Chapter 1772: Chapter 1772

As for why they couldn't simply divine the killer's name and identity, divination was neither omnipotent nor perfectly accurate. It didn't function by inputting a question and receiving a direct answer; instead, it offered vague, prophetic glimpses.

Moreover, the results of divination were often cryptic and difficult to interpret. A mere "revelation of fate" would hardly be enough to convince the public or the Cheslan nobility, who were demanding the truth.

But with the Church involved, the investigation was bound to accelerate significantly. Even before any official findings, however, Jenkins and most others had already reached their own conclusions. The Cheslan Kingdom’s reaction had been far too swift. Nolan, on the continent's west coast, had reported the assassination less than four hours ago, yet Dullin, on the eastern side, had immediately declared its intent for "revenge."

"It's utterly foolish."

He set the paper down and leaned back into his sofa. "It's as if they don't even care if anyone suspects them."

"Of course not," Miss Windsor said. "If they're capable of assassinating their own king, why would they care what anyone else thinks?"

This evening, the eldest son of Tackwen the Proud had announced he would assume the throne as regent, leaving no opportunity for the second son who had been traveling with their father. But from what Jenkins and Miss Windsor understood, the southern kingdom's acting king, Reddy Aresio, was no more brilliant than his father. He certainly wasn't the kind of man who could decisively crush domestic opposition.

He was most likely a puppet of the kingdom's pro-war faction, which would reasonably explain the series of outrageous announcements that had been streaming out of Dullin since morning.

"It seems the powers that be in Dullin are dead set on war," Miss Windsor remarked. "I received some intelligence this afternoon, delivered from the front by a steam airship. Cheslan's armies are already mobilizing."

"Don't forget the shadow of the Tree House hangs over Cheslan's elite," Jenkins reminded her. "Perhaps they've managed to sway a few key people with their doomsday rhetoric. It wouldn't be the first time. Even in times of peace, you find fools who believe the end is nigh, turning to heretical gods and committing horrifying acts. In an era , even more people are likely to fall for it."

What's more, the Tree House can actually offer proof that the end of the epoch is near. And considering their attempts to secure a Savior, it wouldn't be hard for them to peddle a simple narrative: "Help us, and we'll guarantee your survival in the coming cataclysm."

Combine that with Cheslan's internal political strife, the shortsightedness of its nobles and wealthy merchants, and the fact that the southern kingdom's industrial capacity is dangerously mismatched with its economic development... really, anything is possible.

"My father sent a note this afternoon," Briny chimed in, a worried tone in her voice as she stood by the window with her teacup. "Her Majesty has given him secret orders to be ready to lead the fleet through the Drota Strait and into the southern seas at a moment's notice."

The order Marquis Mikhail had received clearly meant that Queen Isabella believed the chances of averting war were slim, even if they managed to find the true assassin.

This was the prevailing opinion. The southern kingdom was clearly determined to press on with the war. Besides, their king had indeed died on Fidektri soil. They had a perfectly valid pretext, one that would stand up to scrutiny in the history books for centuries to come.

"It's rare to see the Church make an exception and use its extraordinary powers to aid a secular government," Briny commented. "I remember Jenkins telling me about the High Tower Accord. I never expected to see the Church and the Crown acting in concert so quickly."

At that, Miss Windsor recounted what she had heard from Sigrid regarding the High Tower Accord. The blonde girl listened with astonishment, but unlike Miss Windsor, who had felt a strange resonance upon hearing the story, Briny felt nothing out of the ordinary.

She truly lacked the aptitude of an Enchanter.

Hearing of the world's secrets and the compact of the gods brought Briny no discomfort. After all, this place was, in a sense, a god's domain. Furthermore, due to their connection with Jenkins, it was becoming difficult to say whether the young women—especially Hathaway, Briny, and Alexia—could still be considered entirely mortal.

After a few more exchanges, Jenkins heard a carriage pull up outside his house. Briny, still at the window, glanced out.

"Alexia's here," she announced.

They were on a first-name basis now.

Jenkins couldn't see if anyone else was in the carriage. Miss Windsor's guard opened the gate for Alexia, and the petite woman glanced over at the house next door, where Magic Miss and Silver Flute Miss were watching. Her sharp look made them jump before she proceeded into the house.

Miss Windsor took her security very seriously, so in addition to her mundane bodyguards, she kept her hired occult consultants nearby at all times. While it might seem like a waste of their time, Miss Windsor paid handsomely, so Magic Miss and Silver Flute Miss were more than happy to oblige.

"This is from Salsi II," Alexia said as she entered, handing a letter to Jenkins.

At such a sensitive time, Jenkins couldn't visit Dolores, so he and the northern king could only communicate by letter. Jenkins trusted Dolores's father far more than he did Queen Isabella.

He broke the seal, glanced over the letter, and passed it to Miss Windsor. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ Nove1Fire.net

"Just as I expected," he declared. "Although Salsi II's agents in Dullin haven't yet relayed their intelligence across the continent, the northern kingdom has already found evidence linking Tackwen's death to the nobility in Dullin."

"But they still haven't found this Mr. Luther," Miss Windsor noted, flipping the letter over to check the back.

"And without him, it's all for nothing. We have no concrete evidence to prove Fidektri's innocence in this affair."

"He'll be found soon enough," Jenkins said with conviction. "The Church won't allow the flames of war to spread."

Then he turned to Alexia. "Why did they send you to deliver this?"

He stood and gave the petite woman a brief hug. On the sofa, his cat opened one eye to watch, then went back to sleep.

"Salsi II has a question for you," Alexia explained. "It's an important one, and it could only be delivered by someone trusted by both of you. And it's obvious that with Tackwen just dead, he wouldn't dare let Dolores wander around the city."

"What question?" Jenkins asked.

Alexia glanced at the others in the room, then lowered her voice.

"He wants to know... if you are willing to kill Queen Isabella now."