The Duke of Nasser was turning red with anger, caught off guard by James, who usually just yelled and screamed, suddenly employing such a subtle yin-yang tactic that left him momentarily unsure how to retaliate.

"I'm talking about the Hex Bird Report!" The Duke of Nasser's voice was slightly hoarse, clearly agitated.

"Your Majesty, the city is in chaos, and the Hex Bird Report is misleading the people's hearts. This move is extremely dangerous. We did not anticipate this level of influence in our dealings with the Li Long Kingdom. I believe we need to reassess the role of the Hex Bird Report."

"Duke Zheng, a newspaper is just a medium. The Hedan Daily serves the same purpose. Have you considered that it is the severity of the events themselves that has provoked such public outrage?" said Grandmaster Kundra. "Our Moncalleta is a nation blessed by the Mother Goddess, and every citizen is her child. Such unprecedented public anger is not something Duke Zheng should ignore in favor of eliminating competition for the Hedan Daily to become the sole voice. It makes one wonder if you're more of a major shareholder of the Hedan Daily than a member of the cabinet."

Duke Zheng's expression remained calm, but he could also feel that these damned Grand Scholars were becoming increasingly arrogant since, after Vladimir's imminent advancement to demigod status, if he truly ascends, the cabinet would be thrown into chaos.

King Ola the Eighteenth maintained his usual impassive expression, showing no hint of emotion. Since his ascension to the throne, he had always looked this way. The arguments were intense, but these sharp attacks were not enough to make people like Duke Nasser back down. They knew very well that opening this Pandora's box would be dangerous.

"Your Majesty, setting aside how to handle this incident, if we start governing the country according to every protest by the populace, what pattern will the nation follow in the future?" Duke Nasser said, bowing. "As for the misguided Anthony, regardless of whether he was manipulated, I am willing to accept any punishment Your Majesty sees fit to impose."

"Your Majesty, Lord Nasser's father also died in battle for the country. Although Anthony has made mistakes, he also has merits, and his loyalty to Your Majesty and the kingdom is beyond question. Stripping him of his title and imposing a severe penalty should suffice."

King Ola the Eighteenth nodded, looking at Count Nasser, and said gently, "Duke Nasser, I understand your intention. Rest assured, I will deal with it fairly. That will be all for today. James, make sure the city guards protect the safety of the Nasser family without any mishap."

"Yes, Your Majesty." James bowed and said, "Duke Nasser, rest assured, the innocent heroes will not be harmed."

The discussions for half a day resulted in nothing significant. Duke Nasser had already seen preliminary results, which was to buy time, giving him the opportunity to determine who is truly behind the mischief. As for the public's agitation, it's just a spontaneous surge, which will dissipate given time.

Duke Nasser and Duke Zheng left together, and the two of them inevitably needed to discuss plans. Your Majesty the King might want to sacrifice Anthony for the sake of maintaining a reputation for fairness, but it's not as simple as that. The first step of the delay plan has been achieved, making subsequent moves easier to advance.

Once everyone else left, James looked at King Ola the Eighteenth, finding it hard to imagine that the king, now always maintaining a stern, composed demeanor, was once so amiable and affable in his youth. He had Prince Achilles' enthusiasm and Prince Hokele's sincerity. But after ascending the throne, he changed completely, spending years resolving the issue of his illegitimate succession. The extent of his sacrifices is unknown to others, but those from the Celestial Principle School know very well — the patience and restraint involved are beyond ordinary people.

"James, you're a bit different today."

"Your Majesty, I'm like this every day."

The King shook his head, "Today, there was no quarrel."

James smiled, "I suddenly found out that roaring at them is completely useless. A change is needed. Your Majesty, today we stepped back, and it will be hard to stand up again."

King Ola the Eighteenth nodded slightly, "It doesn't matter. They greatly underestimate the people's anger and wisdom. Some things must fully ferment and be released for us to act justifiably. The time is not yet ripe."

James, who had previously charged ahead, sometimes felt that the king's patience allowed too much latitude. But now he realizes that everything is under the king's control. Governing a country sometimes requires decisive action and sometimes a gradual approach. Especially when it involves the foundation of the nation, confronting it directly, even if victorious, could result in significant damage, even internal unrest, especially with the Black Meteor Empire eyeing the borders.

"Your Majesty, should the society meeting continue tonight?" James inquired.

"I heard you're very angry and have completely given up on them," King Ola the Eighteenth asked.

James nodded, then shook his head, "Essentially, it has changed significantly, but it doesn't matter. Win over some, isolate others, cultivate some. Greater effort should be invested in the younger generation like Simmons, giving them opportunities and setting role models, thus creating divisions internally and seizing the chance to introduce new forces to the Canon Law School."

"That lad Simmons isn't too promising; what are his odds of winning against Didia?"

Upon hearing this, James' face immediately turned sour, "According to the prince, it feels like at most twenty percent, Your Majesty, just don't let him die."

King Ola nodded. That's why he appointed Prince Achilles as the adjudicator. Although Simmons is somewhat lacking, he is a pioneer and representative of reform within the nobility, and this flag must not fall.

"Find an opportunity to change the regulations of the society, allowing elite students from the Knight Order and the Canon Law School to rotate in participation," said King Ola the Eighteenth.

At this stage, the opposition's voices should be much smaller, making it a good opportunity. This is also the true purpose of the society, allowing elite commoners to enter the mainstream step by step, rather than letting everything be determined by bloodline.

"Your Majesty is wise," James sincerely said. Only upon reflection did he realize that fortunately, it was His Majesty and Vladimir guiding the ship all these years; if it had been him, the conflicts would have escalated beyond resolution, perhaps even leading to internal rebellion.

King Ola the Eighteenth's face still showed no joy, only calmly gazing outside. That person is still there. This is just minor squabbling; he surely won't sit idly by...

***

The public protest lasted all day, but the next day there was a reversal. The Hedan Daily published a headline; the uncle of the victim from the Anthony case stated that the woman was working in prostitution and had been kicked out by her family. It was said she owed a lot of debts, and he believed that this was likely an attempt to frame Viscount Anthony.

No evidence, but the identity of the opposing party is highly persuasive: a disgraceful woman not even accepted by her family versus a hero returning from the battlefield—who is more believable?

Meanwhile, the evidence collected by the Funeral Attendant was found to have been overturned by inconsistencies, such as previous cases that were already old and concluded could not be reopened. As for the frontier's slaughter for false merit, there was no direct evidence pointing directly to Anthony; it was entirely an individual act of a Centurion, and Anthony was at most deceived. After all, he went from Hedan to the frontier, and the frontier situation was complicated. Many problems were not within his power to solve, though he couldn't escape the responsibility for oversight.

Aside from this, although not yet reported by the Hex Bird Report and Hedan Daily, it was already circulating in the city that a corpse missing internal organs and with eyes gouged out was found at the West Dock.

This means Anthony isn't the real Inner Demon. Suddenly, the pressure was back on the Funeral Attendant, who had temporarily stabilized the situation with the previous catches, and were constantly pursuing the case. But as the true Inner Demon began acting again, the situation grew mysterious.

In the base of the Funeral Attendant, Travis's face was dark. Why does this hot potato always end up in his hands? He wasn't that interested in the position of the team leader.

The Inner Demon case was a matter for the entire Funeral Attendant, yet now Anthony and this new case were in his hands, while other team leaders wisely abstained, sensing deep waters this time.

The coroner had already examined the corpse; the old man's eyes gleamed brightly. "Captain, this method is one of the two, incredibly elegant and exquisite."

Among a group of muddled riffraffs, the true Inner Demons were two, their methods both extremely professional.

"It should be the oldest one," the coroner said, "Though both have excellent methods, their styles differ, as does the rhythm in their material selection."

Travis frowned, "Sam, speak plainly."

"Both have highly skilled soul-destroying curses, and both operate live. But the first derives pleasure from the victim's fear, whereas the second does not. More accurately, the first prefers to strike when the prey is terrified," Sam said. "The body will communicate, even though it has no eyes."

Sam caressed the skin of the corpse—a woman's body—but there was nothing lurid, purely looking at it as a work of art, muttering softly.

Travis frowned once more, "Speak if you have something on your mind, even if it's speculation, let's hear it."

Sam was a Grave Digger with a strong necrophilic tendency, but after being caught by the Funeral Attendant, his ability in this area saw him change status, getting a government meal. He cherished this job, diligently, "Captain, just my guess, an accidental inspiration—the difference in the methods of the two Inner Demons gave me a strange thought, like this Inner Demon has a culinary sensation in their live operation."

Sam smiled, "You know, some Dark Cuisine takes its ingredients from the human body."

Regardless of having seen many disgusting scenes, Travis still felt sick and revolted. "Any evidence?"

Sam shook his head, "Captain, no evidence, pure intuition, like some Fallen enjoy feeding when their prey is terrified, hey, the other side might be a Dark Gourmet."

Travis was silent for a while, "Keep this matter from anyone. Inform me of any clues, and you'd better go out and bask in the sun."

Sam grinned, showing his white teeth, "Without the captain's shelter, I'd be dead early on. Now, I live happily daily, whether I bask or not makes no difference, plus sunlight estranges me from them." Sam pointed at the boxes surrounding him containing bodies and said, "It would lose the ability."

Travis left the cold and eerie morgue. The true Inner Demons were two; the first appeared many years ago, and the second emerged only in the past two years, others were mere small fish and shrimp, not enough threat. Over the years, the Funeral Attendant secretly executed a lot, yet never caught these two, they weren't ordinary Hidden Power masters.

Gourmet? This was a very special secret pathway requiring considerable talent. Normally, Gourmets acquire power positively; both the state and Church welcome the Gourmet Association's presence. But every path has its negatives, occasionally these produced Dark Gourmets.

That's indeed a clue and needs Gourmet Association assistance.

But Travis always had a question: with their Hidden Power, they could certainly make bodies disappear completely, why deliberately leave clues?

Challenge the Funeral Attendant?

If that's the case, it's still fine; just fear other motives, and this time, the oldest Inner Demon reappearing now inadvertently helped Anthony—is it a coincidence or something else?

Stepping outside, the warm sunlight shone down, but Travis felt no warmth at all.

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