Chapter 2109 - 562: Cleansing the Family (Part 2)

He took a deep breath, steadied himself, and during the moment Uriel was drinking water, solemnly stated the duchy's position.

"The Campbell Duchy needs a clear explanation. Simply saying 'taken back' might not convince my Grand Duke and those victims' families."

"Even if we say he is repenting in the Alchemy Pool at the Soul Tower, you would probably suspect us of shielding him."

Uriel shook his head, as though facing a child throwing a tantrum.

He slightly tilted his head and gestured with his hand.

A young apprentice standing in the shadows immediately walked up respectfully, holding a square mahogany box.

The box was exquisitely crafted, with silver inlaid along the edges. It looked like a container for an expensive gift.

The apprentice gently placed the box on the table in front of Sir David.

Sir David glanced at the box, sensing something amiss, and threw a suspicious look at Uriel.

"What is this?"

"You'll know once you open it."

Uriel raised his chin, indicating he should proceed.

The ominous feeling grew stronger.

Sir David reached out, pressed the box lid, and slowly lifted it.

A pungent smell of alchemical preservative instantaneously wafted out, mixed with a faint sandalwood aroma, yet failed to mask the underlying bloody scent.

"Saint Sis above..."

Sir David's pupils contracted violently, his body instinctively recoiling backward, quickly drawing a cross on his chest with his index finger, while looking in astonishment at Uriel.

The box was lined with black velvet, and a ghastly human head lay quietly in the center.

It was Edgar Kaufman.

His eyes were wide open, gray pupils retaining the fear and disbelief he felt at death, the neck's incision smooth and even, clearly treated with some meticulous preservation method, like a finely crafted specimen.

Uriel watched Sir David's reaction with a smile, a hint of amusement in the corner of his eye.

"Does this explanation satisfy the Campbell family?"

Regardless of whether the Campbell family was satisfied, he admired Omon Sield Sage's methods immensely, even though he was unfamiliar with that person.

These incomplete "feudal monkeys" inherently worshipped such primitive and barbaric ceremonies.

Most of the castles in the Northern Rhod Kingdom incorporate the guillotine in their decorations; although he hadn't visited the southern Ryan Kingdom, he imagined it was similar.

Providing them with a human head as an explanation seemed to cater to their tastes.

Uriel didn't completely understand why Great Sage Duosuke showed such patience and equivocation towards these rural "Divine Chosen families."

However, if it was the Great Sage's decision, there must be deeper significance.

As for Professor Edgar Kaufman...

That poor soul must have been dismantled into parts by that old monster Omon, considering Platinum Level souls are scarce experimental material, almost impossible to obtain under normal circumstances.

Since the soul has been fully utilized, the empty shell, however it's handled, doesn't matter... Surely "Edgar Kaufman" wouldn't be concerned with such matters.

Sir David stared intensely at the head, finally snapping the lid shut with a "click," shutting away those eyes unable to rest in peace.

"I cannot give you an answer."

He said, each word deliberate and heavy.

"Only His Majesty Edward can decide if this is sufficient as an explanation."

"Then, take it to him."

Uriel showed no intention of stopping him.

He glanced at the clock on the wall, evidently feeling the courtesy shown in this act had lasted long enough, then looked casually at the door, "inviting" toward the exit.

"If you find it insufficient, you can come back to me."

...

After releasing the carrier pigeon, Sir David silently left the Tower of Great Sage, not even staying for a night.

Not to mention a night, even staying an additional second was nauseating to him.

Though unfamiliar with Sir David, a commander far on the front lines of the Ten Thousand Ridges Mountain Range was not surprised at his fruitless return.

Only envoys understand other envoys' frustrations; even faced with irrefutable evidence, the mages of the Academic State do not feel a shred of shame.

In this regard, they rank below the feudal nobles.

After all, nobles are at least aware that they are nobles, not perceiving themselves as "exalted extraterrestrial beings," thereby retaining some dignity.

In the camp outside Cold Crow City, afternoon sunlight filtering through the leaves cast dappled patterns on wooden boxes serving as a tea table.

The steaming tea on the "tea table" emitted wisps of hot vapor, the swirling tea resembling transparent amber, encapsulating the distant rolling mountains.

As usual, sharing afternoon tea with the Prince, Edward's expression was evidently somewhat uneasy, and Luo Yan clearly understood why.

They had just received news from the envoy sent to the Academic State that Edgar's head was being transported to Campbell Castle.

This guy not only silenced the trail but was sending it in the name of "explanation" to the Campbell Duchy, humiliating those seeking justice for themselves.

That piercing arrogance, like a nail, embedded in the Grand Duke's heart, made it impossible for him to smile at this "victory."

It felt more like a step down.