EFB Chapter 537
Chapter 537
Chapter 537
Cecily found herself restrained within a mana-binding sphere, confined to the deepest level of the royal dungeon as if entombed. The women involved in her scheme were imprisoned in the palace's outer tower pending further investigation. Despite their parents, led by the Duke of Yurbara, becoming aware of their daughters' innocence, they remained distant, treating them like strangers.
The aftermath of the Moon Honey incident left a lasting impact.
"It might be the right time to discuss this," Davey suggested, prompting King Krianes to sigh and rub his face wearily.
Turning to Baris, the King inquired, "Baris, please explain. With this incident targeting Davey and Perserque, it's hard to believe you wouldn't have information about it."
Baris stole a glance at Davey and Perserque, who sat gracefully beside him, but quickly averted his eyes when theirs met. Perserque's smile made Baris sweat. He removed his glasses and set aside the documents he held.
"Moon Honey is a recreational drug."
"I'm aware of that. The uproar revolves around it. What intrigues me is why it's treated as more than a mere drug."
Forbidden substances were strictly prohibited, and their trafficking, importing, or sale resulted in severe punishment. However, Davey had never encountered a substance that elicited such stringent judgment.
"It's because of its horrific manufacturing process, shocking even notorious organizations. Some who know about it refrain from acknowledging or producing it.”
Baris, visibly agitated, continued, “Moon Honey isn't just made from narcotic plants.”
“Not just plants?”
“Young children. Specifically, girls aged between five and eleven years.”
The realization that it was a drug derived from people caused Davey’s fists to clench tightly in anger.
“In the past, the Empire razed a country overnight for secretly manufacturing and selling this drug. That's why it’s seldom mentioned now. Most of the new nobility, except for the older generation, are unaware of it.”
"It wasn’t merely a scheme to discredit a few nobles but an attempt to crush the entire Rowane Kingdom."
With Davey present, military suppression would be impossible, but it would mean losing his justification, a sacrifice of part of his world-shaking power. Either way, there was no benefit.
"Children..."
"It's a cruel drug. Girls aged five to eleven are kidnapped, confined in a dark cave, given minimal food and water, and subjected to six months of beatings and abuse. They're also tormented by terrible nightmares."
The only remnants left for these slowly driven-insane children were the horrific traces of abuse and fear.
"And just before they're about to die, they're offered salvation."
Those children endured continuous starvation and abuse while plagued by nightmares.
As Baris fell silent in anger, King Krianes sighed and continued, “The children, barely eating or drinking, enduring constant nightmares and abuse, are lured into test tubes with delicious food and warm clothing. The lid is closed, and then..."
"Closed, and then what?"
"They're slowly heated over a weak fire, cooking to death gradually."
The surviving children, trapped in the hot test tubes, gradually burn to death. Davey grimaced, reminded of the horrific ancient execution method of the brazen bull. Perserque also clenched her fist, unseen.
"Damn it..."
"Hmm?"
‘It seemed she muttered something, but...’
Listening to Baris's explanation, Davey suddenly realized the drug's manufacturing method was akin to something he knew. "It's similar to Incubus."
"Incubus?" Baris inquired, prompting Davey to nod.
"A more vicious curse. It also involves using children. Seems like the brutality extends beyond just the manufacturing process, doesn't it?"
"Exactly. Moon Honey isn't just about that; its effects gradually manifest after consumption. Initially, it offers an overwhelmingly sweet illusion and pleasant sensations, making it a highly sought-after drug. The issue arises as it doesn't stop there."
Consumers of Moon Honey underwent a slow descent into madness while experiencing increased strength.
"Mana amplification, physical enhancement—various doping abilities. However, eventually, it drives individuals to insanity, transforming them into malevolent spirits."
‘Evil spirits...’ Davey thought.
If the aftermath were severe, simply releasing the involved women would be an absurd decision. "They would have tried to conceal their association with the Boltis Kingdom. Even if you protested to the Boltis Kingdom, they would feign ignorance," Davey remarked.
"That's usually the case," Baris replied, his eyes widening as he grasped Davey's implication. "Brother, you don’t mean..."
"Your Majesty, I believe we need to negotiate with the Boltis Kingdom regarding this matter."
"Davey," the King addressed.
"Your Majesty," Davey responded.
"This matter could become quite serious. Without evidence, our accusations could seem baseless."
"It's fine, Your Majesty," Davey said confidently, a sly smile on his face. "The Holy Kingdom relented after initially resisting, didn't they?"
As he pondered, the lady gazing blankly at the ceiling whispered, “Just... let me be.”
Her voice, filled with resignation, lingered in the air. “Leave you to die?”
“Let me die, please.”
At her words, Davey fell silent. “This lady doesn’t seem to value her life.”
“What do I have left?” she asked.
“What?”
“Disowned by my family and branded a criminal by my country. Even you, Prince, have abandoned me.”
“...”
“What do I have left? Better to die than live like this...”
As she murmured, finally breaking into sobs, Davey gently pricked her arm with a needle to draw blood, then said, “Why do you feel like you have nothing left?”
“...”
Looking at him with tear-filled eyes, she heard him say nonchalantly, “You still have your life.”
She remained silent, her eyes filled with questions.
“Brother, she’s not entirely wrong. She has lost everything.”
“How about offering her a position in the palace?” Davey suggested.
“Employ her in the palace?” Baris looked surprised.
“Aren’t we short on hands?”
Baris stayed silent for a while. Then, he muttered, “It’s not as simple as...”
“If you deceive me...” Davey warned.
“Yes, I know. Lose a hand.”
“There’s a place for her, right?”
In the months since waking from his coma, Davey had noticed areas in the palace that lacked resources.
“There will be opposition from the old nobility.”
“Then handle it.”
After assigning Baris the task, Davey sighed and nodded. “Just heal her, then.”
“Alright.”
Rising decisively from his seat, Davey led Baris back to the palace. With the Grand Emperor of the Contas Empire preparing his request and Lastwhisp investigating the Illuminati independently, Davey had no immediate tasks.
“Then what’s remaining is...”
“Prince Baris, ah, Prince Davey, you’re both here.” A burly, sweating noble rushed toward them.
“Aren’t you the diplomat from OneMouse? What’s the matter?”
“It’s just that... we’ve received a response from the Boltis Kingdom...”
He quietly took the paper and read through it. Simultaneously, a look of fury spread across his face. "These damn scoundrels..." he muttered in anger.
"Your Highness, please, a bit more restraint in your language..." the flustered OneMouse diplomat pleaded.
Baris handed Davey the letter, commenting, "Brother, these guys are seriously audacious, aren’t they?"
The letter was straightforward in its content. It denied the existence of any Assassin Squad in the Boltis Kingdom and instead expressed outrage at the Round Kingdom for casting such baseless accusations. It threatened to take the matter to the International Union and warned of presenting evidence of the trafficking of Moon Honey, a drug prohibited by the Union, within the borders of the Round Kingdom.
"So, they want to play it cool and get away with it?" Davey surmised. "They demand 2,000 horses, 80 wagons of wheat, and 30 wagons of steel as compensation, knowing full well there’s no direct evidence against them and that they have the upper hand. Plus, there’s no proof that Moon Honey originated from the Boltis Kingdom, only that it was circulated within our borders..."
If this went to the International Union, it would likely turn against the Round Kingdom.
"Fine," Davey said with a smirk forming at the corner of his mouth. "Keep this safe and follow me."
"Brother, where are you going?"
"To negotiate as a diplomat."
Davey covered his ear with his hand. "It’s me. I'm about to negotiate with these amoral bastards, so get everything ready."
They needed to understand something. By initiating this local provocation, they were effectively challenging the Rowane Kingdom to war.
"The Heins Territory, no, the Rowane Kingdom doesn’t negotiate with terrorists for long.”