Donna, who had never seen such a grand scene before, was very nervous, but upon hearing Yan Xing’s command, she immediately walked around the round conference table.
In the front pocket of her maid’s outfit, she had some "Big White Rabbit" milk candies. She grabbed the candies and placed one in front of each person on the table, then quickly ran back to stand behind Yan Xing.
Everyone looked at the milk candies, and the meeting room fell silent.
Even those who couldn’t help coughing did so while desperately suppressing their voices.
While the others hadn’t touched the milk candies on the table, Count Theodore reached out, picked up one, unwrapped it, and tossed the candy into his mouth.
"Hmm... I never thought that the combination of milk and sugar could create such a wonderful flavor," the old count said with obvious enjoyment to Yan Xing. "Brother Yan Xing, is this a specialty from Thunderous Swamp? Why didn’t you offer it sooner! Are you afraid I’d eat too much and not pay you?"
Yan Xing played along with Count Theodore, reciprocating the friendly address, "This is indeed a specialty from Thunderous Swamp. I originally planned to bring it out for you, Brother Theodore, to try when we were drinking together at the Lord’s Mansion.
I didn’t expect Priest Temple to be assassinated at this time.
I know everyone is mourning the death of Priest Temple. By eating a candy, you can immediately turn your grief into strength, and we can all work together to handle Priest Temple’s funeral arrangements.
I believe... Priest Temple’s soul in Heaven would not wish to see everyone with such sorrowful expressions."
Having said that, Yan Xing also picked up a candy from the table.
The candy wrapper read "Big White Rabbit."
He hadn’t really wanted to eat one, but given the circumstances, he supposed he had to.
He peeled one and popped it into his mouth.
Milky and sweet. Decent enough, he thought.
Grand Priest Lancelot watched coldly as Count Theodore savored his candy, and then his gaze fell upon the suddenly appeared... Knight.
There were now six people at the table. Four of them, including Lancelot himself, hadn’t touched the candy before them.
Their stances suddenly became clear.
The Grand Priest said to Count Theodore, "My Lord Count... you had Gale leave because the Golden Oak Chamber of Commerce has nothing to do with this incident.
Your friend from Thunderous Swamp seems to have nothing to do with Priest Temple’s death either.
Please have him leave as well, so we can deal with Priest Temple’s assassination more promptly."
Yan Xing didn’t move.
Count Theodore chuckled. "I didn’t say that the Golden Oak Chamber of Commerce had nothing to do with Priest Temple’s assassination; I just asked if Gale was involved.
As for Knight Yan Xing..."
At this point, Yan Xing interjected, "I certainly have something to do with Priest Temple’s death..."
His words immediately caused an uproar in the hall.
Was this an admission of guilt?
Amidst the murmurs, Yan Xing continued, "I heard that when Priest Temple came to Nuta City, he represented the Central Shrine to attend the auction for Ice Jade Porcelain tableware.
And I... am the owner of the Ice Jade Porcelain tableware.
I entrusted the Golden Oak Chamber of Commerce and its merchant Eden to organize an auction for the Ice Jade Porcelain tableware. Priest Temple came for the auction, so his death naturally concerns me.
This matter has caused incalculable losses to both me and the Ice Jade Porcelain. I must find the murderer and tear him... or them... into pieces, grind their flesh into mincemeat, and make them into buns to feed my warriors!"
Yan Xing had just finished speaking when Olaf, standing behind him, shouted loudly, "Master Yan Xing, a man of his word!"
The people who had been whispering all fell silent, and the meeting room once again sank into quiet.
These barbarians from the swamp! They truly lack any refinement!
And what’s more... the legendary Ice Jade Porcelain tableware was in the hands of this human Knight who mingled with the swamp barbarians!
Count Theodore had just said he was a Beast Tamer.
Could his territory actually be part of Thunderous Swamp?
To be treated with such respect by the Lord of Nuta City, his power in Thunderous Swamp must be immense!
Seeing a barbarian Knight unexpectedly become the focus of the venue, Grand Priest Lancelot knew he couldn’t dwell on an outsider any longer; he had to get to the main issue promptly.
We must make Priest Temple’s death count for something, Lancelot resolved.
"Well, since Knight Yan Xing was brought here by you, My Lord Count, he may temporarily remain seated. We still need to deal with Priest Temple’s assassination as soon as possible...
We must provide an explanation to the Central Shrine, and also to everyone present in this room.
The assassin must still be hiding within Nuta City.
He dared to defy the Temple’s majesty by assassinating a Temple priest and will surely make a move on others as well.
My Lord Count... please make it a priority to find the assassin."
But how could the assassin be found? The Grand Priest was relentlessly cornering the old fox. Lancelot had wiped away all the clues; how was Count Theodore supposed to find anyone? This wasn’t a matter that could be brushed aside by arbitrarily convicting someone. Without solid evidence, the Temple wouldn’t accept just any conclusion.
At this moment, Lady Karol said, "Lord Earl, I came to Nuta City on behalf of the Silver Mane Duke, bearing the responsibility of oversight.
To think Priest Temple, who came with me, was assassinated publicly ! The memory still makes my heart pound with fear. I worry that the next target... might be me.
Now the Wildland Orcs and Snow Elves are about to join forces and launch an attack on Wildwind Highlands. Nuta City bears the heavy logistical responsibilities of the entire Wildwind Highlands Legion. His Highness is deeply concerned about the situation here... very, very deeply.
I hope you can catch the assassin as soon as possible. Otherwise, I don’t know how to relay the situation here to His Highness and reassure him about Wildwind Highlands’ war situation, allowing him to continue trusting you and Marquis Anderson."
Lancelot was putting him in check again. Another heavy burden of blame for Count Theodore to bear. They were completely inconsiderate of the fact that the Count was over seventy years old.
And that wasn’t all. After Lady Karol finished speaking, the other two influential nobles in Nuta City also united to pressure the old Count.
Such a severe incident, the assassination of a Temple priest in Nuta City, had every noble and merchant worried for their lives. If the assassin wasn’t caught soon... the city might not be able to function.
The others at the meeting began to whisper again. The murder of the Central Shrine’s envoy in Nuta City was of such a heinous nature. The perpetrator must undoubtedly be powerful, a villain who disregards privileged status. He couldn’t be allowed to remain hidden within Nuta City. As the Lord of Nuta City, Count Theodore had the obligation to catch the assassin as soon as possible.
When everyone had discussed enough and immense public pressure had formed, Grand Priest Lancelot said to Count Theodore, "I would like to hear your plan for apprehending the assassin, My Lord Count. Show us your confidence, so everyone can go home and sleep without fearing they won’t wake up the next day."
Check after check! It was a checkmate position. With no clues, he was being pressured to disclose his plan. The unspoken challenge hung in the air: How would he catch the assassin?
However, experience always tells. That old fox, Theodore, had already figured out what they were up to the moment he heard Priest Temple had been assassinated. He had already prepared a clever counter.
Now, it’s my time to make a move! Theodore thought.
Count Theodore then said, "Catching an assassin? Simple enough. Leave it to me; I’ll take responsibility for rooting out the assassin."