The Hidden King

Chapter 9

In the city-state of Lawrence, in a craftsman's shed where Milia was hiding, two figures crouched on the floor, holding a candlestick. They were Heidi and Eric. Scrolls littered the ground, and open crates contained more. These were documents and account books from the chief's office, moved here secretly. Eric suggested the High Priest might be aware of their investigation.

The shed had become a safe, secret base, and they often gathered there after Milia left. Heidi sifted through the scrolls, piecing together possible stories from the clues. Milia had told her about Kenny's faked death, and she felt guilty for advising Milia to give up the pursuit of truth. Good friends sometimes don't need to apologize; actions speak louder than words.

Besides her duties as a priestess, Heidi was skilled in analyzing documents. She promised Milia that she could explore the River Domain while she embarked on her own mission. The secret path would unfold in the ancient scrolls hidden in Lawrence for decades.

After days and nights of tireless work, Heidi transcribed every piece of information from the scrolls, piecing together a puzzle that hinted at a new character: Joseph. He was not just a retired soldier but also the personal guard of the former chief Dade, leading the troops under Dade's command in several battles in the River Domain, and receiving several commendations. This showed that he was deeply trusted by Dade.

Heidi also examined the private letters hidden in the house and the chief's office that Milia had brought. From the letters, it seemed that shortly after Kenny inherited the position of prime minister, he established contact with Joseph, who was settled in the River Domain. Kenny founded a new alliance organization called OLVE in the River Domain, and Joseph became the manager appointed by Kenny for the OLVE organization.

From the scrolls, the organization seemed to aim to address the instability in the River Domain, including homeless werewolves and some impoverished residents. OLVE provided shelter and financial relief to these people and arranged for them to participate in local construction work in an orderly manner, avoiding their being recruited by local gangs and helping them unite against the violent threats of the gangs.

It appeared that this organization had been running for some time, and from Joseph's letters, most of his work involved managing this organization as a leader in the River Domain. Of course, such an organization would require a large amount of money and almost no return on investment. The source of the money supporting this organization is currently unknown.

Heidi had a bold guess: this might be the reason why Kenny signed the debt to Thomas. The OLVE organization needed a large amount of money, and if Kenny, the chief, even privately used the Lawrence tribe's treasury, it would be a real betrayal. No chief could bear such a dishonorable end.

Heidi bundled up the scrolls she had transcribed and packed them into a sturdy backpack. She said to Eric, "We may need to make a trip." Eric rubbed his hands excitedly, eager for adventure. He was eager to prove himself and willing to do something for the chief he had once followed.

On the edge of the forest, a lone figure on horseback silhouetted against the distant stormy sky. The horse, black; the rider, clad in a black robe and long black hair—a scene of eerie calm. Ethan, on the horse, his wounds almost healed, gazed into the valley and the rocks below. He pulled the reins and rode towards the valley as dark clouds gathered for an impending storm. His search in Lawrence's castle was fruitless, confirming his suspicion: no one had seen old soldier Joseph in Lawrence since he left twenty years ago.

Ethan had already said goodbye to his old friend Joseph in his heart. He confirmed his suspicion: Joseph's disappearance might represent the body used by Kenny to fake his death and escape. Ethan didn't care why Kenny did it, but he wanted justice for Joseph and his answers.

Milia seemed to sense something and turned around, facing the person behind her. It was Kenny, her "deceased" husband. Was Milia surprised? No, she had expected it before she came here. Since she knew Kenny had faked his death, she knew she would find him. Unexpectedly, as Ethan speculated, he was hiding in Joseph's shed.

Kenny had lost weight, his once confident and gentle face now devoid of its former spirit. Indeed, he no longer looked like the brave leader of the wolves. His tattered robe draped over him made him look like a vagabond, a wandering werewolf. Even his eyes, filled with fear, carried the insecurity and suspicion of a wanderer without a home.

The two stood facing each other in silence. Milia couldn't help but cry. She suppressed her sobs, tears silently streaming down her cheeks. Kenny's gaze at Milia was complex, filled with pain and guilt. He trembled slightly, stepping back as if he wanted to escape.

"How did you find your way here?" His voice was hoarse and muffled as if he hadn't spoken to anyone for days. Kenny stared at Milia, who once had flowing, curly hair but now had it tightly tied up behind her head, dressed in a simple, tight-fitting traveler's outfit with no embellishments. She was no longer the elegant lady wearing silk embroidered long dresses. Kenny stepped forward and reached out as if to hug her, but then let his hand fall weakly. He lowered his head in pain and from between his teeth squeezed out a voice, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Milia. I let you down. I sent you a gem bracelet. Did you receive it? And there are some gold nuggets hidden in the bow and arrow closet, did you find them?"

"What's with those gold nuggets? Thomas came and took them away. Thomas said you still owe him 8,000 gold nuggets. I don't understand what you've been hiding from me, Kenny. If you still trust me as your wife, please tell me the truth."

Kenny shook his head violently, his expression pained, and he lowered his head, reaching into the tattered robe around him and pulling out a tightly wrapped leather package. He handed it to Milia. "You'd better keep this. It's not safe to keep it by my side. Maybe it can save your life at a critical moment." What's this? Milia took the package, the leather cover greasy and exceptionally strong, as if it had been hidden in her arms for a long time.

Milia looked at the man opposite her as if he were a frightened hunted animal, not the confident hunter he once was. The time he spent wandering and hiding had quickly changed his demeanor. Kenny stepped back in alarm, wanting to turn and flee. Milia quickly grabbed his arm. "Kenny, don't go. You have to tell me what happened so we can face it together. Do you remember the promise we made to each other? Trust me, I can face it with you."

Kenny turned back, his eyes filled with emotion and reluctance. He pulled away from Milia's hand and walked to a corner of the room where various odds and ends were piled up on the floor, indicating that Kenny had lived here for a while. Kenny rummaged in the corner and pulled out another box, opening it. Inside was a dirty cotton cloth, stained with blood. Kenny gave a bitter smile and said, "I bit off my finger and took off this moonstone ring. Can you take it back to the High Priest for me?"

Milia was shocked. It was only then that she noticed that Kenny had been hunched over in the sleeve of his robe, his right hand wrapped in a dirty cotton cloth with some black, congealed bloodstains.

"I also know that even if I leave a suicide note, the High Priest will still find out that the body with the fake moonstone ring is not me. I'm just betting he won't expose me." "You bet right. He sees you as his son." Milia said in her heart. "In a sense, I am really dead. Milia, I didn't expect you to find your way here. How did you know?" "Because of Ethan. He told me to come to the village where Joseph lived. He said I would find something unexpected." Milia spoke very slowly, each word dripping with despair.

"Ethan said he knew you messed up with Joseph's body. He said you didn't die, that you killed Joseph and had to run away. He said that you were the wolf attacking him that night on the cliff in the forest."

Kenny hurriedly waved his hands, his tone urgent and stuttering, "Do you believe him? How could I be a murderer? Milia, you know me, I couldn't have killed anyone. When I found Joseph that night, he was almost dead. I just wanted to take him to the temple for treatment."

On the night you and Heidi went to the bar, I heard noises outside. When I went to check, I found Joseph lying there. I knew him from our dealings in the river area."

"I'm aware," Milia interrupted, "that people here say Joseph was part of the OLVE New Alliance, and that you were one of its founders."

Kenny nodded, looking at Milia with innocent and honest eyes. "I just wanted to be someone like my father, someone remembered for making a difference." The sadness and disappointment in his eyes hinted at how all his aspirations seemed to have vanished.