Garbisch said, “Jessica, it’s not wise to shoulder this alone. You must understand that this could easily involve diplomate relations bateria o nations. If you fail to uncover the real culprit, the King might just throw you out and inake your the scapegoat.”
Then Garbisch thought, “The more capable she appeared before the King, the heavier the burdens he would place upon her shoulders
‘But after all, she’s just a young girl. How could someone like her ever find happiness with such heavy burdens weighing on her?
“Garbisch, you’re the commander of the Royal Guard,” said Jessica. “The responsibility will most likely fall to you anyway, even if I don’t take this on
Jessica moved carefully through the ruins, her every step deliberate and cautious, afraid she might overlook any clue.
Jessica said, “Garbisch, taking the initiative or just following orders are two different things in the King’s eyes. If you step up on your own, it shows your loyalty. But if you only act when told, the King will still doubt your devotion even if you get the job done.
“Since the King values loyalty, let’s show him exactly that. At the very least, it might ease his suspicions toward the Yates family.”
Garbisch glanced around to ensure no one was listening, then lowered his voice and asked, “What exactly about the Yates family would make the King so wary of us?”
Jessica turned back to him with a smile and said, “Our grandfather is the King of Southernville. He rules Southernville now. Don’t you see?”
Upon hearing that, a sudden, belated sense
of
unease settled upon Garbisch.
Garbisch thought, ‘I planned to keep a low profile, but who knew even that could be held against me?
‘What if the King suspects we’re just lying low in Capitalia, hiding our true strength, but plotting with our grandfather, the King of Southernville, to undermine the throne?‘
‘Damned if I do, and damned if I don’t. Working close to the King, even a little carelessness could kill me.’
Garbisch carefully glanced around, then stepped closer to Jessica and whispered, “But the King… Won’t he be worried we might become an even greater threat to him as our influence grows?”
Jessica said, “The Royal Guard is just a mere ten thousand troops. Even the Imperial Guard inside the palace has the same number, not to mention the Royal Guard outside. What’s the King so worried about?”
“But…” Garbisch hesitated.
“Garbisch, as long as you remain loyal and focus on proving yourself, the King will recognize your devotion. There’s nothing to fear.”
Jessica suddenly bent down and picked something up from the ground. “This doesn’t seem to belong to the Radiant Palace,” she said.
It was a small fragment, charred yet intact in shape. It appeared to be a perfect sphere.
‘Could this be the shell casing of the legendary thunder grenade?‘ Jessica wondered.
“Garbisch, bring me a leather pouch,” Jessica said.
Garbisch quickly replied, “Got it!”
Jessica discovered six explosion sites in the Radiant Palace. Each was ground zero for the inferno, severely charred with a deep crater gouged into the
floor.
Leon arrived upon hearing the news. He crouched by the edge of the crater and brushed his fingers through the ashes on the bears all the hallmarks of a thunder grenade’s aftermath.
und. He remarked, “Thi
Chapter 290
“But a standard thunder grenade would at most blast the things around it to pieces. I’ve never heard of one instant Ignitin
Jessica asked, “What if someone modified the thunder grenade by wrapping a layer of black oil around it?”
“Black oil?” Leon looked up at Jessica, standing nearby, his brow furrowing. “How could there be black all in Capitalia??
t
Black oil was a highly flammable substance, but it was extremely rare and difficult to extract: It was primarily found in undersea or Coastal regions.
If any black oil entered Capitalia, it would have to be specially registered. Otherwise, if it were discovered by the authorities, the penalties could range from hefty fines to imprisonment.
No ordinary merchant would dare to trade in it.
“It must have been brought in by outsiders,” Jessica said.
Jessica glanced at Garbisch, who was still searching nearby, and said, “Garbisch, get someone to pull up a list of all outsiders who’ve entered Capitalia i recent days right now.”
