Chapter 612: Taj Radkani

As a seasoned Matra, Taj—no matter how unskilled at crime—would never make such a mistake, because he had seen too many criminals.

He couldn't possibly be unaware of counter-investigation techniques. The fact that evidence could be found so easily meant he did it on purpose.

This was precisely why Cyno breathed a sigh of relief—perhaps senior Taj still had the resolve of a Matra. This evidence and map were more like they were left to guide someone to stop him.

The Traveler reported all the collected intelligence to Cyno—her little mouth finally wasn't tight-lipped anymore.

Regarding Taj's matter, Cyno said he couldn't judge—he hadn't seen Taj for some time either.

People change, so Cyno wanted to witness with his own eyes what the current Taj had become. If the other had truly turned to evil, he would personally judge him.

Arriving at the location indicated on the map, Cyno had no fear of it being a trap—though thousands strong, I go forth.

Cyno wasn't afraid, but Paimon was a bit scared.

[Paimon fearfully said: "So tense... there won't be any danger, right?"]

[Cyno replied: "Don't worry, I'll protect your safety."]

The second time! Cyno fans were really moved!

But the Traveler was still immune—because she'd heard such words many times. No way around it; that's how it is for Teyvat's long-lived succubus.

Xiao: Clearly I came first—whether long spear, cold face, or even height, clearly I was first.

But... why are you so skilled at this!

Regardless of who came first between Xiao and Cyno, at least now Cyno and the Traveler arrived at the Court of Desolation first.

There were many, many enemies here—for Cyno and the Traveler, it was manageable, but for Paimon, it was a bit too terrifying.

Fortunately, there was the Traveler—Paimon hid behind Lumine the whole time, like a spirit on her back.

And at the end of the path, they encountered precisely the person everyone least wanted to see—Taj Radkani.

[Taj leaned against the stone wall, looking like he'd been waiting for a long time. At this moment, his gaze toward Cyno had shed its former sharpness: "Long time no see, Cyno. How have you been lately?"]

["Since you've found your way here, it means you've basically finished the investigation. Faster than I imagined—is it because you have a new partner?"]

From his words, it was clear that he had deliberately left those clues.

He guessed that Cyno, upon finding the clues, would come—just not that it would be this fast.

Those things were done by him—he admitted he'd changed, become timid and selfish, no longer as fearless and unburdened as in his youth.

All this change happened after little Radkani's death.

After his beloved son died, he began questioning the justice in his heart. He hadn't done anything wrong, yet in his old age, he ended up lonely and bitter—was this right?

So he wanted to change all this. As a father, he wanted to use the power of the Court of Desolation to revive his son.

And all this was behind the door—that was the "treasure" that could revive his son. The above were Taj's own words.

Now Cyno had come—perhaps he no longer had the chance to see if the "treasure" was real or fake, because Cyno wouldn't allow it.

Cyno was silent, gripping the Staff of the Scarlet Sands tightly—the shadow cast by the spear tip seemed to divide the earth.

The spear tip flashed! The clash between the two was imminent! And during the battle, through repeated exchanges, Cyno "saw" the truth—he hadn't changed!

He was still that Matra!

The readers thought Cyno had the upper hand, but unexpectedly, old Radkani's strength far exceeded imagination.

Taj seemed to have gained some mysterious power here, actually able to contend with Cyno—though discerning eyes could tell Cyno was still holding back.

Not just him—Taj was as well. This exchange between the two carried a degree of restraint.

Cyno's reason for holding back was that from the earlier clashes, he had already read Taj's purpose.

Taj naturally because his goal from the start wasn't to deal with Cyno.

Taj reminded Cyno not to stop him—now Cyno was already injured; continuing to tangle wouldn't be good for anyone. Be careful of paying with your life.

To this, Cyno's reply was only four words:

["No problem."]

Four words like a wedge, embedding into Taj's heart—these four words conveyed Cyno's resolve: he wouldn't hesitate even to pay with his life, because he was a Matra.

A Matra's awakening needs no excess words.

Old Taj relievedly sighed—good, you haven't changed.

Not only was Cyno a Matra, old Taj was too—he hadn't forgotten the principles of a Matra.

[Cyno continued: "The list and the map—you deliberately left them at home, right? So I could smoothly find my way here."]

Taj's performance could fool people, but his spearmanship wouldn't—his spearmanship was telling Cyno he hadn't changed.

[Cyno explained to the Traveler: "From the beginning, he never intended to open that door. His true purpose was actually—"]

Actually to use a "betrayal" to weave a net for the mastermind.

But before Cyno could state Taj's purpose, a huge noise suddenly rang out around them—the underground palace rumbled, the earth trembled.

[Time is running out—Taj gave his final words: "After Murtada passed, I was depressed for a very long time, always hoping reality was a nightmare, and upon waking I'd see his familiar smile again."]

This was an old father's confession—but besides being a father, he had another identity: Matra.

Duty and personal desire intertwined in his heart—just then, an organization approached him.

This organization's scale was quite large—large enough to have their people even in the Akademiya.

Regarding this, the readers thought: "Why are we not surprised at all?"

It felt like no matter how outrageous the Akademiya did, it was within expectations—if one day they did something good, the readers would be surprised instead.

This organization's goal was the "Court of Desolation"—they used reviving his son as bait to lure Taj into helping them.

At that time, Taj had indeed been lost and hesitated—the personal desire as a father did drive him to want to agree, but the sense of duty as a Matra overcame it all.

Taj thought it through—since everything started because of the "Court of Desolation," as long as the "Court of Desolation" remained, similar tragedies would continue.

So Taj came up with a plan—a plan to net both the Court of Desolation and this massive criminal organization in one fell swoop.

A tragedy sparked by the "Court of Desolation" would end with the "Court of Desolation's" destruction.

This plan only required one small sacrifice—his life.

At the cost of life... haha, just life as the price to eradicate all this! Just like Cyno said—"No problem"!

As a Matra, Taj had long been prepared.

His life would perish together with the "Court of Desolation."