And now it seems that both the hit list and the code of conduct are somewhat similar.
Ethan vaguely remembered the disappearance case of Reception Bureau A-level investigator in Fireplace Bay Town, where the guards at the entrance gave the same testimony—they stayed outside the whole time without leaving, and there were no signs of struggle inside the house; the person vanished into thin air.
Except, there were some water stains left on the floor.
Later, Ethan learned that these were traces left by Lindong’s Ascension Elemental Magic after it melted; the reason it seemed like a "vanishing into thin air" was because time had shifted—death happened instantaneously for those in the Ascension domain, and even the victim could not perceive they were harmed.
Thus, he couldn’t help but return to Lindong’s question before departing—could there be two of oneself existing simultaneously in this world?
If someone looks like her, uses the same Ascension Elemental Magic, and has the same hit list, would they be considered Lindong?
Lindong noticed Ethan’s gaze, and after holding it for a moment, she innocently picked up a snow cherry to feed Ethan.
Meanwhile, at the Margaret Mansion.
Early in the morning, the knights of the Kingdom Army heavily surrounded the mansion. Abaddon, who received the Pope’s orders, regained his confidence with the current target.
A researcher with no combat experience whatsoever.
If he couldn’t defeat the mutated Bigfoot Emperor, surely a mere researcher would be no challenge?
Moreover, the Pope himself appeared, so Abaddon only needed to lead his men to encircle the mansion and ensure no one could leave.
In the crowd of clergy, the imposing elder in a red robe walked into the estate. The servants turned pale with fright, trembling, but Collins-Margaret seemed unsurprised by the impending events. He calmly enjoyed his breakfast and, upon seeing the familiar face, offered, "Candied fruit, honey, cheese bread, and sausages."
Opposite Collins, there was an empty plate and cutlery, seemingly prepared especially for the Pope.
The imposing elder did not refuse, took a seat opposite Collins, picked a sausage with his utensils and placed it on the plate, then spread honey on a slice of bread.
A simple yet delicious breakfast.
As Collins’s last meal at the mansion, it was quite dignified.
After a series of clinking cutlery sounds, the Pope spoke, "The royal family needs an heir other than Ave, can the Second Prince forgive her for last night’s indiscretions at the banquet?"
"I’m afraid the Second Prince will be disappointed; the inheritance ceremony has already been completed."
Collins continued to enjoy his breakfast and said, "The Second Prince must learn that not everything in this world goes as one wishes, right?"
With a somber expression, the Pope found this response unsurprising as they all knew the conversation wasn’t truly about the Second Prince.
"I fondly remember the time we collaborated; this is the last forgiveness I can secure for you."
This fondness included Collins’s attitude.
A talented heir of the Margaret Clan’s bloodline, yet one who could never fully satisfy everyone’s wishes.
Even Collins himself wasn’t an exception; unwilling to bend to the royal family’s desires but still ended up with nothing.
"Maybe accepting His Majesty Henry’s suggestion back then would have been much easier, then Ave and her mother wouldn’t be embroiled in this conflict."
To the Pope, silently permitting Collins to have a lover and illegitimate daughter was considered merciful.
Unfortunately, at the royal banquet, both Collins and yesterday’s Ave made disappointing choices, "She’s indeed your daughter, but you must understand that the Margaret Family’s bloodline cannot be further polluted."
The Pope had heard that Ave brought back a D-level investigator from the Reception Bureau from Ximu Town, and the Gear City branch had praised him as a promising young talent likely to advance to A-level, becoming a backbone of the Empire in time.
The only issue was that they discovered the D-level investigator was a refugee, which would significantly taint the bloodline.
Therefore, the Pope ordered that upon discovery, he is to be killed immediately.
They have learned enough from past experiences, no longer taking any mild approaches, leaving Ave with several years to find a way to break Magic and eventually give birth to unclean lineage.
"When necessary, we will use Holy Word Art to completely eradicate her will."
Upon hearing this, Collins’s face showed slight change; he glanced at the Pope, his tone as always, "Even so, that’s the path she chose herself."
They all understood the consequences of this action.
The side effect of eradicating her will would be to completely extinguish Ave’s thoughts and creativity, leaving the inherited knowledge unusable, and she would become a tool for passing this knowledge to the next generation. If anything goes wrong during this process, the secrets Margaret holds regarding ancient technology would utterly vanish.
By then, even the Empire’s proud Golden Fleet would become a pile of scrap iron.
"We do not wish to reach the worst-case scenario, right? So, even if it goes against her own will, I at least hope she changes her mind because of you."