Work Prophet
Chapter 521 - 139: Tough Talker, Huh?

Chapter 521: Chapter 139: Tough Talker, Huh?

"Little Ears wanted to argue a bit more, but Edward II had already spoken, ’Bring him here and hold him down!’"

Immediately, two Imperial Guards stepped forward, and without explanation, they thrust the informant to the ground.

It was as if an immobilization spell had been cast on Little Ears; his body stiffened completely until his cheek slammed heavily onto the ground and he ate a mouthful of dirt. Only then did he slightly regain his senses.

However, this was hardly good news, as he then saw a tall, muscular knight approaching him.

In his hand was a long whip, thick as three fingers and covered with barbs.

’Don’t worry, try to think positively—you won’t be in pain for too long,’ said the Wandering Knight.

Unfortunately, his attempt at consolation was ineffective; Little Ears had already curled up into a ball, trembling all over.

Though he was a Half-Beast, he had always made a living by trafficking information, never practiced any Martial Arts, and was frail even amongst Half-Beasts, barely stronger than a human.

Indeed, if he were to endure a hundred lashes, he would almost certainly die.

As if to confirm his fears, in the next moment, the whip had already struck his back, piercing through his clothes and ripping his flesh apart.

Little Ears let out a scream like a slaughtered pig, nearly passing out.

Then came the second lash, and Little Ears felt not just his flesh but even his bones might break.

He even hallucinated, thinking he had already died.

Then came the third lash, the fourth lash... After ten lashes, Little Ears had nearly lost half his life, becoming as weak as a whisper.

Miss Rabbit, hands on hips, couldn’t help but admire him. ’I really hadn’t expected this guy to be so tough. He wasn’t boasting after all. He really deserves his reputation as the best informant in the city, considering his promises to his clients more important than his own life.’

’I think he might have simply forgotten,’ Ruby muttered softly.

’Hmm? That can’t be,’ said the Lady, scratching her head. ’Being forgiven by the slandered to avoid whipping is something known throughout the Empire, especially to an informant.’

’But seeing how he seemed completely petrified from the start, forgetting isn’t impossible.’

’Oh, in that case, Orwell, stop for a moment. Let me ask him,’ the Lady said.

After Ireya finished speaking, the Wandering Knight put away his whip. The Lady leaned in closer, glanced at Little Ears’ blood-drenched back, and then whispered in his ear, ’Who exactly told you to report me?’

Little Ears didn’t answer.

Seeing this, Miss Rabbit couldn’t help but respect him. Just as she was about to ask Orwell to increase the force, she remembered something. She knelt down, pried open Little Ears’ eyes, and found he had fainted.

After a bucket of water was poured over his head, Little Ears slowly came to, then began to groan in pain again.

The Lady repeated her question, then said, ’You can keep resisting, but...’

’I’ll tell, I’ll tell! It was Earl Clyde, Earl Clyde told me to do it!’ Little Ears said hurriedly. ’Please, don’t hit me anymore, I beg you, I’ve realized my mistake.’

"Clyde? Who is that?" Miss Rabbit frowned, clearly unfamiliar with the name.

"Earl Clyde is the Family Head of the Wendell family."

Torres had been in the Royal Capital for a long time, and he had come to know the key figures quite well.

"The Wendell family, I shouldn’t have offended them," Ireya said, growing even more puzzled after the answer was revealed.

"Moreover, Clyde also serves as the swordsmanship instructor to Prince Edward," Torres added in a hushed tone.

"Ah?! How did it involve the Prince again?" Miss Rabbit wondered about her luck, having been in the Royal Capital for just a few days and nearly meeting all the major members of the Imperial Family.

The question was, why did the Prince want her kicked out of the dueling tournament so badly?

Could it be that he had bet all his fortune on the Earth Bear, hoping to make a fortune through this bet, hence the need to eliminate all unstable factors?

But then again, as a Prince and the heir of Edward II, the next Emperor of the Empire, did he really need to worry about making money like she did?

As she thought this, the Emperor had already started urging from the stand, "Lady Ireya, have you identified the person who framed you? Speak his name boldly and without fear.

"The spy did get one thing right, this is my city, my Empire, as long as I am on that throne, I can assure you that no one will dare to touch a hair on your head."

Upon hearing this, Miss Rabbit didn’t think further and truthfully named Earl Clyde.

As a result, Lady Ireya saw Edward II fall into silence.

Prince Gars’s expression also turned sour. He approached the Emperor and seemed to want to say something, but Edward II stopped him with a wave of his hand.

"I understand, Ireya. Focus on your competition for now. I assure you, such incidents will not happen again. As for Earl Clyde, I will have someone investigate and definitely give you a response. You will not be wronged," he added.

Miss Rabbit was quite satisfied with this outcome; as long as she could complete the martial arts tournament in peace, she could return home to the West with her reward. Whether or not Earl Clyde was investigated didn’t really concern her.

Although she had only been in this city for a few days, Lady Ireya had already experienced the scheming of these nobles. Their relationships were too complex, and Ireya did not want to wade into these murky waters, especially those involving the Imperial Family.

She handed Little Ears over to the defense force, and along with Crow, he was taken away for investigation, while Ireya continued in the tournament.

After easily defeating another opponent, she had successfully advanced to the top sixteen. This meant that after four more rounds of competition, the Champion of the tournament would be decided.

Lady Ireya then received more good news: her opponent for the next round had been injured in the waist by a sword in the just-concluded battle and could not continue fighting, thus withdrew voluntarily.

This meant that Lady Ireya didn’t even have to fight to advance directly to the quarterfinals.

Furthermore, there was another piece of good news; Edward II had returned the bribe she had proactively handed over.

It seemed the Emperor didn’t care for such a small amount of money, but Miss Rabbit never thought any sum too great to refuse, and the one thousand gold lions were practically a windfall.

It was just that the three thousand on the promissory note was probably lost for good. Regrettable as it was, Lady Ireya did not insist, especially since Crow had already suffered enough and would likely be unable to stay in the Royal Knight Order.

It would indeed be adding salt to the wound if Ireya went to ask him for money now.