Annihilation

“Another murder?” Du Chen (Francis) thought, leaping from the carriage with Steve. “The security in Saint John City is truly dismal! This is practically a paradise for criminals like us.”

The eastern noble district, a roughly square area crisscrossed by three main avenues and over a dozen smaller lanes, was now completely sealed off. Hundreds of noble families within the block had been ordered to remain confined to their homes.

Soldiers continually streamed in from neighboring districts, indicating that the murder had only recently been discovered, with the City Watch having just received the news.

Du Chen addressed a soldier guarding the perimeter, “I am Francis of the Saint Sigurd Cain family—” He was cut short by the soldier’s sharp retort: “By order of General Kirisek, Legion Commander of the Saint Bovin Legion stationed in the Imperial Capital, the eastern district is immediately sealed. No one may enter or exit. Young Master Francis, please find an alternate route!”

As he spoke, the soldier cast a peculiar glance at Du Chen. He’d recently heard from his City Watch colleagues that the Saint Sigurd Cain family’s “disgrace” had grown intelligent. Seeing him today, he indeed no longer bore the demeanor of an imbecile.

The soldier’s stance was firm, bolstered by the mention of his Legion Commander. Du Chen could only shrug in feigned helplessness. “Very well, I can take a detour. But my home is inside there. Where exactly can I re-enter?”

Steve stepped forward, a smile playing on his lips. “My dear soldier, we happen to be the sons of the Deputy Chief of Imperial High Command. I believe my father’s rank might just outrank General Kirisek’s, wouldn’t you agree? Here, take a look!” He produced a palm-sized, fiery-red medallion from his pocket, upon which was carved an image of Sigurd Saint-Shine, Battle God, fallen in battle.

The soldier immediately straightened his spine and snapped to attention, saluting.

“Can we go in now!?” Steve gently pushed past the soldier, leading Du Chen into the noble district. Their carriage and driver, however, were still barred from entry.

“Big brother, what was that medallion for?” Du Chen asked, watching curiously as Steve tucked the item carefully into his robes.

“That’s the family heir’s token,” Steve chuckled. “Sometimes, holding it allows me to represent the entire Saint Sigurd Cain family. But, hehe, it’s best used for intimidating love rivals!” He scanned their surroundings. “Strange, though, to seal off the entire district. It seems a very important person has met with misfortune!”

As the brothers spoke, a squad of soldiers hurried past them. These weren’t clad in the dark-blue tunics of the City Watch, but in crimson heavy armor, each wielding a matching red, fire-emblazoned heavy shield and a long, horse-slaying saber.

“Whoa, even the Palace of Versailles Guards have been deployed!” Steve exclaimed dramatically, pointing out the squad to Du Chen. “They are among the Empire’s most formidable soldiers—the Royal Guards of the Palace of Versailles! Along with the Crimson family’s Hurricane Heavy Cavalry and our own Sacred Flame Knights, they are renowned as Lanning’s Three Great Legions!”

Du Chen’s heart tightened. Before, he’d only vaguely heard how powerful and glorious the Saint Sigurd Cain family was. But today, he truly understood that his own family possessed martial might not inferior to the Lanning Royal Family itself!

But what did it matter? Du Chen had already decided to leave. Before that, however, he needed to secure a colossal sum of money. Otherwise, was he expected to drag old Foye and Aliza into a life of thievery with him?

“This is getting interesting! The Palace of Versailles Guards don’t mobilize for just anything! Come on, dear brother, let’s go see the spectacle!” Steve eagerly pulled Du Chen along, trailing behind the guards.

The Palace of Versailles Guards moved with precision, reaching a specific estate. One of them, without a word, kicked the main gate open and stormed in. The others immediately formed a defensive battle formation before the estate’s entrance, heavy shields raised.

Du Chen, recalling Aliza, arrived before the estate. Its entrance lacked any statues, signifying that no glorious Titled Battle God had ever emerged from this family’s ancestry.

Gazing at the estate’s nameplate, Du Chen was stunned. This was the home of the Minister of Finance—the very Frith who had attacked him last night!

Had something happened here as well?

“Steve, Francis, why are you here!?” Just then, Anjes and several other nobles arrived before the Minister of Finance’s estate. Their official ranks surpassed that of the Imperial Capital’s Legion Commander, so they were naturally exempt from the prohibition.

Du Chen gave a cold glance towards his “father” but said nothing. Steve smoothly interjected, “Father, some unfortunate incident occurred within Saint John Cathedral. However, Godfather Ferdinand has requested secrecy, so you—” He then subtly eyed the other nobles accompanying Anjes, making it clear that what followed was for father and sons alone.

The other nobles discreetly distanced themselves. A few, whose official positions were exceedingly high, continued to walk directly into the Minister of Finance’s estate.

Steve reported, “Father, Frith was murdered, and the killer accomplished it without alerting anyone!”

Anjes’s face instantly turned ashen. “He was killed inside Saint John Cathedral!?” He shot a glance at the now-guarded estate of the Minister of Finance. “Frith is dead, and his entire family slaughtered. Could it be that their family offended a powerful Battle God...?”

Suddenly, several of the high-ranking officials who had just entered the estate ran back out, covering their mouths and retching. “Gods above, Battle Gods protect us, it’s too horrific! Deputy Chief Anjes, the scene inside is utterly unsuitable for civil officials. I beg you, let the military take over!”

Anjes barked, “You are vital ministers of the Empire! Maintain your composure! What is the situation inside?”

“Everyone’s dead! Except for the slaves and servants, the Minister of Finance’s entire family, twenty-seven souls, were slaughtered... and then flayed!”

Du Chen’s heart lurched. Forgetting his animosity towards Anjes for a moment, he murmured, “Frith was also flayed!”

*Crack, crack.* Anjes clenched his fists, the joints of his knuckles popping audibly. Though Du Chen detested him, he had to admit that the fierce aura emanating from Anjes, an Eight-Star Black Tortoise Battle God, was utterly intimidating, making it difficult to meet his gaze.

“This is a direct provocation to the Empire! Hmph. Steve, take Francis home. You are not to leave without my command!”

By the time Du Chen returned home to reunite with old Foye and Aliza, the alert level in Saint John City’s noble district had escalated. Now, no one was permitted to enter or exit without a decree jointly signed by His Majesty Bargnar of the Empire and Godfather Ferdinand of the Holy Church. Furthermore, Du Chen and other informed individuals were sternly warned against leaking any information!

It was no wonder. The Minister of Finance’s entire family annihilated, and one of them slain within the Holy Church of Battle Gods’ largest cathedral on the Aethelgard Continent—this was a direct challenge to both the Empire and the Holy Church simultaneously!

By evening, Anjes returned to his estate, his face grim. There had been no progress whatsoever in solving the annihilative murder case.

Late into the night, a procession of robed figures arrived at the Saint Sigurd Cain Estate. Each wore a deep hood, seemingly intent on concealing their identities.

“Halt!” A Saint Sigurd Cain family warrior stepped forward to intercept them. But the leading figure handed him a token and murmured, “Bring Anjes and Francis to me!”

The warrior’s expression shifted as he glimpsed the token. Gravely, he replied, “I understand. Please, wait in the inner courtyard! Guards! Seal off the plaza before the gate!”

Moments later, Anjes hastily led his family to the inner courtyard. Du Chen was also summoned.

Anjes strode swiftly to the robed figure, simultaneously bringing the index, middle, and ring fingers of his left hand together and pressing them to his right breast—the formal greeting among Battle Gods, signifying his status as an Eight-Star Black Tortoise Battle God. “Respected Godfather, thank you for gracing the Saint Sigurd Cain Estate with your presence. Are you looking for Francis?”

The robed figure removed his hood, revealing Godfather Ferdinand. “Indeed. While investigating the murder, I uncovered something rather intriguing... something connected to Francis!”