Inside the private booth.
Upon hearing the question, Miral's expression immediately soured.
At that moment, she finally realized what Gwath was truly after.
She hesitated for a while, wanting to speak but holding back.
"Can't you say?" Gwath asked in a deep voice, his imposing presence gradually intensifying, causing Miral's body to sink sharply, as if she were about to kneel.
"If you can't say it, then take this leather armor back," Gwath casually pushed the gift box back along the table, returning it to in front of Miral.
Miral knew in her heart that Gwath's words meant that without answering his questions, there would be no cooperation.
Thus, after pondering for a moment, Miral sighed and said to Gwath with great seriousness:
"I can answer your question, but you must swear that you will never tell anyone else."
Gwath naturally nodded, but out of caution, Miral added another requirement:
"Also, I need one of your secrets in exchange."
Gwath's eyes narrowed, and his gaze turned cold.
However, Miral, who had been in a weaker position, did not yield this time and looked up to meet Gwath's gaze.
After a few seconds, Gwath, with an expressionless face, slowly said:
"Barto didn't die of illness; I killed him. Also, Nemo is not coming back either."
Miral's pupils contracted slightly, and she was greatly shocked.
Although she had already suspected that Barto's death was not that simple,
hearing Gwath's admission still made her feel somewhat astonished.
Moreover, more importantly, the latter half of Gwath's sentence clearly indicated that Nemo had also died at his hands!
For a moment, Miral felt even more awe and reverence for Gwath.
"Your turn now," Gwath said, and Miral did not break her promise.
She just stepped forward, leaned in close to Gwath, and whispered:
"Lord Gwath, have you heard of the Blood Moon Cult?"
The Blood Moon Cult!
Upon hearing this name, Gwath's expression changed dramatically.
"Are you saying… Mr. Maddox secretly worships the Blood Moon Cult?"
Miral did not speak but nodded silently.
At the same time, both of their eyes revealed an expression of extreme aversion and even some fear.
"No wonder…"
Gwath realized with a start, but his face turned even uglier.
On the Divine Gifted Continent, due to the power and diversity of extraordinary abilities, various cults had emerged.
Among them, the Goddess of Creation, as the only supreme deity, the leader of all gods, the creator of the world, and the mother of all things,
was worshipped by almost all humans in the nine kingdoms.
However, because of the Goddess of Creation's love, tolerance, and selflessness,
she allowed her followers to also believe in other deities while worshipping her.
Therefore, on the Divine Gifted Continent, almost everyone had two kinds of faith.
For example, in Kurah City, in addition to the Sacred Cathedral of the Goddess of Creation, there also stood two other cult churches.
One was the Cult of the Earth Mother, which governed fertility, agriculture, land, and nature…
The other was the Cult of the Storm God, which governed hurricanes, lightning, weather, and the sky…
Both of these cults belonged to one of the nine major righteous cults.
In addition to these, there were also some other minor deities with their own cults.
However, they had fewer followers and did not occupy the mainstream.
Nevertheless, apart from these righteous cults that could provide spiritual solace and were positive in nature,
there was another kind of cult that specifically led people to corruption and decay of the human heart.
This kind of cult was like rats in the sewers, only able to spread secretly.
Once discovered by the kingdom or the righteous cults, there was only one outcome: they would be condemned and exterminated by everyone.
For example… the Blood Moon Cult that Miral mentioned!
"So, the slaves that you and Barto took away every year,
they should now have all become… sacrificial offerings, right?"
After a long silence, Gwath finally spoke.
The reason he had pressed Miral for answers was to find out the whereabouts of the slaves.
After investigation, Gwath discovered that over the past few years, the number of slaves trafficked by Barto and Miral had reached nearly a hundred!
This number was simply too large!
Even Gwath, a Just Knight and the captain of the constable squad, could not help but feel shocked and horrified.
Because slaves are generally divided into two types.
One type is the prisoners of war captured during the kingdom's conquests, including enemy knights and civilian captives.
These slaves have no status and can be traded freely. Even if the owner kills them, there will be no punishment.
The nearly hundred serfs in Barto's household belong to this category.
The other type is the common people of the Mand Kingdom.
Due to poverty, with no way out, and unable to pay taxes, they lose their status as freemen and have no choice but to sell themselves into slavery.
However, despite being slaves, the latter have a much higher status than the former.
Moreover, the number of domestic slaves is strictly controlled by the kingdom and the church.
The reason is simple: an increase in domestic slaves means a decline in the well-being of the people and a weakening of national strength.
After all, if it were not for a desperate situation where people could not survive, who would willingly sell themselves into slavery?
Therefore, even for the sake of appearances, the Mand Kingdom's authorities would not allow a large number of freemen to become slaves.
However, Barto and Miral were so bold that they schemed to enslave hundreds of freemen within five years.
With such a large number, Gwath would not dare to cooperate with Miral without getting to the bottom of it.
"Mr. Gwath, you need not worry," Miral quickly assured, seeing Gwath's silence.
"For Lord Maddox, a hundred freemen slaves would not cause any serious trouble."
Upon hearing this, Gwath gave Miral a deep look.
In his view, perhaps Maddox did have the ability to conceal everything.
But if it were ever exposed one day, then as a noble, Maddox might still have a way to atone.
But would Maddox protect Miral, a mere black glove?
The answer was obvious: no.
However, now that Gwath had learned about this, Maddox would surely drag him into the mess and would never let him go.
Thus, after a brief moment of thought, Gwath posed his third question:
"What can I get from Mr. Maddox if I complete the task?"
Upon hearing this question, Miral did not answer immediately.
After a moment of serious contemplation, she replied:
"I am not sure what specific reward Lord Maddox will give you.
But I can introduce you to him after you complete the task, and you can ask him yourself."
Upon hearing this answer, Gwath's eyes flashed.
Then his lips curled into a bright smile.
"Alright, then, here's to a pleasant cooperation."