Release that Witch

Now that the new administrative system had significantly sped up information transmission, the news about the king’s coronation and wedding quickly spread from west to north, causing a stir along its way.

In the past, this kind of news was usually spread by merchants and boatmen. Now, however, the local government of each town and city posted bulletins in the busiest streets and sent staff to explain them to the public. It seemed as if the government wanted every person to know the king’s decision. Under such circumstances, the news became the hottest topic in all towns and cities within just a few days. Everybody was so fervently talking about it that they had even forgotten about the cold weather.

As always, most civilians loved to gather around a fireplace to drink ale and discuss the recent news and hearsay. This traditional recreational pastime for the people brought brisk business as well as various views and information to taverns. Covert Trumpeter was such a place.

Black Hammer, the new owner of the tavern, grinned from ear to ear in these days. His business usually languished in winters, but this winter, his tavern was flourishing because of the news about the king’s coronation and wedding. Seeing the rapid increase in his income, he felt really good.

He predicted that his business would continue to boom until the end of the king’s coronation ceremony.

”What a wise decision to hold the ceremony in the Months of Demons!” he thought as his heart melted in gratitude. If he could meet His Majesty in person now, he would immediately get on the ground to kiss his boots.

After all, gold royals were the most adorable thing in the whole world.

Unfortunately, as a former Rat, he probably would not be allowed to meet Roland Wimbledon. He even seldom got a chance to meet Theo.

Black Hammer knew his limits and never expected a sudden status upgrade.

Theo was not a poor patrol leader or an ordinary guard of Prince Roland anymore. Since Timothy’s defeat, he had become the most powerful man in the old king’s city. He had easily sent the previous owner of Covert Trumpeter, Nagy, who had treated Rats like cr*p, to some remote place. In the clean-up operation against Black Street, Black Hammer and his friends had followed Theo’s advice to split off from Skeleton Fingers. That was how they became official subjects of the city and took over this tavern.

Black Hammer could never forget about Theo’s help.

He wanted to express his gratitude to him personally, so he planned to visit Theo’s home with Silver Ring, Pott and Little Finger before he left the old king’s city. Though this might cost him some gold royals, he believed that as long as he could keep a good relationship with Theo, he would earn them back sooner or later.

Despite that, he also knew that he should do his job properly.

He needed to collect information for Theo. Once he heard some valuable information from some bragging trader or traveler, he would write it down and send it to the connector.

At present, he was on watch for potential insurgents.

There were some suspicious-looking people on the 6th table.

”Do you really believe that’s just a coincidence?” A red-faced merchant grumbled. ”How come the king hastily arranged his coronation ceremony all of a sudden? Do you really believe he just happened to find his eldest brother’s widow and son when he announced that he was going to marry a witch who can never bear a child?”

This statement was echoed by some people. ”I’ve heard that His Highness Gerald didn’t like women at all. Someone stated that he had an affair with a young knight. How come he suddenly had a fiancee?”

”Really?”

”You aren’t from here. Of course, you don’t know anything. Unlike Prince Timothy and Prince Roland, he seldom attended banquets, so it’s probably true.”

”And think about it,” the merchant spoke again. ”His Majesty only said that he was going to bring them to Neverwinter. He didn’t confirm that the child was Gerald’s son. He did this on purpose. He wants us to discuss whether the boy is a lawful inheritor of the throne. When we focus on talking about where the boy’s mother came from and whether he’s an offspring of the Wimbledon family, either of which will take us at least several years. By then, we would’ve forgotten about the most important thing.”

”What... exactly are you trying to say?”

”What’s the most important thing?”

”The witches!” He took a swig of wine and continued. ”They must have manipulated the king and created the so-called widow and child to distract our attention. They’re scheming to control the whole Graycastle!”

Everyone was in an uproar. ”Witches can make people?”

”Yes, they’re capable of making anything!” The merchant exclaimed bitterly. ”They could make stones float on water, not to mention creating a person. Because of these evil stone things, no one comes to hire my ship anymore! Though, they may not be able to make a flawless person. That’s why they made up this story. They need more time. When they succeed, they won’t need the child anymore!”

”Aha, you must be out of your mind. Do you think that His Majesty stays alone in the palace with only one God’s Stone of Retaliation?” The crowd erupted into laughter, bringing cheer to the tavern.

”You guys—hic—keep laughing. The witches have already produced some machine to replace the miners in Silver City and have filled all the inland rivers with their concrete ships. Soon it’ll be your turn, and then we’ll see who’s laughing!” The merchant rumbled.

Well, it’s not valuable information, but this guy sounds quite rebellious. With this thought in mind, Black Hammer took out his charcoal and a piece of paper to write down the features of the merchant. He also commented in this report that this man slandered the royal family and maliciously attacked the witches. After that, he folded the paper and inserted it into an inconspicuous slit in the wine cabinet.

If nothing else, the police department would quickly respond to his report. He estimated that the merchant would get caught the moment he stepped out of the tavern. As for whether he was a rebel, he believed the interrogator would find out the answer. That was not his task.

...

At this moment, Yorko was selecting clothes inside his residence in the Inner City.

”How about this one?” He asked as he lifted a formal high-collared garment made of fine material in front of himself. ”Will it make me look fat?”

The person he was asking was Denise Payton, the businesswoman he had met at the Kingdom of Dawn’s king’s city. She was rolling on the bed and covered her bare chest with just a corner of the quilt. ”You never prepared so carefully when you were dating me. You haven’t received an invitation yet. Do you intend to go to Neverwinter right after you heard the news?”

”I’m an old friend of His Majesty. Invitations are for outsiders. I don’t need it,” said Yorko as he shook the garment. ”You haven’t answered me. What about this garment?”

”To be honest, you look almost the same no matter what you wear,” said Denise as she yawned. ”I wasn’t attracted by your appearance after all. By the way, when you leave for Neverwinter, what should I do?”

”Ugh,” he hesitated. ”If you want to have some fun, I can introduce you to some good...”

”Not interested.” Denise interrupted him right away. ”I prefer choosing targets by myself. Besides, is that how you treat a guest who came to you all the way from the City of Glow?”

Yorko felt a little guilty. He sighed and asked, ”So, what do you want?”

The businesswoman smiled and replied, ”Take me to Neverwinter. I’ve long wished to meet the king who turned the Kingdom of Dawn upside down.”

”This...”

”Since you’re his old friend, the king will certainly invite you to attend his dinner party, right?” Denise asked as she threw the quilt back and got out of the bed. She stepped to Yorko and continued, ”You only need to bring me there as your plus one. I’ve brought you to lots of banquets back in the City of Glow. You’ll grant me this small request, won’t you?” She put her arms around his neck and whispered next to his ear, ”Relax, I know you plan to meet someone there... I won’t interfere with you, and maybe I can help you.”

...

The news about Roland’s coronation and wedding stirred up all the people, including both the officials and civilians.

However, the king himself was completely unaware of this.

A week later, a shallow water gunboat, the Roland, arrived at the City of Evernight in the Northern Region.

Someone’s peace was about to be shattered.