelihood."


    There was a warm applause in the courtroom, and everyone was satisfied with this fair decision.


    The fat businessman was stunned, and he opened his mouth but couldn''t say anything.


    The judge also agreed with Albert''s move, and he gestured for Albert to hand him the verdict. When the judge and prosecutor wrote their names at the same time, the arbitration would take effect immediately and could not be doubted.


    Just at that moment, an anxious voice came, "It''s 462 gold coins, you got it wrong!"


    In an instant, all eyes were focused on the source of the voice. The defendant stood up and eloquently shouted, his previously contorted face returning to normal in the blink of an eye. Soon, he realized something was wrong and his entire body froze.


    "Yes, it''s 462 gold coins," Albert turned abruptly and walked in big strides towards the swindler, sneering, "Before we count your gold coins, should we discuss your intelligence problem?"


    The swindler looked at the prosecutor in despair, sitting paralyzed with his head in his hands, breathing heavily and hoarsely muttering, "You...you are a devil who plays with people''s hearts."


    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    As expected, in the early days of spring, Albert received the long-awaited promotion notice.


    "Congratulations, young man," the presiding judge looked kindly at Albert, as if he were a beloved elder watching him grow up, "You are the honor of the Seventh Court."


    "I hope to make you proud, just as you make me proud," Albert said gracefully with the usual praise that nobles use, hiding his joy.


    According to regulations, probationary prosecutors in regional courts will serve for three months as assistant clerks in the First Noble Court. After that, he became a role that could stand alone.


    Three months, just need to get through another three months.


    More importantly, Albert''s salary will be able to rent a spacious apartment with a balcony in the new district.


    Three months, just need to get through another three months.


    Albert will be able to bring Jenny and her grandmother over and live happily together.


    The fragrance of fish soup wafts over the dining table, sharing the warmth of the fireplace with loved ones, and the feeling of someone waiting for you to come home. All of these are so eagerly anticipated.


    Maybe get a dog?


    Albert walked out of the Seventh Street Court, and the late winter weather was still cold. The excitement that had been accumulating in his heart was like a startled bird, jumping and chirping.


    "Ah!" Albert shouted, unable to suppress his excitement and punched his fist.


    On the street not far away, the cleaners who were busy cleaning the dirt and fallen branches looked inexplicably at him.


    In the evening, the sunset was resisting the onset of night, flashing with dazzling colors. The moon quietly emerged from behind the clouds, and the line between day and night was clearly defined on the horizon.


    Albert felt that everything in front of him was so beautiful.


    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Spring has indeed arrived, as if overnight, the cold wind has started to become gentle. The stiff branches of the trees on the roadside are adorned with starry green, and pedestrians take off their bulky coats, looking more energetic.


    The city center of Flondeck was bustling with life, the accumulated trash of winter having been cleaned up a few days ago.


    The streets were clean and bright, shop windows were decorated with cheerful red posters. Shopkeepers were yelling, showcasing rare and exciting items that filled the shelves. Fresh tea leaves, eels caught from the deep sea, colorful glassware, and countless goods made it hard to take one''s eyes away.


    Of course, the best-selling items were still the festive decorations like colorful balls and funny masks.


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    Regardless of poverty or wealth, everyone looks forward to the arrival of the first festival of the New Year: the Carnival.


    A large number of circuses, wandering poets, and touring dance troupes have gathered and formed a long queue in front of the gates of Flondeck City.


    Seductive dancers lean out of their carriage windows and blow kisses towards passing men, while colorful bells jingle on the raised snow-white arms.


    "Remember to visit the Fairy Dance Troupe, be a good boy, I''ll leave a spot for you in the tent." The ladies in tight-fitting clothes, showing off their full figures, flew their charming eyes and stuffed promotional brochures with beautiful patterns and the name of the dance troupe into the men''s arms, teasingly stroking them at the same time.


    The circuses deliberately pull back the canvas covering the cages of the beast, The wild beasts pace back and forth in the cages and occasionally roar at the onlookers, arousing people''s curiosity and also causing children to scream.


    Independent wandering poets, of course, do not have such a grand scene. They walk calmly in gorgeous costumes, only stopping to play a few notes and pose melancholy and wandering when they see beautiful noble ladies.


    Flondeck''s girls secretly follow their favorite poets, wanting to know which hotel they live in and exchanging information about where new handsome men have appeared.


    Uninhibited and without a care, the people of Flondeck can revel continuously for seven days, the most anticipated time of the year.


    However, for the Green Agate Street and the taverns with small rooms, the carnival is not a good day.


    Their business will be sluggish, and they would rather end this unlucky week early.


    Those performing dancing girls do not mind taking the audience who can afford it to their tents for an extra performance after the show ends. Of course, the more additional income, the better.


    The temptation of the dance costume uniform and the graceful posture formed by long-term practice naturally have much greater allure.


    Therefore, if you see a young and beautiful woman with heavy makeup raising her middle finger indecently towards the touring circus on the street, you can guess her identity.


    "Flondeck is our territory, and all the bastards should go to hell." The local prostitute curses with enmity.


    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    "Flondeck is our territory, and all the bastards should go to hell."


    The First Noble Court''s chief prosecutor, Baron Camilo, slammed a thick stack of files on the table and spoke with an enthusiastic tone. The boisterous sound of his voice made the delicate glass ashtray on the table emit a buzzing sound.


    Five lucky ones who were just recommended by the lower court are standing with respectful expressions, listening to their superiors'' admonition.


    In the luxurious office, the six-tiered carved redwood bookcase is packed full of legal books, and the top shelf requires a step stool to reach. If you search closely, you can even find precious first editions of famous books like "On the Sources of Law" and "Studies in Theology and Law."


    The owner of the books is clearly not a scholarly gentleman wearing gold-rimmed glasses in one''s imagination.


    The chief prosecutor is short and stout, with a patchy head of hair resembling a huge whirlpool in the Mediterranean. His shiny bald head is as bright as a mirror, and his speech is rough, like an uncultured brute.


    But if you underestimate him in court, you will suffer a great loss. As soon as a flaw is caught, the chief prosecutor is like a wild boar searching for food, exhaling feverish breaths and holding onto the prey fiercely yet cautiously, swallowing it whole until it disappears.


    "I know exactly what kind of people you are. You''ve dealt with some trivial cases in the small court and you think you''ve mastered the tricks. You''re proud and you think you can stay here for a while, wear the badge of a formal prosecutor, and then go back to the small court to continue playing unrealistic legal games."


    Camilo took out the snuff box from his pocket, sniffed a handful of dark brown tobacco at his nose and pointed to the pile of files on the table.


    "Scum, thugs, all sorts of trash can be found in here. They cleverly hide their evil deeds, trying to swagger out of prison. Your job for the next three months is to find any clues and send them to hell. This is not only your task, but also a tool for me to kick out the unqualified ones from the first court."


    Albert breathed a sigh of relief only after carefully closing the thick gold-edged door.


    He held the distributed files and scrutinized his colleagues who were both competitors and peers.


    Each one of them is an elite who has been tempered in actual combat, especially one of them is a girl.


    She has a stubborn look and short hair like a man, and her clothes are similar to men¡¯s jackets. Occasionally, there is a hint of pride between her eyebrows. She is not particularly beautiful, but the intellectual light in her eyes gives her a unique charm.


    Albert noticed the expensive light yellow silk scarf tied into a long bow under her neck, with a small golden sparrow brooch pinned to it.


    "Let''s get to know each other. I am Al Dunavan." A young man with an elegant voice and demeanor reached out his hand, but too many accessories on his clothes made him look a bit flamboyant.


    "Dunavan? This name sounds very familiar." Another trainee prosecutor said with some confusion, "Oh, the head of the district court is also called Dunavan. This is a prestigious family in the Flondeck legal world."


    "Oh, thank you for your compliment. He is my father." Al exaggeratedly shouted, "Of course, please believe that I am here not because of the relationship in my family, but because of my own ability."


    The prosecutors were amused by his modest words and shook hands with each other in a friendly manner.


    Only the girl hesitated for a moment, symbolically reaching out her hand wearing white silk gloves, and immediately withdrew it.


    "I''m Penny, the top student of the Imperial Law School." The girl said proudly, then disdainfully raised her eyebrows, "I like victories, whether it is facing criminals in court, or standing out among a group of trainees."


    "Oh, beautiful miss, is this a declaration of war?" Al bowed slightly, "Making a lady cry will damage my reputation."


    Penny shrugged indifferently, raised her thumb and pointed downwards, and then left without saying a word.


    "What an interesting girl, but the courtroom is not suitable for women. Their inexplicable emotions will always mess things up," Al laughed and continued, "Since we''ll be working together for three months, why don''t we gather together and discuss our tasks, criminal law, commercial law, noble law, everyone has their own strengths, as well as areas of law that are not so familiar."


    Al paused and looked at Albert. "As for this one, everyone must know about the famous murder case that gave the top prosecutor a headache. The judgment was cunning to the extreme, but when someone assists you, some things become easier. Who knows what strange things are hidden in it..." He waved the case file in his hand and continued, "One''s wisdom is ultimately no match for the power of the collective."


    "Not only now, but also in the future, if everyone strives for the position of chief prosecutor or court president, our friendship will make the promotion path smoother. To put it inappropriately, even a sailor on the dock, on his own, may not be able to protect his salary in his pocket."


    What an eloquent speaker, Albert thought as he watched Al speak endlessly.


    He was not surprised by the alliance implied in Al ''s words. Every profession has its own small circles, and having allies is always better than making enemies.


    Two other interns from the second-tier court nodded in agreement. As rookies who were just promoted from a small local court, they couldn''t help but crave for someone to share their inner anxiety when standing in the luxurious and magnificent trial hall.


    Al hugged them enthusiastically and then extended his hand to Albert. "Will you join us too?"


    After hesitating for a moment, Albert said, "In the art salon on Rose Square, some paintings are worth thousands of gold coins. The wealthy often compete with each other, as if whoever gets it will appear more tasteful. While other paintings, although still exquisite, only require a few silver coins. Why is that? Because the former is the cry of a true master''s soul, while the latter is commissioned by an art workshop to a few poor painters who work together, like a production line, to produce a large number of paintings every day."


    "Art is not determined by the number of people," Albert said as he left. "In my eyes, the law is also an art."


    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Walking through the long corridor, covered with a fine brown carpet, Albert met Penny in the courtyard. She was sitting sideways on the pedestal of the fountain, playing with the ornamental fish in the pool with her fingers.


    These fish are not afraid of human approach, following the movement of fingers up and down, trying to figure out whether the pale and slender thing is food.


    Occasionally, the splashes of water splashed on Penny''s temples and forehead as the fish jumped out of the water, and the previously serious girl laughed happily.


    As the sunlight slanted, from afar, golden ripples spread across the water surface, and the golden light extended to the girl, as if draped in a gorgeous and brilliant armor.


    Albert felt that the scene that only existed in sonnets or oil paintings had walked out of the text and left the picture frame, vividly appearing in reality.


    Perhaps feeling Albert''s gaze, Penny''s smile faded, and she turned to look at him.


    Winter returned to the girl''s face, and she stood up straight, walked powerfully to Albert, and arrogantly said, "Finally, there are smart people. I thought you four poor fools would huddle together like destitute refugees, begging to use that weak warmth to resist the cold of the night."


    "People who don''t even have the courage to face challenges alone and rely on unstable alliances for hope will not have a future."


    The girl''s tongue was like a thorny rose. After her malicious comments, she reached out her hand towards Albert.


    "This is a formal introduction. I am Penny Leinshman. I hope you are a good opponent, otherwise, three months will be too boring."


    Leinshman? Albert finally realized the meaning of the Golden Sparrow Flower Brooch.


    It was the emblem of the Leinshman family, which was known as the top aristocracy and had the title of the head of the aristocracy.


    "The bloom of the Golden Sparrow Flower never ends." In the upper circles of the Castain Imperial City, such words often appeared on the lips of nobles with envy or jealousy.


    After saying goodbye to Penny with not-so-proper aristocratic etiquette, Albert shrugged amusedly.


    Whether it was a famous family or a Golden Sparrow Flower, it had nothing to do with him.


    As long as he passed the assessment period smoothly and received satisfactory salary, Albert would be content.


    He was not in the mood to play childish competitive games with a certain young lady.


    Instead of thinking about these things, it was better to think about how to deal with the gift that Jenny would offer again tonight to celebrate her first report.


    The little wildcat secretly revealed that she had just bought a new underwear, which was the most popular and erotic thing from the Far East called a bellyband.


    "I''ll definitely come four times tonight." On the way back, Albert encouraged himself with anticipation.

 Chapter 4: In the First Court

    In the new district of Flondeck, numerous magnificent tall buildings stretch along the wide avenues paved with white pebbles. Rows of slender columns inlaid with magic crystals cover the streets and alleys, emitting soft light at night, driving away the dullness of the night. The hollow relief sculptures carefully crafted by sculptors on the column body are also works of art that embellish the streets during the day.


    Almost every intersection has been built into a small square with gorgeous fountains, and the jumping water spray displays the wealth and vitality of Flondeck at all times.


    The most famous one is the Mutu Fountain in front of the main entrance of the first noble court.


    The Mutu statue several people high stands quietly on the bronze pedestal in the center of the circular pool, holding a short sword symbolizing judgment high in one hand and holding a balance representing justice in the other hand. Thirty-two jets of water rise and form a mist-like water curtain, making this stone giant even more sacred.


    The Gothic building behind has multiple pairs of long spear-shaped tower tops that stretch beautifully towards the sky, as if to pierce the brilliant morning glow rolling in the sky. The majestic building, solemn statue, and the guards wearing black cloaks on the armor make everything in front of them appear solemn and rigorous.


    The first court has always been a solemn and rigorous place.


    Assistant prosecutor Albert Fraley is full of excitement.


    To represent the highest law enforcement agency in Flondeck, standing in the spacious trial hall, under the gaze of the bigwigs, and sending one unworthy criminal after another to the bottomless abyss, isn''t this what he has been pursuing?


    Climbing up the thirty-two long steps, handing over the pass to the stationed guards for verification, Albert walked into the long arched gate.


    On both ends of the arch, there are life-size figures in judge robes carved, some holy smiling, some closing their eyes with pity, and some glaring fiercely, seeming to never compromise.


    They are all pioneers and builders of the law in human history. These people laid the foundation of the law, representing the history and tradition of the code of law.


    On the monument at the end, there is a line of text,


    "It is not sweet, but bitter, and it is not about facing officials and senators, nor about making everyone brothers. You must be mindful to act according to the law, to do what is right by the law, to swear by honor, to be loyal to justice, and never to slacken."


    This is the oath of the first chief justice of Flondeck and also a warning and advice to later generations.


    Passing through the archway and arriving at the front court, the giant clock on the tower had just struck. The ups and downs of the bell echoed in the air, long and loud, vibrating three times, each time bringing a long echo.


    The first tone represents prosecution.


    The second tone represents verdict.


    The third tone represents never forgiving.


    This is a long-standing tradition of the first court, which also represents the beginning of a new day of work.


    "Let''s begin," Albert said. "My new stage."


    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    A few weeks passed in the blink of an eye. Albert worked from early morning until late at night, checking testimonies, searching for details that the patrol had not investigated, and simulating scenarios where he would confront the defense.


    For Albert, who was fighting alone, the complexity of the work made him feel pressures he had never experienced at the seventh street courthouse.


    He had completed three trials, sending two murderers and one counterfeiter to prison, but it was far from enough.


    The desk was still piled high with various types of case files. The robbers, swindlers, and unscrupulous businessmen seemed to be sneering at him through the documents, with a malicious grin that only he could see.


    It is clear to everyone that the five trainee prosecutors are divided into three groups.


    Leading the pack is Penny, who benefits from the glory and power of the Leinshman family, earning the care of important figures. She can even get intelligence officers from the Imperial City Security Bureau to put aside their work and use their resources to help her with a certain case.


    During trials, she often uses fancy techniques to vividly display the entire process of the defendant''s crime, making it seem like she was the defendant''s accomplice.


    Four times already, defense attorneys have lost the courage to continue their defense after Penny speaks and have instead advised their clients sitting in the defendant''s seat to admit guilt to reduce their sentence.


    The Al trio has also achieved excellent results. The group''s division of labor allows for remarkable progress in each case. Although Al himself is not outstanding in any particular aspect, his organizational skills are the foundation of the team''s smooth cooperation.


    And in the First Court, efficiency is always highly valued.


    Fatigue has made Albert''s smoking habit several times worse. The small office assigned to him is often filled with the choking scent of smoke.


    Albert lit another cigarette, and the starry light emitted a smokescreen in the dimly lit room. It was rolled by Jenny with tobacco and paper that she bought, which was much cheaper in price but didn''t feel any worse than the high-end products sold in tobacco shops.


    That lovely girl, while complaining that she won''t let him kiss her if he smokes and has bad breath in the future, willingly rolled cigarettes for him until midnight.


    With every puff, Albert could smell the scent of the little wildcat''s fingers.


    "For the spacious house with a small balcony, for a brighter future, for this girl, I must work harder," Albert encouraged himself every time he felt exhausted and wanted to give up everything and sleep for days.


    Then he will gather his spirits and continue to fight against cunning lawyers and dangerous suspects in court.


    Gradually, the audience in Courtroom 21 of the First Court, presided over by Albert, grew larger and larger. Because compared to the other prosecutors'' routine trial methods, Albert''s style was clearly more interesting.


    He always explores some seemingly irrelevant topics with great imagination, which provokes constant protests from the lawyers, and makes the audience burst into laughter, causing the judge to constantly hammer the gavel and call for order.


    But soon everyone would realize that those seemingly absurd words, with the progress of the case, turned into a wonderful weapon to point out the charges and made people unable to deny them.


    For example, in a futures fraud case, the prosecution had no evidence at all, but as the trial approached, they had to rush to conduct the trial.


    The defendant is a cunning and wealthy tycoon who has always claimed that his exploration team discovered a gem mine in the distant Black Continent, possessing the world''s finest and impeccable agate.


    "Old Peter''s fleet will bring back a ship full of agate, enough to make all the noblewomen in the city feel ashamed that their own jewelry is not precious enough. But Old Peter needs to hire miners and sailors, and maintain the ships. If anyone can invest a little money, wait a few months for Old Peter to come back, then they can get their profit." That''s how Peter claimed it from the beginning.


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    So bit by bit, small amounts of money flowed into his pockets.


    A month passed, half a year passed, a year passed. The promised ship full of agate seemed to never appear.


    Several nobles among the victims sued the swindler together.


    But there was no evidence to prove that the merchant was lying, and even whether he really owned a certain gem mine on the black continent could not be confirmed.


    Neither the plaintiff nor the first court has the time or willingness to take a sum of money to conduct an on-site investigation.


    Apart from a few nominal feudal lands, the Black Continent is so barren that only slave-catching ships would venture there. The only valuable place there is the savage orc tribe, a primitive subhuman species that once established a great empire, but was destroyed by the human kingdom a hundred years ago.


    Strong orcs and charming fox women are the only wealth on the barren continent, and they are quite competent as tools or playthings.


    Albert spoke slowly, telling stories of how the sailors of slave-catching ships battled orcs and how the primitive tribes on the grasslands even practiced cannibalism.


    As he spoke, the audience imagined bloodthirsty savages everywhere on the scorched earth under the scorching sun, and every seemingly safe place hid deadly dangers; every small bush lurked with the claws and blood-red eyes of wild beasts.


    "Dear Mr. Peter, please tell us how your great adventure team was able to defeat the orcs and even seize a rich mine; and how your brave fleet was able to deliver goods despite the harassment of the indigenous people."


    The merchant''s lawyer stood up and said, "Your Honor, my client is a wealthy merchant. His guard is well-equipped and well-trained, even more so than seasoned veterans. The prosecutor has described this earlier," the lawyer paused intentionally, seemingly mocking Albert for his slip-up, "The Black Continent is full of bloodthirsty primitives. Ten orcs with wooden clubs cannot defeat a warrior clad in steel armor wielding a sharp sword."


    "A hundred years ago, human soldiers destroyed the empire of the primitives; a hundred years later, private guards can still defeat them. Humans will always be the proudest race under the sun."


    The lawyer is well-known in the circle, and his language is very provocative, arousing a sense of pride in the audience as humans, earning him warm applause.


    "So, Mr. Peter conquered and plundered that black land, rather than engaging in simple trade?"


    "Of course, who would be foolish enough to do business with orcs."


    "Mr. Peter''s private guard, really well-trained and fearless?"


    "Of course!"


    "How many mercenaries can a merchant''s wealth afford? I doubt..."


    "Your Honor, my client is a very successful businessman," the lawyer interrupted Albert. "He even holds the title of Honorary Baron and has no problem supporting thousands of mercenaries"


    Peter sat proudly in the defendant''s seat, nodding repeatedly. He even wanted to kiss the cute lawyer who not only silenced the prosecutor but also boasted about his wealth and status.


    "Ah, I see. If these mercenaries were to be deployed, it wouldn''t be a problem for them to occupy Flondeck, right?" Albert suddenly said.


    "Your Honor, the prosecutor has been making baseless speculations and even unjustifiably..." the lawyer protested.


    "Enough!" This time it was Albert who interrupted the lawyer, "Thousands of soldiers looted the noble''s land, seized his mines without any reason, this is betrayal! This is a rebellion!"


    "Noble''s land? I don''t understand what you''re talking about."


    "Have you all forgotten? A hundred years ago, the great King Komo, the founder of Byron, after commanding his fleet to destroy the Orc Empire, gave the Black Continent as spoils of war to his several princes."


    This is indeed true, but both Komo the conqueror and the princes who received the rewards simply regarded it as a show of victory. That land, full of barbarians, had no value in terms of occupation and development.


    Until now, the heirs have almost forgotten that they still own such barren land.


    "Mr. Peter, are you planning a rebellion?" Albert asked sarcastically, and the object of ridicule was sweating profusely, squirming anxiously." Where did your private fleet land? Which territory did you conquer?"


    After repeated questioning, Peter reluctantly squeezed out two words from his throat, "Alexander Port." It''s so remote that even wild dogs don''t want to roam around. It shouldn''t be the territory of any Duke.


    If anyone had the chance to visit the Black Continent, they would be surprised to find that the famous Alexander Port was as shabby as a fishing village. It was originally a temporary camp for slave-catching ships and was deserted for most of the year like a ruin.


    "Let me check." Albert took out a tattered book that seemed like it would crumble into pieces at the slightest touch.


    This was an old version of the Noble Hereditary Encyclopedia that he found in the First Chamber''s data room. It had a history of at least fifty years. In the new version, there was no information on hereditary rights in the Black Continent. The editors and related nobles were too lazy to include it.


    "Uh-huh, here it is, Alexander Port, formerly known as Cape Halley. This seaport and the surrounding six thousand miles of land belong to the third prince at that time. After several generations of inheritance, it should be... Oh, Mr. Peter, you''re really unlucky," Albert said regretfully, "The Leinshman family has produced several empresses and is a famous aristocratic family."


    As expected of the Golden Sparrow Flower that blooms forever, those with some status present began wiping the sweat off their foreheads.


    "Okay, I don''t want to play anymore." After letting the defendant struggle in despair for a while, Albert continued, "I''ll give you a chance. You can find evidence to prove that your private guards, powerful fleet, and gem mines on the Leinshman family''s land don''t exist. Dear Sir, choose between the charge of treason or fraud."


    Even a fool knows how to choose now.


    As they were leaving the courtroom, the judge curiously stopped Albert and asked, "What if the defendant - no, the prisoner now - mentions another port name£¿ As far as I know, there is another place called Tera Port on the Black Continent."


    "That''s even more ridiculous. That piece of land and the Carmen family have some history with our Chief Justice," Albert chuckled.


    A few days later, when Penny met Albert unexpectedly in the hallway, she stopped and stared at him for a long time.


    "Arrogance should have limits. Shouldn''t someone who uses a certain family as a tool for the victory of a lawsuit be punished?"


    When Albert began to regret not considering the situation thoroughly and prepared to apologize to the young lady, Penny suddenly smiled, "Perhaps I will forgive you for a meal. You''re a childish and interesting man who knows how to use the power of superiors to achieve your goals, but doesn''t know how to handle the aftermath."


    With the arrival of Carnival, the citizens of Flondeck have a new great place to visit after participating in costume parties and running with the bulls in the streets.


    The 21st courtroom of the First Court often stages wonderful dramas, where the presiding judge, as the leading actor, impeccably brings despair to the faces of one criminal after another.


    People in Flondeck love celebrities. If there are none, they will create one.


    Albert is their choice.


    In private, the chief prosecutor Camilo tells Albert that after his internship is over, his name may very well appear on the list of prosecutors directly under the First Court.


    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    The night of the carnival is boiling, the sound waves made up of noise and laughter, even the gods sleeping among the stars will be awakened from their eternal slumber, curiously peering down at this world full of desires.


    The straw man party is in full swing. On the central square of the new district, more than a dozen straw men representing evil and misfortune turn into ashes in the raging fire. Every time a pile of ashes'' sparks completely extinguish, the square erupts into cheers.


    Then everyone rushes to smear the straw ashes on their hands and touch the people next to them.


    This is the custom of the Flondeck Carnival. The more palm prints on one''s body, the more likely they will be visited by misfortune this year. The more misfortune others have, the more lucky one will be.


    In the blink of an eye, the cries and laughter on the square rise and fall, including the cries of a poor guy whose wallet got stolen.


    Albert regretted coming to watch the scarecrow party.


    His new coat was covered in countless handprints and even his face had been inexplicably slapped, leaving a black and gray straw scent.


    Jenny was held tightly in his arms, protected until they broke through the crazy crowd, and her dress remained spotless. She happily hugged Albert''s neck, mocking his pitiful appearance.


    "Now you don''t need makeup to attend a masked ball." The girl smiled, her fingers tracing the dirt on Albert''s face, highlighting a few white swirls amidst the black.


    "Darling, if you could be a bit lighter, I think I would be less awkward." Albert took off his coat and went to the side to dust off the dirt on his clothes. He joked, predicting that the girl would transform into a wild cat and pounce on him with bared teeth and claws.


    Weight is every woman''s taboo, and the assistant prosecutor looked around, ready to find the best escape route.


    Jenny looked at her clean dress and then at her lover''s vest that had lost its original color.


    That pair of green agate stones inlaid on the beautiful face, was stained with a little more shiny things.


    Then she pounced.


    Albert, who didn''t have time to dodge, closed his eyes, preparing himself for the baptism of the kitten''s teeth and nails. The girl loved this kind of intimate contact.


    "There''s a good restaurant on the street, and the food inside is much tastier than my meat," Albert attempted to change the subject.


    She answered him with a lingering kiss.


    The midnight carnival became hazy.

 Chapter 5: The Port

    The continuous all-night revelry during the festival had left the citizens of Flondeck exhausted amidst the joy. On the last night of the festival, there was no longer any noise continuing until dawn as in the previous days. Only a few stray cats, reeking of alcohol, could be heard meowing annoyingly on the streets.


    It seems that the god who enjoys revelry hasn''t had enough fun yet. As the bell rang, a piercing scream shattered the silence of the city.


    Police knights had surrounded the tent of a dance troupe called "Green Fields and Forests." Several citizens were shouting frantically at the knights while others were vomiting violently on the side.


    "Where is the forensic officer? Why hasn''t he arrived yet?" the detective asked irritably.


    "Oh, he''s drunk and can''t be awakened no matter how much we call him. You know, it''s the festival," the guard explained for his colleague.


    "That idiot! I should have stuffed his head into the toilet long ago to let him know the consequences of delaying his work," the detective spat out angrily. But he also knew in his heart that even if the forensic officer were present, it would be of no use.


    Twenty-one people in total, including the dance troupe''s dancers, staff, bodyguards, and guests who had paid a large sum of money to stay in the tent to enjoy the last night, had all been killed by the devil.


    Only the devil could commit such an act. These twenty-one people were all disemboweled, and their organs had disappeared without a trace. However, not even a drop of blood was spilled, as if their stomachs were already empty.


    Each person died suddenly, with their faces still showing the expression of seeking pleasure and joy, as if they had not had time to show their fear.


    "The damn Midnight Butcher," the detective gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, and his knuckles turned pale. He sighed angrily and helplessly.


    Even the most experienced prosecutor appears insignificant in the face of supernatural power.


    Therefore, in the first court, the most important position is not held by the big shots who hold power such as the chief justice or the chief prosecutor, but by the wizard with transcendent status.


    If the class system in the world is compared to a big tree, ordinary people are undoubtedly the deep and broad roots that absorb and contribute nutrients; soldiers are like the thick bark that defends against danger; noble knights are like the sturdy trunk; merchants are the veins within the trunk; and the priests who serve God and the kings are at the very top, as if they are enjoying the sunshine under the canopy.


    The wizard followed closely, like an extra branch extending from the tree top. This is because the practice of arcane magic requires exceptional aptitude, resulting in a small number of individuals in this profession.


    For thousands of years, there have been power struggles in non-secular realms, with druids, warlocks, and other professions wielding mysterious powers. However, they have gradually been defeated by the clerics of the Holy Church, and have become a fallen force that will be sent to the stake once discovered. Only the wizards have managed to hold their own against the Church, and have earned the right to walk in the light.


    Of course, whether the wizards and the Church had any secret agreements behind closed doors was unknown to the public.


    If you angered a lord, you might be able to escape and hide in a rural area under an assumed name, but if you provoked a wizard, their mysterious spells were even more effective than an assassin''s tracking abilities, leaving you nowhere to hide.


    This wizard, who was skilled in mental magic, enjoyed a salary that astonished ordinary people at the First Court, and general administrative regulations could not restrain him. Only in cases involving non-secular matters, such as those involving other wizards or major cases that attracted national attention, did he step in and use his abilities to find criminal evidence and solve the case quickly.


    The high salary and low workload made Albert deeply envious when he was busy and couldn''t catch a break.


    However, this wizard with a light workload still brought trouble to Albert.


    The serial murder cases in Flondeck clearly had non-natural factors involved. The patrol team sought help from the First Court, which, as part of the judiciary system, had an obligation to dispatch wizards to assist.


    However, the wizard known as Master William hadn''t shown up for work for over a month.


    Wizards often appear in people''s sights as the court teachers of kings and the chief advisors of noble families. But compared to the mundane world, the mysterious summoning rituals and alchemical experiments are the true meaning of their lives. Obviously, Master William is immersed in magical experiments again and forgets about time.


    No one wants to urge a wizard who is obsessed with experiments. Wizard towers filled with traps and wizards with irritable temperaments tortured by constant failures are undoubtedly avoided by secular people.


    Because of the rumors of trespassing into wizard towers and being hit by fireballs or becoming living experimental specimens, such incidents are not uncommon.


    As a newcomer, the task fell on Albert''s head. "This kid has been too prominent recently, which probably aroused jealousy among some bigwigs," many people thought.


    However, for Albert, although there was some fear, there was more excitement.


    The mysterious magical experiments and spells that always puzzle people are alluring Albert''s curiosity.


    The streets were littered with scraps of paper, trash, and discarded clown masks and balloons left over from the recent carnival. Despite the best efforts of the overworked sanitation workers, the roads remained messy and disorderly even late into the night.


    The recent midnight murder case had exposed the existence of the Flondeck Butcher, making it impossible for the patrol teams to continue hiding the killer''s presence. Rumors of the gruesome killings had spread throughout the streets, causing people to avoid going out at night.


    Some more imaginative individuals huddled in taverns, confidently declaring to their drinking companions, "That guy might not even be human. Perhaps he''s a monster from the depths of the abyss. His mouth is so strong that he can eat just one part at a time, this time it was the innards, but next time it might be a thigh."


    These words left the customers at the tavern in awe, while the barmaids turned pale and tried to come up with an excuse to leave work early.


    However, the speaker was soon taken away by the police on charges of disturbing the peace. Knights patrolled the streets with even greater vigilance, not missing any suspicious movements.


    A hapless thief, who had stolen a purse, found himself being chased by half a battalion of guards.


    "I only stole a purse. Is it worth it?" cried the thief, tears streaming down his face, as he was pinned down by four or five burly men.


    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    The post station is empty, with only a few carriages parked at the station, and the coachmen yawned with boredom, their faces full of frustration.


    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    Even if the rumored monster is fierce, they still have to work, or else what will they eat tomorrow?


    "Sir, please come aboard my carriage, I guarantee it''s comfortable and convenient." Seeing Albert approaching, a clever coachman quickly put on a smile and shouted.


    "How much to the wharf?"


    "Three silver coins, and if you don''t plan on taking my carriage back, you''ll need to add another silver coin," the coachman said pleasingly. "You know, there''s a tax to enter the city."


    The coachmen next to him saw a customer coming and all showed envy on their faces. Some of them opened their mouths to speak but then held their tongues.


    There are rules to follow in the carriage circle at the post station, intentionally lowering prices to attract customers and competing for customers are both unacceptable behaviors.


    Those who violate the rules may have their carriage wheels sawn off someday, or even have their expensive horses poisoned to death.


    Even if such things are brought to the attention of bigwigs in the guild, they will not help, but instead invite ridicule and a reputation for not following the rules.


    Bureaucrats have their own rules, businessmen have their own rules, and even beggars have their own rules.


    Human society is made up of rules, big and small, that create order.


    The carriage slowly drove out of Flondeck''s city area, and once outside the city, the speed suddenly increased a lot.


    The port was located at the mouth of the sea, more than thirty kilometers away from the main city of Flondeck. It was a large town with various facilities, semi-independent of the main city. Every day, countless goods were unloaded there and transported to the various shops in the city, then circulated to places where people could afford the prices.


    The road from Flondeck to the port was built wide and flat enough to accommodate ten carriages driving side by side. The ground was covered with a thick layer of black asphalt. The wealthy would never skimp on such details that could make themselves more comfortable.


    Many people said that if you stood by this road for half an hour, you would see enough wealth to equal a lifetime''s income.


    Compared to the dilapidated roads in the old city and the speed limits in the bustling areas of the new city, this road was undoubtedly a good place for racing. Albert leaned out the window of the carriage, enjoying the wind in his face.


    "Oh my good sir, it''s too dangerous!" The carter caught sight of Albert''s behavior and turned his head to warn him loudly, braving the wind. "There was once a gentleman who got hit by an oncoming cart like that, and his head and body were torn apart."


    "Separated?"


    "Yes, separated. In the blink of an eye, the half-mile long road was stained red." The carter exclaimed with exaggeration.


    Within an hour, the carriage arrived at the harbor. Albert paid the fare and took a deep breath by the roadside, inhaling the pungent smell of the sea that was stronger here than in the distant city of Flondeck.


    The pavement of the harbor was always damp, and nobody could tell whether the water marks on the ground were remnants of the waves or the sweat of the workers. In this semi-circular bay, small boats constantly unloaded goods from the two-masted cargo ships moored half a mile offshore, transporting them back and forth to a dozen different docks of various sizes.


    Brawny workers, shirtless with only thick leather pads on their shoulders, lifted heavy bundles of cargo and carried them to the nearby truck yard. Meanwhile, the double-horse-drawn trucks, which had been waiting for some time, tirelessly hauled glass, silk, seafood, lacquerware, and other things that sustained the luxury and survival of the people of Flondeck back to their owners.


    After months of hard work at sea, the sailors flocked to every small tavern to spend their wages on beer and the company of women. Often, drunken men lay asleep in the alleys, but when the horn of the ship sounded, they woke up with an indifferent expression and continued to embark on an unknown course.


    The entire harbor seemed like a giant ant nest, chaotic in appearance but with clear division of labor.


    Albert dodged a group of dock workers who were carrying wooden boxes. Even though the boxes were sealed tightly, Albert could still smell a pungent and sour odor. It was the leaves of a plant called cannabis that had just been brought in from Toulanka.


    Albert''s father had written about this plant in his notes. Cannabis leaves were effective for pain relief, but smoking too much could make a person jittery and nervous. So his father classified it as a "poison."


    It seemed absurd to Albert that people would spend a lot of money to smoke poison.


    Along the way, Albert inquired at three boat companies, but the response was the same: "Respected sir, we do not provide short-distance passenger boat services, and small cargo ships are also not available. Perhaps you can go to Pier 14 to inquire. It''s where fishing boats dock, and for a small fee, the fishermen can escort you to your destination like they would for a king."


    But Pier 14 didn''t have any available boats. The early-rising fishermen had already set out at dawn on their small trawlers to chase after various schools of fish, such as tuna and sardines, in the boundless ocean.


    "Why do wizards always choose to live in desolate places with no one around?" Albert thought helplessly. He turned into a small tavern he passed by and prepared to fill his stomach first.


    These taverns were meant to serve sailors and dockworkers, and the variety of food and drink they offered was limited. Albert chose fried fish and grilled potato strips, along with a glass of beer.


    The owner''s cooking was decent, but the beer tasted rough. However, the price was relatively cheap.


    After passing some time at the tavern, Albert went to pier 14. This time, a lucky fisherman had already returned with a full catch and was busy cleaning the lively and jumping cod from his nets while bargaining with the fishmonger responsible for buying the catch.


    "Sixteen silver coins, no more," the fishmonger said.


    "Sir, cod is difficult to catch this season. According to last year''s prices, it''s worth at least thirty silver coins," the fisherman replied.


    "Goodness, I''m only giving you sixteen silver coins because it''s cod. If it were those nasty and stinky sardines, I wouldn''t even look twice," the fishmonger retorted.


    "But..."


    "Enough, young man. You''re lucky enough to return at one in the afternoon. Don''t be too greedy. You''ve already received the blessings of the sea god," the fishmonger said.


    The fishmonger smiled at being called "sir," but he didn''t budge on the price.


    "Excuse me, I would like to rent your boat," Albert interjected after waiting a while, noticing that the argument between the fisherman and the fishmonger seemed unlikely to end even after dark.


    "Sir, can I help you?" The fisherman curiously scrutinized Albert. It was rare to see someone so neatly dressed and refined at the port.


    "I want to go to a nearby island, about nine nautical miles away. I''m willing to pay a fee of twenty silver coins." Albert said.


    Before the fisherman could answer, the fishmonger exclaimed, "Young man, are you perhaps the sea god''s illegitimate child? Regardless, you should share some of your luck with me. Sixteen silver coins to you, and the cod to me."


    "Nine nautical miles? Sir, are you going to that island with the tower?" The fisherman''s face turned ugly. "It''s said that a wizard lives there. If you accidentally anger him, the storm summoned by his magic can make my boat never return."


    Upon hearing the word "wizard," the fishmonger shivered and cautiously looked around. After all, in the minds of ordinary people, a wizard was not an easy person to approach.


    "It''s okay. That wizard is my colleague, and you only need to dock in the shallow water," Albert said.


    "Colleague... Goodness, are you also a wizard?" The fisherman backed away, trembling all over.


    "To ease your fears, I''ll increase the fee to twenty-five silver coins." Albert said without confirming or denying it. If he could get the fisherman to muster the courage to take him to the island, he didn''t mind spending a little more money and pretending to be a wizard.


    No one dared to refuse a wizard''s request, even if they were reluctant.


    The fisherman quickly handed over the fish to the fishmonger, and the fishmonger vaguely said, "I''ll go find a carriage to transport it." Then he ran away as if he had escaped from death, agile like a rabbit evading a hunter''s chase.


    Albert saw that the fisherman''s shirt was soaked with sweat.


    The fear of these two men, combined with various terrifying rumors about the wizard, made Albert nervous as well.


    "It''s okay. After all, Mr. William and I both work at the First Court," Albert reassured himself.


    There was not a trace of wind on the sea, and the entire sea surface was like a big mirror, reflecting the dazzling white light of the sun.


    As the small boat approached, the shadow on the horizon grew larger and gradually revealed a clear outline. It was a very small barren island with a long, lighthouse-like building standing at the highest point of the island.


    Albert was a bit disappointed that the wizard tower was not as magnificent as he had imagined. At least from the outside, it was quite old, like the houses in the Flondeck old district, old and dilapidated.


    "Respected sir, I can''t get any closer," the fisherman, sweating profusely, stopped the boat by a pile of coral reefs extending from the edge of the island. "There are reefs all around this island. If we sail any further, the bottom of the boat might tear."


    "If you can pick me up when it gets dark, I''ll pay you another twenty-five silver coins," Albert said.


    The fisherman agreed with a mournful face.


    The water was not deep. Albert rolled up his pants and carried his shoes in his hand, walking towards the island along the path that spread over the coral reefs.

 Chapter 6: The Wizard

    Under the blazing sun, the cracked rocks shone with a pale hue, and tender yellow moss grew half-heartedly in the shadow of the stones.


    In wind-sheltered spots, there were still many scattered pieces of garbage left behind by the waves and wind, and the ground of the island was pitted and uneven from their constant assault.


    The island was not very large, strictly speaking, it was just a slightly bigger coral reef. After a few steps, Albert arrived in front of the Mage Tower.


    The tower was probably three stories high, and the red bricks on the outside were corroded by the alkaline properties of the sea water, leaving countless small holes. Occasionally, a gust of wind would blow, and weathered sand and pebbles would fall from the cracks in the bricks.


    Although this was Albert''s first time seeing the Wizard Tower, he was certain that it was very different from the rumors of the Wizard''s abode guarded by countless golems and creatures from other worlds, constructed with mithril and precious gems.


    "Excuse me, is Mr. William at home?" he shouted several times in front of the door, but there was only the sound of waves crashing against the rocks in his ears.


    After careful observation, Albert felt that the wooden door was not a magical trap that would take someone''s life.


    He cautiously pushed it, and to his surprise, the door was not locked. With a gradually increasing force on his wrist, the decayed and deformed door scraped against the ground with a harsh noise.


    The indoor lighting was dim, and the small windows on the walls were covered with thick curtains. A few rays of sunlight struggled to sneak in through the gaps between the curtains and the windows.


    It seemed like nobody had cleaned the place in a long time, and there was a thick layer of dust on the old floor.


    "Whoever lives here must be really lazy," Albert thought to himself, guessing that anyone visiting for the first time would have the same thought.


    The entire ground floor was empty except for a narrow spiral staircase that led upwards. Albert tried to climb it, but the wooden steps immediately creaked under his weight, making him doubt whether they could support him.


    With every step, his body swayed up and down with the staircase.


    It really took some courage to stay in such a high-risk building.


    There was still no one on the second floor. The small bed in the corner, the greasy oak table, and the utensils stacked on the table with leftover food all indicated that this was the owner''s bedroom and dining room.


    Many clothes were scattered on the floor, among them a special pointed hat caught Albert''s eye. He picked it up and examined it closely, noting that its style was similar to the funny hats worn by clowns in the circus, except that it was not colorful but a deep, dark black.


    Legend has it that this is the type of hat worn by wizards.


    "Finally, someone has come?" Just as Albert was wondering where the owner had gone, a hoarse voice came from the third floor, as if answering his question.


    "Is it Mr. William? I am Albert Fraley, assistant prosecutor of the First Court," Albert replied.


    "Damn it, I don''t care who you are, as long as you''re a living person, come up quickly! Oh, I''m almost going crazy," the voice immediately became sharp, filled with excitement.


    "Mr. William, the First Court needs your assistance, and we eagerly anticipate your arrival. Perhaps the mundane matters of the world pale in comparison to exploring the vast world of magic, but every employee of the First Court and citizen of Flondeck will deeply appreciate your help."


    Albert remained motionless, having made up his mind to leave as soon as he delivered the message. The words "living person" and "going crazy" filled him with apprehension. Is this wizard planning to use live experiments to pursue a breakthrough in the field of magic?


    "You need my help? Well, before that, who''s going to help me?"The wizard complained for a moment, then suddenly realized and shouted, "Please don''t be afraid. Although there are rumors that wizards are a bunch of crazy perverts who like to use other people''s lives to test their spells, I assure you that the human body is the lowest form of experimental carrier. I would rather summon a small imp to achieve my goal."


    "My experiment has run into a little trouble and I need someone else''s help. Don''t worry, it won''t cause you any harm. On the contrary, it will be a rare experience for an ordinary person."


    "Before you come up, please open the cupboard and bring me some food. Damn, I can''t open it myself."


    With an uneasy feeling, Albert took out the stale rye bread from the cupboard as instructed and headed towards the top floor.


    After spiraling up two rounds of stairs, the appearance of the top floor presented itself before Albert''s eyes.


    If the makeshift dwelling below was as desolate as a homeless person''s abode, then the top floor was like another world.


    On a dozen wide tables arranged side by side, countless glass instruments were piled together. Some contained various colored liquids, others held copper-colored powder, and some bottles even had tails of lizard-like creatures or feathers of some kind of bird inside.


    Curved glass tubes connected flasks, beakers, test tubes, funnels, and cauldrons into sets, which were then connected to each other to form a large group.


    It seemed that the experiment had stopped very hastily.


    The residue filtered out on the filter membrane of the funnel had not yet been cleaned up, and the device, made of metal and engraved with mysterious symbols on the side, which seemed to be a heater, had used up all its fuel, causing the large mass of jelly-like substance in the cauldron to solidify into a block.


    A mysterious atmosphere filled the room, but one thing that broke the mood was the First Court''s emblem, which Albert noticed on both the table and the prominent cabinet against the wall.


    Although Albert had only been at the First Court for two months, he had heard many interesting stories, including one about "furniture disappearing for no reason". Handcrafted tables and chairs ordered from famous stores and bookshelves made of high-quality wood often disappeared in the middle of the night, like ice under the scorching sun, leaving no trace.


    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    This led to a significant increase in the First Court''s spending on updating equipment.


    The guards swore they never slacked off in their patrols.


    As a result, rumors about "furniture possessed by ghosts" gradually spread.


    Albert thought to himself, "I think I have discovered the truth."


    It was obviously the result of the wizard''s corrupt behavior, but how did the large cabinet manage to evade the guards'' eyes and be transported to the small island in the sea?


    Surely, this is the wonder of magic.


    "I never have any visitors here, and I almost thought I''d be stuck in this form forever," the wizard exclaimed with a sigh of relief. "Please give me the bread. Hunger is truly a painful experience."


    The voice came from underfoot, and when Albert looked down inquiringly, he saw a weak and feeble mouse lying among the pile of books on the floor.


    It had gray fur, sparse whiskers, beady green eyes, and a long, bald, pinkish-red tail.


    It was definitely a real gray mouse.


    Albert was a bit nervous as he placed the food beside the mouse, but the starving creature immediately began to wolf it down, as if it were not expired bread but a succulent sausage stuffed with meat.


    "This is too delicious. I never knew bread could taste this good," the mouse sighed contentedly, gulping down the last few crumbs and closing its beady eyes in satisfaction.


    A mouse with such a human-like expression and the ability to speak human language left Albert feeling as if the entire world had become unreal.


    "I really don''t know how to express my gratitude. Now, please help me open the third drawer of the cupboard marked ''human hair,'' the sixth drawer marked ''phosphorous stone,'' and the seventh drawer marked ''bone meal.'' Take some of each and put them in the cauldron filled with ''jelly'' in a one-to-one ratio," said the mouse.


    Seeing Albert''s hesitation, the mouse explained, "Please believe me, I am William, the first court honor magician. Due to some kind of mistake, I am trapped in this cursed form."


    "To restore myself to my original form, I must refine an ointment, but I cannot do it in this form. I can''t even reach the drawers in the cupboard," said the mouse, calling itself a magician.


    "This is correct. Put the materials into the cauldron, then take the bottle filled with black liquid next to the table and pour it into the heater under the cauldron," the Wizard instructed as Albert followed his orders. "Don''t ignite the fire oil directly, it will explode. You can find saltpeter on the other table. It can suppress the intensity of the fire oil without reducing the temperature of the flame."


    After the preparation was complete, Albert ignited the heater and a pure white flame suddenly burst out. Soon, bubbles of various sizes emerged from the solidified jelly in the cauldron, bubbling and rolling.


    The smell was unpleasant, like fermented fertilizer in a field. Albert tried hard not to vomit and followed the Wizard''s guidance to add a piece of stardust to the pot.


    "You seem to be quite proficient, not like a beginner?" the Wizard asked, tilting his head in a strange way.


    "I also conduct some experiments in herbology in my spare time, it''s my little hobby," Albert replied.


    "Oh, herbology," the Wizard''s mouse face showed a disdainful expression. "But it''s no wonder that in the eyes of ordinary people, it is already considered a profound knowledge."


    As the stardust was added, the murky liquid in the cauldron gradually formed two distinct parts. The lower part was a grayish residue, while the upper part was a layer of transparent mucilage.


    "Now, filter out the residue with a sieve, and wait for half an hour. After the mucilage condenses into a greenish-blue ointment, I can return to my original form."


    "Mr. William, what kind of experiment are you doing? You can turn yourself into a mouse!" Albert asked curiously as he filtered the potion. "Is this the legendary transformation magic? It''s really amazing."


    "Oh my, you really don''t know what you''re talking about. You think this great achievement is just transformation magic? Well, you''re just an ordinary person. If it were another wizard, they would have been so shocked that their eyeballs would have flown out." The wizard''s tone was full of pride.


    Albert was a bit confused, "Although I have not previously come into contact with the secrets of the magical world, isn''t transfiguration a spell that can transform into any animal?"


    "Transfiguration is just a second-level spell that any mage can break with a dispelling spell, and it can only change the appearance," The wizard patiently explained. "Have you heard of the Druids?"


    "I heard of them in the propaganda of the church. They are a group of heathens who claim to be beasts. It is said that their aesthetic standards are even the same as those of beasts, and they even mate with beasts to reproduce."


    "Oh, don''t mention the damn church. Besides spreading rumors, what else can those bishops do?" The wizard said indignantly. "In their eyes, anyone is a heretic, even if a mage summons a small monster like a skeleton, they will say that the soul is dedicated to the devil."


    "Although the natural magic of the Druids is not worth mentioning in the eyes of wizards, their transfiguration spells are something that wizards cannot match. A Druid elder can even transform into a dragon and retain skills such as breathing fire and dragon''s might that only true dragons can perform. The Oak Path still has its unique features."


    "For ten years, I have been imitating the talent of the druids, trying to create a truly powerful transfiguration. My research has finally made a breakthrough earlier, although for now, I can only turn into small, weak creatures like rats and toads. However, even the true eyes of the Holy Warrior cannot dispel the transformation."


    "But it almost cost me dearly. About half a month ago, I discovered that I was able to mimic some of the low-level druid transformation techniques with magic, and I couldn''t wait to cast the spell. As expected, I turned into a mouse, a genuine mouse. I could run agilely, with better hearing and low-light vision than humans."


    "I ran wildly in the tower, experiencing the world with the perception of a mouse, until I was exhausted. When I tried to restore my human form, I regretfully realized that I had forgotten to prepare the necessary media for the restoration spell."


    "Please accept my gratitude once again. If it weren''t for you arriving in time, I would probably have had to survive by gnawing on wood." The magician smiled, but to Albert, a smiling mouse-like human was a bit creepy.


    "Dear Albert, you have won the friendship of a wizard, but to maintain this friendship, please do not share what you have seen today with others. My research is only useful when I can transform into powerful creatures like minotaurs and manticore. Otherwise, I will be mocked as a weirdo who spent ten years researching how to transform into a rat."


    "Of course, please believe the words of a prosecutor," Albert said.


    The transparent slime in the cauldron had cooled down, emitting a green glow, and the previously disgusting smell had turned into a faint fragrance.


    "I can''t meditate in a non-human form, and unfortunately, my magic was almost depleted during the previous experiment. I can only manage to cast one restoration spell." The wizard said, jumping into the cauldron and rolling around, then jumping back out with extremely agile movements.


    A sentence with strange syllables and completely incomprehensible meanings slowly and elegantly flowed out of the wizard''s mouth. Even with the naked eye, it could be seen that the air seemed to become a visible and tangible film, surrounding the wizard''s rat body. Albert was amazed to see a rat gradually turning into a human.


    This experience is truly unique, and most people may never encounter it in their lifetime.


    This is a middle-aged man in his forties with a small mustache, completely naked, with a pale complexion and lips devoid of color. This is not the "noble white" of a noble who has lived a life of luxury, with a complexion so fair that blue veins are visible, but rather malnutrition caused by neglecting his diet for a long time.


    The wizard stretched lazily and combed his dirty, unkempt hair with his fingers. Just as he was about to take a few steps forward, he stumbled and fell to the ground with a loud thud.


    "Damn it, I''ve forgotten how to walk on two legs." The wizard complained in frustration.


    "Mr. William, perhaps I could have the honor of inviting you to dinner, well, judging from the current time, it should be a late-night snack." Albert reached out to help the wizard up. "Of course, could you first take a bath and change into some clothes? I will wait for you outside the tower."


    Walking out of the tower, the stars were like tiny jewels sparkling in the night sky. Under the moonlight, the endless dark blue shimmered, and the damp sea breeze blew by, making Albert feel comfortable.


    "Sir, you finally came out." The fisherman''s voice carried a hint of crying, having waited for who knows how long by the shore, as promised.


    "What kind of expression would he have if he knew that a real wizard was boarding his fishing boat?" Albert thought apologetically as he looked at the fisherman.

 Chapter 7: The Right of Sanctuary

    "You devil, you cunning devil!" When the criminal was sentenced to life imprisonment, he yelled at Albert in despair.


    "Oh, dear sir, see you in hell. Maybe in sixty years, I''ll come to visit you." Albert tidied up the documents and answered casually. He had no interest in celebrating his victory.


    Several nights in a row of four times made his waist and back ache.


    If a knight knocked down a group of opponents in the arena, his supporters would ask him to perform the same in the next match.


    If a merchant sold discounted goods one day, customers would complain that the goods at regular price were too expensive.


    Likewise, if a man had sex four times in bed, he would be met with contemptuous and pitiful looks from his lover when he could only handle three times.


    For Albert, the hot gift from the little wildcat was becoming increasingly difficult to resist. This had left a shadow on his pride as a man.


    His witty remarks elicited applause from the audience. Being young, handsome, and single, Albert''s popularity index was soaring.


    In the First Court, Albert was getting more and more attention, and people were surprised to find that he had won the friendship of the wizard.


    Master William had always had a cold face that kept others away. When people saw him greeting a junior court staff member with kindness, they wondered about the meaning behind it.


    Perhaps this newcomer named Albert was Master William''s relative? Or perhaps he was chosen as an apprentice because of his talent in magic?"


    Regardless of the reason, when a person had a wizard standing behind him, it meant that his future was boundless.


    If Albert knew about these speculations, he would probably laugh bitterly in his heart. Master William had tested his talent out of boredom and bluntly said, "Your affinity with arcane magic is no different from that of a stone."


    When these rumors reached Jenny''s ears, the little wildcat had curiously asked a lot of questions. Albert was helpless to stop her constant chatter and could only use his mouth and tongue to shut her up.


    Of course, Albert also hoped that he could maintain this friendly relationship with Master William.


    Human beings are a race that easily forgets suffering.


    In less than half a month, the fear caused by the Flondeck serial killings gradually turned into an interesting topic to pass the time at the dinner table. People speculated about the identity of the killer and mocked the police''s ability to solve the case.


    "I''m a wizard, not a bloodhound. You can''t expect me to sniff out the killer''s whereabouts with my nose." William said after working hard for several days, and then he returned to his world of magic and alchemy.


    Fortunately, the Midnight Butcher seemed to have evaporated from the human world and did not strike again.


    The world calmed down again. The citizens no longer looked fearful and anxious. Except for the chief inspector of the patrol team who was urged by his superiors and gained a few more white hairs, everyone else was satisfied.


    As the three-month probation period was drawing to a close, Albert looked forward to his new position with anticipation.


    Despite the fact that the chief prosecutor Camilo held him in high regard and had expressed his support for Albert to stay at the First Court, Albert was cautious in expressing his gratitude for this promise. He hoped that everything would be done according to the rules.


    After all, if even the most impartial court paid attention to personal relationships, then what in this world could be trusted?


    Being a direct prosecutor at the First Court would be best, but if that didn''t work out, going to the regional court was also an option.


    Maybe it would be a little difficult, but he could find some part-time work on the side to make enough money to rent a spacious apartment with a balcony.


    Albert had previously entrusted a real estate agent to inquire about several properties in his spare time, and had also visited a few of the properties recommended by the agent.


    There were nobleman''s old residence and some newly developed apartments, all of which were quite nice."


    ¡°Wow, it doesn''t look like a house that''s over forty years old. It''s been maintained too perfectly. I love the rose garden in the backyard¡±


    "This place is also great. Although it''s an apartment building, the street view from the windows is really beautiful when viewed from above," said Jenny, who accompanied him. The little wildcat that accompanied him became excited at every location, and Albert saw the starlight of dreams in her beautiful eyes.


    "I really want to move in here soon. Grandma hasn''t enjoyed such a big bedroom yet." After bidding farewell to the real estate agent, Jenny sighed with lingering regret. Then she walked with Albert outside the house, gazing fascinatedly at the dreamy mansion until it was dark.


    Happiness always makes everything lively.


    Therefore, at the critical moment, Albert was extremely cautious and tried to avoid any unfavorable troubles.


    And the source of trouble is the young lady of the Golden Sparrow Flower family, Penny.


    It seems that this young lady has a particular preference for intelligent people.


    On several occasions, she has invited him to dine together, and the dining locations are often the most famous restaurant on Diamond Street.


    From the quality of the waiters there, one can tell that these restaurants are absolutely deserving of their reputation.


    Each waiter was proficient in describing the taste of any vintage wine and what food it paired well with. They knew which side of the mouth was best to taste certain types of alcohol.


    Even the headwaiter was fluent in several foreign languages and carried himself with the elegance of a gentleman.


    Compared to them, Albert felt inferior in his taste and knowledge.


    So every time they ordered food, Albert would remain silent and watch as Penny carefully considered whether the 34-year-old red wine would be better paired with goat cheese or blue cheese.


    This young lady pursued perfection in everything she did, even to the point of being meticulous.


    At first glance, Penny seemed like an arrogant young lady who treated those around her with disdain and kept everyone at a distance.


    However, Albert sensed that it was just a facade and that the girl was actually very lonely on the inside.


    Sometimes Albert would advise her to be friendlier to her colleagues, but Penny would make a disgusted expression and say, "What''s the difference between someone who can''t be excellent and lives their life in ignorance and a monkey? Why should I be friendly with a monkey?"


    After being stung by the girl''s sharp tongue a few times, Albert gave up on his efforts.


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    Teaching a noble family''s young lady about the ways of the world was not his duty, and there were already idle rumors spreading in the courtroom about an ambiguous relationship between a low-ranking nobleman and a wealthy young lady, which quickly spread through the First Court.


    Albert began to avoid having too much contact with Penny outside of work, as it was a basic principle of survival for newcomers to keep a low profile.


    However, it seemed that the young lady had a strong interest in Albert.


    She saw him as a friend worth socializing with at the First Court, and their dinners were intermittent.


    "How about this lamb eye stew? It was specially ordered," Penny asked. "It looks disgusting, but it tastes good. I quite like it."


    God knows how Albert managed to swallow those round, rolling eyeballs.


    "The taste... um, the taste is very strange, but quite good," Albert said with a forced smile out of courtesy.


    After that, during their meals, Penny always served him the lamb eye stew that he found "quite good."


    "You''re a smart person, and I like smart people. Or should I say, the Leinshman family likes smart people," Penny suddenly said after several dinners.


    "Um, you flatter me," Albert answered cautiously, knowing the young lady''s intention of recruiting talent, as the Leinshman family had always regarded talent as the foundation for the prosperity and survival of their family.


    Penny shook her wrist and the waiter standing in a corner of the salon hurried over with a silver teapot, refilling her cup with the brownish-red honey tea. She took a sip, satisfied, and continued, "Power, wealth, and desire always make reality seem helpless. You''re very talented, but when you have gray hair and are still struggling for a living, still gazing at the position that should have belonged to you but has been occupied by monkeys, regret will crush you completely. But Leinshman will make sure that this regret no longer exists."


    Walking out of the luxurious restaurant on Diamond Street, a carriage engraved with a gold sparrow flower emblem was parked at the door.


    Passersby admired the two horses pulling the carriage with appreciative looks. Those who knew horses secretly marveled that although they were not purebred, they were at least descendants within three generations of purebred horses. Using them to pull a carriage was truly a luxurious act.


    "Please consider, Leinshman never disappoints loyal people," Penny leaned out of the carriage and spoke as the carriage started to move.


    The evening was gloomy, with dark clouds covering the moon since dusk. Albert stood on the street, ready to find an available carriage to go home, but after thinking for a while, he decided to walk instead.


    Albert didn''t know how many streets he had walked through.


    As a young prosecutor, he dreamed of becoming someone important one day, but becoming a puppet of some family and replacing justice and freedom with the family''s interests was not his pursuit.


    No matter how exquisitely packaged, a puppet, even when playing the role of an emperor on stage, cannot escape being manipulated by strings.


    "Find a polite reason to refuse it." Albert made a decision and then stopped at the corner. The various desserts in the shop window were emitting appetizing colors.


    "Buy some for Jenny, she loves sweets." After counting the change in his wallet, Albert walked into the pastry shop. The sweet aroma immediately enveloped him, making his still unsatisfied stomach rumble with desire.


    It wasn''t easy to fill up on braised lamb eyes in the luxury hotel that emphasized etiquette.


    "The girl''s coffee brewing skills are good. These cakes would pair perfectly with it," Albert thought happily, holding the small box from the pastry shop and picking up the pace.


    Greed, laziness, lust, pride, envy - humans always have various insatiable desires.


    That''s why we have laws, courts, and judges, because humans also fear being consumed by their own desires.


    In the human world, laws restrain the behavior of most people, relatively fairly making society orderly.


    Even the will of a king must be limited by the law.


    But the Church is an exception.


    "The secular law has no effect on the faithful." This is the belief held by everyone from the Pope to the lowliest of priests, and only religious courts and inquisitorial tribunals have the power to judge them.


    If the Church were to keep this belief to itself, it would not be a big problem.


    However, it is clear that the Church has already influenced and hindered the rule of law.


    The most famous example is the right of sanctuary.


    Every monastery and cathedral displays a wooden cross on the back door, which serves as a sign of safety for fugitives.


    Any non-heretic, even the most heinous criminal, can gain inviolable protection by touching the cross on the door, shouting "Requesting sanctuary!" and donating all of their possessions to the Light.


    No one dares to enter the monastery for an arrest, "the church is a kingdom of this world, where the gods thrive," and the Church will never allow the trampling of divine authority.


    Of course, the person seeking sanctuary can only live their life in the monastery, leaving the premises means forfeiting the right of sanctuary.


    Although they must live the life of a penitent for the rest of their lives, those who are truly desperate will still choose this path. To live, to continue to witness the sunrise and sunset, is always better than to kiss the wet, cold blade of the guillotine.


    Norton Philip is the man who made this choice.


    In the records of the First Court, Norton was a cruel and greedy adventurer, and the spirit of nobility and chivalry was obviously a joke to him.


    He once organized a privateer team to harass and plunder enemy caravans, and in the eyes of the Byron people, he was a hero. At social gatherings, the scars on Norton''s body often elicited admiring sighs from the ladies.


    Until one day, a team member in the privateer team was forced to sell a gold button engraved with four black erect lions due to gambling debts, and the hero became a wanted criminal.


    The four black erect lions were the coat of arms of Count Hotchkiss.


    And that button should have belonged to a young member of the Count''s family. This member, who disappeared a few years ago with a bag of gold coins, never appeared in public again.


    According to the seller''s confession, the Count''s nephew was quietly lying three feet deep underground in some unknown woods at the moment.


    The person who committed this crime was Norton Philip.


    Before the police and the angry private guard of the Count could set out, the shrewd knight hid in the cathedral of Flondeck with several boxes of treasure.


    The large amount of wealth made the bishop of the cathedral grin, and he sanctimoniously declared that the seal of light protected the sinner and that he would repent his sins in the cathedral for the rest of his life.


    Even the Count''s anger could not shake the authority of the church.


    So the killer spent twenty years safely in the cathedral.


    The confession of this murderer is crucial to a case in Albert''s hands.


    Albert believes that the suspect he is about to accuse was a member of Norton''s privateer team.


    "We need to find a way to get him out," Albert closed the case and frowned, thinking.


    The next afternoon, at the police department, Detective Lime received a notification from his personal secretary.


    "Mr. Fraley, the assistant prosecutor of the First Court, wishes to meet with you."


    "Let him in, but give him a heads up beforehand. We are very busy, and I can only give him fifteen minutes at most."


    Lime didn''t like dealing with prosecutors. These bureaucrats who never stood at the front lines always complained. "Oh, I''m going to court now. Haven''t you found the accomplices of the suspects yet?" They always said it in a dismissive tone. But if they caught the suspect, they would say, "Oh, the criminal is in your hands. It shouldn''t be hard for you to get more evidence out of him, right?"


    This attitude of not empathizing with others made all the detectives in the patrol team very annoyed.


    Now even an assistant prosecutor has come to the door. Lime impatiently took a sip of water and made a temporary decision, "Ten minutes is enough for him."


    Ten seconds later, Albert opened the door to Lime''s office. Inspector Lime was around fifty years old, with a sturdy build and a stern expression, clearly from a noble family with a strong tradition of knighthood.


    "He''s a person who gets things done," Albert thought.


    "What can I do for you?" Lime gestured for him to sit down and asked directly.


    "I want to consult on the case of the murder of Count Hotchkiss''s nephew twenty years ago, where the culprit evaded pursuit using sanctuary laws," Albert said without the customary pleasantries.


    "Ah, yes, I remember that case," Lime recalled. "I was just a regular member of the patrol team back then, but unfortunately, there was nothing we could do because the church had sanctuary rights."


    "I have to admit, Norton Philip is a very vigilant fellow. My investigators noticed that he often rides out in a black cross carriage at night, but as everyone knows, the church claims the carriage is an extension of their sanctuary, and since he never gets out of the carriage, there''s no way to apprehend him."


    The black cross carriage is a specialized carriage for high-ranking church officials, named after the black cross painted on its carriage. Surrounding the carriage and forcing the occupants to get out would be viewed as a provocation.


    "In fact, the Count considered this to be the most shameful disgrace of his family. There is evidence that he had thought of using bribery to persuade the church to expel the killer, but no clergyman would have the courage to accept such a naked transaction."


    "Anyway, as long as Philip does not walk out of the church voluntarily, he will be able to escape punishment." Inspector Lime glanced at his watch, ready to end the conversation.


    "What if I can make him come out voluntarily?" Albert said.


    Lime thought he had misheard, "Can you do that?"


    "If we have another hour, we can discuss my plan in detail."


    Lime looked at Albert, and Assistant Prosecutor calmly accepted the inspector''s gaze. After a moment, the inspector shouted loudly at the door, "Secretary, bring Mr. Fraley a glass of water, and notify the detectives that the meeting will be postponed for an hour."

 Chapter 8: The Holy Tomb

    Flondeck Cathedral is a legendary piece of architecture in terms of artistry.


    This grand building completely abandons the rational concepts of architectural studies. Twelve large and elegant cylindrical towers and countless fine arches support the weight of the entire cathedral. Forty-two small chapels inside the cathedral are all supported by slanted columns, and all the surfaces form a complex wavy line.


    The spires of the twelve towers are carved with statues of saints, who look down on the entire city with a majestic air, as if they were rulers.


    There is no trace of bricks or cement on the exterior of the building, only exquisite reliefs created by famous artists. The building is almost entirely built by stacking large and small handicrafts.


    It pursues visual beauty to the extreme, even if it means that the beams and columns that would destroy the beauty must be hollowed out with winding patterns.


    In fact, when the cathedral was first built, someone predicted that it would collapse within ten years, but 130 years have passed and the cathedral still miraculously exists.


    "The Crown of Flondeck," the bishops often describe it in the form of poetic praise.


    But the citizens of Flondeck secretly gave it a nickname: "The Holy Tomb."


    Because at night, when looking at this magnificent building from a distance, the white, bone-like structure is filled with a cruel and beautiful nightmare-like atmosphere, making it seem like the largest tomb in the world.


    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Norton Phillips lived in the ascetic dwelling in the backyard of the Holy Tomb for twenty years.


    He was nearly sixty years old and had a face full of deep wrinkles. His diet, which consisted only of water and beans, had made him so thin that he looked like a skeleton. The hard dry beans had severely worn down his tooth enamel, and whenever he opened his mouth, a mouthful of deformed, sharpened teeth made him look like a demon from hell.


    Ascetics were restricted to a diet of plain water and beans, which they endured as part of their physical and spiritual sacrifices to demonstrate their unwavering devotion.


    "The bishop is as greedy as a pig. With the wealth I donated, he could enjoy a lifetime of tenderloin and fine wine." Every time Norton picked at the beans in his plate, he murmured these words.


    The entire ascetic community in the monastery were fugitives seeking sanctuary, and no clergy member was willing to take on this duty. However, the number of ascetics was often used by the church to assess whether the local bishop was competent.


    ¡°Only ascetics are truly the ones who dedicate their souls to God." both the common people and the upper echelons of the Church believed.


    Many priests in monasteries use the drawing of lots every six months to decide who will take on this damn position.


    "Damn it, I have to spend half a year in prison again!" The priest who drew the lot was as depressed as if his parents had died.


    Therefore, Egge, the bishop of the Flondeck region, cleverly sent all the fugitives to the monastery.


    In the eyes of the subordinate priests, Egge was as magnificent as the brightest star in the sky.


    "Praise the god of light, bless the wisdom of the bishop, and finally get rid of this damn job." They sang devoutly.


    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Norton reluctantly chewed on a few beans and pushed his plate away. He felt extremely nostalgic for the rich taste of wine and the smooth texture of meat, which made his mouth water just thinking about it.


    "Beans, beans, cursed beans!" he grumbled.


    From the shabby cabinet in the narrow room, Norton found a small purse among a pile of rags. He carefully counted and found four or five gold coins inside.


    Luckily, he had kept some money aside during his donation of property, allowing him to occasionally sneak out and satisfy his cravings.


    With just one gold coin, he could have a coachman from the church stables take him out for a ride while the priest and bishop were inside the chapel for weekend mass.


    He could enjoy the bustling atmosphere of people coming and going on the streets through the carriage window, and indulge in some commoner food, such as a bowl of hot fish soup and a few skewers of meatballs from a roadside stall.


    These foods were previously insignificant in his eyes, but now they seemed like delicious delicacies from heaven.


    However, one time, a few drops of soup spilled onto the carpet in the carriage due to a bump, the coachman sternly forbade him from eating any food that could spill again.


    "Fortunately, it was only a few drops. If the whole bowl of soup were spilled and dirtied the expensive carpet, the bishop would be angry," the coachman said. "Can''t you get off the carriage to eat?"


    Get off? Who knows if the detectives from the patrol team are following behind. Leaving the carriage means losing the protection of the right of asylum. Those red-eyed detectives will pounce on him like perverts seeing a naked woman and tie him to the gallows.


    "Or maybe you could help me buy some wine and meat and deliver it to the church, and I''ll eat in my room," Norton tentatively suggested.


    "Stop these sacrilegious thoughts. Taking an ascetic out for a walk is nothing, but bringing forbidden food into the sacred monastery would result in being brought to the religious court for trial," the coachman said seriously.


    --------------------------------------------------


    The weekend night had arrived and the church was once again bustling with activity. Every chapel, big and small, was filled with people.


    The kitchen was preparing holy water and holy bread, while the priest stood solemnly at the altar, calculating how much money the faithful would donate that night.


    The bishop, on the other hand, was in a room reserved for nobles, chatting and laughing with important figures. He had just agreed to baptize the daughter of a baron.


    The long hours of worship and blessings began with the ethereal singing of the choir.


    "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven," the priest recited while making the sign of the cross. "Glory to the Father in heaven, May the Father forgive sinners," the kneeling believers said together.


    The entire church was shrouded in the fervent and holy atmosphere.


    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Norton patted his nearly empty purse and decided to indulge himself tonight.


    The stable was located on the west side of the monastery, not far away. When the wind was strong, the ascetics had to endure the stench of horse urine.


    "Boy!" Norton whispered sneakily. After a while, a young man rubbing his eyes walked out of the stable.


    "Oh, old man, I''ve been busy all day. What reason do you have to disturb a young man''s sweet dreams?" complained the boy, whose name was Johnny.


    "The bishop won''t use his carriage at this time of day. Let''s go out for a stroll," Norton said with a grin, winking at Johnny. "Hurry up and saddle the horse."


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    Johnny glanced at Norton''s waist and said, "You old sly fox, you haven''t been out for two months. I thought you were out of money."


    Norton pulled out a gold coin and tossed it into the boy''s lap. "Old Philip has nothing, except that he doesn''t lack money," he said.


    After biting the coin to make sure it was real, Johnny looked around and carefully put the money in his pocket, whispering, "As usual, you go wait at the back gate of the cemetery."


    Norton nodded. "Remember, it must be the black cross carriage," he emphasized.


    In the cemetery, rows of tombstones stood in neat rows, silent and still like the dead. Only the privileged who believed in the doctrine of the Light could be buried here.


    "Hey, guys, I''m luckier than you, at least I can eat meatballs later," Norton said to the statues of the dead on the tombstones as they passed through the coffin group.


    The carriage stopped outside the half-open Iron Gate. "Johnny, is that you?" Norton shouted.


    "Quiet, do you want to get us caught?" Johnny''s voice came from the carriage.


    Norton still hesitated and didn''t move. He carefully examined the black cross on the carriage in the moonlight with his blurred eyes, and only after confirming its authenticity did he walk over with relief.


    "I want to go to the night market. I miss the cured meat and fish balls there," Norton impatiently exclaimed.


    "As long as you don''t spill soup and mess up the carriage, it doesn''t matter if you smoke weed," Johnny replied impatiently, raising his whip as the two horses snorted and slowly pulled the carriage forward.


    Suddenly, Norton realized that something was not right. The blanket on the carriage floor, the redwood liquor cabinet hanging on the interior wall, and the thick cushions on the seats were all brand new, not like the old carriage he had secretly ridden many times before.


    He panicked and asked, "Johnny, where did this carriage come from?"


    "It was parked by the garage, probably newly purchased by the church. You''re lucky, old man. You probably got to use it before even the bishop had a chance to touch it." Johnny said.


    The police would never use a fake church carriage to trick themselves out of the church. The black cross on the carriage could not be impersonated, otherwise it would be a blasphemy against divine power.


    No one would be foolish enough to use this method to catch a fugitive, and then face the wrath of the church.


    ¡°Am I being too sensitive?¡± Norton murmured, but the panic still couldn''t be suppressed. The feeling of impending disaster filled his mind, lingering and refusing to be dismissed.


    His intuition had always been accurate. When he was young, at least twice, his ability to sense danger had saved his life.


    "Go back!" Norton said hoarsely.


    "Are you crazy? You won''t get your money back." Johnny protested, still planning to use the gold coin to buy some cheap and practical items at the night market.


    Norton pushed open the front window of the carriage and leaned his body out towards the driver''s seat. "Go back now!" he grabbed Johnny''s hair and shouted in a stern voice. The poor coachman screamed in pain.


    The horses pulling the carriage reared and jumped, and the carriage shook violently as the axle creaked as if it was about to break. The whole carriage swayed back and forth for a long time before finally coming to a stop.


    Johnny coughed and struggled free, jumping out of the carriage. "You son of a bitch, how dare you..." he coughed and cursed.


    "Let''s go back, Johnny. Otherwise, people will be surprised to find your stiff corpse in the stable tomorrow morning," Norton lowered his voice, a terrifying smile appearing on his face as he stared at the coachman.


    The young coachman shivered, his angry momentum dissipated like a bucket of cold water being poured on him. He felt as if the old man had suddenly turned into a wild beast, and he was the prey that the beast had set its sights on.


    "Those who are in the Flondeck monastery now for penance were not good people in the past." Johnny suddenly remembered.


    He wanted to abandon the carriage and run away, but at the thought of the punishment that would come upon him when the bishop found out that a carriage was missing the next morning, he realized that being fired was the least of his worries; he was more likely to be sent to jail.


    Furthermore, having a criminal record meant that he would never find a respectable job again, as the lords of Flondeck would not hire someone with a dubious past.


    As the coachman nervously climbed back onto the driver''s seat, a group of police officers appeared on the street just in time."


    "Sir Philip, you can''t go anywhere now. You are being arrested for first-degree murder." said Detective Lime, who led the group of police officers.


    "Nose like a bloodhound," Norton spat, then shouted at the coachman, "Don''t stop. No one dares to force a Church carriage to stop."


    But as if mocking him, the police officers didn''t stop, but quickly rushed up to the carriage, dragged Norton down, and pressed him hard to the ground.


    "Blasphemy! How dare you insult an ascetic on the Black Cross carriage!" Norton''s face turned red as he struggled.


    "I''m sorry, but this is not the Church''s carriage," shrugged Detective Lime.


    Norton understood what had happened and sneered, "Find a broken-down carriage and paint it with the holy Black Cross? I''ll definitely expose this when I stand trial."


    "No, I wouldn''t do such a foolish thing," the detective said smugly, enjoying the cat and mouse game, "Baron Harsy''s daughter is being baptized in the church, and as a gesture of gratitude, the Baron plans to give a carriage to Bishop Egge, designed according to his preferences and appearance."


    "Until the gift is given, it does not belong to the Church''s property. Unfortunately, if you had taken this carriage a few days later, we would never dare to disregard the divine authority," he added.


    "Damn it, this is all a trick," Norton realized everything and gasped for breath, looking around, knowing that he had no chance of escaping.


    Even when he was young, he couldn''t fight his way out of a dozen police officers'' encirclement.


    Suddenly, Norton relaxed, the disgusting smell of dried beans floating in his mind.


    Now everything is over, and he is free.


    As he was being pulled onto the prison carriage, Norton turned his head and pleaded, "I''ll confess everything, but before that, can you help me buy a bowl of fish and offal soup?"


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    The bishop dipped his fingers into the silver Holy Grail and splashed a few drops of holy water on the baby''s forehead. He then drew a cross on the infant''s head and said a prayer.


    "Your Excellency, thank you for conducting the baptism ceremony for my daughter," Baron Harsy kissed the baby''s chubby face a few times before handing her over to his wife.


    "Serving every believer is my duty," the bishop replied kindly.


    "The carriage is almost finished, made with the finest wood. Even the latest springs popular in the imperial city have been added to the axles. I must admit, this small addition makes the entire carriage more comfortable and resistant to bumps."


    "Oh, Baron, you are too generous," the bishop politely complimented, but his tone was indifferent to the value of the gift.


    In fact, he was overjoyed. A real luxurious carriage was worth thousands of gold coins.


    "I rode in that carriage today, forgive my offense. It was just a small vanity, as I wanted to experience what it was like to ride in the Black Cross Carriage. It felt wonderful, but the horses pulling the carriage were of poor quality, unable to showcase the carriage''s value and the owner''s status."


    "That''s nothing. God is tolerant of every believer."


    "When the two good horses from the south arrive, I will officially donate them to you, no, to the church. Please believe that if a gift is not perfect, it will damage the dignity of the nobility."


    During their conversation, a priest hastily pushed open the door to the room and whispered a few words in Bishop Egge''s ear.


    "The police have arrested him?"


    "Yes, on a street a few hundred meters away from the church."


    "What about his right of sanctuary?"


    "He lost the right to sanctuary because he stole the baron''s carriage and was outside the church. According to the agreement with secular law, he is no longer protected."


    Bishop Egge frowned apologetically and said to the baron, "Please forgive me, an old ascetic who has lived in the church for twenty years, snuck out of the church and was caught by the police. Even more unforgivable is that he secretly rode in your new carriage that was intended to be donated to the church."


    "Oh, I hope the carriage wasn''t damaged."


    "I don''t know what got into that old man''s head. Has he lived enough?" Bishop Egge couldn''t figure it out, but he quickly put the matter aside.


    An ignorant penitent wasn''t worth too much attention, and he was more worried about whether the new carriage, equipped with springs, would be damaged.


    "You see, sometimes I feel that sanctuary is too tolerant. Some fugitives, even if they live in the church for decades, still can''t learn to follow the rules." Bishop Egge explained somewhat embarrassedly to his guest.


    Baron Harsy also thought happily that he had done a great favor for Count Hotchkiss. The cost of the carriage was covered by the count''s family privately, and he could sell a favor to Count Rake without spending a penny.


    He wished this kind of thing would happen more often.


    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------


    As Albert walked into the police station again, he noticed that the police officers were being friendlier towards him. At least those who knew him would smile and greet him warmly.


    Inspector Laim even invited him to have lunch together. While they were enjoying a plate of stir-fried green beans with oyster sauce, the inspector said in a joking tone, "Ha, I just remembered something interesting."


    "Please, tell me," Albert replied.


    "About Norton Philips, the criminal who evaded punishment for twenty years. During interrogation, he would confess to everything if you gave him good food. But one time, when we gave him a bowl of green beans," the inspector pointed at the dish on the table, "that weirdo criminal started pulling his own hair, screaming like he was facing the end of the world."


    "Wow, someone could actually be afraid of green beans," Albert laughed as he popped a few beans into his mouth.


    They were crispy and delicious.

 Chapter 9: New Beginning

    On the last day of his internship, Albert received a private letter from Count Hotchkiss.


    In the letter, he was described as an unparalleled strategist, and the flowery language and titles made Albert feel a bit uncomfortable. At the end of the letter, the Count warmly invited him to visit Prus, the Hotchkiss family''s estate, in his free time.


    Albert casually tossed the letter into a drawer, considering whether or not to reply. However, the whole thought process only took him five seconds, and he decided to give up.


    For nobles, such thank-you letters were just a matter of courtesy, and invitations to visit their estates were mere formalities.


    The letter didn''t even have the Count''s personal seal, indicating it was likely written by a steward or servant.To nobles, being noble and having a long and distinguished bloodline were more important than anything else.


    A small family that had only been noble for three generations and had seen their titles decrease with each generation was considered to have no taste by the nobility.


    As a mere baron, Albert was not even on the radar of the aristocratic social circle.


    ----------------------------------------------------------------------


    The moon rose high in the sky and the night grew deeper.


    Albert lay in bed, unable to sleep.


    Jenny didn''t stay overnight today, and Albert, who was used to falling asleep with a little wild cat in his arms, felt a bit uncomfortable for a while. More importantly, what position would he be taking on? The anticipation and slight nervousness stirred up his thoughts like the paws of a kitten.


    "Everything will depend on tomorrow," Albert murmured to himself in the darkness.


    If there was a mirror, Albert would be surprised to see that his reflection was filled with hope and longing.


    The next morning, as soon as Albert stepped into the office, he received a notice to assemble in the swearing-in hall.


    The swearing-in hall was probably the least used part of the first court. Every year, many assistant prosecutors and probationary judges come to report, but very few can pass the three-month probation period.


    The swearing-in hall was a courtyard between the corridors and buildings, covered in black pebbles. There were no common flowers or shrubs in the garden, but instead a half-human-sized legal code sculpture carved from marble in the center.


    The five assistant prosecutors had already assembled, and except for Penny, the others all looked very nervous.


    Everyone wanted to stay in the first court because the promotion opportunities, salaries, and benefits were much better than those of the smaller district courts.


    The first court had two vacancies in the first half of the year.


    Excluding Penny, the young lady of the Leinshman family, would definitely take one of the vacancies.That meant that currently, of the four men standing in the swearing-in court, three would be eliminated.


    Thinking about this, there is a hint of hostility in the men''s eyes towards each other.


    The one presiding over the swearing-in ceremony is the chief prosecutor Milan.


    He is a middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses, with a high nose and prominent cheekbones. He has a serious and old-fashioned expression, but his slightly sunken eyes always reveal a disdainful look that no one can match.


    It seemed that everyone holding an important position had this kind of face.


    If a painter wanted to paint an oil painting with bureaucracy as the theme, Milan would be the most suitable model.


    "Now, please make your oath," said Milan.


    Albert put his hand on the stone code and closed his eyes, reciting in a low voice, "I, Albert Freely, solemnly swear to remain loyal to justice and never slack off."


    Taking a deep breath, Albert felt a strange warmth flowing through his entire body, causing him to tremble uncontrollably. His lips felt like they were burning, and with each syllable he spoke, a piercing, burning sensation followed.


    It had taken him nearly eight years of hard work, but he had finally become a real prosecutor.


    Perhaps for true dignitaries, the position of prosecutor was just an ordinary mid-level civil servant position. But for a fallen aristocrat like him, it represented a bright future and the dream of life.


    At the end of the oath ceremony, Milan revealed the answer that all the men were eager to know.


    "The solemn Noble First Court will welcome two new colleagues today. They are..." Milan paused and looked at Al, The son of the court''s chief legal officer straightened his chest eagerly, hoping Milan would continue speaking.


    But the chief prosecutor soon shifted his gaze and continued, "Penny Leinshman and Albert Fraley, please don''t let the Noble First Court down."


    Albert''s head felt a little dizzy as he carefully took the badge representing the First Court''s direct prosecutor with trembling hands.


    The exquisitely crafted purple badge, with the carefully carved scales pattern, looked like a work of art and seemed to be smiling at him.


    In this moment, all of his dreams had become a reality.


    Penny casually played with her chest badge, tilted her head to look at Albert, and gave a faint smile.


    "Congratulations," she took the initiative to extend her hand to Albert, and in the moment of shaking hands, she leaned forward and whispered,


    "Stay calm and don''t let those outdated monkeys laugh at you."


    From Al''s perspective, the two of them looked like a young couple in love, embracing each other in a somewhat restrained posture.


    "A wanton bitch." Al muttered in his heart with resentment. He spent a lot of money, and a senior prosecutor from the first court had already agreed to recommend him, but unfortunately, the position was given to Albert.


    Al believed that Penny was behind it all.


    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    He wondered how that guy named Fraley had managed to seduce this wealthy lady and make her spare no effort to promote his career.


    "Maybe he fed her well in bed." Albert cast a malicious glance at Penny, and helplessly accepted the letter of appointment.


    He would go to the Thirteenth Court of the old district as a temporary chief judge, which was a pretty good position - if the word "temporary" could be removed.


    Of course, this would also cost him a lot of money, and the person who signs this appointment letter has really mastered the art of making money.


    The ability of bureaucrats to accumulate wealth is no less than that of businessmen.


    When leaving, the temporary judge glared at Albert viciously, swearing that one day, at the right opportunity, he would take revenge fiercely.


    Albert looked at the back of Al Duna, feeling as if he had sensed something.


    "What are you looking at?" Penny asked. She had just made plans with Albert to celebrate at a fancy restaurant on the Diamond Street.


    "Al Duna seems a bit dissatisfied. The way he was staring at me just now was cold and full of hatred," Albert frowned. He couldn''t remember when he had offended him.


    "Oh, it''s just jealousy from a monkey. This position was originally his," Penny said nonchalantly. "But I think you''re more suitable, so I greeted the higher-ups for you."


    Albert looked at Penny in surprise for a while. "Who gave you the right to intervene in my life?"


    "I told you, The Leinshman never let their loyal supporters down." Penny said.


    "But I never agreed to anything," Albert protested.


    "Others don''t think so. They''ve already classified you as part of the Leinshman faction."," Penny said.


    "You..." Albert gritted his teeth and trembled with anger.


    "Okay, okay, at least capable people get appropriate positions, and the monkey can go back to eating bananas in the small court. Everything is perfect, isn''t it?" Penny shrugged indifferently. "Remember our date tonight. You''ve already offended quite a few people, so don''t bring any more resentment from the Leinshman family."


    Albert hates this tone of superiority, as if coming from a ruler.


    Although the young lady''s capricious behavior made him very unhappy, he had to thank Penny for one thing.


    The salary of a direct prosecutor in the First Court made the dream of a house with a small balcony no longer a dream.


    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    After careful consideration, Albert selected a new apartment on the fourth floor of number 37 Ram Street.


    The street outside the apartment was bustling, and from his window, he could see the famous fountain in the center of the street just a few meters away.


    Albert rented the duplex from the third to the fourth floor, which had six windows and a balcony with an arch.


    "Mr. Fraley, your eye for detail is amazing. This apartment is only three years old, and the furnishings and furniture are nearly new. You don''t even have to buy a chair when you move in," the real estate agent exclaimed, patting the tan-colored sofa under his butt. "If I had 5,000 gold coins, I would definitely buy it instead of renting."


    "Oh, I actually think a manor would be better than an apartment, at least it''s quieter," Jenny slyly winked at Albert, motioning for him to stay quiet. "How about this? We''ll rent it if you reduce the monthly rent by fifty silver coins."


    "Mrs. Fraley, what''s so good about a manor? You can''t manage it without hiring a few servants," the real estate agent said. "Besides, your husband works in the city, if you rent a country manor, you''ll have to buy a carriage, which is an unnecessary expense."


    Referred to as Mrs. Fraley, Jenny blushed with a tempting flush on her cheeks, and suddenly the chubby real estate agent''s plump face seemed much cuter to her. She quickly glanced at Albert and continued to bargain enthusiastically, "Fine, then at least change the carpet to a new one, and you can keep the old one. Reduce the rent by twenty silver coins."


    Albert climbed up to the fourth floor from the small staircase against the left wall and opened the window facing the street. The air on the fourth floor was much better than on the ground floor, and it was extremely comfortable to watch the night scene from this window when the streetlights came on.


    From downstairs, the sound of Jenny and the real estate agent haggling over the rent could be heard, but everyone knew it would end with Jenny''s compromise.


    Everyone could hear the love in Jenny''s voice for this room.


    The cool breeze brushed the curtains on either side of the window.


    "Forget it." Albert said to himself. He really wanted to give up or apply to the chief prosecutor to be transferred back to the district court.


    Penny''s actions had made him very angry.


    No one wants to have their fate manipulated, even if it''s beneficial for themselves.


    But this also meant that he had to continue living in the old apartment in the rundown area.


    "Love someone, give them a big house filled with roses." Many third-rate poets said so.


    At least they didn''t say this sentence wrong.


    "Looks like I''m just a monkey who can''t resist temptation and would do anything for a banana." Albert said with a bitter smile as he slammed his hand against the wall. The sturdy bricks resonated, causing his hand to ache.


    Footsteps could be heard coming up the stairs. "Ah, the rent still hasn''t gone down. That real estate developer is so good at bargaining," Jenny muttered as she walked up.


    Adjusting his expression, Albert took a deep breath and tried to clear his jumbled thoughts. He turned around, ready to give his lover a big hug.


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    The Odyllian Mountains, the Heretic Tribunal, the Square.


    The faint breeze dissipated the morning mist, and the sun lazily emitted its gentle rays, indicating a pleasant day.


    However, for the person about to be executed, it was not a good day.


    Leo Angertes squinted his eyes, having spent half a year in the dark and gloomy water dungeon. Even the faint light was a big stimulus to his eyes, which had already adapted to the darkness.


    The stake for burning at the square had just been erected, and a tall wooden cross stood in the pile of oil-soaked firewood.


    Leo stopped and gazed at the flag depicting a sword and hammer covering the pile, which was a gift from the Holy See. This is a ceremony that is only used when burning fallen high-ranking priests to signify their former elevated status.


    "The sinner, stop dawdling, may the holy flames make you repent." The escorting holy warrior looked at Leo with disgust and scolded him.


    Leo was tightly bound to the pillar with an oil-soaked hemp rope, and then his body was coated with tar and rosin. To prevent the prisoner from breaking free from the burning rope during the execution and rushing out of the bonfire due to unbearable pain, several shiny steel nails were also hammered into his joints.


    The nails didn''t pierce Leo''s flesh and bones as easily as one might think. With a grating metallic sound, some of the slightly bent nails reluctantly connected his limbs to the wooden frame.


    "Look at the body of this sinner, how blasphemous it is. It will take thousands of years of torment in purgatory to atone for your sins." The holy warrior was secretly shocked as well. The skin of this fallen one completely violated the laws of nature, as if it were made of metal from hell.


    This alone was the irrefutable evidence that he had made a pact with the devil.


    As the scorching flames engulfed Leo''s body, turning him into a blazing fireball, the former precursor archbishop did not show any signs of pain on his face.


    Through the red and golden curtains of fire, Leo gazed eastward with indifference.


    In the farthest east, beyond his line of sight, lay a city named Flondeck.


    In that place, his loyal servants were hiding, as well as the relic known as the Eternal Reliquary, which was once enshrined in the Holy City and bestowed upon the first pope of the church by the Seal of Light according to the records.


    It is estimated that the Holy See had already sent out several teams in secret, sweeping through the streets and alleys of Flondeck like cleaning a carpet.


    He believed that even if the Pope himself came to perform divine magic, he would not be able to find the deeply hidden relic.


    And it would be the key to his resurrection.


    No, not just resurrection, at that time, he would have a body that even the gods would envy, perfect, never wearing out, with an immortal body that froze time within it.


    The flames seemed to be getting bigger, and Leo Angertes suddenly felt a little impatient. Although he had long removed the dull sensation of pain from his body, it also meant that he would not lose consciousness so quickly because of severe pain.


    Watching his body gradually turn into a smoking charred mass was really disgusting.


    He closed his eyes and sighed silently.


    "Let the fire burn even more fiercely," he thought.

 Chapter 10 : Two Years

    What is most important for a nobleman?


    It''s not the luxurious clothing, the top-notch carriage, the knowledgeable steward, or the invitation to a private salon, but rather the family crest that represents their lineage.


    The inheritance of bloodline and honor is embodied in this small item. From the pattern on it, one can guess the family''s background.


    For example, the crest of a knight''s family usually features fierce animals such as lions and wild boars, while families with a civil servant background often use birds and flowers in their designs.


    If the flying bird on the crest is a pelican or swan, it is highly likely that a member of this family has served as a senior clergyman in the church.


    On the purple shield, three yellow diagonal stripes are drawn on the bottom layer, and in the center of the entire pattern, there is a black crow. This is the Fraley Viscount family crest.


    Albert''s grandfather was a secretary in charge of handling intelligence in the military, and his meticulous calculations won him a considerable reputation.


    Intelligence officers who served in the military often use the crow as the most prominent part of their crest after being granted a peerage. Crows have the meaning of warning and announcing death in people''s minds.


    Now, there are some small balance patterns added to the Viscount Fraley''s family crest, which veteran prosecutors in the judicial field often add.


    Well, in the eyes of others, Albert is indeed an old hand in the judicial field, even though he has just taken on the position of a formal prosecutor for only two years.


    He is not the kind of hardline prosecutor who can make suspects and lawyers uneasy with his expressionless face and aura of authority.


    He always sits quietly in the dock, with a gentle, somewhat shy smile on his face, as if he were a recorder experiencing a grand event for the first time.


    But the words he speaks are razor-sharp, specifically targeting the opponent''s weak spots. Even the most stubborn criminals and cunning defense lawyers cannot last more than a few rounds under his command.


    Compared to the thunderous lightning in the sky, the silent flame burning next to the powder magazine is even more terrifying.


    If a trial were an opera, then Albert would undoubtedly be the most dazzling performer.


    He controls the emotions of everyone in the court, and his words seem to be imbued with magic, leading the audience and opponents to follow his footsteps of joy, anger, grief, and happiness.


    As long as he stands in front of the solemn judgment platform, he is an omnipotent prophet. No matter how complicated the case, it cannot defeat him.


    St. Albert is the nickname that employees of the Noble First Court give him in private.


    Everyone speculated that in a few years, Mr. Fraley would become the youngest chief prosecutor in the history of Flondeck.


    This speculation was based on Albert''s exceptional ability and the support he received from the Leinshman family.


    Everyone knew that Albert Freely was a part of the flourishing roots of the Golden Sparrow Flower family. In the past two years, in at least fifteen cases related to the interests of the Golden Sparrow Flower family, Albert had made judgments that leaned towards his own people.


    He was called "Leinshman''s loyal dog" by those who harbored ill will towards him.


    Regardless of whether people liked him or envied him, they all admitted or had to admit that this twenty-five-year-old young man possessed a wisdom beyond his years.


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Just enjoyed a delicious meal at the restaurant. Guests are gathering in the large living room,, chatting in groups of two or three about various topics.A dozen or so waiters weaved in and out of the crowd, with guests occasionally taking a cup of stomach-settling grape wine from the trays held by the waiters before turning their attention back to the discussion at hand.


    The gathering was attended almost entirely by legal professionals, so the conversation naturally revolved around law.


    A group of judges and prosecutors were passionately discussing a bizarre case that had occurred not long ago.


    The Flondeck Old District is a roughly five-square-mile area surrounded by patched iron railings.


    Over the past century, this city cemetery had buried at least tens of thousands of people, and the old and new gravestones were densely packed like mushrooms growing in a marsh after the rain.


    The space was simply not enough, so the graves had to be stacked one on top of the other.


    Exaggerating a bit, one could dig down over ten meters from any corner of the cemetery and still see bones.


    While the cemetery for the church is grand and luxurious, it is only available to wealthy believers who can afford it.


    The average Flondeck citizen can only afford a sturdy coffin and a grave as high up as possible for their deceased loved ones.


    Three weeks ago, this resting place for the citizens was turned into a chaotic mess as if a wild horse had charged into a garden. Countless bones were dug up from the ground and scattered around in various corners.


    No one knew if it was a cruel prank or the precursor to some disaster.


    The grieving families could not identify which bones belonged to their loved ones, so they all worked together to dig a big pit and buried them all together.


    But the trouble was not over yet.


    Two weeks ago, riots broke out again, this time at the sacred cemetery of the church.


    When several noble gentlemen saw the skulls of their own ancestors hanging on the tip of the railings, their anger surged and they put pressure on the police, who had not found any clues.


    It was said that Detective Lime had not slept for several nights and, with his bloodshot eyes, shouted at the powerful people who came to exert pressure, "Either let me sleep, or bury me alive in the cemetery."


    "It''s terrifying. I think there''s a deranged maniac loose in Flondeck." one person exclaimed.


    "Thank goodness our family''s burial plot hasn''t been disturbed. As soon as this happened, I hired ten night guards." another replied.


    "After the police investigation, they came up with a strange theory: from the position of the bones and the traces of soil in the graves, the skeletons seemed to have woken up from a dream and climbed out of the several meters deep underground on their own."


    "Ha-ha, that detective has become addicted to this. Ever since the famous Midnight Butcher murder case a few years ago, where he claimed that it was the work of the devil, he''s now insisting that it''s the work of vengeful spirits. But you have to admit, it''s a good excuse to blame everything on supernatural factors and not take any responsibility."


    "In that case, at the next trial, I''ll confidently say to the suspect, ''Although there''s a lack of evidence, two nights ago, the Saint of Justice appeared in my dream and personally recounted the crimes you committed. Therefore, we''re prepared to burn you at the stake.''"


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    The prosecutors laughed. They didn''t need to worry too much about catching the culprit or gathering evidence, as that was the job of the police department.


    Apart from that, prosecutors are also men, and men''s conversations inevitably revolve around women. The young lady of the Golden Sparrow Flower family is often the focus of this topic.


    At this moment, the focal character is sitting next to the Chief Justice of the Noble Court, Count Carman, apparently chatting intimately.


    The young lady''s attire is very casual, a white woolen suit and pants, not much different from what she wears in court, except that she has let her hair down from the usual ponytail tied at the back of her head.


    At first glance, Penny doesn''t fit the standard beauty criteria. Although her facial features are delicate, the lines on her face are a bit too strong, and she often has a sharp and sarcastic smile at the corner of her mouth. Her movements are also rough, and her sharp gaze makes people dare not stare at her.


    However, these flaws blend together to create a strange beauty, as if she was born to be described with words like "free-spirited" and "handsome", which belong to men.


    So in the circle, many people who consider themselves a good match have launched passionate pursuits on her, but with no result.


    To this day, people have not discovered any close male companions for Penny, except for the scandalous leading role Albert Fraley, which lasted for two years.


    While discussing Penny, it''s natural to bring Albert into the conversation and scrutinize him.


    "A guy who climbs the ranks based on his sexual performance." This is a malicious comment.


    "At least he''s a smart person." This is a neutral comment.


    Albert was alone in the smoking room next to the banquet hall, stroking the delicate outer texture of the leather cigarette case and considering whether to light up another one.


    Since his smoking habit had reached two packs a day, Jenny had been forcing him to cut down on the number of cigarettes he smoked.


    The method was to limit the number of cigarettes in Albert''s pocket to seven per day.


    "Seven is a lucky number, the number of days it took for the Bright Seal to create heaven and earth," Jenny emphasized with an unrelated topic. "I don''t want you to have a mouthful of cigarette stains, making kissing a painful suffocation torture."


    Now, there was only one cigarette left in the case, and Albert couldn''t make up his mind whether to enjoy it immediately or save it for bedtime. When the craving for a smoke hits, he can''t sleep well all night. It''s like a little worm wriggling in his heart, making him feel uneasy and uncomfortable, which is a kind of punishment.


    "You''ve been here for half an hour." Just then, Penny entered the smoking room, protesting the smoke-filled small room with a disgusted expression. "I need your help."


    "What is it?" Albert frowned. Dealing with Penny was not an enjoyable task.


    Whenever this young lady appeared, it was usually a compromise of law, power, and interests. And it was always himself who had to make the compromise.


    All of this made Albert feel helpless and resentful.


    Pushing open the window near the smoking room, Penny leaned out and took a deep breath, letting the fresh air dilute the smell of smoke in the room. She sat on the windowsill and said straightforwardly, "The guild presided over by Viscount Ares is facing a dispute over the ownership of a hundred thousand gold coins between him and his partner. The Viscount''s hands are obviously further away from that pile of gold coins."


    "This should fall within the jurisdiction of the commercial court."


    "Viscount Ares'' noble status allows the first court to take on this case, and the Golden Sparrow Flower has always been grateful to the Viscount for his kindness to the family and hopes to repay him for it."


    "So, I have to tarnish my already not-so-innocent reputation a little more?"


    "Don''t complain like a child." The young lady sneered at Albert. "People who value honor as their life and uphold virtues only exist in stories. You''re not so naive as to believe that saints really exist in the world, are you?"


    Albert sighed slightly, finally making up his mind and lighting the last cigarette. "I''ll do it."


    After getting a satisfactory commitment, Penny changed the topic to ease the atmosphere. "Why didn''t you bring your cute little mistress?"


    "She''s not suitable for this kind of occasion. Besides, she''s not my mistress."


    At first, Jenny kept insisting on coming to these high society gatherings, but after a few times, the little wildcat saw it as a terrifying experience.


    "Oh my god, I really don''t know how to communicate with those noble ladies. I can''t get a word in edgewise, and I can only stand there and laugh stupidly from beginning to end. I think in other people''s eyes, I''m just a stupid girl who just came from the countryside." Jenny cried, the tedious etiquette, the latest trends and tastes, she just couldn''t learn them.


    Then she cautiously approached Albert and asked, "Am I embarrassing you?"


    "To be honest, I can''t adapt to that atmosphere either, so every time, I hide in the smoking room and pass the time until the end." Albert comforted her.


    Jenny nodded in agreement and sympathetically declared, "Next time you go to a banquet, you can bring two extra cigarettes."


    Penny widened her eyes as if she had heard a joke and scrutinized Albert from head to toe. "God, you''re not really falling in love with that country girl, are you?"


    "Please watch your tone," Albert felt it was time to end the conversation. He stood up, crushed his cigarette butt in the glass jar, and prepared to leave this repulsive room. "The ''country girl'' you mentioned will soon become my wife, and I hope you can attend my wedding with a friendly attitude."


    This girl always made him feel like they were not on the same page.


    These bigwigs always looked down on everything around them with disdain and arrogance, as if they were the masters of the world.


    "A prosecutor''s fianc¨¦e who used to work as a prostitute in a tavern. Believe me, you will become the funniest joke," Penny sneered, "especially when one of your colleagues finds out that the bride in a wedding dress is a lowly whore he bought for a few coins a few years ago."


    Albert''s body seemed to stiffen, panting heavily as if he wanted to exhale the burning hot breath that was burning in his chest.


    He slowly turned his head, and his deliberately restrained emotions made his voice hoarse. "Please don''t interfere with my life anymore, madam, although you seem to enjoy doing so. But allow me to say one more thing, in my eyes, you are no nobler than anyone else."


    The guests in the large living room whispered to each other, looking strangely at the most promising prosecutor in the rumor, who left with a sullen face without stopping for a moment.


    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Albert walked quickly, almost running. Suddenly he felt very tired and just wanted to go home - to the home with a warm fireplace, a warm atmosphere, and warm people.


    The third floor of 37 Ram Street was lit up. Just as he climbed the stairs and reached for his keys, he heard whining sounds coming from the other side of the door, as if a pet were scratching the wooden door with its paws.


    The door opened and Jenny stuck her head out. Jack, a two-month-old puppy, wriggled out from the gap and ran in circles around Albert''s feet, wagging its tail.


    "The party ended pretty early today," Jenny''s charming green eyes wrote with question marks. "I wish I had put the bread and soup on the stove earlier. You must be hungry."


    "What about grandma?" Albert asked.


    "She''s asleep. The old lady can''t stay up late," Jenny put her finger to her lips and made a quiet gesture. Immediately, she understood why Albert had asked.


    A storm was brewing on the sofa in the small living room, where the air was thick with the fragrance of spring and the only other sound was a moan emanating from Jenny''s throat.


    "Oh, you''re crazy. Don''t wake grandma up. Let''s go to our room," Jenny gasped as she tried to catch her breath and protested in a soft voice. But obviously her plea was rejected, and the response was another wave of stormy hot kisses.


    Jack looked up with round eyes and barked twice, then shrank back in fear under the gaze of his mistress.


    "You damn little thing, go back to your own bed, or else you''ll be stewed tomorrow," Jenny scolded the puppy with a glance, threatening him helplessly in her heart. She trembled, her skin flushed with moisture, and struggled to resist the increasingly intense pleasure, trying not to make a sound.


    "You damn big jerk," hugging her lover tightly, Jenny bit him hard and then waited for the storm to come even more violently.


    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    The luxurious carriage of the Leinshman family slowly moved along the gravel road, and the angry expression on Penny''s face had subsided.


    Penny always remembered the thing she held as truth - for those in power, there were only two ways to control others: the whip and the candy. The whip reminded them who was the master, while the candy made them willingly grovel at her feet.


    However, she had never been able to truly control Albert. "Was I too kind to him?" Penny thought. This man had insulted her with such disdainful language. As a prosecutor, she had at least ten ways to make him fall to the very bottom of the abyss.


    Penny had always had a strange emotional attachment to Albert. She admired his intelligence and his clever performances in court, skillfully leading his opponents into traps step by step.


    Manipulating intelligent people and making them dance to one''s own tune was undoubtedly a more interesting game than toying with stupid monkeys. But no matter how fun a toy was, if it didn''t obey, it was no different from the despised garbage on the street.


    Penny had kept a well-behaved and obedient dog when she was a child, which only listened to her and stuck to her all day without leaving for even a moment. Penny loved it so much that she even hired a famous chef to take care of the dog''s diet.


    However, when Penny returned home after studying at a boarding school for a year, the grown-up dog didn''t recognize her anymore and barked fiercely at her.


    The next day, Penny''s lunch was a bowl of greasy dog meat.


    When the carriage stopped, the young lady of the Leinshman family made a decision: she would give that toy one more chance. If it could satisfy her, she would generously give him a doghouse and chain made of gold. Otherwise, she would destroy him.

 Chapter 11: The Popes order

    Walking through the narrow corridor among the densely packed tombstones always gave people a gloomy feeling. It seemed as though an invisible aura of death permeated the air, causing the already tepid sunlight to become even more chilling.


    The common daisies found in the cemetery, those tiny white flowers that stubbornly occupied every inch of shaded space, are now hard to come by. Apparently, they were dug up and buried with the weeds during the recent strange disturbances.


    "Master, have you found anything?" Detective Lime, who had accompanied William the wizard, asked in a relaxed tone, trying not to reveal his impatience to others.


    In the past two years, there have been some mysterious and inexplicable cases like the Midnight Butcher, now the graveyard bones. These cases have whipped him so hard that he cannot stop and take a breath.


    Even if it were the most heinous criminal, Inspector Lime believed that he could use his sword to subdue them. However, with cases like this that defied common sense and were intangible, he was completely at a loss.


    "The Magic Peak is calm and shows no signs of having been used for arcane purposes," William replied. "Perhaps finding a divination wizard would be more effective. My area of expertise is enchantment and transformation, and I am not suitable for large-scale searches."


    "Then, do you think it might be the work of some evil people who possess supernatural powers, such as the necromancers?" Detective Lime speculated.


    William narrowed his eyes and stared at the detective for a while.


    "Please believe me, if you have even a little knowledge of the arcane, I will not hesitate to punish you for insulting the dignity of arcane manipulators. Necromancy is just a branch of the numerous arcane schools, and it has no concept of good or evil.


    Perhaps I should explain in more detail to prevent you from making such ridiculous deductions. A wizard apprentice can manipulate at most two skeletons, and even a master specializing in the necromantic arts can only control up to twenty skeletal servants, enabling the undead in an entire cemetery to temporarily regain their fleeting lives, maybe only a legendary necromancer as recorded in the annals of history can do so.


    But a legendary wizard who is on par with a demigod and can destroy a city with just his mind, how could he be hiding in an old cemetery, inexplicably wasting precious media and magic, just to let the dead crawl out to catch a glimpse of the moon?"


    "I apologize for what I said earlier," The detective placed his hand on his chest and made a knightly salute with an apologetic look. "Can the Master provide me with some advice and point me in the right direction through this fog?"


    "The resurrection of the dead is not the exclusive patent of necromancy. In fact, the masters in this field are those bishops who stay in the church and pretend to pray. Divine magic has a unique advantage in the fields of the soul and healing. However, just as legendary wizards only exist in ancient records, priests who can perform great resurrection spells also only appear in legends.


    In this world, there should be no one else who can perform resurrection, otherwise, he will be worshipped and adored by every monarch who loves life and desires immortality." William replied.


    Although the detective did not fully understand the wizard''s words, he understood that the culprit behind this case was definitely not something that a small city detective could confront.


    If it were thirty years ago, when he was still a young man, he might have pledged to find the truth for the sake of knightly honor. But as people grow older, they increasingly refuse the call of the Grim Reaper. He did not want to become a tragic hero who tried to stop a dragon as a mere ant.


    Thinking of this, the detective sighed helplessly.


    On the other hand, William was very excited. For a wizard who was obsessed with arcane experiments, this inexplicable power that appeared and disappeared was undoubtedly an excellent research subject. Maybe he could find a clue to a legendary spell that had been lost in history from it.


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    At the same time, in the innermost chapel of the Flondeck Cathedral...


    The golden, winding pattern adorned the immaculate altar, depicting divine symbols. A large pile of loam and a few bones, taken from the Holy Cemetery, were stacked on the altar. Under the invocation of the spell, a halo of holy light emerged from the ashy soil, shining with sparkling particles.


    Bishop Roland murmured a few words in a low voice. The incantation seemed to trigger a resonance of the halo, and in an instant, the entire altar was enveloped in a golden column of light. The golden particles of light diffracted in the small room, and the yellowed bones on the altar turned pink and translucent. The sticky bone membranes attached to them were even visible. It was hard to imagine that they had been buried underground for decades.


    Even the Flondeck bishop, Egge, who was not well-versed in divine magic, could sense the immense power hidden within the halo.


    The miracle lasted only a few seconds. When the scene inside the chapel returned to normal, Bishop Egge made the sign of the cross, trembling all over. He whispered in an almost faint voice, "To resurrect the dead and make life eternal, this is the power of the Eternal Reliquary. Praise be to the Seal of Light, the highest authority and will in this world."


    "Now is not the time for praise," The red-robed bishop gasped for breath, grabbed a bone, snapped it, and watched a few drops of milky bone marrow slowly trickle out. "Report to the Holy See immediately. I need the full support of the Holy City. The remnants of Leo Angertes have actually learned to use the divine artifact."


    After searching Flondeck for two full years, he finally found a trace of the stolen divine artifact. Roland vowed never to let it slip away again.


    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    In the third week after the beginning of summer, Albert received a large box of ordered herbs at the Golden Goose Tavern. The box was divided into twelve small compartments by thin wooden boards, and each material was safely and properly packaged. Even the fragile oyster shells were carefully wrapped in small pieces of lamb skin.


    Arif, the great merchant who sailed on the Spice Route, indeed had outstanding qualities, as evidenced by his attitude and quality of service alone.


    No wonder Flondeck''s bankers claimed that with Arif''s name alone, they could lend out 100,000 gold coins without any guarantee.


    The only drawback was that the fee was too high.


    Even with the not-so-low salary of a prosecutor, it was a bit painful to commission him to bring back a batch of herbal materials from the East.


    Knowledge is indeed a luxury enjoyed only by the rich.


    Albert couldn''t help but think of Mr. William, the first court-honored wizard who attempted to create new transmutation spells. He guessed that the cost of each magical experiment could be a staggering amount that would shock ordinary people and curse the unfairness of the world.


    Since meeting Mr. William at the wizard tower two years ago, Albert has always found time to help him complete experiments every weekend with the wizard''s permission, and in return, he received some guidance in herbalism.


    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Thanks to William''s guidance, for a transformation wizard who is proficient in alchemy, herbalism is just a basic subject of enlightenment. Occasionally, a few well-placed comments can greatly benefit Albert.


    "The knowledge of herbs, minerals, biological anatomy, universal theory, and astrology constitutes the foundation of alchemy research. A treatise on herbs alone cannot achieve remarkable discoveries," the wizard said.


    "Sir, this is just a hobby to pass the time and a way to help my elderly relative escape the torment of illness. Human energy is limited. Trying to understand the profound alchemy while also fighting vile criminals in court will only result in unsatisfactory outcomes for both," Albert replied.


    "What a pity. Although you lack talent in the arcane arts, your mind is sharp and your thinking is agile. If you could set aside mundane matters, in less than ten years, you could become a dedicated laboratory assistant that every mage dreams of having. A well-coordinated assistant is worth more than several bags of precious magical materials," William lamented.


    "My elder relative often suffers from joint pain, and the potion I''m currently making can only alleviate the pain. I''ve heard that some plants can treat such symptoms, but I''m not very familiar with these plants or their specific formulations," Albert asked.


    William shook his head, "My knowledge of herbal medicine is limited to the combination of plants and magic. I am powerless in the field of medicine," The mage thought for a moment before saying, "According to records, there was once a tribe of witch doctors called shamans in the Orc kingdom on the Black Continent. Their understanding and application of plants far exceeded that of druids, and alchemy was the masterpiece of the shamans. However, the civilization and mysteries of the Orc kingdom were shattered in the war a hundred years ago."


    "Alchemy? I really wish to witness it," Albert sighed.


    With a substantial investment of money, the wisdom of his mentor, and the extensive collection of William, Albert rapidly expanded his knowledge. He was able to describe the characteristics and valuable components of hundreds of plants, and discovered several small formulas for the wonderful effects produced by the combination of different plants.


    In the summer, there is a bug repellent that can repel mosquitoes cleanly, and a universal antidote that can suppress the toxicity of several poisonous snakes. Although they are not remarkable inventions, Albert finds them very useful.


    He once said, "I always think that the true value of practical little things is not inferior to that of big discoveries. At least for someone who has been bitten by a poisonous snake, the anti-venom is more valuable than the astrological instrument that reveals the mysteries of the stars."


    Albert also tries to sell his formulas to make up for the losses incurred from his research. However, the bug repellent is unpopular because of its faint but unpleasant smell, and the expensive cost of production. Those who can afford it would rather suffer from mosquito bites than become a laughing stock in high society due to the strange smell on their body.


    The only person who appreciated it was William, who didn''t mind the odd smell. In fact, when the wizard was completely engrossed in his experiments, the unpleasant odor emanating from his body was not just faint. "Oh, nothing is more uncomfortable than being bitten by a mosquito on the nose while meditating," William said as he held a bottle filled with the potion, looking very satisfied.


    The antidote was quite popular, and in the end, a Markamor merchant bought the formula for 500 gold coins.


    "In the desert of Markamor, there are many snakes that are the same golden color as the sand. These vicious death gods show no mercy to anyone who accidentally steps on them. I hope this will come in handy." The merchant was in a good mood.


    Albert felt a sense of accomplishment and fantasized, "Perhaps, decades from now, when I retire, I can become an honorary professor at a university, not in the Law Department, but in the School of Pharmacy."


    Pursuing knowledge is expensive, but it is always satisfying and fulfilling.


    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    It seems like not long ago, in the smoking room conversation, the young lady of the Leinshman family felt insulted by what was said and Albert hasn''t spoken to her for two weeks since. They occasionally pass each other in the hallways of the First Court, but all she gives him is a cold stare.


    However, since then, Penny no longer bothers him and doesn''t use her influence to force him to do things he doesn''t want to do. He can use the legal statutes to interrogate criminals without any favoritism, which makes the prosecutor feel very satisfied.


    But Albert still feels a hint of unease.


    As a young prosecutor, he did not want to bow his head and apologize or submit to someone who had insulted his beloved and trampled on his moral and ethical values.


    "Can I really use the law, which should be just and fair, as a tool to advance my career while ignoring my conscience?" Albert thought.


    His social experience also told him that offending a high-ranking nobleman usually didn''t end well.


    "Being expelled from the judiciary and returning to the shabby house in the old district to continue a life of poverty, away from one''s dreams? Only fools would become martyrs," rationality advised Albert, urging him not to become penniless for the sake of elusive principles and cheap dignity.


    Albert has always been perceived as shrewd and capable by his colleagues, but in private, reason and emotion are tangled in his mind like a dark and chaotic fog, making it difficult for him to discern the direction forward. Albert is a smart person who can estimate the future of each choice, but smart people often stand at the fork in the road guided by wisdom and feel conflicted and confused.


    The prosecutor, who had been keeping his smoking under control, began to secretly buy cigarettes from the tobacco shop without telling Jenny.


    ----------------------------------------------------------


    At dawn, the dim light allowed the newly-changed guard team to see a slowly moving shadow on the horizon.


    As the sun gradually rose, the black-blue sky was occupied by a magnificent golden halo, swallowing and blending the darkness. The stars, which had been faintly visible before, quietly receded under the irresistible authority of the sun.


    The increasingly bright light made the silhouette of the shadow clearer, and the scouts who went to investigate were surprised to find a team of nearly a thousand people.


    Their four-meter-long spears were held high, with white flags tied to the tips fluttering in the wind. The flags were covered with a bright red cross, on top of which was a V-shaped pattern composed of intersecting swords and hammers.


    Each knight holding a lance was wrapped in silver plate armor, and the fine iron rings exposed at their joints indicated that at least one layer of chain mail was still worn under the armor.


    The white background and red cross of their cloaks were identical to the style of the spear flags, covering their backs and the entire left side of their bodies. This not only made the knights more solemn, but the leather lining inside the cloak also served as the first line of defense in battle.


    In the gap between the cloak and waist, a brown hook-shaped spear handle with intricate patterns was revealed. If it were to be pulled out, mysterious symbols could still be seen on the gun barrel. These graphics, containing divine power, allowed the gun barrel to remain cool even after the most intense shooting.


    The musket hanging diagonally at their waist, with its long and thick gun barrel protruding from behind, squeezed out half of the cloak. As they moved with their horses, the musket gently collided with the thin iron horse armor covering their horses'' backs, making a dull metal collision sound.


    Three carriages pulled by four horses each were moving in the middle of the knight formation, with black crosses on the carriages displaying the identity of the group. These unwelcome guests came from the throne of the Holy City of Anno, the Light''s Seal.


    "Oh no, we need to inform the authorities quickly," the scout thought.


    The team continued to move forward, and a knight separated from the group, riding ahead on her horse. She stopped at the city gate and removed her helmet, revealing a young and exquisite face with shining platinum hair that was almost transparent. She appeared to be around fourteen or fifteen years old, but her serious gaze and devout expression belied her youthfulness.


    She drew out her ceremonial sword, studded with gems and gold threads, and struck the shoulder of the nearest gate guard.


    "Lead the way. I''m going to the City Council," she said.


    The City Council building in the Flondeck New District was crowded with people. Officials who had received the scout''s report were discussing it among themselves. The mayor, who had just received the news, was a little late and wiped the sweat from his forehead as he asked for the latest information.


    "Who is in charge here? Come out and accept the Pope''s order!" the female knight said, holding her horse in place and shouting loudly.


    "Respected holy knight, it is me," the mayor replied.


    The female knight drew a parchment sealed with gold foil from her bosom, and after opening it, read aloud in a cold and dignified voice.


    "After investigation, there are heretical factions lurking in Flondeck. The city is temporarily entrusted to the management of the Holy Knights of the Papal Hall. The city gates will be closed immediately. All officials must cooperate with the investigation and eliminate the heretical factions. Any disobedience will be considered collusion with the heretics and will be punished accordingly."


    At the end of the order, there were the seals of the Pope and Emperor Byron, as well as the signature of the Imperial Elder Council. The mayor sweated even more, knowing that for a free-trade commercial city, a city lockdown meant economic depression and chaos.


    The previously bustling City Council building fell into a terrible silence. What promises did the emperor and the council members of the capital receive to agree to such a ridiculous decision of the Holy See?


    "Understood, I will comply with the order," the mayor said dryly. He didn''t care about any heretics and only hoped that this damn order would expire soon.

 Chapter 12: Unexpected Gain

    The bustling and rapid pace of life in Flondeck was disrupted.


    Three archbishops and a cardinal appeared in the city at the same time, accompanied by a fully equipped Holy Spear Knights Templar.


    The Holy Warriors occupied the streets and alleys, with the power to inspect any personal property at any time, even the most private possessions of the most noble lords, who did not want to risk being seen as heretics and clashing with the priests.


    The flow of people on the streets was noticeably reduced, and many shops that sold Markamor, Toulanka, and even more distant Shangri-La goods quietly closed their doors. These exotic and artistic goods, if seen by the Holy Warriors, could be seen as mediums for demonic rituals or magical tools of heretics.


    In the minds of religious fanatics, there was only piety for the Seal of Light, and they could not tolerate any art that did not conform to the style of the church.


    Markamor merchants who were unable to leave hid in taverns and inns. Many of them were taken away and severely questioned by the Holy Warriors because they were carrying books of their own religion.


    City council officials comforted them and promised that this was not the outbreak of a new religious war, and then went to negotiate with the priests in the hopes of releasing the merchants as soon as possible.


    "You know, those people are honest merchants, how could they have any connection with heretics?" The city councilor explained. "Nowadays, it is the age of free trade, and using the methods of dealing with religious wars is just inappropriate."


    The female knight who read the Pope''s order received the negotiators. According to the tradition of the Holy City of Anno, the leader of each holy knight order was held by a noble and pious young girl, whose purity and innocence symbolized the sanctity of the order.


    Of course, the young female commander is just a symbolic figure. During battles, it is the experienced and skilled deputy commander who commands.


    " Light of the Seal, the secular lamb lost in the flood of desires, please redeem these souls filled with greed." Matilda, the mascot of the Holy Spear Knights, looked at the frothing-at-the-mouth negotiators with mercy and prayed to herself.


    The city councilor had an extreme headache. If it were a businessman attempting to seek preferential policies, he could debate with them for a whole day with various conventions and legal texts, no matter how difficult they were. But in front of him was a wooden puppet that only knew how to pray and attend masses, and he couldn''t find anything to talk about.


    "Do you want to recklessly mess things up and leave us to clean up the mess?" The frustrated councilor raised his voice and couldn''t help but swear.


    "The dignity and authority of the Radiant Seal cannot be offended. For the eternal kingdom to rule over the mortal world, even if it means turning this city into ruins, it is worth it," Matilda replied firmly and resolutely, her face full of seriousness.


    The councilor sat in a daze for a while, then stood up and bid farewell. As he walked out of the temporary headquarters of the Holy Knight Order located in the Holy Tomb Cathedral, he thought to himself indignantly, "Does Flondeck belong to the church''s property? What qualifications do you have to decide the fate of this city?"


    Not only the councilor, but also Detective Lime from the police department complained angrily when he met with Albert, who came to inquire about the case. "Those church guys have almost stripped us police officers of all our rights. In the blink of an eye, we''ve become idiots who can''t do anything except collect a salary."


    Albert also had a deep understanding. On his way from the First Court to the police department, he was questioned at least four times. If it weren''t for his status as a prosecutor, with his rare brown hair and eyes, he might have been taken away by one of the devout Holy Warriors to be tested for heresy.


    It is said that these kinds of tests are both ridiculous and cruel, such as tying people to iron balls and throwing them into the river. If you are not a heretic, you will drown. But if you are, you can use your profane spells to float to the surface and be sent to the stake.


    "This is essentially murder." Albert couldn''t understand this irrational behavior.


    "Let us praise the Elder Council who have allowed the Church to take over the city," Detective Lime said sarcastically.


    Albert thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "Maybe we can make this situation work to our advantage within certain limits."


    When Detective Lime heard what Albert said, he immediately became excited. He had always admired Albert''s intellect, as this young man always came up with practical and clever ideas.


    "Really? What should I do?" the detective asked.


    "First, you have to humbly plead with the bishops in the most devout tone possible and express your willingness to do your utmost to capture the heretics. As an old detective who has worked in the police department for decades, you will be welcomed. After all, the Knights are outsiders and they don''t even know specific streets in Flondeck."


    "And then what?" the Detective asked.


    "And then, in certain cases where there is no evidence to obtain a search warrant but there are indeed doubts, you can boldly bring the holy warriors in," Albert explained.


    Detective Lime understood. In Flondeck, where private property was held above all else, the police could not even search a civilian apartment without solid evidence.


    "Now we can use the holy warriors as labor to maintain law and order," the detective thought excitedly. "Those hidden gambling dens and black market auctions that never pay taxes in private clubs are in trouble now."


    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    "Your Excellency, this is private property. You can''t..." The attendant took a few steps back, stuttering to stop something that would never have happened under normal circumstances. But his voice grew smaller as he spoke.


    A team of Holy Warriors followed the detective in a majestic manner. The magic power hidden within their silver armor rippled like the ripples on water, occasionally producing a green halo on the smooth, mirror-like surface. Compared to these walking pieces of art, the black leather uniforms of the Flondeck police officers were no different from the rough linen clothes worn by country folks.


    "Mr. Lime, are you sure there is something suspicious about this mansion?" The leader of the Holy Warriors asked.


    "According to the information from the police station, a group of people arrives in carriages every few days. These carriages are always decorated and it''s impossible to determine the owner''s identity. The gatherings usually take place late at night," the detective replied. "Based on these speculations, the police station cannot issue a search warrant. However, for the sake of the supreme honor of the Light Seal, it is necessary to investigate thoroughly. What if these gatherings are for various blasphemous rituals?"


    "Oh, praise the Light, I did not lie, but this place is more likely to be a base for a black market auction," the Detective thought to himself.


    The leader nodded in agreement, made a few gestures, and immediately the twenty Holy Warriors split into several small teams and entered the front yard in a crescent formation, surrounding the double-story main house in the center.


    The guards and servants in the yard readily surrendered their weapons. Only a fool would risk fighting against the heavily armored and divinely empowered knights of the temple for meager wages.


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Unexpectedly, after several rounds of searching, the police officers found nothing except for a few servants and an elderly butler.


    "Gentlemen, can you give a reasonable explanation for breaking into a private residence?" The old butler comforted the panicked servants and said irritably.


    Detective Lime carefully examined the butler. He was an elderly man in his sixties with neatly trimmed white hair and beard. He wore a black vest over a pristine white shirt with a bright yellow necktie, and stood on spotless brown wooden floors. The walls were adorned with oil paintings from master artists, and a luxurious flower basket-shaped chandelier hung from the ceiling, all made for a typical aristocratic mansion with a typical aristocratic family steward, with no suspicious points to be seen.


    "Where is your master?" the detective asked.


    "My master was invited to visit the Minister of Finance in the capital a few days ago and has not yet returned," the old butler said, half boasting and half threatening. "He has a deep friendship with the Minister of Finance and several ministers. If you leave now, it is not too late. Please believe that such behavior will be considered an insult by my master."


    "Please answer honestly, have you or your master participated in the sacrilegious ceremony or harbored heretics?" The leader of the holy warriors interrupted their conversation and asked.


    Detective Lime rolled his eyes. Such direct and unskilled questioning could hardly elicit a truthful response.


    The butler hesitated for a moment, then made the sign of the cross on his chest. "My master has always been a devout follower of the Light, never absent from Mass every week. How could he be involved in illegal and unclean activities?"


    "You didn''t tell a lie, but you didn''t tell the truth either," the leader of the holy knights raised his arm and opened his clenched fist, revealing a faint white light ball in his palm. "You actually resisted the lie detection spell."


    Lie detection was the most commonly used low-level divine spell by holy knights. This spell could distinguish the truthfulness of the opponent''s speech based on the color displayed. If it turned black from the original white, it meant they were lying. If it turned red, it meant that their words were as loyal and trustworthy as their heart.


    Protection spells or strong mental powers could neutralize the divine power of lie detection, but they should not appear on an ordinary old man.


    In the next instant, the old butler''s expression changed. His previous respectful demeanor was just an outstanding performance. At this moment, his eyes shimmered with a bloodthirsty glow, like that of a ferocious beast. He slightly bent down, and a police officer standing next to him immediately spewed a mist of blood from his throat.


    A Holy Warrior who reacted quickly drew his sword but was blocked by the wave-like blade twisted like a snake. The butler used a piercing dagger in his other hand to forcefully pierce the steel plate on the left side of the warrior''s chest armor, stabbing into his heart.


    Simple, vicious, and deadly in a single blow.


    The lightning-fast events left Detective Lime stunned. This was no ordinary elderly man; he was clearly a master assassin who specialized in harvesting lives in the darkness.


    The servants who were still looking fearful moments ago quickly drew their knives and short swords from their shoes or sleeves. Unfortunately, their skills were no match for the masterful butler. Under the counterattack of the Holy Warrior, they quickly crumbled and fell.


    The old butler was being held up by the leader of the holy warriors. Although the attacks of this assassin master were even more fierce, the leader took several steps back and the armor on his shoulders and back had appeared with small cracks due to a fierce thrust. However, the scales of victory were slowly tilting toward the holy warrior''s side.


    If it were in the alleyways under the cover of the night or in a dense thicket, even if the assassin couldn''t kill his opponent, he could still find an opportunity to escape unharmed.


    However, in the spacious hall, there was no shadow for him to hide in or any obstacles to obstruct his view. The experienced leader clung to him and engaged in a head-on confrontation. This was clearly disadvantageous for an assassin who was accustomed to ambushes.


    After a wave of feigned attacks, the assassin quickly retreated while the leader was still in a defensive stance. He swiftly moved towards the stairs, hoping to use the narrow staircase to avoid being attacked from multiple directions.


    If the opponent he faced was a pure warrior, then the assassin''s strategy would have succeeded. However, the assassin forgot that he was facing a holy warrior with divine power.


    His retreat gave the holy warrior time to release his divine spell.


    Ropes of light wrapped around the assassin''s body, but the level two immobilization spell could not completely restrain his movements. It only slowed him down for a few seconds, but that was enough.


    The old butler rolled in distress, narrowly avoiding the sword that came whistling through the air. When he looked up, he was terrified to see that the holy warriors had already drawn their muskets and aimed them at him.


    The last thing the assassin saw was the white smoke and countless sparks that spewed out of the gun barrel.


    It wasn''t until he saw the butler''s body riddled with wounds, twisted and lying in a pool of blood, that Detective Lime breathed a sigh of relief. He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with his soaked sleeve, feeling afraid.


    "Judging by his age, he should be Medjes, the famous old assassin from Golden Horn Bay," the detective thought. This master assassin, who had committed numerous major crimes throughout his career, was documented in the police department''s files. "Thank goodness I came with the holy warriors. Otherwise, he could have taken down all the police officers, including me, on his own."


    Why was Maedjes in Flondeck? The detective soon got his answer.


    The holy warrior''s True Eye of Revealing made the concealment magic of the wall painting disappear without a trace, revealing a secret door in the innermost room on the second floor.


    The person hiding behind the door had given up resistance. He was about forty years old, with thick facial hair and a handsome face that exuded the aura of a mature man. His slightly collapsed nose and yellow skin indicated that he was a mixed-blood with both Castain and Markamor lineage. He sat quietly in his chair, like a wealthy man who had been pampered since childhood. However, his strong arms, perpetually decadent smirk, and occasional sharpness in his blue eyes revealed another side of him that should not be underestimated.


    This image quickly matched a certain memory of Detective Lime''s. "Eric Andreas!" he exclaimed.


    The middle-aged man cracked a smile, revealing a set of neat white teeth, "Yes, I am Eric Andreas."


    There is an Eastern proverb that says, "If you don''t enter the tiger''s den, how can you catch the tiger''s cub?" The detective felt this phrase was very appropriate.


    Eric Andreas, the leader of the largest gang in the Byron Empire, committed all sorts of crimes including smuggling, kidnapping, murder, and black-market deals. Not counting the crimes committed in secret, the ones recorded in the files were enough to send him to the guillotine ten times over.


    On the wanted list, his bounty was worth more than 100,000 gold coins.


    But this most wanted criminal had always lived arrogantly and comfortably. Many mercenary groups that coveted the bounty were constantly searching for his whereabouts, but in the end, they all suffered continuous assassinations and lost the courage to continue searching.


    The master assassin Medjes was Eric''s right-hand man whom he trusted deeply.


    The most famous assassination attempt was six years ago when a baron, who was deeply influenced by detective novels and had considerable wealth, tried to act out the heroic image of the detective in real life. He spent a lot of money and manpower and even chased Eric with his personal guards everywhere.


    Then, on a dark night, the count was awakened by the cold wind blowing in through the window. As he got up to close it, the things lined up on the bedside table made him scream in terror.


    The flower vase on the bedside table was gone, replaced by the decapitated heads of his wife and son from the adjacent bedroom.


    And his daughter disappeared that same night.


    After that tragic and terrifying night, the Baron went mad and, in the end, under the neglect of his caretaker, cut his own carotid artery with a broken porcelain bowl.


    " Eric Andreas." Detective Lime shouted the name of this heinous criminal again, "You''re under arrest, and you''ll be held in the lowest level of the prison, awaiting a fair trial. If it weren''t for this damn law, I would tear you to pieces right now."


    "Oh, I hope it''s a comfortable single room," Eric stood up nonchalantly, and in the corner of the room, the bed that was previously blocked by his body came into the detective''s view.


    On the bed lay the small corpse of a woman, recently dead. The bloodstained sheet only partially covered her body, with a dagger embedded in her chest. Countless old and new whip marks covered her bare arms and shoulders, indicating that this poor girl had been abused for a considerable period of time.


    "This girl is a noble lady, the daughter of a baron. She probably didn''t want anyone to know about her shameful fate, so I mercifully granted her peace," Eric said with a cruel smile on his lips.


    "Scum!" Detective Lime, bound by the constraints of the law, sincerely hoped that the holy warriors would execute this criminal on the spot.


    When the leader of the holy warriors learned that they had not caught a heretic, but a wanted criminal, he coldly said, "Mr. Lime, you can have your men send him to prison. We''ll search the next suspicious location. In the face of the great sin of blasphemy, all other petty crimes are not worth stopping for."


    "Spit!" The Detective angrily spat, looking at Eric Andreas with hatred, and decided, "When you are sent to the guillotine, I will make sure that the executioner uses a duller axe. At least I still have that much power."

 Chapter 13: Curtain Call

    The news of the arrest of the most wanted criminal sent shockwaves throughout the city.


    Overnight, Detective Lime became a well-known celebrity. On his daily commute, he was often greeted with respectful salutes from passersby. Even bold young girls would rush up to him to offer a kiss.


    The people of Flondeck, who had been suppressed by the city-sealing order, seemed to have found a way to vent their frustration.


    They spread different versions of Inspector Lime''s heroic deeds among the citizens. Some citizens even spontaneously gathered in front of the courthouse, shouting slogans like "Hang Eric Andreas! Hang this villain!"


    As for the Holy Warriors who played a crucial role in the capture, they were deliberately forgotten. "Oh, We don''t need to give any credit to those outsiders who only bring trouble," people thought.


    According to rumors, the presiding judge of this case was Albert Fraley, Flondeck''s youngest and most promising prosecutor. And the defendant was the most notorious criminal in the empire. With such a lineup, the whole city was excited.


    The court officials of the First Court were already struggling with how to arrange the spectator seats. The largest courtroom had only four hundred seats, but the number of people who wanted to attend far exceeded that. It was predicted that on the day of the trial, countless curious citizens would gather outside the courthouse.


    "The attendance rate for this trial is higher than that of the opera house. If we charge admission, we could make a fortune," the court official thought with a sly grin.


    Albert did receive the notice that he would be the presiding judge, and the Chief Justice, Carmen, even held a meeting for this occasion.


    "In fact, the Royal Court of the capital wants to transfer the prisoner to Castain, but since it was Flondeck''s people who caught the criminal, it should be Flondeck''s people who try him. Those bookworms at the Royal Court who only know how to endorse things should not think about taking the honor that belongs to Flondeck''s judiciary. Albert Fraley, the prosecutor, is the first to take on the role of presiding judge, his excellent performance has proven that he is capable of this role."


    Albert put aside all the trivial matters and immersed himself fully in the study of the case, with the secretary assigned to him by the court.


    The pile of files stacked in front of him was half a person''s height. The more Albert read, the more shocked he became. Eric Andreas was simply a scum of humanity, and his case file was a document showcasing human cruelty and torture.


    If it were just brutality, it would not be enough to make people fearful. However, he also happened to be a high-intelligence criminal genius. When violence and intelligence were perfectly combined, the resulting energy was terribly powerful.


    If it were not for his whim to inspect Flondeck''s secret industry, the unbreakable city-sealing order of the Holy Warrior, and the fact that Detective Lime happened to search the temporary lodging place of Eric, this criminal would still be at large.


    This series of coincidences, Albert could only regard as fate''s arrangement.


    "I cannot let him live. All I can do is end the source of this evil," Albert vowed.


    When Penny invited him to the private salon at night, Albert smelled the scent of danger and firmly declined the invitation. However, that night, when Albert left the court after working overtime on the case, he saw Penny''s carriage parked in front of him.


    "Get in," Penny commanded. The dim light made it difficult for Albert to see the expression on the young lady''s face. Her face, seen through the carriage window, was like a lifeless sculpture in the shadows.


    "I don''t think we have anything to talk about," Albert said.


    "Perhaps you have guessed my intentions, but you should know that no matter how you choose, what I have decided to do will be accomplished. And you''re like an ostrich, burying your head in the sand, thinking that you can''t see or hear danger, even the dumbest monkey won''t do that." Penny pushed open the door and made a gesture for him to get in the carriage.


    The content of what the young lady said was just as Albert had guessed.


    "Every aristocratic family has some underground forces to deal with problems that cannot be solved in public. Sometimes, solving certain problems through bloody and criminal means is more effective than engaging in political struggles in the open. The Leinshman family has a considerable influence in the dark world, and Eric Andreas is one of the people we support."


    "That''s impossible. The evidence against him is conclusive enough to get him the death penalty; even an illiterate person could convict him. Moreover, the public is paying attention to this case, so it''s impossible to deceive them," Albert advised himself to be patient and tried to convince Penny.


    "This is why I wanted to hand Eric over to the Royal Court of Castain," Panny sneered. "The people of the capital have little interest in this case, and the court is just a puppet in the hands of the Leinshman family. We only need to know how to manipulate it correctly to make it act according to our wishes. Actually, I know that it''s too idealistic to hope to spare Andreas from the death penalty. Although reputation may be boring, it''s still better to clean it up. At the Royal Court, Eric''s fate will still be sentenced to death."


    "What''s the point then?" Albert asked.


    Penny looked at Albert and said, " Another unlucky guy with a similar build and appearance will be sent to the gallows. We have our people in the prison and the executioner, and it''s much easier to accomplish this in Castain than in Flondeck. The Leinshman family has a vast and complex network of relationships, and people like Eric Andreas are what we need."


    Albert looked out of the car window and said, "Please stop the car."


    "Don''t be so stubborn. I''m giving you an opportunity. Men always want to make a name for themselves. Just think, Baron Albert Fraley sounds much more impressive than Sir Albert," Penny said.


    After a long silence, Albert smiled tiredly and said, "Please don''t play with me anymore, madam. Even though bananas are delicious, monkeys have the right to choose whether to eat them or not."


    As soon as Albert stepped off the carriage, Penny called out to him, "It''s strange, in the past, no matter how unwilling you were, you always agreed in the end. Let me remind you that many things in the past were my personal requests, but this time, I am conveying the will of the Leinshman. I think you should understand what I mean."


    "It''s different this time. What you used to ask me to do, in my eyes, was just a dog-eat-dog game between bigwigs. No matter what the outcome, the ones who can eat the bones in the end are just the vicious dogs. You know how heinous Eric Andreas''s crimes are. Maybe in the eyes of your big families, the so-called just trial is just a joke, and the law is just a tool in your hands. But for me, there are some bottom lines that cannot be crossed. I haven''t forgotten the oath I made when I took office," Albert vented.


    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Under the streetlights, the thin figure of the prosecutor grew longer and longer. Penny was impatiently stomping her feet, and she suddenly thought of that pot of dog meat.


    Unfortunately, the opportunities will not be given again to monkeys who don''t know good from bad. She thought.


    On the day of the trial, the talk of the town was the confrontation between justice and evil. All four hundred seats in the hearing room were filled, and those who couldn''t get a seat had to squeeze themselves in front of the courthouse. The crowded square and noisy chatter made the once spacious square seem small overnight.


    From early morning, the square was packed with people, and citizens came hours in advance just to get closer to the entrance.


    To accommodate the public, the court arranged several staff members on the square. These loud-voiced messengers had astonishing lung capacity and would occasionally shout out the scenes and dialogues in the courtroom for the public who couldn''t witness the trial.


    At 10 o''clock, the long-awaited judicial opera was finally about to begin. The announcer, or rather the messenger, exclaimed, "The trial is about to begin. The presiding judge, lawyers, and prosecutors are all present. Representing justice is our invincible Saint Albert. Oh, can you believe there are lawyers who would defend villains? These money-grubbers have no conscience." He knew what the citizens liked and spared no effort in praising the prosecutor while belittling everything related to the defendant.


    "Yes, they have no conscience!" everyone echoed.


    "Real revelry will take place at the execution site. So, what do you say? Is the gallows better, or is the guillotine better?"


    The crowd immediately divided into two camps. Those who preferred the gallows claimed it would inflict more pain on the criminal, while those who favored the guillotine argued that only the red of blood was the true color of justice.


    But the disagreement quickly merged into one will, and the crowd shouted, "Death penalty for him!" The deafening chant resounded throughout the square.


    The bell in the tower rang, signaling the start of the trial. In an instant, the entire square fell silent, and people were enveloped in a solemn silence.


    "Albert''s opening statement was perfect. He listed forty-nine charges, each one more shocking than the last, and the defense lawyer could barely refute them."


    "Death penalty! Death penalty!" The seriousness was swept away and the fanatical shouts erupted once again.


    The messenger ran out of the courtroom again, holding up both fists high. "The prosecution is calling witnesses now, Strike a deadly blow to the devil Andreas."


    Thousands of hands were raised at once, joyfully waving their fists.


    "No, the witness has changed their testimony! Oh my god, what is happening?" Another messenger hurriedly ran into the crowd and shouted, "But don''t worry, Albert can handle it."


    At first, nobody paid much attention to this minor setback, but bad news continued to come in one after another.


    "The prosecution has called seven witnesses in a row, and every one of them has betrayed us!"


    "The defense lawyer began to fight back, claiming that all the charges in the court were unreasonable."


    "God, the court document provided is missing a few pages. Another accusation has been overturned."


    "It''s impossible, even the presiding judge has betrayed us. The defense presented Albert Fraley''s account, damn it, thirty thousand gold coins were deposited into the account the day before the trial. He has betrayed justice! He has betrayed us!"


    After three hours of trial, people had become desperate, and a near-riot broke out on the solemn square in front of the first court.


    The people began to attack the court, and the patrol officers and court guards did their best to evacuate the citizens. It is unclear who started it, but a bloody event occurred.


    According to later investigations, two citizens died in the melee, and several hundred people were injured.


    The festive banquet had turned into a tragic sacrifice.


    Inside the courtroom, the atmosphere was boiling like hot oil, and even the judge''s repeated calls for silence could not stop the people''s clamor.


    "I propose that this trial be indefinitely suspended, and the prisoner be tried again by the Royal Court on a later date," said the grand prosecutor, who represented the Castain judicial system. "Everything that has happened today is ridiculous. The sudden change in testimony, the missing pages in the case file, and the unexplained source of the thirty thousand gold coins. All of our colleagues in the judiciary across the country are waiting for a reasonable explanation from the First Court in Flondeck."


    Count Carmen sat slumped in the VIP witness seat, unsure whether he felt ashamed or angry. His fingers dug deep into the leather sofa.


    He was powerless to stop the Royal Court''s proposal.


    "I know someone is behind this," Carmen thought, but the thought of pursuing the truth was quickly cleared from his mind. The Count must prioritize preserving his own reputation and position. "Someone must take responsibility for this." He looked at Albert Fraley, who was frozen at the prosecutor''s table.


    Albert closed his eyes tightly, his body and senses numb.


    From the moment the first witness changed their testimony, he knew he had fallen into a trap that had already been carefully prepared.


    Or rather, he had already guessed what was about to happen since the night he had broken completely with Penny.


    After all, he was just a mortal without invincible power. Even with his remarkable eloquence, he could not pass sentence without evidence.


    Although everyone knew that Eric Andreas was indeed guilty.


    This was the ridiculous and reasonable side of the judicial process.


    He kept thinking to himself.


    "What madness has possessed me? As a destitute aristocrat and a mere prosecutor, why did I stubbornly challenge the power of authority? "


    "Clearly, if I just bowed my head, a bright future would beckon to me. Why did I pretend to be a saint and lose everything in my self-righteousness?"


    "Isn''t it better to cleverly utilize the power of others and maintain relative fairness without compromising my own interests?"


    Albert''s mind was filled with various thoughts until one idea appeared in his mind.


    "Birth cannot be chosen, it is fate''s arrangement; death is inevitable, it is the outcome we face from birth. Since fate has already arranged everything, humans can only make limited choices, and I have just chosen my own ending."


    "Yes, free from anyone''s manipulation, I have freely chosen my own ending."


    So he figured it out and felt relieved.


    The mixed-blooded villain grinned smugly. Golden Sparrow Flower was truly the best host. By bribing and threatening key figures, transferring a few zeros to a certain account in the bank, and arranging a few thugs in the crowd at the square, everything could be resolved.


    All he needed to do now was endure a few more months, and he could return to the world filled with the scent of blood.


    Glancing at the disoriented prosecutor, he silently sneered, "What a fool." He followed the guard to the backyard where a prepared prisoner carriage awaited to take him to the capital city of Castain.


    "Andreas, I''m so sorry." Nobody expected that Albert, who had been standing still, would stop Eric and apologize to him in front of everyone.


    Eric knew about the grudge between this prosecutor and Miss Golden Sparrow Flower. Did he want to seek forgiveness through this gesture?


    "Too late," Eric scoffed.


    "Yes, it''s too late, and I feel deeply disturbed by the harm you suffered," Albert''s face revealed a sarcastic smile. "I should not have arranged for you to be in a multi-person cell. Those prisoners who have been imprisoned for many years and cannot see women, are bound to be a bit abnormal. You know what I mean."


    Everyone saw Albert cast a sympathetic glance at Eric''s buttocks.


    It wasn''t until the grim-faced Eric Andreas was escorted out of the courtroom that everyone''s gaze reluctantly left his buttocks, which had become the focus of attention.


    Albert was calmly led away in shackles by the guards. Until the investigation of the thirty thousand gold coins was cleared up, he would be detained on charges of taking bribes.


    He planned to consider his future livelihood carefully while in prison.


    Because he knew he would never again be a prosecutor in his lifetime.

 Chapter 14 : Tragedy

    Two months ago, the catastrophic trial in Flondeck caused an earthquake-like change.


    Secretaries who participated in the case file review and patrol officers who protected the witnesses were demoted on various pretexts, and several senior prosecutors were implicated. Taking advantage of this situation, the Castain Royal Court sent several commissioners to fill the personnel gap.


    Carmen, the chief justice, who was wise enough to protect himself, knew that keeping silent at this time would not do him any harm.


    In response to this, Penny privately conveyed her family''s goodwill. As a graduate of the Royal Law School, she was dispatched to Flondeck to gradually turn the city''s judicial circle into the privileged domain of the Golden Sparrow Flower.


    "I will soon return to Castain, so you don''t have to worry about your position. The Leinshman family admires your expertise in law," Penny said.


    Carmen thought that the Leinshman family must have made a lot of effort to create the current tricky situation, but the situation was stronger than the person, so he could only smile, using the kind and friendly tone of an elder speaking to a junior, "I express my heartfelt thanks. After you return to the capital city, please convey my gratitude to your father."


    After Penny responded politely, she casually asked, "How will Albert Fraley be arranged?"


    "After a detailed investigation, it was found that the 30,000 gold coins in his account do not exist. The bank also said that it was a mistake during internal transfer, which caused the problem. According to convention, he will be demoted from being a direct prosecutor and transferred to the third-level court,," Carmen replied.


    The young lady felt a bit regretful. The bank had only agreed to provide temporary false accounts, and after the incident, it would clarify the error as being caused by some careless accountant who sent the wrong transfer cheque, adjusting the accounts back. For a bank that valued its reputation, this was the maximum level of compromise.


    After all, forcing a financial institution to lose its credibility was not in the interest of the family.


    There were still many people in the Elder Council and several palace ministers who were dissatisfied with the Leinshman family.


    The Minister of Finance was one of them.


    Moreover, His Majesty the Emperor was already concerned about the phenomenon of excessive aristocratic power and seemed to want to make up for the mistake of his predecessor, St. George VII, who had given too much power, and has been closely monitoring the movements of the major families.


    It was okay to do some small actions for personal grievances, but if it went too far, it would inevitably make the father doubt his ability


    The struggle for power within the family was no less fierce than a group of wildcats smelling blood. This was an inevitable conflict for every wealthy family with a strong lineage.


    "No, you are too merciful. He must bear all the responsibility for the stability of Flondeck''s judiciary," Penny said.


    The Chief Justice nodded readily, "That''s settled then."


    " At least he''s lucky he won''t spend the rest of his life in jail," Penny''s mood brightened slightly. "If he were to come begging for my forgiveness before I leave Flondeck, I might consider giving him another chance. But by then, I''ll be wearing the dirtiest shoes I can find and make him lick them ten times over."


    The lingering heat of late summer and the drizzling rain of autumn made the air in Flondeck sticky, leaving a damp film on the skin of anyone who walked through it.


    Jenny dodged the puddles on the road and made her way towards Flondeck Detention Center along the main street of the old district. Although the rain was not heavy, the wind was strong enough to blow her umbrella askew. After a few attempts to set it right, she gave up and walked along the eaves of the houses like a kitten, with fine raindrops wetting her pretty blonde hair but not dampening her good mood.


    Today was the day when Albert would be released after two months of detention.


    Compared to the tidy streets and perfect drainage system of the new district, the roads in the old district are nothing but mud roads in the countryside. Despite her careful steps, Jenny''s pants still got dirty.


    She really missed the apartment on Ram Street. However, her imprisoned lover and frozen account left her unable to afford the rent, and the only cash she had left was barely enough for basic expenses.


    Luckily, the houses in the old district were cheap enough, otherwise she and her grandmother and little dog Black Jack would be homeless.


    But all the difficulties were about to be resolved. Her man was finally free.


    "Miss Jenny, it''s an honor to run into you on the street." A carriage stopped in front of Jenny on the way, blocking the relatively clean path. The head of the 13th Court''s proxy chief justice, Al Dunavan, leaned out and warmly greeted her.


    "Thank you, but I''m busy. Please move your carriage," Jenny raised her eyebrows and said impatiently.


    She found the man repulsive, who had been pestering her after Albert was imprisoned. In two months, she had refused his invitations to date at least eighteen times.


    "Sorry, I already have a husband," Jenny showed him the engagement ring on her finger.


    Al smiled happily, "It''s normal for ladies in high society to have several lovers besides their husbands. It''s an elegant tradition." He tried to continue tempting this low-born girl.


    "Unfortunately, in our village, if a woman is not faithful to her husband, she will be driven out." Jenny rolled her eyes and answered.


    But no matter how she refused, the man continued to pester her like a buzzing fly.


    Al continued as if he hadn''t heard Jenny''s words, "Please don''t hurt my heart that surrenders for love. Seeing a beautiful lady caught in the rain and not offering a coat and carriage hardly qualifies one as a gentleman. Please come aboard, and we''ll go to a tasteful salon for a drink."


    Jenny pulled up her pant legs and walked around the carriage on the mud, "If you''re a gentleman, please stop bothering me."


    The proxy chief justice''s face changed. He had planned to seduce Albert''s lover while he was in prison, play with her, and then immediately abandon her to take revenge for his lost position in the past.


    Dealing with such an inexperienced and former prostitute, it was easy to win her over with a few sweet words and some money when the man was imprisoned and couldn''t even afford decent jewelry.


    And Al was confident in his looks and status.


    Usually, after just a few times, many girls who wanted to transform themselves from sparrows to phoenixes, would willingly surrender their bodies to him. But he soon found out that this girl was as stubborn as that damned Fraley and not easy to deal with.


    The enraged judge shouted, "Don''t count on Fraley anymore. He''s done for. Don''t pretend to be virtuous. Don''t you want the shiny necklace and gorgeous dress? In a few years, poverty will turn you into an ugly old woman."


    "Yeah," Jenny turned her head, "a magnificent mansion, pretty jewelry, and clothing are all very nice things, but unfortunately, I just don''t like them."


    "Damn it, I hate the Fraley family," Al thought, sitting back in the carriage, frustrated and embarrassed.


    The rain gradually stopped, and the buildings on both sides of the road became sparser. Few people were willing to live near the detention center.


    When Jenny saw the thick walls and heavily guarded gate of the prison, she suddenly became nervous.


    She sneaked to the side of the road, found a relatively clean puddle, and used her fingers to comb her wet hair while looking at her reflection in the water.


    "I hope I don''t look too disheveled," the girl murmured.


    "No, you look beautiful," came the man''s voice from behind.


    As Jenny turned around, surprised and covering her mouth, her lover, whom she had been separated from for two months, was standing behind her. The food in the prison was terrible, and he looked much thinner, with a withered face and hair that was a mess, but his eyes were still bright and clear.


    Jenny threw herself into Albert''s arms and finally couldn''t hold back her tears.


    Holding his beloved girl and letting her vent for a while, Albert smiled and said, "Come on, let''s go home."


    "Okay," the little wildcat lifted her head and didn''t even bother wiping away the tears from her eyes. "Let''s go home."


    The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    A week later, Penny learned of Albert Frayley''s marriage. It was said that the wedding was very plain, with no guests invited except for Detective Lime from the police station.


    The father in the capital had urged her several times to return to Castain. At the royal court, a position as a chief prosecutor was waiting for her.


    The young lady didn''t know why, but she hesitated for several days before setting off, as if waiting for something.


    Sitting in the carriage surrounded by her private guards, she thought hard for a long time, but still couldn''t figure it out.


    Penny had simply forgotten how much she had cared for and loved the dog that had been stewed into a delicacy. For something she didn''t like and had never invested any emotions in, it didn''t even qualify to become a toy for a young lady.


    The church''s order to close the city was finally lifted in early autumn, and even Emperor did not expect that after three whole months, the Holy Warriors would still have nothing to show for it.


    Turning the richest city into a parasite that needed to be fed with money was not the intention of Emperor.


    After all, he had already shown enough respect to the Church, and there was no need to undermine the interests of his own country.


    "Please understand that the lockdown order must be lifted, but the knights can still stay in Flondeck to continue their search. Castain can only promise this," the Emperor''s envoy said to the Church.


    Flondeck regained its vitality, although there were fewer merchant ships coming and going than before. But everyone believed that in less than half a year, Flondeck would once again become the most prosperous commercial metropolis.


    After the wedding, Albert Freely sent job applications to the judiciary institutions of several major cities, but there was no good news. He waited for two weeks, and the only reply was a rejection letter from a personnel officer who was curious about what was behind the lawsuit.


    In addition to the usual formalities at the beginning of the letter saying that there were currently no available positions, the lengthy paragraphs were full of enthusiasm, inquiring about the details of the trial.


    Albert threw the letter directly into the trash.


    "Maybe all the good positions in big cities are already filled." Albert thought to himself. He lowered his expectations and only sought a job as a secretary, but still could not succeed.


    The unemployed former prosecutor began to look to the small town courts, sending out more than a dozen letters of hope. He refused to give up, even refusing to leave his home or his desk. He believed that there would always be a place that would hire him, afraid that he would miss the notification of his employment because of his temporary absence.


    As long as he could return to the courtroom and to the trial bench where his dreams could take flight again, Albert was willing to live twenty years less.


    He waited silently day by day, like a statue sitting at his desk, only jumping up to the window when he heard the bells of the mail truck outside, hoping that the mail truck would bring him good news.


    But every time, he could only watch with disappointment as the mail carriage passed by outside the house and gradually went away.


    Three months had passed quickly, and the surplus savings were almost gone because of the bail money paid earlier and the penalty for being dismissed from the First Court. The cash at home quickly went towards rent, food, and Grandma''s medicine.


    On the dining table, the dishes that used to have meat and soup were replaced with potatoes. After eating potatoes for several days in a row, Albert complained to Jenny, "Can''t we have some fish soup?"


    Black Jack, the few-month-old sheepdog in the midst of a growth spurt, also whined and complained. Potatoes shouldn''t be on the menu for carnivores.


    Jenny nodded and went out wearing a small coat. When she returned in the evening, she smiled and carried a net full of sardines and beef, but the pretty coat with lace on the collar was missing.


    " I''m so tired. I bought them at the market outside the city, where the fish is cheaper than in the city." Jenny said.


    "In fact, it''s not much cheaper. Round-trip fare on the coach costs four silver coins. It''s almost the same price when you take that into account." Albert said, somewhat dismissive of the women''s shopping smarts.


    "Oh. You''re right." Jenny still had a smiling face until she entered the kitchen. Then she showed a painful expression and kept rubbing her feet. She didn''t tell her husband that she walked to the port.


    Albert enjoyed the dinner very much.


    After the diamond necklace, gold leaf pocket watch, and high-end sofa chair slowly disappeared, Jenny tentatively asked, "What about trying another job?"


    Then Albert''s roar frightened her, "Don''t you even believe that I can return to the judiciary?"


    "You will definitely be able to go back," Jenny promised. "You just keep writing letters, and leave the other things at home to me."


    A few days later, Jenny pulled back a small wooden cart and a pile of pots and pans. She woke up early in the morning, just before daybreak, bought several large bags of vegetables and some meat, carefully cleaned them, and then busied herself in the kitchen for the morning.


    By almost noon, the crispy and delicious meatballs, golden fried fish fillets, fragrant offal soup, and boiled greens were all ready.


    She took the small cart to the market, and by before two o''clock, she had sold everything. Jenny called it a "lunch box" and sold it for one and a half silver coins per serving. She made different varieties every day, and both the market vendors and nearby clerks loved it.


    At night, she could make some snacks and sell them at the night market until midnight. And so it went, day after day, with Jenny only able to sleep for five hours each day.


    "Now, it''s my turn to support this family," Jenny thought proudly, and the feeling of exhaustion would disappear in an instant.


    Albert had finally lost hope. He was finished, not even the simplest of rural circuit courts would take him.


    He counted and realized that he had sent out a total of fifty job applications, all of which had yielded no results. This meant that the former prosecutor, once regarded as having limitless prospects, had been completely abandoned by the judicial community.


    It wasn''t until then that he seemed to wake up from a drunken dream and noticed that many things were missing from his home. The small living room that used to be crowded with objects was now empty, and his grandmother''s gentle gaze carried a hint of reproach. The small wild cat that always brought warmth and joy was now difficult to spot.


    Albert sat on the steps outside, petting the little dog that sat obediently beside him. As the evening approached, the brilliant orange ribbon of light in the sky gradually faded into a deeper black. On the black fabric, small and scattered stars began to appear. The moon, surrounded by the stars, created a cold white light on the night sky. He had finally waited for the person he had been waiting for.


    Jenny struggled to pull the cart full of pots and pans toward home. Every few steps she had to take a break. When she looked up and saw Albert, she immediately dropped the cart and ran over. "Why are you sitting here? Did you get another rejection letter? Don''t be upset. Someone who understands will appreciate you."


    Albert looked up at Jenny. The girl''s round face had become thinner, with a sharp chin. Her beautiful eyes were surrounded by dark circles, dull and lifeless. Her slender fingers were red and swollen from cold water and knife wounds. He stood up and said in a resolute tone, " I don''t want to be a prosecutor anymore, never again."


    "Don''t worry, Albert. I''m here for you. Everything will be okay. You will definitely succeed." Jenny patted her chest and comforted him.


    "I''m sorry, Jenny. You''ve worked hard during this time. I have figured it out. Those who are blinded by the fog of the past and refuse to look forward will always be cowardly failures." Albert hugged Jenny and then said, " I''m going to the market tomorrow too. I, Albert Fraley, even if I have to sell box lunches, will be more successful than anyone else."


    Compared to Flondeck, the royal city of Castain was even more magnificent.


    At the beginning of Byron''s establishment, the original site of Castain was a small ancient town with only a low wall. Surrounding it were barren plains. After conquering the Black Continent, Emperor Komo had the idea to build a new capital.


    According to the mystical school and the church, on the night when the emperor returned from the conquest, he dreamt of a divine revelation. In the desolate land and the dilapidated city, beneath the starry night sky, the stars shifted from their usual course, emitting a fiery glow as they formed a massive, fiery red cross in the sky.


    "This is the coronation bestowed upon me by the gods," thought the emperor.


    Shortly thereafter, he issued the order to build the new capital and personally oversaw the surveying and marking of its boundaries. Riding his horse out from the center of the old town, he galloped in every direction, but still could not decide where the new city''s boundary should be.


    His followers seemed to sense the birth of something great and tremblingly asked, "Your Majesty, how far do you want to go forward?"


    The emperor replied, "Until the god who leads me stops."


    Craftsmen and master builders from all over the country flocked to the site, but their numbers were still not enough. So the army put down their weapons and took up the tools of labor, becoming workers and bricklayers. It wasn''t until the death of the Emperor that Castain was only half-built.


    It took the second heir half a lifetime to give the city its initial shape, and it wasn''t until the third heir that the immortal Castain rose magnificently from the earth.


    To this day, every stone of the city is imbued with a profound sense of history. Even the mosaic inlaid paintings on the roads of any street, which have faded with time, may have been created by a master who was enshrined in an art temple.


    Even the execution ground was no exception.


    The cylindrical arch structure of the actual wall formed an arc, creating an oval shape inside and outside the execution ground. The tiered seating along the surrounding walls gave it the appearance of an outdoor theatre. In fact, watching executions was one of the hobbies of the people of Castain.


    Several death row inmates were escorted to the center, where the executioner read out their sentences and arranged for each person''s punishment. Whether it was the use of the hammer, the wooden stake, or the hanging, it had all been prepared for them. When the last name was read, the official deliberately paused, "Eric Andreas, notorious gang leader, smuggler, and murderer, has been sentenced to the extreme penalty."


    The audience erupted in commotion. The prisoner was bound to a wooden frame, and each of his limbs was tied to four strong bulls that pulled in opposite directions, tearing him apart. Only the most heinous criminals deserved such a terrifying punishment.


    But Eric''s performance was disappointing. The man, with his head shrouded in a black hood, seemed to be in a trance, offering no resistance and making no effort to struggle as he was tied up. Even when the cloth was stuffed into his mouth, a customary measure to prevent the prisoner from screaming obscenities, the gang leader put up only a token resistance.


    In the audience, a handsome mixed-race man watched the execution with great interest. As the impostor breathed his last breath, he burst out laughing. "I never thought I''d witness my own death."


    "Mr. Andreas, please do not disappoint our master," The man sitting to his right, with a noble demeanor, said, "The task our master assigned must be completed as soon as possible."


    "Of course, I will always remember the master''s kindness," Eric replied, but at the same time, he thought to himself, "But before that, I need to vent."


    He still remembered the malicious ridicule of the damn prosecutor in the Flondeck courtroom and the feeling of having his butt examined by hundreds of eyes.


    Who would dare to offend him in prison? But the prosecutor''s words quickly spread throughout the dark world.


    "Do you know? Andreas was raped in prison."


    "Ha-ha, I must ask him about how he felt at that time when I get the chance."


    The bigwigs of the underground world made this their hottest topic. Whether they were his allies or enemies, they all wondered what kind of ordeal the kid had gone through.


    "I swear, you will pay for this," Eric Andreas clenched his fists cruelly. Outside Castain city, his henchmen had prepared several carriages to take him to Flondeck.

 Chapter 15: Murder

    The market was located ten miles outside of Flondeck, adjacent to the Black Gold Road. Originally, it was just a small transfer station between the port and Flondeck.


    However, astute wholesale merchants soon discovered that the nearby land, just ten miles outside the city gates, was so cheap it was practically given away compared to the prime real estate in the city center.


    Renting a large warehouse in the city costs enough each month to build one''s own warehouse at the transfer station.


    Soon, in this small transfer station, warehouses mushroomed up like after a rain, with wealthy merchants building rows of simple bungalows, each with a rough stone wall outside. Even those with less money weren''t willing to be outdone, and erected their own sheds, while hiring trusted employees to guard them day and night.


    Merchants in Flondeck''s luxuriously decorated stores only displayed samples and a small amount of inventory. For large transactions, they would negotiate the price and go directly to the warehouses for delivery, making the process both efficient and convenient.


    Gradually, small vendors also gathered here, and the large number of staff left behind by the merchants and the workers unloading goods from the trucks kept coming. These people have simple requirements for their lives, and affordable and practical daily goods are highly welcomed by them.


    Albert learned very quickly.


    Whether it was cutting vegetables and preparing ingredients, or observing small pieces of meat rolling in hot oil and taking them out at the most delicious time, or even controlling the ratio of minced meat in meatballs, he had a good command of all these skills.


    Moreover, Albert also had a little trick that made the cost of boxed meals even cheaper."


    Mint leaves and bay leaves, used as seasoning, were not cheap. Ordinary citizens in Flondeck rarely ate meat, and their staple foods were bread and fish soup.


    It wasn''t that meat was unpalatable, but because there were no spices to remove the fishy smell. Even meat chunks cooked in plain water and dipped in salt couldn''t cover up the pungent smell.


    But orange peel was a cheap commodity. This wild green-skinned fruit had been artificially cultivated for several generations and still tasted sour, so no one liked to eat it. Only ships on long voyages would buy a few barrels to prevent the occurrence of seaborne nightmare-like sepsis.


    Taking a trip to the port, for just a few copper coins, one could bring back a large basket of orange peels.


    Drying and roasting orange peels over low heat, then cutting them into small pieces and mixing them with meat is just as effective as using traditional spices.


    The boxed meal with meat dishes caused a sensation in the marketplace. Every lunchtime, Albert''s small food truck was surrounded by people, and several regular customers came from far away every day to eat.


    Gradually, the competing peers in the market could not keep up, and several stall owners were disheartened. Some were preparing to find another line of work, while others were considering using underhanded tactics.


    Before they could take action, Albert took the initiative to visit them. He promised to sell only one hundred boxed meals per day in the future and would never monopolize the business.


    At night, when they were at home, Jenny asked, "When our business was at its best, we could sell more than one hundred and forty boxed meals. Won''t we lose a lot of money this way? If only our family sells in the market, we can earn more."


    "No, just think about it. If you want to buy clothes, would you go to a street full of clothing stores, or would you choose a place where there is only one clothing store on the entire street?" Albert tossed a coin into the air and quickly caught it.


    Jenny stared at him with big eyes, seeming to understand something.


    "We don''t have enough capital to take over all the food stalls in the marketplace. If only we are left, we won''t be able to serve everyone. Initially, we can make a lot of money, but over time, when people find that they need to spend a lot of time queuing up for food every day, they will look for other places to eat, or regular restaurants will discover business opportunities and open branches." Albert continued to explain. "Profit comes from scale. I would rather compete with ten stalls in the busiest place than monopolize the only street with few customers."


    "How did you get such a good brain?" Jenny held Albert''s face and looked at him with her beautiful big eyes for a long time, then pushed him down on the bed with a big smile. Her plump body wriggled and teased him like a little snake. "Let''s challenge four times today."


    "Darling, we have to get up early tomorrow."


    "Then let''s do it three times."


    Soon, all the stall owners who supplied lunch discovered that Albert''s rules were really beneficial to everyone.


    The most obvious benefit was that by buying ingredients together, they were able to enjoy wholesale discounts. Even expensive ingredients like pepper became affordable after discounts were applied.


    Despite spending the same amount of money, the quality of the ingredients had increased significantly. Customers in the market were delighted with the improved taste and were willing to spend a little extra to satisfy their taste buds.


    The stall owners found that they were earning more than before, and they recognized Albert''s leadership position. Albert took the opportunity to persuade everyone to move their stalls together instead of being scattered throughout the marketplace.


    Albert then conducted a survey to determine which foods were most popular, and he found that pork chops and meatballs were the most popular, followed by fish, regular seafood, and finally, food like vegetable soup. Then, he arranged for each stall owner to specialize in making a popular dish based on their particular skill, and ensured that no two stalls duplicated each other.


    In this way, a simple open-air food court was formed, and Albert asked Detective Lime to obtain a liquor license for the square. More and more customers flowed in, and even some sailors from the port were happy to come celebrate here when they had good news. According to them, the food in the market was far superior to that in the port, and there were many more varieties to choose from.


    Albert''s plan was to save up enough money to buy some land and hire a few more chefs to open a real restaurant.


    Master William originally wanted Albert to be his full-time assistant, but after careful consideration, Albert politely declined, realizing that the insane experiments would not be suitable for a family man.


    "If my initial dream was to become a chief prosecutor before I turned forty," Albert thought, "my current goal is to have my own chain restaurant before I turn forty. Any path, as long as you persevere, the future will be bright."


    He was very confident about this.


    As evening approached, three carriages drove up to Flondeck and stopped by a secluded forest far from the main road.


    Eric Andreas frowned at the eight henchmen he had brought with him and asked loudly, "Where''s the scout? I can''t believe I''m waiting for him."


    "Be patient. The more detailed the information, the better. After all, there are holy warriors stationed in Flondeck, and we all know what happened to Old Maedjes. For assassins, a little carelessness could cost them their lives," The reply came from a burly man with a high-collared coat that only revealed his forehead and curly hair.


    From the poisoned dagger at his waist and the thick fur on his shoes, it was clear he was also an assassin. Few assassins would be as tall as him, as shorter ones were easier to hide in the shadows.


    This man was either a rookie who didn''t know how to choose the right profession or a master in this field. Obviously, he belonged to the latter.


    "You''re right. If it were you by my side that day, I wouldn''t have had to expose myself to such humiliation." Eric lowered his anger and praised the tall man. He was the ace assassin of Eric Andreas'' underworld organization, and he had a more mysterious identity than just an assassin. Many times, even Eric, as the boss, didn''t dare to easily offend him.


    Soon, a horse rider arrived in the forest. He dismounted and before he could catch his breath, Eric grabbed him by the throat. "Do you know whose time you''ve wasted?" he shouted.


    "N-no... boss... those two have split up today," the scout''s face turned purple from Eric''s grip. Eric released him. The scout knelt on the ground and coughed uncontrollably.


    After finally regaining his composure, he saw Eric''s impatient expression and quickly replied, "After the prosecutor was fired, he and his wife have been doing small business outside the city. Today, the prosecutor is still at the market, but that woman stayed at home. I had to run both sides, so it took some time."


    Eric thought for a moment and decided, "Joe Callion, you take three people to the city. Remember, leave no one in that house, not even a mouse. The rest of us will go to the market."


    Joe Callion, the tall assassin, concealed a smirk beneath his collar and said, "I''m enough on my own. " He untied the reins from the horse''s back, agilely mounted it, and urged it into a gallop. With his muscular thighs clamping down tightly, it seemed as if the rider was dragging the horse forward.


    "He''s always so arrogant," Eric chuckled, although Jo is not as respectful and obedient as the others. However, this did not affect the gang leader''s trust in the loyalty of his subordinate.


    "Alright, guys." The gang leader clapped his hands. "Enjoy yourselves later, don''t play him to death so quickly. I want him to have no good meat left when he takes his last breath."


    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    Albert''s current residence was a two-story building that was at least thirty years old, located in a back alley in the old district. Like most houses in the old district, it was made of wood and had no basement or terrace. Perhaps it had a terrace twenty years ago, as remnants of wooden stakes and rusted iron nails could still be seen on the outer wall of the second-floor window. The entire house was decaying and crude, barely providing shelter from wind and rain.


    Because of the obstruction of the houses on both sides, sunlight was rarely seen in the alley. People were scarce, and only a few scattered houses were rented out to laborers who usually returned home only when the sun had completely set. Sometimes they were too busy to return home for two or three days.


    This seemed like a forgotten corner of the city, quiet and desolate.


    Joe was quite satisfied with this. He didn''t have to wait until late at night to make his move. The prey were only two women, one of whom was old and frail. Oh, and there''s also a dog.


    Although the targets of the murder did not conform to Joe''s moral standards, a job was a job.


    A green light flashed in Joe''s gray eyes. The shadow of the entire alley seemed to be called by some kind of power, showing ripples like circles on the water surface. The ripples became more and more intense, and finally, a black wave rose up over a person''s height, wrapping Joe''s body. Gradually, the wave became calm again, and the assassin disappeared without a trace, as if dissolved by the shadow.


    In this world, there existed a type of human with unique skills.


    No one can say for sure where these people inherited the most mysterious bloodline from, which allows them to master some incredible skills without learning magic or comprehending divine grace. People reverently call them "Dragon Veins," using the most powerful monsters in legend to refer to them.


    Unless they intentionally reveal themselves, even the diviners cannot tell who among the crowd is a Dragon Vein.


    This bloodline is a gift from heaven, elusive as if a god threw a golden coin into the world. Who will be hit can only be attributed to luck and supernatural factors. Even if a Dragon Vein strictly trains their descendants, they cannot pass on their mysterious power to them.


    On the other hand, a rural farmer may unknowingly show their bloodline when complaining about too many weeds in their field, causing a strange plague to appear in their thoughts and withering all the weeds that were stealing nutrients from their crops.


    When Joe Callion was still a child, he was a thief who survived by pickpocketing. However, he was not very good at it and often got caught and beaten up. He couldn''t steal his daily share, and when he returned to the hideout at night, he would be scolded and beaten by the leader of the thieves.


    Every time he went out on the street, he would silently repeat to himself, "You can''t see me, you can''t see me," as he used his scarred hands to undo the pockets of passersby.


    Then, on a cloudy afternoon, he spotted a fat man coming out of a shop, his wallet bulging. Joe cautiously approached him and carefully opened the button on the man''s pocket. But just as he was about to put his fingers in, the fat man seemed to sense something and covered his pocket with his hand, looking around nervously.


    The young criminal premonition that he was about to be beaten again, but he didn''t have the strength to run away. After taking just a few steps, his legs started to give out and he could only squat in the corner, holding his head in his hands, hoping that a couple of kicks would be enough to get him through this disaster.


    "If only you couldn''t see me," Joe desperately thought, his teeth chattering with fear.


    The fat man touched his head in confusion, and the shop assistant poked his head out from behind the counter. "Sir, are you okay? Do you need any help?" he asked.


    "I thought I saw a thief, but there''s no one here," the fat man replied.


    "Oh, there''s nobody here. Maybe just your imagination," the shop assistant said with a smile.


    They really couldn''t see Joe.


    That day, Joe Callion found his best friend. As long as he was in the shadows, he was an invincible god.


    In the underworld, an assassin who could completely disappear in the shadows was a nightmare that no one could escape from. Callion, the shadow walker, instilled fear in everyone.


    Jenny was running a fever. She got caught in a light rain two days ago when she was closing up the stall, and her body, already exhausted, couldn''t hold up any longer.


    She took some medicine in the morning and had been feeling drowsy, in a half-asleep, half-awake state. Albert had intended to stay with her, but Jenny refused him. "I''ll be fine after a good sleep with the medicine. If you don''t go to the stall today, the future chain restaurant will lose two bricks."


    There seemed to be the sound of a broken cup downstairs. Perhaps her grandmother didn''t hold it steadily. Jenny wanted to get up and clean it, but she felt weak all over.


    Black Jack barked a few times and then let out a miserable groan, "That stupid dog, got a shard stuck in his leg?" Jenny struggled to sit up, half leaning against the pillow, shaking her head to clear her mind and preparing to go downstairs to check it out.


    As she sat on the edge of the bed and put on her shoes, Jenny''s body suddenly stiffened, and her eyelids started twitching rapidly. A feeling of palpitations, like a heavy object pressing down on her, swept over her, leaving her gasping for air.


    The bedroom door was tightly shut, and there were no strange noises coming from outside, but she felt like something extremely dangerous was standing outside.


    This feeling seemed to have appeared a few times before, yes, three years ago in winter, when she was waiting for Albert in the square at night. The tavern had just closed, and she was followed all the way home.


    But that feeling of terror was nothing compared to now.


    Jenny cried, tears flowing uncontrollably. She didn''t know why she was afraid, why she wanted to cry, but she couldn''t stop herself. She hugged her blanket, her body trembling uncontrollably. She wanted to shout, call her grandmother''s name, call Black Jack, but the fear of reality made her too scared to make a sound.


    "What''s outside the door? Where is Grandma?" Jenny thought, staring fixedly at the bedroom door, afraid to move her gaze away.


    The door became blurry, transparent, as if disappearing into the air. Was it because of her tears? But who was that tall figure standing in front of the door?


    "Albert, please don''t come back now." Jenny was desperate. She seemed to understand that this feeling would only appear when her life was in danger, warning her to be careful of the call of death.


    Joe Callion''s keen senses had probed the situation in the bedroom.


    He was surprised. According to the information, the prey was just an ordinary woman of prostitute origin. However, she seemed to have sensed what was about to happen, and even more surprising things happened afterwards.


    Like ice melting under the scorching sun, Joe remained fused with the shadows. However, soon he found that he was being resisted by the shadow. Bit by bit, his left shoulder, arm, and leg detached from the shadow, no matter how he called out, he couldn''t get a response from the shadow.


    "Could it be?" Joe kicked the door open roughly. He had guessed right. The girl curled up on the bed, let out a miserable scream when she saw a stranger break in. Tear drops formed in the corner of her eyes and traced down her fear-twisted face, but they could not cover up her eyes that were suffused with a green glow and nearly indistinguishable pupils.


    "A newly-born Dragon Vein!" Joe thought. And not only that, but also an excellent ability to sense and detect danger, the natural enemy of assassins.


    Some seemingly insignificant people could stimulate the power hidden deep in their blood at the critical moment of life and death. But Joe had not expected that he would encounter this one-in-a-million chance today.


    The assassin master hesitated.


    Jenny, somehow finding the courage, threw a pillow at the killer, and crawled downstairs in panic. Joe instinctively reached out his hand. With just two fingers, he could easily crush the girl''s trachea.


    But when he was about to touch the girl, he stopped.


    The first-floor living room was a mess. Grandmother lay on the ground in a pool of blood, Black Jack was nailed to the wall with a kitchen knife, not dead yet, and his tail was still twitching slightly.


    Jenny threw herself onto her grandmother, shouting wildly.


    The killer followed step by step, walking down the stairs, curiously observing the hysterical woman.


    "Is it Miss Jenny? What happened? I''m coming in." Al Dunavan held a bouquet of bright roses, dressed in a dignified and flashy outfit. He hadn''t given up, thinking that the hardships of the past few months should have made the girl lose her prideful, childish ideas.


    The scream he heard outside made him feel like it was a great opportunity. Perhaps she was arguing with Albert and had been beaten up by that damn guy?


    One was a wealthy savior who appeared like a prince to save Cinderella, while the other was a small vendor in the market who vented his anger by hitting those around him when things went wrong.


    If one was not a fool, they knew how to choose.


    "You took my position, so I''ll take your woman. Besides, that chick is really pretty," Al said with a sinister smile, pushing open the slightly ajar door.


    The body and the killer in the room left the hopeful proxy judge stunned. He quickly stepped in front of the girl to protect her and asked, "Who are you?"


    Al was confident in his abilities, as swordsmanship was a course every noble family had to take. In his small circle, there was no one who could match him. Even though he didn''t have a sword on him, the cane he carried could still come in handy.


    "Perhaps Fraley offended the thugs of Flondeck and suffered the tragedy of being exterminated. Oh, I like this ending. And I''ll take your woman too." Al thought that the story of a hero saving a beauty was old-fashioned and dangerous, but it was worth a try.


    Al put on his most imposing posture, "I am Al Dunavan, the Chief Justice of the Thirteen Courts. Which gang are you from? The Rat Carter or Scar Jimmy?" he said disdainfully, throwing out the names of several gang leaders. "Even your boss has to be respectful to me when he sees me. Get out of here."


    His words saved his life.


    "Dunavan? The Flondeck family who''s getting close to the Golden Sparrow Flower. If I kill him, it may bring disadvantage to our alliance." In an instant, Joe flipped the dagger over and knocked out Earl, who didn''t react in time, with the handle.


    The girl held her grandmother, sobbing hoarsely, her eyes empty and unfocused, fear causing her to be in a dazed state.


    "Kill her?" Joe considered. "No, it''s better to let her live. Soon, all the assassins in the underground world will have to relearn stealth, except for me."


    Hypnosis and brainwashing weren''t too difficult.


    In the forest, the soil was filled with decaying leaves, greedily absorbing the scattered droplets of crimson liquid.


    After hours of torture, Albert Fraley''s pain receptors had become numb. His body was a bloody mess, convulsing uncontrollably, and the wounds that had stopped bleeding were soon slashed open again.


    In several places, white bones could be seen, and even corpses in graves looked better than his current state.


    Eric Andreas walked cheerfully around Albert, watching him crawl on the ground with bone-exposed fingers. "You better hurry up and run, buddy. If you''re too slow, I''ll catch you in no time," he said, occasionally kicking him hard and relishing the blood mist mixed with red flesh buds and damaged skin from the terrible wounds.


    Albert could no longer crawl. His eyelids grew heavy, and the emissary of the lord of darkness was waiting for him, not far away.


    "Come on, dear. Keep crawling. If you can crawl out of the woods, I''ll let you go," Eric licked his lips, excitedly flushing with blood lust. He flipped Albert over, stomping on his chest a few times, causing a large amount of blood, mixed with foam, to gush from his mouth and nose.


    It was a sign that his ribs had pierced his lung.


    "I should comfort you a little. I bet that rundown house in Flondeck has been redecorated in red by now." Eric said.


    These words sparked a reaction from Albert. He struggled to open his blood-red eyes and weakly cursed, "You damn bastard! Those were only old people and weak women! Even the lowest scoundrel wouldn''t do such a filthy thing!"


    "Please don''t say that. I didn''t leave you alone on the road. Oh, I must praise my own kindness for arranging for you and your family to reunite in hell." He faced the dying person''s gaze filled with deep-seated hatred. He had seen this look many times before.


    "Alright, let him rest in peace. Remember to throw the body into the sea." Eric walked towards the carriage. " Do it quickly, we still have a lot of things to take care of."


    Albert felt very cold, a deep exhaustion and endless darkness rushed towards him, pressing down on him. He lay quietly, unable to get up again. Fragments of memory tumbled in his mind: joy, love, indignation, hatred; countless emotions struggling, screaming, and slowly returning to calm.


    For some reason, he didn''t feel any fear at all, only a sense of great peace in the world, a peace that made him feel lonely.


    "Perhaps this is just a dream. When I wake up, I will hold Jenny''s hand again and bask in the sunshine," he thought.


    And then, he died.

 Chapter 16: The Stitched Monster

    The pungent smell filled the air, and no matter if it was sunlight, starlight, warm wind or cold rain, they couldn''t penetrate the solid concrete blocks and bring a natural atmosphere to this space composed of countless winding waterways.


    Narrow and claustrophobic pipes ran throughout the underground of the entire city, where mud, garbage, and rats were the rulers of this world. Without the hustle and bustle of people on the ground, the sound of rushing water and the sound of rats running across the water''s surface brought empty echoes, adding a bit of life to this place.


    The greatest achievement of Flondeck''s builders is the immensely huge underground drainage system planned for this metropolis. When certain older and more magnificent cities suffered from cholera due to poor sanitary conditions, the people of Flondeck had already unknowingly enjoyed living conditions beyond their time.


    After a heavy rainstorm, any accumulated water could disappear from the streets within two days. Almost all of the houses in the city were built with toilets, and those who still used chamber pots were rare in Flondeck.


    Of course, these conveniences did not attract people''s attention. The filthy sewers were not something to boast about to outsiders. Would anyone lead a first-time visitor to a certain gutter and proudly say, "Look, our sewer system is several hundred miles long?"


    The water gate of No. 44 sewage outlet extended from the underground of the city to the bottom of a cliff by the sea, just above sea level. During high tide, the seawater would completely submerge this sewage outlet, which was one and a half people high and two people wide. Most of the time, the sewage flowing sparsely from the opening would turn the blue waters below into a large expanse of dark gray.


    No fishing boats ever appeared in the nearby sea, and even the most inexperienced novice fishermen knew that they couldn''t catch good fish in these polluted waters.


    Therefore, no one noticed that three of the iron bars, each as thick as an adult''s arm, on the water gate were broken, leaving an opening for people to enter and exit.


    In the darkness of the sewer outlet, a deeper shadow was concealed. From the pair of eyes that glowed red like lights in the night, it could be inferred that it was a monster. The red hue was not a normal eye color for a human.


    The monster bent over and moved slowly forward, like a newborn cub, with awkward movements. It occasionally fell to the ground because of the slippery sludge, unable to maintain balance.


    It discovered that walking with all four limbs helped it maintain balance. This discovery made it hum happily. However, soon it became puzzled, turning its neck and straightening its body. Some instinct and memory seemed to be telling it that it had to learn to walk on two legs.


    The monster fell and got up again, continuing to learn how to walk. Its whole body was dirty with mud and dark green mossy plants from the waterway. By the time it reached the edge of the sewage outlet, its original skin color was no longer discernible.


    The monster stuck its head out, gazing upward with its ugly, lifeless face under the starry night sky. It was very confused by the smell of the sea and the hazy night sky, as if it was intimately familiar with this strange environment during some period of time. It leaned against a rough boulder and did not move, seeming to merge with the stone.


    After a while, the monster heard something with its ears and looked back towards the dim passage. Then, under some sort of command, it turned back and walked towards it.


    Even the most dedicated sewer cleaner could not believe that there was another world hidden deep in the pipes filled with decayed sludge.


    At the junction of two waterways, a pure white light washed away all the dirt, and the strong smell of decay was completely isolated. The ground maintained its original greyish color, and there was not a speck of dirt in any remote corners or gaps between stones. Even the floors of luxurious mansions and churches could not remain as clean and pure as this.


    The red bricks partitioned the space into several halls and a few living quarters. Inside, the light grew stronger. Within the pure white, there were occasionally threads of golden light. The radiance was so calm and brilliant that the air seemed no longer transparent, like the thin mist gradually dissipating under sunlight. Simply standing there, one could feel the power that the light contained.


    It was different from the restlessness of thunder and lightning, the wildness of flames, and the unpredictability of the wind. This was a more immortal power. It was vibrant yet balanced, passionate but restrained. Under its warm touch, every inch of skin, muscle, and bone, down to the tiniest cell, was cleansed with wondrous warmth.


    If one must use worldly language to describe it, it would be like the moment when a flower blooms, or when a newly hatched bird pecks through its shell to reveal its furry head. This was a symbol of birth and growth.


    This is the power of life.


    Upon closer observation, the source of the light came from a chest in the center of the main hall. The chest was about the height of a person, but it was less of a chest than a rectangular piece of tattered wood. Its appearance was so ugly that without the continuous radiance emanating from it, one would think it was just a piece of old rotten wood.


    Even the shoddiest furniture made by the worst carpentry apprentice would be more aesthetically pleasing than this chest, with its uneven surface and antiquated material.


    The Eternal Reliquary, the most prestigious holy relic of the holy city of Anno. It was said to have been made from a piece of tree branch retrieved from the World Tree that supports the heavens and the earth.


    A naked man''s body was held up in the air by an invisible hand. Dozens of slender glass tubes connected him to the Eternal Reliquary, like blood vessels extending from his body, constantly extracting dark red liquid from the sacred object.


    It had to be said, his body was overly handsome, with soft eyebrows and eyes, bright red lips, and hair that seemed to be made of the finest gold thread. But his frozen expression, stern and defiant, combined with the metallic gleam on his skin, destroyed any sense of weakness and blended with his appearance in a strange and unique way. If he could stand up, put on gorgeous clothes, and appear at any gathering, even the most picky noble ladies would be infatuated with him.


    But the son of God who descended from heaven was nothing more than this.


    On his beautiful forehead lay a blue-purple gemstone, with blood-colored veins spreading across its translucent surface, making it seem as if it could shatter into countless pieces at any moment.


    A majestic will emanated from the gemstone. "Has there been no progress in the research?"


    The attendant, dressed in a white gown, respectfully bowed his head. He knew that the master''s soul temporarily resided in the gemstone. "The technology for body modification is very advanced, but there are still some drawbacks in the brain."


    "Oh, drawbacks?" the will sneered. "After hundreds of experiments, every time a deceased person was revived, their brain could not function normally. What''s the point of having a perfect body coupled with an idiot''s intellect?"


    "Please forgive me, my master. There are many holy warriors searching for the artifact on the ground, and we must be careful not to leave any clues."


    "Efficiency, we need efficiency. Did I steal the Eternal Reliquary from the court and lose my original body just to be imprisoned in a stone?"


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    "The research has made some progress, please be patient for a while longer."


    "Look at this immortal body, Oh, I want to own it right now." The will in the gemstone said, "Hurry, I hope it won''t take too long."


    Bishop Roland sat restlessly in the Black Cross carriage.


    He had just received a stern reprimand from the Holy See, and another Cardinal Archbishop who presided over Flondeck kept furrowing his brow and asking repeatedly, "Is the intelligence reliable? Is the artifact still in this secular city?"


    Nearly a year had passed, and the Holy Spear Knights had yet to capture half a heretic. Instead, under the guidance of the police station, they had helped to arrest many wanted criminals or smugglers.


    Roland firmly believed that the artifact and the followers of Leo Angertes were cunningly hiding in some corner of Flondeck, but even the most inconspicuous houses had been thoroughly searched by the holy warriors, yet still no clues were found.


    Where could they be hiding?


    The carriage shook a few times and came to a stop.


    "What''s happening?" Roland leaned out of the window and asked.


    "Your Excellency, look," the coachman pointed ahead, where a cleaner was lifting the lid of a sewer and pulling out masses of mud blocking the drain.


    The stench forced passers-by to cover their noses and stay away.


    "Be careful and drive around it, don''t dirty the carriage," Roland instructed. Just as he closed the window, a sudden idea struck him. He pushed open the door and jumped out of the carriage.


    The cleaner looked curiously at the person in the magnificent church robe, who did not mind the filth and mud, half-crouched beside the sewer and peered inside.


    "How deep is it?" Roland asked. The dark sewer seemed like the entrance to an unknown world, an abyss without a bottom.


    "It''s very deep, Your Excellency," the cleaner nervously rubbed his hands. "It''s like a maze down there. Once a worker went down to clear it, but he never found his way back."


    "I''ve found the answer," Roland thought. He didn''t care about the filthy stuff stuck to his robe and excitedly shouted to the coachman, "Go to the municipal building, there should be a construction diagram of the entire drainage system in their records room."


    The monster used its shoulder to push open the door. The familiar scent of disinfectant and the warm white light made it feel at ease. As usual, it stood in the corner, looking down at its own feet with a dull stare.


    Dozens of workers in white coats were busy and nervous, and hundreds of bodies were scattered on the ground. Every few steps, they would kick an arm or some unknown organ. This place was less like a laboratory and more like a slaughterhouse.


    Countless delicate instruments beeped incessantly. On the crystal screens of the equipment, red and green waves continued to fluctuate, some gradually flattening into a straight line, while others fluctuated up and down violently, causing the staff to rush around and talk constantly.


    The monster seemed to understand their conversation now. The chaotic sounds that sounded unintelligible before had now formed familiar symbols that depicted actual meaning in its mind.


    "Why do I understand ? And who am I?" The monster wondered, but its low intelligence made it unable to think further.


    "The success rate is close to 90%, but the stability is very random. Some of them have lived until now, while others have had their bodies disintegrate within hours of awakening," a white-coated worker said.


    "Keep experimenting. Science is built on a foundation of countless failures," the leader of the white coats said with a sigh, adjusting his glasses on his nose. "We''re just one step away, and I''m impatient to see the perfect combination of magic and science."


    "Your theories on electrical science and medicine have already given us unimaginable results," complimented another white coat. "It''s hard to imagine that science, which is regarded as a non-mainstream school of thought, can create miracles."


    "Not enough," the leader said. "The coordination of delicate fibers, nerve centers, and the functioning of human organs slowly reveals the mysteries of creation. But the fundamental secret of life, how wisdom arises, what exactly is the soul? There are still not enough theories to answer that."


    "If I had more authority, I would really like to open the Eternal Reliquary in the hall over there and study it carefully." he continued.


    At that moment, the attendant who guards the main hall happened to push open the door and, hearing this, replied unhappily, "Doctor, the master has given you the best experimental equipment and the most generous salary, not for you to satisfy your excessive curiosity, but to help him research a method of eternal life comparable to the Great Resurrection."


    "As long as you give me the holy relics to study for a few hours, I would rather not take a penny," the doctor muttered disapprovingly, "Currently, fresh brains are urgently needed. Otherwise, with only the withered brainstem dug up from the grave, we cannot obtain more detailed information."


    "Are you going to hunt pedestrians on the surface again like you did several years ago? There are Holy Warriors in the city now. If they catch you, you won''t be able to escape," the attendant asked. "Please save some raw materials. Wasn''t a fresh corpse fished out of the sea not long ago?"


    "That corpse has no complete flesh, but its brain can still be used," the doctor said, looking at the monster standing in the corner. "It is the most successful transformation, with a body made up of the most intact parts of each corpse, combined with the brain of the floating corpse. This new life form was created from all sorts of materials and even has a little intelligence. It knows how to eat at least, and sometimes even goes out for a walk."


    The attendant curiously scrutinized the monster. My god, it was terrifying. Standing at almost two meters tall, its arms were of different sizes, obviously taken from two corpses of different builds. The nerves in its eyes had decayed, causing blood to fill the iris and turn them a dark red, like the demon king of hell. From ankle to face, there was not a patch of intact skin the size of a palm, and the body was covered in densely packed needle marks, like an old garment sewn with countless patches.


    If it weren''t for the slightly undulating chest and the occasional movement of the eyeballs, the attendant would have thought that this was a lifeless specimen created by the doctor when he was bored.


    "You mean, this person has intelligence?" The attendant was skeptical.


    " Please don''t call it a person. Compared to the body maintained by magic in the main hall, this is simply a pile of meat chunks put together as garbage." the doctor said. "I call it the Stitched Monster, its intelligence is still low, it can''t even understand language. Otherwise, we could make it do odd jobs for us."


    "No, compared to those revived experimental subjects with no intelligence at all, this is already a promising improvement," the attendant said. "The master can''t wait any longer. You should focus on researching it, see if you can increase its intelligence and unlock the mysteries of the brain."


    The Stitched Monster didn''t know how much time had passed. Time, for it, was still an abstract and blurry concept.


    Every once in a while, the electric shocks and divine healing made its mind and senses increasingly clear. Many disconnected fragments of memory began to surface gradually.


    There was a landscape where tall trees and green grass merged together, a breeze that carried the scent of fresh grass, a fountain where water droplets danced in the sunlight, prosperous shops and a constant stream of people on both sides of the street, a beautiful girl, and the most vivid memory was a solemn and dignified room. A person wearing a black robe and a wig stood on a podium and pronounced a verdict in a loud voice, followed by enthusiastic applause and resentful curses.


    "Is that my past life? Why am I here?" The monster thought desperately when no one was around, pounding its head with its fists until it knocked itself out.


    The surging thoughts in its mind made it unable to calm down. One time, it raged and nearly strangled a white-coated person to death. From that moment on, the monster''s two feet were bound with heavy shackles attached to iron balls.


    With the passage of time, it became increasingly proficient in controlling its body. Now, it could move slowly while dragging the iron balls like a normal person. In a sense, it had surpassed normal humans. Perhaps it was the stimulation of electric current or the constant blessings of divine power, the monster''s muscles contained an increasingly tremendous power. With just its fingers, it could easily create deep holes in the sturdy walls of the waterway.


    Its instinct for cunning and self-protection kept these abilities hidden from others.


    However, one day, it was taken to another hall where several transparent tubes connected to wooden cabinets were inserted into its brain.


    After the dark red liquid flowed into its brain, it was like a withered plant finding long-lost nutrients or the feeling of dry land meeting heavy rain. The monster moaned comfortably, with every cell actively cheering.


    But soon, like seawater engulfing all shallows during high tide, the expanding pressure seemed to crush the entire skull from the inside out. The intense pain made the monster convulse like an electrically shocked frog, and then it fainted.


    In a daze, it heard people talking.


    "It seems that the body cannot withstand the power of the holy artifact."


    "Poor thing, it looks like it''s about to die."


    "Hah, it was already a dead man. Dying again should be a piece of cake."


    "Not necessarily, it''s very strong. It should be able to hold on."


    Then a furious will shouted, "Damn it, do you think the energy of the Eternal Reliquary is unlimited? Don''t waste it on failed experiments anymore."


    Before completely losing consciousness, a name jumped into the monster''s mind.


    It remembered the name it once had - "Albert Fraley."

 Chapter 17: Snipe

    "These sinners are as filthy as rats." The blessed warrior of the Holy Spear Knights looked at the entrance of the sewer with resentment. The stench formed by fermenting garbage and excrement, along with the sticky black mud on the inner walls, made them hesitant to move forward. Their mental obsession with cleanliness often affected their physical bodies. The holy warriors would rather face endless abyssal demons and the most evil dragon than trek through the world''s dirtiest environment like sewage workers.


    Bishop Roland silently condemned the grandiose design of the architect who created the sewer system. If the entire winding waterway was laid out in a straight line, it would be over a thousand miles long. Did he want to construct a building complex that rivaled the Minotaur''s labyrinth?


    The construction diagram in the Flondeck archive room was in tatters, with several worm-eaten holes making it impossible to discern the complete path. It seemed that the only way was to explore the waterways one by one, which would require a lot of time and energy.


    Roland had no time to waste any longer. Anno''s patience had reached its limit. If they could not successfully find the holy artifact, then for the rest of his life, he could only stay away from the Secretariat of the Holy See and become a missionary in remote and underdeveloped regions, with no hope of ever advancing again.


    But if he succeeded, he would gain the coveted red robes, benefits and forever be proportional to the risk.


    "The holy flames of the Seal of Light, please endure. All of this is for the dignity and glory of the immortal kingdom." Roland advised the holy warriors who hesitated to enter the sewer.


    "Your Excellency is right," Roland''s savior had finally arrived. Matilda Hepburn, the most noble girl leader of the Holy Spear Knights, stepped forward and devoutly preached, "The Lord controls everything in the world, and as His holy flames and spears, we move forward under His guidance. The Lord says that those who abandon glory and offend authority will be punished, and how can His humble servants hesitate?"


    The young girl closed her eyes and murmured a prayer. Then, resolutely, she climbed down the small iron ladder on the wall.


    The filth quickly stained her delicate flower-like appearance, leaving black marks on the white and red-trimmed knight''s dress due to friction. Her slim arms and fair complexion were also unable to avoid being exposed, making her look very disheveled. She shuddered all over, her rosy lips losing their color due to disgust for the dirty surroundings, becoming pale, but she still persisted without fleeing.


    "The command of Heaven is the humble destiny of both the holy flame and the spear," Matilda said, lifting her head. Her delicate face had regained its composure, and her blue eyes, forever devout, were pure without any impurities.


    The dirty water and garbage seemed to be influenced by the girl''s holy radiance, as if this were not a dirty sewer, but the most solemn cathedral with stained glass windows. The sunlight shone through the opening, forming a beam of light, and the floating dust in the beam danced like angels.


    The hair dirtied by mud seemed to wear a crown of thorns of glory.


    That almost hallucinatory sanctity and faith infected everyone present. The holy warriors felt ashamed and repented for their previous hesitation and reluctance to move forward. They chanted, " The command of Heaven is the humble destiny of both the holy flame and the spear."


    They stood in neat rows, as if facing an army of millions of infidels and ready to die generously, before climbing into the sewer one by one.


    "I love fanatics," Roland thought contentedly. " As long as it involves faith, even dog excrement can be treated as holy food. Oh, I shouldn''t have such sacrilegious thoughts. I pray that the Lord will forgive my disrespect."


    With faith, people could dig through towering mountains and fill rushing rivers. The holy warriors searched the labyrinthine waterway day and night, and within nine days, they had narrowed their search area down to waterways 32 to 45, which extended outside the city.


    Roland happily considered which jewelry master to invite to make the Archbishop''s miter to match the red robe that he was about to obtain.


    Albert is still alive, which surprised everyone.


    When he was infused with the power of the holy relic, his miserable appearance and body that couldn''t move for several days made every member of the white coat believe that he wouldn''t survive for long.


    "What kind of monster have I accidentally created, with such a strong vitality!" The doctor sighed, but his joy did not infect Leo Angertes, the former Archbishop and the greatest blasphemer in the history of the church, who had already sensed the imminent danger with his invisible willpower.


    The nest hidden in the sewer could be found by the Holy Warriors at any time. Although the magic array created by spells could isolate all long-distance detection divine power, it did not mean that it could not be observed with the naked eye.


    When the Eternal Reliquary was activated, the unstoppable radiance would make everyone who entered the 44th Waterway see it clearly.


    But this damn experimental process left Leo perplexed. All the experimental results were random.


    Whether the artificially created body could maintain its durability and intricate brain structure, and whether it would inexplicably malfunction when restarted, could not be verified by the rigorous logic of science, and could only be attributed to luck.


    Perhaps he should wait, use science to collaborate with divine magic, and wait for the theoretical simulation of the great resurrection to become more complete. But the approaching enemy did not give him the opportunity. Leo seemed to have heard the increasingly clear footsteps of the Holy Warriors.


    He had to decide whether to take a risk.


    "Activate the Eternal Reliquary with full power, and tell the doctor that I am going to occupy the long-prepared body." Leo finally made a decision, secretly praying that the god of fortune, who was in charge of luck, was on his side.


    Albert Fraley, the stitched monster created by the doctor, had already regained all his memories.


    He didn''t know how many days had passed since the day he was murdered by Eric. The experiences and knowledge beyond cognition in the laboratory made him afraid that it was already a hundred years later, and everyone he loved and hated had disappeared in the torrent of time.


    And from the murky reflection in the sewage, Albert saw his own ugly and inhuman appearance, which made him feel down for a while, but he soon cheered up.


    "Being alive is already a great blessing of fate. Why should I refuse?" he thought to himself.


    The desire to leave this place grew stronger and stronger. Several times, he wanted to sneak away while others were busy.


    However, after careful observation, Albert realized that there were at least three people here who possessed supernatural powers. If they discovered that he had regained his intelligence and memory, he would be mercilessly destroyed.


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    Albert forcibly suppressed his restless thoughts and continued to pretend to be harmless and foolish. He knew that he needed to wait for a good opportunity to carry out his plan.


    "In this mysterious lair, I am unarmed, and no one can help me. I don''t even know what the outside world is like. The most important thing right now is that I need to survive," Albert thought.


    As usual, the stitched monster sat lethargically in the corner, and no one knew that the terrifying body had already regained its own soul.


    Albert waited, and when he was bored, he began to recall his past. He reminisced about his naive and ignorant aspirations when he first entered the Seventh Street Court, the hardship of staying up late every night to memorize legal provisions, and the excitement he felt when he succeeded in the First Court. Many people regarded him as a legal genius, but no one could understand the effort he put into it.


    Perhaps due to the after-effects of his resurrection, Albert found himself examining the past from a completely objective perspective, as if reading a detailed biography of a character. No matter how cruel the experience, he could calmly face it.


    Only when he thought of the little wildcat and her grandmother did Albert feel a pang of pain in his heart. To avoid being noticed by others, Albert had to force himself not to think about them.


    He could only think of his enemies, such as Penny, Eric Andreas, and the arrogant and conceited Leinshman family, and all the scum who made the world unfair.


    When Albert was a child, he played a game where he covered the sun with his hand and clenched his fist, thinking he held the immortal light of the sky in his palm.


    But those powerful and influential figures, arrogantly and casually raised a hand, causing him to lose the happy future that should have belonged to him, and leaving him with no hope of a better tomorrow.


    The radiance in the dark waterway made the seven holy warriors solemn. After thirteen days of anxious and nauseating exploration, they finally reached the end.


    "Should we wait for backup?" they asked their leader, Matilda. The narrow and lengthy passage forced the holy warriors to split into small teams for their mission.


    "To retreat is to lack faith," the fanatic girl said. " The Lord led me here, and whether I live or die, the highest will has a plan."


    The holy warriors did not agree with the girl''s words.


    Faith alone could not determine everything on the battlefield. The outcome of a battle depended more on careful planning. Entering an unfamiliar environment with a small team was a grave mistake.


    "Let''s use messaging spell to notify the teams in other waterways first," one holy warrior said.


    "I think it''s already too late," another more experienced old holy warrior said as he drew his long sword from his waist. Unconsciously, they had already stepped into a trap.


    The dark moss on the stone walls was dark green to the point of being black. The delicate roots and stems grew at an unimaginable speed, while the thick, thorny vines, like octopuses in the deep sea, twisted and occupied the team''s retreat. The hard bricks of the walls were torn apart by the expanding moss stems and leaves, leaving deep cracks.


    The vines lashed out like whips, making piercing sounds.


    "Decree: Protect," the old holy warrior had already begun to chant a divine spell. In the sudden change of situation, a light membrane of pale yellow covered the space within five meters of the team. The tough and elastic membrane was repeatedly dented by the vines'' strikes but still blocked all attacks.


    "One minute," the old holy warrior said. "The spell can only last one minute."


    "The enemy should be druids proficient in natural magic, or a more mysterious plant-based dragon veins," the holy warrior who spoke was obviously skilled in analysis. "They must use plants as a medium to cast spells. Ken, can you pull out all the moss from the drain?"


    "Nord, please remove the protection in ten seconds. Trust me," Ken, the holy warrior, said calmly. His weapon was a pair of crescent blades, an unconventional weapon that was extremely difficult to operate. However, in the hands of a skilled master who was proficient in agility and strength, its power was infinite.


    The inexperienced girl leader of the group could not intervene and could only watch anxiously, her face in a panic.


    "Leave it to Ken, and the rest of you search for the enemy''s trail. He should be nearby," the holy warrior Nord instructed, ending with an uneasy reminder, " Captain Hepburn, you just need to take care of yourself."


    The crescent blades spins in the air, leaving behind lingering silver trails in the air. Anything that entered its range, be it vines or stones, turned into fragments and fell to the ground.


    "The enemy is on the sky ten yards ahead," as soon as the voice of a certain holy warrior fell, the thunderous roar of four muskets erupted almost simultaneously.


    The hidden object formed by moss was pierced through, and the enemy who manipulated plants could not avoid it. Several bullet holes were pierced through the body, spilling blood.


    As he watched himself about to fall to the ground, he was caught by a small figure, a dwarf-like person who fearlessly faced the approaching attack. The person''s right eye emitted a green glow.


    Ken''s deadly attack was like a rusty axle, and its rhythm slowed down more and more. When he stopped, the armor on his body and the crescent blades in his hand melted into a liquid metal that flowed into the his mouth and nose like water, then the liquid re-solidified into metal.


    Thus, the holy warrior was suffocated to death by his own trusted armor.


    "Dragon vein who can convert metal molecules with their minds," Nord blessed everyone with a spell, hoping to offset the opponent''s deadly attack, but it was very unlikely. The holy warrior''s armor already had a defensive magic bonus, which could resist the erosion of curses and the impact of offensive spells. However, it was useless against the magical talent of the dragon vein.


    Fortunately, the dwarf could not repeatedly use this strange ability in a short period of time, and the holy warrior who saw through this rushed forward.


    At this moment, the incantation of divine magic suddenly resounded in the waterway.


    "Decree: Spell Penetration", "Decree: Sluggishness", "Decree: Greater Imprisonment." The agile movements and lightning-fast attacks of the Holy Warriors were immediately paralyzed; they were forcibly shackled in place, unable to move.


    The third enemy appeared, an opponent who continuously and relentlessly used high-level divine magic, immediately causing a furious cry from Matilda Hepburn.


    "Leo Angertes'' former deputy and accomplice, the dark priest Theo wanted by Anno," Matilda shouted, "you unclean sinner, how dare you appear before us."


    "You ignorant little girl." Theo looked at her with a dead man''s eyes. "You should be the vase Miss who serves as the captain. It''s a pity, If only you had been more sensible and found a man to marry, you wouldn''t have died in a smelly gutter."


    "Oh, sacred seal of the holy light, you sinner must be punished," the girl shouted fanatically.


    "Oh, I am eagerly waiting to see when that stupid kingdom..."


    "Blasphemy!" Matilda interrupted him, her face twisted in rage, creating a stark contrast with her beautiful features.


    Her blue eyes gradually became shrouded in increasingly thick green mist, and the pale flames under her feet burned recklessly.


    This foreign fire seemed to be a projection of the heavenly flame in the mortal world, with no heat and unable to be extinguished. In the path of the spreading flames, all impure things, corrupted spells, were completely annihilated, and the bodies of the Holy Warriors, who were imprisoned, regained their freedom. The moss manipulator, who couldn''t evade the severe injury, wailed in the white flame, and his body slowly melted away like a candle.


    "Sinners, repent." Matilda walked towards the deepest part of the waterway, not even bothering to look at the two enemies trapped by holy flames.


    "Mr. Theo, descend to hell." Nord walked towards the Dark Priests with his sword in hand. "I forgot to tell you that the most promising holy warrior in Anno, the fighter with both divine blessing and dragon vein, the next leader of the Inquisitorial Tribunal secretly cultivated by the Holy See, and the only captain of the nine knightly orders who is not just a decoration. Her name is Matilda Hepburn."


    Before Theo was pierced by the sword, he continued to cast spells at the proud speed he was known for. But he was terrified to find that he couldn''t even summon the faintest holy light.


    The pale cold flame keeps burning, and within its burning range, any hostile energy was firmly sealed.


    The girl walked through the corridor of flames. She couldn''t summon the Holy Flame at will. Only when she was the most angry, the probability of success would greatly increase.


    Now, it was her angriest moment.


    "Anyone and anything related to blasphemers must repent and die," Matilda prayed. The command of heaven was her destiny.


    At the intersection of the two waterways, Matilda felt the power of the Eternal Reliquary, and at the same time, a handsome man who should never have appeared in the mortal world, like a divine son, appeared before her.

 Chapter 18: Escape

    He stood there, his body surrounded by a holy light that made everything dirty and ugly around him became radiant. The muddy water flowed quietly like a stream, and the stench was blown away by the breeze, filling the air with the scent of grass. Just by standing there, he could create an illusion for one''s senses. Even the dirtiest sewage could turn into a heavenly garden.


    His clean black-bordered red robe remained untouched by a speck of dust, and his silky, shiny golden hair filled the surroundings with radiance. With a solemn gaze as if he were a deity looking down on mortals, he gazed at the girl captain.


    "Heretic!" Matilda''s firm belief remained unshaken. This evil heretic had the audacity to pose as a deity. The divine flames burned brighter, like fiery snakes rolling, ready to devour the man into the abyss.


    In the pale holy fire, the man raised one hand. The smooth skin was burnt with blisters, but in the blink of an eye, they disappeared without a trace, leaving no sign of injury.


    "What a perfect body," the man exclaimed. "The damage caused by the holy flames that can even dissolve souls cannot match the speed of self-recovery."


    He walked slowly, with a halo radiating and sprinkling countless milky white light spots. As he walked, the sewage and the holy flames automatically separated, creating a path that revealed neat stones. It was like the crowd that panicked and retreated respectfully when the emperor went on a tour, welcoming his arrival.


    Matilda pulled out a small, exquisite single-handed firearm. This weapon, like a work of art, was no less powerful than the musket of the holy warrior. She repeatedly pressed the trigger, and the bullet infused with divine power whizzed out, hitting the man''s vital points that were enough to be fatal.


    Still, it had no effect. The bullets made a dull metallic impact sound against his body, then bounced off and embedded themselves deeply into the surrounding rocks. One even reflected back, slicing open the girl''s beautiful cheek.


    Blood flowed out, washing away the dirt at the wound and staining her fair skin red.


    "I say, the world is too narrow to bear great will and authority," the man murmured to himself. Then, the waterway that could only fit three people side by side turned into a vast space with no visible end.


    "I say, the clear should be above, and the murky should be below. Let there be radiant brightness." The dark space immediately lit up, revealing the land and sky.


    Matilda and the arriving Holy Warriors were stunned. Nord thought of something and cried out in despair, "The Seal of Light! This is the Divine Invocation, the legendary divine spell that only the most devoted high priest can cast at the cost of their own life."


    Even the current Pope would need to join forces with the four cardinal bishops, paying the price of burning their own lives, to summon such a miracle.


    In the space covered by the Divine Invocation, the caster becomes the ruler for a short period of time. Their will becomes reality and cannot be violated.


    "I say, the impure, the disrespectful, the irreverent shall be destroyed." The man said.


    The world of the Divine Invocation turned black and white with a yellow tint. When the color returned, the bodies and souls of the Holy Warriors disappeared from this world. The barrier formed by the Holy Fire barely protected Matilda, but its flame had dwindled to mere sparks.


    Leo Angertes was intoxicated with the feeling of playing the deity, and the inexhaustible power from the Eternal Reliquary made him immortal. Even as he continuously maintained the Divine Invocation, he was destined to continue his life forever without any loss.


    "A useful ability," he said to Matilda, "I have just lost a loyal subordinate. If you can pledge allegiance to me, you will become my representative in the mortal world when I become the new god."


    "Never! You, the fallen heretic, dare to call yourself a false god," the girl gasped for breath, and the defense from before had drained her last bit of strength, "You cannot escape the judgment of the end times."


    "Blind lamb," Leo said with regret. "The blasphemous, the disrespectful, and the irreverent shall...".


    Matilda prayed, closed her eyes, and waited for death to come.


    Leo was unable to finish speaking, as a sudden surge of pain hit him, leaving his mind completely blank.


    The unreal world disappeared, and Matilda found herself back in reality, back in the filthy sewer. If it weren''t for the armor and weapons left behind by the Holy Warrior behind her and the man writhing in pain among the garbage in front of her, no longer the holy man he once was, she would have thought that everything that had just happened was nothing but a bewildering illusion.


    "This is the protection of the Seal of Light," Matilda devoutly gave thanks. She gritted her teeth and tried to stand up, to pick up her sword and kill the heretic. But even after trying several times, she collapsed back to the ground.


    "No, how could the energy of the Eternal Reliquary disappear?" Leo roared. He felt his body continuously breaking down and he crawled back, wondering what had happened to the holy relic in the hall?


    Then he saw the researchers in white coats in the hall, either fainting or trembling in a corner. The doctor was twisted in the hand of a hideous monster two meters tall and thrown against the wall. Apart from intelligence, the doctor was no stronger than an ordinary person. With a scream, he lost consciousness.


    The monster punched and kicked the Eternal Reliquary, the wooden chest harder than steel, and with every blow, shattered particles flew out. Not satisfied, the monster crouched down, tore off the shackles on its feet with force, and then slammed the large iron ball tied to the shackles onto the Eternal Reliquary.


    In a moment, the holy relics that had once been a shabby chest had turned into a pile of unrecognizable debris, emitting a dim and flickering light. Dark red liquid continuously flowed out of the cracks and dissolved into faint points of light, dissipating into the air.


    "What have you done? You have destroyed the most precious holy relics in the world!" Leo begged. Without the supplement of the Eternal Reliquary, the divine spell that had just been cast was enough to kill him ten times over. And the aftereffects of the spell had already begun to manifest. He was aging rapidly, his hair turning white, and his once youthful body withering away to nothing but skin and bones.


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    The breath of aging and death drove the former Archbishop, who had dreamed of becoming a god, into a desperate madness.


    Albert Freely finally got his chance.


    He vented his frustration from the past few days, and his immensely strong body made him feel extremely refreshed.


    At first, Albert quietly thanked the person who gave him new life, although the appearance was hideous, being alive was better than anything else.


    What made Albert even more fortunate was that it was not a hundred years later, and he was still living in the era he was familiar with.


    However, from their conversation, Albert realized that he was just an experiment of some big shot and would eventually be destroyed. And these people who were obsessed with research had no morals. The Midnight Butcher case a few years ago was what they did to obtain experimental materials.


    Dozens of victims became sacrifices to the gluttonous desires of these madmen.


    Life belongs to oneself, and no one, even the rulers of the mortal world and the gods in heaven, has the right to arbitrarily reap it.


    "I declare you guilty," Albert thought.


    The last trace of light from the Eternal Reliquary flickered a few times before it went out. The energy that every priest and wizard yearned for was wasted in vain, leaving only a pile of worthless waste.


    The destruction of the holy artifact caused the power supporting the waterway''s stone wall to disappear.


    Supernatural battles had already made the structure of the stone become fragmented, and the entire waterway shook like an earthquake. Cracks spread like spider webs, and pieces of stone continued to fall from the cracks. This waterway could collapse at any moment.


    Leo''s skeleton-like hand grabbed Albert''s foot. He crazily shouted irrationally, "After ten years of planning, and success in becoming a god is within reach, and it was ruined by you, an experimental lab rat who knows nothing."


    Just by speaking these words made Leo age even more, his dry hair turned to powder, and large patches of age spots made his skin black and dull. Time was the most luxurious thing for him.


    "Sir, or should I address you as Lord Angertes. I learned of your name in the conversation of others," Albert looked at the old man with pity, "I truly know nothing of these absurd things like holy artifacts and becoming a god, but in this world, there is a supreme iron rule: crime must be punished."


    He broke free from the dying old man''s hand and ran towards the waterway.


    "I am a god, who in this world can judge a god?" Leo hoarsely laughed and turned into a pile of dust, like a rock that had been constantly eroded by the wind for hundreds of years.


    Time had completely abandoned this madman.


    Outside the hall, Albert saw Matilda. The fanatical girl was in a semi-conscious state, with slender fingers still trembling unconsciously as if trying to reach for the sword nearby. Her closed eyes and bloodless, pale face robbed her of her usual cold seriousness, making her look like a withered chrysanthemum struggling for life in the cold wind.


    Despite her old-fashioned demeanor, the girl was not even sixteen years old.


    Albert recognized from her religious garb that she was not an enemy, but rather a member of the knights stationed in the city.


    Albert held her under his arm and ran towards the water outlet.


    When the light shining through the sluice could be seen, Matilda was jolted awake by the vibration of running. She blinked in confusion, but immediately realized what was happening. Had the terrifying battle just ended? And who was it that was carrying her now? Was it the holy warrior who had come to her aid?


    Matilda strained to turn her neck and what met her eyes was a large piece of ghastly white skin covered in needle holes and stitching marks, a strong arm, and something hidden in the gap between the loosely tied robes around the waist, swinging back and forth.


    As if sensing her wakefulness, he looked down, revealing a twisted expression-- Matilda couldn''t be sure if it was a smile or not.


    "You''re awake? Just hold on a bit longer, and we''ll be out of here." The red-eyed monster said, his voice surprisingly pure and standard in the Byron accent.


    The girl realized that the battle was not over yet, and she had fallen into an even more terrible situation. The monster gripped her waist tightly, its ugly, lifeless skin pressing uncomfortably against her face. And there was that disgusting thing between the monster''s legs that only males had, which she couldn''t ignore.


    She was destined to offer her body to the kingdom of heaven, but her pure and immaculate body was being defiled by the evil heretic.


    The young girl struggled desperately, but the monster was too strong and she couldn''t break free.


    "Don''t be afraid. I know I look terrifying, but I''ll explain everything once we escape from the sewer," the monster tightened its own arm again. "Don''t make a fuss, or we will both die here. "


    "I''d rather die!" Matilda yelled, finally touched the dagger hidden in her boot. She plunged it into the monster''s waist with all her might, which caused it to scream in pain and drop her to the ground.


    "You..." Albert held his wound, annoyed, but soon he discovered another wonder of this body. The wound caused by the dagger healed in no time.


    " You should stay in hell, monster." Matilda sat on the ground, pointing the dagger at Albert. She knew the magical dagger was her secret weapon. No matter how powerful the creature was, once it was cut even a little, its body would start to rot from within.


    But this monster, who could speak and seemed to possess human intelligence, seemed unaffected by it all.


    Could it be a devil summoned from the endless abyss by a heretic?


    Matilda made up her mind. If she couldn''t resist, she would use the dagger to end her own life. Even if she died, it would be better than being violated by a demon.


    As she thought this, the demon lunged at her.


    The girl recited her prayer devoutly and turned her wrist, aiming the dagger at her chest. She was ready to face death calmly.


    A huge shadow and a deafening roar, like the wings of death, swept over her. The tremor lasted for a long time before finally subsiding.


    The dagger was pressed against her chest, unable to move forward even a millimeter. The monster''s hand had grabbed the blade, and a large chunk of stone had fallen from above and smashed onto its spine.


    "I won''t harm you," Albert said in pain. He felt all his organs were groaning. "Remember, just being alive is a great blessing for some people. Please don''t give up easily."


    The waterway shook even more violently. Albert glanced at the water outlet. It was about 30 steps away. He snatched her dagger and grabbed the girl as if catching a little chicken, then sprinted toward the outlet.


    Without the dagger, Matilda still had her teeth and nails. It took some effort to push the girl out of the water gate. When she fell into the water, the entire waterway finally collapsed.


    Albert was buried in the rubble.


    Matilda choked on the water, the blackish-grey sea making her nauseous and causing her to vomit. She struggled to swim a distance before clinging onto a reef.


    " That demon... is dead?" Matilda wiped away the vomit from the corners of her mouth, She couldn''t understand it. How could there be monsters willing to sacrifice themselves? Her firm faith and knowledge reminded her that this was a heretical conspiracy, trying to shake her devotion to the Kingdom of Heaven.


    Suddenly, a terrifying grinding sound came from the stones blocking the water outlet. The remaining iron bars on the water gate bent and broke, and Matilda''s eyes widened in surprise as a pile of stones weighing at least half a ton slowly moved forward, with debris hitting the surface of the sea like raindrops and stirring up waves. The demon used its own strength to push aside the obstacle of stones blocking the water outlet.


    The monster was covered in wounds, its dull blood staining a large area of the sea. It was panting in the water, glanced towards Matilda before swimming away without looking back.


    Matilda watched the monster leave, knowing she had no strength to chase after it anymore.


    "I... won''t give up," the girl thought weakly. The Kingdom of Heaven seemed to have shown her a path for her future life. She must catch it, send it to the stake, and repent for her shaken faith.

 Chapter 19: Transfiguration

    People who grew up in the coastal city are usually half sailors and swimming experts, and Albert is glad he hasn''t forgotten the rhythm of swimming.


    As soon as the sky turned dark, the strong sea breeze blew away the thin veil of clouds on the night sky, revealing blurry stars.


    Looking out from the sea, Flondeck with its bright lights was like a gem containing a flame, tempting Albert immensely. He stared at the distant city for a long time. Eventually, he restrained the impulse to return to the city, to the broken house.


    Not to mention that with his current terrifying appearance, he probably couldn''t even enter the city gate.


    "Where should I go?" Albert thought. He had longed to escape while he was in the sewer, but now that he was free, he found himself homeless.


    "I must find a way to integrate into society, otherwise, if I have to hide in the sewer like a rat, not only will revenge be impossible, but survival will also be a problem." The chaotic thoughts made Albert a little impatient, and he dived into the sea suddenly, hoping that the icy seawater would calm his mind.


    "Calm down, calm down. Humans can use their minds to solve problems, don''t rely on instincts like beasts." Albert thought to himself.


    He didn''t know how long had passed until the sky was completely dark, and the name William jumped out of his memory.


    Since it was supernatural powers that had changed his body, then those who wielded supernatural power might be able to find a way to restore him.


    The location of the port was easy to recognize, and the lights on the pier, like a lighthouse, pointed the way in the darkness.


    First, go to the pier, then swim to the left for a distance of nine nautical miles. The wizard lives on a small island there.


    He carefully avoided the night sailing ships, and as he passed the dock, he saw a large amount of cargo piled up at the port, while the workers unloading the goods rested and chatted nearby.


    "Something disastrous is going to happen, the road to the city has sunk ten miles underground." one worker said.


    "I heard that road has been blocked by the Holy Warriors. The silk shop in the West City had their goods fall into the hole too, and all the goods were ruined. The silk boss must have lost a lot of money."


    "Did you see the boss''s expression at the time? It was like a virgin being ravaged by dozens of big men."


    This crude description immediately caused a burst of laughter, but soon a worker said worriedly, "I hope it won''t affect tomorrow''s work. If there are no goods to transport, there will be no pay."


    His words silenced everyone, and the crowd that had been laughing and chatting together dispersed shortly afterwards. Everyone was calculating the money in their pockets, wondering if they could make it through this period.


    Albert lingered under the wooden platform that extended out to sea from the pier for a long time. It was only then that he felt like he had truly returned to the human world.


    The aroma of food wafted from several small taverns in the port. It was probably around ten o''clock at night, and the dock workers usually had another meal to make up for the physical exhaustion caused by their high-intensity work.


    The aroma of the piping hot food was like the mermaids who lured sailors with their songs, tempting Albert who hadn''t eaten for a long time. He hesitated for a moment, but decided to take a risk.


    The closest tavern to the coastline became his target.


    Seeing that there was no one on the road, Albert quickly darted out of hiding. His burly body was as agile as a giant leopard, and there was no sound when he landed. It must be said that this body, except for its ugliness, the strength and flexibility hidden in its muscles would make every warrior who trained their body and martial arts envious.


    The kitchen of the small tavern was generally located at the back of the house. Albert bent over and squeezed through the narrow gap between the houses where rubbish was piled up. The houses on the pier could not afford glass windows, so they usually used wooden windows made of wooden strips.


    The wooden window in the kitchen was open, and white smoke kept billowing out. Albert cautiously peered inside and saw the tavern owner, who also worked as a chef, carrying a plate of fried fish out. On the stove, fragrant fish and mashed potatoes were cooking, and on the table, there were several dishes of food being prepared.


    The only thing he could eat right away was a few pieces of smoked sausage. Albert silently apologized, stretched out his arm, and grabbed the smoked sausage.


    The taste of the meat sausage made the taste buds on his tongue tremble with excitement. The sharp hearing of the Stitched Monster noticed the tavern owner was heading back, so he hastily swallowed the remaining food and returned to the sea through the same path.


    Not long after, the tavern owner came out, swearing and shouting curses, carefully scanning the alley between the buildings. In the end, he said angrily, " You lowlife bastard, don''t let me catch you. Hands are meant for work, not for stealing."


    "I''ll compensate you twice as much in the future," Albert silently listened to the owner''s scolding and then dove underwater. With his powerful lung capacity, he swam underwater for a full mile before resurfacing.


    For a body with boundless energy, swimming nine nautical miles at night was almost no different than taking a stroll on a tree-lined road after dinner. In less than an hour, the Coral Island where the wizard resided was in sight.


    "Hope Mr. William is at home," Albert suddenly became nervous. What if William was also unable to help? Excitement and panic made him lose control of his knocking strength. The door, battered by sea winds and never maintained, broke free from its frame and iron nails, flying straight into the first-floor living room. It collided with the wooden staircase with a loud noise, and the pitiful door fell to the ground, raising a cloud of dust.


    "Damn it, I almost dropped the fire crystal into the heater. Who dares to disturb a wizard''s alchemy experiment?" William''s irritable voice came from the third floor, but soon turned to curiosity. "An otherworldly creature? No, maybe a colleague''s demon servant."


    Obviously, the wizard had a monitoring device to observe the first floor. He was surprised by the appearance of the visitor. The stairs creaked as the wizard hurried down. "Are you Beria or Klein''s demon servant? Damn it, humanoid intelligent demon servants, have summoners made a breakthrough again?"


    "Mr. William, long time no see. I should explain in detail..." Albert''s words were interrupted by the wizard, and he adopted a cautious expression. "You called me ''Mr.'', who is your master? Do you want to borrow magic materials from me?"


    " Mr. William, You''ve misunderstood..."


    "Oh, using the respectful title ''Mr.'' again. Those colleagues who only know how to waste materials in experiments without saving anything, will only fawn over me in a low voice when their magic materials are depleted. Tell your master that William doesn''t have so many materials to do good deeds."


    Seeing William gesturing to leave, Albert had to be direct and said, "I am Albert Fraley."


    William''s body stiffened and the vigilance on his face grew stronger. Unlike his previous good-natured banter, this was a complete accumulation of anger. " Who are you? My poor friend suffered a terrible fate, how dare you make such a joke!"


    The chant of arcane magic began, and the stitched monster said calmly, "Have you forgotten about the mice, herbalism, and mosquito repellent potions? I am indeed Albert. Anything that only the two of us know, as long as you bring it up, I can provide an answer."


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    The wizard''s spellcasting stopped, joy and doubt alternating on his face. "If you are not an enemy, stand still." William''s fingers moved slightly, scattering a fine powder-like substance.


    "Mind-reading," he shouted.


    Albert felt a huge force surge into his mind, and his consciousness instantly became blank. After an unknown period of time, he slowly woke up and found himself lying on the second-floor bed. William''s bed was short, only enough to accommodate half of his body, which caused Albert to fall to the ground as soon as he sat up, with an unstable center of gravity.


    William sat at the oak table nearby, looking at Albert and sighing sadly, "Poor Albert, I just read your memories, and the tragic experiences make me burn with anger. It''s hard to imagine that such ugly and despicable things exist in the world. I have interrogated dozens of prisoners with magic in the First Court, but their crimes do not compare to even one percent of what was inflicted upon you."


    "Can you restore me?" Albert smiled bitterly. "For revenge, I have countless ideas and plans, but they are all based on my ability to have a normal human appearance. But with this body, I can''t do anything."


    William pondered, "I have already done some tests. Your current body strongly rejects the arcane magic, but on the contrary, it is full of divine energy. Perhaps, in your memory, the artifact called the Eternal Reliquary has changed the structure of your body. This is a good thing, at least it makes your body exceptionally strong. It is also a bad thing, as I cannot use the spell of disguise to change your appearance."


    "Can''t you do anything about it?"


    "Let me think about it," William said, "As you know, I am studying the druidic transformation spell. Perhaps this can work. You can stay here and patiently wait for a few months."


    Albert''s mood was getting worse and worse. The wizard''s repeated failures made his hope for success seem bleak.


    In the sewer, the desire for freedom and the will to survive temporarily suppressed his anger. Now, he was safe, protected by the wizard, and free from danger. However, his chaotic emotions that he had been trying hard to control started to become active again.


    Hatred, the original sin of humanity, caused flames to burn in Albert''s chest. He couldn''t sleep at night, occasionally closing his eyes and dreaming of all the beautiful things and happy expectations in the world, torn apart and crushed under the giant hand that covered the sky and earth.


    Then he woke up covered in sweat, shouting the name of his enemy, startled from the nightmare.


    Sometimes, when he couldn''t take it anymore, Albert would rush to the outside of the tower and wildly ram his body into the rocks on the island, injuring himself all over. The power of the relic within him healed his wounds immediately.


    Then, he would start to hate himself again, wondering why he had to live, why he had to continue to endure this injustice. He cursed everything around him, the endless sea, the flying seabirds, even the comfortable breeze, all of which could inexplicably drive this poor man insane.


    Venting and self-torture were also a means of relieving pain.


    William always watched pityingly by the side, sighing and hoping that the young man''s emotions would gradually stabilize.


    The only thing that could comfort Albert was to hear from William that Jenny''s body had not been found at the crime scene. Perhaps the little wildcat was still alive. Albert used this most precious piece of news to numb his nerves.


    He realized for the first time that hatred could twist a person''s mind like this. More than once, Albert wanted to abandon the wizard''s help, sneak back into the city, find a way to go to the capital, and use his own powerful hands to strangle a certain arrogant woman, then use the most cruel torture in the world to deal with the gang leader, washing away the unforgettable hatred with countless blood.


    "Perhaps, hell is the way this world should be. Sulphur clouds that block out the sun, the deep and unfathomable underworld, and sinister halls full of demons. only these can accommodate the unquantifiable filth in the human world." Albert thought, his face full of resentment, making his appearance even more terrifying.


    Fortunately, the words of the just Saint Muto, the solemn oath of the court, and the tiny bit of conscience that humans still possessed saved him, preventing the devil from gaining another follower in the mortal world.


    "What has happened to me?" he said. "If revenge can make a person abandon all moral principles, then what I pursued and believed in, that which I considered the most immortal truth in the world, will become a joke."


    He urged himself to stay calm and not become a sinner who only knows how to murder and destroy.


    Albert fell silent again and sat quietly on the third floor every day, watching the wizard''s busy experiments.


    The potions and magic had little effect, only making the scars on his body less noticeable, making his eyes no longer frighteningly red, and barely making his two arms the same size. He had transformed from a demon from hell to an ugly deformity with scars all over his body, making ordinary people feel disgusted rather than scared.


    Master William tried every method, and finally had a flash of inspiration from Druidic techniques.


    Since it was possible to transform from a human into a beast, it should not be difficult to reverse from a beast to a human.


    The wizard spared no expense, using his collected magical materials and decades of alchemical experience to craft a ring.


    After thirty alternations of the sun and the moon, the wizard ''s greatest masterpiece in his alchemy career was born.


    The ring was very light, made up of three spiral metal wires jointed together, with a surface covered in small bumps and unevenness. If the ring were magnified ten times, one could clearly see that the indiscernible spots were all complex magic circles engraved on the ring.


    However, from a purely secular point of view, this ring that was neither golden nor silver and had no gemstones embedded in it was so poor that only peasants would wear it.


    William looked haggard now, his eyes sunken and his already thin frame seemed to have lost even more weight. Wiping his sweaty forehead, he said to Albert, "I''m trying to combine three magic circles into one more powerful, larger magic circle for the first time. Try wearing this ring first."


    The ring tightly fitted on Albert''s index finger. Tiny sharp teeth extended from the inside of the ring, causing Albert to feel an intense pain, as if thousands of meat-eating ants were devouring his flesh, one bite at a time.


    He felt his vision darken, swayed a few times, but managed not to fall.


    Then, a sensation connected to the flesh and blood of the ring surged up, as if it were a part of the finger that came with it like a nail.


    "If you were a wizard, you wouldn''t need this trouble. You could manipulate it with magic," William said. "Connecting it to the body like this makes it possible for ordinary people to use it with their thoughts, but the drawback is that every time you take it off or put it back on, it will cause great pain."


    Albert touched the ring. "Can it restore me?"


    "It can transform you into a human form!" William said. "Of course, it can''t change your appearance at will. Only magic rings of legendary alchemists can achieve that effect. You have to visualize an image in your mind and let the ring remember it.


    You must choose carefully. You only have one chance. The appearance and physique you choose, whether it''s a handsome young man, an old man, or even a beautiful woman, can never be changed again.


    And forgive me for my low magical power. This ring can only maintain a transformation for seventy-two hours, and then it will need to be replenished by the automatic operation of the magic circle. The whole process takes seven days, which means you can only use it once every week."


    As he said this, the wizard''s face reddened. He thought this ring with so many limitations was of little use.


    "Thank you," Albert said sincerely. "In the face of such selfless friendship, I can only be grateful."


    What kind of image should choose? It was clear that reverting to his original appearance was not suitable; it would make his enemies immediately wary upon seeing him.


    An average-looking person? Or an old man who would not raise any suspicion?


    Albert pondered until the image of that perfect, god-like body he had seen in the sewer came to mind. "It''s really boring to deliberately beautify oneself, but I have to admit that having a handsome appearance can be helpful in some situations." he thought.


    The wizard had prepared some gemstones. In his eyes, they were just ordinary materials, but in the city''s shops, each one could fetch a good price.


    "Wealth, power, intelligence, strength, the desire for revenge. These are all indispensable. This is just a small amount of money to ensure that you don''t have to start from scratch." The wizard handed Albert a small bag and hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Every person who values friendship should spare no effort to help their friends in times of hardship. But as a wizard who sees magic experiments and exploration as the only source of pleasure, if I get involved in this conflict, I''m afraid I will never be able to live a peaceful life again..."


    "William, my friend and mentor," Albert placed his hand over his heart, "I swear on my conscience that you''ve already helped me too much. Only the most selfish person would use the name of friendship to make their closest friend lose their peaceful life and put them in danger."


    It was time to leave.


    Albert chose to leave at dusk, carrying a few prepared clothes with him. He was ready to go to Flondeck first, to pay his respects to his deceased relatives in the cemetery.


    The wizard told him that his entire family had already been listed in the death files at the police station. Detective Lime had personally funded the construction of a small grave in the old district cemetery for him and Jenny, as they could not find their bodies, so they used their clothing as a substitute.


    "I''m still alive, so the little wildcat must be fine." Albert thought. "I will definitely find her."


    "Albert," the wizard said, "I have one last piece of advice for you: don''t be too kind. Conscience can only become a shackle that binds you. If you want revenge, you have to become more despicable than they are; otherwise, the murderers will cheer for another shameless victory."


    Albert smiled faintly. "In my relatively short career as a prosecutor, I have seen many people go crazy seeking revenge. Those lunatics, in order to avenge the suffering they have endured, end up committing even more heinous crimes."


    He said firmly, "What I want to do is not an irrational act of revenge, but rather, the most fair and just trial under the sun."

 Chapter 20: The Banker

    White flowers bloomed among the weeds, and the public cemetery in the old city was quiet in the morning. The damp air made the stone path buried in the grass feel a bit damp, and the tombstones representing the deceased, along with the vibrant daisies of spring, formed a pure land for the dead to rest in.


    Someone had come to sweep the graves very early.


    The grave sweeper was of medium build and in the prime of his life, with a black woolen coat collar turned up. Embroidered on the inside of the inconspicuous collar was a small crow-shaped emblem.


    The cuffs of his sleek, pale purple trousers were tucked into his tall riding boots, with metal plates obviously nailed to the soles to prevent wear and tear. The man seemed afraid of disturbing the deceased''s slumber and deliberately slowed down his pace.


    After turning onto a small path, he came to a corner on the left side, where three somewhat new tombstones were lined up.


    "When life ends, eternity begins." The man stood in front of the black and white marble tombstone, placing the bouquet of flowers in his hand on the ground. He gently recited the epitaph, took out his handkerchief, and solemnly wiped away the dirt and dust from the tombstone and pedestal, as if performing a sacred ritual.


    "For the deceased, it is true that they are living in an eternal paradise, never tired, never in pain." He muttered, "But for the living, even for the undead who have died and come back to life, they still have to continue to experience the sadness and desire brought on by emotions."


    The morning mist gradually dissipated, and the noisy voices of people broke the silence of the cemetery. The man covered the bouquet with his handkerchief and turned to leave.


    "Since destruction and persecution began with Flondeck, I''ll start with the sinners who are still in this city." He thought, "Let the trial begin."


    The annual carnival is coming again. Two years ago the Flondeck people didn''t have the chance to enjoy the festive atmosphere due to the city''s lockdown order from the church. And last year, Flondeck, still struggling to recover economically, didn''t have the energy to invest much in the carnival.


    So, compared to the past two years, this year''s carnival was so grand that it could tell everyone: the prosperity of the Nightless City had returned.


    A carriage rolled out onto the street from the patrol station, slowly weaving through the crowds who were celebrating the festival in advance. The journey, which normally took only fifteen minutes, dragged on for over an hour. It wasn''t until the carriage turned onto Fragrant Tree Street that the coachman finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    "There are so many people now. When the carnival comes in two days, we definitely won''t be able to do business." The coachman complained.


    In the atmosphere of the carnival, the only place that can maintain peace and quiet, aside from the Square of the First Court and the Cathedral, is the Fragrant Tree Street, also known as the Golden Road of Flondeck.


    This was Flondeck''s financial center, where almost all bankers gathered to establish their own offices. This was also a symbol of status. If a financial figure could not get a room on Fragrant Tree Street and hang a sign with his name on it, at least half of his credibility would be lost in the eyes of his customers.


    "That''s just a bunch of incompetent guys." the bankers of Flondeck always look down on those who open credit offices outside the Golden Road.


    The only lifeline that can maintain Flondeck''s trade activities is the Fragrant Tree Street.


    Millions of funds flow through here every day. To ensure security, the police station has specially arranged a patrol team to patrol day and night. The guards of each office and warehouse have been tested and proven to be absolutely loyal.


    No one can get a penny through robbery from the heavily guarded Fragrant Tree Street, and the bankers are all extremely shrewd. Many fraudsters who tried to find loopholes are quickly identified by them and sent to a free single room in the police station.


    There are many upscale coffee shops located between the offices, and during lunchtime, they are always crowded with various finance masters. They enjoyed excellent steaks while casually discussing investment opportunities and market news with a nonchalant tone.


    Someone boasted with pride, "Last month, the Horn Ship Company wanted to borrow a loan of 100,000 gold coins from me, but even the most obtuse person knows that this company is going bankrupt. Of course, I refused. Luckily, I had foresight and had already collected the previous loan."


    The listener politely complimented the speaker before turning to brag to other colleagues, "Being well-informed is the key to making big money. The Horn Ship Company is about to turn around. Its last ship obtained the finest spices from the Far East and is currently returning safely. It''s estimated to arrive at the Flondeck port in two days. I just lent the company two hundred thousand gold coins with 10% interest."


    In the Golden Road, the most prestigious business firm is the Double Eagle Bank''s branch in Flondeck, which is the top-tier bank in all of Byron. Its financial network spreads throughout the country, and even the most cautious merchants wouldn''t doubt its issued checks.


    The carriage stopped at the entrance of the Double Eagle Bank''s Flondeck branch, and the attendant at the door respectfully opened the carriage door. Then, a young man got out and casually handed the attendant a note.


    The attendant respectfully expressed his thanks and couldn''t help but gasp after glancing at the note in his hand. It was a five-gold-coin gold certificate.


    The bank''s staff in the hall looked at the elegantly dressed man who had just walked in. Many female employees were secretly cheering, "My goodness, which country''s prince is this? Even if he isn''t, he must be a son of some duke''s family. Only such a status can match his handsome face."


    " I need storage service," the man smiled and said to a female teller behind the counter. His smile immediately made the teller''s face blush and become dizzy.


    "Um... of course, I''ll immediately...," the female teller stuttered a bit, but she immediately remembered the bank''s regulations. "Sorry, could you tell me what kind of item you want to store and what type of service you need?"


    "I need the highest-level safe deposit box for a painting," the man said, lifting a rectangular frame wrapped in oilcloth.


    "The highest-level? Please wait, I''ll inform Bank Manager Seth," the female teller realized that this was a big transaction, "I knew it. Looking at his appearance, he''s not someone us small teller can receive," she thought.


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    According to the bank''s services, safe deposit boxes were divided into three levels. The highest level is equivalent to renting a small vault guarded by a specialized person, with a daily rent of up to three hundred gold coins. It usually stores precious artworks and treasures that wealthy people don''t feel safe keeping at home.


    Bank Manager Seth walked out of his office and personally received the young wealthy man.


    The rental fee was nothing for the bank, but only the wealthiest figures would choose this service. If they could satisfy them, maybe the next time they would deposit a large sum of money.


    In the office, the man elegantly picked up the coffee, took a small sip, and didn''t seem satisfied with the taste. He put down the cup and looked at the bank manager, waiting for something.


    Seth immediately realized that this was a common arrogance among noble and wealthy people. They never like to introduce themselves first when dealing with strangers.


    "I am Mei Seth, the manager of this bank," he said with a friendly smile.


    "Van Gray," the man nodded and replied. He spoke Byron language clearly but with a slight accent.


    This was not a very common name, and Bank Manager Seth had never heard of a wealthy man with this name. It was likely a fake name. However, the man''s unmistakable noble demeanor revealed some insider information. "Van" was a word that only nobles in the Western Portu Kingdom could add to their names.


    Some nobles liked to hide their identities, making it easier for them to act without fear of retaliation, seducing some young girls who were beautiful but from poor backgrounds. After they left, those girls whose bodies had been violated would have no way to find any clues.


    But just based on these, the manager Seth couldn''t be sure if his thoughts were correct. He scrutinized the man before him: elegant in bearing, well-educated, and physically robust, but not the terrifying muscle-bound type of man, indicating that he often engaged in noble sports such as fencing and hunting.


    The dark-colored clothes he wore were not flashy at all, even somewhat ordinary. Only those who frequently mingled in high society circles could recognize its worth. From the quality of the fabric and workmanship, as well as the pair of buttons on the cuffs, Seth knew that this outfit was worth at least six hundred gold coins.


    Only the plain ring on his finger, the manager couldn''t see anything special about it, but someone who dressed like this couldn''t possibly not wear valuable accessories. Seth could only admit that his own knowledge was lacking.


    As a man, Seth also had to concede that this young man was really handsome, especially with his black eyes and light brown hair that gave him an exotic and mysterious air. He always seemed to have a slightly sarcastic smile on his lips, the perfect embodiment of a nobleman born into a wealthy family.


    "This guy, he doesn''t even need to spend money. Just by hooking his little finger, he can make girls throw themselves at him," Seth thought, feeling jealous.


    "I just bought a painting, but I can''t leave it in the hotel, I need to rent..." The man who called himself Gray lightly tapped the armrest of the chair with his finger. "For ten days, until I return to my country."


    "A painting? Please forgive my presumption, but if it''s just a painting, it doesn''t seem worth using the highest grade..." The manager was interrupted by Gray''s mocking gaze before he finished speaking. He proudly said, "It''s a work by Dachi."


    Seth had nothing to say. Dachi, the most famous master painter in history, his renowned works could drive every art collector crazy.


    But the paintings that the master was known for were usually housed in royal palaces or national galleries. Suddenly, Seth understood. This was a black market item. The master had had many of his paintings stolen, and those thieves could only sell them in the underground market.


    Presumably, what this gentleman had purchased was also one of those stolen goods.


    But Seth wasn''t going to offend a potential big client over such a small matter. He wisely chose not to ask any further.


    "This painting cost me 150,000. Actually, I don''t understand painting at all. I just bought it to compete with others at the auction," said Gray, as if that 150,000 was nothing to him.


    150,000! These idle rich descendants, who depended on their ancestors'' achievements to live a life of debauchery, could spend 150,000 just to compete and show off! Seth became even more jealous. As a bank manager, his annual salary was only 20,000.


    Although every banker he met on Gold Road greeted him respectfully, he knew that he was just an employee.. The profits of the bank all belonged to the main branch of Castain.


    Millions of gold coins flowed in and out of his hands, but aside from his salary, not a penny belonged to him.


    Of course, Seth didn''t show any signs of his dark thoughts, he just respectfully said, "I will immediately arrange the best vault for it."


    Gray nodded and placed the painting on his desk. "This is the painting to be deposited."


    " Please wait a moment, I will have the bank''s senior appraiser come over. Please forgive me, this is regulation and not a reflection of any distrust towards you, sir," Seth said, still being cautious. According to the regulations, if any damage occurred to the deposited item, the bank had to compensate for the original price. If this man intentionally deposited a fake painting and accused the bank of switching it out when he came to retrieve it in ten days, the bank would lose a lot of money.


    "Of course," Gray didn''t mind, "Rigorous rules actually make me trust your bank even more."


    The appraiser carefully opened the outer layer of oilcloth, and inside the exquisite frame was a half-finished sketch with only half of the colors filled in.


    He took a long time to appraise the painting, "Oh, sir, this is an early work by Master Dachi. At that time, his painting skills were not yet mature, so it should only be a practice piece. Moreover, it''s still a half-finished work. In the market, it''s worth at most 10,000."


    "10,000?" Gray stood up from his chair in surprise. "But this is a work by Dachi! I paid 150,000 for it!"


    "Yes, sir, actually I even included the value of the painting frame," the appraiser replied. "Measuring a master''s painting by money is a downright insult to art, but it doesn''t mean that even the master''s sketches are worth that price. If it wasn''t for Dachi ''s signature on the canvas, this half-finished work would be worthless."


    Gray was furious, "Damn it, I fell for it." he said.


    Seth gloated to himself, "This spendthrift who knows nothing, and loves to waste money, deserves to be cheated. "


    Gray seemed to realize he had lost his composure. He sat back down and said, "It''s just 150,000. It''s not a big deal. I''ll still choose the highest level of storage service." He pretended not to care, but Seth knew that Gray was just trying to save face.


    Only a rich kid like Gray would be foolish enough to spend 3,000 to store something worth only 10,000.


    "But we can only provide you with a 10,000 insurance claim contract."


    "Oh, okay then."


    Taking the storage receipt given to him by the bank, Gray folded it and put it in his pocket. He pushed open the office door and walked out.


    Seth was happy to see that Gray''s stride was not as elegant and composed as when he came in.


    A loss of 140,000 was probably a big sum of money to him.


    "Ah, nobles, always placing more importance on face than anything else," Seth picked up the painting. According to the regulations, only the bank manager could enter the highest level vault.


    In the vault, Seth felt that the frame of the painting was a bit loose. He had just put the painting on the table when a small screw on the frame fell off.


    "Ha-ha, even the frame is a fake," Seth picked up the screw and wanted to reinstall it, but he discovered something strange. A corner of another painting was faintly visible under the unfinished sketch.


    There is another painting inside the frame! Seth wanted to open it and see what was inside, but the two paintings were stuck together tightly. He was afraid of damaging them, so he carefully tried for a long time but couldn''t open them.


    "Sir, a customer has arrived at the front desk regarding a loan matter," the guard outside the vault notified.


    Seth regretfully stopped, but even as he walked into the bank hall, he was still thinking about what the hidden painting could be.


    On the street, Gray paid the carriage fee and walked through the crowded crowd alone.


    "He''s the first one," the handsome young man thought. Over a year ago, it was the manager of this bank who in violation of the morals that financial institutions should possess, became an accomplice to the destruction of his life by using a false account.


    He touched his ring, and the time limit restricted by magic was almost up. He had to go back.


    He had to go back and act as another identity with a different appearance.

 Chapter 21: The Red Sparrow Troupe

    The big tent of the Red Sparrow Troupe was located in the Emerald Square near the Golden Goose Tavern.


    Compared to the formal troupe with their well-dressed stars and special effects lighting, the touring troupe''s shabby appearance was pitiful. The half-height wooden platform was simply separated into front and back stages by red-dyed burlap, and there were only a dozen chairs placed below the stage.


    Colorful lamps powered by magic crystals were hung sparsely on the top of the tent, and only turned on to enhance the atmosphere during the climax of the performance to save energy.


    Albert restored his original appearance in a secluded alley: a two-meter-tall, ugly man covered in numerous pale pink scars that concealed his ghostly white skin. He packed his expensive clothes into a small suitcase and changed into pants and a vest made of cheap fabric.


    The expensive clothes Albert had been wearing at the bank were obtained by selling the gems that the Master William had given him. Now, he only had a small amount of cash left


    "Ten days," Albert thought. "If the manager is as greedy as rumors say, then my plan will succeed."


    "I''ve designed a despicable trap, but if he''s a person of high moral character, the trap will be meaningless. Whether he becomes prey or not, it''s up to his own choice."


    Turning into the troupe from the street, the Red Sparrow Troupe occupied a large portion of the square, almost half of it, which was unthinkable in the new district. The squares that allowed campsites had already been snatched up by various troupes, and the interval between each tent was no more than two meters.


    Moreover, the taxes and rent paid to the government were not something that the Red Sparrow Troupe could afford.


    Compared to the new district, the burden was much lighter in the old district.


    This was just a small touring troupe, including the boss , there were only five girls and three handymen, , and a covered wagon and two small trailers. The handymen were children under the age of majority and could only help with odd jobs. They had difficulty completing any physically demanding work.


    Albert believed that this was why the boss agreed to let him join the touring troupe. Although he was ugly, his two-meter height and incredible strength were not only useful in setting up the tent and other heavy work, but also made him a good choice as a coachman or bodyguard when traveling between cities.


    Albert tried to find a job and integrate into society to better carry out his revenge. However, his appearance was so repulsive that even the most open-minded employers dared not hire him.


    "God, please get out of here. None of the customers would dare to come in with your appearance."," they exclaimed in shock.


    In this society, superficial looks are often highly valued.


    Over the past year, Albert had traveled to many places, until four months ago when he met Lydia, the owner of the Red Sparrow troupe, in a small town south of Flondeck. At the time, Lydia was struggling to find a new coachman to replace one who had quit.


    "You''re really ugly," Lydia said bluntly. "But that''s actually good. I don''t dare hire anyone too good-looking. If they sweet-talked their way into the girls'' hearts and took them away, the troupe would collapse."


    The monthly salary was thirty silver coins, and if business was good, there would be bonuses every six months. This was the only price a small touring troupe like theirs could afford.


    What Albert needed was an identity, and he didn''t care about the salary.


    The boss was pretty good and treated the girls well. Albert had heard about the deeds of this type of troupe. Some large troupes would force members to do some unspeakable things to satisfy customers'' abnormal fetishes, and even some girls became disabled as a result.


    But Lydia didn''t do this. If the girls in the troupe wanted to earn some extra money by bringing clients into the small tent used as a bedroom, she wouldn''t object and didn''t take a cut.


    So the girls in the troupe were quite trusted of her.


    But this was also why the Red Sparrow troupe couldn''t grow. Customers preferred to patronize places where they could do whatever they pleased as long as they paid.


    Albert stepped over the fence surrounding the campsite. The performance on the outdoor stage had already ended, and some of the girls were resting while others were working overtime. Moans of pleasure could be heard from the tents of Cindy, Alana, and Nicole.


    The backstage area was a bit noisy. He had just walked past one of the small tents when Nicole poked her head out, revealing a bare shoulder. Her disheveled red long hair swayed with her body movements.


    "Big guy, where have you been? Hurry over to the backstage area and take a look," Nicole said


    A man''s displeased voice immediately came from inside the tent. " Can''t you focus a little?"


    "That''s because you''re not exciting enough," Nicole retorted.


    In the backstage area, the boss was explaining, "Miss Melissa isn''t feeling well, so she''s resting today."


    A customer shook his money bag. "I know what you''re thinking. Twenty silver coins."


    "It''s not about the money. I always respect the girls'' wishes," the boss replied.


    "Well then, you''re also quite pretty, boss. How about twenty-five silver coins?" The customer counted his money.


    "I haven''t done this kind of thing for a long time, and I don''t want to do it now."


    "What are you pretending to be chaste for? Aren''t all the girls in the troupe whores?" the customer said.


    "If you can''t show a little respect, please leave, sir!" she replied.


    "Respect? A group of whores talking about respect!" The customer looked disdainfully at the boss and said.


    Lydia was about to say something when she saw Albert. She shouted, "Quasimodo, come here. Someone''s causing trouble."


    Quasimodo was the alias Albert had given himself.


    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    The customer was frightened by Albert''s appearance and height, especially the scars and strong muscles that couldn''t be covered by his clothes. He swallowed and backed away in fear.


    Albert spoke in a gentle voice, "Sir, we''re closed now. If you need any services, please come back next time."


    "Next time? Even if you give me money, I won''t come back," The customer complained as he left. "I will definitely tell my friends that the Red Sparrow Troupe is not a place worth spending money on."


    "Is there anything else that needs to be taken care of now?" Albert asked the boss.


    Lydia hugged her arms in front of her chest, and her impressive breasts were even more pronounced under the pressure. "Where have you been fooling around? It''s been more than two days since I''ve seen you."


    "When I was hired, I made it clear that I might leave for a few days at any time, and you agreed," Albert explained.


    "A portion of this month''s salary must be deducted," Lydia said.


    "No problem, that''s fair," Albert agreed. "Then I''ll take my leave now."


    Lydia sat casually on the protruding shelf in the backstage area, lightly tapping her cheek with her fingers, a puzzled expression on her mature and beautiful face.


    For the past few months, she had always been curious about Albert''s identity.


    At first, Lydia thought he was a retired mercenary, the horrible scars all over his body were proof of that.


    Due to the lack of manpower, Albert often needed to participate in performances, and his ugly appearance did not require any makeup to play some villainous roles.


    But as they got to know each other, she discovered that this ugly giant had knowledge that was not commensurate with his appearance.


    Once, while she was reading a book to pass the time, she encountered some unfamiliar and rare characters, which Albert casually explained to her.


    Such knowledge was not something that reckless warriors could master.


    Although he tried his best to conceal it, Albert''s daily speech and behavior occasionally revealed that he had received professional education, which is something that only the wealthy can afford.


    Casual dramas like "The Iron-Faced Man" were popular for a while, maybe he was like the protagonist in the book, a prince who was framed by an evil minister, disfigured and fled, gathering brave knights to prepare for the restoration of his kingdom?


    Lydia found her own whimsical imagination amusing. If she were fifteen years younger, she might have believed in this romantic plot. But for a thirty-two-year-old woman, romance had long been buried in the passage of time, along with dolls and love.


    "A strange ugly man," Lydia commented on Albert. She thought for a moment and added, "A strange, strong ugly man."


    The flower car parade, usually held on the first day of the carnival, represents in a way the opening ceremony.


    The beautifully decorated floral floats take turns making their way around the city, starting from the central square of the new district and completing one circuit.


    The first float belongs to the city council, but its serious design is not well-liked by the people. However, when several high-ranking council members dress up in colorful costumes and paint themselves with various colors to look like clowns, the crowd still gives them enthusiastic applause.


    The Red Sparrow Troupe''s float was located towards the end of the procession.


    The order of the float procession is also something that requires money to obtain. For example, large touring troupes such as the Cat''s Paw and the Fairy Troupe can afford to pay a high price and be positioned behind the government''s float.


    Colorful confetti and all sorts of advertising flyers fall from the floats, and according to the customary rule, anyone who brings a flyer to purchase tickets for that troupe can receive an 20% discount, which only fuels the excitement of the crowd even more.


    Each float has its own theme, and beautiful actresses dressed up as various characters from stories such as fairies and sprites on the float, throw kisses to the crowd. Their sparkling short skirts reveal their fair thighs, which makes men drool.


    The Red Sparrow Troupe''s float is slightly different. Compared to those exquisitely decorated floats, it looks a bit old-fashioned. Each girl on the float was dressed in elegant clothes, with long skirts that covered their ankles and even their faces were covered with masks.


    But these clothes, similar to those of noblewomen, have some slight modifications that make them fit more tightly to the body, which reveals the girls'' voluptuous figures beneath the clothing.


    "Will this work?" Lydia asked Albert while fanning herself with a small fan, quietly.


    "It''s better than dressing up like the other floats," Albert replied. This was his idea. The large troupes can afford to spend one hundred gold coins to decorate their float, and their actresses, who wear expensive makeup, are indeed more beautiful than the Red Sparrow Troupe''s ladies. Without any unique ideas, they would not be able to compete.


    Curiosity is always the root of men''s desire, and the modest yet alluring clothes worn by the girls on the Red Sparrow float could arouse their desires even more.


    This did indeed have a very good effect.


    Many people followed the float, reaching out for flyers while appraising the girls'' figures with lustful eyes.


    "Miss with the red hair, could you take off your mask?" someone shouted.


    "Sir, after the parade ends, come to our troupe by following the address on the flyer, you''ll be able to see her," Albert replied. He was dressed in a tailcoat, looking like a servant serving noble ladies in an elegant salon.


    The ugly face under the black top hat only accentuated the youth and beauty of the girls around him.


    Nicole, the one who was asked, followed the predetermined plan and turned her head to the other side, while putting a small cloak over her shoulders. This cold action only made the shouted more excited.


    Modesty and chastity are far more alluring than wanton seduction.


    So that afternoon, the tent of the Red Sparrow Troupe''s tent was filled with people, and some latecomers didn''t mind waiting at the door for two hours.


    Neither the spectacular performance nor the girls'' appearance after taking off their masks disappointed the audience. It was predictable that tomorrow would be even more sensational.


    In the evening, after calculating the income, Lydia, the troupe leader, said to Albert, "I''ll raise your salary to thirty-two silver coins per month."


    "If you come up with more good ideas, I won''t shortchange you," she said cheerfully.


    Manager Seth walked into the bank vault once again.


    "I need to check, just in case the humidity damages the painting, it would damage the bank''s reputation," The manager said somewhat hypocritically.


    "That''s your right, sir," the guard replied strangely. The manager had only been here the day before yesterday, and no matter how serious the humidity was, it could not have eroded the painting in just two nights.


    However, this was within the manager''s jurisdiction, and the guard did not want to argue about it.


    Closing the door to the vault, Seth took out a set of tools from his pocket and unscrewed the screws at the corners of the painting frame. Slowly, he peeled back the Dachi¡¯s sketch, with the help of a small scraper, revealed a large portion of the hidden painting


    It was an exquisite portrait of a woman in black, sitting upright with a mysterious smile on her face. The lines of the picture were beautiful, the colors realistic, and there was a signature in the bottom right corner.


    The name was the same as the one on the sketch: Dachi.


    Seth''s heart was pounding loudly. He had many friends who were knowledgeable about art, and at parties, he had heard some incredible stories. One collector had bought an old letter for a small sum of money, simply out of his hobby of collecting, without considering its actual value.


    However, one day, the collector accidentally dropped the letter near a fireplace, and the high temperature caused a few lines of text as well as a signature, all written in invisible ink, have appeared on the blank part of the letter. It was a handwritten letter from a cardinal 130 years ago, and those few lines of text solved the mystery of a major historical event.


    This letter caused a sensation in the collecting world, with many wealthy people willing to pay 500,000 for it.


    500,000!


    The manager used a bit of force to try and separate the worthless sketch, but due to the age of the paintings, a third of the two paintings were tightly glued together. Only professional personnel using specialized chemicals and tools could slowly separate them in a few months without damaging the work.


    This was a meticulous and demanding task, and one mistake could ruin the master''s hard work.


    "Damn it." Seth reluctantly restored the painting. He needed to consult the bank''s appraiser to see if there was an easier way.


    Of course, he would not reveal this potentially priceless secret.

 Chapter 22: Running Bull

    Compared to previous years, the Red Sparrow Troupe had made a huge profit in just three days.


    Lydia, the troupe leader, generously announced that they would only perform one show this morning, allowing everyone to relax. After all, the festive atmosphere made every lively girl a little restless.


    Everywhere there were happy voices, and with a bit of money in their pockets, who wouldn''t want to go out and buy something they liked?


    Inside the tent, a drama was approaching its end. It told the story of a rebellious red-haired female bandit who, in order to save her lover in prison, had to use her wits to fight the evil warden.


    The most beautiful actress, Nicole, played the female bandit without question. She wore a small headband made of feathers and cheap gems on her red hair, and her leather armor was covered in shiny sequins.


    This attire might make many art connoisseurs think that it lacked taste, but ordinary citizens did not care about such things. As long as the actress could reveal half of her snow-white chest and show her slender legs under her leather skirt, they were satisfied.


    The dashing Alana often played male roles, with a tall nose bridge and short hair that fell evenly to his ears. Her handsome appearance and style attract many ladies'' screams of admiration.


    Of course, the warden was played by Albert. However, his tone sounded too righteous. At the end, when he shouted, "Sinners should go to hell," his righteous words made it seem as if the female bandit was really guilty. Luckily, Nicole quickly improvised and added a line condemning the warden for his hypocrisy and actually planning an evil conspiracy.


    This plot twist did not arouse suspicion from the audience, but instead, they thought it was excellent acting. Therefore, when the bad guy was defeated and the separated lovers embraced in the happy ending, the warm applause continued for a long time.


    After the performance, Nicole angrily complained to Albert, "Just based on your appearance, the audience will think you''re a bad guy. So, you don''t need to add any personal style or pay attention to acting."


    " I''m sorry," Albert replied as he sorted through the props.


    "And also," Nicole extended her arm to show Albert the clear blue bruises on her skin, which were caused by him during a fight scene. "Next time, use a little less force. Do you really not know how strong you are?"


    Just then, Lydia walked over and interrupted their conversation. "Nicole, a customer wants to buy you for the night. You can go talk to him yourself."


    " For thirty silver coins, I''ll agree," Nicole said, then gestured towards Albert with a hooked finger, "Big guy, I''ll give you a discount if you want."


    "The price is equivalent to my monthly salary, I can''t afford it," Albert refused, but his words were misunderstood by the red-haired girl who said unhappily, "Hmph! I won''t do it for free!"


    "Alright, stop joking around," Lydia said. "Quasimodo, go buy some food and wine. We''ll have an extra meal tonight."


    Albert agreed and walked out of the camp, so he didn''t hear the two girls'' playful banter.


    "The big guy doesn''t seem like a man. I''ve never seen a guy who hangs around with girls but never takes advantage of them," Nicole whispered in Lydia''s ear. "Do you think he might not have that kind of ability?"


    "Quasimodo is a gentleman," Lydia replied.


    "I''ve never seen such an ugly gentleman," Nicole carefully examined Lydia, "You''re defending him so much, could it be that you''ve secretly spent time with him in a small tent?"


    "You little fox," Lydia chuckled and scolded her. "Get out, the customer is still waiting."


    "I see, so older women need a strong body, not a good-looking face," Nicole thought to herself secretly.


    Praise the Carnival!


    The streets and alleys of Flondeck have become a stage, with costume parades, various performances, and endless food as the theme for the entire week. If you cannot expend your vigorous energy until you are exhausted, then you will be mocked as a fool who does not know how to enjoy life.


    The street bull-running event is taking place on Panglo Street in front of the arena. Over a hundred brave challengers have gathered on this narrow, over-a-kilometer-long, stone-paved road.


    Although many people die under the bulls'' trampling every year, the people of Flondeck never tire of it. According to tradition, if the young men who participate in the bull run do not get hurt, they are considered weaklings who only know how to run away.


    The standard for determining the winner is usually the young person with the most scratches on their back, who will receive the title of champion, a large barrel of champagne, and some small gifts provided by sponsors.


    The rooms on both sides of the street have long been rented out by clever residents. Every small window with a good view is crowded with people who are afraid to participate but do not want to miss the excitement. Many of them are young people from high society.


    There was a small surprise during this year''s bull-running activity that added to the fun. Two noble young men took to the streets like knights in order to win the heart of a certain young lady.


    "Cole, be careful!" The pretty girl stood in front of the window on the second floor, waving her white gloves. Her expression was both shy and proud, while her female friends accompanying her were jealous and thought, "Why aren''t there two brave warriors pursuing me like this?"


    " My dear, the championship and honor belong to you," the young man named Cole replied downstairs, smiling proudly at his competitors.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    "Naomi, you are too biased," the other young man exclaimed mournfully. "Please give me some encouragement, or else I would rather die under the bull''s hooves later."


    This argument that intentionally puts himself in a weak position won the sympathy of Naomi, who kindly called out, "Dylan, you can invite me to dance the first dance at tonight''s salon"


    Sixteen strong bulls were released from their pens, and the crowd immediately started running. This was a wild celebration on the edge of death, and if one was caught before running into the arena, they would break a few bones at least.


    Two legs could never outrun four. Many people saw the sharp bull horns getting closer and closer, and quickly dodged into the doors of the buildings on both sides of the road. The once orderly formation immediately became chaotic, and the audience let out a series of boos.


    Two young men who were running for the heart of a beauty were obviously exercising regularly. However, they were caught just a few steps away from the arena gate. Cole turned pale, but he deftly dodged the charge of one of the bulls and took advantage of a gap in the herd to give up and escape to the side of the street.


    But Dylan wasn''t as lucky. He was not a local and did not know some of the taboos of running with the bulls. After his coat was hooked by a bull horn, the bright red jacket he was wearing underneath excited the bull. He was scraped by the bull horn and rolled around on the ground.


    When he got up dizzy and panting, the herd changed its direction and charged toward him.


    "God, be careful," people warned, many of them foreseeing a tragic ending and covering their eyes.


    Dylan used all his strength to try to escape the trampling of the herd.


    He was so scared that he wanted to cry, regretting his reckless decision. Even if Naomi was ten times more beautiful, his life was more important.


    It seemed that heaven had mercy on this young man''s fate, and a savior descended from the sky.


    A strong arm grabbed the bull''s horn, stopping the raging bull in its tracks, unable to move forward a single inch. The owner of the arm took a deep breath, forcefully brought the bull down to the ground.


    Then he grabbed Dylan''s jacket, and threw it in the opposite direction. The herd hesitated and tried to turn around, but instead collided in confusion.


    The crowd cheered, but the appearance of this hero wasn''t so good-looking. Many guests who had patronized the Red Sparrow Troupe recognized him. He was an employee of the touring troupe.


    "Wow, this giant is really strong," everyone whispered to each other.


    "My waist..." Dylan lay there unable to move, looking very painful. The person next to him handed him half a glass of beer and fed it to him. After a while, he finally recovered.


    "If you''re okay, then I should go," Albert said.


    "Oh, please wait," Dylan shouted. "If I can''t repay my savior, it will bring shame to my reputation."


    Naomi appeared out of nowhere, her eyes full of tears. "Dylan, are you okay? You scared me just now."


    The arrival of his beloved gave the young man courage again. He stood up, dusted off his clothes and said, " My dear, for you, I''m willing to face any danger."


    He held Naomi''s hand and refused to let go. The young lady blushed, tacitly accepting his audacious behavior.


    It took Dylan a while to remember his savior. He used the tone commonly used by the upper class and said, "Sir, how can I repay you?" He felt his money pouch and suddenly had a good idea. "I have a party tonight. You can attend as my companion."


    Albert was ready to leave, but when he saw the family crest embroidered on this man''s clothes, he changed his mind.


    It was a Golden Sparrow Flower.


    "I would be happy to," Albert replied.


    " That''s great!!" Dylan exclaimed happily. "I''ll come to pick you up in the evening. Where do you live...?" He looked at Albert''s very ordinary clothes and then said, "You can wait for me at the square on Third Street at six o''clock."


    "I''ll finish my work first and arrive at the square on time," Albert said.


    Naomi secretly said to her new boyfriend, "Why invite him? Just looking at those scars makes me feel scared. Just give him a few gold coins and these country bumpkins will be moved to tears."


    "My dear," Dylan was still excited about his good idea. "Have you not grown tired of dancing and chatting? This kind of freak can bring a lot of fun."


    Meanwhile, Albert was also thinking that this was a good opportunity for him to get close to the Leinshman family.


    Since the God of Revenge had given him the opportunity, he couldn''t afford to miss it.


    "Many of Master Dachi ''s paintings were lost in the war, and we can only infer those great works that we never had a chance to see from their names in books," said the senior appraiser who was invited to lunch with the bank manager.


    " That''s a pity," Seth sighed, "I wonder if Master Dachi has any particularly famous portrait paintings?"


    "Lover" and "Girl" are both Master Daqi''s pinnacle works," the appraiser replied.


    "Oh, I once heard someone mention that he had painted a portrait of a woman in black, called..." Seth rubbed his forehead, pretending not to remember.


    "''Helen''!" the appraiser said. "That''s the master''s most outstanding work! The model in the painting is said to be Master Daqi''s lover in his later years, but there is another saying that the model is actually the master himself. He used his painting brush and superb painting skills to give himself feminine features."


    " That''s incredible, I wonder which prince or noble currently owns ''Helen.''"


    "Sir, it was stolen fifty years ago. The original owner was a prestigious prince, he used various methods but couldn''t find it." The appraiser replied. The case was widely circulated, and many people knew about it.


    Seth also knew, he just wanted to confirm it.


    "If ''Helen'' were to appear on the market, it would be worth at least one million. All artists and nobles would go crazy for it. But I think this painting may have already been secretly collected by someone." The appraiser said.


    Yes, it was collected in the bank''s vault. Seth was overjoyed, he was sure that wastrel wouldn''t know the secret behind the sketch, and the one million would belong to him.


    But there was still a more critical problem.


    "A friend of mine accidentally glued two pieces of artwork together due to poor storage. Is there a way to separate them?" Seth asked.


    "Storing art is a skill that not everyone can learn," said the appraiser with disdain. He felt sorry for the manager''s words. "Moisture and heat can affect the fragile color pigments, and special agents must be used, along with trained nimble fingers and professional tools to slowly repair them. If one loses focus for even a moment, the painting will be ruined."


    "How long does it usually take?"


    "It depends on the specific situation. I''ve dealt with this kind of accident before, and it took me two weeks."


    The bank manager thought to himself, "Two weeks? It''s too late. The deposit period is ten days, and five days have already passed."


    He had intended to take "Helen" out of the frame, but the one million and ten thousand were stuck together like twin brothers.


    It wasn''t realistic to privately keep both paintings. They were stored in a high-security vault. How could he explain their loss?


    The most famous bank on the Golden Road, with the tightest security vault, losing something like this would attract the attention of the police department. As the manager, not only will he ruin his own reputation, but the bank headquarters will also not excuse him.


    He didn''t want to lose one million and his reputation as a banker.


    Seth quickly made a decision, "Since the wastrel thinks the painting is only worth ten thousand, I''ll find a reason to buy it back at the original price or even double the price."