"So..."

Roland gave Dalko a strange look.

"You had barely arrived at the harbor before Mr. Colin told you to evacuate?"

"That’s right."

Dalko glanced furtively at Colin, who was walking ahead, and scratched his head uncomfortably.

"At the time, I was wondering why Mr. Colin was in such a hurry for us to leave. It was only later that I learned the Truth Church had plotted to assassinate His Majesty Morne..."

"What about the commoners at the ceremony..."

"I’m not sure about the specific details..."

Dalko lowered his voice.

"But I imagine Mr. Colin also arranged for them to evacuate the dangerous areas ahead of time..."

’Wouldn’t telling the commoners to leave have alerted the people from the Truth Church?’

Although he had his doubts, Roland didn’t voice them after seeing the somewhat dazed look on Dalko’s face.

"Hah..."

Roland sighed helplessly.

’So I was the only one who got caught in the crossfire for no reason.’

Shaking his head lightly, he continued his questions.

"What’s the deal with Baron Gavin?"

"He..."

At the mention of the uncle who had always treated him with such care, Dalko’s brow furrowed, and his expression darkened.

After a long silence, he finally spoke, the words coming with difficulty.

"Baron Gavin... was a mole the Truth Church planted by His Majesty Morne’s side..."

This answer didn’t surprise Roland.

During his journey to Distant Harbor, he had noticed the Truth Church was very active in Chenxi Territory.

But what confused him was this.

Although Baron Gavin was only a Baron, in a country like the Golden Valley Kingdom that prized bloodlines, his status was already beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Besides, judging by the old gentleman’s words and actions, he didn’t seem like an ambitious man, nor did his aged body seem capable of supporting any grand schemes.

’Why on earth would he conspire with the Truth Church?’

With this question in mind, Roland followed the other two into a magnificent hall.

King Morne sat upon a high throne, a stark contrast to his usual flippant demeanor.

His brows were slightly furrowed, his sharp gaze sweeping across the hall like a hawk’s.

Nobles stood in lines on either side, maintaining a solemn silence.

In the center of the hall, the white-haired Baron Gavin knelt on the floor, his head bowed, yet his expression was surprisingly calm.

Even though his conspiracy with the Truth Church had been exposed, there wasn’t a trace of panic on his face.

"Gavin..."

Morne stared at Gavin’s wrinkled face, a complex emotion flickering in his eyes.

His long fingers tapped a rhythm on the armrest, the crisp sound echoing through the hall.

"I remember... you once led my horse for me?"

The old King’s voice was low and slow.

"Your Majesty has an excellent memory..."

Gavin slowly raised his head, the ghost of a smile playing on his lips.

"That was more than thirty years ago."

"Then..."

Morne suddenly stopped tapping. His tall frame leaned forward slightly, like a lion poised to strike.

"Why did you betray me? Have I treated you unfairly?"

"Of course you have."

Gavin’s calm reply startled Morne.

Before the King could respond, Gavin slowly rose to his feet.

His trembling fingers unfastened the front of his formal attire, revealing ghastly, shocking scars under the harsh light.

"I followed you into battle for decades. And what did I get in the end? A barren fief?"

Gavin’s hoarse voice was laced with years of suppressed resentment.

He looked around, his gaze sweeping over the nobles present one by one.

"You, you, and all of you!"

He shouted hoarsely.

"Your fathers and grandfathers shed their blood for the Kingdom! And what did they get in return?"

"’Expansion’? Hah!"

Gavin suddenly let out a sharp, cold laugh.

"What a high-sounding excuse!"

His voice echoed in the hall, each word a sharp blade stabbing at the heart of everyone present.

The hall fell into a deathly silence. The nobles’ gazes shifted, meeting each other’s eyes for a moment before quickly looking away.

But their flickering eyes betrayed the turmoil in their hearts.

"Of course."

Gavin re-fastened the front of his attire, his voice returning to a calm tone.

"I can understand why you made this decision to balance the interests of the old and new nobility. But why..."

He suddenly threw his head back, his bloodshot eyes staring fixedly at the tall figure on the throne above.

"Why did you have to kill my wife after the Blood Moon Rebellion?"

His voice suddenly rose.

"What crime did she commit? Just because she had some distant, tangential family tie to a commoner Knight, you executed her without any regard for the truth!"

Gavin trembled all over, every word seeming to be laced with blood and tears.

"Imbecile King! Tyrant!"

Morne lowered his eyelids, meeting the accusation with silence.

This silent response caused the fire in Gavin’s eyes to slowly die out, replaced by profound disappointment.

As if all his strength had suddenly been drained, he gave a weak wave of his hand.

"Your Majesty, now I only have my son left. Mason, he..."

Gavin’s lips trembled, but he couldn’t speak, the unspoken words turning into a long sigh.

"The Truth Church promised they could cure my son’s illness."

The old man slowly took two steps back and knelt on the floor again.

"That is my reason for betraying you. Now..."

He straightened his stooped back.

"Please pass your judgment, Your Majesty. I am willing to accept my punishment."

The air in the hall seemed to freeze. Everyone held their breath, waiting for the King’s verdict.

"Take him away..."

Morne’s voice was as dry as rubbing sandpaper.

He waved his hand wearily.

"Arrange an escort to take him back to the Royal Capital. Let the Judicial Court decide his crime."

"As you command."

Gandar, who had been standing silently all this time, stepped forward, bowed to accept the order, and immediately directed the Guards to act.

After Gavin was led from the hall, a dead silence still enveloped the entire space.

The nobles carefully snuck glances at the Monarch on the throne, none daring to be the first to break the silence.

After a long time, Morne slowly raised his head, his weary gaze sweeping over everyone present.

"So..."

His voice was filled with an unprecedented weariness.

"Do you all resent me in your hearts, just like Gavin?"

The nobles looked at each other, and finally, an elderly noble stepped forward, trembling.

"Your Majesty, we have never..."

But before he could finish, Morne gave a weak wave of his hand.

"Forget it. You must all be tired. That will be all for today. Everyone, go back and rest."

As if granted a royal pardon, the nobles bowed and quickly retreated.

Seeing this, Roland, who was in a corner, gently tugged on Dalko’s sleeve and said in a low voice.

"Dalko, we should go too."

"Oh... right..."

Dalko replied as if waking from a dream.

After a brief farewell to Colin, the two of them walked out of the hall.

The moment he left that oppressive space, Roland felt he could breathe much more easily.

He turned his head to look at his friend, who still had his head lowered.

"Dalko, I remember you mentioned Mason before. Is he..."

"He’s Baron Gavin’s youngest son... and also... my former best friend."

Dalko’s gaze drifted into the distance, lost in memory.

"Mason was an exceptionally kind person... He couldn’t even bring himself to step on an ant in the garden, and on rainy days, he would always cup lost chicks in his hands and return them to their nests..."

As he spoke, a nostalgic, bitter smile appeared on his lips.

"Unfortunately, he’s been frail and sickly since he was a child. As he got older, his health only worsened."

"But Mason was surprisingly stubborn to the core. He always insisted on exercising, hoping to improve his Constitution..."

Dalko’s voice paused.

"Sadly, all that effort didn’t change anything in the end."

"Later, Baron Gavin, worried about his health, forbade him from going outside, and we gradually lost touch."

"I could only catch a quick glimpse of him when I occasionally accompanied my father to one of Baron Gavin’s banquets."

His brow suddenly tightened, and his Adam’s apple bobbed a few times. In the end, he just shook his head heavily, turning his unspoken words into a sigh.

Seeing the sorrow on Dalko’s face, Roland gently patted his shoulder, and the two fell into a comfortable silence.

It wasn’t until the two of them had walked out of Sea Pearl Hall and into the hazy night that Roland asked softly.

"Have you spoken to His Majesty Morne about your father?"

"Yeah."

Dalko nodded slightly.

"His Majesty Morne specially had Mr. Colin invite the most renowned physician in Distant Harbor to diagnose the cause of my father’s coma. Maybe..."

His voice trailed off, and he forced a slight smile.

"By the time we get back to Black Water Territory, Father will have already woken up."

"So... can we prepare for the return journey now?"

"Of course."

Dalko nodded.

"I’ve already asked His Majesty Morne. We can set off first thing tomorrow morning."

"Alright, I’ll go back and pack my things then. See you tomorrow morning."

"No problem!"

Watching Dalko’s retreating figure, Roland frowned unconsciously.

The earlier conversation between Gavin and Morne echoed in his mind, plunging him into thought.

’It seems the situation in the Golden Valley Kingdom is more complicated than I expected. Choosing to head to the River Domain was definitely a wise decision.’

As he was pondering, a steady set of footsteps approached from behind.

Turning around, he saw Colin striding toward him.

The Merchant wore a friendly smile.

"Excellent, Mr. Roland. I’m glad you haven’t left yet. There’s something I’d like to discuss with you."