Westminster Bank

Chapter 255: Chapter 160: Black Mandala (2)

He looked toward the young woman who had been silent this whole time: Freyja Lancelot—sister of Anthony, the deceased Leader of the Lion Eye Knight Order, and fiancée of Jill Hestia, the Griffin Knight Order’s leader-in-waiting.

Freyja’s expression was serene. "That’s why I regret it so much. It’s my fault he became like this... If it weren’t for that, my brother Anthony might not have died..."

Her expression suddenly turned to one of pity.

’So that’s why she refused to appear in court for Baron’s sentencing?’ Roy frowned.

Seeing this, Jose hurriedly changed the subject.

"The papers say he formed a contract with a member of the Dragon Race and became a Dragon Knight? Is that true?"

Roy snorted. "A mere Dragon Descendant. It’s impossible that any of the Dragon Race would be willing to form a contract with someone like him. From the very beginning, the only Dragon Knights ever acknowledged by the Dragon Race have come from the Dragon Clan, which was annihilated at the hands of the Dragon Witch...

"I suppose it’s because he colluded with the Dragon Witch. It’s even possible she ordered a Dragon Descendant to contract with a Bloodless like him."

The two main charges against Baron Constantin in the news were colluding with the Dragon Witch and the assassination and burning of King’s Cross Station.

The other charges, like killing Bill or his own cousin Soron, were considered secondary.

As for the charge of assassinating a Knight Order Leader, it was never made public out of concern that it might stir up public opinion.

Roy declared proudly, "Even if he has become a Dragon Knight, once a Bloodless, always a Bloodless.

"He’s a mere Black Iron Tier Contract Knight. I am a Bronze Tier Griffin Knight. What have I to fear from him?"

’If he were a true Dragon Knight, the bloodline suppression alone would be an insurmountable barrier. However, based on Baron Constantin’s performance reported in the news, as well as his feat of successfully escaping from this Roy Hestia fellow, he must have been a Black Iron Tier Knight for some time.’

’Yet he kept it hidden all this time, choosing to be a lowly bank clerk on the Outer Side. He must be a profoundly cunning and calculating individual.’

’Still... Black Iron Tier is a bit lacking. I can’t figure out how a Black Iron Tier could run circles around these Law Enforcement Organizations. Could he have someone helping him in secret?’

’And why would he want to kill Anthony? Was it really just because of the humiliation from the broken engagement?’

’If I recall correctly, after Freyja announced the annulment, Anthony led the Lion-eyed Knights to the Constantine Clan’s estate and tore up the marriage contract signed by their grandfathers on the spot.’

’And the Constantine Clan’s ’Blood Curse’ is said to be related to mental instability, so that kind of behavior would make sense.’

*(PS: As mentioned before, this refers to the curse in their bloodline. Families with this curse are called Old Blood Clans, and the curse is also known as the Blessing of Suffering.)*

Having mentally categorized Baron, Jose said obsequiously, "If I get any leads on Baron Constantin, I will certainly send word to... the Hestia and Lancelot’s Family."

Jose keenly observed that, compared to Freyja, Roy seemed far more eager to find Baron Constantin.

Roy said, "No, no need to send word. Just kill the bastard on sight. This is the best revenge for the Hestia... no, for Captain Anthony."

"Of course," Jose said with a smile.

Elder Pence gave Jose a subtle glance and said, "It seems Mr. Lidton has already made his choice for the next Patriarch of the Beowulf Clan. A Bronze Silver Faction member in his twenties certainly has a boundless future."

Lidton just smiled. "It was the decision of the clan elders. He can’t compare to the two brilliant young masters of the Hestia Family. I heard that Jill Hestia’s recent Contractual Assimilation can already be focused on his heart. I’m afraid it won’t be long before he achieves Bloodline Assimilation and begins the Silver Road."

Cosso Lancelot said, "That being the case, what are the Lidton Family Head’s thoughts on this matter..."

Lidton’s expression turned serious. "As a clan with generations of friendship with the Constantine Family, the Beowulf Family is unwilling and unable to use this incident with Baron Constantin to pressure the Constantine Family."

Seeing Cosso’s expression darken, Lidton added, "However, the Beowulf Clan is willing to offer its full cooperation in the pursuit of the suspect, Baron Constantin."

"As for the encirclement of the Dragon Witch... could you elaborate on your plan?"

Elder Pence said, "We plan to hold another auction, right on the edge of Traitor’s Cliff."

"An auction? You don’t mean to auction..." Lidton’s interest was piqued, and he sat up straight.

"The Red Dragon Scale," Pence said. "The Dragon Witch has been collecting Red Dragon Scales. We can use... Who’s there!"

Elder Pence suddenly roared like a lion. Roy, who had been chatting idly, heard the shout, pulled a long spear from his Holding Ring, and in an instant, pinned the shadow outside the drawing-room curtain to the wall, right through the window.

Everyone held their breath, staring at the shadow writhing and struggling behind the curtain.

Roy walked up to the spear that had pierced both the curtain and the glass, and tore the lavish velvet open with his bare hands.

His grim expression abruptly froze.

A black crow was pinned to the window by the spear, crimson blood trickling from its beak. Its wings flapped, but it was nothing more than a death throe.

"It seems I was being overly cautious. The Hestia Family will compensate you for the cost of the curtains and the window," Elder Pence said with a touch of humor.

Roy pulled out his spear, and the crow fell from the windowsill. He flicked the blood from the tip of his weapon and ran a finger over the black ash on the sill, frowning.

It looked like the residue left by fire.

... ...

Jack leaned against a wall, clutching his wildly beating chest. "Damn it, Constantine Brothers, I told you we shouldn’t come to a place swarming with big shots like this! We were almost discovered."

Baron leaned against Jack, his expression utterly unfazed by his Little Flame Demon being pierced.

’Encircle the Dragon Witch, Traitor’s Cliff, auction...’ He silently committed the keywords to memory and was just about to tell Jack it was time to go.

Then, as if sensing something, he shot off in a certain direction.

"Constantine Brothers, do you have any idea what we’re doing right now? Don’t cause extra trouble during a containment mission..."

Jack complained, but his feet were quite honest, following right behind Baron.

He couldn’t help it. In a sprawling, dangerous estate like Beowulf’s, sticking with Baron, a Bronze Dragon Knight, felt infinitely safer than going it alone.

... ... ... ... ... ...

"You’re telling me you want to apologize and offer compensation on that guy’s behalf? If I remember correctly, you’re that Bloodless Maid from today, aren’t you?"

The Chief Steward and the other Attendants let their gazes roam shamelessly over the red-haired Maid, lingering particularly on her bandaged hand.

"This all happened because of my failure to train him properly."

Wanda bowed deeply and took out the one hundred thirty British Pounds and nine pence she had saved. "Please, Lord Chief Steward, forgive his rudeness. I’m willing to use this money to compensate you for the damages he caused..."

Decker’s expression was complicated. Although he hadn’t been at the Beowulf Family long, he honestly liked Wanda.

Simply because she was beautiful and gentle.

That was enough.

He felt an extra bit of pride, especially after hearing that most of his male colleagues in the rear courtyard had a secret crush on her.

Though they were all secret admirers, those others were mere Bloodless. He, on the other hand, was of the Old Race. In theory, he still had a chance to become a Law Enforcer, while they had long since lost any hope of changing their station.

That was the difference between them.

Of course, if Baron were here, he’d probably snark, ’Are we really distinguishing between different kinds of losers now?’

Decker felt a mix of regret, confusion, embarrassment, and anger. He regretted that Wanda, who had seemed so sharp and capable during training, would choose this moment to stand up for Schumacher, even at the cost of offending the Chief Steward.

He was confused as to why Wanda would go so far for that Schumacher fellow, even paying out of her own pocket to beg for forgiveness. Even if it was love, in terms of looks, he was pretty sure he blew the guy out of the water.

And he was embarrassed. Back in the room, he had boasted to the man about his relationship with Wanda. The awkwardness was so intense he felt his toes could carve a mansion out of the floorboards.

The Chief Steward had his men take the money. Seeing this, Wanda bowed deeply again, but unexpectedly, the Chief Steward gave a meaningful look to his attendants. Two burly Attendants immediately stepped forward and grabbed her arms.

The Chief Steward looked at Decker. "Come now, rookie. It’s your time to shine."

Decker stood frozen, like a wooden post.

[From the Secret Notes of Baron Constantin (Original Body):

July 13, 1975 / Plains / Weather: Overcast

It rained. All the flowers Mom planted died. Yelena ran into the garden and picked a flower that had appeared out of nowhere, putting it in a vase.

I looked it up. It seems to be called a Mandala, but it’s black, which is a little strange.

A Black Mandala?]