The figures on the streets gradually thinned out, and the daylight began to fade.

  Yu Xie arrived at the Confrerie of Cabriere.

  On the coffee table were two cups of tea, elegantly crafted, the kind that ordinary families couldn't afford.

  Even the wood of the coffee table was quite precious—this table itself was worth a considerable amount.

  "Here, have a taste. If you're not satisfied, I'll have someone repce it," Marcel said, sitting diagonally across from Yu Xie, his face bearing a smile that seemed both present and faint.

  "No need, I'm not here for tea," Yu Xie said indifferently.

  "Then, what brings you here?"

  "I'll get straight to the point. You must have heard the news already. A few members of the Confrerie of Cabriere tried to destroy the 'Sinthe' they were selling in the Fleuve Cendre today, and I led the team that apprehended them," Yu Xie said.

  "I've heard about it. I can't believe that despite my explicit orders, those people still went ahead with such a deal," Marcel said, looking at Yu Xie with a disappointed expression. "Well, just follow the w, handle it however you must, there's no need to spare me any face!"

  "That's good to hear," Yu Xie replied. "But for this matter, are you really completely unaware?"

  "Ah..." Marcel sighed. "You know, my chamber of commerce has grown so much. There are so many people under my management now, I can't keep track of everything. I really had no idea about this. But don't worry, I'll update the management pn tomorrow and make sure we have stricter oversight!"

  "Stricter oversight is the right approach," Yu Xie said, "but right now, a lot of people aren't convinced that this has nothing to do with you. After all, you're the president of the Confrerie of Cabriere."

  "...That's true." Marcel looked thoughtful. "This incident might affect the business of the Confrerie, but I believe time will prove the Cabriere's innocence."

  "You really seem to take it in stride," Yu Xie said, his gaze meaningful.

  Marcel noticed Yu Xie's eyes and seemed a bit surprised.

  "You're not suspecting me too, are you? You've known me for a long time, you should know what kind of person I am," Marcel said.

  "Yes, I know very well," Yu Xie nodded. "By the way, recently, the Marechaussee Phantom has set up a special task force for the missing young girls case. The Confrerie of Cabriere has many connections, so it would be helpful if you could keep an eye out for any clues."

  Marcel paused for a moment when he heard this, then picked up his tea cup and took a sip.

  "Of course, it's the public's hope that the real culprit is brought to justice as soon as possible."

  "Uncle Marcel, did you know? Sometimes, when an actor is on stage, they get so absorbed in their performance that they temporarily enter a state of 'self-forgetfulness.' For an actor, that's actually a very good state to be in," Yu Xie said with a slight smile.

  "I've never really worked in the acting field, so I can't comment on that," Marcel replied.

  "…Thank you for the cooperation of the Confrerie of Cabriere," Yu Xie said after a brief silence. He stood up. "It's getting te, I'll be heading back now."

  "You're leaving already? Every time you come here, you never stay for more than ten minutes."

  "There's still a mountain of troublesome things to deal with."

  "True, work can't be neglected. I completely understand," Marcel said with a smile.

  After leaving the Confrerie of Cabriere, Yu Xie walked down the street.

  The sky had darkened, and the lights from the shops along the street cast long shadows.

  The scene from earlier in the Confrerie of Cabriere still lingered in his mind.

  That old fox, Marcel, could say such lofty words with a straight face. Extracting information from him was never going to be easy.

  In any case, if the sale of "Sinthe" is discovered, imprisonment is inevitable.

  But getting Marcel into the heart of Fortress of Meropide wasn't Yu Xie's main goal.

  Under Marcel's leadership, countless young girls had lost their lives—bright futures that should have blossomed, now forever extinguished.

  If the only goal was to send Marcel to Meropide to deal with screws, that wouldn't be enough.

  Only by exposing the truth behind the string of missing young girls could the souls of those who died at Marcel's hands, dissolved in the Primordial Sea, finally find peace.

  And one of the key ingredients in "Sinthe" was the Primordial Sea.

  Currently, there are no obvious leads. Destroying "Sinthe" and following the trail could lead to finding the evidence that Marcel is the true culprit behind the missing girls case. This was one viable path.

  However, of course, there was more than one way forward.

  ...

  In the study, Cals was organizing the documents on his desk.

  But suddenly, a fit of coughing overtook him.

  His body, weakened by illness, was growing thinner day by day. Though others might not notice it yet, Cals could feel the change deep within him.

  It was affecting his lungs.

  Outside the door, a man in a bck suit, hearing the noise from the room, immediately entered to check.

  "Boss, are you alright?"

  Cals raised a hand to signal that he was fine, taking a deep breath.

  "I'm fine, Melus. Where's Navia?"

  "Miss went to see Yu Xie today, and she just returned," Melus replied.

  "She's grown up... doesn't stay home much anymore," Cals smiled faintly.

  "Boss, your condition... are you really not going to tell Miss?" Melus asked, looking quite worried.

  "If I told her, it won't change anything. It will only make her sad and worried," Cals sighed deeply, exhaling slowly, as if revealing a hidden regret. "Rather than that, it's better not to tell her and let her stay happy."

  "But..."

  "Enough, Melus. There's no need to persuade me. While I'm still alive, let me protect my daughter and that kid, Yu Xie."

  "It seems, boss, you really approve of Yu Xie."

  "What does it matter whether I approve or not? It's not like I have a say, since Navia likes him," Cals smiled faintly, but the look in his eyes was somewhat complicated.

  However, Melus could still see a hint of stubbornness in Cals' complicated gaze.

  As Navia's father, if Cals truly disapproved of Yu Xie, he wouldn't have treated him the way he had.

  After a brief silence, Cals spoke again:

  "If possible, I'd like to live until Navia's wedding day. I've already thought about what I'd say to her and Yu Xie at the wedding.

  "If that kid dares to bully my daughter, I'll sp him right on the forehead.

  "Unfortunately, it looks like I won't make it to that day.

  "Life really is short, isn't it?"

  "Melus, from now on, keep an eye on Yu Xie. If he treats Navia badly, you make sure to teach him a lesson for me."

  When Cals said this, his tone carried a hint of joking, but the listener couldn't find anything to ugh about.

  Cals fell silent and turned his gaze to the window.

  The Poisson Vilge was just entering the night, but it had not yet fully quieted down. The lights in the residents' homes were bright, like stars twinkling in the night sky.

  Everything comes with a price, and happy endings are rare—Cals knew this well.

  If it were only a matter of sacrificing the life he had left, to ensure Navia and Spina di Rosu's safety, he would not hesitate.

  End of chapter

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