Chapter 338 Encounter

"I want to know every step the ghost took, every word he uttered, and every person he came into contact with after leaving Yuanxin Palace." The queen's cold voice echoed throughout the hall: "I want you to capture him alive, and kill the rest if necessary!"

"Your Excellency Duke Kamu."

The golden eyes of the beast, like frozen candle flames, stared at Duke Kamu, who also had a grim expression on his face. The latter's heart trembled, and he immediately stepped forward and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty is here."

"I grant you the authority to mobilize the royal city's army," Esmerel said grimly. "Now, block off the main streets, especially the slums. Once the mob in front of the palace has dispersed, begin searching every house. Arrest and interrogate those who dared to storm the palace, including the leaders, the loudest shouters, and the most violent individuals."

"...But Your Majesty," Duke Kamu hesitated, "The residents of the royal city are very emotional, and forcible arrest is probably..."

"Then kill them." Esmerel's tone was chillingly calm. "Do I need to teach you this? Anyone who dares to resist will be executed in the street. Let everyone around us see what happens when they dare to challenge the majesty of the royal family. The Silver Iris Empire does not need a mob that can be easily bewitched by ghosts."

For a moment, Duke Kamu was stunned by the cold murderous intent that covered the queen's naked body. His back was slightly soaked with sweat. He lowered his head and replied respectfully, "Yes."

After the members of the First and Second Councils gradually dispersed, Cassius II huddled in his throne, not daring to utter a single word. Esmerel coldly called out to the empty hall, "Sir Sandro."

The old woman's shadow slowly emerged from the depths of the shadows.

"Please be responsible for protecting His Majesty the King's personal safety," the Queen said expressionlessly, not even glancing at her trembling husband. "The deal between you and me remains valid."

The figure disappeared silently again, leaving only the queen standing alone in the empty hall. The gloomy light from the sky shone through the tall, narrow arched windows, and dust flew everywhere, as if staining the floor tiles and the throne with a layer of scarlet blood.

Outside the palace gate, when the ghost's figure appeared among the crowd gathered in front of Yuanxin Palace, the cheers suddenly reached a peak.

Countless arms reached out to him, countless excited and hopeful faces gathered. The professor froze, a bit; he could never face so much passionate and sincere emotion. But he still spoke briefly, saying that victory would belong to the people, thanking the residents of the royal city for their support, and urging them to stay safe. Finally, he said, "We look forward to meeting again where the dawn is," and quietly led the council members into the crowd.

"Ore," Nova whispered quickly, the assassin's figure slowly emerging from his side. "According to the plan, you will be responsible for commanding the Shadow Chasers. Lead the council members to disperse and use the secret passages in the royal city. Disguise yourself and leave through the tunnels left by the smugglers. Do your best to ensure everyone's safety. If the team is truly unsure, follow the backup plan and hide in the royal city first."

"Don't worry." Orel snorted softly, and said meaningfully, "Thanks to you, I've had to go through this before, and I know the inside of the Royal City very well."

He was referring to the time when he went to the royal city to rescue his good friend who was imprisoned by a tyrant - that happened in his previous life.

"—Wait!" Fina, who was originally excited to the point of tears, suddenly realized something was wrong. She asked why the other party never told her about their arrangements during the previous rehearsal: "Mr. Ghost, aren't you going with us?!"

"No, I'll be the bait." The black-haired young man said calmly amidst the many council members' gazes, some of which were particularly moved, some of which were filled with mixed emotions. "The Queen's main target is me. Only if I'm conspicuous enough can I ensure the safe evacuation of most of you. Azuka will follow me."

A mysterious sorcerer, his figure hidden in a hooded cloak, appeared silently from behind him and nodded slightly to the frightened crowd.

"But, but..." Fina looked at him anxiously. She knew that no one in the world could convince this gentleman to change his mind. However, as the core area of ​​the Silver Iris Empire, the Royal City was full of hidden talents. Countless powerful people from all over the empire gathered in the Royal City, not to mention the two saints - this was too dangerous.

Seeing that the girl was about to burst into tears, the professor frowned and his voice became stern: "Fina Wood."

The other party immediately stood up straight subconsciously: "Yes!"

Those smoky grey eyes simply made one subconsciously obey all his instructions: "Follow orders."

"……yes."

"Here we are, the stalker," Ole interrupted abruptly, "at three o'clock, about two minutes."

"You're just in time, let's get moving." The professor grabbed Azuka's wrist expressionlessly and began to squeeze into the old town where the terrain was the most complicated. Before leaving, he turned his head and took a deep look at Fina and the many members of the Citizens' Assembly who were pursing their lips.

"—Everyone, I hope we can meet again in Port Morris."

…

In June of the year 1849 in the Ambrosian calendar, during the reign of Cassius II, the Third Blooming Conference of the Silver Iris Empire came to an end. During this period, the Citizens' Assembly was established, formally declaring its independence from the royal family. It demanded the deprivation of all transcendent privileges of the royal family, the nobility, and the clergy, and the establishment of a new social governance system based on the principle of equality. This laid a crucial political and ideological foundation for the subsequent complete abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of a political system centered on popular sovereignty.

In the same month of the same year, a terrorist suppression campaign later named "Summer Massacre" broke out in Amacatio, the capital of the Silver Iris Empire. On the day when the Blooming Conference ended, the royal army executed 27 "mob leaders" on the street. In the following month, a total of 235 supporters and sympathizers who were believed to be involved with "Ghost" and the People's Party were executed in succession in Iris Heart Square.

Of the eighty-five members of the Citizens' Assembly at its inception, seventy-six managed to escape the royal city: five of them chose to leave the team and surrender to the royal army; three of them separated from the members of the "Shadow Chasers" organization who were responsible for their cover, and were arrested again near Shimo Town, about three hundred miles away from the royal city. They were taken back to the royal city and secretly executed; one person was hit by a stray bullet while crossing the blockade outside the royal city and died on the spot.

Considering the disparity in power between the Citizens' Council and the Royal City Army at the time, this was undoubtedly an astonishing achievement. According to the later recollections of Royal City residents and some of those involved, the "Ghost" disappeared after parting with the other council members that day, leaving only the Royal City Army to pursue him throughout the city. It wasn't until the spring of 1850 that the Ghost was once again active throughout the Empire.

…

When the professor returned to Port Morris, he was greeted by a group of "tearful" friends and subordinates. Marcylin was the first to rush over, first hugging him so hard that he staggered, and then simply lifted him up and spun him around.

The professor, whose feet were inexplicably off the ground, said: "...What are you doing? Let me go."

He even forgot politeness and greetings for a moment.

"Are you okay? Is everything alright?" The red-haired girl ignored his unintimidating protests and nervously confirmed that the young man's head and limbs were in the right place before she breathed a sigh of relief.

"I'm fine, thank you for your concern." The professor's face was frozen as he struggled to pull himself out. He felt the pain in his ribs, even though the other party was obviously holding back. "With Azuka here, there's nothing to worry about."

"So you've been away for so long?" The assassin, who had long since returned to Port Morris, stood aside with his arms folded, looking equally relieved. "If it weren't for the crows that regularly reported the news, I would have thought you two had eloped and gone off to a private world, leaving Marceline and me here all alone."

Azuka, who was rescuing the professor from the red-haired girl but was suddenly slandered, narrowed his eyes slightly. He grabbed the back of Maxine's collar, lifted her up and slid her to a place farther away from the professor before putting her down. The latter was obviously relieved and immediately took a step back, using his shadow to cover himself.

"Like I said, I took the opportunity to discuss follow-up plans with several important members of parliament." The professor retorted sternly, rather dissatisfied, "I'm not eloping. I'm doing the right thing. I'm working to expand the influence of the Limin Party."

"The newspaper said you were dead." The red-haired girl sniffed and said sadly, "It was so detailed that they even published a photo of the deceased."

She was really frightened at that time. If she had not maintained absolute trust in her friend, and if Orel had not promised her solemnly that they had been communicating with living people these days, at that moment she would have had the urge to run to the royal city in person and punch the queen on the nose to get an explanation.

"Oh, that's normal." Nova blinked slowly. "In the days to come, I'm afraid I'll appear in the newspapers in various ways of death. It doesn't matter, after all, we have our own newspaper."

Maxine: "..."

Wouldn't this guy be mad about this?!

The red-haired girl sighed, suddenly took a step back, and earnestly opened her arms to the crowd. Her light green eyes were bright and clear, reflecting her sincere joy. "Although I forgot to say it right away, it's not too late to say it now - Professor, welcome home."

Nova: “…”

He couldn't help but look for help at the savior who was watching their antics with a gentle expression and indulgence.

"No, Marshilin, our Majesty is shy." Ole said coldly and jokingly, "Don't push him. He looks like he's going to turn around and run away in a second."

"...Ore," Azuka sighed softly and asked calmly, "No one has been fighting with you lately. Are you itching to fight?"

"Huh?" The assassin leader raised his eyebrows arrogantly. "You seem quite proud of yourself, kid. But I can sense that your breakthrough to Sainthood is just around the corner. Want a fight?"

"...I'm not shy, and I won't turn around and run away." The professor's cold voice came from the side. He took off his gloves, solemnly grabbed one of Maxine's hands and shook it, then immediately let go as the person's smile instantly widened.

"Sorry, I'm not used to hugs, but thank you for the welcome," he said expressionlessly. Then, looking at the assassin, whose expression was inexplicably twisted, he sternly warned, "Ore, if you want to fight, do it in the open sea. Not in Port Morris, and not near the coast, so as not to affect passing ships."

After all, Azuka had a sense of propriety, but the other person might not have it. If the city that had been rebuilt with great difficulty was destroyed because of a fight between two super strong men, he swore that he would definitely skin the assassin alive.

"Of course, sir." Azuka couldn't help but chuckle. "I swear, before you even realize it, it's all over."

Ole's eyes widened, suddenly realizing his friend's subtle taunt. But before he could retaliate, the professor's sinister gaze slowly swept over the assassin's slowly stiffening face. "If the tasks I've assigned you are too inadequate, leaving you with no outlet for your energy, please let me know."

"Damn it, why didn't you warn that brat Azuka?" Ole quickly and cunningly changed the subject, and asked back in a very dissatisfied tone, "He was the one who brought it up first this time!"

The professor looked away expressionlessly, pretending not to hear.

...Of course, because if you ask the savior if he has no place to vent his energy, that person will definitely smile gently and say something he doesn't expect to hear.

"Ore, sometimes you really deserve it." Marcylin, who was happily watching the show on the side, couldn't help but sigh.

No tact at all.