Can't I Raise Myself? Chapter 50

"Oh?" Ryan nodded slightly. "What did he discover?"

"He said Bill went to a bakery in the East District today and made contact with someone. It's very suspicious."

"The East District?"

Ryan frowned. With so many bakeries in the Central District, why would Bill specifically go to the East District? That bread must have been big, white, and fragrant, right?

"Who did he make contact with?"

"A woman with light yellow curly hair. The captain followed her for a while but eventually gave up. That woman was very vigilant. If he continued to follow, he would have been discovered."

"Oh?"

Ryan was a little surprised. Gluck was a Third Tier Transcendent. If he could be discovered while following someone, how strong was the other party?

Even a Singer would probably have reached Third Tier.

"Wait, yellow curly hair? Do you know which street she went to?"

"Locke Street. I'm not sure about anything further in."

"...It couldn't be that coincidental, could it?"

"What's wrong, Lord Ryan?"

"N-nothing. You can go now. Tell Gluck to be careful and not get discovered."

Blood Robe took the order and left the room silently.

"Locke Street... Isn't the bookstore on that street? Her hair is also very similar to Keisha's. Could it be her?... But why is the Eye of Dawn involved with the Blood Cult again?"

Ryan remembered that in the game's plot, the forces mobilized by the Second Prince had always been the Blood Cult. In any case, there was no content about the Eye of Dawn in the Berman City storyline.

However, the sneaky members of the Eye of Dawn did like to cooperate with the Blood Cult because those lunatics sometimes didn't like to think too much.

So, what was Keisha's relationship with Bill?

Either it was purely a collaboration.

Or Bill, as a subordinate of the Second Prince, also had problems. Perhaps he was even a mole planted by the Eye of Dawn within the Second Prince's ranks... Well, Ryan felt he was probably overthinking it. If it were that bizarre a love-hate relationship, the players would have dug it up long ago.

However, it was just speculation for now. There were many women with yellow hair on Locke Street, so it might not necessarily be Keisha. Maybe it was a mistress Bill kept...

Ryan still decided to go and check the situation.

In the afternoon, he got off work early and headed to the East District.

The bookstore was as deserted as ever. Ryan suspected if there was a barrier placed inside to drive away ordinary people, otherwise, why was there no one every time he came?

"Lord Ryan." Keisha, who was sitting at the cashier, stood up.

"I came to take a look and also to inform you that the situation has been a bit unstable recently. If the Kainter army really attacks the city, the Grand Duke's plan is for us to retreat. I'll take you with me then."

"Regarding this..." Keisha took out some things from the cabinet. "My lord, I was just about to report to you. These are the pieces of evidence I've investigated regarding Mayor Bill's crimes."

"Huh?"

Ryan flipped through the so-called evidence. It recorded Bill's dealings with the Blood Cult.

It included how Bill had secretly supplied sacrifices to the Blood Cult over the years, harbored heretical rituals, and so on. When Ryan saw the last letter, his expression immediately became strange.

The letter recorded the 'cooperation' details between Bill and the Kainter officers, essentially stating that Bill was negotiating with them about the city's attack.

"Where did you get this stuff?"

"Actually, Lord Adler asked me to investigate Bill a long time ago. I compiled this information step by step." Keisha said respectfully. "As for this letter contacting the Kainter officers, I intercepted a Kainter spy and found it on him."

Ryan thought to himself, wasn't this spy you intercepted actually yourself?

Admittedly, Keisha had truly shocked Ryan. This woman must have met Bill today, otherwise, she wouldn't know so much.

But why would Keisha give him this information?

Another mole?

You're not a mole I arranged, either.

Wait, this isn't for me... Ryan's thoughts shifted. Is this for Grand Duke Magana? Or for Caslathdi?

"Why did Adler ask you to investigate Bill? And who is behind Bill?" Ryan asked calmly.

"That's what Lord Adler also wanted to know." Keisha's expression was as usual. "He suspected Bill, which is why he sent me to investigate. Unfortunately, so far, I've only found that Bill is problematic, and I haven't been able to find out who is behind him."

Women, I don't believe a single word you say.

Adler knows nothing about Bill.

But since he's already dead, there's no way to verify anything, so Keisha can say whatever she wants.

The problem is.

What should be done now?

"Well, Keisha, you've done very well. I will immediately report this matter to Grand Duke Magana."

"My lord, if the Grand Duke sends troops, it might be too late." Keisha said. "I suggest informing both the Grand Duke and Caslathdi at the same time. If Caslathdi knows about Bill's situation, she absolutely won't stand by and watch. Let her contain or even deal with Bill, buying time for the Grand Duke to send people over. What do you think?"

"How did you know I wanted the Grand Duke to send troops?"

"Ah," Keisha's expression faltered for a moment, then she said, "Isn't it? This is a great opportunity to take Berman City and Caslathdi."

"Haha~ Indeed it is," Ryan laughed heartily. "Keisha, you're such a treasure, isn't that wonderful? This way, Berman City will be completely under our control, and Caslathdi will fall into our hands... Excellent, I'll go inform the Grand Duke now!"

"All for Magana... Your Excellency, I wish you success."

Ryan left the bookstore, got in his car, and drove to the East City Branch.

"Blood Robe, keep an eye on that woman from the bookstore. Be careful," Ryan commanded Blood Robe on the way.

The latter was an assassin-class profession, making it easy to hide.

Keisha, that woman, seemed to know he wanted Magana to send troops... Was it a coincidence?

Ryan didn't have time to dwell on it.

If there was anyone he truly trusted, it wasn't Caslathdi or Magana, but Jonathan.

So, Ryan wanted to hear Jonathan's opinion.

Ten minutes later.

East City Branch Office.

Jonathan took two hard drags of his cigarette, not noticing until the tobacco was about to burn his lips. His gaze was fixed on the items Ryan had brought. "Did you investigate this?"

"Yes."

"Where did you get it? Is it authentic?"

"I found some clues from the Adler family. I've been investigating in secret during this time. This letter was intercepted from a scout of Kainter. I didn't dare to bring it out before, after all, Mayor Bill has a good relationship with Princess Caslathdi. But now, I think it's time to act."

"You're right, it is time to act now." Jonathan extinguished his cigarette and sighed. "Kainter's army is attacking. We can't count on anyone else; we can only rely on ourselves."

As soon as Kainter's army broke through the border defenses, the Empire had issued orders for the nobles of the various territories to gather their forces to block them. Unfortunately, the results had been minimal so far. Even Kosotoya, the closest territory, had only made a token gesture.

They had sent troops, yes, but they were fighting those who were burning and looting, not this elite force attacking Berman City.

Everyone wanted to preserve their strength; no one wanted to fight the enemy to the death.

The Empire was in turmoil. Who knew if the old emperor would kick the bucket by morning? To avoid the unstable situation affecting them, these territorial nobles would choose to protect themselves.

Jonathan, having spent so many years in the political arena, could see through their true colors.

"I'll inform Her Highness the Princess about this. Don't say anything; I'll tell her it's intelligence discovered by the Burning Covenant," Jonathan said.

He didn't want Ryan to be too conspicuous at this time; this wasn't something to show off about.

And right now, the only one who could stop Bill was Caslathdi. At least her identity was very suitable for this situation.

Jonathan acted quickly. By 7 PM, he had contacted Caslathdi and formulated a plan with her – eliminate Bill, and then lead Berman City's army to defend the city under the guise of the Imperial Princess.

As long as they could withstand the first wave of Kainter's army's offensive, Caslathdi would gradually gather surrounding garrisons. Kainter wasn't a pack of wolves or tigers; they weren't unstoppable, but rather, there was simply no one stopping them at the moment.

As long as Caslathdi stepped forward and took the lead, others would naturally follow.

After receiving Jonathan's reply, Ryan contacted Magana again.

He didn't know what Keisha was trying to do, but Keisha also didn't know what he wanted.

So, it was better for him to focus on achieving his own goals now. As long as Magana's Iron Blood Legion was stationed there, it would be enough to stabilize Berman City completely.

As for other things, he could play games and level up other characters later. He wasn't afraid of not rising to power?

Besides, even if Martha had a conspiracy, it was aimed at Magana, not him, Ryan. What did it have to do with him?

"Ryan, what is it?"

In the mirror, the one-meter-five Magana showed no signs of impatience, even though Ryan had contacted her repeatedly recently. If it were Adler, he would have been kicked out long ago.

"Grand Duke, is Creed here?"

"He's not here." Magana waved her hand. "Just say what you need to say. Don't worry, I'm not Creed's puppet; I won't listen to everything he says."

"Of course, I wouldn't think that, Grand Duke. You are a wise and brave God of War... Oh, right, I've discovered something important."

Ryan explained Bill's situation and Caslathdi's decision.

"...Grand Duke, once Caslathdi manages to gather her army, with her methods, she might very well seize control of the southern territories in one fell swoop. It will be difficult for you to deal with her then."

"Berman City is indeed colluding with Kainter, hmph~ Fortunately, I've already sent people there in advance," Magana said.

"Uh." Ryan was taken aback. "Grand Duke, you sent people?"

"Yes, they left two days ago and should have arrived by now. Have Gruk go meet them; he'll know what to do... It was a secret mission, and the number of people wasn't large, only two thousand."

"But you previously?"

"I said, I'm not anyone's puppet; I have my own ideas," Magana stated matter-of-factly. "Since Berman City is a piece of fat meat, why shouldn't I take it? If I don't take it, I'll give it to others. I never like others getting their hands on my things. However, what I don't understand is, if the Second Prince is pushing this behind the scenes, colluding with foreign countries to stir up internal strife, that's a serious crime."

Would the Second Prince do something so foolish?

"But we're just guessing, aren't we?" Ryan wasn't sure if the Second Prince was an idiot, but with the Eye of Dawn, anything was possible.

After all, those people from the Eye of Dawn were so mysterious; no one knew where they were hiding, but in any place where chaos erupted, there could be someone from the Eye of Dawn secretly orchestrating things.

Ryan was more concerned about how these two thousand people could turn the tide of the battle.

"Don't worry, once Kainter's siege operation is confirmed, I will immediately send the main army. I've even prepared the trains," Magana said. "You just need to do your best to help me stabilize the situation in Berman City and not let that woman Caslathdi escape."

Ryan patted his chest, "Your Grace, please rest assured, I will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

As it turned out, Grand Duke Magana's magnanimity was truly reassuring. Look at her vision, her decisions, her white hair, her face, her... isn't it just perfect?

Although she was a bit short, in Ryan's heart, the Grand Duke's presence was already quite majestic.

Two thousand people delivered with a click.

Ryan immediately had Gruk go to meet them. The Iron Blood Legion was known for its ability to fight and conquer. Two thousand was not a large number, but it was enough.

The operation to eliminate Bill was set for tomorrow morning. After all, he was the de facto ruler of Berman City. Caslathdi also needed to prepare and send a magical secret letter to her old father in the imperial capital. She needed to obtain official control recognized by the Empire after eliminating Bill.

According to the intercepted letter, the Kainter army's attack was scheduled for the day after tomorrow, so she still had time.

However, on the morning of the second day after all plans were made, a dazzling signal flare suddenly pierced the night, illuminating the sky above Berman City.

It was an offensive signal flare!

The moment the signal flare sounded, all members of the Blood Cult hidden in the city erupted!

At the same time.

Inside Casola Prison, the crazy ritual was about to begin!

Countless cultists of the Blood Cult let out excited cheers, bringing all the sacrifices imprisoned in the cells to the underground altar—

"Blood Sacrifice to the Blood God!" "Blood Sacrifice to the Blood God!" "Blood Sacrifice to the Blood God!"

6k5, there are more updates today. Seeking votes and support at the end of the month!