Chapter 1778: Chapter 1778

"I really shouldn't have bothered contacting the church to save you the other day."

At Jenkins's words, Tackwen fell silent. He knew better than to argue; anyone would be furious hearing such a thing. This update ıs available on novｅlfire.net

Tackwen's intelligence was invaluable. Once Jenkins knew the Tree House was behind the great fire in the southern forests, it wasn't hard to deduce their objective: to accelerate the apocalypse. The fog was destined to blanket the world, so artificially creating it in the places it would struggle to reach naturally held an immeasurable significance for the coming end.

What Jenkins still couldn't grasp, however, was what they stood to gain. After all, aside from the purple emblem representing destiny, he now held practically every other Savior's Emblem. Even if the apocalypse arrived, the Tree House would have no part in saving the world. And the end of all things certainly wouldn't spare them just because they'd helped bring it about.

"Is there anything else you know?"

"I don't. Our agreement didn't require them to disclose their objectives, and frankly, I'm not interested. I'm just an ordinary man. I have no desire to get involved in that kind of madness."

"So, in exchange for the lives of tens of thousands of people, what did the Tree House offer you? Don't tell me you traded all those souls for a simple verbal promise of support."

"Of course not... They pledged to support the Alecio family for a hundred years. For the next century, as long as a single Alecio remains, they will help them secure the throne. We signed a contract to that effect. They were the ones who produced it, but the moment I touched that parchment, I knew. Once signed, the deal was binding for both parties."

"But what's to stop them from killing all your heirs and kin?"

"I see your point, but the Alecio family isn't like the Middletons. The royal blood of Cheslan runs far and wide. Even if you only count those with a legitimate claim to the family tree, there are over a hundred living members scattered across the world. If the Tree House were truly willing to risk the Church's wrath by orchestrating hundreds of murders... well, then there would be nothing I could say."

So that was it. Jenkins realized why Tackwen had asked for his help earlier. He knew that even in death, his family's future was secure with the Tree House's backing. He was confident a relative would rise to revitalize their line, and that Cheslan would not simply cast aside its royal family.

"Before you died, did you know the Tree House was playing both sides? That they were helping your enemies as well as you?"

"Yes, I did. I even knew they were the ones who placed that curse on me before."

"And that's not a betrayal of your agreement?"

"No. I never stipulated they couldn't. They can help whomever they please, so long as an Alecio sits on the throne of Cheslan in the end."

Everything he'd said up to that point had been the truth. But that last statement was a lie. Jenkins gazed into the soul's eyes and saw it all: the fear, the anxiety, the terror. Yet, despite it all, the truth remained hidden.

He let his voice drop, aiming for a more intimidating tone.

"No, I'm not lying. This is all the truth."

Jenkins was about to press him further when Mr. Augustus stepped forward. He simply pointed a finger at Tackwen's spirit, and its animated expression instantly went slack and vacant.

"Now he can only tell the truth."

Mr. Augustus declared, then added as an afterthought:

"This is technically against regulations, but it doesn't quite break the rules, so I imagine it will be fine."

Jenkins laughed and nodded to Mr. Augustus before turning back to the spirit.

"Who really orchestrated your murder?"

"The opposition factions within Cheslan and the high command of the military... they planned my death."

The voice was guttural and indistinct, as if dredged up through a throat thick with phlegm—the typical speech of a spirit stripped of reason, left with only instinct.

"Was there more to it than that?"

"Yes. I had the Tree House use mental suggestion to push my opponents into action. Otherwise, they never would have chosen to strike during the Tri-King Summit. The original plan was to assassinate me on my way back from Nolan."

Jenkins pressed his fingers to his forehead. This was why he despised politics. The truth was almost always buried, impossible to uncover... unless you could compel it from a ghost.

"Why would you arrange your own murder?"

"I had to pave the way for my heir. By dying in Nolan, I forced Fidektri's hand. To clear their own name, they would have no choice but to uncover the truth. The people of Cheslan would then see my opponents as traitors and recognize that only an Alecio can rule. I brought my second son with me to Fidektri—he is my chosen successor. Soon, he will publicly accept the findings of Fidektri's investigation, borrow their soldiers, and return home. My loyalists waiting in Cheslan will rise to support him, and together they will purge the kingdom of every last destabilizing element."

It was even more convoluted than Jenkins had imagined—more intricate than the schemes of Salsi II or Queen Isabella. Yet, for all its complexity, it seemed to be working. In the few days since Tackwen's death, events had unfolded precisely according to his design.

"What a repulsive man."

Jenkins muttered with revulsion, turning away from the spirit. He had learned all he needed to. With the whole sordid affair laid bare, Tackwen was of no further use to him.

He said to Mr. Augustus. The viscount nodded, ignoring the motionless spirit, and walked with Jenkins toward an entrance at the side of the grand hall.

"In the world of politics, such things are quite normal, you know. Even a nobleman like myself, bedridden since childhood, has heard of and witnessed plenty of similar schemes. But to sacrifice tens of thousands of lives in one go... that is truly excessive. That king certainly was 'bold'."

Jenkins caught the sarcastic edge in his last word and changed the subject.

"Let's not speak of him. Men like that don't deserve to be remembered. Mr. Augustus, I'm actually curious... after these souls travel to the underworld, what happens to them?"

He hoped this world had a process for judging sin, like in the myths of his former life, but Mr. Augustus's reply was starkly simple:

His tone was very serious.

"It means exactly what I said. They keep walking."

His tone was just as grave.

Jenkins didn't understand, but he sensed it wasn't a matter to be pressed. He changed the subject again.