Work Prophet-Chapter 913: The Newly Targeted Duke of Xinlu

Although it's been almost a year and a half since arriving at Lion Heart Castle, Thomas still isn't quite used to life here.

This largest city on the Bratis Continent houses nearly four hundred thousand people, not counting the merchants who come to do business, the travelers attracted by its fame, and the mercenaries and refugees seeking a livelihood here.

This has made the composition of people within Lion Heart Castle extremely complex, and combined with several previous wars, when Ireya first entered the city, the public security situation was not optimistic.

Crimes such as theft, robbery, and even murder happened frequently. Subsequently, Thomas was appointed sheriff, and with his vigorous efforts, the city quickly returned to order.

Especially with Ireya's recovery of the new lands, those trading caravans from beyond the continent could once again reach Lion Heart Castle to conduct trade, making the city lively once more.

But beneath this prosperity and peace, crime hasn't disappeared. Whether it's the filthy dealings of the nobles in private or the maze-like slums hiding evil, all of it gives Thomas a headache.

Even though the queen has decided to reform the city's three major slums, the completion of this endeavor is estimated to take at least two more years.

Additionally, with the arrival of the Double Rest Sect, the nobles in the city have become more restrained, but they haven't completely become honest; their little tricks have just become more concealed.

For example, last week, Thomas received intelligence and led the guard team to dismantle a high-end brothel specializing in providing private services to nobles.

It is said that many people have died there, as the hobbies of the wealthy are often very peculiar.

Thomas even managed to arrest a few nobles, and what made him even more infuriated was that one of them was a former West Territory Lord who had fought alongside him.

Apart from work troubles, Thomas is even more uncomfortable with the socializing and engagements in the Royal Capital.

Attending those noble banquets was more unbearable for him than going to war. Fortunately, all this is about to end, as Ireya had already found his successor some time ago.

Next, Thomas can finally leave this city, though not to return to the West Territory, but to embark eastward.

As one of the most loyal vassals who had followed Ireya through almost all the battles, Thomas had been steadfastly guarding Ireya.

Miss Rabbit, of course, wouldn't mistreat such a close old vassal. After the reconquest of the new lands, she enfeoffed him as Duke of the New Land, handing him a territory not large but rich with many ports, booming in maritime trade and almost paved with gold.

Half a month later, once Thomas has completed the handover of his responsibilities, he will leave Lion Heart Castle.

In fact, Thomas had already turned over command of the guard team to Ying Song.

Today, he came to the market mainly to buy some items, but after wandering for a while, Thomas became wary.

He constantly felt like someone was secretly tailing him, but every time he turned around, he saw nothing suspicious.

Thomas frowned. Since becoming sheriff, he had captured many people, angering many, particularly nobles. It wouldn't be surprising if someone sought revenge.

Thomas didn't panic. He feigned ignorance and turned into a shoe store at the corner of the street.

After a short while, a petite figure cloaked in a cape appeared outside the shoe store. However, instead of entering, the figure peeked inside and then prepared to hide behind a stall selling smoked fish.

But before stepping forward, something cold pressed against his lower back.

"Who hired you," Thomas said, having circled back through the back door, "Tell me your employer's name, and I might let you go."

"No one hired me," the figure chuckled softly, "I just heard that the sheriff would appear in the market and came to admire his presence. Oh, or perhaps I should now call you the Duke of the New Land."

Recognizing the voice, Thomas holstered his dueling pistol and said with some resignation, "Is it you? What are you doing here?"

"What do you think?" Selena removed her hood, looked at Thomas, and said gloomily, "Back in Golden Valley, you really messed things up for me."

"You caused trouble for us first," Thomas said, "You and your companions poisoned and cursed us in the wine."

"I saved you, risking a great deal. I sneaked into your tent to stop you from drinking that cup of wine."

"Even if I drank it, it wouldn't matter. Prophet Merlin would remove the curse, just as he did for others," Thomas said indifferently.

Selena held her forehead with her hand, "I never realized how unimaginative and dull you are. Of course, I know Prophet Merlin's power. Did you ever think that my point was to emphasize the great risk I took for your sake?"

Thomas finally nodded, "I indeed should thank you."

"That's more like it." Selena's little pointy ears perked up, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Thomas.

Unexpectedly, Thomas, obliviously continued, "If you hadn't exposed it, I don't know when I would have realized the curse."

"......"

"That's not fair!" Selena protested, "I'm always the one making sacrifices for love; you never consider me."

"Is that why you've been avoiding me for more than a year?" Thomas asked.

"Yes, I wanted to know how much I meant to you," Selena said sadly. "It turned out you don't care about me at all; you haven't looked for me in a year and a half."

"With your Stealth Technique, if you wanted to hide from someone deliberately, they wouldn't possibly find you."

"I never said you couldn't find me. If you tried a little, cheered me up, I'd come to see you." Selena's voice grew more despondent, and she seemed on the verge of tears.

"Sorry, I really had a lot of work to do then, couldn't spare the time," Thomas said apologetically. "But I haven't forgotten you."

"How can you prove it?"

Thomas thought for a moment, "If you're willing, we can find a Sabbath now to host our wedding."

"R-really?" Selena was stunned, "But aren't you going to the New Land now? According to the Empire's tradition, it's customary to marry someone from a prominent local noble family to help you govern that land."

"Queen Victoria did propose a marriage for me with a lady from the Weiting Family, but I declined, telling her I already had someone in my heart," Thomas said.

"Wow!" Selena was caught off guard by this declaration from the typically wooden-headed Thomas, overwhelmed by the sweetness in his words.

Yet, Thomas, seemingly not done with surprises, continued, "Are you willing to be my wife and accompany me to the New Land?"

"Ah?! Are you serious?!"

"Of course." Thomas's expression was serious.

"Th-th-th-th…." Selena never thought she could stutter one day; it took all her strength to finish the sentence.

"Alright then, since the Life Goddess is another aspect of the Sabbath, and the Priest of Cornelia has become the Sabbath of the Double Rest Sect, I suppose there's no reason we can't be together."

As Selena spoke, her voice became softer and softer until, finishing the last word, she turned away abruptly, covering her face and plunged into the crowd, using her Stealth Technique to vanish in the blink of an eye.