thefictionvixens 039. Winning over
039. Winning over
It was only after learning about the "Angel Engine" that Sinley began to doubt her former teacher, Derek.
He didn't believe that two things with similar names would appear out of nowhere: "Angel Cult" and "Angel Engine".
Whether there is a direct connection between the two is currently unknown. However, the day after the Fallen Spirit attacked Eve, Xinlai encountered Deckrick at Hamilton College of Witchcraft and Wizardry…
That's too much of a coincidence.
Looking back now, there was definitely something off about Derek, who led the way for him that day.
However, there is no evidence.
As for Gordon, he is the biggest threat right now.
Gordon has an extremely close relationship with "Angel Engine," and it could even be said that without "Angel Engine," there would be no Gordon as we know him today.
If the "Cult of Angels" is indeed related to the "Angel Engine," then Gordon is most likely a member of the cult, and of a high rank.
If that's the case, it's almost impossible for Eve to survive.
After all, if Gordon really wanted to take Eve's heart, no one could stop him.
But everything is still unknown, and Xinlai only dares to speculate, not to draw any conclusions.
Everything will only become clear once we return to the castle and test Gordon.
With this in mind, Sinlai didn't delay any longer. The carriage that Frank had prepared for him had arrived, and he instructed the sexy maids to carry the gold onto the carriage one by one.
Before leaving, Xin Lai inexplicably used her skill:
Master Thief Lv.1.
It's not that I absolutely have to steal something to be satisfied, it's just that this skill is rarely used, so I might as well use it...
An oval pendant made of pure gold suddenly appeared in his palm.
You have received an unremarkable, ordinary gold pendant.
Xinlai paused for a moment, then sighed softly.
Even in the Eye of the Raven, a place where a large number of treasures were pledged in exchange for information, the master thief only managed to steal one necklace.
If you were walking down the street, there would probably be even less hope.
He didn't look closely, casually stuffed the pendant into his pocket, and returned the way he came to the Rum Tail Chicken Tavern.
The bartender at the bar still looked utterly dejected, but Xin Lai glanced at him almost imperceptibly as she passed by.
Because of the brawl that had just taken place on the street, many customers who wanted to find out what had happened had flocked into the tavern and were whispering among themselves.
Several other people, clearly members of a regular army or adventurers' guild, were talking to an elegant and amiable elf.
Xinlai glanced at it, didn't stop, walked straight to the door, got into the carriage, and headed straight for the castle.
The driver was the same old driver, who quickly adapted to the new vehicle, leisurely cracking the whip to control the direction and speed.
Xin Lai paused for a moment, then casually asked, "How much do you know about what happened on the street just now?"
The coachman hummed in agreement: "Your Highness, I don't actually know much either..."
Tell me about it.
After a moment's thought, the coachman recounted his ordeal, from buying wine at the tavern to witnessing a group of men attacking Eve and Aleya, as if telling a story.
"You watched the whole thing?"
"I...I hid under the car."
"..."
Xinlai didn't say anything more, her fingers tapping absently on her knees.
"Go straight back to the castle."
"Okay..."
If the coachman was present, the investigators would eventually find him, and the wrecked carriage would eventually be traced back to Xinlai. Accountability would be inevitable.
Therefore, Xinlai cannot rush to find Eve and the others; she must return to the castle first and deal with what she can.
With that thought in mind, the carriage soon arrived at the castle.
A familiar yet unfamiliar figure stood by the castle gate, his posture casual but his body upright.
"Your Highness, you're back."
Gordon bowed respectfully, seemingly aware of his current position and having already assumed his duties.
Xinlai got out of the car and instructed the servants to unload all the gold and pile it at the castle gate, where he would personally store it in the basement later.
Gordon quickly adapted to the job of the doorman, even doing a better job than his predecessor.
He stayed by Xinlai's side as she got off the bus.
Seeing this, Sinley thought it was a good opportunity to win Gordon over, so she led Gordon into the castle, and the two of them went to the living room one after the other.
"sit."
Sinley sat down first, ordered two glasses of red wine to be poured, and then asked Gordon to sit down.
Gordon didn't dare sit down and remained standing behind Sinlai, like a bodyguard.
Seeing that he didn't move, Xinlai stopped being polite, remained silent for a moment, and then asked first:
"Tell me, what should be the punishment for drinking alcohol while on duty?"
Gordon replied calmly, "Your Highness, I was unemployed at the time, and it seems I was drinking..."
"Answer my question." Sinley's voice was cold and ruthless, without even glancing at Gordon.
Gordon's pupils contracted, and like a little old man who had done something wrong, he lowered his head and said helplessly, "Suspended from duty, and fined one-third of his monthly salary."
"So what is your current monthly salary?"
Gordon hesitated for two seconds: "Fifty gold coins."
Sinley had already learned from Frank about the full punishment her father had given Gordon: his monthly salary had been halved to fifty, which was originally one hundred gold coins.
"Who told you that being demoted meant being 'unemployed'?" Sinley glanced at the reserved Gordon beside her and continued:
"Since my father has assigned you to protect me, I will not dismiss you from your post."
Gordon tried to argue, but he knew he was in the wrong. Failing to protect Sinley was his dereliction of duty, and now being found to be drinking heavily while in office was also his dereliction of duty...
"I...accept the punishment..."
Gordon, who seemed weathered by life and had resigned himself to his damned fate, slowly bowed and spoke.
Xinlai pondered in silence for a while, letting the ice cubes sway in the glass and make a crisp sound as they collided with the glass wall.
Judging from Gordon's experience, exploiting him would likely backfire.
"Um……"
Sinlai then said:
"Suspension is out of the question, since you've already been demoted once. As for your monthly salary... I'll raise it to 120, and I'll make up the difference if it's not enough."
Gordon, who was about to receive his punishment, bowed and nodded: "Understood, Your Highness, I will accept it..."
"Um?"
Gordon was taken aback, then straightened up and looked up at Sin Lai.
"What, you think it's not enough?"
"No, no, no..." Gordon shook his head and waved his hands, flattered, and even took two steps back with some suspicion.
The old man's face showed not only shock but also confusion.
Putting aside why Sinlai rewarded him instead of punishing him, Gordon realized that Sinlai was not as simple as rumored, just by taking out 120 gold coins as a monthly salary for him, despite him being a prince who was not wealthy.
Xin Lai's stinginess deterred countless young ladies who wanted to marry him.
But this stingy person was not only not punished, but his monthly salary was increased by twenty yuan!
With this extra money, there's no need to scrimp and save to buy materials that might help him break through level 59!
Moreover, Xin Lai has had no scandals over the years, at most she's known for being stingy, which proves she's not a bad person and certainly doesn't have any malicious intentions to harm the country or society...
But Sinlai really wanted him to betray his country, and he did it!
Gordon immediately knelt on one knee: "Your Highness, I am willing to serve you unconditionally for the rest of my life!!"
Xinlai waved his hand: "Don't rush, Gordon." His shrewd golden eyes turned to the old man, and he continued,
"Besides that, I will do my best to help you find a way to break through the constraints, but the prerequisite is..."
"This...this..."
Gordon's two slightly yellowish eyes widened like saucers, his excitement beyond words. He nodded firmly like a child who had just received his favorite snack, having already prepared himself mentally.
Forget treason, he'd be willing to teach Xinlai everything he'd ever learned...
Xinlai rose, holding her wine glass, and strolled to the window. Gazing at the several carriages that had stopped in front of the castle gate, and the figures of the National Security City garrison, she murmured softly:
"You must be completely loyal to me, swearing by your soul."
Gordon became more and more excited as he listened. This wasn't just a master; this was like a second parent!
You've given so much and this is all you ask for?
He thought he was going to assassinate King Bermelt!
Moreover, everything Sinley said was exactly what Gordon dreamed of. Sinley could give more than the king could, and she could give what the king couldn't!
Even if it's still unknown whether a way to break through level 59 can be found, since Xinlai has made the promise, it can be considered a commitment, and given Xinlai's personality, she is unlikely to break it.
If he doesn't express his opinion now that he's gone this far, this fleeting opportunity might really slip away.
Without the slightest hesitation, he didn't care about the saying "a man's knees are worth gold"—he was just taking money!
Gordon immediately knelt on one knee, placed his right hand reverently on his left shoulder, and bowed slightly:
"If you will not abandon me, I am willing—"
step... step... step...
The sound of hurried footsteps came from outside the door.
Before Gordon could finish speaking, a large group of people rushed into the castle.
Xin Lai put one hand in her pocket and didn't reply. She just swirled the blood-red wine in her hand and gently raised her head.
Gordon and Sinley exchanged a glance, seemingly understanding Sinley's intention. They quickly nodded, stood up, and turned to look at the door.
Simondo, clad in silver soft armor and with a longsword at his waist, exuding composure and domineering presence, stood before Gordon.
He glanced around, then fixed his gaze on Gordon and shouted sharply:
"We are the National Security City Defense Force! His Highness the Third Prince was seen on the street where the Rum Tail Chicken Tavern is located two hours ago; we are now to interrogate him!"
After saying that, he waved his hand, and the fully armored soldiers behind him immediately split into two groups and ran to both sides to surround the entire living room.
At the opportune moment, he took out the investigation order and held it high in the air, the bright red seal resting on the lower right corner of the paper, reflecting light slightly.
"Hey? What wind blew our 14th Battalion Commander here?"
Gordon stood in front of Sinlai with a half-smile and asked in a deep voice.