Lord of The Mysterious Realms Chapter 928

Jenkins had suspected that tonight’s performance would make the headlines, but he never imagined the story would be about a sensational grand heist.

The death of Duke Antak wasn't actually surprising. Even without the final, clever twist of "fortune" orchestrated by his Destiny's Stage, the duke was no match for Jenkins. Googlᴇ search novel·fiɾe·net

But the audience, including Briny, saw things differently. The moment the theater lights came back on, the blonde girl rushed onto the stage and threw her arms around Jenkins.

Many people witnessed the embrace, but no one saw the smile on Marquis Mikhail’s face in his second-floor box.

Large contingents of police and soldiers arrived twenty minutes later, but no one stopped Jenkins from leaving. The events of the evening would be told in Nolan City for centuries to come, but the hero of the tale was already gone, accompanied by his female companions.

Earlier that evening, Briny had invited Jenkins to her place, and now seemed the perfect time to go. Although Jenkins would have preferred to return home and test whether his Destiny's Stage chain ability worked as he imagined, the young women insisted it was too late for him to go back.

Briny's house, though outside the city proper, wasn't quite in the suburbs. It was located right on the edge of the dense fog zone that ringed the city. The coachman dared not drive too quickly through the thick mist, where neither the streetlights nor the moonlight could offer much visibility.

Coachmen had grown accustomed to hanging multiple kerosene lamps on their carriages when passing through the fog zone. It was an added expense, of course, but a necessary precaution for their safety.

Briny’s house sat in a quiet neighborhood, not far from Miss Audrey's residence.

She had originally intended to save the money for her dowry, but Hathaway had convinced her that property values in Nolan City were poised for a sharp increase in the coming years. As it turned out, Hathaway was right.

The rise of steam-powered industry had drawn a massive influx of people from the countryside into the cities. This migration was driven not only by the abundance of job opportunities but also by the growing conflicts between factories, ranches, and farmland.

A growing urban population inevitably led to rising property values, a reality that was starkly evident in modern-day Nolan.

Briny still seemed shaken by the evening's events. Upon entering the house, she excused herself, saying she felt unwell, and retreated to her room. That left Hathaway to play host, arranging a guest room for Jenkins and his cat.

"What was all of that really about?"

Hathaway sent a maid to prepare a late-night supper. As soon as Jenkins stepped into his room, the young woman behind him demanded fiercely.

Thus far, most of Nolan’s Enchanters were unaware of Duke Antak’s role in the Skull Sword incident; they simply saw him as a convenient scapegoat. But Hathaway was privy to everything concerning Briny. She knew that while the duke had proposed marriage, he would never have challenged Jenkins to a duel over the blonde girl. The whole affair was bizarre from start to finish.

Jenkins replied, his back to her as he gazed out at the silent night. Moonlight struggled to pierce the fog, casting a faint glow upon him. He was ready.

"Duke Antak was an Enchanter, and he wanted revenge against the Sage's Church. You should know why. The Antak family name is about to be struck from the records."

In a way, it wasn't a lie.

"Why did he target you, Jenkins? Because you're such a big name in Nolan?"

Jenkins could hear the anger in her voice, but she didn't seem to know who to direct it at. Jenkins hadn't done anything wrong, and Briny certainly hadn't. The only person at fault, Duke Antak, was already dead, killed by his own backfiring pistol in front of a packed theater.

Jenkins hesitated, wondering if he should reveal part of the truth. Although he possessed the Lie Godhood, he wasn't someone who enjoyed lying for its own sake...

He certainly used deceit as a tool for survival and to secure his position, but he didn't mind letting those close to him in on a few of his less critical secrets when the time was right.

He was about to reveal his identity as a Scribe.

"Because of... a god?"

Hathaway added quietly.

Now it was Jenkins's turn to be puzzled.

"I'm sorry, what did you just say?"

He turned around, his earlier composure completely gone.

"The truth is, I've been hiding a few things myself... In the matter of Skryu Pompey and the Skull Sword, my god was also involved..."

Jenkins had no idea where this conversation was going anymore.

"Although the Orthodox Church ultimately defeated the sword, my god was actually involved in some of the planning... That music box you delivered..."

This was true, but Jenkins suspected the version of the truth Hathaway had pieced together was worlds apart from what he had actually experienced.

"...I can guess what a dishonorable role Duke Antak played in all this. He must have learned from some other source about your part in it, how you helped my god... but he couldn't retaliate against my god or the Orthodox Church, so he decided to take his anger out on you..."

Chocolate was struggling not to laugh. So was Jenkins.

He turned back to the window, staring into the thick fog, trying his best not to laugh out loud, though he wasn't even sure what was so funny.

"I'm sorry, Jenkins."

She reached out from behind and wrapped her arms around him. Outside of the dream world, this was one of the few times they had ever been so close.

"No, it's all right. I think the responsibility for this is mostly mine."

The cat nearly burst out laughing. Luckily, no one was paying attention to it. It was merely a spectator to the drama.

"Do you want to talk about what happened in the dream?"

the red-haired girl asked softly after a moment's hesitation.

"I... I don't know how to handle things with Briny... Oh, God, yes, I like you very much, Hathaway."

"Then leave everything to me. I'll take care of it."

"Yes, trust me... I won't let anyone get hurt."

She said that last part only to herself, so Jenkins didn't hear it.

This was Briny's house, so of course, Hathaway and Jenkins would do nothing improper; they both had their principles. After their talk, they went to their separate rooms to rest. Both Jenkins and his cat found it hard to get used to the new bed. The quilt carried a faint floral scent, a novel experience for man and beast alike..