EOL Chapter- 20

“He still won’t talk?” Alfred inquired as he traveled through the dimly lit underground hallway.

 

“He’s not denying anything, he just won’t go into detail, so there’s no significant information at this point,” he said. Austin said, opening the one-way mirror in the cell.

 

Alfred looked through the one-way mirror. Joshua was lying on the bed with his eyes wide open in boredom.

 

The Bai clan does not have any incredible genetic abilities. The clan members have always been thin in stature, white in complexion, and in poor health. It is uncommon among nobles. Following the baptism of survival crises, those with the weakest constitutions and adaptability were eliminated by merciless natural selection. Those who can seize the benefits in a chaotic society are always the strongest, with the current royal family and the Stone family being the most prominent examples.

 

Most people struggle to protect themselves in difficult circumstances and must rely on others to save them. Naturally, they will receive no rewards at the end of the crisis, and the privileged class will receive their share. 

 

 Bai Clan is an exception. Because their forefathers were the leaders of the genetic project, this plan successfully saved human civilization from extinction. At the start of this era, the royal family shuttered the Holy White Tower, halted the genetic project, and granted the Great Seal to placate the Bai family. The hallowed nature of the priestly office has exponentially boosted the high priest’s status, making it a spiritual symbol of humankind’s unyielding resistance to fate.

 

Because the Bai family’s progenitor was too feeble to transform and had never experimented on himself, he left no magical hereditary talents to his successors. Joshua, who was already emaciated, appeared even thinner after being incarcerated for several days.

 

“We’ll have him released soon,” Alfred promised.

 

“Because His Majesty paid the reward in advance?” Austin stated unequivocally.

 

The royal family has made an official statement explaining that the real purpose for blowing up the small planet two years ago was to prevent the rebels from detonating hazardous explosives stashed on numerous other planets. The Royal Corps committed the next two years to investigating and cleaning up. However, the reputation of the young prince was sacrificed for the time being to avoid inciting dread in the populace. Now that the cleanup is complete and the situation is settled, his honor will be restored immediately, and he will be given the title of prince until the ceremonial coronation at next month’s birthday party.

 

“What does it have to do with me that he pays you in advance?” Alfred wondered. “Of course, this isn’t the case. It’s because we have to return to the main planet soon.”

 

Austin said: “Yes, you have to catch up with your birthday party anyway.”

 

In fact, according to Austin’s plan, they should return to the main planet right away. Joshua was unable to answer any questions. Anyway, the initial objective of his detention was to put pressure on the emperor, and he didn’t expect to learn anything. 

 

Alfred is in the spotlight now that he has the new title of prince and the authority to lead the legion. He should use the occasion to return to the center of power and assassinate the second prince with his majesty. On the other hand, the prince appeared to be in no hurry to depart. 

 

An officer approached them and saluted, “Your Highness, Major.”Alfred gave a tiny nod, and Austin received the document that he had handed over and gave it to Alfred.

 

It was Joshua’s interrogation record. Alfred became particularly interested in Joshua because he began to sense that the high priest had some dependence on him that he was unaware of. Every other day, he would peruse the questioning record. But Joshua was extremely good at being questioned talk. He was speaking a lot but nearly nothing of actual worth. 

 

Alfred paused after carefully going over the records from the previous two days.

 

“Your Highness, do you have any questions?” Austin inquired after repeatedly watching him check one of the paragraphs. “Please open the door. I’d like to ask him a few questions myself,” Alfred stated.

 

In the custody room, Joshua sat on the side of his bed while Alfred sat on a simple wooden chair. Neither the former master nor the servant exchanged ostentatious greetings. They appeared to be exhausted from spending two years together. “I heard you had admitted to leaking some information to the prince, including that ‘the third prince began to trust you.’ ”

 

Joshua never anticipated Alfred to approach him in person regarding such a minor paragraph. He was surprised for a time, then hissed, “Does this count as leaking information? You are the one who has constantly stated that you believe me, Highness. If you summon me, I will tell you the truth. Even if you wish to make up charges, Your Highness, this is too ludicrous.”

 

Alfred replied, “You also told the truth about a lot of other things, right?”

 

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about,” Joshua replied. “The prince is only concerned with your daily life.”

 

Alfred nodded and appeared to accept the answer. He didn’t get involved and merely began talking about something else: “You were injected with a drug and couldn’t access the Ethernet. You’re undoubtedly unaware of the recent news. I’ve been temporarily granted, the leadership of the legion.”

 

“Congratulations, Your Highness the Prince,” Without delight, Joshua stated. He realized that this meant Alfred could publicly exploit the legion’s resources as long as he directed the legion to torture and interrogate. 

 

 Joshua’s face became pallid.

 

“So, tell me, how did you report to the prince at that time?” Alfred said as if he had inadvertently added that sentence before returning to the main topic.

 

“What?”

 

“When you report to him that you have gained my trust.” Alfred kept reminding him.

 

“I was telling the truth at that time.” Joshua’s tone was more tense than usual. 

 

Fortunately, the subject was not sensitive, so he responded calmly, “What you said to me, I relayed to the prince.”

 

“What did I say to you?”

 

“I believe you, Joshua.” Joshua recounted this was something Alfred said to him several times.

 

“Are you sure you relayed this sentence to the prince in person?” Alfred inquired.

 

 Joshua, becoming increasingly perplexed and apprehensive, said, “Yes.”

 

“Then, what did the prince say?”

 

“The prince commended me and said ‘well done’. He asked me to continue working hard and serving you with all my heart,” Joshua replied nervously.

 

“Well done?” Alfred repeated himself awkwardly. 

 

It was interpreted as sarcasm by Joshua. Even though he was aware that the prince could manipulate him, he couldn’t help but ask bitterly, “How do I know that this is a carefully planned deception by His Highness? Your Highness is far more intelligent than me. There is no comparison.”

 

Alfred’s thoughts were no longer on him; he nodded and rose, saying, 

 

“It’s good that you know.”

 

When Alfred came to the villa, Xiu Xiu was watching the snowfall in the yard.

 

He was standing alone in the snow. Today’s snowfall was light. Snowflakes landed on his dark hair and swiftly vanished.

 

The main planet is warm and pleasant, and it rarely snows, which is an uncommon sight for individuals who grew up there.

 

“I’m back from Joshua,” Alfred replied as he stood behind him. 

 

Xiu remained silent as if he hadn’t heard. Alfred was enraged by Xiu’s allegation. So the next day, he took him away. Since then, Xiu’s demeanor has gotten worse, with him frequently dismissing Alfred’s questions. Alfred paused and joined him, standing beside him, seemingly introspective.

 

“He told me some interesting things – you had discovered that I was setting up a trap to deceive Joshua, but instead of reminding him, you misled him. The last lesson you taught me two years ago, It’s impossible for you and me to forget that you knew everything I said to anybody about ‘believing’ was a lie, but you didn’t expose me. Why? Are you dissatisfied with Joshua, and will you assist me?”

 

Xiu turned around and approached the house, but Alfred quickly grabbed his arm.

 

“It’s getting late.” Xiu declared, “I’m going to bed.”

 

“I even made up a reason for you. You could have just gone along with it.” Alfred tightened his grip and said, “But you didn’t. Are you trying to imply something?”

 

Xiu quietly stated, “I’m not feeling well.”

 

“You …… you what?”

 

“Uncomfortable.” Xiu described his condition as “post-concussion symptoms.”

 

In a dubious tone, Alfred remarked, “The physician predicted none. And it’s been a few days, and there are still aftereffects?”

 

Still, the force in his grip faded, and Xiu pushed away from him and turned toward the upstairs bedroom. Alfred followed him obstinately, risking another inquiry raised by Xiu’s subtle demeanor today.

 

“How did you tolerate a bag of your blood being placed with me back then when you were still so cautious about the doctor’s contact?”

 

Xiu came to a sharp halt, and Alfred almost collided with him.

 

“Alfred.” Xiu yelled his name after a long time, “There’s something that I’ve wanted to tell you for the past few days.”

 

His tone was somber, and Alfred couldn’t help but tense up, knowing he probably wouldn’t believe whatever he said.

 

“Go ahead.”

 

“See a psychiatrist,” Hugh said. “Delusions are disorders.”

 

TL/n- Alferd- you.. you… YOU.

Xiu- What ? (ノʘ益ʘ)ノ彡┻━┻ |

Alferd- nothing (｡ꏿ﹏ꏿ｡；)ﾉﾞ