This hall had been arranged in advance.
Everything unnecessary had been cleared away, making the entire space look exceptionally empty.
The blood-soaked man stood out conspicuously on the smooth stone floor, visible at first glance upon entry.
Enya’s expression was indifferent. She walked over and sat down on a chair.
Lucia and Wendy dutifully walked over and stood behind her.
Zeta, however, completely ignored the occasion, taking advantage of her current small size to sit directly on Enya’s lap.
The little fox princess wriggled to find a comfortable position, resting her head directly on Enya’s full, soft chest.
Enya felt a bit speechless. Ever since they returned, Zeta had been clinging to her side as if guarding some precious treasure.
She patted the fox girl’s head but made no effort to push Zeta off.
Horn saw that the four of them had taken their positions, then went to sit on the chair on the other side. The others each found seats. Enya lowered her hand from atop Zeta’s head and looked calmly at Horn.
“Old sir, this—”
As she spoke, Enya glanced at the half-dead blood-soaked man from the corner of her eye, but her face revealed no emotion. None of those present could discern her true thoughts.
Horn had originally planned to act according to the situation, but Enya’s composed demeanor left him momentarily at a loss for a good entry point. After a slight hesitation, he replied to Enya.
“I think, Lady Einfir, you should recognize him.”
“Oh?”
Enya pretended to look puzzled, turning her gaze to the blood-soaked man.
The blood-soaked man, bound by chains engraved with golden runes that sealed his magic, also raised his head.
A pair of blood-red eyes stared at Enya, filled with boundless hatred.
When Penrose met Enya’s golden eyes, which held an indifferent emotion, he felt as if he were facing a vast ocean. That deep, boundless feeling filled him with a sense of powerlessness.
In that instant, he realized that Enya had never cared about him, just like a lion would not pay attention to the chirping of a single ant. He had never been Enya’s enemy. Because he was unworthy!
He was stunned for a moment, then averted his gaze and looked at the others present.
Horn was calm. To him, Penrose was merely a pawn to be discarded after use, and now was the time to use his last bit of value. The old man was naturally calm.
Lord Cleveland was gloating. Even though in the past he had obtained far greater benefits from Penrose than from others, as a fat man, his appetite was huge!
Taylor was scornful. Born into an ancient noble family, his ancestors were the pioneers who founded the Golden Empire.
The glory passed down through generations made him extremely disdainful of commoners, even those who bought noble titles fell within his contempt. Thus, he was a loyal supporter of Horn.
President of the Marigold Branch, Lady Melita Polly, maintained a faint smile the entire time.
She always stayed outside the fray, watching from the audience seat as these people engaged in endless conflict and slaughter.
Penrose gritted his teeth. He wanted to roar at these people, but he had lost too much blood. After his magic was sealed, he was extremely weak, to the point of not even having the strength to speak loudly. Just the act of raising his head had already tired him.
Enya withdrew her gaze from Penrose and looked over at Horn. She smiled faintly and said.
“Old sir, my memory isn’t very good. Please do me the favor of introducing him.”
“……”
Horn was taken aback for a moment, then immediately followed Enya’s lead and replied.
“His name is Penrose. He’s from the Tea Rose Chamber. He holds leverage over the staff of many newspapers in Lakeside City, using that as blackmail. Plus, his Tea Rose Chamber runs all kinds of entertainment venues, so the flow of people is extraordinary. I’d say he almost controls the public opinion of the entire Lakeside City.”
“Oh?”
“Not only that… He secretly connected with various forces, including the Hall of Shadows. Later, relying on all kinds of relationships, he expanded his Tea Rose Chamber in Lakeside City until it became one of the five major chambers of commerce.”
“Is that so impressive?”
“Yes…”
Horn laughed. With his kind, gentle old man’s face, it nevertheless sent a chill down the spines of those nearby.
Taylor, sitting beside him, straightened up, and this Grand Scholar continued speaking.
“But you see, this Penrose is utterly insatiable. He actually hired people from the Hall of Shadows to kill the father-daughter pair of Gro and Kalian. I imagine it must have frightened you too, Lady Einfir.”
“Alas, my poor niece Kalian.”
Enya recalled the first time she met that proud girl. The way she eagerly sought validation was really easy to manipulate.
Although she acted like a spoiled young lady, in essence she was a hedgehog full of insecurity.
While Enya was feigning sorrow, Penrose squirmed and fixed his gaze on Horn, but Horn paid him no attention at all.
Horn also put on a sorrowful look and said a few kind words about Gro. Everyone present knew it was an act, a melodrama they all understood, but no one would pop those bubbles at this moment. Unless… they had a death wish!
And indeed, one person present already had a death wish.
“Hahaha, you’re full of shit!”
Penrose’s eyes widened as he stared at Horn.
“It’s you—”
Whoosh!
A shadow flew over to Penrose. A dagger pierced through his mouth, stopping him from saying what he was about to say. Horn glared at him with cold eyes.
How could Horn not know that Penrose, aware he was doomed and had become the scapegoat, would directly reveal the whole truth and blow up with them? Penrose’s thinking was simple.
He felt that if he shattered the surface peace, then the current Lady Einfir would definitely continue to deal with them, and that would count as revenge for himself.
Unfortunately, Horn had been prepared. When Penrose made a move, he had the hidden guards act and stop his explosion.
Within three breaths of the incident, Horn immediately explained to Enya.
“I kept this man alive with a breath left so that Lady Einfir could handle him. I imagine you hate this mastermind to the bone. All the recent harm to the Lily of the Valley Chamber was his doing. That’s why I let him survive until now.”
“And?”
Enya stopped her obviously fake crying and looked up at Horn.
Horn took a deep breath and said.
“From now on, the Lily of the Valley Chamber will have free passage in Lakeside City.”
“That’s it?”
“Whatever you want, we can negotiate!”
“Hehehe.”
Enya laughed, then sighed.
Actually, coming here, only these last four sentences were important. Since they had been said, there was no need to sit any longer.
She stood up directly, still holding Zeta, ready to leave.
Horn also stood up, smiling.
“Lady Einfir, how do you wish to deal with this fellow?”
“Just toss him in some corner.”
Enya said indifferently.
On the way back, the four of them rode in the same carriage as when they came.
Halfway there, Enya turned her eyes to look at Lucia, who sat opposite. After staring at Lucia for a while, she slowly spoke.
“Do you think this is revenge?”
“I…”
Lucia paused, then shook her head. Penrose did it too.
Now he’s been thrown out as a temporary scapegoat for peace. He really should die. But what about those people? Lucia looked around the room and understood that everyone here was an enemy.
She lowered her head and sighed.
“It’s enough.”
“Is that enough?”
“Yes, mistress.”
“Mm.”
Enya nodded gently.
If she really wanted to kill them all, she’d probably have to keep killing — starting with Horn and the people of Lakeside City, then the upper echelons of the three kingdoms. They’d all have to lose their heads.
She could do it, but was it necessary to go that far?
Gro and his daughter Kalian were just minor characters on the path. Moreover, what role had the West Wind played in this matter? Behind all of this, was there an even deeper hidden hand? Antiros, she…
Enya thought of this ancient witch, living history book, contemporary great sage, her own teacher, and even a woman who could be considered half a mother.
It seemed everything had started because of her.
She took a deep breath and muttered to herself.
“I need to talk to Antiros face to face, and have a proper conversation.”