"Yes . "
Anfey frowned and hesitated . He turned and walked back to the table, "what do you want to tell me?"
"Shamash is the sixth son of Marquis Djoser . After the Shansa soldiers occupied Violet City, the Marquis led skirmishes against the soldiers and paid dearly . Five of his sons were killed . Shamash is the only one left . "
"Why should I care?" Anfey asked, smiling .
"Why shouldn't you?" Urter asked .
Anfey frowned . He had never met anyone who act so calmly after their plan had been foiled . Urter looked like he was telling the truth, and had important reasons to do so .
Anfey sat back down and looked at Urter . "Tell me then . Why should I care?"
"If you know anything about the history of Maho Empire, you should know that Marquis Djoser's ancestor was one of the ten men that helped found the nation . The family has the badge to prove it, and it had hereditary powers . The family has been going downhill since then . However, it still had significant influence here and in the Sacred City . "
Anfey frowned . What Urter was saying sounded like useless babble, but no one would say useless things when his blood was dripping onto a table . Anfey listened carefully .
Anfey frowned . What Urter was saying sounded like useless babble, but no one would say useless things when his blood was dripping onto a table . Anfey listened carefully .
"The Marquis only had a few dozen soldiers, and there were over seven thousand Shansa soldiers camping here after the city fell . The Marquis, logically, could not do much, though he did sacrifice five sons . Do you think His Majesty should honor him?"
"Of course . "
"There are a dozen counts in this city, and only one marquis," Urter said, staring at Anfey . "Marquis Djoser had sacrificed almost everything, and the only things he got were some coins and some land . Violet City went to you, my lord, a count . Which means that, unless the Marquis hides in his land and refuses to leave, he would have to answer you . "
"You're saying he is jealous?"
"It's not only the Marquis . The counts are jealous as well," Urter said . He tried to smile, but his muscle twitched . "Jealousy is enough to twist a man's mind, my lord . You are not in a very good situation right now . "
Anfey frowned . He knew that Urter was right . His future was unclear at best .
"Do you know how large Marquis Djoser's land is, my lord?" Urter asked . "Only sixty acres . Not even a third of the city . "
"You are trying to start a fight between me and Shamash because of this?" Anfey asked, smiling .
"I only hope you can be more cautious, my lord," Urter said slowly . "Don't be fooled by half-hearted kindness, my lord . I've only been here for three years, but I already know this city very well . "
"You are trying to start a fight between me and Shamash because of this?" Anfey asked, smiling .
"I only hope you can be more cautious, my lord," Urter said slowly . "Don't be fooled by half-hearted kindness, my lord . I've only been here for three years, but I already know this city very well . "
"Why are you helping me, then?"
"Because I am the sheriff, and I can never stand on neutral ground . Whenever something happens, I am the first to go down," Urter said, shrugging . "I just want to pick the more capable side . "
"You think I'm more capable?"
"Like I've just said, my lord: I know these people . The only thing the Marquis has is his reputation . He is far from capable, just like his sons . His sons were killed not because they were fearless but because they were lustful cowards . "
Anfey lifted a brow . "Why is that?" he asked .
"They've long been eyeing a young girl from the outskirts of the city, but couldn't do much during the peaceful years for fear of punishment . After the Shansa soldiers arrived, they took the poor girl among the chaos . The girl's lover was enraged and joined the Shansa army . With someone who knew the city, none of the Marquis's sons escaped . I don't know how Marquis Djoser reported what had happened, but I know that he did not report honestly . " Urter paused . He glanced at his hand and continued, "I've heard about what you did, my lord . I know you are much more capable than the Marquis will ever be . I know now that you are someone who does not hesitate . "
Even though he had already admitted everything, Urter was still shaking, partially due to fear . He had encountered very few men that were as brutal as Anfey . If he was aiming for his heart, Urter was sure he would be dead by now . Perhaps that was why he was able to kill Philip's grandson . He was less like a politician and more like a killer .
"Why didn't you just tell me?"
"Would you have believed me, my lord?"
Even though he had already admitted everything, Urter was still shaking, partially due to fear . He had encountered very few men that were as brutal as Anfey . If he was aiming for his heart, Urter was sure he would be dead by now . Perhaps that was why he was able to kill Philip's grandson . He was less like a politician and more like a killer .
"Why didn't you just tell me?"
"Would you have believed me, my lord?"
Anfey fell quiet . After he realized that Urter was trying to create a grudge between him and Shamash, he picked intimidation, which had always worked for him . Now, however, he realized how naive he had been . If he was older, he would not have chosen such a way to deal with the situation . In the end, intimidation would change nothing . His enemies would remain his enemies, but he could destroy potential friendships . By intimidating his enemies, he could warn them to be more careful . This was a terrible way to approach a situation like this .
"I have to be honest with you now, Anfey," Apa suddenly said . "I've known Urter for years now . We trained together once, but because of a strange condition he could not use magic or combat power . They let him go in the end, and he became the sheriff of Violet City," Apa said . He knew both sides in the fight, and because of that he was in a very awkward situation . He knew he had to lessen the tension . "Urter, why didn't you just tell me? I can always talk to them for you . "
"Did it get your bones?" Black Eleven asked, pushing himself up . He found some healing potion and began working on Urter's wound .
"Well, I know how to work with you now, Lord Anfey," Urter said with a forced smile . "Everyone thinks they owe me a favor, which is a good thing for me in the long run . "
Anfey did not say anything . He stared at Urter, observing his expressions . Urter's explanation had made sense . If he had ulterior motives, it was impressive that he was able to come up with this explanation in a short time . Anfey decided he would trust the man for now .
"Is your relationship with the Marquis always so strained?" Anfey asked .
"Very," Urter said naturally . "Which is why I wanted to help you, my lord . If it wasn't for the sudden invasion of Shansa Empire, they might have already found a way to throw me out of the city . "
Anfey nodded . He trusted Urter more than he did a few minutes ago, but still not completely . He had seen too many people to completely trust anyone . Even among his team, there were only two or three people he could completely rely on .
Urter's body shook with pain, and his forehead was covered in a thin layer of sweat . His wounded hand could barely move, and the hand that was applying pressure was shaking . What was even more surprising was that Urter could still control himself . If it was a common man, he would be screaming in agony . Why? he asked through clenched teeth Do you really want me to tell you why? Anfey asked, frowning Urter took a deep breath and stared at the wound on his hand You showed up as soon as we did . Then that Shamash guy showed up almost as soon as you did . Don't you think it's a little suspicious? Anfey asked . Also, tell me . What did you mean by dog owner'? Even though he wasn't sure how Urter did it, Anfey was certain that there was a grudge between Urter and Shamash . Urter was trying to show Shamash that he had support from Anfey; or else Shamash would not have said what he said when he came into the room Urter smiled and shook his head . The blood from his wound had already spread across the table, but he made no move to remove the dagger Truthfully speaking, I hate being used . Take this as a warning . Next time it won't be your hand, Anfey said . He stood up slowly and ripped the dagger out of Urter's hand . Come, let's go, he said . He did not want to talk to the man anymore . He disliked being lied to and used Urter's body tensed, and his breath became ragged . Anfey did not look at the man, and began walking out of the room . Wait, Urter called just as Anfey reached the door . I have something I need to tell you . . Is there the need for that?. Yes . . Anfey frowned and hesitated . He turned and walked back to the table, what do you want to tell me?. Shamash is the sixth son of Marquis Djoser . After the Shansa soldiers occupied Violet City, the Marquis led skirmishes against the soldiers and paid dearly . Five of his sons were killed . Shamash is the only one left . . Why should I care? Anfey asked, smiling Why shouldn't you? Urter asked Anfey frowned . He had never met anyone who act so calmly after their plan had been foiled . Urter looked like he was telling the truth, and had important reasons to do so Anfey sat back down and looked at Urter . Tell me then . Why should I care?. If you know anything about the history of Maho Empire, you should know that Marquis Djoser's ancestor was one of the ten men that helped found the nation . The family has the badge to prove it, and it had hereditary powers . The family has been going downhill since then . However, it still had significant influence here and in the Sacred City . . Anfey frowned . What Urter was saying sounded like useless babble, but no one would say useless things when his blood was dripping onto a table . Anfey listened carefully The Marquis only had a few dozen soldiers, and there were over seven thousand Shansa soldiers camping here after the city fell . The Marquis, logically, could not do much, though he did sacrifice five sons . Do you think His Majesty should honor him?. Of course . . There are a dozen counts in this city, and only one marquis, Urter said, staring at Anfey . Marquis Djoser had sacrificed almost everything, and the only things he got were some coins and some land . Violet City went to you, my lord, a count . Which means that, unless the Marquis hides in his land and refuses to leave, he would have to answer you . . You're saying he is jealous?. It's not only the Marquis . The counts are jealous as well, Urter said . He tried to smile, but his muscle twitched . Jealousy is enough to twist a man's mind, my lord . You are not in a very good situation right now . . Anfey frowned . He knew that Urter was right . His future was unclear at best Do you know how large Marquis Djoser's land is, my lord? Urter asked . Only sixty acres . Not even a third of the city . . You are trying to start a fight between me and Shamash because of this? Anfey asked, smiling I only hope you can be more cautious, my lord, Urter said slowly . Don't be fooled by half-hearted kindness, my lord . I've only been here for three years, but I already know this city very well . . Why are you helping me, then?. Because I am the sheriff, and I can never stand on neutral ground . Whenever something happens, I am the first to go down, Urter said, shrugging . I just want to pick the more capable side . . You think Im more capable?. Like Ive just said, my lord: I know these people . The only thing the Marquis has is his reputation . He is far from capable, just like his sons . His sons were killed not because they were fearless but because they were lustful cowards . . Anfey lifted a brow . Why is that? he asked They've long been eyeing a young girl from the outskirts of the city, but couldn't do much during the peaceful years for fear of punishment . After the Shansa soldiers arrived, they took the poor girl among the chaos . The girl's lover was enraged and joined the Shansa army . With someone who knew the city, none of the Marquis's sons escaped . I don't know how Marquis Djoser reported what had happened, but I know that he did not report honestly . Urter paused . He glanced at his hand and continued, Ive heard about what you did, my lord . I know you are much more capable than the Marquis will ever be . I know now that you are someone who does not hesitate . . Even though he had already admitted everything, Urter was still shaking, partially due to fear . He had encountered very few men that were as brutal as Anfey . If he was aiming for his heart, Urter was sure he would be dead by now . Perhaps that was why he was able to kill Philip's grandson . He was less like a politician and more like a killer Why didn't you just tell me?. Would you have believed me, my lord?. Anfey fell quiet . After he realized that Urter was trying to create a grudge between him and Shamash, he picked intimidation, which had always worked for him . Now, however, he realized how naive he had been . If he was older, he would not have chosen such a way to deal with the situation . In the end, intimidation would change nothing . His enemies would remain his enemies, but he could destroy potential friendships . By intimidating his enemies, he could warn them to be more careful . This was a terrible way to approach a situation like this I have to be honest with you now, Anfey, Apa suddenly said . Ive known Urter for years now . We trained together once, but because of a strange condition he could not use magic or combat power . They let him go in the end, and he became the sheriff of Violet City, Apa said . He knew both sides in the fight, and because of that he was in a very awkward situation . He knew he had to lessen the tension . Urter, why didn't you just tell me? I can always talk to them for you . . Did it get your bones? Black Eleven asked, pushing himself up . He found some healing potion and began working on Urter's wound Well, I know how to work with you now, Lord Anfey, Urter said with a forced smile . Everyone thinks they owe me a favor, which is a good thing for me in the long run . . Anfey did not say anything . He stared at Urter, observing his expressions . Urter's explanation had made sense . If he had ulterior motives, it was impressive that he was able to come up with this explanation in a short time . Anfey decided he would trust the man for now Is your relationship with the Marquis always so strained? Anfey asked Very, Urter said naturally . Which is why I wanted to help you, my lord . If it wasn't for the sudden invasion of Shansa Empire, they might have already found a way to throw me out of the city . . Anfey nodded . He trusted Urter more than he did a few minutes ago, but still not completely . He had seen too many people to completely trust anyone . Even among his team, there were only two or three people he could completely rely on
Chapter end
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