Chapter 412: Watson’s First Move
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Hoen, did I hear correctly? One of the dragons I raised in the capital was killed and cooked?”
King Landhar III could not help but ask as he took out a handkerchief to wipe his wet lips.
Hoen could ignore King Landhar III, but the dragons were different. Among the dragons raised in the capital, there were thunder-clawed dragons, gale dragons, frost dragons, and other platinum-tier dragons. He had exchanged all of those dragons with the dragon race through an agreement. Once the dragon race found out about that, it was likely that they would not sign any other agreement with the royal city. The kingdom’s Dragon Knights would also become empty talk.
“Did the Black Emperor plan on killing the dragons?”
King Landhar III’s eyes narrowed, and there was a cold glint flashing in them.
That person who called himself the Black Emperor must have been hostile to the kingdom. First, he reorganized the Severed Fingers Gang and used it to monopolize the kingdom’s underground forces. Then, he used the killing of the dragon race to demonstrate his power to King Landhar III.. He also stirred up a conflict between the kingdom and the dragon race. In King Landhar III’s opinion, the Black Emperor probably had that goal.
“Yes, Your Majesty, that is right,” Hoen respectfully replied.
“It seems like I will have to make a trip to the Holy Dragon Tavern later. Previously, I let the people with the Severed Fingers Gang exist because they are useful to me! Count Gray, who is behind the Holy Dragon Tavern, has been selling fake wine in the capital. In the past, I have turned a blind eye to that matter. I even helped the Holy Dragon Tavern write a golden signboard. Now is the time for him to return all of that. The Severed Fingers should not continue to exist because there can only be one king in the capital and even in that country.”
King Landhar III’s expression was calm, but his words sent chills down people’s spines. Even someone as powerful as Hoen could not help but shudder.
“Other than that, Hoen, is there anything else you want to tell me?”
“There’s one more thing; it’s about Watson!” At the mention of Watson, Hoen noticed that King Landhar III’s attention had suddenly become focused. He thought that the King indeed paid a lot of attention to that youth. He said, “Watson has been out frequently these past two days. He often goes to the Holy Dragon Tavern. Today, someone saw Watson with the three archdukes’ children! In addition to going to the Holy Dragon Tavern, Watson was also at Count Gray’s manor. Today, he even had contact with the Severed Fingers Gang’s higher-ups. Among them, Klein and Marcus were the two people who were in contact with him. Marcus used the bank event as a cover to give Watson ten million gold coins, while Klein gave Watson a diamond-tier holy relic known as the Holy Sword of Time.
1
Everything in the kingdom was under the King’s supervision. Just as the King said, he did not destroy the Severed Fingers Gang because they were useful to him. Previously, the kingdom had tried to destroy the Severed Fingers Gang without any results, but it was all a play directed by King Landhar III. Hoen knew that very well, and they even had spies with the Severed Fingers Gang.
That day, Hoen had gone to meet King Landhar III. The main reason was not because of the Severed Fingers Gang, nor was it because of the dead dragon, but because of Watson. Ever since Watson had used a starlight-tier sword against the Campbell family, he had been suppressed to the point of kneeling on the ground. That youth had always lingered in his mind, causing him nightmares many times at night.
“Your Majesty, according to my guess, the Severed Fingers Gang’s higher-ups have been in contact with Watson so frequently, and they did not hesitate to send him something. Are they trying to rope Watson in? Or, perhaps Watson is the person who reorganized the Severed Fingers Gang, and that’s why those people are so respectful to him.”
After hesitating for a moment, Hoen raised his own opinion. If that were the case, then it would be too scary. If someone told him that a teenager could suppress the gang’s vicious leader and become their leader, that person must have gone mad. However, if it was Watson, he did not doubt it at all.
“Watson might be the person who reorganized the gang, but the possibility is not high. If he was the person who did that, then their resources are now in his hands. Is there a need for those people to give those things to him? Is it not superfluous? ”
King Landhar III shook his head. Just like how, as a king, everything in the kingdom was his. If he wanted something, would he need Hoen to gift him?
“Of course, if Watson is really the Black Emperor, it’s not impossible for him to deliberately do that to confuse us! As for the specifics, I just need to go to the Holy Dragon Tavern to take a look. Hoen, you might need to prepare a carriage for me, depending on the answer from the gang’s higher-ups. I will consider whether or not to eradicate the Severed Fingers Gang. It’s too naive to think that I can control the royal city just because I control the underground forces. I must let the Black Emperor understand that everything in this kingdom belongs to me, and so do the underground forces.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
After King Landhar III gave the order, Hoen nodded respectfully and began to arrange the carriage. Soon, a carriage left the palace and secretly headed to the Holy Dragon Tavern.
….
At the same time, in the Sword Saint’s courtyard.
“Even though I’m now at the peak of gold-tier, I feel that even a platinum-tier elite is no match for me.”
“I can’t believe that Junior Brother Watson has so much knowledge in his mind, and he is willing to impart it to us. If we had known earlier, why would we still cultivate? Wouldn’t it be better to wait to receive Junior Brother’s knowledge? ”
All of Reid’s disciples had put their faith in Watson, and they had received Watson’s gift. They looked at their hands as they felt the large amount of knowledge that appeared in their minds, and they looked excited.
Other than Samuel and the other three disciples, the rest of Reid’s disciples were not as strong as platinum-tier elites. They were only gold-tier. Of course, even if they were gold-tier, they were far stronger than experts of the same level. It was not a problem for them to fight ten people by themselves. However, after receiving Watson’s knowledge, they were no longer limited to fighting ten people. Instead, they could fight a hundred people.
“You bunch of idiots, how dare you speak such lazy words? If you don’t cultivate, can you become my disciples and wait until the day you receive Watson’s knowledge? Furthermore, if you inherit knowledge from others, can it be more solid than the ability you obtained through cultivation?”
Reid was not far away from those disciples. Seeing his disciples complacent just because they had received the power bestowed by others made him a little angry.
After his scolding, the group of disciples did not dare to say anything. However, they were refuting it in their hearts. The power that they had cultivated could not be compared to the power that Watson had given them. That was because the power that Watson had given them was a hundred times more solid than the power that they had cultivated. Otherwise, they would not have been able to comprehend diamond-tier sword techniques in a hundred years, let alone master the Kingdom of the Sword.
Reid sighed; he knew that his disciples disagreed with his words.
“Watson, you have already turned my disciples into your believers. Have you figured out what’s wrong with the method of absorbing faith that you have taught me?”
“I’m sorry, Master. I haven’t found a solution yet. Perhaps there’s nothing wrong with the method I taught you, but there’s a limit to that method, so I can only use it myself. Why don’t I try again? ”
Watson scratched his head. He had tried repeatedly with several people, but he did not find any problems because he had never tried to make others absorb the faith of others like him before. He had thought that anyone could use that method, but it seemed like he was wrong. He could use it because he was special. The only thing that was more special than Reid and Antonio was the system.
“Forget it, Watson. You don’t have to try anymore. It’s good that only you can use it. That way, you can give great powers to your followers, and you can avoid betrayal. ”
Reid waved his hand. He had wanted to learn that trick, so he was a little disappointed in his words, but he quickly covered it up. Watson had to have a lot of soldiers to overthrow the King, and those soldiers would rather believe in Watson than him. Not to mention what they could get from Watson. At least after they believed in Watson, they would be unable to betray him.
Samuel, who initially hated Watson, had also believed in Watson.
“Since Master said so, okay.”
Watson looked a little guilty. It was he who had said something that Reid had expected, but he did not do it.
“Watson, you don’t have to blame yourself for not fulfilling what you just said. If you feel guilty, then I have a way.” Antonio, who had been watching everything from a distance, suddenly stroked his chin. At that moment, he smiled and said, “I saw someone give you a diamond-tier holy relic, the Holy Sword of Time. If you feel guilty, you can give that weapon to me and help me improve the quality of my weapon.”
“Antonio, you took advantage of the situation and made such a request to your own disciple. Are you still human?”
“Reid, at least I didn’t sell out my daughter. Compared to you, I’m still very open and honest.”
“Let’s not talk about that. Antonio, isn’t your Crown Staff strong enough? At least it’s stronger than the Thread of Destiny. Even if you want to fuse and improve it, you should let Watson fuse mine first.”
Seeing that the two masters were about to quarrel again, Watson looked like he had a headache. He waved his hand. “Masters, don’t quarrel. I don’t intend to give that holy relic to the two of you because I’ve been planning to make a handy weapon for myself! Also, didn’t you go to the Campbell family to ask for the holy relic?”
Since they could get the holy relic from the Campbell family, why would they covet it?
Reid and Antonio suddenly felt a bit awkward. “Well, we can’t get more holy relics from the Campbell Family.”
They had been paying daily visits to the Campbells during those days. At first, the head of the Campbell family served them well and chatted with them, but after knowing that they were there to ask for the holy relic, the head of the Campbell family, Armand, had told them to get out. In fact, the man had gone into hiding and refused to see them. Then, Newman, McGee, and other disciples were the ones to see them, and they had rejected their requests. They were even more clueless when asked questions.
“I see.” Watson revealed a look of understanding. He never thought that his two masters would be able to keep asking for weapons from the Campbell family. After all, the Campbell family was not a charity organization.
“Well, I’ve gotten to know some people in the capital. They might have information about the holy relics. When they have some, I’ll buy them and fuse them with your weapons as soon as possible. What do you think?”
“Really? Watson, thank you so much. You’re really a good disciple! Don’t worry. As a reward for upgrading our weapons, we’ll help you fulfill any request you have. Even if you let Antonio and I become your believers now, we’ll still consider it.”
Antonio and Reid looked at each other in excitement at Watson’s words.
Watson sighed when he saw their excitement. He sighed.
He did not feel like he was Antonio and Reid’s disciple. Instead, he felt like their master. He helped fuse their weapons and also helped the people in the courtyard improve their strength. Even if they believed in him, it would only benefit Antonio and Reid.
As for the person who had information about the holy relics, it was him, who was the leader of the Severed Fingers Gang. Initially, the holy relics were taken from the ancient ruins in the kingdom. Many ancient ruins were still sealed, waiting to be excavated. As long as he waited for Elven to establish a nationwide intelligence network, he would be able to obtain that information.
Even if he did not search those undiscovered ruins, not all of the ruins were in the hands of the king. As long as the price was right, he could buy them. He had to create a suitable weapon for himself before the Royal Academy reopened.
‘The next step is to wait for the establishment of the intelligence network, and we’d be on the right track. Before that, I still have to pass through the King! Calculating the time, if the King weren’t an idiot, he would have already received the news that the Severed Fingers Gang had changed. What’s next is to see how he will deal with it.’
Watson thought as he turned his head to look at the distant sky. What he was looking at was the deepest part of the royal city, the area known as the Royal Palace. It had been nearly half a month since he had arrived in the royal city, and he had obtained the initial pieces. He began to take the first step toward the King.
….
At the Red Dragon area in the Holy Dragon Tavern.
King Landhar III was sitting on a chair, and a maid was pouring tea for him. Hoen stood behind him quietly. Dressed in armor, he was like the God of War, pressuring Count Gray, who was also in front of the King, to lower his head and bow. It was as if he could not breathe.
“Gray, the tea here is still as good as ever. Do you know why I’m here today?” King Landhar III picked up the teacup and took a sip. He seemed to be nonchalant as he spoke.
“I don’t know, Your Majesty.”
“It has been almost ten years since I wrote the plaque for your tavern. Time really flies.” King Landhar III turned his head and looked around, sighing. The last time he went there was because he wanted to meet Samuel. He had to avoid everyone else. That was one of the few times he was there. “I’ll feel sorry for razing such a place to the ground.”
“Your Majesty, what are you going to do? Why would you destroy this place? Did I do something wrong?”
Gray knelt on the ground with a plop, his clothes wet with sweat.
“Before answering that question, I have to ask a question. Who is the Black Emperor?”
“That—” Gray looked troubled.
“If you tell me, I might be able to spare your life. Otherwise, everyone in your family, from the elderly to the children, will all die!” The Severed Fingers Gang’s hideout had been discovered. Hundreds of suspected members had died of unnatural death. Presumably, everyone would know about that the next day.
King Landhar III spoke unhurriedly, his words containing intense pressure. Gray gritted his teeth and said, “Your Majesty, I’ll tell you everything. Please don’t touch my family members.”
“Speak. Remember not to lie. Lying to me is an unwise decision.”
“The Black Emperor only appeared in the royal city not long ago. As for who he is, I don’t know. The Black Emperor is elusive, so I’ve never seen him. Instead, he sends another person to meet me.”
“Who is that?”
“Your Majesty, you know him too. He is Watson, who has recently become very famous in the capital,” Gray replied hurriedly. King Landhar III stared intently into his eyes as though wanting to see some clues. However, he did not see any obvious signs of lying.
“Watson? It’s Watson again. What is the relationship between that youth and the Black Emperor? Are they the same person? If they were the same person, what is the point of disguising as the Black Emperor? Furthermore, is it possible for a youth to intimidate the gang’s higher-ups?”
King Landhar III was silent for a moment. He stood up, turned around, and walked out.
“Gray, I told you not to lie to me. But you did. It seems like you have a lot of guts! Hoen, deal with him, and then expel all the guests from the Holy Dragon Tavern. Leave none of the staff behind.”
He did not know whether Gray was lying or not. That was not important. What was important was that he thought Gray was lying. He did not plan to let Gray go that day. If Gray could not withstand the pressure, he would tell the truth before he died. At the same time, the other Severed Fingers higher-ups who learned that Gray had died would also become nervous. King Landhar III wanted to capture those people one by one, interrogate them separately, and combine all their testimonies. That way, he would be able to get a complete answer.
After killing those Severed Fingers members, he could arrange for some of his men to become the leader of the Severed Fingers Gang again and take back that underground force.
Having made up his mind, King Landhar III was about to step out of the room when Hoen, who was behind him, raised his hand and was about to attack Gray, who was kneeling on the ground. Suddenly, Gray raised his head. His expression was no longer as fearful as before. Instead, it had become calm.
“Your Majesty, you can’t kill me yet. Just as you said, I lied just now.”
“Oh? Then are you ready to tell the truth now?”
“No, I’m going to take you to a place. When we get there, even if I don’t say anything, you will understand everything, Your Majesty.”
Gray rose from the ground as he spoke, a smile on his face.
As Watson’s fused subordinate, he would always carry out Watson’s orders. Watson had long anticipated that King Landhar III would find out that something was wrong with the Severed Fingers Gang and suppress them. Thus, he had prepared a countermeasure in advance. Bringing the King to that place was Watson’s first step.
