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Was there another murder? Du Cheng and Steve jumped down from the carriage, thinking to themselves that the security in Saint John City was pretty bad. It was practically a haven for criminals like them.
The noble district in the eastern part of the city had three main vertical roads and more than ten smaller cross streets, forming a large square. Now, every intersection was blocked off, and all the hundreds of noble families in the district had been ordered to stay indoors. They were not allowed to go out.
From the other streets, soldiers were arriving in a steady stream, which meant that the murder had only been discovered recently, and the city guard had just received the news.
Du Cheng asked one of the soldiers guarding the district, "I am Francis of the Saint Cain family…"
Before he could finish, the soldier shouted, "By order of General Kirisek of the Imperial Guard at Saint Boven's Legion, the eastern district is to be immediately locked down. No one is allowed in or out. Young Master Francis, please take another route!"
The soldier then looked at Du Cheng strangely. He had heard from his colleagues in the city guard that the disgrace of the Saint Cain family had become smarter, and today, he could see that Du Cheng no longer looked like a fool.
The soldier's tone was firm, and since he had mentioned the legion commander, Du Cheng had no choice but to shrug helplessly. "Fine, I'll take another route. But my home is inside. Where can I go in?"
Steve stepped forward with a smile. "Dear soldier, we are the sons of the Deputy Commander of the General Headquarters. I believe my father's rank is even higher than General Kirisek's, right? Here, look at this!" He pulled out a palm-sized red token from his pocket, with a carved image of Sigru, the fallen warrior, on it.
The soldier immediately straightened his chest and saluted.
"Can we go in now?" Steve gently pushed the soldier aside and led Du Cheng into the noble district, though their carriage and driver were left behind outside.
"Brother, what was that token for?" Du Cheng asked, curious as he saw Steve carefully stow it away.
"It's the family heirloom of the eldest son. Sometimes, I use it to represent the entire Saint Cain family. But, heh, it's also perfect for intimidating rivals!" Steve chuckled and looked around. "This is strange. The whole district is sealed off. It seems like something major has happened."
As the brothers spoke, a group of soldiers hurriedly ran past them. These soldiers weren't dressed in the city guard's dark blue armor, but in red heavy armor, each carrying a red fire-patterned heavy shield and a red horse-slaying longsword.
"Wow, even the Vernor Guards are out!" Steve exclaimed dramatically, pointing at the soldiers and explaining to Du Cheng, "They're one of the Empire's elite soldiers, the Royal Guards of Vernor Palace! Along with the Hurricane Heavy Cavalry of the Krissen family, they're known as the three great military forces of Laning, alongside our Saint Flame Knight Order!"
Du Cheng was taken aback. He had only heard vague rumors about how powerful and glorious the Saint Cain family was, but today he realized that his family wielded a military force that rivaled even the Laning Royalty!
But so what? Du Cheng had already decided to leave, but before doing so, he needed to get his hands on a large sum of money. Otherwise, should he involve Old Fuye and Ariza in his crimes?
"This is interesting. The Vernor Guards don’t just show up for anything! Dear brother, let’s go watch the fun!" Steve eagerly pulled Du Cheng along, following behind the guards.
The Vernor Guards lined up outside a manor. One of them, without any greeting, immediately broke down the door. The others formed a defensive battle formation with their shields in front of the manor’s main entrance.
Du Cheng called Ariza and came to the front of the manor. It didn't have any statues, indicating that the family didn't have any ancestors who had earned the honor of being dubbed "God of War!"
Looking at the manor's nameplate, Du Cheng was shocked. This was the home of the Minister of Finance, the same family that had attacked him last night—the Fleece family!
Had something happened here too?
"Steve, Francis, why are you here?!" At this moment, Anges and a few other nobles arrived at the Finance Minister’s manor. Their positions were higher than that of the imperial legion commander, so they were naturally exempt from the lockdown.
Du Cheng cast a cold glance at "Father," but didn't speak. Steve smoothed things over, "Father, there was an incident at Saint John Cathedral, but Father Ferdinand insisted on keeping it confidential. You…" He glanced at the other nobles with Anges, clearly signaling that the rest of the conversation was for the family alone.
The nobles discreetly moved away, with a few of the highest-ranking officials walking into the Finance Minister’s manor.
Steve said, "Father, Fleece was killed, and the murderer didn't alert anyone!"
Anges's face instantly darkened. "Was he killed inside Saint John Cathedral?" He glanced at the heavily guarded Finance Minister's manor, "Fleece is dead, and his entire family has been killed. Did they offend a powerful God of War…?"
Suddenly, a few of the ministers who had entered the manor earlier emerged, covering their mouths and vomiting as they ran out. "God of War, protect us! It's too cruel! Deputy Commander Anges, the scene inside is too horrific for civilians. It’s best if you military men take charge!"
Anges shouted, "You are the Empire's high-ranking officials—maintain your composure! What’s going on inside?"
"They’re all dead. Except for the slaves and servants, the entire Fleece family, twenty-seven people, have been killed—and… they were skinned!"
Du Cheng’s heart sank. Ignoring his usual disdain for Anges, he muttered, "Fleece was also skinned!"
Anges clenched his fists so tightly his bones cracked. Though Du Cheng despised him, he couldn't help but acknowledge the overwhelming pressure emanating from Anges, an eighth-level Earth Warrior God, making it difficult to look him in the eye.
"This is a challenge to the Empire!" Anges sneered. "Steve, take Francis home. No one is allowed to leave without my orders!"
...
When Du Cheng returned home and met up with Old Fuye and Ariza, the security orders in the noble district were escalated. No one could enter or leave the area without a decree signed by both Emperor Balgar and Father Ferdinand of the Holy Church. Du Cheng and the others who knew the truth were warned not to leak any information.
No wonder. The entire family of the Empire's Finance Minister had been wiped out, and one of them had even died inside the largest cathedral of the God of War Church on the Aen continent. This was an affront to both the Empire and the Holy Church!
That evening, Anges returned to the manor with a dark expression. The investigation into the massacre showed no progress, and he looked deeply displeased.
Late at night, a group of robed figures arrived at the Saint Cain Manor. They all wore large hats, seemingly to conceal their identities.
"Stop!" A Saint Cain family warrior stepped forward to block them, but the leading figure handed him a token and said in a low voice, "Tell Anges and Francis to meet me!"
The warrior glanced at the token, his expression changed, and he said solemnly, "I understand. Please come in and wait in the inner courtyard! Guards, seal off the square in front of the gate!"
Moments later, Anges quickly led his family into the inner courtyard, and Du Cheng was called out.
Anges walked briskly toward the robed figure and, using the ceremonial gesture of the God of War, placed three fingers of his left hand on his right chest. This was the ritual between warriors, indicating that he was an eighth-level Earth Warrior God. "Honorable Father, thank you for visiting Saint Cain Manor. Are you looking for Francis?"
The robed figure removed his hat, revealing himself as Ferdinand. "Yes, while investigating the murder case, I discovered something very interesting... something related to Francis!"
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