Captain – Chapter 59 – Everything Is Over

“No, although I thought that would be quite interesting, Duke Darren didn’t approve of me doing so.”

Roy denied the old man’s conjecture, recalling the conversation she had with the genial duke as they walked through the secret passage.

As the mist dispersed, the previous appearance of aging and fatigue seemed only an illusion. Governor Federo remained calm and powerful. He took a sip of strong tea, his tone carrying slight confusion: “This should be the most beneficial approach for the Black Raven Society other than killing me or eliminating Caine. Why would he object?”

“Whether you believe it or not, according to Duke Darren, the Black Raven Society never intended to be enemies with any faction in the world. It only wanted to maintain balance and stability among all parties, and the people within it joined for this purpose.”

Roy carefully explained, and seeing Federo’s pensive expression, she continued: “So the Duke wasn’t betraying anyone. Joining the Black Raven Society, attempting to assassinate you and Caine—these were all just attempts to use the organization’s power to resist your almost unstoppable advance.”

“Perhaps he just wanted… to keep the Empire as it is now.”

Federo fell silent. Hearing Roy’s words, he seemed to somewhat understand his old friend’s thinking, and also why the highly reputed Professor Edwyn would be willing to join the Black Raven Society. But it all seemed too late now, too late to remedy.

“If he wasn’t betraying the Empire, where is he now?” The Governor’s tone grew cold: “Hasn’t he still left with them?”

Hearing the old man’s words, Roy became uncharacteristically downcast. Meeting the old man’s icy gaze, she gently shook her head.

Rеαⅾ on KαtRеaⅾiոɡСαfе

“No, Governor. The Duke has already…”

Seeing Roy’s expression, Federo’s heart suddenly skipped a beat. He stared intently at that fair face, his voice actually carrying a slight tremor: “Already what?”

Roy, immersed in her dejected mood, didn’t notice the old man’s loss of composure: “Already died in that residential building along with the thirty-five surviving assassins, died in a… great fire.”

The Governor’s expression froze. He slowly leaned back in his chair, looking at Roy with a harsh gaze: “This is his scheme, isn’t it? That cunning old thing, how could he possibly die for such an absurd reason? He hasn’t killed me yet, how could he possibly be willing to die!”

“He gave up,” Roy said calmly.

These words were like the final straw that broke the camel’s back. The old man’s face gradually paled, clearly not expecting such an answer. With a dry, hoarse voice, he struggled to ask: “Why? Just because the Black Raven Society lost most of its assassins this time?”

“That’s one reason, but more importantly, he said he found another way to stop you.”

Before Roy’s eyes appeared the supremely confident smile of the old duke, and the corners of her mouth also gained a hint of a smile: “He told me to take Caine away from the Empire, so that your plan naturally couldn’t proceed.”

Reαd οո KаtRеαԁiոɡCafе

The Imperial Lion with the scorching radiance of the morning sun was, of course, the most perfect candidate the people could accept after the imperial power was overthrown. And such a young man, equally burdened with glory, reputation, and ability, could not possibly be found again in the entire Empire.

Whether it was Darren or Federo, they had confined all their overt and covert struggles within controllable situations. They both hoped that after this hidden war, the Empire would still be strong and great. So without Caine, without the important chip to win people’s hearts, the old man could only let go.

“But how was he so certain Caine would be willing to go with you?” the old man asked faintly, seeming to have recovered from the earlier shock.

“Yes, because he said, since the Empire might suspect he was the true culprit of that fire, then let this conjecture become reality. He would use his own death to end this enmity spanning twelve years, allowing Caine to truly move beyond revenge.”

“He said that in the end, Admiral Caine would definitely make the right choice.”

With these words, Roy concluded her narrative and quietly observed the old man who had fallen silent. She knew that this speech was a crucial part of the duke’s and her scheme. If the old man accepted Darren’s decision, then everything would be considered to have come to an end.

Whether it was hatred, ambition, or potential turmoil in the Empire—everything would end.

As the old man was digesting the captain’s words, the wooden door was knocked. In Federo’s distracted voice, Rear Admiral Merri pushed open the door.

This time he didn’t linger at the doorway but walked straight to the table and solemnly placed a badge on it.

Rеаԁ on ΚаtReаdiոɡСafe

The badge had some scorch marks, but one could vaguely see it depicted a majestic seated tiger. Like the Howard family’s bronze lion insignia, this was clearly also a badge representing family and status.

In the Empire, there was only one family that displayed its dignity with a tiger—the Garcia family, represented by Duke Darren.

“Governor, this was found in that residence. After the violent explosion and fire, although it’s difficult to identify the faces and identities of the deceased, but…”

Merri revealed a troubled expression, as if worried the old man before him couldn’t accept the result.

“Speak,” Federo gestured for him to continue.

“We still managed to identify… Duke Darren’s remains.”

Thunder exploded across the pitch-black sky, as if exploding within the small study. The powerful old man who had walked in shadows all his life trembled as he picked up the badge, stroking it repeatedly. His emerald green eyes held only bewilderment and grief.

He had finally been defeated, not by swords and gunfire, but by one person’s death.

Rеad οո ΚαtReаⅾіոɡСafе

By the death of an old friend who had parted ways with him years ago due to conflicting ideologies.

After a respectful salute, Rear Admiral Merri withdrew from the study with a concerned expression, leaving the two occupants space for conversation.

“How does it feel to be the scapegoat? But then again you never cared about others’ opinions, and now, you don’t have the chance to care anymore.”

Federo laughed deeply, his words full of irrepressible sorrow: “From childhood, it was always me taking care of you, but in the end, it’s you clearing my sins. What have I done to deserve this, Darren…”

Roy silently watched this scene. She knew the old man’s eyes had endured countless hardships and had dried up so much they couldn’t shed tears. But even as he laughed while speaking, she could feel that sourness and bitterness. Only now did she understand what Duke Darren’s personal motive was.

It turned out that he and the Governor had always been extremely close.

As Roy quietly observed this heart-wrenching scene, the old man slowly raised his head and looked at her with a gentleness she had never seen before. His next words made the captain widen her eyes slightly.

“Captain, go tell Caine that his revenge is over, everything is over, and then… if he’s willing, take him with you.”