Sambaice stared at Caeller straight in his eyes. He hated being tied to the Cae family’s chariot, but denying at this time was equivalent to switching sides without warning. This would only reduce him to being passive if Qian Jin were to find out what really happened with Rollin’s death.
He sighed in his heart, but he nodded to Qian Jin with a smile on his face. He kept warning himself that as the Mayor, the most important thing was not to suppress any potential force which could threaten his position. Keeping the balance between involved parties and taking advantages from them could only be done by a wise man.
Caeller was so proud of himself for his quick-witted tact, which successfully dragged the Mayor down into this muddy water. Overconfidence crept onto his face,
So, guardian Qian Jin, as the old Chinese saying goes, the sister-in-law shall be esteemed as the mother. Since Rosella’s parents, as well as her brother have all passed away, then Julius, her sister-in-law, has the right on her marriage arrangement…
Holding Rojin in her arms, Rosella gently hid behind Qian Jin. She knew that she could count on this infallible man. He would be her shelter. He would defend her. Rollin had told her that she could count on him for everything, even for things that she knew without any advice. As she thought of it, she hugged Rojin even tighter in her bosom.
Hiding behind this young man, Rosella felt a sense of security that she had never experienced before. If the sky were to fall down, this man would only need to raise his hand to support it, and she would be kept out of harm’s way.
Julius has… had no say on this.
Qian Jin tapped Rosella on her shoulder in appeasement,
If you were talking about this, don’t worry about it and leave.
You…
Caeller never thought that the Mayor’s excuse was only worth this much. He quickly turned to Sambaice for help, but only got an annoyed glance. The Mayor carefully took half a step forward, but he didn’t pass that deadly line. He did this not because he was afraid of the young man, but just to show some respect to Fabreidis. Clearly, the moves the city guardian made had something to do with the young man. And now, he had to find a way to clear up this whole mess.
The mayor kept his smile as he said,
Qian Jin, guardian of the Roll Family, doesn’t what you said sound a little bit inappropriate?
Qian Jin watched the speaker out of the corner of his eye. Holding the Zhanmadao in his hand, the Warrior Weapon which had killed without spilling blood, he slowly stood up. This simple action caused all the warriors behind Caeller to stay on guard. Without any discussion, they all stepped back, and their palms involuntarily pressed on the scabbards in alert.
How is it inappropriate? Rosella is my girl. Now that someone has come for her, should I kneel to the ground and give her up?
All of a sudden, the faint sad emotion in Qian Jin’s voice turned into roaring thunder. He lifted the Zhanmadao and then laid it down on the cement, creating fragments of cement on the ground. The body of the blade sank into the ground, shivering slightly as it buzzed.
One could hear surprised breaths in the quiet mourning hall… Caeller was stunned. He didn’t expect such words to come out of this young man. Sambaice also looked at Qian Jin blankly. Everything was properly done and no one knew how to refute his statement.
While Rosella, hiding in Qian Jin’s embrace, looked up at the man full of manhood, her eyes once again moistened. Her heart was filled with happiness.
Sambaice self-assurance flickered for an instant. How could this young man contest his words? Dissatisfaction crept onto his brows,
Young man, you cannot talk…
Mayor Sambaice,
Qian Jin interrupted him.
It was Rollin who married his sister to me. Therefore, what bullsht Julius promised you is none of my business.
A wry smile spread over Caeller’s face,
Well played, using a dead man as a shield. You’re paying me back for what I have done, aren’t you?
Is it?
Caeller smiled.
It’s Julius who came to me for this marriage arrangement, and the Mayor was there too. Therefore, what you said…
Qian Jin suddenly took a step forward, and all the warriors except for Glan, Caeller and Fabreidis stepped back, as if only a certain distance between them could make them feel safe.
Step by step, Qian Jin kept moving, and all the cowards subconsciously moved further and further away for a slight sense of security.
Your Excellency City Guardian,
Qian Jin drew his hands into the Warrior Dimension and carefully took out Rollin’s last letter. He handed it over to Fabreidis and asked,
Could you please take a look and give me justice?
Sure,
thought Sambaice.
I knew that he must have known Fabreidis. Very few know that he is the guardian of the city, but this young man knew his identity. I knew that I should not have gotten myself entangled in these affairs. Something must be done so I can solve this without defending both sides.
As Fabreidis read through the letter, his calm expression gradually carried a trace of somberness. He hadn’t moved his eyes from the letter until he finished reading. He finally took a long breath and passed it back to Qian Jin. He said in a proper complexion,
It is true that, as you said, Rollin said that in the letter. He was a good brother and a decent man.
Humph,
Glan issued a second humph.
You can say whatever you want since you are the only one who has read the letter. Why don’t you say that Rollin entrusted him with the entire Roll Family?
On hearing this daring remark, Fabreidis’s brows shot upward, and his dull and unresponsive face, which resembled a dormant volcano, felt as if it was going to wake up.
Sambaice intervened immediately,
I guarantee you that you can totally trust our City Guardian,
he said.
However, Glan made a third humph. Sambaice’s cheeks blanched slightly,
What? Does Mr. Glan not believe me, the Mayor, either? I’m holding a impartial position, but it doesn’t mean that I’m afraid of any of you or any family.
No, no,
Caeller cried while he saw Sambaice’s face.
What a moron, Glan. You are a Demon Fighter, but does that mean you can hold anyone in utter contempt? The first humph already showed your strength and dissatisfaction. The latter two only showed how stupid you are. If Sambaice really sided with Fabreidis, the Roll Family would fly away.
Sorry, Mayor Sambaice, Glan didn’t mean that.
Caeller quickly apologized.
Your noble and virtuous soul is renowned throughout the world. Since it is like this, it wouldn’t be any better if you, Mayor Sambaice, dealt with it. After all, Julius had already received the wedding gift from our Cae Family. It would be hard for us if the Roll Family rejects this marriage arrangement.
Sambaice gave the perverse Caeller a black look. What’s the point on continuously referring to a dead woman? She has already died. Of course you can say whatever you like. But as a celebrated family here in the city, it would be an insult to them if the Roll Family broke the engagement.
Fabreidis faked a rough, dry cough.
Mayor Sambaice, Julius was just Rollin’s woman. Rollin obviously has the final say in this house. If the woman was given the right to overthrow the decision of the owner of this family, I’m afraid that it would be a humiliating picture.
At this moment, a light seemed to break in upon Sambaice, who was dying to kill the person in the group who stirred up all this trouble. If he agreed and word spread out, how was he going to deal with the stigma?
Humph.
The fourth humph drifted out from the reckless Glen. He said with great contempt,
Why bother? I remember that there is a tradition in Zence Empire. Every time a similar situation occurred when two men fought over a woman, they simply grabbed their weapons and went on the battlefield. Whoever won got to marry that woman, am I correct?
Sambaice looked this stupid warrior and suddenly felt like he was no longer stupid. It appeared like this was a fairly unbiased option. Qian Jin was a warrior, and according to Caeller, Cage was also a warrior. Letting them fight was perfect. Anyone who called it unfair would be deemed as a damned coward. What’s more was that neither Caeller nor Fabreidis would have any say.
This is perfect.
Sambaice nodded seriously.
What do you two think of it?
Caeller looked at Qian Jin with some indiscernible concern. The chop was just too amazing, after all. The momentum with the blade in his hand was also unexpectedly surprising. Although Cage was also a Level 10 Warrior himself, it was really hard to say who would prevail, once on the battlefield.
Caeller pondered for a while and said,
It is the best solution. But this is not just between the two warriors. I can say without exaggeration that it is between the two families. If it were to be settled with a single fight, it would be somewhat hasty. I say, why not solve this in 3 rounds? One for a warrior duel, one for a mage duel and one for mixed doubles.
As Fabreidis was about to speak, Caeller quickly went on,
It would be inexcusable if the Roll family turned down this suggestion once more. This, after all, concerns two esteemed families. If Qian Jin thinks he is strong enough to handle all the three rounds, we, the Cae Family, would not mind at all. But wouldn’t it overshadow the Roll Family? I still think that it would be much better we have three rounds if they can find themselves a mage.
It sounds good.
Sambaice nodded with approval,
This can also prove the sincerity of both sides. What do you think of this idea, Qian Jin?
Duel? Qian Jin frowned,
Your Cae Family is responsible for Rollin’s death, and you want respect? Shame on you, you bastards. If I killed someone from the Cae family without evidence, the worst punishment I would receive would be being sent to the Human-Demon battlefield. I don’t care how it would end, but I can’t tie down the Roll family. The duel actually sounds good as an excuse for homicide. It would be fine to kill the entire Cae Family in front of the Mayor. Then, let it be three rounds.
