The two assassins they had caught were tougher than they imagined. The guards at the dungeon used various methods to get them to speak, but it yielded no result. However, that did not affect Clint’s good mood. He and Zhang Heng were now sitting in the guard room, munching on a freshly baked suckling pig, listening to the screams from the torture room at the end of the corridor.
“Interesting!” Clint put down his knife and fork. “I don’t think Altrus would have thought that after he was assassinated, I’d be the one to help him track down the killer.”
Clint thought that Zhang Heng would not speak to him. The latter had not said anything since he came down to the dungeon, sitting there alone with his eyes closed. No one knew what was going on in his mind.
After Altrus’s death, Clint assumed that Zhang Heng would go into full panic mode. After all, Zhang Heng did not persuade the emperor with him earlier. It was only logical for Clint to think that Zhang Heng had chosen to side with Altrus. And Zhang Heng’s new support was now dead in less than half a day after he showed up.
Clint felt that he could understand the grief in Zhang Heng’s heart. However, he did not expect him to open his eyes, asking, “When did you and Altrus meet? ”
“Well, about four years ago.” Clint was in a good mood, so he did not mind answering Zhang Heng’s questions. In fact, he also needed someone to help him remember the toughest opponent he had encountered in his entire life.
He then gladly elaborated, “At that time, I just started to work for His Majesty. We were fighting against those d*mned Germanic tribes by the Rhine. His Majesty mentioned a man named Altrus and said that he was brilliant and loyal. I have never seen him before, though.”
“Was Altrus by His Majesty’s side when you were fighting the Germanic?”
“No. To be precise, Altrus would not be in the barracks like the rest of us. Instead, he stays in Rome to take care of His Majesty’s affairs. We have a clear division of labor. From time to time, he would question and express his opinion about the battle on the frontlines. It seems he understands the people’s hearts very well, especially the thoughts of the Roman civilians. It was him who had told His Majesty that the people were tired of the long war that had lasted years. And that strengthened His Majesty’s will to put an end to the war.”
Clint paused and continued, “It seemed like it was Altrus’s forte to collect valuable information. I’m not surprised that he knew what the civilians thought about the war. He could have spent some money to ask someone to gather opinions. What surprised me the most was that he knew what the nobles thought about the war as well. It is something I still can’t figure out. He even knew about some of the darkest secrets no one else would know. He made it look like he had mastered some witchcraft that allowed him to get inside someone’s head. This, too, is among the reasons why I don’t like him.”
Seeing that Zhang Heng was listening to him attentively and that there was nothing else to be done right now other than to eat the roasted pork and chat with Zhang Heng, Clint then continued, “However, His Majesty believed in him completely. To be honest, I have never seen His Majesty put so much faith in a man. His Majesty and I have been getting along well, but I know that he would never trust me like he trusts Altrus. I admit that I am a little jealous of that man. However, even the smart Altrus made some mistakes before.
“About three years ago, His Majesty returned to Rome for a short time to marry Queen Christina. So, Altrus arranged a boat trip for them at the Tiber River. Mainly, he wanted to give them some space since they were newlyweds. Hence, His Majesty did not bring a single guard with him. And both of them were traveled in casual clothes. However, they did not expect to encounter a group of boatmen at the pier asking for payment. They blocked the river and caused a massive ruckus. Fortunately, in the end, both His Majesty and the queen were fine. When they returned to the palace, His Majesty was a little unhappy with Altrus. It was because Altrus hadn’t informed him in advance about such big news.
“That was one of the few times Altrus made a mistake. After so many years of fighting with him, I have never managed to take advantage of him. And this time, I knew that he was about to defeat me again. However, I did not expect to die at the hands of a group of assassins. This is really ironic. Altrus, the man who knew almost everything, suddenly died, pierced by a sharp arrow that landed on him.”
Clint then picked up a piece of meat with his fork.
“To our old friend! Although I have always regarded him as my adversary, I still think that perhaps we could sit down and have a meal together one day. However, I don’t think it will ever come true.”
Right after Clint finished talking, a prison guard bathed in blood walked up toward them and said respectfully to Clint and Zhang Heng, “Masters, one of the prisoners has decided to speak, but he insists that he wants to tell you in person.”
Clint curled his lips. He then saw the sunlight falling on the stairs. “Is it already dawn? When you start talking about the past, time flies. Okay. Let’s go and hear what he has to tell us.”
…..
It was the younger assassin, a female actually, who had decided to speak. However, after numerous rounds of brutal torture, her body was in such a bad state that no one could tell that she was a woman.
Clint took a quick look at her and looked away immediately. He did not want to spit out the roasted pork that he had just eaten. After that, he said softly, “We actually don’t want to torture you too much. After all, you are just a tool. Tell me who the mastermind is, and I will look for a doctor to check on your wounds.”
The assassin, however, merely put on a sad smile. “I know it’s impossible for me to survive my injuries, right?” she croaked in a barely audible voice.
“Well, at least I can make your death more comfortable,” Clint shrugged.
The female assassin nodded. “Come closer, and I will tell you who the mastermind is.”
Clint then looked at the prison guard who tortured the female assassin and nodded, indicating that she was incapable of hurting him.
Hence, Clint moved his head closer to the dying girl. “Well, I have done what you ask me to do.”
Instead of the answer, however, he was greeted by a blob of the assassin’s bloody spit. “Stop dreaming, you can destroy my body, but Kreis will take away my soul! There is balance… hidden among all things… everywhere!”
“D*mn you, woman!!!”
Clint was furious. However, there was nothing he could do. He had lost his chance to get his revenge. The assassin had mustered her last straw of strength to talk to Clint, and she died shortly after that.
“Didn’t I tell you not to kill her?!”
Clint vented his frustration on the prison guard in charge of torture. “Do you know how angry His Majesty was when Advisor Altrush was assassinated? If we can’t find the mastermind, you will not get to stay here anymore. I will make sure that you will be sent to the Rhine’s border to spend time with those smelly Germanics!”
While he spoke, Clint pulled out a handkerchief and wiped off the drool and blood on his face. He then asked Zhang Heng, “What did she say last? Kreis and something about balance. , there are ghost things like balance hiding among all things. Do you know what that is?”
Clint had asked casually, not expecting an answer out of it. To his surprise, Zhang Heng answered him.
“Well. I know a little about it.”
