The sun slowly rises, fading away the shyness of the beginning, and shining a warm and bright light on the earth that has been sleeping all night, announcing the arrival of a new day.

Silver Oak City has woken up, but in a way, the day can only dispel the night, but it can't dispel the strange atmosphere that has solidified in the capital. Today is supposed to be the busiest day in Oak City, but on the contrary, it's hard to see pedestrians or vendors on the empty streets.

Even the workers, who had to start their work in the morning out of desperation, subconsciously slowed down and lightened their hands, as if they did not want to cause any unnecessary trouble at this time.

The news of the suspension of the celebrations had been sent to civil officials at all levels overnight, and most of the people living in the capital had silently accepted this fact. But on the surface, it doesn't mean that no one is talking about it, curiosity can be said to be human nature. From the riot at yesterday's sword awarding ceremony to the earth-shattering noise in the middle of the night, even the most dull people knew that something must have happened in the capital.

Of course, with anything happening, there are always people who are depressed, sad, or happy and excited. With the festivities suspended, the performers and vendors who had already received a large deposit or compensation from the treasurer were delighted, knowing that earning gold without much effort was anyone's dream.

As for the reason, well, that's for later, no one is going to meddle in things, let alone the kingdom's affairs.

Sirian was not the only one who had also stayed awake all night, in the heart of the tree in the lower city, the light in the study of the former Minister of Civil Affairs had just been extinguished, and the velvet heart on the candle had solidified into a distorted shape, and a faint cold smoke was wafting upward.

Rogett sunk his body into the soft cushions of his seat, his face resting on the back of his hands unhealthily pale from lack of sleep. He sat at his desk all night, looking at the saddle on the table with a broken strap.

This saddle had been sent by Beckley, Rogett's old butler, the night before, and it was not strictly a very luxurious, finely made saddle. Although it can be regarded as a high-end product for nobles, according to Rogett's usual pickiness about the quality of life, he will never look at it, let alone put it on his beloved desk.

But it was such a broken saddle that not only was placed in front of Rogett, but he also kept him awake all night.

The wooden door of the study was pushed open, and the old butler Beckley entered, as quiet and humble as he had been ten years before. "My lord, the latest news has been presented," Beckley bowed, his fine silver hair meticulously groomed, "Chief Medical Officer Gesai is dead, burned to death in his mansion. ”

"Where's the murderer?

"The arrest warrant issued by the sheriff of the capital along with the Kingdom Guards has come out," replied the old butler, "It seems that Gesai's butler did it, but the mastermind behind it is still under investigation." After a pause, he continued, "The Prime Minister and Lord Tandra suddenly rushed from the fire to the garrison camp in the morning, and I am afraid they found something. ”

Rogett nodded subconsciously, then smiled. "Of course they're going to find something," he continued, taking a sip of Green Mist, "and it's not the muscles that make it to this position. But the problem is that it is precisely the imprint of the military that is engraved in their blood that hinders their progress. ”

"The bodies of the Assassins were destroyed by Lord Tandra shortly after they arrived at the barracks. The old butler said noncommittally, he knew when to speak up and when to shut up, for example, now, "four soldiers of the garrison were taken into custody at the same time, and the specific reason is probably known only to the two of them, the Prime Minister." ”

"So be it...... I don't know what our Prime Minister found out that made him destroy the body so quickly. Rogett muttered to himself thoughtfully, "Anything else?"

"One of the victims of the explosion in Icethorn Alley, according to reliable sources, the explosion instantly emitted green flames, and the murderer is also unknown......"

"Big deals......" Rogett said with some amusement.

"Finally......" Beckley paused, his voice revealing an indescribable heaviness, "Finally, the Imperial Guard has sent a royal order to go to the Oak Palace and attend the Imperial Council at once. ”

Rogett turned his head suddenly, staring at the old butler, who was bowing more and more humbly, as if he wanted to see in the other man an answer that he had never expected. Then he silently slowed down, leaned back in his chair, reached out and picked up the broken strap, and gently rubbed the severed head of the strap with his thumb, where there was a faint cut.

Silence lingered between a master and a servant, in this elegantly decorated study. The old butler waited quietly for the master's order, and Rogett's silhouette was reflected in the light projected from the window, and his grim expression revealed a hint of unusual fortitude.

After a long time, Rogett took out the small dagger that he had carried with him all the year round, cut a small piece of leather on the broken end of the pedal strap, and put it in an envelope bag, lit some dark red fire paint on the seal, and finally printed it on it with the emblem ring on his little finger.

The snow-white eagle feather pen was dipped twice in the ink, and Rogett looked at the envelope, and with this rustling sound, a line of handwriting was left: Who is it?

The envelope was placed in a drawer, and Rogett got up and looked out the window at the familiar street scene, which, unlike in the past, was a little lonely and deserted. "I hope I won't wait too long for an answer...... "I hope the answer won't keep me waiting," he muttered to himself, his handsome face reflected in the window, "let our eyes and ears stop, and that's the end of it." Prepare the carriage and go to the Oak Palace at once. With that, he raised his feet and walked towards the door.

"Yes, sir. Beckley replied from behind, "This saddle ?......"

Roggett gripped the doorknob but didn't turn around. "Dispose of it. Then he opened the door and walked out.

......

On the platform at the gate of the Oak Palace, you can see the entire capital from here. At this time, a fat and bloated figure was standing here, quietly looking at the magnificent city under his feet.

For former Chancellor of the Exchequer Colin, it was a city that was both familiar and unfamiliar. What is familiar is that he started as a lowly military treasurer who could no longer be humble, and slowly climbed through this city of lust until he became the kingdom's chancellor. It can be said that he knows every corner of this place well, whether it is gold coins or people's hearts.

As for the strangeness, it is better to say that he has never been able to integrate into this circle that is close to him, but he is high up. Maybe it's not wanting to, maybe it's not, everyone has their own reasons, and Colin is no exception, or rather, everyone has their own secrets in their hearts.

The former Chancellor of the Exchequer's gaze descended the steps and saw the statue of the main god on the Square of Order, as well as the Bright Hill Cathedral next to it. Further on, the lavish aristocratic mansions of the upper city stand tall, with their straight lines, snow-white rocks, and forest roofs, as if telling the story of the kingdom's wealth and history. The streets that radiate from the square are staggered and densely packed, and together with the buildings, slope down the hillside until they are submerged in the houses of the lower town.

Colin's ring-filled fingers crossed over his high bulging belly, and if you look closely, it's not hard to see that the exchequer's expression is slightly different. He squinted his eyes slightly and looked into the distance, but his face that was always full of smiles revealed a seriousness that had never appeared in this moment of no one.

With the sound of hurried footsteps on the steps, Colin spotted his "old enemy", Rogett, the former Minister of Civil Affairs. Then, almost instantly, Colin changed into his trademark smile - **, flattering, greedy, and a little annoying stupidity and funny.

"Good morning, my Treasurer!" Colin said with a smile, baring a row of shining teeth, "I said earlier that living in Downtown is not a wise choice! ”

Rogett was stunned when he heard the voice, but he immediately knew the identity of the other party, and he always had the strongest interest in this former Chancellor of the Exchequer who could not see the purpose. "Coming late isn't necessarily a bad thing, my friend, and who knows if there's a deadly fire pit in front of you?" he said as he stepped onto the platform and looked at Colin with a chuckle, "yes, I hope you don't mind the term 'friend'. ”

"Of course not. Colin waved his hand and said, "Whether it is the fire pit or not has nothing to do with me, for the sake of the Lord God, no one will regard gold coins as their enemy," he continued, "I will not be anyone's enemy." ”

Rogett listened and laughed dryly. "Well, my lord, can you tell me why you're standing here?" he said, looking Colin up and down, "the palace guards? ”

Colin snorted behind him. "There are so many people in there," he said helplessly, "it's so sad to stand inside." ”

"Hahaha......" Roggett smiled, "you should be careful about your weight, my lord." ”

"You're so lenient...... Colin's disgruntled muttering.

Rootett didn't say anything more, he crossed Colin and walked into the Oak Palace.

Indeed, there was a great crowd in the King's Hall, as Colin said. As the space in front of him suddenly opened up, he felt countless complicated gazes shooting at him. With these gazes, Roggett saw the crowd standing in the King's Hall.

Unexpectedly, in addition to the ministers who attended the Imperial Council as usual, the commander of the Kingdom Guard, Tandra, the deputy commander Daruk, the eldest son of Cirian, and the second son Loca. Along with some of the soldiers of the garrison, the former prime minister's personal guard, and the knights of the Knights of the Rushing Riverwind under the command of Loka, such a large number of people stood in the King's Hall.

Rogett looked at the scene in front of him with a lot of amusement, nodded slightly, and greeted everyone present. After a brief glance, he found that there were a few people missing, those few people who foreshadowed the purpose of today's Imperial Meeting.

At this time, Colin crept up behind Rogett and said in a voice that only the two of them could hear: "What should have happened has happened, and what is going to happen is about to happen......