Free Web NovelChapter 532: Chapter 533 Return Journey_1
The train was moving, its carriage rhythmically echoing with the sound of wheels rolling over the gaps in the rails.
Aiden sat on the cushioned seat of the compartment, facing Heinz, the Director of the Royal Secret Police from Gistas.
After parting ways with Qiqimora and Lamia that day, Aiden had once again contacted the Royal Secret Police, asking them to arrange a special carriage to take him back to the autonomous state of Silvertown.
The smuggling freight train was quickly arranged for him, but this time, to his surprise, he saw the chief of the secret police was waiting for him on the train.
"What a surprise, to have Earl Hofman himself come to see me off," Aiden said with a smile.
"I felt it was necessary to see you, and on the way, visit Sera in the autonomous state. To be honest, I’m probably more surprised than you..." Heinz poured tea for his guest, his tone even, "You stirred up such a fuss in Sunset City and still dared to contact my people in another city to take you back, as if nothing had ever happened."
From investigating Professor Dodge to launching a raid on the military base in Sunset City, Aiden had repeatedly utilized the resources of the secret police. Unavoidably, Heinz also got a grasp on his movements in Sunset City.
"Are you planning to apprehend me?" Aiden said nonchalantly, "Or are you dissatisfied that the base was destroyed?"
"..." Heinz was silent for a moment before slowly beginning, "Many in the intelligence bureau died, and because of the sensitive nature of the ’infection’ plan, they won’t make a public fuss. But a project that absorbed so many resources just vanished before its experiments began; they won’t easily let it go."
"I need to clarify something; the base didn’t become like that because of me alone. Mr. Blood, the Witches’ Gathering, and even Professor Dodge himself played a part. And even if I had done nothing, Mr. Blood would have brought the base down. He had already turned many intelligence officers with his power before I took any action," Aiden said, picking up his teacup, "In the long run, what I did probably saved your military from even greater losses." freewёbnoνel.com
"So you’re saying Gistas’ military should actually thank you?" Heinz raised an eyebrow. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
"Yes, objectively speaking," Aiden replied, his expression unchanged.
"Haven’t you thought of the possibility of bringing trouble upon yourself?" Heinz sighed.
"Not likely, as you see, I’ve always been acting under another identity. Only you know my real identity, and you wouldn’t sell out your own," Aiden spread his hands.
"Yes, your actions are inseparably linked to us," Heinz replied, lifting his teacup, "If the Kingdom’s intelligence bureau learns of what you have done, we would also be accountable, so we’ll help you cover it up——which is why you continue to contact us without any reservations."
"That base deserved to be destroyed. I don’t expect you to have such conscience, but since you’ve kept silent until now, just keep it that way," Aiden stated calmly, "After all, the project at that base had nothing to do with you."
"The Kingdom’s intelligence bureau has discovered that the people who attacked the base included mercenaries from the Vengeful Temple," Heinz said, "My people told me it was your doing, even though you knew we were in contact with the Vengeful Temple."
"But as long as you don’t speak up, they won’t suspect you. You have no motive," Aiden said with indifference, "The Vengeful Temple is just a bunch of mercenaries without allegiance; anyone could have hired them. I guess the Kingdom’s intelligence bureau is more likely suspecting that the Empire is settling a score for the project they had stolen from them. In any case, there’s no evidence left; let them speculate as they wish."
All the mercenaries from the Vengeful Temple had either died in battle or committed suicide.
"How did you manage to make those mercenaries so fanatical?" Heinz inquired.
"Allow me to keep that a secret," Aiden said, spreading his hands.
"When I sent you over here, I truly didn’t expect you to cause such a storm. It seems I hadn’t seen the most frightening side of you yet," Heinz shook his head, "I’m now very glad that I didn’t insist on making you an enemy at the time."
Aiden thought to himself that he hadn’t intended to stir up such a big issue at first; it was all due to the circumstances...
"In fact, the Kingdom’s intelligence bureau has issued a secret warrant shared with us, for Harrison Dodge and the leader of the Resurrectionists. Do you have any leads?" Heinz asked.
"You don’t need to look for Professor Dodge; he was killed by Mr. Blood," Aiden replied, "As for Mr. Blood, he traded his powers for a new body. I can do a portrait for you. But I think he won’t stay long in the Gistas Kingdom. There’s nothing left here that they want."
"Is that so?" Heinz nodded thoughtfully.
Mr. Blood was an extremely dangerous individual; even though the kingdom had the capacity to handle him, it would come at a considerable cost. If he didn’t operate within the kingdom in the future, they would move his case down the priority list.
"By the way, does your princess know the inside story of the Southern war?" Aiden casually asked, "The refugee problem in Sunset City is getting more and more serious."
"Sera is still unaware, such complex political matters are still too early for her," Heinz responded.
"Don’t overprotect her; she aims to be the person in power of this country," Aiden commented.
"I am well aware. Given her character, she would probably want to stop the Kingdom’s interference in the politics of the southern nations. But from a grand strategic perspective, we must gain control over the southern part of the continent..."
"Without it, there’s no way to balance the power of the Empire," Aiden nodded. In this world where entertainment mainly consisted of reading books and newspapers, he occasionally read about international affairs.
"The Empire is still expanding into the Northern Continent, although I’ve heard there are native revolutionary forces clashing with the settlers there, but it’s confirmed that the Empire is expanding externally. We need to have some sense of crisis, at a minimum, to solidify our standing in the Southern Continent."
"Dominance in a region doesn’t necessarily require hegemony. If the princess has her own political doctrine, then it’s your responsibility to assist her in achieving it," Aiden said calmly, "In that regard, I sincerely hope you succeed."
Aiden was well aware that he didn’t have the power to genuinely change a country. The southern war and refugee crisis were issues at the national level, and such matters should be left to the state.
"I’ll take your well wishes," Heinz said politely with a nod, then brought up another subject, "By the way, I just heard from my subordinate that you’ve brought a dog aboard..."
"I found it on my way, and it seemed smart, so I decided to take it back for some training," Aiden smiled, "Please take good care of it on the journey."
