Chapter 729
A Deepening Atmosphere of Wrath
Combining this with the abnormal rage she had sensed before, she finally completely understood Prince Xiardo’s mindset. If she were truly a Child of the Moon, and harbored murderous intent in such a situation, she might never be able to return. She had maintained her purity and kindness up to this point, but once she broke that vow, corruption would happen quickly. This was the so-called broken window effect.
“I need to protect the purity of that child ‘Tombstone,'” Prince Xiardo said solemnly. “She’s so young, yet she’s become a Child of the Moon. I don’t know what suffering she’s gone through… Even if you’ve only obtained her memories and appearance, you’re still another person. At least you know how difficult it was for her back then.”
“You hate Children of the Moon, yet you proactively protect one… What a pretentious and complex man,” Miss Alistair sneered. “Indeed, she is a girl who had a difficult life… — She was a Blood Slave, number 14. Does that make sense to you?”
“…I understand.” Prince Xiardo’s expression grew even more troubled. Even though it was not a sin he committed, he felt a sense of guilt. …Perhaps this guy is a saint?
“Have you considered trying the Path of Devotion?” Miss Alistair smiled. “Perhaps you’re surprisingly good at it.”
“There’s no need to be so sarcastic,” Prince Xiardo glanced at Miss Alistair and replied calmly. “I simply want to resolve Leipzig’s crisis, and you might have the same goal. I saved you from the trap that caused your downfall, and as the prophesied person, you’ll help me save others from conspiracies… Our transaction is concluded.”
“You want to make a deal with me?” Miss Alistair showed a malicious, mocking smile, pitching her voice to sound cute. “But I’m just an ignorant child, aren’t I? How do I know if you’re using me, big brother?”
“…I will give you compensation.” “Anyone can write a blank check.” “I will prepay the compensation.” Prince Xiardo, without hesitation, spoke in a jovial tone. “Please name your price.”
“So generous,” Miss Alistair exclaimed. “But I haven’t decided what I want yet… How about ‘a promise’? As for the specifics, I’ll tell you when it’s time for the final payment.”
“Do you want me to swear an oath? Very well.” Prince Xiardo extended two fingers and pointed them to his temple, aiming towards the sky. “I swear to the Silver Crown Dragon that I will fulfill a reasonable promise to ‘Miss Alistair’.” Seeing him quickly make the oath, Miss Alistair couldn’t help but laugh. “Aren’t you going to stall any longer? Perhaps, even if you hadn’t made this deal with me, I would have resolved Leipzig’s crisis anyway?”
“If you really intended to do so, then let this promise serve as your thanks afterward.” Prince Xiardo showed no reaction.
Miss Alistair raised an eyebrow and spooned sugar into her black tea, making a crisp sound like a reminder to a waiter for more dishes. “It sounds like… you’re quite fond of this city. Tell me, what exactly should I do? Or rather, what clues do you have so far?”
What she said was true—even if Prince Xiardo hadn’t proposed this deal, she wouldn’t have let go of the person who dared to bewitch her mind. Miss Alistair’s hypothetical enemies included Fallen Heavenly Envoys, so she was quite wary of them. The Great Sin Card itself was made by stealing the power of a Fallen Heavenly Envoy. What if that guy forcefully branded her with a Mark of Sin, drawing the attention of a Fallen Heavenly Envoy?
“You said you’ve already inspected the White Dove Opera House, right? Since you’ve come to inspect it, it means this has been going on for some time… What did you find out?” Miss Alistair tapped her ceramic teacup with the spoon, making a clear sound.
“A very complex grand ritual—that’s all I could see,” Prince Xiardo replied. “The area of effect is centered on the White Dove Opera House, spreading outwards. The earliest incident occurred a week ago… A kind old professor, while explaining a problem to his students, became instantly enraged when he couldn’t get through to them. He used a spell to crush the student’s head on the spot. Afterward, he almost immediately regretted it and turned himself in. He believed he had simply been too angry, causing him to lose control… The police at the time simply thought the student had been too outrageous, driving the old professor mad. This incident even made the news, sparking public discussion. One day after the incident, another similar event occurred—also involving a designer known for his gentle nature. While designing a trademark for a client, he became enraged after repeated ineffective communication. He used his Extraordinary Ability of The Path of Beauty to fold the terrified boss, who was trying to escape, into the trademark. However, he did not turn himself in but chose to flee. He was soon caught and killed by Demon Scholars… According to later investigations, although the client’s request was a bit… foolish, it was a relatively common one, and the designer was experienced and certainly knew how to handle such a job. A day after that incident, a third case occurred. This was actually the first case that made us realize there was a problem—it was a mother teaching her six-year-old child Elven Language using Elven poetry. The child’s learning speed was slow, so the mother suddenly screamed and snapped the child’s neck. It was only then that the police department finally realized the problem and merged the previous two incidents into one case.”
“It sounds like an act of rage ‘that exists only in imagination’,” Miss Alistair raised an eyebrow, offering a precise assessment. “And it sounds like your public security is quite good?”
“This is why I want to protect Leipzig,” Prince Xiardo nodded, unperturbed, and sarcastically added. “At least here, we don’t see Demon Scholars cursing Alchemists on the street. Nor do we see Alchemists burning down the meeting places of Demon Scholars.”
“But it might happen later, right?” Miss Alistair’s lips curved slightly. “If things continue to develop this way, you’ll eventually see the ‘characteristic conflicts’ of other places in Star Antinomy here.” She paused, her tone becoming nuanced. “Wait, you don’t think the disputes in other parts of Star Antinomy are also…”
“…Of course not. I’m not some naive youth living in the Royal Palace, ignorant of everything. I know how the conflict between Alchemists and Demon Scholars arises… and I know that we are temporarily powerless to resolve these issues.” Prince Xiardo shook his head with a complex expression. “But Leipzig is an exception—the conflict between Alchemists and Demon Scholars is largely due to ‘}
Miss Alistair raised an eyebrow and understood. Prince Xiardo, in a sense, was a pessimist. He clearly recognized the cause of all chaos and therefore did not believe that the situation in Star Antinomy could be resolved. He did not intend to be a patcher, nor did he intend to be a wise ruler who would lead people out of the abyss. He only intended to hide in a city that made him feel at ease… that city was the most prosperous, peaceful, and cultured Leipzig. And now, Leipzig had also fallen into chaos. This was something Prince Xiardo could not tolerate. If the definition of ‘home’ was a place to relax and rest, then in a sense… this place was more like his home than the Royal Palace. Miss Alistair realized the importance of this matter to Prince Xiardo, so she became slightly more serious.
“By the way—is the frequency once a day?”
“That’s right, once a day. But it’s not one person a day… Starting from the fourth day, the people who fell into rage became a group. And today…” Prince Xiardo fell silent for a moment and then spoke. “Today’s ‘chaos’ has not yet occurred.”
(End of chapter)
