Game World: I Can Share Talents

Chapter 348 - 2: Not Just Anyone

"It seems you all have some things to discuss. I won’t intrude," Luyetan said, observing the scene. "Your Excellency, Xavier, if you need anything later, you can still find me at the court."

She propped her chin on the back of her hand, a look of certainty on her face.

"Yes. I’ll see you later, Yuanxi Palace."

Xavier nodded and turned toward a nearby corridor.

Valendorf and the few primary Elves involved in the debate followed silently behind Xavier.

In the system of the Thousand Laws Royal Court, Execution Officers who could operate freely in the outside world were of a considerably high rank. Xavier was not only an envoy representing the Royal Court’s will but also the director of its external forces. He was their absolute superior, capable of deciding their futures with a single word.

Once they reached a room to the side of the courtyard, Xavier surveyed the group, who were burying their heads like ostriches. His sharp gaze fell particularly on his own bloodline as he spoke:

"So, what exactly were you all doing just now? You’re all colleagues stationed abroad for the Royal Court, yet you start fighting because of an outsider. Have you no shame?"

Valendorf didn’t dare meet his father’s eyes. He looked away, his tone resentful.

"It’s because they were bad-mouthing Duke Qinghui! I can’t even imagine how much they must disrespect him in private!"

"Duke Qinghui has sacrificed so much for the peace and tranquility of the Mortal World, only to be maliciously slandered and attacked behind his back! How can you let one who gathers firewood for the masses freeze to death in the blizzard?!"

The words had barely left his mouth when an Elf beside him sneered.

"Heh, so Duke Qinghui really is as pure as the driven snow, is he?"

"Valendorf, and to think you’re an intelligence officer for the Royal Court. You’ve collected a mountain of the Qinghui Territory’s external propaganda, yet you’ve let that material cloud your judgment completely. Use your head—does such a selfless saint truly exist in this world? Even if one did, how could they possibly rise to a high position?"

"The Qinghui Territory drapes itself in the noble cause of saving the Mortal World, which gives it a license to point its blades anywhere it pleases. Not to mention, he’s the Yonglan Knight King. You can’t possibly be ignorant of what the Yonglan People are like, can you? That bunch of War Frenzy barbarians—do they have even a single benevolent bone in their bodies? As the leader of the Knights, Duke Qinghui can only be more frenzied! More tyrannical! More lawless than any of them!"

"If you ask me, that Duke Qinghui is just looking to expand his power and swallow up territory. He’s just wearing the skin of a righteous avenger."

Valendorf retorted angrily:

"Everything you’re saying is a stereotype! Do you have any proof? Show me the evidence!"

"I’ve been collecting information for a long time. Don’t I know more than you lot who just spout nonsense? I mobilized my entire intelligence network, exhausted every means to dig up dirt, and still came up with absolutely nothing on Duke Qinghui. It’s simply incredible."

"And listen! I mean not a single piece of significant dirt. In this world, every action leaves a trace. You should all know that. This is especially true for someone like Duke Qinghui, who is watched by countless eyes. It’s impossible for him to hide anything."

"Am I supposed to disregard facts I’ve personally verified and instead believe your baseless prejudice?!"

The faces of the Elves arguing with Valendorf shifted, for they truly couldn’t produce any evidence.

His expression was a little unnatural, but he still stubbornly craned his neck and said:

"...We just believe in human nature. In any case, there must be something fishy going on. He’s just good at hiding it for now."

Valendorf sneered. "So we’re just assuming a conspiracy now? Can you people stop projecting your own dark thoughts onto others! Let’s be objective. Name one time Duke Qinghui has ever broken his promise or acted against his word. Find me just one instance!"

The dissenting Elves were speechless. This was why they were losing the debate. Even with their preconceived biases, they had desperately dug for dirt on Westheid but couldn’t find a single piece of concrete evidence. What little they found were just baseless rumors, not even enough to convince themselves.

What? Minotaurs? Hosting orgies?

Is that supposed to be dirt? That’s pure virtue! A man among men should do such things! In fact, it makes Westheid seem approachable. The customs of the Thousand Laws Royal Court and the Radiant Holy Tree Empire are quite similar in that regard.

For a superior with a noble bloodline to favor a subordinate is an unprecedented blessing. They’d be too busy singing his praises to complain.

When it comes to bloodline supremacy, the Thousand Laws Royal Court is hardly any less obsessed than the Imperial court. In fact, the Country of Yonglan is the real outlier.

Seeing his opponents fall silent, Valendorf laughed smugly.

"Ha! Cat got your tongue? This is why I say you detractors are truly detestable, always suckling on the teat of conspiracy theories..."

"Enough!"

Xavier’s voice cut the Half-Elf off. He then looked toward Valendorf’s opponents and said slowly:

"I want to know, do you possess any real intelligence regarding the campaigns initiated by the Qinghui Public Office?"

"This is a direct order from the Royal Court. There is no room for carelessness."

The Elf Execution Officer’s solemn words scared most of them into silence. Only Valendorf, after a moment’s hesitation, shakily raised his hand and said:

"Father... no, Your Excellency, Execution Officer. If this is what you are asking about, I have been following it from the very beginning and have collected information from all sides. It should be... quite comprehensive."

Xavier’s gaze rested on this illegitimate son of his for a long, long time.

Finally, after a moment of silence, he spoke.

"Take me to see it. Tell me everything you know."