"Justin, you need to understand that, regardless of whether you succeed or fail, the consequences of your actions could be very serious." Al-Ahmar looked at the man before him, his expression serious. He was thinking about the long-term future.
Under the current alliance formed by the three God-kings, the people of Sumeru were living in peace, and as King Deshret, Al-Ahmar did not want to see conflict reignite.
"King Deshret, I know you are a merciful deity, and you do not wish for war to break out again. But some things must have an outcome," Justin said. "In the end, there can only be one left standing between You, Lord Rukkhadevata, and Goddess of Flowers. As your subject, I cannot sit idly by."
Al-Ahmar was silent for a moment.
Justin had been with him for many years, and Al-Ahmar understood him.
If Justin didn't want to speak, not even a knife to his throat or having his limbs broken would make him talk.
There would be no result from continuing this conversation.
Finally, Al-Ahmar said no more. He turned and walked out of the cell, locking the door behind him.
"Justin, think of the people who have lost their families and are displaced because of the war. War is never a good thing."
With that, Al-Ahmar left.
Of course, Al-Ahmar understood everything Justin had said. As a deity, how could he not understand? He didn't need Justin's reminder.
And of course, Buer and Nabu also understood these things.
On the land of Sumeru, in the end, only one deity could sit on the divine throne.
It seemed that war was inevitable.
But no matter what, Al-Ahmar wanted to try a different path.
This was the consensus he had reached with Buer and Nabu, and it was why the alliance had been formed in the first place.
"Here, take this."
After a long period of silence, Buer took out an exquisite badge, engraved with a towering tree full of lush branches and leaves.
"What is this?" Yu Xie asked as he took the badge.
"With this, no one in the city will interfere with your actions. You can also mobilize certain personnel. In simple terms, this is a pass with the highest authority and a command order," Buer explained.
"So, you're agreeing to let me investigate the assassination attempt?" Yu Xie asked, studying the badge in his hand.
"If I still insisted on not letting you go, would you listen to me?"
"Well, that depends on your sincerity," Yu Xie joked. "If you pull on my sleeve and cry, I might just soften up and agree."
"…You really don't respect deities. Stay safe and don't overdo it."
"Don't worry. You just stay here and wait for my news," Yu Xie said, smiling as he tucked the badge away and turned to walk toward the window.
"Are you leaving already?" Buer's tone seemed to suggest she wanted to keep him a little longer. "You haven't even finished your tea."
Yu Xie glanced at the tea on the table and then drank it all in one go.
"If there's any progress, I'll come find you. I'll knock on the window when that happens," Yu Xie said, pointing to the window.
"You still plan to sneak in?" Buer raised an eyebrow. "With that badge, you can come in through the front door."
"Right." Yu Xie paused for a moment, then scratched his head awkwardly. "I'll just use the front door next time."
With that, he jumped up onto the windowsill and smiled.
"Though this time, I'll leave the same way I came. If I walk out all casually, your subjects might think their Archon is hiding a man... Just kidding. See you later."
As his words faded, Yu Xie's figure disappeared.
Buer walked to the window, looking outside, but she couldn't see where Yu Xie had gone.
"Not funny at all."
If she could, she wanted to personally look into the situation. She didn't want Yu Xie to handle it for her, after all, no one knew when danger might strike.
But if she investigated it herself, it would cause panic among her subjects.
She had to stay here and maintain control of the situation.
"Myrna, come to my study." After thinking for a moment, Buer raised her hand and waved. A pale green light flickered, carrying her voice to another part of the palace.
Soon, footsteps approached, followed by a knock at the door.
"Lord Rukkhadevata, I've arrived."
"Come in," Buer called.
The door to the study opened, and a woman in white armor walked in.
The woman had her brown hair tied up in a high ponytail. Her delicate face, though not as beautiful as Buer's, was still striking in a crowd. Her armor concealed some of her curves, but it was still clear that she had the kind of figure that other women would envy.
"Lord Rukkhadevata, what can I do for you?"
"Myrna, how's the investigation into the assassination attempt going?" Buer asked.
"…I'm sorry, there has been no substantial progress. The enemy is very cautious. Over a month has passed, and there hasn't been any action from them."
"Mm, then I need a favor from you."
"Whatever you ask, Lord Rukkhadevata. Don't say it's a 'favor.'"
"This isn't an official matter, it's actually just a personal request." Buer smiled gently. "I need you to secretly protect someone for me."
"Protect… who?" Myrna was momentarily stunned. As the close attendant of the Lord Rukkhadevata, this was the first time she had heard such an order.
"A young man named Yu Xie. He's about your age. He lives in a small house in the northeast corner of the city."
"Understood. I will do my best to protect him. Until I fall, he won't be harmed in the slightest."
"Myrna, don't you want to ask me why I want you to protect him?"
"I only need to carry out Lord Rukkhadevata's orders. I don't need to ask too many questions."
"You..." Buer sighed helplessly.
She had watched Myrna grow up, and sometimes this girl could be a bit too stubborn.
"Alright, then go. But remember, protect Yu Xie, but also protect yourself," Buer emphasized.
"Yes!" Myrna saluted respectfully, then left the study.
....
After leaving the palace and returning to his house, Yu Xie couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching him.
He had originally planned to take some time to think about his next steps, but the sensation of being observed made it hard to focus.
However, when he stepped outside and looked around, he saw no one else.
But the feeling was real—Yu Xie was certain of it.
It seemed the person watching him was good at hiding their presence.
Yu Xie sat under the eaves of the house, thinking for a while. Then, he furrowed his brow slightly and turned to enter the house.
The evening came quickly.
Myrna hid behind a derelict building high above, observing the ordinary house below.
After the target entered the house, he had not come out again. Now that it was getting late, it was likely he had already gone to bed, she thought.
Although she didn't understand why Lord Rukkhadevata wanted her to protect an ordinary young man, since it was an order from Lord Rukkhadevata, she had to do it well.
"What are you doing here?"
Suddenly, a voice came from behind without warning. Myrna instinctively drew the short blade hidden at her waist.
End of chapter
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