From the Ship of Fools to Earl of Wugang

On the very night that Edmund completed his residency procedures at the council, he moved into the Earl's Château de la Tide to stay temporarily.

The dark grey building features a spacious terrace and tower facing the coast, offering views of most of the harbor on clear days. Edmund was assigned a well-maintained guest room in the east wing furnished with walnut furniture.

Since the 50,000 gold coin check was publicly displayed in the council, the predicament of Wangchao Fort has been easing at a visible rate.

On the day of arrival, veal was served for dinner, along with red wine from a southern estate. The next morning, the white bread on the table had been replaced by a full-course meal.

Edmund did not pay the Earl any investigation fees, but the old butler Fritz provided the answer in casual conversation: the butchers and coal merchants in the city were willing to resume monthly payments, the wine merchant also took the initiative to send two cases of "samples", and many other people came to the door.

However, in the early hours of that day, a series of urgent knocks shattered his sweet dreams. The door was pushed open, and the butler, who always maintained a composed demeanor, strode in.

"Wake up, Mr. Cole! Wake up! Something terrible has happened!"

Edmund, still half-asleep, propped himself up on the edge of the bed: "Mr. Butler?"

Fritz had clearly just rushed over from downstairs: "Something has happened in the capital. His Excellency the Earl requests your immediate presence in the morning sitting room; the national radio station has just issued an emergency announcement."

Edmund was instantly wide awake, and a few minutes later he followed the butler downstairs. The servants in Wangchao Castle had all been awakened, and hushed conversations could be heard from time to time in the corridor.

In the morning sitting room, Count Schinkel sat in front of the radio, wearing only a dark morning robe, and looked much worse than yesterday.

He raised his hand to stop Edmund's unspoken question and gestured to the radio: the national broadcaster was repeating the same announcement.

"...Yesterday, during a diplomatic banquet hosted by the Union, the Silver Bell Palace was attacked by an organized terrorist group. The attackers created disturbances in several parts of the capital to prevent security forces from reaching the scene."

"Grand Duchess Priscilla and Princess Matilda have been safely evacuated. His Highness Conrad, the Grand Duke's second son, is assisting in maintaining order in the capital. Crown Prince Leopold is currently missing, and the Royal Household Office has not yet confirmed his whereabouts."

"The death toll is still being tallied. The capital has been declared in a state of emergency, and all railways, ports, and major roads will be subject to increased inspections..."

Schinkel lowered the volume and turned to Edmund: "Mr. Cole, I just heard on the radio that the capital has been attacked by terrorists and His Highness the Crown Prince is missing."

After a brief moment of surprise, Edmund quickly remembered the newspaper he had bought when he arrived at Cape Loch.

A multinational banquet was about to be held at the Silver Bell Palace, to be attended by the Grand Duke and Duchess, their two princes, and the newly-adult princess. When he saw the published guest list, he thought the Prishini family was probably in trouble.

"This is truly unfortunate news," Edmund exclaimed sincerely. "What about the casualties?"

He had no connection with the Prishini royal family, but such turmoil was not a good thing for either the country or ordinary people.

"The radio station won't release specific numbers, only saying that the vast majority of guests have already left." Schenker glanced outside the door. "I've already sent people to the train station and newspaper offices to buy newspapers."

Less than half an hour later, a young servant rushed back to Wangchaobao with several copies of the extra edition.

Newspapers featured the Silver Bell Palace attack on their front pages. The Capital Morning Post used the headline "Night at Silver Bell Palace," while the United Telegraph focused on the simultaneous attacks occurring in multiple locations.

In addition to the Silver Bell Palace, the headquarters of the Duchy Bank and the military supply depot on the west side of the capital were attacked, and the reinforcements led by the Grand Duke were also blocked on their way.

The authorities are clearly still covering up specific details, and newspapers are referring to the attackers as a "cult," but Edmund already knows the answer—it was the Abyss Order that did it.

Schinkel stood by the window gazing at the harbor until Edmund finished flipping through several newspapers before whispering, "The banquet is tonight."

His tone was clearly weary.

Yesterday afternoon, Wangchaobao sent out the last batch of invitations. Local councilors, businessmen, bank representatives, and several newspapers have all agreed to attend the banquet, and the kitchen has also ordered food in advance.

However, holding a celebratory banquet at this time would certainly seem inappropriate.

Edmund put down his newspaper: "Should our banquet be postponed?"

Schenker remained silent for a long time, then slowly shook his head.

"No, we need this banquet. If we cancel it now, the people of Dusk Harbor will think that the Schenkel family's new plan has failed once again."

The count walked back to the table and added:

"Cancel the ball and celebratory music. Everyone should wear black veils to express their condolences to the royal family and the victims. Drinks and food should also be reduced, and the money saved should be sent to the capital to help the wounded."

Although the count regained his credit through the investment, he did not forget the origin of his title.

Edmund glanced at the newspaper on the table, then at the laurel wreath emblem hanging on the living room wall.

"I remember you mentioned that the ancestors of the Schenkel family once rescued members of the Norbus Soren royal family from the Black Crown Fleet."

"That's exactly right."

"The Royal Family therefore granted the Schenkel family the Twilight Harbour fiefdom, as well as hereditary salvage rights in the surrounding waters."

The count looked up, as if he had gleaned something from the repetition: "You mean...?"

"Tonight's banquet was originally intended to announce our plan to search for Old Port and the Black Crown," Edmund scratched his chin. "Why not connect our investigation with the Schenkel family's past responsibilities?"

The count gradually fell into thought.

The former continued, "The Schenkel family received their titles for defeating the Black Crown and rescuing the kidnapped royals. Now that the Crown Prince has disappeared in an attack, the Schenkel family can publicly state that the Old Port investigation has symbolic significance."

The weariness on the count's face was gradually replaced by another expression.

"In the past, our ancestors rescued members of the royal family. Now we are searching for that ship again... This will make Dusk Harbor understand that our search for the old port is not only for profit, but also to continue a duty granted by the royal family."

Edmund then added, "Of course, this is just a preliminary suggestion, and you will need to consider it carefully."

The count stared at the laurel boat emblem for a long time before finally letting out a long sigh.

"That's a good suggestion, let's do it this way."

He picked up the small bell on the table and shook it vigorously, and the butler quickly entered the room.

"Cancel the planned band and ball. Inform all guests that the banquet tonight will proceed as scheduled, but they must wear black veils. Have the royal flag and laurel lanterns hung in the hall, and prepare a telegram of condolence to be sent to the capital."

At this point, the count turned the radio back on.

"Also, have the printing press revise the statement to be sent to reporters tonight. The Schenkel family will resume its duties as the Knights of the Laurel, and will do everything possible to find the Old Port and restore its former glory in order to boost the morale of the Duchy."