Finally, Helena understood the true proposal.

Indeed, by closely checking each of the goods that were being made, she could ensure that the quality was still up to the mark. By doing so, she could indeed earn more, while also guiding the others.

Helena had no idea if it would work, but the expressions of all those in front of her had truly affected her. She knew how they felt, as she had been in their position personally.

Hence, seeing that there was a chance where she wouldn't have to forfeit her ideals, she took it.

"Please come in. Let's discuss further."

....

Meanwhile, in the Palace of Lanthanor.

[Development resumed. New data is being a.n.a.lyzed. Ephemeral bond found. a.n.a.lyzing bond with respect to elementary particles…..]

Daneel's head was overwhelmed by this barrage of information as he hid in the room near which Faxul had just begun to practice.

The speed itself was so high that he couldn't make sense of one notification before the next arrived. Hence, he asked the system to mute itself for now.

Finally having a silent head, he took a deep breath and waited.

Sadly, although the development did resume, it seemed that it would still take a little time before it would be complete. This was quite clear when he saw the progress bar for the development of the "Human-Beast Link" move slowly as the system continued to a.s.sess Faxul's movements.

Taking out the bowl of blood, Daneel resumed training while allowing the system to continue the a.n.a.lysis and development.

...

In the Throne Room of the Black Raven Kingdom

SPLASH.SPLASH. SPLASH.

This sound reverberated in the room as the old man kept pacing back and forth.

It was made by his boots repeatedly stepping on the blood which had seeped down from the two bodies which were pinned to the wall.

From the angle at which the Black Raven King was witnessing the scene from the Throne, he could fully see the gruesome sight as to how they were pinned in the first place.

The backs of their bodies had actually melted and fused into the walls, while the front was lacerated in multiple locations to cause a river of blood to flow from it.

Words couldn't clearly describe this image which was now imprinted into the Black Raven King's mind.

It had all started when the old man strode into the throne room and heard the news of what had happened. At that time, these two servants had been serving him wine.

Fury had erupted across the old man's face, making him wave his hand.

The two waiters had immediately flown to the wall with a scream, and the Black Raven King had only been able to watch on with horror as flames appeared on their back for a few seconds before they were pushed onto the walls again.

The flames seemed to have even melted the rock of the Throne Room, as otherwise, he couldn't imagine how the bodies stuck on like so.

After this, the old man had conjured a whip made of something that looked like fluid metal. Using this, he had repeatedly whipped the two with the rage on his face only increasing on hearing the screams of the two men who were still alive through all this torture.

Finally, after a few minutes, both the screams and the whipping ceased. Since then, silence had reigned.

Even though their bodies were unmoving, it felt to the King as if the screams were still reverberating in his ears.

He had been able to do nothing, and if he were really honest with himself, he had even been scared that he would be subjected to the same fate.

In fact, it almost looked like a warning that he would be the one in their place.

Madman. This powerful mage was clearly a madman.

After walking for a little more time, the old man finally spoke.

"What was the delay? Why didn't you go over there immediately?"

"The-commanders said the situation was under control. I was standing by, ready to go if anything changed. I even chased them discreetly until they vanished in the-"

"IN THE d.a.m.n VALLEY! I KNOW!"

The scream shut the King up.

"The people's trust has been shaken. This is clearly a ploy to accomplish just that. Do you suspect anyone? And who is the traitor?"

The reports showed clearly that the second man had been controlling a Raven. Besides, even that trinket had been stolen.

The first thing that all the facts presented was that there was a Black Raven Fighter who had gone over to the other side and done all this to steal the trinket. What could be their motive? What use could they have for that trinket without having Ravens to connect with?

The King himself was frustrated due to having so many questions, so he could imagine how the old man felt.

Finally, after a few more minutes of splas.h.i.+ng, the old man left an order and exited the Throne Room.

"I'm going to investigate everything myself. Inquire about all the strongest figures in the Central Continent. Find which ones weren't accounted for during this entire incident. It was clearly planned, so check for those who didn't appear for at least a day. And put even more money into the search for the Ker Gems."

Hearing this, Tenebrol actually felt happy as he knew that the old man would definitely find the truth with his power.

Yet, looking around the Throne Room, he came up with another question which baffled him.

What was he supposed to say to those who came to clean up this sight?

Wouldn't the trust go down even more if it became known that the King was now killing innocent servants?

Seeing no other option, Tenebrol himself got up from the Throne and walked towards the mop to begin cleaning.

It felt like being back in the army all over again, which actually brought a smile to his face.