Borena rushed through the door and almost punched Ethan in the face, but he stopped abruptly, grabbed Ethan's shirt instead, and roared in frustration: "I said you weren't allowed to hurt Celsio!

Word had spread, and the whole Black Castle and even the city of Llewellyn were boiling over that Sercio had locked Kazia in her own room - some even said that she had been imprisoned in the Black Prison on suspicion of her involvement in the murder of the King.

Falbo brought back a myriad of rumors for him. The little prince, who was originally quite popular, was described as ruthless in the blink of an eye. Even if it's for his own father...... His mother is still unforgivable.

Ethan glared at him coldly, "At least I gave him a chance to prove that he was not an accomplice in Kazia." Another option is for Gilbert to declare that he is not Joaquin's son at all, to arrest Kazia and all her children, or for the High Priest of Anduhe to claim that Joaquin's soul has complained to him at the hands of Kazia and her adulterer...... Which one do you prefer?"

Borena glared at him for a moment, but let go of his hand.

"There's nothing you can do to make everyone happy. Ethan casually tugged at his clothes, "If you want to be a perfect brother so much, it's better to die." ”

After the showdown, his attitude towards Borena did not change - or rather, worse.

"I guess if I'm dead, you'll find another person to support. Borena said angrily.

Ethan glanced at him. actually didn't deny it, just said lightly: "You have what you need to protect, and so do I." ”

Borena had nothing more to say.

- "My father is dead. ”

It was outside the temple in Anduch that day. The words made Borena take a step back in shock, and almost rolled down the steps.

Fish Croftler died.

For a moment he almost thought Ethan was lying. The death of the lord of Balach could not have been so quiet, how could he not have heard the slightest rumor?and the old man was obviously so healthy the last time he went to Balach......

But looking into Ethan's stagnant eyes, he realized it was true.

"What...... When?" he stammered.

"The day I was in a daze on the porch. Ethan replied.

At one point, Borena speculated that he was in a daze because he knew Eli was in Llewellyn...... It's just too far wrong.

Fish's death was an accident, or at least it seemed like an accident. He fell down the stairs and hit his head on the hard stone bricks, and he lost his breath. Even if the high priest of Anduch appeared in person. There was nothing that could be done for him anymore.

Fish's wife, Penelope, was usually gentle and slightly cold, and seemed to care about nothing. Nor will she take it to heart, after determining that it is impossible for her husband to wake up, she decisively blocks the news and declares that Fish has fallen. However, under the treatment of the high priest, he has fully recovered his health, and needs to pray to Ni'o alone for a while for this, and then secretly asks the priest of Anduhe to send a letter to Ethan, telling him everything.

Until then, Ethan had really just wanted to help Borena figure out who wanted his life. If Joaquin really wanted to kill his own son, he wouldn't mind helping Borena become king by the way—after all, Fish had already fallen out with Joaquin.

After that, he had to seriously consider the fate of the entire family.

It was no secret that Fish had disobeyed Joaquin's orders and even abused the king. Due to the power and influence of the Croiffler family, Joaquin, who has just sat on the throne, will not do anything to him. But Fish died so suddenly. There is not even a strong heir...... The Croeffler family's territory is likely to fall apart.

Fish's two cousins and their sons were bound to compete for the lordship. And the Croiffler family's inherent territory is likely to be reclaimed by Joaquin or divided among other lords for various reasons......

That's all unacceptable to Ethan.

He originally planned to use Borena to ease the relationship between the Croofflers and Joaquin, but before he could do anything, Joaquin also died.

If Sercio succeeds to the throne...... Kazia, who already hated Fish because of Borena, would never let go of the Croiffler family.

Eli's appearance is to add insult to injury.

Ethan still doesn't dare tell his mother. Eli has become a necromancer. Penelope also hopes that he will find Eli as soon as possible, but the goal is to get Eli back to inherit the Crofleur family's domain. She favors her youngest son, but she knows very well that Ethan, who has been weak since he was a child, has never been taught for the purpose of "becoming a lord", and it is difficult for him to win the support of the knights. Fish had been waiting for his eldest son to come back and confess his mistake to him...... Eli, however, completely inherited his father in terms of "stubbornness".

When it is known that Eli is secretly meeting with Kazia. Ethan guessed that he might have something to do with the hunt and framing of Borena, but he couldn't guess that he would actually kill Joaquin. And then blame Borena.

Ethan was almost desperate - his best option seemed to be to leave Borena behind. Fish's death could not have been concealed for too long, and it is likely that Kazia would return Eli to Balach to inherit the lordship after Sercio's coronation, so that at least the Crofleurs would not suffer any damage.

But he couldn't.

He never gave Borena a good look, but he never refused his pleas. At first, it was out of guilt - it was he who told Fish that Eli had tied Borena to a waterwheel and tried to drown him, probably half jealous and half indignant. Even though he lost a hand and became unusually obedient, Fish still valued his eldest son more. But this man, who was supposed to be a knight, was secretly murdering his friend...... He just wanted his father to see that Eli was not as good as he hoped and to teach him a lesson, but he didn't expect his father to drive Eli away.

And he, however, did not dare to tell either Eli or Borena that he was the whistleblower...... That moment of cowardice became a shadow that he could not get rid of, making him very angry every time he saw Borena, but Borena didn't care about his evil voice at all, completely regarded him as a life-saving benefactor, and then became his friend on his own initiative.

He was probably Ethan's only friend as well.

If he wants to save this friend and find out the truth, the Croifflers will be charged with murder again.

He had to leave something behind......

After sitting for the night, Ethan made a decision.

He's going to put Borena on the throne.

That's the only way to keep both Borena and the Crofler family. Borena may hate Eli or even him, but he respects the Fishes as much as his own parents.

It was a desperate gamble, especially after Borena chose Nio, the god of water, in public, only to be told that there was a priest in the city, and he was not sure that Borena would survive......

Borena died, but came back from the dead. That makes things so much easier.

The dissatisfaction with Kazia and the Longfu family has never stopped, and Joaquin has been quietly weakening the power of the Longfu family during his lifetime, obviously with no intention of remaining under the control of the queen's family. His violent death has made the situation even more precarious, and many people are doubting that a teenager in his early teens can govern a country that has not really settled down, and that the slightest mistake could lead to Anktann falling back into war.

The nobles and knights probably didn't hate war that much, after all, it was easier for them to gain glory on the battlefield, but Anktann had been in chaos for too long, too long to be tiresome. Many knights had even just had the opportunity to marry and have children, and did not want to be on the battlefield again so soon.

So Ethan gave them Borena Dejuri.

The king's rightful eldest son, in the prime of life, successfully governed the mouth of the Kuz River and fended off the barbarians, and having the support of the Croifflers but not the Croavellers meant that he would be willing to accept any allegiance to his family at this time. Also, he is a man who has come back from the dead and has been favored by the god of water......

It's perfect.

The only problem is that he can't let Borena know.

"Why not?!" Borena was furious when he asked the question, and he was grateful that Ethan hadn't given up on him...... But can't he tell him when he's using him like this?!

"Do you want to be king?"

"Of course not!"

"So there's a good chance you'll run away - you're good at escaping, and I can't let you run anyway. Ethan said frankly.

He always left Borena speechless.

Now that everything has been said and done, Ethan gave Borena a day to make a decision.

"If you want to go, I won't stop you, but you have to understand that it is impossible for Sercio to sit on his throne now. The good thing is that Kazia probably isn't in the mood to hunt you down anymore. ”

He threw this sentence and threw Borena in the room that the temple had specially arranged for them to yell at each other without being disturbed.

Borena thought about it for a long time...... Still doesn't think Ethan gave him any choice.

Or that's his choice.

"I agree. ”

He told Ethan calm and exhausted, and Ethan didn't seem surprised at all.

"But you can't hide anything from me, and you must not hurt Sercio...... and his two sisters, I don't know if you have any rumors or evidence, but he is definitely Joaquin's son, my younger brother!"

“...... Are you so sure? They don't look like Joaquin at all. Ethan asked him.

Borena glared back gloomily, not saying a word, and Ethan finally nodded helplessly.

But Borena also understands that it is almost impossible to leave those children completely unharmed. All he could do was try to protect them, and in that regard...... He better not count on Ethan Croefler.

(To be continued)