Chapter 116: The Forbidden Staircase

"So you just brought all the evidence back just like that?!"

Aive stared at Delaford, who had stealthily returned, and was speechless for a long time. ’It can be done like that?!’

"Moving without a trace, leaving no footprints or other signs when you pass," Ron said, taking the bottle of powder. "I knew you could complete the mission, but I didn’t expect you to do it this well."

"Well done, Delaford!"

"That was nothing!" the goblin laughed triumphantly, running over to Aive to show off. "See that? I’m way more useful than you!"

"That said... I have another question," Ron said, glancing at the flask in Delaford’s hand. "What’s the deal with the dead rat inside? I don’t remember this being a step in the experiment."

"This was my spy. It made the ultimate sacrifice," Delaford said, a hint of melancholy in his eyes. "I couldn’t let its contribution be in vain. If I had left it there, it would have been discovered."

’His thinking is quite meticulous, but his reasoning is a little off.’

"Mr. Hendrix, this is the evidence you asked for," Ron said, handing the Recording Gemstone to the spice merchant. "I hope this allows you to gain the upper hand."

"Of course! They don’t stand a chance anymore!" Hendrix accepted it with satisfaction. "But the more evidence, the better, right? Could you give me that powder as well?"

"Well..." Ron smiled. "You’re right about that. But the more witnesses, the better, too, wouldn’t you agree?"

"A certain Mr. Feibo is also quite dissatisfied with their family. If you had another witness’s testimony and evidence, wouldn’t your victory be even more assured?"

"Feibo, you mean Old Feibo?" Hendrix was taken aback for a moment before he grew pensive. "Yes, yes..."

"Old Feibo has always been known for his neutrality and impartiality, and he never volunteers his opinion. If he were willing to stand with me, it would indeed be a great help—but how will you persuade him?"

"Actually, please forgive my ’killing two birds with one stone’," Ron said with a smile and a slight bow. "I had already accepted a commission from him before coming to you."

"He seems rather concerned about his son’s happiness."

"I see," Hendrix said, realization dawning on him. "I’ve met their family’s playboy. He even visited Connie before. If that’s the case, then everything makes sense."

"Alright, then. Give my regards to Old Feibo when the time comes."

Hendrix put away the Recording Gemstone, satisfied. "Now then, let’s talk about your business. What exactly is so important that it was worth you all coming to Rose City all the way from Delusional Land?"

"It’s nothing major, really. We just got on the wrong side of the Carolina City-States and killed one of their Death Squads."

"To avoid any further complications, we decided to take the initiative. But we heard they’re also a member of the West’s City-State Alliance, and we hope that Rose City, as the leader, can remain neutral in this conflict."

Ron gave a general account of the whole affair, but he omitted the matter of the Hailan Empire’s legacy. He only emphasized that Carolina was trying to become a second Hailan Empire and was colluding with the Hailan Remnants, who were plotting a comeback.

"This is a major issue..." After listening, Hendrix sank into his armchair, his thumb constantly twisting the gold ring on his finger. "Although I have some say, a matter like this is by no means simple to resolve."

"Many councilors on the Rose Council have ties to Carolina, to varying degrees. Persuading them will take more than just a few words."

"Should we assassinate them?" Delaford, fresh off his recent success, was getting ahead of himself, clamoring to murder the councilors. "I’ll do a clean job!"

"No, no, no, that’s not what I meant!" Hendrix waved his hands frantically. "I’m just saying that my words alone won’t be enough to persuade these people."

"After all, I can ’only’ control a tenth of the votes, right?"

"Then what do you need us to do?" Ron knew this was a request for his side to further demonstrate their strength. "If you want to hear our plan for dealing with Carolina, then I’m afraid I can’t oblige."

Goblinoids have a very bad reputation in the world. If the truth got out, Rose City would almost certainly be determined to side with Carolina. Therefore, the most Ron and his group could say was that they relied on the power of some Adventurers.

The goblins, who were the largest part of their forces, had to be hidden. As long as there was no evidence, it wasn’t that they were acting under orders, but simply that Carolina had become so despised by all that even the goblins couldn’t stand it anymore.

"I can’t say for sure about the specifics right now," Hendrix said after some thought. "How about this: you all wait in Rose City for a while. At the regular meeting in a few days, I’ll have someone informally inquire about this matter. Wait for my news."

"Hendrix never lets down those who help him. You can take my word for that."

Since they couldn’t get a definite answer for the time being, Ron and his group couldn’t linger any longer. However, it was already late, and returning to the Night Wind would inevitably attract attention. So, under Hendrix’s arrangement, they stayed the night at his mansion.

"Come with me," Constance said calmly, leading the way. Although her gaze toward Aive still held a flicker of indignation from time to time, she was no longer as resentful as when they first met. "The rooms on this side are all empty. They’re cleaned daily, so you can rest easy."

"But don’t touch that staircase over there," the Half-Elf with long, soft black hair said, pointing to the end of the hallway. "That staircase was only installed for aesthetic symmetry. It leads up to my father’s study, and he hates it when people use this way."

"Not even you?" Aive glanced at her.

"Stop being so nosy. Just listen to me and that’s that," Constance shot her a glare.

This kind of "nothing to see here" warning was effective on Ron, Victoria, Silvia, and even Aive. If they were told not to touch something, they wouldn’t. There was nothing to be curious about. But Sera and Delaford? Were those two the type to stay out of trouble?

Only four or five hours after Hendrix’s household had gone to sleep, a large, plump white rat slipped out of Delaford’s room.

"What do you see?"

Sera was also in his room, lying on the bed and asking nervously.

"Easy now. Big White is going upstairs," Delaford answered in a low voice, reporting what he was seeing through its eyes. "The door is unlocked. There’s a small crack."

"It looks like the study, alright..."

Delaford controlled Big White, having it explore all over Hendrix’s study. Although the room was a bit too large for a white rat, he still managed to find something amiss before dawn.

"There’s a mechanism on the bookshelf. That book is welded to the shelf—should I try touching it?"