Chapter 37

In the early morning.

Dorov had just said goodbye to his wife and children at home and was about to step out when he encountered a messenger sent by Roslin.

The messenger was an acquaintance of his.

Zavon, a junior colleague from the Investigation Department of the Royal Capital Guard Hall in the past.

"Lord Dorov, it's been a long time," Zavon smiled and waved from in front of the carriage.

"Indeed, it's quite a surprise morning, Zavon," Dorov nodded and smiled as he approached.

"Yes, I feel the same," Zavon said.

After taking a good look at Zavon and the carriage behind him, Dorov said, "It seems you have something to discuss with me."

"Indeed, I do," Zavon said. "A high-ranking official has invited you to visit him."

"It seems your luck isn't very good," Dorov teased.

"Being summoned while still half-asleep, I don't think my luck is very good either," Zavon shook his head and said helplessly.

"Was it Lord Roslin who sent you?"

"I believe Lord Dorov already has an idea."

Getting into the carriage, the wheels rolled forward.

"Who would have thought that such a high-ranking official would involve you as well," Zavon leaned back in the soft seat of the carriage and yawned lightly.

"I got involved in the Stone Street incident earlier than you, and I have my reasons," Dorov sighed.

"Ha, could it be Lord Vrenna?" Zavon showed interest.

"Partly," Dorov nodded. "How is your investigation going? I heard from Vrenna yesterday that the situation wasn't good."

"It's not good," Zavon said, looking a bit dejected as he talked about serious matters. "According to our investigations, we can't find any clues about the culprit. With so many people coming and going in the capital every day, it's likely that the culprit has already fled. We are under a lot of pressure. If we don't find anything useful soon, the people in the Investigation Department will be in trouble."

Dorov frowned and fell silent for a moment before saying, "I heard you discovered something strange during your investigation."

"Yes, I think Lord Vrenna has already told you about it," Zavon said with a serious expression. "Initially, we didn't take that lead seriously, but after those people died, the lead became important. However—"

"The lead points to someone from the First Prince's residence, making it difficult to handle?" Dorov said.

"Yes, the colleagues who went to investigate were driven away, and the matter became complicated," Zavon sighed. "We can't afford to offend the First Prince's people, and the Fourth Prince is pressing us hard. We are caught in the middle, and it's very difficult."

Dorov nodded in agreement. "It seems you've had a tough time these past few days."

"It's not just tough!"

Zavon's tone became a bit agitated, and after realizing his behavior, he quickly leaned close to Dorov's ear and whispered, "This matter could become a flashpoint for conflict between the two princes. My brother-in-law told me that the two regiments stationed in the capital have been on the move. With the recent news that the king is ill again, my colleagues and I in the Investigation Department have analyzed that if this matter isn't handled properly, it could lead to an unacceptable outcome."

"Ah—" Dorov shook his head and waved his hand. "Let's not talk about state affairs, let's not talk about state affairs."

When King Gare VII ascended the throne through bloodshed, it was thought that the Adria Kingdom would have a strong ruler. However, things did not go as expected. After ascending the throne, the king seemed mediocre and focused on consolidating his power, as if the bloody coup had made him feel insecure about his position.

The king, who had clung to the throne for decades, had not yet named a successor, which seemed to be related to the coup.

For some unknown reason, the king kept the two most capable princes in the capital, giving them power, as if it were a long test for them in the eyes of the world. Some believed it was a compromise under the urging of the ministers, a result of balance.

Now, the king was increasingly old and ill, as if he could pass away at any moment.

The conflict between the two princes vying for the throne was becoming more intense, and the bloody coup that most people had forgotten about decades ago seemed about to be replayed.

But until the last moment, no one could predict the outcome.

A strange, high-end restaurant.

The top floor of the dining room was spacious and quiet, contrasting sharply with the bustling activity below, as if they were two different worlds.

At a table near the edge of the building, a man was slowly drinking wine, his eyes occasionally glancing at the bustling crowd on the street below.

After getting off the carriage, Zavon indicated that Dorov should go up to the top floor of the restaurant alone, as Roslin was waiting for him there, waiting for him alone.

Dorov was unfamiliar with the place. The capital was large, and there were many places he didn't know, and this was one of them.

But this was undoubtedly a bustling place, as the venues here were all high-end, and the people coming and going were better dressed and groomed than in other areas.

He entered the restaurant, and a waiter quickly approached with a polite smile to ask. After explaining his purpose, he was led to the top floor of the restaurant.

"A guest has reserved the top floor, so no one will disturb your peace."

When Dorov arrived at the top floor, the waiter explained the situation with a smile and then stepped back. Dorov took a deep breath and walked to the table near the edge of the building.

"Have you come? Sit down." Hearing the approaching footsteps, Roslin did not turn to look.

Dorov sat down respectfully opposite Roslin and followed his gaze, but he didn't see anything particularly noteworthy that would catch the attention of such a high-ranking official.

"Do you know? Sometimes, when you stand high and look down, you feel superior," Roslin said.

"But when we go down, we are no different from them," Dorov said.

"Yes—" Roslin sighed. "No matter what status we have, we will all die, even the ancient gods."

"So death is the most fair, as everyone will die," Dorov said, reflecting on the words.

"Do you see that hotel across the street?"

"The Golden Rose Hotel?"

Following Roslin's gaze, Dorov asked, puzzled.

"Yes, among the useless bunch in the Royal Capital Guard Hall, there is at least one person with some courage," Roslin said.

"Sir—" Dorov frowned, confused, and needed an explanation.

"I had someone monitor and follow the First Prince's advisor. The useless people in the Investigation Department are afraid to offend the First Prince, but are they not afraid of the Fourth Prince? Fortunately, there are wise people who made the right choice," Roslin shook his head.

"Is the clue there?"

Dorov ignored Roslin's sarcasm about the Investigation Department. After all, it was a place he once loved, and while he wouldn't defend it, he wouldn't speak ill of it either.

"There are some clues, but I need to verify them," Roslin said, looking at the distant hotel with a meaningful smile. "The Fourth Prince is really annoying, so even these small clues need my attention, but it's also good to have some peace."

Dorov deliberately ignored the disrespectful words and asked, "Can you tell me the details, sir?"

Roslin turned his gaze and nodded. "I believe Vrenna has given you a lot of information, especially when the strange matter involved the First Prince, it couldn't be ignored. I had someone secretly follow the First Prince's advisor and found that he was secretly meeting someone."

"Who is it?"

"A young man from out of town," Roslin said with a light laugh. "Although we don't know his exact identity, according to the hotel staff, he is a swordsman."

"A swordsman?" Dorov frowned, thinking of something.

"Yes, a young swordsman, or perhaps a young noble," Roslin said.

"Sir, what does this have to do with the clue?" Dorov asked, puzzled.

"Of course, later I had the Investigation Department people re-interview the rest of Ban's subordinates. They unexpectedly mentioned that the dead people who followed Ban to collect debts said that a young noble saved the First Prince's people and that his sword was terrifying, but at the time, no one paid much attention, so it wasn't mentioned during the first investigation," Roslin explained slowly.

"Do you suspect the case is related to that young swordsman or noble?" Dorov asked.

"I'm not sure, so I need to verify it," Roslin said indifferently. "It might just be a small method used by someone trying to gain the First Prince's favor, but the hotel staff said that the young man returned very late and looked very tired on the night Amb芬 died, which made it interesting."

"It seems we have a breakthrough," Dorov said, his gaze turning to the hotel. "Even if it's a minor clue."

"Besides verification, I think we need some other methods," Roslin raised his wine glass and took a sip, smiling. "Have you made any progress?"

When the conversation turned to Dorov, he shook his head. "I'm missing a key clue, and I haven't found it yet."

His assistant had found it, but he hadn't.

Dorov had always wondered what had happened to his assistant that made him so excited and determined to catch the murderer.

"I think you should look for someone in the Gertdan district, it might help you," Roslin smiled and suggested.

"Who is it?"

"Adien."

"Who is he?"

"Adien knows a lot in Gertdan."

Dorov nodded, realizing he needed to seek help from his colleagues in the Gertdan district.

"Hmm?" Roslin suddenly made a puzzled sound, and Dorov followed his gaze.

In front of the Golden Rose Hotel, a young man and two beautiful girls dressed in the uniforms of the Royal Central Academy suddenly walked out.

A handsome man and beautiful women always attract attention.

"That's him," Roslin said.

"Him?" Dorov looked closely and suddenly felt that the handsome young man looked familiar.

"The person the First Prince's advisor was looking for," Roslin said.

"I think I've seen him before," Dorov said, looking intently.

"Hmm?"

"That's him," Dorov took a deep breath and confirmed. "On the day of the heavy rain in the capital, when Vrenna and I were rushing to Stone Street, I saw him in the rain. He noticed me, and those piercing eyes are hard to forget."

"It might not be him," Roslin laughed lightly, gesturing to two ordinary-looking people following the three on the street.

"What did you say, sir?" Dorov asked.

"Nothing."

Roslin shook his head and lightly caressed the ring on his finger.

Gray, ordinary.

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