Super Righteous Player
Chapter 195 - 193 Albert’s Agony _1

Chapter 195: Chapter 193 Albert’s Agony _1

By the time Annan had heard from His Excellency the Bread that the visitor to Roth Fort was the Fourth Prince, his mind was already largely at ease.

—Without a doubt, this was the best-case scenario.

Not counting the Skeleton Lord who had temporarily submitted in feigned weakness... the two most pressing problems Annan was facing now were these.

One of them was the Church of the Rotting Flesh.

Both Tan Juan and Annan had already offended the Church of the Rotting Flesh in every possible way. Even just for revenge, whatever their plans were, Annan had to thwart them.

Not to mention... even if only to reciprocate Salvatore’s goodwill, Annan had to find a way to rescue Master Michelangelo, who was very likely to end up dead.

Besides, another problem Annan was facing was "Tan Juan Geraint."

Using Tan Juan’s identity could not possibly come without a cost.

Not only would Tan Juan’s enemies come after him... those close to Tan Juan Geraint would also suspect whether he had poisoned Tan Juan.

Aside from Benjamin, perhaps only Earl Crow knew that Tan Juan’s death was a hoax.

Annan could not possibly reveal their plans to the royal family.

This would undoubtedly be a stab in the back to the Geraint family.

Annan was not an ungrateful man.

Using Tan Juan Geraint’s identity, he had settled down, even gained access to the secrets of this world, and had even become a Transcendent... Even if these things did not harm the interests of the Geraint family, they were enough to benefit Annan.

He would find a way to repay this favor—regardless of what the Geraint family thought of him.

Out of the remaining heirs to the throne...

The Third Prince, who had the closest ties with the Church of the Rotting Flesh, was naturally considered a mortal enemy to Annan. Although it was also impossible for him to arrive at Roth Fort at this time.

As for the Crown Princess—

The Geraint family was essentially the power behind the Crown Princess.

The King openly favored only the Crown Princess—indeed, it was the Crown Princess alone whom he favored. However, considering the King himself had not yet resolved to expel the Church of the Rotting Flesh... his relationship with the Crown Princess might not be as close as it appeared.

He was just hesitating about whether to betray his eldest daughter, that’s all.

In other words, the price for betrayal was not high enough yet.

—Although she’s referred to as the "Crown Princess," she was already over fifty years old this year.

And she was unmarried.

She even came from a military background.

The chances of such a terrifying, iron-bodied old woman being reasonable with Annan were not high...

Even considering that Annan’s status was as noble as hers, she would be even more suspicious of his purpose for being there.

After learning that Annan was using the identity of Tan Juan Geraint to take on the role of lord over Beihai territory... Annan would at least be sidelined by those sent by the Crown Princess. She would not allow a neighboring—and even potentially hostile country’s future heir to wield power on her nation’s soil, giving him the opportunity to grant favors to the people.

—Especially in such dangerous land near Winter’s Principality border.

But the Fourth Prince was different.

He was a mortal enemy to the Church of the Rotting Flesh and also at odds with the King. Moreover, he was in competition with both the Third Prince and the Crown Princess.

Unlike the Third Prince, who was out of favor and thus free to act, his current situation was the most awkward.

He had no support from the army.

Nor the favor of the King.

Because of the Church of the Rotting Flesh’s conspiracy, his relationships with his siblings were not very good.

He was also a discarded pawn of the Church of the Rotting Flesh.

The most fatal point was—judging from his first visit to Darry Garden’s old bakery after entering the city, his relationship with the Silver Baron Church was very good.

For the Kingdom of Noah, this was not a strength. It was a significant flaw.

The Silver Baron Church existed in other countries merely as a "bank" and "currency issuer."

Only in the Kingdom of Noah... it nearly controlled the kingdom’s finances, education, and culture.

Apart from having no army and no say in the law... it was still undetermined in the minds of the common people who actually ruled the country.

Given this stance, the King of Noah had to suppress the Church, lest they seize the opportunity to grow.

So the Fourth Prince was the one who could absolutely not inherit the throne.

But Annan was different.

He was very likely the next Grand Duke of Winter.

Which is why the Fourth Prince addressed Annan so respectfully—

Even though both parties were direct descendants of rulers, and one side was the kingdom while the other was the principality, one side was the elder and the other side was the younger... due to the issue of succession, their statuses were in fact reversed.

"...Yes, I have heard,"

Upon hearing Annan’s query, the Fourth Prince also quickly realized something.

He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and answered in a deep voice, "Your Highness, have you come to us because..."

"In fact," Annan placed his hand on his chest and spoke with earnest gravity, "I have received a mission personally assigned by my dear grandmother."

At these words, Prince Albert’s pupils contracted.

In a world where gods walk among men, no one dares to take a True God lightly, nor does anyone dare to fabricate lies in the name of the divine—they truly can hear.

Divine retribution is also very real and can find its way to one’s doorstep.

"My elder brother has been rendered infertile for six years now."

Annan said softly, "He was ensnared by the Rot Church."

"And I—I was just an ordinary person at least half a year ago, not yet embarked on the path of the Transcendent."

He solemnly told Albert, "That is precisely why I was able to traverse the mist above the Black Sea...and arrive here."

What Annan said was all true.

Each statement was indeed the truth.

But strung together, they implied something else altogether.

Salvatore nodded repeatedly as if understanding something.

"...I think I roughly understand."

But Albert’s brows remained tightly furrowed.

Within his deep-set eyes was an unrest that could not be dispelled.

Though he was the son of the King... his expression was like that of an office drone. It looked as if he were moaning something like, "What? I have to work overtime and change requirements again."

"I have also suspected that the Rot Church might have infiltrated Noah."

The man uttered in a somber, low voice, "Because a certain aide whom I used to trust...he’s been acting strange for some time now.

"He knows full well I cannot inherit the throne, yet he stirs up trouble between Elizabeth, Philip and me. From that time on, I began to suspect him. And as my father, knowing full well of our internal strife, did not stop it from intensifying... I was practically certain.

"The Rot Church’s influence has likely entered Noah’s territory."

Albert let out a sigh.

He lowered his head to push his glasses up again and continued, "I even think that Elizabeth and Philip might also know that there are Rot Church followers around them. They are not ignorant people... well, Philip I’m not sure of, but my sister definitely knows.

"But they are just playing along with the plot. I really don’t know what Philip is thinking... Does he really expect manna from heaven? Does he believe he can pick up good fortune on the roadside?"

The man frowned deeply, speaking with dissatisfaction, "Don’t those who seek immortality know what end they meet? Is he not aware of that himself?"

Clearly, compared to Crown Princess Elizabeth, he was more discontented with and distrusting of Philip—who despite lacking ability, was still vying for the throne, even daring to introduce the perilously dangerous Rot Church into the fold.

Albert evidently resonated with Annan’s predicament.

"I came here to Frostwater Harbor on a trip just because I was troubled too..."

The man slowly exhaled, offering a muted explanation, "Prince Annan, I’ll pretend I didn’t hear or see anything concerning your affairs here. If you wish to visit the Royal Capital, I would be most welcoming—just make sure to inform me in advance, and I’ll take care of all your needs.

"But besides that, if there is anything else you need... I’m powerless to assist. If you have any requests for cooperation, you could also discuss them with my sister. Her word is good."

...So in other words, he won’t cooperate and won’t make trouble, will he?

Annan nodded in comprehension.

Well...

That will do.

I don’t ask for any help—just not making any trouble is fine.

Then he quickly spoke up, asking softly, "Then Prince Albert, during your visit here, is there anything particular you wish to see?"

"Kafney is quite fond of painting. Frostwater Harbor once had a mad painter who worshipped the Evil God, named Morrison. After Painter Morrison’s death, his paintings became far more valuable and extremely rare. Kafney also likes his works very much...but now, the originals are hard to come by, so we thought to try our luck here."

Albert swiftly answered, "I wonder if Frostwater Harbor still keeps any of Morrison’s paintings that were once in Gallery Morrison? If not, where else can they be viewed?"

——Of course, it would be from Nightmare: Gallery.

Annan thought to himself.

But he knew it would be too scornful to respond that way...

Before Annan could speak, Kafney, who had been gazing intently at Annan earlier, suddenly turned her head and softly called out, "No, daddy."

Kafney’s voice was childish yet hoarse, carrying a strange rhythmic quality.

Annan suddenly became aware, at the moment of eye contact with Kafney, that Albert had averted his gaze.

As if in fear of his own daughter... What was going on?

Kafney, looking at Albert, murmured dreamily, "It wasn’t me who wanted to come here... Your memories have been altered by Grandpa Denton; he’s a follower of the Rot Church.

"...And so is mom."

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned.