Super Righteous Player
Chapter 368 - 365: I Don’t Think It’s Okay_1

Chapter 368: Chapter 365: I Don’t Think It’s Okay_1

"You can leave me here."

After following Eugene to the south gate, Annan stopped, turned around, and politely nodded at the young man with a plain appearance yet inexplicably trustworthy manner. "I’ll just have a casual stroll... The Paper Princess should find me eventually."

"Will that be alright? You’re still carrying the payment, after all. Isn’t it a bit unsafe to be here alone? Besides, the Paper Princess won’t come looking for you immediately."

Eugene Geraint looked at Annan with some concern. "I recall you’ve never been to the Royal Capital, right? There are many secrets and taboos here... not to mention Winter folks; even foreigners from Noah might not fully understand them.

"For instance, the reason our Geraint estate is so large and lavishly decorated is because it’s directly connected to the palace."

"Directly connected?"

"Yes," the plain-looking young man replied.

"Do you remember that fountain?"

"The one with lots of statues?"

"Yes," Eugene nodded, "You’ve noticed too, haven’t you? Many depicted there are not Geraints. Because that was not originally the Geraints’ backyard...

"If you go north past that fountain, you’ll reach the Royal Palace’s backyard."

Eugene continued, "Did you notice those guards?

"They are not merely the Earl’s guards... or rather, not just that. They are a garrison composed of Noah’s royal guards mixed with a covert force."

...No wonder.

Annan suddenly realized.

He had been somewhat puzzled at first why just an Earl’s estate would be teeming with so many people... The walls could even be considered ramparts, with multiple layers of guards on every staircase. Not to mention the watchtower and rooftop patrols.

No less than the King’s palace itself—

At that time, Annan had some hesitation.

After seeing the mirror gallery inside the estate, he even had the fleeting thought, "My lord, you aren’t planning a rebellion, are you?"

...It appears now that this was not a case of the old Crow over-decorating.

Considering that splendid mirror gallery, the enormous fountain, and the corridor of statues of Noah’s historical figures...

The Earl’s estate was likely part of the palace to begin with.

It seems, then, the political status of the Crow family might not be as Annan first thought...

...They seem to not really need Kafney as leverage to boost their influence.

Annan glanced at Eugene.

Though his appearance was utterly unremarkable, plain to the point of vanishing into a crowd by noble standards, his mind was truly astute.

Annan hadn’t said a word, yet Eugene immediately perceived Annan’s apprehensions—they had settled their transaction, and Annan didn’t want the Crow family to use his reputation to increase their influence and status before the King.

So Eugene quickly circled back, informing Annan that the Geraint family’s political status was quite unique... and they didn’t lack the influence he might contribute.

Truly worthy of being the old Crow’s most trusted son.

Perhaps, in the future, both the Geraint family and the covert intelligence agency "Cyclops Crow" would be entrusted to him...

Thereupon, Annan immediately changed the subject, not wanting to continue discussing the previous matter:

"The Royal Palace’s backyard? Is it the one blessed by the Pope at the behest of the Silver Baron?"

"Yes... Do you remember it?"

Eugene was somewhat surprised.

Annan smiled ambiguously, "Well, I haven’t exactly forgotten everything..."

—Though he had indeed forgotten everything.

"But I’m not sure if it’s the same one you’re thinking of. I remember the flowers belonging to the rose family, petals almost transparent, pure white like jade, while branches and leaves were the color of violet. It was truly beautiful."

"Ah, you’re talking about the Holy Silver Field. It’s the blessing of the current Pope," Eugene promptly replied.

"This generation’s?"

Annan caught the implication in his words.

Eugene nodded. "Actually, each Pope bestows some blessing inside the palace. It’s a tradition... As a matter of fact, nearly all the flower fields have been blessed by a Pope, but naturally, the effects vary depending on the Pope. Many fields aren’t just for enjoyment but are used as curse material sources."

"However, the Holy Silver Field isn’t the one closest to us—it’s closest to the palace...The field nearest to us here is the Crystal Lake. I can take you there next time."

"Let’s do that next time," Annan smiled.

The so-called "next time" is just a polite way of saying, "If you don’t tell me, I won’t bring it up."

At this point, Eugene asked again, "If you’re really worried about it, how about I disguise myself before taking you out?

"It’s rare for you to come to the Royal Capital, and there are many places I’d like to take you to... I’m afraid once you return home, you may never be able to come here again."

Annan realized that Eugene was inquiring if he would ascend to the throne immediately after returning to his own country.

So he laughed and said, "That’s not necessarily the case.

"But even if I wanted to come, my sister might not like the idea. She’s already very annoyed that she’s allowing me to stay here temporarily."

He was reminding Eugene—I regard Noah highly, and my sister Maria is aware that I’m here.

Eugene also picked up on the hidden meaning in Annan’s words.

He smiled, not saying much more.

Conversing with intelligent people... is indeed very pleasant.

"There’s no need for a disguise."

Annan joked, "You’re not conspicuous to begin with, who knows, maybe you’d stand out even more after a disguise.

"But I’m still a child; please don’t take me to certain places. My sister would get angry."

"Princess Kafney would get angry too, right?"

Eugene said with a smile, "Before the Paper Princess arrives, why don’t I just take you for a casual stroll?"

He continued walking forward, with Annan following behind him.

He did not bring up the previous refusal by Annan to let him accompany him, and Annan did not mention it again either.

Mutual face-saving—this was also a tacit understanding between smart people.

Eugene’s presence did indeed save Annan a lot of trouble.

Eugene did not diminish his presence. As long as he was beside Annan, no villains dared approach them. Given the public order in Noah’s Royal Capital, it was unlikely that there would be thieves or beggars near the royal palace, but more troublesome characters could potentially exist.

Annan had very sharp perceptions.

At this distance, the moment he was targeted, Annan could discern the danger and hostility of the other party.

But those with malicious intentions toward him, upon seeing Eugene, couldn’t hide the fear and respect in their eyes.

This made Annan realize... this young man, who was exceptionally warm and friendly towards him, might not be a good person either.

"Speaking of which, are you satisfied with the payment?"

Eugene walked ahead and asked.

Annan shrugged, about to reply.

But suddenly, he felt a blinding white light before his eyes—as if countless floods of light engulfed and destroyed the whole world. There was nothing but a vast expanse of whiteness left.

He immediately realized it was an illusion.

But before Annan could do anything... he felt a light tap on his left shoulder from behind.

Annan was shocked—

At this distance, his awareness should have allowed him to see the person behind him.

But even though he had been tapped, he still didn’t sense anyone behind him.

"May I... disturb you a moment?"

The voice was surprisingly gentle and drawn out.

Annan turned around, trying to observe the newcomer’s identity with his own eyes.

The man appeared to be around twenty-six or twenty-seven years old, much younger than Annan had expected. He wore a coffee-colored jacket with many pockets, and around his neck hung a small pocket watch, about three to four centimeters in diameter, which was placed in one of his chest pockets.

His expression was gentle yet lonely, his hands covered in white silk gloves, the backs adorned with complex, multicolored magical circles—just the black parts formed one circle, and if you included the red lines, it became another; the blue lines changed it further, and including red and purple would result in yet a different pattern...

"By asking that, you’ve already disturbed me, sir," Annan responded politely.

"No problem."

The young man, bearing neither malice nor goodwill and smiling blandly like a deity, spread his hands as white, thread-like light swirled between his fingers, "I’m not actually asking for your permission.

"Could you please come with me?"

"—I don’t think that’s a good idea."

A cool female voice sounded in the vast, white world.