Work Prophet
Chapter 542 - 160 Where’s My Reward?

Chapter 542: Chapter 160 Where’s My Reward?

Ireya achieved championship victory at the Duel Arena and, as the only female champion in history, she should have sparked unprecedented heated discussion.

However, now everyone’s attention had been diverted by the death of Edward II, with discussions of this event proliferating from nobles down to commoners on every street.

It was not as if an Emperor had never been assassinated before, and Edward II had just survived a court coup aimed at him a few years ago.

Yet, to be poisoned in front of thousands, and with the poisoned cup handed to him by his own son, dramatically filled the entire incident with theatrical intensity.

Moreover, Edward II had revealed before his death that the Winged Tribe was planning to invade the Bratis Continent. This revelation also caused a huge uproar, followed by a hint that both the Elf and Dwarf Kingdom had sided with these invaders.

His speech before death was not lengthy, but its content was exceptionally rich; any phrase could shake the Continent, but the Emperor died before he could finish his sentence.

The people of the Royal Capital were heatedly debating this as well; some believed it was all just a figment of Edward II’s imagination.

They believed he fabricated an excuse to wage war against the Elves and Dwarves, striving to achieve what no Emperor had before to satisfy his pathetic vanity.

Others, however, were convinced that what Edward II had said was true, and that the centuries of peace were about to be shattered by imminent powerful foes.

By comparison, the nobles were more concerned about who would be the Empire’s next Emperor. However, there wasn’t much suspense about this issue, since Edward II, though his death was sudden, had already appointed his successor—his eldest son, Gars.

Edward II had begun involving Gars in the Imperial Conference five years ago, having him listen in by his side.

Last year, Edward II had his son attend the Imperial Conference in his stead to handle the daily state affairs.

Meanwhile, he himself would often disappear for months, praying to the Life Goddess with the Priest of Cornelia.

The Imperial Ministers had a clear grasp of the Prince’s temperament and character, and their previous cooperation had been quite pleasant, so they also supported Gars ascending the throne.

The Imperial Conference had even set a date for the coronation ceremony, just two days away, when Gars would wear the crown and sit on the throne his father once had.

At this thought, Gars’s heart swelled with excitement, but because Edward II had just been poisoned to death, he did not show too much enthusiasm publicly and continued to meticulously handle his current tasks as usual.

This earned him even more praise at the Imperial Conference, and in fact, compared to his increasingly peculiar father obsessed with the worship of the Life Goddess, the nobles of the Royal Capital generally had higher hopes for this future New Emperor.

He was evidently more approachable than his father.

However, at this time within Lion Heart Castle, one person cared little for the topics currently under heated discussion; he was only concerned with one thing—who had poisoned the Emperor of the Empire.

The Imperial Guard Captain came in the afternoon to the inn where Miss Rabbit was staying and had a private conversation with the young woman.

Lord Duren’s main concerns were two questions, the first being whether Ireya had noticed anyone suspicious today at the Duel Arena.

After some consideration, the Lady replied truthfully, "My entire focus was really on the battle this morning, and I didn’t pay much attention to anything outside the arena afterward."

"When you were waiting to be rewarded, I noticed you seemed a bit distracted. Can you tell me what you were thinking about then?"

"Oh, I was thinking about His Majesty’s intention to grant Crab’s Corner to me," Ireya said.

"But you didn’t seem particularly happy at the time."

"Because with my current status and the backing of my family, it’s obviously difficult to truly govern that harbor.

"Moreover, Crab’s Corner is too far from my previous territory—one is at the easternmost part of the Empire, and the other is at the westernmost. Just traveling there takes almost half a year," Miss Rabbit explained.

"His Majesty had also considered the issues you mentioned, so he apparently hoped that you and Lord Allister..."

"Become friends?" Miss Rabbit said solemnly, "I will definitely abide by His Majesty’s last wishes."

Duren looked at the girl playing dumb, somewhat failing to understand why she was so opposed to this marriage, given that from both their statuses and backgrounds, Ireya was undoubtedly the one who stood to benefit.

However, this matter wasn’t greatly related to what he had to investigate, and Edward II was already dead.

Although the Emperor had hinted quite clearly before he died, just short of stating it outright, but since he never spoke the words, now even if Ireya was willing, this marriage was likely to fall through, and there was no point in dwelling on it any further.

The Imperial Guard Captain stopped there and asked the second and most important question of the visit.

"What did His Majesty tell you before he died?"

"Hm?" Miss Rabbit was startled by the question, "Did His Majesty tell me anything?"

Duren carefully observed the expressions on the girl’s face, seeing her shock seemingly genuine, he then said.

"Besides myself, you were the closest person to His Majesty before he died. And when I held His Majesty, he could no longer speak, but it seemed like he whispered something into your ear...

"His Majesty always admired you, he praised you more than once in front of others. Under those circumstances, it’s possible he entrusted you with his final words.

"Well, now that you mention it, I do remember His Majesty’s lips moving when he fell on me, but the voice was really too soft. I was also very panicked at that moment, so I didn’t hear anything."

"Is that so," Duren frowned, "Could you try to remember again, because this matter is very important, it might help us catch the perpetrator and avenge His Majesty."

The Lady pondered deeply for a while, but eventually shook her head and said, "No, I really don’t know what His Majesty was saying at the time, but generally, in those circumstances, most people would likely be calling for help, didn’t His Majesty call for the Priest of Cornelia to save him before that?"

"Your guess makes sense," the Imperial Guard Captain looked somewhat disappointed but still politely said, "Thank you for your effort. I have finished all my questions. Also, congratulations on becoming the champion of this Duel Arena."

"Thank you. May I also ask a question?" the Lady said cautiously, "Although it might be a bit inappropriate, but about that reward... does it still stand?"

"......"

After a moment, Duren nodded and said, "Of course, the rewards of the Duel Arena are issued by His Majesty on behalf of the Empire, and although His Majesty is no longer with us, his promises are still valid.

"However, if you want to finally receive that money and land, you’ll have to wait until the new Emperor is crowned. But that should be soon, I’ve heard that the Imperial Conference has already set Prince Gars’ coronation day for two days from now."