Amber Sword

Chapter 1163: Chapter 291: First Clash (Part 3)

The study fell into silence for a moment. Frey felt somewhat uneasy. Although she understood much more than before, she still couldn’t comprehend a word of the debate between Brand and the Royalists. The girl from Buqi even felt a little annoyed, thinking that the troublesome fellow beside her only knew how to stir trouble. Even if he disagreed, he shouldn’t say it outright in front of others.

Ultimately, her heart was still leaning towards Brand. Compared to the life and death of the Royalists, she was more concerned about Brand’s safety.

Ou Fuwei’er and Macaro both sensed the atmosphere was somewhat subtle but couldn’t help feeling a bit dissatisfied with Brand. They thought this young man was exaggerating, even fearmongering. But among everyone, only a single glance of surprise lingered on Brand for a moment. No one even noticed this glance, and Nemesia soon returned to her usual expression as if nothing had happened.

At this awkward moment, there was a knock on the door. Everyone’s eyes shifted as an attendant brought in a letter from outside. Her Highness the Princess opened it, then frowned. She paused, casually placing the letter on the desk, and broke the silence: "The results from this morning are out."

Everyone was taken aback. They naturally knew it was about the investigation results of the morning’s assassination, but they didn’t expect the Holy Temple to act so quickly, finding the mastermind in just two or three hours. Only Macaro frowned, as if he had thought of something.

Brand couldn’t help but perk up his ears. The morning assassination clearly altered history, and he also wanted to know the reasons behind it.

"The mastermind is someone called Xue Xifu."

Ou Fuwei’er frowned: "I know this person, a minor noble from Ambeser." As soon as he finished speaking, his expression changed. It was certain that anyone who could orchestrate such an assassination wasn’t simple, and no one would believe that a minor noble could cause such a big stir. This unlucky guy was evidently a scapegoat, but since these results came from the Holy Temple’s hands, the issue was significant.

For a moment, everyone’s faces turned somewhat grim. Only Brand maintained a calm demeanor, as if he had anticipated this result.

Though Brand didn’t know where the problem was exactly, after seeing the Cross Assassin in the morning, he knew the Holy Temple was definitely involved somehow.

"The letter also mentioned Mr. Brand." After a short pause, Griffith added another sentence, "The letter states that not only did Mr. Brand bring weapons into the sacred hall, but two of his subordinates are also Bloodline. The Holy Temple suspects Mr. Brand is involved with the Cultists and hopes we hand him over to cooperate with their investigation."

After reading this segment, the Princess of Erune had already turned livid.

Brand also felt a tightening in his heart, but more so he felt anger. He hadn’t even gone looking for trouble with the Flame Temple, and they already fixed their sights on him—it was simply outrageous. However, he didn’t erupt but instead chose to first observe the reaction of the Royalists.

At this moment, Ou Fuwei’er sneered, "The Holy Temple doesn’t allow us to carry weapons, yet they’re lax with assassins. Since when has having Bloodline subordinates become evidence of being involved with Cultists? Erune neighbors Madara, and I suppose many Dukes have Dark Nobles from Madara among their subordinates, don’t they?"

The Royalists wholeheartedly agreed with this Lone Wolf’s words, all wearing expressions of disdain.

"Your Highness?" The attendant asked softly.

"The Eruein have never handed their guests over to the Cruz people, especially for such extremely absurd excuses," Her Highness the Princess replied coldly, "It’s just someone trying to test the strength of our relationship. You only need to respond truthfully and tell them Mr. Brand is one of us and cannot be an assassin."

Seeing the attendant respectfully withdraw from the study, Brand couldn’t help but feel slightly moved. Although he knew there was an element of posturing, at least the Royalists’ attitude at this moment was clear. He glanced at Ou Fuwei’er and the others, and some of the preconceptions arising from the earlier debate began to dissipate.

"It seems the temple’s stance is not as neutral as you all imagined." Yet, he couldn’t help but sarcastically remark, then cocked his head to look at the Royalists. After all, he wasn’t a genuine politician, still harboring that schadenfreude from Sophie deep down.