Chapter 157

Chapter 129 Weaving the Net

Pests? Alright.

It seemed that the guest from next door was not particularly fond of this woman, and I reckoned the reason had something to do with what they came to talk about. Though I didn’t quite understand what had happened, I could imagine some things.

From the words of that middle-aged man… Ironclad Guards? Pay? They were here to ask the queen for money, and judging by his tone… Victoria had withheld the Ironclad Guards’ pay, why?

Holding two doughnuts, I sank onto the sofa and took a small bite, then turned my head to look at the flawless side profile beside me—truly a face of extreme beauty, almost ethereal. The only flaw was that she was too cold, hardly showing any proper expressions; when she was still, she looked like a lifeless doll.

This woman shouldn’t be older than twenty-five, right? She was so young, yet already a manager of a country…

Then I saw Victoria turn her head slightly, frowning lightly.

“Why are you looking at me?” she said indifferently.

“Just taking a look…”

My somewhat hesitant answer made me feel a bit guilty. Realizing this, I cleared my throat, as if trying to regain my composure, and said, “Are you going to charge?”

“No,” Victoria’s beautiful eyes never left mine, “but I have to remind you. In this country, staring directly at Her Majesty the Queen can cost you your head.”

“…”

I opened my mouth, unsure of what to say.

What kind of tyrannical rule is this? You can’t even look at her? Then if you get married, would your husband have to wear a blindfold every day? Or else he’d lose his head?

Besides, you’re not even prettier than me, who would want to look at you…

“Also, you cannot sit together with me; such behavior is considered contempt for royal authority.” Seeing me still looking at her, Victoria added another point.

“…”

This is my home… Not letting me sit on the sofa with you, am I supposed to squat on the floor to eat?

“I will sit here!”

I said in frustration, then, as if venting my anger, took a big bite out of the Captain’s cookie in my hand and chewed it forcefully.

“Fine, sit then, but stop staring at me, it’s annoying.”

… Showing up uninvited and refusing to leave, you’re the one being annoying.

Suddenly, she extended her right hand and gently pushed my head to one side. The moment her palm touched my cheek, the cool and soft sensation caused my heart to flutter slightly.

After a moment, she asked carelessly, “How is the academy?”

“Not bad.”

I answered her instinctively… Why did I answer her? Why should I care about her…

But then Victoria asked again, “Have you met Sister Teresa?”

“Yes, I have.” Hearing this, I suddenly remembered what Teacher Teresa had told me, and I asked, “How did you know I would find her?”

“A few days ago, I mentioned the matter of the Gate of Truth to her.” Victoria’s tone was indifferent, and she didn’t directly answer my question, “By the way, there are some things I need to tell you.”

Upon hearing this, I sat up straight, wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, and became serious.

“What is it?”

“Recently, Doctor Chris from the empire sent word that the heretics cut off the transport route to the Winter City and redirected the goods to an orphanage in a border town. It has been taken over by a group of merchants about half a month ago. If we calculate the time, the goods containing the grass should arrive in the capital in about five days.”

“Five

The next day?” I was startled by her words, “So soon…

Doctor Chris didn’t alert them. The heretics haven’t realized that the new line has been exposed. I plan to let them continue thinking this way, giving them enough time to weave a bigger net and expose those truly hiding behind the scenes.”

I immediately guessed Victoria’s meaning.

“You mean… to let them enter the city?”

“Mm.” Victoria nodded slightly, “They have been able to sneak into the Royal City under my nose for so long. Behind them, there must be more than just one or two people. Letting them in first, I want to see where that batch of goods will be used. If nothing unexpected happens, this matter is inseparable from CataLoma, and even the Church in the Royal City.”

“CataLoma…”

As expected, it’s another orphanage… What exactly are these lunatics planning?

“Teacher Teresa, tell me, there’s a batch of goods that needs someone to meet them…”

“It’s that batch of goods. Once they enter the Royal City, they won’t escape the Sword of Cali.”

“The Sword of Cali. Are those guards yours?”

“The Sword of Cali is not my guard.” Victoria shook her head gently, “Each of them is exceptionally talented and battle-hardened, having gone through numerous tests to be crowned with the ‘Sword Emblem.’ The Sword of Cali is not anyone’s guard; they are the warriors of Ethenbel.”

“Then, that person just now…”

“He is the captain of the Sword of Cali. In the Royal City, he is the second most attuned to the Order of Wind after me.”

…No wonder.

Just like Valar back then, it seems the Order of Wind can disappear and escape my perception.

Such people are wasted as assassins…

With some malicious thoughts in mind, I heard Victoria continue, “There is something I’m not at ease with. Mr. Carlos mentioned that when you were in the Empire, you had a confrontation with members of the Gate of Truth, is that right?”

“Mm, yes.”

After receiving my response, Victoria nodded.

“The warriors of the Sword of Cali do not have experience interacting with heretics, so I need your cooperation with them. As for the academy, I will speak to the principal about it. You don’t need to worry about that.”

“I’ll go to CataLoma tomorrow, find Teresa—”

My words were interrupted by Victoria.

“Miss Silvija, you didn’t understand my meaning.”

She sat elegantly on the sofa, looking at me sincerely, and said, “I chose to tell you this now because I hope you will act according to my ideas, not act on your own, understood?”

…Act according to your ideas?

But what if your ideas are wrong?

Of course, I didn’t say this directly, only frowned at her.

“I meant, Teacher Teresa…”

Clang—

Suddenly, a loud metallic collision sound came from the courtyard outside. Startled, I stood up abruptly and looked out the window in surprise.

There was noise coming from the courtyard.

“Prince Bartholomew, you can’t just barge in like this. You don’t know who lives here…”

“Reckert, isn’t Her Majesty here?”

“Prince Bartholomew!”

“These are the ones you sent over here, right? You don’t need to lie to me anymore. Besides Her Majesty, who else could command you! Quickly go report to Her Majesty that I, Bartholomew, have an important matter to discuss. If she doesn’t see me, I’ll sit here today! The valiant Iron Guard will all sit here and not move!”

“Prince Bartholomew, you’re drunk.”

…Looks like trouble has found its way here.