"If it's information about that, I do know a few things." Xio's expression was complicated, but she quickly recovered and asked softly, "However, I'm not sure if the information I have overlaps with what you need."
"I don't know much," Ashes admitted, "All I know is that the 'Lawyer' pathway was controlled by the Solomon Empire's royal family in the Fourth Epoch. Beyond that, I have no information."
"Then it probably doesn't overlap," Xio took a deep breath and asked, "Do you know what sequence pathway the Augustus family controls?"
"Arbiter," Ashes nodded slightly. The Augustus family is the royal family of the Ruen Kingdom, and their sequence pathway is the 'Arbiter'. This information was explained to him by the Hanged Man during the previous Tarot meeting.
"Yes," Xio nodded lightly and explained, "The Augustus family controls the 'Arbiter' sequence pathway, which is why the military and the royal intelligence agency, MI9, are mostly 'Arbiters'."
Pausing, Xio's voice lowered as she said softly, "Including me and my father, we are both from the 'Arbiter' pathway."
"However…" Xio Derecha continued with a shift in tone, "My ancestors once held the title of Earl of Palatial Manor and were legitimate court nobility. My father also served as the head of the Royal Guard and the Chief Court Guard. Thus, my family knows some hidden secrets about the Augustus family."
"For instance, aside from the 'Arbiter', the royal family also controls the 'Lawyer' pathway."
"The royal family controls the Lawyer pathway?" Ashes seemed to realize something and asked, "Are you sure?"
"Yes," Xio nodded seriously and said, "The royal family controls both the 'Arbiter' and the 'Lawyer' pathways. I am absolutely certain of this!"
"So, it's still the royal family?" Ashe's eyes flashed.
From the first day he arrived in the capital, he instinctively suspected the royal family. But he never had any evidence. Now, Xio's words confirmed some of his suspicions. At least, based on the known information, the royal family was definitely connected to the Black Emperor. However, these pieces of information were still not enough.
"Where is your father?" Ashes asked, "If possible, I'd like to meet him."
"He's dead," Xio suddenly lowered her head and said softly, "Seven years ago, he was accused of participating in a rebellion and was sentenced to hanging, stripped off his title and land. My family fell into ruin, and many members mysteriously disappeared. To survive, we changed our surname and left East Tuck County. But I don't believe my father would rebel. He was so loyal to the royal family, even more than to his faith in the goddess! For..."
"Xio," sensing her friend's growing agitation, Fors gently hugged Xio's shoulder from behind and whispered, "It's okay, no matter what happens, I'll support you."
Fors had known Xio for a long time, but Xio had never shared these details. Now, to help Fors 'repay a debt', she was revealing her painful past. Fors knew that this history was extremely distressing for Xio.
"I'm sorry to hear that," Ashes looked at the two comfortingly and spoke slowly, "But the information you provided is very valuable. What kind of reward do you need?"
"No need," Xio took a deep breath, patted Fors's hand on her shoulder, and looked up at Ashes, "But if possible, I hope you can provide Fors with a few more treatments."
"Okay, how many exactly?" Ashes nodded slightly and asked.
"How about three times?" Xio hesitated before speaking.
She had given up some classified information, but it wasn't unique. Three times seemed a bit too much.
"Fine," Ashes nodded calmly, "I can provide her with three treatments for free, but to me, your information is worth far more than sixty pounds. I can offer additional compensation, and you can choose."
"First, an additional year of free treatment."
"Second, I can provide you with some useful information."
"I choose the first... mmph..." Xio immediately chose the first option, but before she could finish, Fors covered her mouth and interrupted, "Let's be clear, if the information you provide is something we already know or isn't worth 300 pounds, it doesn't count."
"Agreed," Ashes pondered for a moment and asked, "Do you know about the Acting Method?"
"Acting Method?" The two exchanged a glance, confusion in their eyes.
"The Acting Method is information only available to mid- to high-sequence Beyonders in the Seven Churches. The key points are:"
"It's not about control, but digestion."
"It's not about discovery, but acting."
"The name of the potion is not just a symbol, it's an image and the key to digestion."
"But while acting, remember, you are just acting."
Ashes succinctly explained the principles of the Acting Method. Both Xio and Fors immediately grasped its implications. Although Ashes didn't explicitly name it, they realized it was about handling the potion.
"I think this information is worth 300 pounds, right?"
"..."
Fors opened her mouth to speak. She had planned to get some information and claim they already knew it to get free information. But who would have thought Ashes would give such explosive information!
Fors lowered her head in defeat; this left her no room to bluff.
"Very good," Ashes, seeing no objections from them, nodded in satisfaction and continued, "Besides that, I have another request."
"Request?" Fors asked curiously, "What kind of request?"
"I wrote a novel," Ashes said, "and I hope you, Miss Fors, can help me submit it to a publisher under your apprentice's name."
He added, "If possible, it would be best to promote it in your book. As a reward, half the royalties from this book will be yours. How about it?"
This was an idea he had when he first met Fors but had never had the chance to put into practice—writing a book takes time, even if it's copied from memory fragments.
"Under my apprentice's name?" Fors's expression turned odd.
"Yes."
"Are you an apprentice?" Fors couldn't help but ask, connecting it to the Acting Method Ashes just mentioned.
"You didn't already know?" Ashes gave her a surprised look.
"I didn't know at all!" Fors wanted to cry.
At this moment, knowing the truth made her heart crumble.
(End of the chapter)
50 Power stones= Extra Chapter