Can't You Cultivate Yourself?

"..."

Ryan kept a blank expression.

Grand Duke, why don't you come and reason with the Princess yourself to see who I'm actually supposed to be loyal to?

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Chapter 51: Ryan: These Gaming Women Are So Deplorable!

If Ryan were truly dedicated to loyalty toward Magana, then facing Caslathdi's invitation right now would undoubtedly be the best opportunity.

He could accept, take on Caslathdi's identity, and turn traitor at a crucial moment to secure first blood!

Wuhu~

Unfortunately, Ryan had no intention of getting himself mixed up in the struggle for the imperial throne.

Being Magana's lackey was an act of absolute compulsion, and his only plan for the future was to muddy the waters and fish in them, taking light injuries and staying away from the front lines. Let others fight among themselves while he focused solely on living a secure life and raising his alts.

Once the time spent idling grew long enough, Magana would naturally lose interest in him and marginalize him. By then, it wouldn't even matter if he failed to clear his name.

Yet if he became Caslathdi's lackey right now, wouldn't the latter place him on a pedestal if Magana ever found out?

No way, absolutely not!

"Apologies, Your Highness the Princess, I cannot accept your offer," Ryan said.

"Why?" Caslathdi's expression did not change much. "Do you also feel that I have no chance of winning? Or do you think there is no future in following me? I can promise you that I will help you become a branch director, and you might even become the mayor of Berman City in the future, attaining noble status."

"None of that. I have no interest in these things."

"Then why?"

"Because of my duty," Ryan said earnestly. "Mr. Jonathan told me that every investigator of the Burning Covenant should place the interests of the Empire above all else. I was moved by his ethos and decided long ago to view him as my role model. I am not afraid of death, but I hope that when I finally fall, it is not in the struggle for the imperial succession, but on the path known as 'protection'."

"My finger wishes to point toward where hope resides."

Caslathdi was taken aback.

After a long silence, she sighed softly.

"With an investigator like you who thinks so much of the Empire, I ought to feel glad, yet my feelings are rather complicated. The more you are like this, the more I feel certain you can become the person who helps me."

Winning the help of a capable person surpassed countless fools.

I have complicated feelings too, Ryan thought to himself. Why don't you go find 'Lin Qi', or wait a bit until 'Shally' comes out and find her instead? Why must you all pick on me?

"Let us look at it from another angle." Caslathdi shifted her tone. "Ryan, I respect your resolve to protect the Empire, but have you ever considered that without resolving the root cause of the Empire's chaos, protection is out of the question? His Imperial Majesty's health is gradually declining, and ambitious ministers and nobles like Magana are by no means few in number. Coupled with the mutual strife among those who hold the right of succession to the throne, how can there be peace?"

"I can sense that the flames of war are about to begin burning, and the Augustus Empire is about to welcome its darkest hour in nearly a century. At times like this, someone needs to step forward and lead the subjects of the Empire out of their predicament. I respect those who still stand firm within the darkness, but the Burning Covenant should move toward rebirth rather than cling stubbornly to death. No one cares when a moth flies into a flame, but when it turns toward the sun, it can always find the sliver of light that belongs to it."

"I am not the sun, but I have constantly striven to become the sun in the hearts of the Empire's subjects. I believe I can do it, and I ask that you also believe in me, Ryan."

The Burning Covenant had existed for a long time and held extraordinary significance for the Empire. Caslathdi needed to win their help to have any hope of reversing the situation.

If she went straight to the Imperial Capital, she would have zero chance of winning.

Therefore, she had to establish a foundation in Berman City and rally more support under the name of the Princess Royal.

Naturally, outstanding local talents born and raised in Berman City like Ryan were precisely whom Caslathdi desired most to win over, and she was counting on Ryan to help her manage Berman City in the future.

Furthermore, being able to pull Ryan into her fold would mean indirectly drawing the Burning Covenant of Berman City to her side as well.

Caslathdi always felt that Jonathan's attitude toward Ryan was quite different. Clearly a newcomer, he had nonetheless been entrusted with heavy responsibilities, which suggested that Ryan's magical talent might be exceptionally brilliant.

These were the reasons why she was willing to set aside the dignity of a Princess and sincerely invite Ryan.

"Ah, Your Highness, of course I believe you can become the sun." Ryan was speechless. What was going on here? He had explicitly refused, yet she was still persisting relentlessly. Why hadn't he noticed this back when he played the game? These women were truly deplorable!

Whether it was Caslathdi or Magana, they were both deplorable women!

"How about this, I'll go back and discuss it with Mr. Jonathan?" He employed a classic trope from his past life-go wait for notification first, and I'll let you know once I have a result on my end.

Anyway, as long as there was no result, he would keep stalling, letting Caslathdi see his determination to slack off. Yes, just like over at Magana's place, Ryan had decided to lie flat starting right now!

These deplorable women spoke of admiring his intelligence and talent, but what was the reality? Couldn't he tell whether he was smart or not? His cleverness was simply not worth mentioning in the face of his handsome looks.

"Then... very well, Ryan, I shall await your good news."

Caslathdi did not continue to press the matter.

The private room grew very quiet.

Ryan finished his black tea in two gulps, then hurriedly found an excuse to slip away.

After leaving the café, Ryan went to the East District Branch to find Jonathan and recounted the whole affair to him.

Naturally, Jonathan did not want Ryan to meddle in such matters. Since ancient times, the struggle for the imperial succession had always been brutal; dropping small fries like them into it wouldn't even stir up a single ripple.

Caslathdi spoke nicely enough, babbling about moths flying toward the sun to bloom with light, but if you threw fire at it, you might still flutter a bit-fly into the sun and not even ashes would remain!

If Caslathdi's words were weaving a fantasy cradle for Ryan, then Jonathan's words were very realistic-a hammer blow of eighty, bite off only what you can chew, and never believe those empty promises.

As for how to refuse the Princess's invitation, Jonathan's idea matched Ryan's. Since Your Elder-ship is here to fight for the throne, you surely can't stay cooped up in Berman City forever, right?

Just drag it out.

The two compared notes and hit it off immediately. If Caslathdi came to ask again, Jonathan would go help block the blade.

Other people had wingmen, but Ryan had to find a human shield for himself. It was truly speechless.

"...Actually, why don't you go hit on Miss Lin Qi?" Jonathan suddenly played the wise strategist. "If we can join forces with the Gate of Janus, then even Her Highness the Princess won't be able to force you into doing anything. Anyway, our Burning Covenant doesn't interfere in this matter as long as your heart lies with the Empire. Besides, although Miss Lin Qi's temperament is a bit cold, she's completely perfect in every other aspect. She's got the figure, she's got the face, and her talent is so good that you couldn't find someone like her in Berman City before even if you searched with a lantern."

"Mm, Captain, you're right. Starting tomorrow, I'll go to the Church every day to confess to Miss Lin Qi. First win her over, then win over the High Priestess, then win over their Saintess, then win over their Pope, and henceforth bring the Gate of Janus under control. How about that?"

Jonathan thought it sounded extremely absurd.

You brat, you've been wanting to live in drunken dreams and deathly stupor at the Gate of Janus for a long time now, haven't you?

Three o'clock in the afternoon.

The East District Bookstore.

When Ryan stepped into the bookstore, Keisha was organizing the bookshelves.

"Mr. Ryan." She turned her head, a flash of joy blooming on her face. "You've finally come."

"Lord Adler is dead," Ryan said in a low voice.

"Yes, that is precisely what makes me uneasy. My lord instructed me to obey your commands, but now that he is dead, what shall we do from here on?"

Ryan carefully observed Keisha's words and actions, finding no anomalies whatsoever. Not to mention, this woman played the part of a mole far more professionally than he did. That expression-worry tinged with a trace of panic, and panic tinged with a trace of anticipation-she was a veteran actress.

"Don't worry, Keisha. The Grand Duke has already contacted me. From now on, Berman City is under my charge, and our reinforcements will arrive very soon."

"That is wonderful. I believe Lord Ryan will certainly lead us in a counterattack."

"Aren't you sad? Lord Adler is dead, and he was always quite good to you."

Keisha gently shook her head. "He laid down his life for the Grand Duke's cause, and I am proud of him. If Lord Ryan ever requires me to do the same, I shall certainly do so without hesitation."

"Ah, yes, everything for the Grand Duke."

Ryan glanced around the bookstore, his gaze lingering for a moment on the ninth book of the ninth layer on the ninth bookshelf, before he said, "I haven't finished reading that book from last time yet. I'll take it from you later."

"That is unimportant, Lord Ryan. Didn't you want to find information regarding Casola Prison the last time? Do you still need it?"

"No need. The Grand Duke told me to lie low as much as possible during this period and refrain from doing anything extra."

A flicker of disappointment surfaced in the depths of Keisha's eyes, but she quickly returned to normal. She bowed and said, "If you require assistance, please command me at any time."

"Rest assured, Keisha, there will come a time when you can play your part."

Ten minutes later, Ryan left the bookstore.

The true face of Keisha remained unclear for now, and he always felt a sense of unease in his heart. He needed to pull out an alt as soon as possible to test the waters.

Dusk.

Jonathan suddenly called, telling Ryan to get ready to attend a banquet at Aideburg.

This was an invitation personally issued by Caslathdi.

"A banquet? Me?" Ryan was somewhat puzzled. "Can someone like me go to that kind of high-society gala?"

Those permitted to enter Aideburg were all part of Berman City's top-tier circle, and Ryan, as a mere captain, indeed lacked the appropriate status.

"You aren't low-society either," Jonathan said. "Anyway, it was Her Highness the Princess who invited us, and the food inside is pretty decent. It'd be a waste not to eat it."

True enough, free food was something Ryan loved the most.

Ryan went back to change into a suit, then drove to the outer gates of Aideburg.

"Over here!"

Jonathan was standing not far away, one hand tucked into his pocket while the other held a cigarette.

"Why aren't you going inside?" Ryan walked over and asked.

"Hah, smoking isn't allowed inside. I'm having a couple of puffs before going in." Jonathan jerked his chin toward the entrance. "Look, they're all big shots of Berman City. Congratulations, Ryan, you've squeezed your way into the big shots' circle."

Ryan spread his hands. "We've arrested quite a few big shots ourselves."

"Haha~ Indeed. But once you go inside later, if anyone comes over to chat with you, don't get too deeply involved, and don't believe whatever they say. Remember, we're here to eat. Socializing isn't suitable."

"Socializing?"

"For example, there are always some noble matrons, you understand? Even some noble lords, tsk tsk~ Ryan, looking like you do today, you're bound to be greeted."

"?"

A question mark popped up over Ryan's head.

Wait, is 'your circle is truly chaotic' something you're just casually admitting to?

After Jonathan finished his cigarette, the two walked up to the main gates. He produced two invitations, and the guards posted at the entrance glanced at them twice before letting them pass.

Through the main gates lay a spacious courtyard, divided by pathways into patches of lawns and greenery that wrapped around the entirety of Aideburg. The castle loomed tall and majestic, standing in the evening shadows; from the outside, it appeared ancient and solemn, yet stepping inside revealed an entirely different ambiance. The floor was brightly illuminated by reflected light, multi-colored crystal decorations were embedded all around the grand hall, and looking further in revealed rows of long tables draped in white cloths.

Food, fine wine, and fruits were laid out upon the tables, and candles were lit with an extra touch of romantic flair. The guests gathered in twos and threes, though no one touched the offerings.

Ryan followed Jonathan into a corner, where the latter asked a waiter for two glasses of wine, and the two chatted while drinking.

True to Jonathan's prediction, before long, a noble matron came over to strike up a conversation with Ryan.

"She is a baroness," Jonathan smiled. "Twenty-four, unmarried, though she has five or six good lovers."

Ryan twitched the corner of his mouth and said nothing.

Then another noble lady approached.

Banquet was a circle, and everyone wanted to get to know new faces who could enter here. Although Ryan had been in the newspapers twice, the people here did not care about who solved what case or who was promoted to what position.

Only once you entered the circle would they acknowledge that you had reached this stratum and look at you properly.

Ryan had no interest in these socializations, and until Caslathdi and Bill appeared, the banquet finally began.

Jonathan was thoroughly familiar with the routine, rushing straight over to grab food and returning with a large tray placed on the table, gesturing for Ryan to eat to his heart's content.

Then the two of them instantly became the "anomalies" of the banquet.

While everyone else was busy making friends, Ryan and Jonathan were busy chowing down.

"Jonathan, Ryan."

At that moment, Caslathdi and Bill suddenly walked over.

"Your Highness."

"Ah, Ryan." Bill held a glass of wine and smiled. "I am very glad Berman City can have an outstanding talent like you."

Ryan was puzzled. Why was this old man suddenly paying attention to him?

I didn't kill your secretary-general; 'Lin Qi' killed him.

Bill had clean brown hair, was in his fifties, mature and steady, and had the image of a seasoned official, showing not the slightest trace of being a mole.

"Her Highness the Princess just told me that the position of Director of the General Bureau of Governance suits you very well. Do you think you can handle it?" Bill said suddenly.

"Me? Director?"

Caslathdi at the side smiled and nodded.