Vol 3. Chapter 54: A Helpless Choice
Several days earlier,
after accepting Xue Tianao's order, Moxiao launched a series of investigations into the connection between the Black Rose Family's young lady and the Demon King-class Abyss Demon Blood Butterfly.
Although his instincts as an information broker warned him not to get involved in these muddy waters under any circumstances, Moxiao still decided to take the risk in order to repay Xue Tianao for saving his life.
After all,
instinct was just instinct.
Under normal circumstances, it couldn't possibly be that accurate, right?
However,
when Moxiao was tied up tightly and thrown into the Black Rose Family's Blue Rose Garden, he finally realized that his instincts were actually quite accurate.
He really shouldn't have accepted this assignment...
—
“You... You bastard... What exactly... do you want...?”
Moxiao, already gravely wounded, coughing up blood, and firmly bound by chains, asked nervously as he looked at the handsome black-haired man sitting calmly inside the pavilion, elegantly drinking tea.
The moment he spoke, a terrifying pressure suddenly descended from above, forcefully crushing Moxiao, who had tried to stand up, back onto the ground.
At that moment,
Moxiao, kneeling on the ground, revealed an expression of utter terror as he anxiously looked at the four black knights standing beside him like towering pillars.
Feeling the dense murderous aura surrounding them, Moxiao's body began trembling uncontrollably.
“Show some respect.”
One of the black-armored knights spoke coldly.
Those emotionless, icy words sent a chill through Moxiao.
He had no doubt that if he uttered even one more disrespectful word, this Black Rose Family knight would draw the sword at his waist without hesitation and cut off his head.
For a moment,
Moxiao was so frightened that he shut his mouth.
At that moment, the black-haired man who had been silently watching the show while eating pastries slowly placed the fork in his hand down and looked at the surrounding black knights with amusement.
“This man is our ‘guest.’ By treating him this way, aren't you the ones being far too rude? Have you forgotten the Black Rose Family's tradition of ‘warm hospitality’?”
“We apologize, Your Grace. We understand.”
Upon hearing the black-haired man's words, the knights froze for a moment, then bowed apologetically toward Moxiao and removed the chains restraining him.
Afterward,
with the support of those terrifying knights, Moxiao was seated opposite the dignified black-haired man.
A cup of tea was even placed in front of him...
Although his restraints had been removed and there was no blade pressed against his neck,
Moxiao did not dare move in the slightest, and not even the faintest thought of escape remained in his heart.
The moment he met the man's deep, abyss-like black eyes, Moxiao realized just how terrifying he was.
Trying to escape in front of him?
That would be no different from courting death...
Besides,
even though there was no sword against his neck, more than a dozen guns were still aimed at him from nearby.
What fucking ‘warm hospitality’...
Perhaps the only thing he could do now was beg for the man's forgiveness.
Otherwise,
he would undoubtedly die here.
However,
before Moxiao could finish thinking of what to say to plead for mercy, the black-haired man opposite him—the head of the Black Rose Family—politely spoke first.
“My apologies, Mr. Moxiao. My subordinates were rather rough. To think they injured you so severely. I truly am sorry.”
Listening to the man's courteous words only made Moxiao feel even more uneasy.
Although the man before him had not released any magical power, the invisible pressure he exerted was indescribable!
It was even far stronger than what Moxiao had felt from the Grand General who protected the nation!
At this moment, Moxiao finally understood why the Black Rose Family had become the greatest family in the Sadik Empire, second only to the imperial family...
“What exactly do you want...?”
“Oh? What do I want? Enmmm, let me think. How about a little repayment?”
Resting his chin against his hand, Xiao met Moxiao's eyes with an amused expression.
“Mr. Moxiao, I allowed you to happily and comfortably gather information for two whole days. Shouldn't you give me something in return?”
“What... do you want me to do?”
Moxiao gritted his teeth and asked each word slowly.
In response, Xiao smiled faintly and waved his hand.
“There is no need to be so nervous. It is only a very simple task. I need you to pretend that nothing happened, return to Skyvault, and report the results of your investigation to Xue Tianao. Of course, I will provide you with those investigation results.”
“What?!!”
Hearing this, Moxiao frowned deeply.
“You want me to deliver false information?”
“Enmm, you could say that. However, it won't be entirely false. Some of it will be true.”
“...”
Looking at the imposing black-haired man before him, the fear in Moxiao's heart reached its peak.
Although he did not know what the other man's true goal was, it was definitely nothing good.
Xue Tianao had saved his life.
Naturally, Moxiao could not betray him!
But given the current situation,
he could first pretend to submit, leave this place alive, and then truthfully report everything that had happened here to His Majesty Xue Tianao...
That thought naturally appeared in Moxiao's mind.
However,
before he could even put on an act and speak, the Black Rose Duke before him saw through his intentions.
As a ‘kind and amiable’ yet bone-chilling voice entered his ears, Moxiao's entire body began trembling.
“Don't think about agreeing for now, only to turn around and tell Xue Tianao the truth the moment you return. If you did that, I would be very sad. I would have no choice but to invite your wife and children to continue ‘enjoying themselves’ in Sabelius for a little longer~”
?!!!
In an instant, Moxiao's heart nearly stopped.
He abruptly raised his head and stared in horror into Xiao's deep black eyes.
“You?! What did you say?! What do you mean by ‘continue’?! What have you done to Feiduo'er and the others?!!”
...
...
Time returned to the present.
Looking at the communication magic stone in his palm and listening to the polite yet cold voice coming from it, Moxiao's eyes were filled with anxiety and guilt.
Hiding inside the restroom, he carefully spoke.
“Your Grace, I already told Xue Tianao everything according to your instructions and made him basically believe it. So... could you... could you release my wife and children...?”
Hearing this,
Xiao, on the other end of the communication magic stone, let out a somewhat helpless laugh.
“Mr. Moxiao, I know you are a clever man. You also understand very well that I cannot release them yet. Why bother asking again?”
“B-But...”
“Do not worry, Mr. Moxiao. As long as you continue guiding Xue Tianao, once we achieve our objective, I will naturally keep my promise and allow your wife and children to return safely to your side. I always keep my word.”
“All right... I understand...”
“Mm, very good. Please continue working hard, Mr. Moxiao. Once this matter is over, the Black Rose Family will also reward you generously.”
...
After ending the call, Moxiao absentmindedly threw the single-use magic stone into the nearby trash bin, then slowly walked out of the restroom.
Although he had already expected this outcome, Moxiao still felt overwhelmingly dejected.
Perhaps the only consolation was that he had heard the voices of his wife and children and confirmed that they were currently safe and unharmed.
‘Despicable Black Rose Family... They actually used my family to threaten me!’
Moxiao clenched his fists and cursed inwardly.
After leaving the restroom, he unconsciously looked toward the magical bookstore—the direction where Xue Tianao was—with guilt in his eyes.
It was true that Xue Tianao had shown him great kindness.
Moxiao had also constantly thought about how he could repay him.
It was precisely because of that debt that he had been unable to refuse Xue Tianao's request and had gone to investigate the Black Rose Family.
However,
when repaying that kindness was weighed against saving the lives of his wife and children...
Moxiao still helplessly chose his family.
He could not be like those royal knights who seemed to have been brainwashed, willing to completely disregard their own lives and the safety of their families for Xue Tianao.
To save his beloved wife and children, perhaps he had no choice but to become an ungrateful villain just this once...
‘Forgive me, Your Majesty. I have no other choice...’
—
Meanwhile,
after Xue Tianao left the magical bookstore in satisfaction with the precious materials, the adorable blue-haired girl who had been silently looking down and organizing the account book slowly raised her head in displeasure and looked toward the fox girl counting money nearby.
“Mother, that man seemed to want to make a move against you too. Hostility already appeared in his eyes.”
“Hehe, that is simply the kind of person he is. Anyone he cannot completely control, he wants to eliminate. But don't worry, little Linxi. He won't have the chance to make a move against us~”
The little girl named Linxi did not object to her mother's words.
Instead, she curiously looked through the window at Xue Tianao's departing back.
“Speaking of which, Mother, that man spent so much money buying materials. What is he trying to make?”
“Well, he didn't say. However~”
As she spoke,
the fox lady seductively raised her hand to cover half of her face, concealing the amused smile at the corner of her lips.
“The root of black coral, the bud of the Bewildering Flower, and the leaves of the Heartbreak Ghost Flower. Gathering these materials... it seems our new emperor intends to create a drug that can bewitch the human mind~”