After receiving permission, Paladin pushed open the door and entered.
The bathroom was vast, hewn directly from the rocky ground, surrounded by a circle of rosewood. When hot water was poured in, it not only enriched the air with minerals but also exuded a faint fragrance of the wood. Enveloped in a soft mist, even the tensest of nerves could not help but relax.
Of course, this was a privilege exclusive to the civil official. The ordinary soldiers' baths, in stark contrast, were damp and cramped, where they could only stand and pour water from wooden buckets over themselves.
Paladin had just intended to report when he froze in place.
At that moment, Keno, half-closing his eyes, lounged in the hot water. His amber eyes, more beautiful than jewels, seemed both hazy and clear. His already delicate features became even more refined in the mist, and as he casually tousled his wet hair, droplets from his long, thick lashes trickled down like pearls, rolling over his fair skin, and finally disappearing into the corner of his lips.
Though both were men and there was no need for modesty, Paladin still found himself instinctively averting his gaze when his eyes fell upon the alluring curve of Keno's collarbone, and in a low voice, reported, "My lord, there is a level six military communiqué."
Keno, seemingly unaware of the atmosphere, continued to wash his hair for what seemed like the umpteenth time. He squeezed bath oil into his hands, creating a lather, and said casually, "My hands are too wet. You can read it."
Paladin hesitated, momentarily torn. According to military regulations, as a centurion, he had no right to read a level six communiqué. But since it was Keno's request, he threw aside protocol, opened the letter, and began to read aloud:
*To the Civil Official of Shilin Town, Keno Van Helsing.*
*Dear Keno Van Helsing,*
*With a heavy heart, I write this letter.*
*The administrative officer of Twilight City, Hack Lorisen, passed away yesterday. Alchemists discovered a toxin in his body that we had never seen before, and thus, we have been unable to identify the true culprit.*
*Twilight City is in need of a new ruler, and in accordance with the Doguland Administrative Act, one of the civil officials from the eleven subordinate towns should take his place.*
*I received urgent news from the crows that Shilin Town was attacked by bandits. Not only did you not abandon your people and flee, but you also chose to stand by them to the end, intending to fight to the death. This knightly spirit deeply moved me.*
*The armies of the surrounding towns have already set out to aid Shilin Town. Should you still be alive when this letter reaches you, you will be the new administrative officer of Twilight City.*
*I wish you well.*
*Signed: Regnorn Lesacahl, Lord of the Firelight Province.*
---
Paladin blinked in disbelief. "The administrative officer of Twilight City was poisoned... My lord, you've been promoted!"
Keno, unfazed, waved an empty bottle of oil in his hand, furrowing his brow. "How did it run out again?"
"My lord, you've become the administrative officer. Surely, you must feel..." Paladin's words trailed off, but before he could finish, he froze.
Although Keno had never explicitly stated his whereabouts, Paladin knew that Keno had gone to Twilight City the day before, as Luggo and the others had let it slip during their conversations.
Then, Hack Lorisen had suddenly died.
With Keno's efforts in repelling the bandits, the higher-ranking officials had honored him, promoting him directly to the vacant position of administrative officer.
Until now, Paladin had simply thought it to be a coincidence, but seeing Keno's lack of surprise, a chilling thought crept into his mind...
Keno raised an eyebrow. "What are you thinking?"
Paladin's lips trembled, and just as he was about to speak, a sudden sharp pain shot through his fingers, a nerve's desperate warning.
With a clenched jaw, he nodded. "You mentioned the oil ran out. I was thinking of which scent you prefer, my lord. I'll fetch it for you."
"Get me a bottle of strawberry-scented oil, please. Thank you," Keno said with a playful glance.
Paladin quickly exited the bathroom, feeling as though he were surfacing for air, gasping for breath, cold sweat dripping down his face.
In his mind, he swore an oath to bury his thoughts deep, like milk left to sour for ten days, until it was beyond redemption.
After fetching the oil, Paladin returned, only to find Keno still in the midst of his two-hour-long bath. His skin, almost rubbed raw, bore marks where the capillaries had been torn.
The generous application of bath oil left Keno smelling like a walking strawberry, an intoxicatingly sweet fragrance.
After finishing his bath and getting dressed, Keno, accompanied by his soldiers, townsfolk, and the captured bandits, made his way toward Twilight City to take office.
Shilin Town had been devastated by the bandits and was no longer safe, so higher command had ordered all troops and civilians to relocate temporarily.
As for the rebuilding of Shilin Town, that would be a headache for the next unfortunate civil official.
With a large number of civilians in tow, the group moved slowly, taking two full days to reach Twilight City.
By the time they entered the city, the front-line reports had already spread through the raven messengers.
The military and civilians of Twilight City had already been informed: Keno had held off the bandits with only 300 soldiers, not only repelling the first wave of the desert marauders but also managing to capture over a thousand of them.
This feat was considered miraculous, and now, the architect of this miracle was arriving to take office. It was an immense morale boost for the local military and civilians.
At the Eastern gate of Twilight City, the streets were packed with people. A sea of black-clad civilians and soldiers formed a barricade, stretching endlessly down the road.
Some called out Keno's name, others welcomed the incoming civilians, while still others cursed the bandits. The sounds of cheer, jeers, and clamor surged like waves crashing against the shore.
Paladin and Baisa, accustomed to the sparse receptions in border towns, had never witnessed such a spectacle.
Assigned to Shilin Town due to their lowly birth and lack of influence, their fates had always been tied to the harshest corners of the empire. The prosperous city of the capital had been reserved for noble heirs, and they had long since accepted their roles as cannon fodder, living only to survive another day, until death claimed them.
But this—this grand welcome, with both civilians and soldiers saluting them—left them bewildered, unsure where to place their hands as they followed Keno in awe.
At that moment, a little girl, holding a laurel wreath, stepped forward through the crowd, her face flushed with shyness. "Excuse me, sir, may I give you a flower?"
Were it any other arrogant noble, they would likely have ignored her or asked their subordinates to take the offering.
But Keno dismounted with grace, accepting the flower with both hands, his smile as warm as the first sun of spring. "Thank you, I really like it."
The little girl blushed, bowed, and disappeared into the crowd, burying herself in her parents' embrace.
Nearby, a young woman, overcome with admiration, sighed, "By the gods, the new civil official is so gentle. Surely, he must be an angel!"
When Keno arrived at the Twilight City government residence, the first thing he did was replace all the furniture in the bedroom, even tearing up the floorboards. The last time he had been here, he had noticed that Hack Lorisen preferred not to wear socks or slippers.
As for why Hack had died, the answer was simple.
Keno had given him the antidote two days ago, as promised, to deliver once a month.
Keno never went back on his word.
He had merely "forgotten" to mention that the poison's cycle took twenty-four hours to reach its peak.
As the craftsmen worked on the room, Paladin found Keno. "My lord, the inauguration ceremony will begin in an hour."
Keno turned, his smile serene. "Have the interrogation room cleaned. I need to see someone."