If she were facing her father or elder brother, Estella might still feel a bit intimidated. Especially her father, she was truly terrified of him. But when facing Achilles, she had her ways. "Second brother, I heard it from others, maybe they said it on purpose for to hear, but it doesn’t matter. I’m just a useless princess, the only thing I can do is to pass this information to my trusted second brother!"
Estella said with grievance.
Achilles knew well that Estella was mostly acting, but what could he do? After all, he was her brother, and unlike others, he could particularly understand Estella’s helplessness and frustration, and even felt a bit of resonance.
"I can tell you so things without asking who said it, but you can’t get involved. If anyone ever hints at you like this again, you must tell ," Achilles said seriously.
Damn it, if he knew who it was, he’d surely peel their skin off.
"Second brother, aren’t we doing the right thing? Why do we have to be so sneaky?" Estella couldn’t help but ask.
"The hardest thing in the world is to persist in doing the right thing," Achilles said with a bitter smile. "Essentially, order is composed of interests, with more compromises involved."
Estella looked at her second brother, thinking it was sowhat unlike sothing he would say.
"Bocuse is the First Elder of the Gourt Association. The association always has five and a half elders. Bocuse is the most senior and influential. His original na should be Boka. He’s not just a cook, he’s a rare secret master, at least still the Great Elder of the Gourt Association. Assuming he is the Dark Chef, we need solid evidence," Achilles said. "I’ve been there multiple tis, and he’s never shown any flaws."
Estella looked at her second brother, finally understanding. Her second brother often went to dine not just for the food, but to see if he could catch any mistakes. She felt a bit guilty, didn’t expect her usually unreliable second brother to be so dependable.
"Second brother, since you already suspect him, why not just arrest him? Even if he’s a master, he can’t possibly be stronger than our Kingdom, and there’s also the Church Court. If the Red-robed Archbishop acts, no secret master is a match. If all else fails, we have the Pope, and Teacher Vladimir, and Withered Wood Monastery. If we catch him, we can find evidence," Estella said.
"That’s true, but it’s also not that simple," Achilles said. "Firstly, as a representative of the Gourt Association, Bocuse’s strength may not necessarily be below that of the Red-robed Archbishop. So special powers are hard to guard against. Besides, acting on re suspicion would co at a high cost and break the secret agreents established during the Sixth Epoch, causing great trouble for the Kingdom. Even if it’s proven that he’s the Dark Chef, our Kingdom’s credibility would be damaged. Secondly, the Ivory Bay Restaurant is in Count Mogu’s property. Count Mogu is our great uncle, and do you know how many nobles in Hedan have had their health improved by his cooking? People who eat are easily swayed; they fear death most. Not even I, or even father, would dare to give such orders lightly."
Estella opened her mouth. If she were purely naive, it would be fine, but after hearing Achilles’ words, she felt a deep sense of frustration.
"Dark Cuisine and Gourt Cuisine conflict. I’ve brought people there multiple tis to test it, but Bocuse handles it flawlessly every ti. Dealing with such an old fox cannot be rash. Losing patience or being too obvious would be mocked," Achilles said. "We need a breakthrough opportunity."
"You’re saying, he knows we know?" Estella asked in surprise.
"Yes," Achilles said. "In fact, many things are not secrets at a certain level."
"Did you know the Mother Goddess School also has issues?" Estella asked.
Achilles’ pupils contracted, "Where did you hear this from?"
"You’ve said it yourself: many things aren’t secrets. I am the final disciple of the Withered Wood Monastery’s abbot!" Estella, turning the tables, said to her second brother, as long as she maintained her montum, he had no way around it.
"Let this matter stop with , don’t ntion it in front of father and mother," Achilles said. "Estella, everything has soone who should handle it. I know you want to help, but helping without understanding can backfire and hurt many people."
It was the first ti Estella heard her second brother call her na so seriously, which indicated the severity of the situation.
Perhaps realizing he had been too stern, Achilles quickly smiled and peeled grapes for Estella. "You see, second brother tells you everything. How about this, if there’s any definite progress, I’ll let you know. But if soone tells you sothing in private, you must be careful. If you notice anything off, inform promptly. I might just find so clues."
"Second brother, are your flirtations really just for solving cases?" Estella suddenly felt her brother’s image grow grander, and curiously asked.
Achilles blushed...
...
Mist Continent, Divpo City.
Batty finally returned to the much-missed Divpo City. The journey had posed no obstacles; apparently, neither the mist nor the Fallen’s attacks impacted this group. The team employed various unknown thods to Batty, very powerful, making ordinary Lightkeepers seem like a joke in comparison.
Once, they in Roto believed guarding the lighthouse relied solely on them. It was their opportunity for redemption and a sacred duty.
Mr. Cancer’s judgnt was correct. The adults in the city obviously didn’t care about his life but rather the Divine Relic within him.
Having been away for a while, it felt like another lifeti. Finally returning to Divpo City, the familiar clamor felt exceptionally dear. The distant lighthouse’s glow behind him seed like another lonely, deathly world. If he hadn’t entered the Twelve Zodiac Star Disc, he still wouldn’t know what it looked like now.
Batty was imprisoned, but not in Roto’s place. Instead, he was held in the Divine Hall’s guard area, which reportedly only held important figures or major criminals. He never imagined he would beco soone of importance.
The guards were Sheren, visibly surprised why a Roto would be sent here.
Batty sat cross-legged, imagining a wooden fish in his hand. The wooden fish gave him tranquility and faith, no longer minding the stares and the forthcoming pain and challenges.
The night’s prison turned pitch black. Batty still sat cross-legged against the wall. Resources in Divpo City were extrely precious and wouldn’t be wasted on a prison.
Batty’s soul entered the Twelve Zodiac Star Disc, summoning Mr. Gemini. He wanted to ask the gentleman what should be done next.
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