Chapter 18: The Search

"Can I really trust your words?" Elena suddenly stopped struggling, a note of mockery in her voice.

Lin Wei smiled. "Do you have any other path besides trusting me?"

He moved his foot from Elena’s face, crouched down, and gazed into her pale violet eyes.

"Does the road to death count?" A faint curve appeared at the corner of Elena’s lips, blood trickling from her chin to the floor.

Lin Wei sighed inwardly. He could already see that Elena had long since harbored thoughts of death; there was no way he could pry anything from her lips.

He had considered bringing her back to the Tulip Manor to face the most dreadful interrogations, but ultimately abandoned the idea. The strength he had shown today was that of a top knight. If Elena revealed this, there would be no way to explain the rapid rise in his abilities. If the secret of the intelligent sphere was exposed, Lin Wei would instantly be plunged into mortal danger.

"What a pity..." Lin Wei’s face was filled with regret.

He placed his hand on Elena’s neck, ready to exert force.

"Please wait, Mr. Lin Wei," Elena’s weak voice spoke suddenly. "I want to ask you a question."

Lin Wei was a little surprised, but he didn't ignore her and paused his movement. "Go ahead."

"As a beneficiary of noble interests, do you truly despise commoners and slaves?" Elena seemed genuinely to be seeking an answer.

Lin Wei fell silent. After a moment, he replied quietly, "No, I do not."

"Then… why do you still oppress us so?" she pressed on.

He sighed. "Human nature… or perhaps the instinct of animals. There is no special reason. It is simply the law of the strong preying on the weak."

"The strong preying on the weak?" It seemed to be the first time Elena had heard this phrase. "If there is a next life, I hope I can be born a noble."

A sharp crack sounded.

Elena’s neck was broken by Lin Wei.

He rose to his feet, walked over to the cross-shaped sword, and pulled it from the sturdy floorboards.

Exiting Châteller’s house, he looked back, then hurled the oil lamp he held fiercely to the ground. Flames spread instantly.

...

Inside the inn at Ketu Town.

Bang!

The inn’s doors were suddenly kicked open.

"Who’s there?!"

The Tulip family’s guards were instantly on alert. Was it remnants of Sword and Flower?

All at once, hands went to weapons, and men rose from their seats at the tables.

A young man with bloodstained armor stepped inside, one stride after another.

"Captain Lin Wei!"

Everyone relaxed. They had thought a great battle was upon them, only to find it was one of their own. Yet in the next instant, their hearts tightened again—Lin Wei’s appearance made it clear he had just survived a desperate fight.

"Someone, go fetch Captain Fero of Ketu’s garrison… Wait, have him gather all his men first," Lin Wei ordered without preamble.

...

Half an hour later.

A stout, brown-haired middle-aged man entered the inn, gasping for breath. Ahead of him was a Tulip guard showing the way, behind him a dozen disheveled garrison members.

"Lord Lin Wei!" Fero was drenched in sweat. He had been woken roughly from sleep by Tulip guards and rushed here after assembling his men.

Lin Wei looked behind him. "Why are there so few people?"

Fero’s face twisted in distress. "Lord Lin Wei, ever since the Sword and Flower rioters began harassing the town, residents have been leaving constantly. Now there are only a few hundred people left in the entire town—gathering even this many was not easy."

Lin Wei frowned slightly, but he wasn’t truly concerned; it was just a casual question.

"Châteller is dead."

Lin Wei spoke abruptly.

"Wha—what?!" Fero’s legs gave way, and sweat he had just wiped from his brow welled up again. He could barely speak. "Was… was it the Sword and Flower rioters?"

"No. It was me."

Lin Wei’s response was calm.

Fero’s body went limp and he dropped to his knees, staring at Lin Wei in terror. "S-sir…"

In Fero’s mind, Châteller’s death was surely due to Lin Wei’s anger at the town’s lax defense—such ruthlessness! If Châteller was dead, surely he would be next.

Seeing Fero’s demeanor, Lin Wei sneered and reached out to help the trembling man to his feet. "Don’t worry. I killed him because he was a member of Sword and Flower."

Fero’s eyes widened in disbelief, unable to comprehend. "Châteller—the mayor—no, that man was really a member of Sword and Flower?!"

Lin Wei nodded silently.

A sense of deliverance washed over Fero.

"Châteller has a niece named Elena—do you know of her?" Lin Wei continued.

Fero nodded mechanically. "Yes, yes! She lives in the attic at the very west end of town. It’s a remote place, hardly anyone goes there. Only Châteller visited her from time to time."

Lin Wei narrowed his eyes. "Now, take me there."

Fero couldn’t fathom Lin Wei’s intention, but dared not disobey. "Yes, Lord Lin Wei."

...

In the west of Ketu Town.

Lin Wei and Fero now stood before a three-story attic, with Tulip family soldiers and town guards behind them.

From the outside, the attic looked dilapidated, surrounded by trees swaying in the wind. On this pitch-black night, the shifting shadows made the scene especially eerie.

"Lord Lin Wei, what should we do now?" Fero asked cautiously. He could not guess Lin Wei’s thoughts.

Lin Wei’s voice was deep. "Châteller and his niece Elena were both members of Sword and Flower—they have both been executed by me. I believe there may be information about the group in Elena’s room. Now, your task is to search thoroughly. If you find anything suspicious, report to me directly."

"Yes, sir!"

The response was unanimous.

As he watched the Tulip guards and garrison members file in, a glint flashed in Lin Wei’s eyes.

The search was genuine, but what they were really looking for—only Lin Wei knew.

Elena had taken the secret of her mysterious power to the grave, so Lin Wei had to act personally. He intended to search her dwelling for traces of the sorcerer.

In truth, Lin Wei would have preferred to investigate alone, without relying on outsiders. Unfortunately, the intelligent sphere seemed to have certain limitations when it came to sorcerers. Not wishing to miss even the smallest clue, he chose to employ his subordinates’ help.