Chapter 263: Chapter 131: Isn’t It Better to Die With Dignity?
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"Give up, Samir."
Clad in full military dress, Old Count Ernst sat imposing and powerful in the Governor’s seat—a throne forged from pure gold in the Council Hall.
By his side were more than ten other nobles in equally magnificent attire, all watching the man opposite them with calm expressions.
But the fervor in their eyes could not be concealed, a mixture of excitement, coldness, and contempt... among other things.
Surrounding them were orderly rows of family guards, flanked by numerous Extraordinaries in the uniforms of the Secret Investigation Department and the City Guard.
"Besides those City Guards behind you, the Secret Investigation Department you’re counting on won’t be coming. It’s impossible for them to come."
"So why not choose a dignified death?"
Old Count Ernst did not have the smug smile of a victor on his face, and his tone was as calm and steady as ever, but his words were a declaration of victory.
Governor Samir was sixty-two years old, which by the standards of an Extraordinary’s body was the prime of his life.
Yet his appearance was that of a man with one foot in the grave. His hair was stark white, the wrinkles on his face were like ravines, his eyes were clouded, and his entire being exuded an abnormal exhaustion.
Compared to Count Ernst, who was older than him, Samir was the one who looked like the elder.
"Count Ernst, I have already conceded once," Samir said, slowly shaking his head. "Even Ales was dealt with according to your demands..."
"I am sorry about Director Ales’s death."
Old Count Ernst did not want his coronation to be tarnished, nor did he want the former Secret Investigation Department Extraordinaries now standing by his side to have any misunderstandings, so he interrupted: "But please do not pin such baseless accusations on us."
"..."
Samir had no response. He turned to look at the people behind him, seeing on their faces confusion, guilt, and fear...
The only things missing were hatred for Count Ernst, or rather, the firm resolve to fight the Noble Committee to the bitter end.
Seeing this, Samir’s expression grew even more somber. Despondent, he said, "You’ve won, Count Ernst."
"Father," Sir Stannic, perhaps the most resolute warrior here, could not help but step forward upon hearing this. "You can’t... Ugh?!"
Before he could finish, a shadow suddenly shot out from his own, long before anyone else could react. A black dagger in its hand sliced upward from his crotch to the crown of his head, cleaving him in two.
THUMP.
The two halves of the corpse fell onto the cold, jade-gilded stone floor of the Council Hall. Hot blood spread into two pools, faintly submerging Sir Stannic’s unwilling eyes.
"My apologies, Lord Governor," the Shadow Killer said, flicking his shadow dagger clean. "Your son was suspected of offending the true master of the Caster City State, Count Ernst. He has been executed for this reason!"
"Bastard!"
Among the Council members, although most did not want to make enemies of the noble faction, they were still horrified to see Sir Stannic lying in a pool of blood.
WHOOSH!
Before the Council members could even think of resisting, Shadow Killers emerged one after another.
Anyone who had already spoken, or was about to speak, was mercilessly cut down.
Samir did not turn around. Even as his most treasured son died a gruesome death, only a flicker of grief crossed his face.
"Stop them, Count Ernst."
Only then did a smile appear on Old Count Ernst’s face. "As you wish, Governor Samir. Oh, forgive me. I forgot. I should be calling you former Governor now!"
"Ha, hahaha..."
"Hahahaha..."
As Old Count Ernst laughed, the other nobles joined in.
It was the declaration of the victors, and even more, a mockery of the defeated.
As for the loser, Samir, and the high-ranking members of the Council behind him—ah, former high-ranking members—they all stood frozen in place, utterly dejected, awaiting the judgment of their fate.
DONG, DONG DONG...
As the bells of Krimms Cathedral tolled once more, the sky darkened. The sun vanished, and the red moon appeared!
"The red moon has appeared."
Old Count Ernst gazed at the night sky with burning eyes. For the first time, he found the red moon to be so lovely; he loved it more in this moment than ever before.
Only one last step remained, and his dream of many years would be fulfilled. After waiting for so long, his time had finally come!
Across from him, Governor Samir’s expression grew even more desolate. ’Caster...’
"The red moon has appeared!"
Nicole stood at the western entrance of the Dumitru District, gazing up at the night sky. Her form-fitting purple gown was adorned with all kinds of precious gemstones that shimmered brightly under the red moon.
For the first time in so many years, she had put on the attire unique to the Vasquez Royal Family, all to declare to the world that they, the Vasquez People, would rise again!
"Old man, the red moon is out. Isn’t it time you told me what to do?"
"The guns have fired, the death knell has tolled... Wait a little longer."
"So secretive~"
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