The study remained silent for a long time.
After quite a while, Jann finally recovered from his heavy emotions and let out a long sigh.
"The assassin—the one named Bolwin, supposedly the assassin who killed my father—owed Sona uncle a tremendous debt of gratitude. He willingly shouldered the crime of assassinating the Duke. Of course, Uncle made sure he died quickly and did not suffer."
Federico shuddered back to his senses.
"Then the real assassin..."
Jann wearily shook his head.
"All we know is that the man later went by the alias Back Curved Blade. We only managed to track that down afterward through secondhand evidence that had passed through who-knew-how-many hands, and its reliability was questionable. Six guards died in the Empty Palace that night. Ashford and my mother only caught a fleeting glimpse of him."
Tales's expression shifted slightly.
"Back Curved Blade... Who sent him?" Fede asked blankly.
Jann fell silent.
He slowly raised his head, revealing a strange look and a pale smile.
"But you know, Fede. Clever as you are, you've actually always known," he said, looking at Federico with a chilling gaze. "You simply didn't want to admit it."
Federico's eyes widened.
"Or couldn't admit it."
Jann spoke softly.
"Even less did you dare admit it."
Federico's entire body trembled!
Tales suddenly understood something and could not hide his shock.
"Just like me. No matter how indignant, unfair, hypocritical, or vicious it is, even now I have to give the order against my conscience. I have to let the Blood Bottle Gang handle the dirty work and clean up every clue that might expose the old case, regardless of the cost."
The smile on Jann's face was divided between desolation and hatred.
"Because I absolutely cannot—I cannot reveal the true culprit behind my father's assassination.