Chapter 306: Bagdad’s Savior

"...I can’t give you physical proof," Soren explained. "The battle happened deep in an underground cave, and the whole place collapsed after the fight. His body is buried under tons of stone now."

"...Is that so?" Lord Asad raised a brow.

"If you want, we can use the Truth-Seeking Orb to verify my words later." Soren met his gaze without flinching. "I have nothing to hide, and I understand the need for certainty in a matter like this."

"Thank you for understanding, and..." Lord Asad said, his voice softening. Then, without warning, he lowered his head and bowed deeply toward Soren. "On behalf of the city and everyone in it, I offer you my deepest gratitude."

Soren’s eyes widened slightly. "Lord Asad, there’s no need-"

"No," Lord Asad raised his head, his expression firm but still full of gratitude. "This city, no, I owe you a debt that can’t be repaid with words alone. If not for you, Bagdad City would have suffered a tragedy far greater than any of us could imagine. The lives of my people, my city’s future... all of it was saved because of you."

"Come on, it wasn’t that serious," Soren replied, but after seeing Lord Asad’s serious expression, he added. "Or... did you figure something out?"

"...Yes." Lord Asad replied with a dark expression. "We managed to catch another accomplice of theirs while you were fighting with the Hollow Pair. She turned out to be a half-elf and a new member of the Outcasts. At first, she refused to speak, but after some... persuasion, she revealed everything."

"I can’t tell all the details, but their plan was to cause friction between the elves and the Empire. They wanted to manipulate things and make it so that we would blame the elves, and they would blame us, and before anyone realized the truth, both sides would be at each other’s throats." Lord Asad paused and laughed coldly. "And the Puppeteer... framed it as a way of welcoming her into the Outcasts."

"I see..." Soren muttered, realizing the half-elf must have suffered some kind of cruel treatment from the elves. And this must have been their way of helping her get revenge. But... "What about the competition, then?"

"Well, as for that ridiculous show," Lord Asad explained. "It was their young master Lucent’s idea. It seems like he found out about their plan and offered to act as a distraction. That whole performance in the arena was meant to keep everyone’s attention on him while the real plan moved in the shadows."

"Hmm..." Soren nodded as he listened. However, if he had to guess, Lucent probably did that because he wanted to, since he seemed to love cooking. He must have framed it as a distraction to convince the others, but in truth, he just wanted a stage to show off his skills. The passion Soren had seen in his movements back then wasn’t fake. In fact, it was the one honest thing about him. "Then, I’m glad you managed to stop it before it was too late."

"Right. However, it was many times easier than what you did." Lord Asad chuckled. "Honestly, I am ashamed of myself for being unable to fight despite being the lord of the city and an Emperor. While you, Commander Ervin, and others were risking your lives in the arena, I could only run around giving orders."

"Don’t sell yourself short, Sir. Didn’t you manage to catch the hidden enemy and uncover their real plan? Besides, there had to be someone to organize the city’s defense and keep order while the rest of us were fighting. If not for you, the chaos would have spread far beyond the arena."

Soren knew the live broadcast was shut down before he initiated the plan, and the citizens were protected.

"You really know how to put things into perspective, Mr. Everly." Lord Asad chuckled as some of the guilt eased from his face. "I suppose we all played our part."

"That’s right." Soren nodded and, after a pause, asked. "Sir, what will happen now? I mean, what are you planning to do with them?"

Lord Asad’s expression grew serious again. "The Outcasts will be handed over to the Empire. They’ll face trial for their crimes, though I doubt they’ll see anything but execution." He paused. "As for Lucent... that’s more complicated. After all, his father is the leader of the Outcasts and a powerful Sovereign."

As much as they hate to admit it, Lucent’s background made him a valuable hostage. Executing him outright could provoke his father into a full-scale war, and the Empire wasn’t ready for that kind of conflict. On the other hand, letting him go was out of the question. That means...

"They’ll use him as leverage?"

"Most likely." Lord Asad nodded grimly. "The Empire will want to negotiate first. Use him to force his father to the table, or at least buy time while they decide their next move." He let out a heavy sigh. "It’s not ideal, but it’s the reality of politics."

"What about the half-elf you caught?" Soren asked curiously.

"Hmm... I am not sure about her either." Lord Asad muttered, rubbing his chin. "But I think the elves will try to negotiate to take her back. A half-elf from their side involved in a plot against the Empire is a delicate matter. If the Empire punishes her too harshly, it could strain relations just as the Outcasts intended. But if the elves take her and sweep it under the rug, it might look like they’re protecting a criminal."

He sighed. "Either way, she’s become a political piece now. Her fate will be decided by people far above my station."

"However, you don’t have to worry about them." Lord Asad spoke in a reassuring tone. "They will all get the punishment they deserve."

"I hope so." Soren nodded with a smile.

"And you will be rewarded accordingly!" Lord Asad grinned. "Even if the other parties drag their feet, I will personally see to it that you’re honored for what you’ve done." His grin widened, pride evident in his eyes. "After all, you’ve truly become Bagdad’s Savior today!"

"About that..." Soren rubbed the back of his neck. "I have a request, if you don’t mind."

"Please, tell me. I will do everything in my power to grant it."