Can't I Just Raise Myself?

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

"He said Bill went to a bakery in the East District today and met with someone. Very suspicious."

"The East District?"

Ryan frowned. There were so many bakeries in the Central District, yet Bill had specifically gone all the way to the East District. That bread had better have been big, white, and fragrant.

"Who did he meet with?"

"A woman with light yellow curly hair. The captain followed her for a while, but eventually gave up. She was highly vigilant. Continuing to tail her would have exposed him."

"Oh?"

Ryan was somewhat surprised. Gruk was a Third Tier Transcendent. If even he could be discovered while tailing someone, how strong was the other party?

Even if she was a Singer, she had probably reached the third tier.

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

"Locke Street. We don't know beyond that."

"...It couldn't be that much of a coincidence, could it?"

"What is it, Lord Ryan?"

"Nothing. You can leave first. Tell Gruk to be careful and make sure he isn't discovered."

Blood Robe acknowledged the order and silently left the rooms.

"Locke Street... Isn't the bookstore on that street? Her hair looks a lot like Keisha's too. Could it really be her? ...But why was the Eye of Dawn involved with the Blood Cult again?"

Ryan remembered that in the game's plot, the forces mobilized under the Second Prince had always been the Blood Cult. There had been no Eye of Dawn content throughout Berman City's entire storyline.

But those crafty bastards from the Eye of Dawn really did like cooperating with the Blood Cult, because those lunatics sometimes did not enjoy using their brains.

So what exactly was the relationship between Keisha and Bill?

Either it was merely a straightforward partnership.

Or Bill, as one of the Second Prince's subordinates, had problems as well. Maybe he was even an Eye of Dawn spy planted under the Second Prince... Well, Ryan felt he was probably overthinking it. Otherwise, players would have dug up such bizarre love-and-hate drama long ago.

For now, though, it was only speculation. There were plenty of blond people on Locke Street. It did not necessarily have to be Keisha. Maybe she was Bill's little mistress or something.

Ryan still decided to go take a look.

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

The bookstore was as deserted as ever. Ryan suspected there was some sort of ward here that drove ordinary people away. Otherwise, why was there never anyone here whenever he came?

"Lord Ryan." Keisha rose from behind the counter.

"I came to have a look. Also, I wanted to inform you that the situation has been somewhat turbulent lately. If Kainter's army really breaks into the city, the Grand Duke intends for us to withdraw. When the time comes, I'll take you with me."

"Regarding that..." Keisha took several items from the cabinet. "My lord, I was just about to report to you. These are the crimes I uncovered concerning Mayor Bill."

"Huh?"

Ryan flipped through the so-called evidence and found records of Bill's dealings with the Blood Cult.

They included Bill secretly supplying sacrifices to the Blood Cult over the years and covering up heretical rituals. When Ryan saw the final letter, his expression immediately turned strange.

The letter recorded the contents of Bill's "cooperation" with Kainter officers. In essence, Bill had discussed the siege of the city with them.

"Where did you get these things?"

"Lord Adler had me investigate Bill long ago. I compiled all this information step by step." Keisha said respectfully, "As for this letter involving contact with Kainter officers, I intercepted a Kainter spy and found it on him."

Ryan thought, The spy you intercepted wasn't you, was it?

He had to admit, Keisha had thoroughly shocked him. This woman had definitely met Bill today, or she could not possibly have known so much.

But why was Keisha giving these things to him?

Another mole?

But you weren't a mole I planted.

Wait, this was not for me... Ryan's thoughts turned. Was it for Grand Duke Magana to see? Or for Caslathdi?

"Why did Adler have you investigate Bill? And who is behind Bill?" Ryan asked without betraying anything.

"That is also what Lord Adler wanted to know." Keisha's expression remained unchanged. "He suspected Bill, which was why he sent me to investigate. Unfortunately, all I have discovered so far is that Bill has problems. I have no way of finding the person behind him."

Woman, I don't believe a single word you just said.

What the hell would Adler know about Bill?

But he was dead anyway. The dead could not testify, so Keisha could say whatever she wanted.

The question was—

What should he do now?

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

"My lord, if we wait for the Grand Duke to send troops, I'm afraid it will already be too late." Keisha said, "I suggest informing both the Grand Duke and Caslathdi. If Caslathdi learns about Bill, she definitely won't stand by. Let her restrain or even deal with Bill, buying time for the Grand Duke to send people here. What do you think?"

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

"Ah." Keisha froze for a moment before saying, "Isn't that the case? This is a perfect opportunity to seize Berman City and Caslathdi."

"Haha, it is indeed." Ryan laughed loudly. "Keisha, you really are a treasure. Isn't that wonderful? This way, Berman City can be completely controlled by us, and Caslathdi will fall into our hands as well... Excellent. I'll go notify the Grand Duke right away!"

"Everything for Magana... My lord, may all go well."

Ryan left the bookstore and drove straight to the East District branch office.

"Blood Robe, keep an eye on the woman at that bookstore. Be careful." Ryan issued the order to Blood Robe on the way.

The latter was an assassin-type class and could easily conceal himself.

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

Ryan did not have time to think too deeply about it.

The person he truly trusted was neither Caslathdi nor Magana, but Jonathan.

So Ryan wanted to hear Jonathan's opinion.

Ten minutes later.

East District branch office.

Jonathan took two hard drags from his cigarette. He did not even notice when the tobacco was about to burn his lips. Staring at the things Ryan had brought, he said, "You found this?"

"Yes."

"Where did it come from? Is it genuine?"

"I found some clues at Adler's house and have been investigating in secret these past few days. I got this letter by intercepting a Kainter spy. I didn't dare reveal it before, since Mayor Bill has a good relationship with Princess Caslathdi. But now, I think it's time to act."

"You're right. It really is time to act." Jonathan stubbed out his cigarette and exhaled. "Kainter's army is coming. We can't count on anyone else. We can only rely on ourselves."

Ever since Kainter's army broke through the border defenses, the Empire had ordered the nobles of every territory to gather forces and stop them. Unfortunately, there had been little to show for it so far. Even nearby Kosotoya had only twitched symbolically.

They had indeed dispatched troops, but those troops were going after the raiders and murderers, not the elite force advancing on Berman City.

Everyone wanted to preserve their strength. No one wanted to risk their lives against the enemy.

The Empire was swaying in the wind and rain. Who knew whether the Old Emperor might croak tomorrow morning? To avoid instability affecting themselves, these territorial nobles would all choose to protect themselves.

Jonathan had spent so many years in officialdom. How could he fail to see their true faces?

"I'll notify Her Highness the Princess about this. Don't mention it. I'll tell her this intelligence was uncovered by the Burning Covenant," Jonathan said.

He did not want Ryan to stand out too much at a time like this. This was not the sort of matter worth seeking the spotlight over.

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

Jonathan moved quickly. By seven that evening, he had contacted Caslathdi and worked out a response plan with her—kill Bill, then lead Berman City's army in defending the city in the name of the Princess Royal.

As long as they withstood Kainter's army's first wave of attacks, Caslathdi would gradually gather the surrounding garrisons. Kainter was not some wolf or tiger that could not be stopped. The problem was that no one was stopping them right now.

As long as Caslathdi stepped forward and took the front line, people would naturally follow behind her.

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

He did not know what Keisha wanted, but Keisha did not know what he wanted either.

So he might as well focus on achieving his own goal. As long as Magana's Iron Blood Legion moved in and Berman City was fully stabilized, that would be enough.

As for everything else, he could slowly play the game and make Alts later. Was he really afraid he would not rise to power?

Besides, even if Marsha had some scheme, it would be aimed at Magana. What did that have to do with Ryan?

"Ryan, is something wrong?"

In the mirror, Magana, all of five feet tall, showed no impatience at all. Ryan had contacted her repeatedly lately; if it had been Adler, he would have been slapped to death long ago.

"Grand Duke, is Creed there?"

"He isn't." Magana waved a 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 would never think that. Grand Duke, you are a wise and valiant god of war... Oh, right, I uncovered something important."

Ryan told her about Bill's situation and Caslathdi's decision.

"...Grand Duke, once Caslathdi gathers an army, with her methods, she may seize control of the Southern Territory in one stroke. It will be difficult for you to deal with her then."

"So Berman City really is colluding with Kainter. Hmph~ Good thing I sent people over in advance," Magana said.

"Uh." Ryan froze. "Grand Duke, you sent people?"

"Mm. They left two days ago and should have arrived by now. Have Gruk meet up with them. He'll know what to do... But they went secretly. There are only two thousand of them."

"But before, you—?"

"I told you, I'm not anyone's puppet. I have my own ideas." Magana said matter-of-factly. "Since Berman City is such a juicy piece of meat, why wouldn't I take it? If I don't, I'll just be handing it to someone else. I never like others touching what belongs to me. What I can't understand is this: if the Second Prince is behind this, working with another country to stir up internal chaos, that is no small crime."

Would the Second Prince really do something that stupid?

"But we're only guessing, aren't we?" Ryan was not sure whether the Second Prince was an idiot, but with the Eye of Dawn involved, anything was possible.

After all, the Eye of Dawn's people were mysterious. No one knew where they were hiding, yet wherever chaos erupted, there might be an Eye of Dawn member secretly arranging things.

Ryan was more concerned with how two thousand people could turn the tide.

"Don't worry. Once Kainter's siege operation is confirmed, I'll immediately dispatch the main army. I've even prepared the trains," Magana said. "You only need to do your best to stabilize Berman City's situation for me. Don't let that woman Caslathdi escape."

Ryan thumped his chest. "Rest assured, Grand Duke! I would brave fire and water and die ten thousand deaths without hesitation!"

The facts proved that Grand Duke Magana's broad mind was what truly put people at ease. Look at that vision, look at those decisions, look at that white hair, look at that face, look at that... Isn't she wonderful?

Although she was a little short, in Ryan's heart, the Grand Duke's figure had already become immensely towering.

Two thousand soldiers, delivered with a click.

Ryan immediately had Gruk go meet them. The Iron Blood Legion was famous for its combat prowess. Two thousand was not much, but it would be enough.

The operation to kill Bill was set for the following morning. After all, he was Berman City's actual ruler. Caslathdi needed to prepare as well and send a magical secret letter to her father far away in the Imperial Capital. After killing Bill, she needed official authority recognized by the Empire.

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

However, in the early hours of the second day, just as every plan had been set, a dazzling signal flare suddenly tore through the night and lit up the skies above Berman City.

It was a flare signaling the start of the attack!

The instant the flare went up, every Blood Cult member hidden within the city erupted into action!

At the same time.

Inside Casola Prison, a frenzied ritual was about to begin!

Countless blood cultists cheered excitedly as they dragged every sacrifice imprisoned in the cells toward the underground altar—

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

6k5. There will be another update today. It's the end of the month, so please vote! Please send blades! Please support!