19: New findings

After receiving the list, Arthur did not rush to leave. He silently followed his aunt, from the study to the bedroom, and then to the hall.

The Sheriff finally lost her patience and asked, "Why are you still here?"

"I'd like to ask you a few questions," Arthur said humbly, "about the recent murders in the city."

"This is none of your business, Arthur. I think you should be preparing supplies now; your days here are numbered."

"My dear aunt, you know I've always been very curious."

"Then have you heard 'curiosity killed the cat'? Even if a cat has nine lives, it still can't escape death in the end."

"The foreman disappeared, artisans were successively murdered, and now, another person handling temple affairs is dead.

"Don't you suspect this is a conspiracy? And by the way, what was Tina's cause of death?"

The Sheriff looked at her nephew in surprise, "I can't remember the last time I saw you this sober.

"Why are you so interested in this? Even if it is a conspiracy, I will get to the bottom of it."

Arthur lowered his voice and said, "Because on the day of the inauguration ceremony, I'll be sitting on the main platform, unarmed, a conspicuous living target."

"For Mother Earth's sake…"

"Please, Aunt! Think of all those men I introduced to you; which one didn't curse me to hell after spending a good night with you? Even if I haven't contributed anything, I…"

The Sheriff suddenly gripped her nephew's hand, so hard that a look of pain appeared on Arthur's face.

"If you say another word, I'll throw you in jail. They all died of heart attacks, satisfied?"

"Heart attacks? All of them?"

"Poisoned. The coroner found Purple Nightdew in their bodies. You should be quite familiar with that stuff."

Purple Nightdew, while elegant-sounding, was actually an aphrodisiac.

Most gentlemen in Amn used it to enhance pleasure, but excessive consumption could induce heart attacks.

"Did Joan examine the body?" Arthur asked.

"That's right, your old flame."

"Understood. I wish you a smooth investigation, Aunt."

Arthur was about to leave after speaking, but the Sheriff still hadn't let go.

"Whatever tricks you're playing, Arthur, stay out of this. You don't want to get involved in this mess."

"Of course, I'm just curious."

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

After leaving the mansion, Airo asked, "Any discoveries?"

"Uh-huh." Arthur handed her the list. "Found this, but I don't understand any of the contents on it."

"You know alchemy?"

Airo shook her head, "An old friend did; I learned a little bit from her."

"Let's go to the docks. I know someone who can help take a look."

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

Six shackled slaves squatted on the ground, observing their new master.

He was a rather young, tall, and handsome nobleman who called himself the Son of the Wolf, named Arthur.

However, the slaves didn't care about any of that; they only cared about how this new master would deal with them.

"Catherine, come with me. I want to talk to you," Arthur said.

Upon hearing that name, the slaves visibly stirred.

Airo reached for her dagger and warned, "Relax, fellows. You heard Lord Arthur; he just wants to talk."

The only woman among the six stood up, gesturing to the others that there was no need to be nervous.

"I am Catherine, Master," she said.

Arthur waved his hand, "Don't call me Master; Mr. will do. Lady, please follow me."

Arthur led the female slave into a small room beside the warehouse.

Airo did not follow them in but stood guard at the door, keeping an eye on the warehouse's movements.

"Sit down," Arthur gestured.

The female slave cautiously sat on the wooden chair and immediately saw their files laid out on the table.

"I don't understand, Mas… no, Lord, this is…"

"Catherine Cromwell, a noble from the capital, convicted of treason for colluding with imperial remnants, and sentenced to death."

Arthur said, flipping through the files.

The female slave remained silent about this.

"Later, she organized a slave rebellion on the ship, attempting to seize the Barracuda."

After saying this, Arthur tossed the file aside and asked, "Tell me, Lady, how much of this is true?"

Catherine looked up, her face full of astonishment.

"It's all true, Lord," she said.

"Then I've truly found a treasure, a noblewoman who tried to restore the empire.

"For Mother Earth's sake, the people in the capital are getting worse at fabricating charges.

"I know you don't believe me, and I feel the same. But I think I've expressed my goodwill as much as possible.

"I didn't send you to the slave camp, and I gave you normal, sufficient food. So, I believe I have the right to make a request."

Catherine responded fearfully, "Of course, of course."

"I hope that at least this conversation can be frank, rather than us testing each other. I don't want to waste time."

Catherine nodded, gathering her courage to look Arthur directly in the eyes.

Then, she said, "I am very grateful for everything you have done, but forgive my bluntness, I don't believe in free lunches."

She had expected that after saying these words, the other party would give her a lesson, make her understand her place, and teach her how to speak to a noble.

At least, every person she had encountered since becoming a slave had been like this.

But this young noble simply smiled and said, "See, we're making progress.

"Now, I'll ask you again, why did they pin such a serious crime on you?"

"You won't believe it," Catherine sighed. "Lord, my past isn't important."

Arthur also sighed, complaining, "You said nothing, yet you assumed I would mock you like other nobles.

"Prejudice in people's hearts is a great mountain. I thought you were different from others; it seems I overestimated you."

These words seemed to touch Catherine.

After a brief silence, she spoke again: "I taught women to read, taught them politics, and taught them all kinds of knowledge."

"That's it," Arthur suddenly realized. "You taught women knowledge, and then they learned to resist, no longer content to be mere accessories to men.

"Do you know how many men climbed the social ladder by marrying wealthy widows? It's a miracle they didn't execute you on the spot."

"But you don't seem surprised."

"Why should I be surprised?" Arthur asked. "Is teaching women knowledge some unforgivable act? I'm teaching a little girl to read right now."

"This is different," Catherine shook her head. "I wanted them to stand up and become true individuals."

"Given your current situation, can I assume you failed?"

"It was a crushing defeat; I lost everything."

Arthur nodded, stood up, and drew his sword.

A flicker of fear crossed Catherine's face, but she quickly regained her composure, still looking directly at Arthur, without any sign of backing down.

With a flash of the sword, and a 'ding', her shackles snapped.

Arthur sheathed his sword and said, "I can tell you're their leader. Go back and tell the others; I'll give you some time to discuss.

"If anyone doesn't want to come with me to Qingfeng Valley, I will let them leave, I promise. After that, it's all up to their own abilities. But…"

Arthur emphasized his tone.

"But if you cause any more trouble, I promise you won't see tomorrow's sun."

Saying that, he handed the shackle key to Catherine, "From now on, you are free to go or stay as you wish."

Catherine stared at the key in shock, asking after a long moment, "Why are you doing this?"

"You know very well that where I'm going, there can be no mistakes. I must ensure my followers are loyal enough.

"So, instead of expending energy to control you, it's better to let you restless fellows leave. This is good for both of us.

"Of course, if you choose to stay, I will destroy the contract and restore your status as free citizens."

"I… I…" Catherine stood up and bowed respectfully, "Thank you very much."

"Oh, right," Arthur called out to Catherine, who was about to leave. "There's an alchemist among you, right?"

Catherine nodded, "Yes, Old Joe."

"Bring him to me; I have something to ask him."

"Alright, Lord."

Once Catherine left, Airo leaned against the doorframe, her eyes still fixed on the warehouse, "Are you really going to let them go?"

"Eavesdropping isn't a good habit," Arthur reminded her.

Airo tapped the wooden wall of the small room, "I wasn't deliberately eavesdropping; this room is drafty on all sides."

Arthur didn't dwell on the eavesdropping and instead asked, "Do you carry bombs with you?"

"Of course not."

"Me neither."

Airo chuckled softly and said, "They seem to have a choice, but in reality, they don't.

"See, you let them leave anytime, but you didn't say you'd restore their free citizen status.

"This way, these people become runaway slaves, and can be captured or killed upon discovery.

"They're new here and completely unfamiliar with the place. I think it would be difficult for them even to escape this city."

"Freedom and status are like fish and bear's paw, you can't have both," Arthur said. "You make me sound like a sinister villain."

"Aren't you?" Airo turned to look at him. "You gave them hope, but behind that hope lies danger."

As they were talking, Catherine arrived with a dwarf.

Arthur looked the dwarf up and down and asked, "Are you the alchemist?

"Sentenced to death for assisting the terrorist organization, the Emerald Society?"

The dwarf explained neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Lord, the Emerald Society is not a terrorist organization. They are merely fighting for the right to cast spells freely."

"I see now, you are all talented individuals," Arthur said with a wry smile. "I'm not here to argue with you about this.

"Look at this and tell me what the items on it are used for."

Saying this, Arthur handed the list to the dwarf.

A few minutes later, Old Joe said with a grave expression, "Lord, these items are used to synthesize Incandescent Gel and fuses.

"And this amount… this amount is enough to blow up a city wall."

Or a temple, Arthur thought to himself.

"Alright, you two can go now."

After dismissing the two slaves, Arthur asked Airo, "Are you familiar with the local black market?"

Airo nodded.

"Help me check if anyone has been purchasing large quantities of Purple Nightdew recently."

This made Airo raise an eyebrow.

Arthur noticed her misunderstanding and explained, "Tina, that dwarf merchant, she most likely died from a heart attack caused by an overdose of Purple Nightdew."

"Maybe she just wanted to have some fun."

"Then the other seven dead artisans had the same idea as her."

Airo suddenly understood, "I'll go inquire right away. What about you?"

"I need to talk to my father about the list."

Airo looked at the warehouse, "Will it be a problem leaving them here?"

Arthur shrugged, "If they're smart enough, they won't act rashly."

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

He found his father William in the military camp, but the soldiers guarding the war room entrance stopped him.

"Get out of the way, I have urgent news to report," Arthur ordered impatiently.

"Apologies, Young Master, the Earl has ordered that no one is allowed to enter during the meeting."

"Damn it!" Arthur cursed under his breath.

Just as he was about to use his status to force the soldiers to open the door, a voice came.

"Let him in, soldier." Bump, the castle steward, strode over. "The Earl won't mind."

The two soldiers exchanged glances, still hesitant.

Bump said sternly, "If the Earl blames you, tell him I let him in."

Thus, the soldiers opened the door and let Arthur into the meeting room.

As soon as he stepped into the meeting room, all eyes focused on him.

His father said nothing, merely raising a hand to signal him to sit in an empty chair.

Arthur noticed that almost all of Wolf Den City's high-ranking officials were present, each looking grim, as if discussing something very important.

So, he wisely did not interrupt, choosing instead to listen quietly.

"Continue, Maud," Evil Wolf Earl said to the Mayor of Wolf Den City.

The Mayor nodded and said, "Alright, Lord. The temple relocation work is still ongoing, expected to be largely completed by tomorrow afternoon.

"The first batch of invited guests will arrive tomorrow morning, and Bump and I have already arranged accommodation in the castle.

"Additionally, I must emphasize that the arrangements for the inauguration ceremony are still lacking many things…"

The Earl waved his hand, interrupting the Mayor, "We just discussed this. Warden Robert will soon form a small team to wipe out those damned bandits.

"This way, freight can resume, and the things you lack won't need to go by water; land transport will suffice."

After the Earl finished speaking, Warden Robert immediately stated, "Rest assured, my Mayor, I guarantee your goods will arrive smoothly."

The Earl then turned to the Sheriff, inquiring about the murder investigation.

The Sheriff simply stated that the investigation was still ongoing.

"Alright, wrap these matters up as soon as possible. I don't want the invited dignitaries to feel that the Evil Wolf Family has lost control of its territory."

After the meeting ended, Arthur approached his father and whispered, "I have some new discoveries."

The Earl looked at his youngest son with some surprise, "Tell me about it."

"The Sheriff must have told you that the dwarf merchant Tina died this morning, right?"

"Yes, she told me privately before the meeting started."

Arthur took out the list and handed it to his father, "I found this in her study.

"It's a procurement list, recording some alchemy raw materials secretly purchased by the temple construction team over the past six months. These materials are used to synthesize Incandescent Gel."

The Earl's expression hardened, and he speculated, "Perhaps it's just for making ceremonial fireworks?"

"I had someone look at it; this amount is enough to blow the temple to smithereens."

"Who else knows about this?"

"Just you and me," Arthur said.

However, he quickly added, "And three others know about the list."

"Are they trustworthy?"

"I think they're fine; they don't know the full picture."

The Earl stood up and said to his son, "Follow me."