What kind of nonsense is this, that you'd be chosen by the gods and favored by all the gods?

After listening to Sullivan's hysterical roar, Lyle finally pieced together a complete story from his words.

There is no doubt that his son was a brave warrior.

However, because he followed that fool Jed, he died meaninglessly on the battlefield, which had no impact on the overall situation.

"My God! My son died riddled with bullet holes, while those unconscious guys got spared? The sly and dishonest live and keep their honor, but my upright and brave son is forced to die a worthless death?"

This caused Sullivan great distress, and he began to doubt whether it was a mistake of tradition, or whether his own stubbornness had led to the unjust death of the children he had raised on the battlefield.

"Therefore, this fighting tradition must be stopped!"

He roared, his eyes bloodshot.

"Reed City is no longer that small village! We need a wise and enlightened lord who can unite everyone to lead our many clans!"

"Instead of being a violent and aggressive brute!"

Doug, however, found it very strange.

"Warrior... I can only think of Jade, only he likes to do this... So why didn't you deal with him, instead causing this tragedy? If you hadn't done this, you would have had a way back."

Sullivan shook his head with a wry smile and slumped to the ground.

"No...you don't understand. You're just a child. You can't see that far ahead."

"Do you think it's just one person's problem? As long as the belligerent customs and the barbaric and martial spirit remain, our city lord will definitely be a brute. Even if he isn't right now, he's not allowed to become brute in the short term."

"Even if a wise and intelligent person comes to power, if he does something that the ignorant masses cannot understand, he will be overwhelmed by the ignorant public opinion, and the tradition of maintaining unity and identity will become an obstacle to our progress."

"In this situation, only those who can consistently deliver victories will become our leaders... but the problem is, almost no one can discern whether such 'victories' are truly worthwhile..."

"Therefore, we need change."

Sullivan coughed a few times, looked at the silent group, and gave a bitter laugh:

"The empire's power is waning, the battle lines are tearing apart, and if we don't want to be destroyed, we can only rely on ourselves. A foolish leader will lead us all to hell!"

"No..."

Adele stepped forward and said slowly but firmly:

"This is not the end of the story. In fact, behind your back, we have been persisting in reforms."

"This election is one of the achievements."

"Even the old city lord is consciously trying to change the stagnant situation..."

"Too slow."

Sullivan sighed.

"The war has entered a more dangerous phase. The Holy Bern Empire is declining, while our neighboring northern kingdoms, the Kingdom of Windland... no, the Windland Empire, is growing stronger."

"Our Reed City is located near the border between the two countries and will soon be engulfed by war. There is no time left for us to make gentle and friendly changes."

He sighed.

"Alright, I don't want to say any more. I'm not good at debating. Now, it's over..."

"No, it's not over yet."

Adele shook her head.

"We've only caught the real killer in the warehouse murders, but we haven't found the mastermind behind it all."

"Tell me, who exactly are you?"

Sullivan remained silent.

Doug's intention to resort to violence again fully demonstrates that he is not a truly patient and cultured gentleman, or rather, the kind of seemingly intelligent warrior that tradition has shaped, as Sullivan described.

"Actually, I know even if you don't say it," Lyle chuckled.

"Oh?" Sullivan asked curiously, "How did you know?"

"At that time, I will make a public statement at the venue... all I need is you as a witness."

Sullivan shook his head.

"Don't even think about it. I'm prepared to die. You don't need to try to coerce me."

However, Adeline knelt down on one knee in front of the old man.

"But what about you? What about your child's honor?"

"If his father is put to death for such a thing, then everything he has will be ruined."

Seeing Sullivan's stiff expression and clenched hands.

"Confess to us, and we may grant you a glorious death, and the honor of your children will be preserved."

For a soldier, if you were to take his life, he would not utter a single word.

But if you tarnish his honor, he will never accept it.

"...Alright, it's come to this, I have nothing more to say."

Several minutes later, Sullivan finally gave up struggling and decided to confess completely.

......

"Have you caught the real culprit?"

Elsa had long since traveled to all the surrounding areas to reunite everyone. The leaders of the various clans were restless and secretly talked among themselves.

"Everyone! We've caught the murderer."

Adley stood at the front, followed by Lyle and Doug. Helena stood in the audience and did not go on stage.

"Is that so? The heir of the Lu clan! Let him come out!"

"Yeah! Let him out! I'll skin him alive!"

"Stop dawdling! By the hell of Suenmozer! Come out and face your death if you dare!"

The crowd below immediately erupted in shouts and curses, clearly indicating that the incident had caused considerable anger.

However, when Sullivan stepped forward, everyone gasped in surprise.

"This...that can't be! Sullivan is such an honest and kind man!"

"His son is so brave! How could he have a traitorous father? I don't believe it! That little bitch is definitely lying!"

"Could it be that they can't find the real culprit and have just randomly put forward someone else?"

"Cough cough..."

Adele coughed lightly, and everyone present immediately fell silent.

"Everyone, he is a despicable murderer and an arsonist, and he should be punished!"

"However, he was not the mastermind."

"oh--"

Everyone exclaimed in surprise, never expecting that things would take such a turn for the better!

"Mr. Sullivan! Blink when you're being threatened!"

However, Sullivan simply closed his eyes to rest and did not intend to respond.

At this moment, Lyle stepped forward.

"Outsider? What does that have to do with this guy?"

Everyone is puzzled.

"Hello everyone, I'm Lyle Procent."

"I'm sure you've all known me for a while now, so I won't introduce myself."

"According to our investigation, during the celebration, someone infiltrated our venerable old lord's castle and planted poisoned wine—capable of turning people into monsters—in the cellar of the kitchen basement!"

"And it is this poisoned wine that, for a certain period of time, can transform a person into a lizard-like monster!"

"So that's how it is!"

Everyone was shocked; no wonder they said the drinks tasted strange that day.

"I don't see anything wrong. How come I'm fine?"

"You drank one glass and then poured it out, of course you wouldn't think there was a problem!"

Seeing that the atmosphere was just right, Lyle continued.

"And this Sullivan next to me is the one who works with the mastermind behind the scenes, responsible for transporting the liquor from the outside along the river to the warehouse, and then successfully into the cellar of the city lord's castle."

"Of course, he has admitted to his crimes and accepted trial with equanimity."

Sullivan did not refute it; he opened his eyes and accepted the charge calmly.

"Damn bastard! Why resort to such underhanded tactics!"

"Sunmozer curses you!"

"I'm ashamed for Anderson because he has such a father!!!"

Lyle glanced at Sullivan and then said:

"Now, we are incredibly close to the truth."

"Our dear mastermind possesses extensive knowledge of pharmacology, knows that dragon blood demonization can turn people into monsters, and is very close to the city lord, able to freely enter and leave the castle. Furthermore, everyone has a deep level of trust in him..."

"And this person... is him—"

"Come out, Dr. Kintae."