From the Ship of Fools to Earl of Wugang

Chapter 113 Royal Allies

Back in his office, Edmund leaned back in his chair and took a deep breath.

He knew that once the aide-de-camp's report was sent, Edmund Lockman's identity would be exposed.

However, for now, we can only take it one step at a time.

After such a great battle, this place was clearly not suitable for spending the night, so Edmund had to go to Fort Dawn.

After the car from Wangchaobao arrived, Edmund, who had just stepped out of the relief center, saw that the streets were heavily blocked off.

The diesel generator hummed softly by the roadside, and a few halogen work lights mounted on tripods illuminated the wet road surface.

Perhaps it was Prishini's officials who took over the scene, as several people in gray waterproof coats were carrying iron boxes and wandering around.

People were still scraping away the traces of black water left by the courtyard wall, and the gatekeeper had been sent away.

Edmund got into the car, the restraints around his chest tightening around his ribs with the movement.

He watched for a moment through the car window and felt that the royal family's proficiency in handling extraordinary incidents was not much different from the municipal departments' overnight emergency repairs of gas pipelines.

When I returned the next morning, the street had already reopened.

The stagnant water, broken glass, and black stains have all disappeared. The broken shop window has been temporarily boarded up, and the drain cover has been replaced.

The newspapers that day published only a brief report: "Underground pipeline accident accompanied by illegal explosives."

Julian arrived at the old relief center before ten o'clock, bringing a deep red document box.

In his general letter, Conrad formally designated Lane Hall as an ally and protected intelligence collaborator.

Edmund leaned back on the office sofa, a white bandage wrapped around his shirt to secure his ribs. The tailor had just finished taking measurements and was altering a loose-fitting coat next door.

Julian opened the document box and laid out the four documents bearing the royal seal one by one.

After reviewing the documents, Edmund confirmed that his requests for identity verification, bank connections, and political asylum had been met.

The final document incorporates the arrangements following yesterday's battle into a long-term cooperation agreement.

The prince arranged for Julian to remain in Twilight Harbor: the old relief center was temporarily registered as a royal intelligence cooperation location, where it could be equipped with higher-specification weapons and protective facilities, and could also employ registered superhumans.

The Royal Family has provided a separate safe house outside Twilight Harbor, as well as two sets of contact methods for emergency evacuation.

The corresponding conditions were also clearly stated. Edmund was required to continue providing verifiable intelligence on the Hidden Order, and any known dangers that might affect members of the royal family had to be disclosed in advance.

The trial of Nathaniel and the two tide-turners was conducted by the royal family; he was to inform the liaison officer when he was ready to leave Plichni.

The two sides spent another half hour on the last two items.

Edmund refused to accept the "three days' notice" requirement, ultimately reducing the deadline to one day, and reserving the right to evacuate first in the event of an emergency and submit an explanation after escaping danger.

The conditions under which the royal family can revoke protection are also limited to deliberately providing significant false information, actively assisting hostile forces, or continuing to conceal known dangers that could cause serious injury or death after a written warning.

“Add one more,” Edmund said. “After each action taken by the Royal Family based on my intelligence, a redacted summary of the results should be provided. I need to know at least whether the intelligence was effective and whether it has created new risks.”

After both parties signed, the gold lines next to the seals lit up one by one.

Edmund felt a chill on the inside of his wrist as the silver oath mark reappeared, extending slightly outwards along its original lines.

Conrad's earlier promise of asylum has been expanded.

Edmund glanced down at the oath mark, then closed the document: "We're going to Watchtower."

Julian seemed slightly surprised.

"The Earl needs to know the limits of the support given by the Royal Family," Edmund explained. "Without his authorization, the National Bank..."

Was the senior manager they sent here just to have coffee with us?

A moment later, Julian changed into a dark formal suit, and the tailor brought over the coat that had been altered for Edmund.

The jacket has enough space on the shoulders and chest, and even when it's buttoned up, the stiff silhouette caused by the straps is still visible.

Edmund tried to move his right arm, and his ribs immediately gave a sharp protest.

"Looks like I'll have to go see my relatives with my injuries."

Fritz, the butler of Wangchao Castle, led the two into the study on the second floor.

The count first noticed Julian carrying the document box, then Edmund's unnatural gait, and ultimately skipped the usual small talk.

Edmund formally introduced, "This is Mr. Julian Weiss, Prince Conrad's attendant and His Highness's royal liaison officer stationed at Twilight Harbor."

After bowing, Julian took out the documents and, in his royal capacity, confirmed that Ryan Hall was a reliable collaborator.

Conrad has verified multiple batches of intelligence he provided, several of which led to the arrest of key figures and severed the Deep Shroud's transportation and funding links.

Julian paused briefly when he mentioned the Silver Bell Palace incident.

"Mr. Hall played a role in the search for His Highness the Crown Prince. Specific details remain a royal secret, Your Excellency."

This statement can be interpreted as His Highness being willing to take responsibility for his reliability.

The count's cane lightly tapped the carpet. He didn't inquire about the rescue details, his gaze lingering on the clauses concerning the Old Port and the identity procedures.

"We are certainly grateful for the Royal Family's willingness to help the Schenkel family," he said. "What I'm more concerned about is where this help will ultimately lead us. Once Old Port is proven to exist, will the Royal Family demand projects, land, or family assets?"

Julian answered directly: "Your Highness requires information from Mr. Hall. Schenkel's assets and project shares remain with the family, and family affairs continue to be managed by the Earl. In matters involving public safety and supernatural disasters, the Duchy reserves the right to intervene according to law; this right has always existed."

"Therefore, the royal family received intelligence and a location for cooperation, while the Schenkel family received procedural support and security guarantees."

"Yes."

While the Count and his attendants checked the items one by one, Edmund sat to the side, his chest aching slightly with each breath.

As an observer, he could sense that the count's last bit of vigilance had finally disappeared.

The fact that the royal family is now willing to endorse his value and reliability with official documents can be seen as putting aside the last bit of doubt the Earl had.

The count finally picked up his pen, signed his name at the end of the National Bank's authorization letter, and then affixed the Schenkel family's laurel lamp seal.

"This authorization is effective today," he said. "You can consult the summary relating to the Old Port, the Black Crown, and the coastal assets."

The count took a long, blackened key from his personal keychain, rubbed its gleaming teeth, and placed it in front of Edmund.

"On the north side of Wangchao Fort is the archives, and at the very back there is an iron door. Inside are records that the Schenkel family has never given to any outsiders."

He loosened his grip: "Go find the truth. That's the most help the Schenkel family can offer."