Free Web NovelChapter 1221: Chapter 36: A Drastic Turn of Events
Deathly silence filled the Council Hall.
"Gulu."
The sound of swallowing saliva could be heard, coming from the Big Prince. Under normal circumstances, given the Big Prince’s steady nature, he wouldn’t lose composure like this; after all, Rowen Harvey served as the Kingdom Financial Officer.
The Big Prince was very knowledgeable about finances, which is why he lost composure. If Rowen Harvey indeed tampered with the kingdom’s finances, it wouldn’t be a matter of how many Gold Coins the kingdom lost.
If someone else were to claim that Rowen Harvey had committed treason, the princes or princesses would only be slightly surprised, not entirely believing the news.
But Su Xiaogang had just resolved the ’Little Princess Assassination Case’. His terrifying efficiency left several princes and princesses quite shocked, making it impossible for them to ignore the information provided by Su Xiao.
"Is it reliable?"
The Old King spoke. Though his expression was calm, this was the first time he questioned the reliability of the information provided by Su Xiao.
"Rowen Harvey has already fled the Royal Capital. According to what I know, Rowen Harvey was escorted out of the Royal Palace by the Undead Irda, passing through Non-Knight Canyon, then reaching the Su Pu Ha Sea Region, and then the Ah Ang Niu River Basin. Judging by the timing, he might have already reached Nuba Ha Desert, or even outside the Wall of God."
Su Xiao learned about Rowen Harvey’s information from Ilde, and not only that, he discovered other secrets.
For instance, Rowen Harvey is not purely human; he possesses two-thirds Undead Bloodline and one-third human blood. Yes, Rowen Harvey is a half-blood, and a particularly unique one at that.
Most half-bloods have distinct features. For example, the two little girls at Su Xiao’s Mansion. Su Xiao studied them, noting that their human blood is more prevalent, but their eye color, skin tone, and other attributes carry traits of the Undead Clan, along with some differences in physique, like finger length.
To ordinary people, the difference between half-bloods and humans requires careful observation. However, in the eyes of professionals like Su Xiao, the distinction is clear.
Though Rowen Harvey is a half-blood, he is an extremely rare existence among them, or perhaps the first of his kind. He exhibits no characteristics of the Undead Clan whatsoever; whatever the observation, he appears 100% human. Essentially, there is no detectable trace of undead blood in his body.
Initially, the Undead Clan also believed Rowen Harvey to be human, and as a consequence, his mother almost faced banishment for infidelity. However, an event changed Rowen Harvey’s life: in his childhood, he awakened the Power of the Undead.
It is known that the Power of the Undead can be acquired later, or inherited innately. As a child of only 2 years, Rowen Harvey had no conditions to acquire the power later.
This matter shocked the Undead Clan’s high-ranking officials, leading them to study Rowen Harvey, the half-blood of the undead.
After some research, the high-ranking officials concluded that Rowen Harvey is indeed a half-blood, skewed towards the Undead Clan, yet his physical traits are entirely human-like.
The Undead Clan high ranks quickly realized Rowen Harvey’s value. Initially, they aimed to develop him on the militaristic side, but Rowen Harvey had limited aptitude. However, at age 17, he exhibited surprising talent in finance.
Through decades of maneuvering, Rowen Harvey became the Finance Minister of the Holy Sodding Kingdom at age 59, earning the Old King’s deep trust.
In the Council Hall, the Old King leaned back on his throne, squinting eyes. In his view, Rowen Harvey’s treason was more troublesome than the ’Little Princess Assassination Case.’
The ’Little Princess Assassination Case’ was nearly concluded, with the mastermind caught, and those hidden undead in the Royal Capital either fled or perished. Provided there are no slip-ups with the aftermath, there shouldn’t be any further issues.
The Old King summoned a guard, confirming Rowen Harvey’s escape ten minutes later. The matter was known to the Second Princess, who informed Su Xiao through her intelligence channels; however, she hadn’t disclosed this. Not because she didn’t want to, but couldn’t; something occurred during her acquisition of intelligence that must remain unknown to the Old King.
"To date, there have been no discrepancies in the finances."
The Old King gently rubbed his forehead, pondering on what Rowen Harvey might have done during his tenure. The absence of financial discrepancies is the most frightening scenario.
With Rowen Harvey having fled, it’s nearly impossible to capture him back. He must have done something during his tenure; otherwise, years of painstaking efforts by the Undead Clan would go to waste, and even if Rowen Harvey returns to them, he wouldn’t enjoy any glory.
"Father."
The Big Prince stood, his gaze directed at the Old King. The King’s elbow rested on the throne’s armrest, fingers pressing against his forehead, lightly rubbing it, without looking at him.
The Big Prince took a deep breath and continued, "Father, I withdraw from this competition. Let me handle the kingdom’s finances. Although I’m unsure what Rowen Harvey did exactly, I will find ways to remedy it."
The Big Prince knelt with one knee, the gracious smile on his face vanished, leaving only reluctance.
To take control of financial power, the Big Prince must withdraw from the current power struggle, or else be seen as opportunistic, rising to power during the national crisis, which is absolutely forbidden.
Thus, the Big Prince chose to forgo his claim. Compared to the throne, he foresaw further. Heaven knows what kind of ticking bomb Rowen Harvey left in the kingdom’s finances. If the economic system collapses, the first to suffer wouldn’t be the civilians but the frontline soldiers.
Once the Wall of God is breached, it wouldn’t be a matter of the throne, but a survival issue for all humans.
"..."
The Old King said nothing, merely glancing at the Big Prince and then at the other princes and princesses.
Noticing the Old King’s gaze, the Third Prince stepped forward, kneeling with one knee: "Father, I also withdraw. Send me to the frontline; Hershel Army Corps Commander can hold the northwest, and I... can hold the southwest."
The Third Prince knelt beside the Big Prince, fists clenched tightly, having prepared a lot and sacrificed much for the throne.
Both the Big Prince and the Third Prince knew what Rowen Harvey’s treason signified.
If the Holy Sodding Kingdom were to be likened to a pyramid, the pinnacle would be royal authority, descending to military, finance, and governance. Further below are divisions branching from the three, each supporting royal authority; any issue within these rings could directly topple royal authority.
Currently, the kingdom’s finances show no issues, yet Rowen Harvey is an infiltrator sent by the enemy and has fled after years of concealment. With the kingdom showing no evident financial issues, it’s extremely alarming.
"You two, no regrets?"
The Old King chuckled. He had anticipated the Big Prince’s decision, perhaps due to the Big Prince’s character, the Old King would grant him a ’non-execution right,’ while the Third Prince indeed brought surprise to the Old King.
"No regrets." frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
The Big Prince and Third Prince answered in unison, even now they still couldn’t see eye to eye.
"Good, then let’s do it this way."
The Old King stood and slowly walked out of the Council Hall; the situation didn’t undergo any seismic reversal, such as immediately conferring the throne to the Big Prince or Third Prince.
This matter wasn’t the Old King’s test but a genuine need for the kingdom’s capabilities from them.
