d Shamash because of this?" Anfey asked, smiling.

"I only hope you can be more cautious, my lord," Urter said slowly. "Don’t be fooled by half-hearted kindness, my lord. I’ve only been here for three years, but I already know this city very well."

"Why are you helping me, then?"

"Because I am the sheriff, and I can never stand on neutral ground. Whenever something happens, I am the first to go down," Urter said, shrugging. "I just want to pick the more capable side."

"You think I'm more capable?"

"Like I've just said, my lord: I know these people. The only thing the Marquis has is his reputation. He is far from capable, just like his sons. His sons were killed not because they were fearless but because they were l.u.s.tful cowards."

Anfey lifted a brow. "Why is that?" he asked.

"They’ve long been eyeing a young girl from the outskirts of the city, but couldn’t do much during the peaceful years for fear of punishment. After the Shansa soldiers arrived, they took the poor girl among the chaos. The girl’s lover was enraged and joined the Shansa army. With someone who knew the city, none of the Marquis’s sons escaped. I don’t know how Marquis Djoser reported what had happened, but I know that he did not report honestly." Urter paused. He glanced at his hand and continued, "I've heard about what you did, my lord. I know you are much more capable than the Marquis will ever be. I know now that you are someone who does not hesitate."

Even though he had already admitted everything, Urter was still shaking, partially due to fear. He had encountered very few men that were as brutal as Anfey. If he was aiming for his heart, Urter was sure he would be dead by now. Perhaps that was why he was able to kill Philip’s grandson. He was less like a politician and more like a killer.

"Why didn’t you just tell me?"

"Would you have believed me, my lord?"

Anfey fell quiet. After he realized that Urter was trying to create a grudge between him and Shamash, he picked intimidation, which had always worked for him. Now, however, he realized how naive he had been. If he was older, he would not have chosen such a way to deal with the situation. In the end, intimidation would change nothing. His enemies would remain his enemies, but he could destroy potential friends.h.i.+ps. By intimidating his enemies, he could warn them to be more careful. This was a terrible way to approach a situation like this.

"I have to be honest with you now, Anfey," Apa suddenly said. "I've known Urter for years now. We trained together once, but because of a strange condition he could not use magic or combat power. They let him go in the end, and he became the sheriff of Violet City," Apa said. He knew both sides in the fight, and because of that he was in a very awkward situation. He knew he had to lessen the tension. "Urter, why didn’t you just tell me? I can always talk to them for you."

"Did it get your bones?" Black Eleven asked, pus.h.i.+ng himself up. He found some healing potion and began working on Urter’s wound.

"Well, I know how to work with you now, Lord Anfey," Urter said with a forced smile. "Everyone thinks they owe me a favor, which is a good thing for me in the long run."

Anfey did not say anything. He stared at Urter, observing his expressions. Urter’s explanation had made sense. If he had ulterior motives, it was impressive that he was able to come up with this explanation in a short time. Anfey decided he would trust the man for now.

"Is your relations.h.i.+p with the Marquis always so strained?" Anfey asked.

"Very," Urter said naturally. "Which is why I wanted to help you, my lord. If it wasn’t for the sudden invasion of Shansa Empire, they might have already found a way to throw me out of the city."

Anfey nodded. He trusted Urter more than he did a few minutes ago, but still not completely. He had seen too many people to completely trust anyone. Even among his team, there were only two or three people he could completely rely on.