Chapter 715: red and black

  Chapter 715 Red and Black
   "It is a great honor for Your Highness to come here."
   As soon as Thales entered the guest room, he saw Federico Cavendir sitting alone in the living room, facing the door, gently rubbing the teacup in his hand.
  He has a dark yellow complexion, plain clothes, and looks thin and thin, almost like an ascetic monk.
   It is very different from the crazy and desperate Federico who broke into the draft in full view.
  Thales didn't speak, but just sat down opposite Federico.
  The seat is made of hardwood, and it feels uncomfortable to sit on. When Thales lowered his head, he found that the cup at hand contained only the most basic tea, which was light in color, almost like clear water.
   "Did they treat you harshly?" Thales was thoughtful.
  Obviously, although Federico's room under house arrest is just opposite to Jann, it is much worse than his duke cousin in terms of furnishings, food and clothing.
   "No, Your Highness," Federico neither got up nor raised his head, but only focused on fiddling with the teacup in his hand. "In fact, the treatment here is a bit too good. It makes me hard not to think back to my childhood."
   Seeing Federico's casual attitude towards the prince, Glover, who came with him, was annoyed. He strode forward, intending to kindly help him recall the meeting etiquette, but Thales waved him away.
   "There's no need to search, Karen, he won't hurt me."
   When he said this, Thales looked straight at Federico, as if he wanted to hook his soul out of his eye sockets.
  At least for now, when he still needs me, no.
   "Thank you, Your Highness, for your trust."
  Federico said so, but his eyes were erratic, as if he saw something else through the teacup.
   Glover snorted angrily, and stared fiercely at Federico, as if he was going to cut open the opponent's heart and liver in the next moment to check whether there was a weapon in it.
  But Federico still didn't look up.
   A few seconds later, under the eyes of Thales, the zombie checked the front edge of the saber in front of the opponent, and then exited the room, leaving Thales and the two behind.
   "Let's not waste time, let's get straight to the point." Thales picked up the tea cup and said seriously, "Fad—you don't mind if I call you that? It seems that Hilley and the others all call it that."
  After the prince's words fell, Federico slowly raised his eyes and looked directly at Thales: his face was covered with all kinds of bruises and bruises, and his arms and torso were wrapped in bandages, exuding a strong smell of medicine.
   "Of course not," Federico said quietly, "It's just that I thought you would come to see me earlier."
Thales changed his sitting position on the uncomfortable seat. While frowning, he couldn't help noticing that although Federico was covered with wounds from arrest all over his body, and some of them were quite scary, the speed of his speech Steady, with a calm expression, as if he was speaking from a different body than he was when he was hurt.
   Be vigilant, Thales, be vigilant.
  The voice in my heart reminded him softly:
  No matter how many chances and coincidences there are in the middle, it is this seemingly penniless person who stirs up the situation in the Emerald City and pulls Zhan En down from the throne of the city lord.
   What's even more frightening is that, unlike Zhan En, this person has hit rock bottom and has nothing to lose.
   There is no scruples.
   More unfettered.
  Even at this moment, he looks so alone.
  Thinking of this, Thales' tone turned cold:
   "Tell me, when did the Secret Division find you? What did they tell you, and what follow-up arrangements are there after that?"
  Federico's teacup shook slightly in his hand.
   "So, this is what you think of me," he said with a half-smile, "a of the Kingdom's Secret Division?"
   "So, Feder, are you?"
  Federico paused for a while, thoughts rolling in his eyes.
   "Although I know that they are behind the scenes, but no, I have never had the honor to meet any of them. Even the news and information are notified through the middleman who has passed through countless hands."
   His gaze lifted from his teacup.
   "In the Emerald City, my eyes were blackened, so I could only fight alone and rely on my own efforts. I am no different from a chess piece."
  Thales' heart sank.
"As for the follow-up, they—if it's really them—people didn't say anything, at most they hinted at me, the less I know, the better." Having said this, Federico turned his head slightly, "Naturally no more than your Highness. Take an overview of the general trend and command the overall situation.

   The less the better.
  Thales frowned deeply.
   This is quite in line with the style of the kingdom's secret science.
  He deliberately ignored the other party's words and continued to ask:
   "So, after the Duke of Leinster's misfortune, where have you been all these years?"
"My father had a reliable old acquaintance before his death, and he risked revenge from the Kevin Dill family for me to hide and live in anonymity," Federico's eyes froze, as if thinking of something bad, "Go out Out of honor, commitment and gratitude, I cannot disclose their names."
  Thales observed his expression and nodded:
   "Until the Kingdom's Secret Division sneaked you out?"
  Federico shook his head and corrected Thales' words:
  "Until the people who sheltered me couldn't bear the pressure, changed their face, rolled up my bedding and luggage, and drove me out of the door."
  Thales was silent when he heard the words, but snorted a few seconds later:
   "So, you can't hide outside, and you are forced to return to the Emerald City, and you are quite aggrieved?"
   "Not necessarily," Federico saw the dark, cold, narrow room before his eyes, and screams and groans sounded in his ears, "If there is a home to return to, who would want to send it to others?"
  Thales observed the other person's expression, secretly deduced his experience, and tried to understand the person in front of him.
   "So you just go back to the Emerald City, recruit troops, and make trouble?"
  Federico snorted softly.
   "Whether it is the Kingdom's Secret Division intervening or not, no matter whether there are nobles to help, I will definitely come back one day," he said coldly, "For my father, for the truth, and for justice."
  Thales frowned as he looked at him.
  A second later, Federico suddenly relaxed and smiled at the prince:
   "But it is true that I choose to return now because after so many years, there is finally someone who is not afraid of power, unrestricted, and cannot be deceived, and who is more powerful enough to counter Zhan En's kingdom. He came to the Emerald City to help me redress my grievances."
  Thales' complexion tightened, and he forced a smile.
  You think highly of me.
  Just now, the entire Emerald City is almost crushing him.
   "It was in the arena that day, in front of a large audience," Thales calmed down, "How can you be sure that I will stand up to protect you?"
   "I'm not sure," Federico shook his head, as if he didn't care, "but I believe that with His Highness's intelligence and personality, even if he didn't show up at the time, he would react afterwards and speak up for me."
  Thales sneered.
   "But if you really wait 'afterwards' and you fall into Zhan En's hands, it won't be a matter of shouting a few words if I want to turn the situation around."
   "Fortunately, His Royal Highness was in place and made a timely decision."
  Federico's answer was flawless, and Thales was silent for a while.
It’s very interesting, although Federico’s behavior and performance on the day of the arena incident seemed presumptuous, daring to exceed the rules, and even crazy and desperate, but when I saw Federico in private caressing his teacup today, Gives a calm, low-key and meticulous feeling.
  It is in contrast to his cousin who is humble and friendly, but actually vicious.
   Or in other words, the same is not the same?
"I doubt it, Fede," the prince leaned forward, and said again, "Do you really believe that Jann Cavendir, as the son of the Duke at that time, the first heir to the Emerald City, will sooner or later protect the Duke of the South Bank? , he was greedy for power back then, and couldn't wait to succeed, so he hastily killed his father and then blamed his uncle, in order to take power as soon as possible?"
  Hearing the key topic, Federico's expression changed, and his face was serious.
   "I know what Your Highness suspects."
  He thought for a while, then put down his teacup and looked directly at Thales:
   "At first glance, the duke position is in his pocket. My dear cousin really doesn't need to do this."
   Ke Feid changed the subject:
"But doesn't my father know this? Anyway, if the Duke dies, his nephew will inherit the throne, so what's the need for him to kill his brother? If he really wanted to seize the throne, why didn't he also kill Zhan En? "
   "Maybe, maybe he tried," Thales narrowed his eyes, but the words he said were not very friendly, "It just didn't work?"
"Please believe me, Your Highness, or you can also send someone to ask the old man: with Viscount Sona Cavendir's resolute methods and character, if he really tried, even if he just thought about it," Federico said The boss didn't think it was disobedient, but what he said was unquestionable, "Then there will be no Zhan En today."
  Thales was shocked when he heard this.
"What's more, my father and Uncle Leinster, as brothers, have supported each other for many years and shared weal and woe. Even if there is disagreement, there is no suspicion. He has worked hard for the family and has never had the ambition to usurp the throne. What's wrong with such a person? It is necessary to change his face overnight, brother Yu is still in power, and when Zhan En is still the first heir, he will kill his brother and seize the throne regardless of everything?"
  Federico carefully observed Thales' expression:
   "In contrast, isn't the so-called 'truth' of the so-called conspiracy to seize the throne that Zhan En fabricated with his power and forced the world to believe is more suspicious?"
  Thales hummed when he heard this.
   It is not without reason.
   But he just smiled and took a sip of his tea.
   "Maybe, maybe Viscount Sona was loyal to his brother during his lifetime and was not a power-hungry person, but unfortunately, I have witnessed the betrayal born of loyalty—more than once."
  Thales looked straight into Federico's eyes, trying to find an unusual ripple in them:
"For example, at that time, the Duke of Leinster was old and faint, he listened to slander, he insisted on going to the upstarts of the business group, and authorized them to support their development and growth, thus ignoring the land nobles, the old vassals, and even the vassals belonging to Kevin Dill. authority of..."
   As expected, Federico frowned.
   "So much so that Viscount Sona, who was loyal to the family, was heartbroken and determined to speak out for the old law and to enlighten the deafness of the family's brothers, so he made up his mind to resort to thunder and fierceness, and embarked on the road of no return?"
  Thales' voice was bewitching:
   "And after the matter is accomplished, the family rule is back on track, and the Viscount himself has fulfilled his wish and has no more worries. He is willing to take responsibility and let go of it frankly?"
  The whole room was silent for a long time.
  Thales stared at Federico motionlessly.
"If Your Highness really believes that, or if you really doubt it that much," Federico's reply was still calm, but there was an unignorable chill between the lines, "Then why don't you just knock on the door opposite, Please ask Jann Cavendir to regain the position of the city lord, everyone is satisfied, everyone is happy?"
   "You misunderstood," Thales smiled, "I doubt this, or rather, it's not just this."
   "Your Highness?"
  Thales paused for a while.
   "What I suspect is, Feder, do you really believe that 'Jane is the culprit' from the bottom of your heart, or..."
  His eyes are sharp:
  "For revenge, power and even honor, even to support the goal and motivation of living—you tell yourself, must you believe so?"
  Federico frowned.
   "Forgive me for being blunt, for failing to understand the true meaning of Your Highness's words."
  Thales leaned back and looked at each other:
"My people told me after the investigation that before the Bloody Year, there was a typhoid plague in the Kingdom, and the Emerald City was no exception, and the young Jann was weak and almost died, so the Duke of Leinster sent him east Lu, named Youxue, is actually seeking medical advice.

  Prince said softly:
   "At the same time, you, Federico Kevin Dill, were raised as the second heir of the Iris family in an 'unfortunate event'?"
  Federico raised his head suddenly!
   "Then if Zhan En unfortunately died early back then, the title of duke would be yours, right?" Thales said maliciously, "Or, if he dies now, it's still too late?"
  Federico was no longer calm and polite, but stared at Thales coldly.
  But Thales still pursued fiercely.
   "Tell me, Fei De, when you dreamed back at midnight, you remembered that the Duke of South Bank was once so close, but finally passed you by." He sighed, "Has there ever been a little... unwillingness?"
   There was another silence between the two, but this time, the temperature in the room was even lower.
   "Your Highness doesn't really like me very much, does he?" Federico said quietly after a while.
"like?"
   "I thought His Highness wanted to find out the truth and correct it." Federico looked at Thales, "but I never thought that you, like Zhan En, only want to use power to weave the 'truth'."
  Thales' expression turned cold.
   "You have been away from home for many years, Feder, but when you came back, you brought six murders and took six lives, not counting the casualties affected by this, and the countless lives ruined by it."
  Federico's eyes froze.
  Thales picked up the teacup, his eyes were cold:
   "Just to catch Zhan En, deceive him, and force him to cocoon himself?"
"Those people," Federico said not to be outdone, "the businessmen who gave out money, the middlemen who hired murderers, the killers who took money, the police officers who disregarded human life and forged evidence, and even the jailer who made my father 'suicide' to death for no reason. They all deserved what they deserved, and they deserved to end up like this, but they should be punished for their crimes."
   "It's not your turn to decide," Thales said bluntly, "Besides, the arbitration and investigation are not yet completed, and the truth is still unknown."
"It should be known that Zhan En has ruled the Emerald City for many years, and he has long been invulnerable. I am also the son of a criminal, and it is difficult to convince the public. If I can't use extraordinary methods to make him suspicious and confused, then I will stand here and talk to you. There will be no chance of reopening the old case."
"Then you've got your wish," Thales sneered, "You know, people outside now call you 'Scarlet Iris', call Zhan En 'Black Hand', and call this family dispute 'Red and Black' ?"
  Federico paused upon hearing this.
   "I have to say, I didn't like this nickname very much," he narrowed his eyes, "but when I think about my cousin, maybe I don't like him even more..."
   Thinking of Jann's expression and how he would never dare to wear his favorite black gloves from now on, Federico felt happy.
  Thales smiled coldly.
   "That is to say, Fei De, you are the one who takes extreme measures as a last resort, seeks straightness through obscurity, and wants to use 'power' to weave the 'truth' you want."
   Federico frowned.
   "Tell me, Fei De, if you have a chance to become the lord of Emerald City, Duke of South Bank," Thales put down the empty teacup with sharp eyes, "Then what price are you willing to pay?"
   The two looked at each other quietly.
   But not long after, Federico's frown slowly relaxed.
   "Your Highness must have just met my cousin."
  Thales' eyes moved.
   "Because you are in a bad mood," Federico's expression returned to calm, "And I think, at this moment in the Emerald City, there should be no one else who can make you feel bad."
   "You observe very carefully."
   "Forgive me," Federico bowed slightly, feeling the unhappiness in the prince's words, "When a person wanders in a foreign land and lives under the fence of others for a long time, he gradually learns to observe words and actions."
  Wandering in a foreign land, living under the fence of others, observing words and demeanor.
  Thales chewed on this sentence.
   What kind of person is this?
   Kingdom Secret Science, what kind of role do you think of him?
  Although he has fought against this person several times since entering the Emerald City, Thales doesn't know him at all—he doesn't know his past, his character, or his intentions.
   All he knew was that he was a…
   Kevin Dill.
  Just listen to Federico continue to speak calmly:
   "And I guess that's why you came here to find me—my cousin refused to accept the status quo, took advantage of his unjust rule for many years, roguely tied himself to the Emerald City, and forced you to throw a mouse?"
   "All of you stay at home, but you know a lot about the outside world." Thales snorted.
   "Your Highness misunderstood, I don't have such prophetic powers, and I don't have the means to infiltrate Zhan En." Federico's eyes were in a trance, "I just...know him too well."
"Oh?"
  Federico nodded, looking into the void:
"When I was young, he and I played with the young Xilai, and Jann accidentally missed and broke the antique vase left by the 'Witch Queen'—it is said that the mysterious inscription on it is related to the fate of the family and is very important, so Uncle Leinster thinks highly of it."
  Thales' expression changed.
  He seems to have heard Hillary tell this story?
"Jen En was silent for a long time when he was held accountable, and finally stood up and admitted his fault, but before that, his actions and pretentiousness created an atmosphere for everyone: 'The Bottle of Lafist' is not him What is broken is that he, as the son of the duke, must stand up at this moment, bear the responsibility for his brothers and sisters, and protect himself from the wind and rain."
  Federico sneered, disapproving.
"Uncle Leinster gave him a small punishment, and the matter was finally settled, but everyone present praised Jann for being capable, responsible, and the choice of the Duke, and at the same time glanced at me with strange eyes—we were at that time They are still young, but do you know how I felt when I stood under him, feeling angry but unable to defend myself?"
  He took a deep breath:
   "As for my father... as long as my elder brother has made a decision, he will not comment or delve into it, but that day, the way my father looked at me that day..."
  Thales couldn't help frowning: "Isn't it really tiring to live in your house?"
  Federico came back to his senses.
"Yeah, the Kevin Dill family used to be full of branches and leaves. Among the close relatives, there are at least half a dozen cousins ​​who are the same age as I am and Jen En, and are eligible to go to school and play together. We have walked through the Ancestor Rock countless times. , looking forward to one day making achievements and engraving my name on it."
  Federico shook his head and said quietly:
"But in the end, most people followed the tradition, changed their surnames and left home. At the critical moment, those who really dared to stay and assist Iris, or in other words, dared to stand up against Jen's lies and Rule says no to..."
  Federico didn't go on, just snorted coldly with sharp eyes.
"It can be seen from this, Your Highness, that although Zhan En has been weak since he was a child and his training courses were incomprehensible, but because of this, he devoted all his energy to playing tricks and intrigue," Federico said with deep hatred Meaning, "Even in the face of an irreparable loss, he still has to grit his teeth and do whatever it takes to grab the benefits in a losing situation and win the game back."
   "Like that vase, like this time..."
  Federico narrowed his eyes:
   "Since he is willing to bow his head and hand over the position of city lord to you, he must have a more fierce and difficult opponent."
  Thales watched him silently.
  Federico took a deep breath, returned to the present, and became realistic and serious again:
   "Then I guess, you came to see me for no other reason, just to make a gesture to show Zhan En, to warn him that you actually have other choices, and try to force him to give in."
  Federico smiled at the right time:
   "Because in your heart, he, Jann Cavendir, is still the best candidate to solve the Emerald City problem."
  Thales frowned upon hearing this.
   "Maybe I talk too much," Federico's smile slowly disappeared, and he bowed slightly, "Because you think I'm too sensitive now, and the unhappiness in your heart has further increased."
   "Of course not," Thales was quite uncomfortable with the eyes of the other party, "You must know that Black Prophet can still read minds, so I can still chat and laugh with him."
"of course not."
  Federico repeated the words of Duke Xinghu.
"Because your extraordinary reason tells you," he raised his eyes, "maybe, maybe this Kevin Dill in front of you, who is offensive in terms of background, image, methods and practices, maybe he is not just a spur to spur Jann , and it’s not just a of the secret department, maybe he really has a way to solve the emerald city’s predicament in one fell swoop?

   "Strange," Thales snorted lightly, looking at the other party, "Why do I think that you are quite happy that Jen has caused me such a lot of trouble?"
  Federico paused for a while, as if he was thinking about something.
   "You are right, Your Highness," he grinned, "because this means that he is still the same Jen I am familiar with."
   "It also means that my mission has not been completed. I still have the opportunity to confront him and take revenge with my own hands, instead of sitting here and waiting for the corpse to mold."
  Federico looked around the room and muttered to himself:
   "It means that I can fulfill my long-cherished wish and completely drive the stubborn and restless him to a dead end, a dead end, and a road of no return."
  Thales observed the other party's trance-like and determined appearance, and fell into deep thought.
  He knew Zhan En, and knew that the Duke of South Bank was not afraid of him, not afraid of the dignity of the prince, not afraid of the name of the Duke, not even afraid of the various schemes arranged by the king.
  But at that moment, Thales suddenly felt:
  Maybe, maybe Jann Kevin Dill, what he would really be afraid of is this thin and frail man in front of him.
  Federico Kevin Deere.
  Thinking of this, Thales couldn't help but raise his head, looking at the other side for the first time.
"Of course, that also means that I'm still useful and valuable," Federico came back to his senses, he noticed Thales' eyes, and couldn't help but smile apologetically, "Then maybe, maybe next time we encounter such a problem , when you come to me and his room again, you will put aside your likes and dislikes a little bit, and give priority to a certain not-so-glamorous Kevin Dill?"
   Looking at the other party, Thales smiled.
  (end of this chapter)