Chapter 9 The Matter is Exposed

  Then the days went on quietly in Raymond's "ignorance".

  Finally, in the dead of night several days later...

  The bright moon hanging high in the sky casts a pale white glow over the sleeping town of Seadton, as the salty night wind howls by, gradually spreading an unsettling atmosphere throughout the silent city, as if foretelling that this would be a restless night.

  A mysterious man, clad in a black bodysuit, was sprinting at incredible speed across the rooftops of Hadinton's sprawling buildings, heading towards a house in the town center.

  He arrived at the house opposite and did not rush to the target, but instead lay quietly on a certain rooftop across from the house, concentrating and listening carefully.

  After making sure there was no one around, he immediately jumped out like a spirit cat, lightly touched the street heart, and in the next moment, he had already flipped over the outer wall of the opposite house, from start to finish without making any sound.

  Along the outer wall of that house, a man crawled up to the balcony on the second floor and crouched outside the door. Without making any movement, he silently opened the door. Then, with a swift motion, he slipped into the room, closing the door behind him in one smooth action. The whole process took only a few seconds, and from the outside, it seemed as if nothing had happened at all.

  This is a typical woman's room, with the moonlight shining in through the window, you can see the person sleeping on the bed, her curvaceous figure, and a faint scent of femininity wafting through the air.

  However, the man who sneaked in was not bewildered by this temptation at all. He stepped silently to the bedside and from his angle of view, the person sleeping on the bed was none other than Charlotte.

  That person is obviously one of the two thieves left by Pastor before he left.

  The man flipped his wrist and a black dagger appeared in his hand. He aimed at Charlotte's heart position, and the dagger flashed down like lightning.

  Just as all hope seemed lost, a small figure suddenly darted out of the darkness behind the man, and a bright light flashed in an arc-shaped trajectory towards his back.

  The man's reaction was also extremely fast, he almost instantly turned around, and in the dark room, a string of sparks burst out, the sound of clashing blades like popping beans.

  Two figures suddenly merged and separated, each jumping to one side of the room. It seemed like a draw, but if you looked closely, you could see that the man was half-crouching on the ground, slightly panting, with a large patch of blood spreading from his right knee.

  The noise also woke up Charlotte, who sat up in bed and suddenly found that there were two more people in her room, and she couldn't help but exclaim: "Who are you?"

  "Meow, I'm Bastet, don't get it wrong." The petite figure said: "He's the one who came to kill you."

  "It's you." Charlotte recognized Bastert's voice, but due to the darkness in the room, she could only see two blurry figures.

  "Wait a minute, I'll light the candle." Charlotte fumbled and was about to light the candelabra beside the bed.

  "Wait, don't move!" Bast shouted hastily.

  At the same time, the man had pounced on Charlotte.

  The cat woman flew out, and the two almost met at the same time by Charlotte's bed. Bastet cut with a knife, but the man did not even defend himself, and he took this knife with his body.

  His injured knee had greatly affected his mobility, knowing that escape was hopeless, the man resorted to a desperate gamble, hoping to exchange his life for the success of the assassination.

  Aware of Bastet's intentions, she hastily drew her knife, but because the knife was stuck in the man's body, she slowed down by a hair. Taking advantage of this opportunity, the man used his last strength to throw the dagger in his hand at Charlotte.

  In an instant, Bastet's left hand wiped behind her waist and drew out another curved knife to throw. The sharp curved knife spun like a spinning silver plate, closely pursuing the dagger.

  Just as the dagger was about to stab Charlotte, a curved knife collided with it, producing a clear ringing sound. A spark flew out, and the dagger narrowly missed Charlotte's cheek, grazing her face. The blade was so close to her skin that Charlotte could even feel the chill of the metal.

  The blow that cost him his life was still unsuccessful, and the man's eyes flashed with a look of unwillingness before he spat out a big mouthful of blood and fell to the ground.

  And at this moment, Charlotte still maintained her previous action, being so frightened that she didn't dare to move.

  "Phew, that was close. Luckily I made it in time." Seeing Charlotte safe and sound, the cat girl wiped her forehead in relief: "Otherwise, I really don't know how I would have explained this to Master."

  "Hey, are you okay?" Walking up to the stunned Charlotte, Bastet waved her hand in front of her eyes.

  "Ah!" Charlotte exclaimed, as if she had just come back to her senses.

  She lit the candelabra on the table, and as the light drove away the darkness, the corpse of the murdered man came into view, giving Charlotte another not-so-small shock.

  "What's going on? Who is he? How did you end up here?" She asked Bastert repeatedly.

  "Meow, you ask so many questions, how can I answer?" Bastet replied bewildered: "Which one do you want to know first?"

  "Who is he?" Charlotte pointed at the man's corpse after a moment of stunned silence.

  "He's the thief that Pester left behind, specifically to assassinate you," Bast said, pulling off the corpse's mask to reveal Morgan.

  Charlotte immediately recognized him as one of Paiste's attendants and couldn't help but say: "Why did he want to kill me?"

  Bast shook his head: "I don't know about that."

  Suddenly, as if thinking of something, Charlotte looked at Bastet and said: "Why are you here?"

  "Bastard hastily said: 'It's like this, the young master unintentionally discovered that he didn't leave Haidington and thought there must be a purpose, so I was asked to monitor him. Tonight, I followed him here and saw him sneaking in to harm you, so I intervened.'"

  This naturally made Raymond teach her to scatter.

  Charlotte wouldn't have believed it all, but what had just happened was too shocking and she still had lingering fears, really didn't have time to pursue so much.

  "She wondered: 'Why does Mr. Paiste want to kill me? Does the Patrol Committee really want...'"

  "By the way, when I was following him just now, I also found another person in another place." Basset added.

  "Who is it?"

  "It was that old man Lambert, I think. He met with them before he came to kill you." Bast recalled.

  "What, Mr. Lambert? This cannot be..." Charlotte exclaimed in astonishment.

  She grabbed Bastar's arm and said: "Where is he? Take me there quickly, I want to ask him what's going on myself."

  In a secluded alley two blocks away from Charlotte's mansion, Lambert waited anxiously for Morgan with two attendants.

  "What's going on? Why hasn't he come back yet?" Lambert paced back and forth anxiously, occasionally glancing towards the alley entrance.

  Although he had made up his mind, this behavior was really shameful. He was afraid that the matter would be exposed and his reputation would be ruined, but at the same time, he was excited about being recommended to enter the lower-level evaluation conference. This anxious mood made him look very tense.

  At this moment, a figure suddenly appeared at the entrance of the alley. Lambert was overjoyed and rushed forward without taking a closer look: "How is it, have you killed Charlotte... Ah, how come it's you!?"

  As he looked up to see who it was, Lambert's eyes widened in shock as he saw that the person standing before him was none other than Charlotte, who should have been dead.

  He pointed at Charlotte in disbelief: "You... how did you know I was here?"

  "Heh heh, I had already seen through you when you met that guy." At this time, Bastet poked her head out from behind Charlotte.

  "Mr. Lambert," Charlotte said in a low voice, "what is the meaning of this?"

  Under her gaze, Lambert involuntarily took two steps back. Suddenly, he said to his attendants: "Kill them for me." And with that, he turned and ran away.

  But before the two attendants could draw their swords, a white shadow flashed between them. The two unlucky devils' necks spouted blood simultaneously, and Bastard kicked Lambert to the ground, placing his curved knife on his neck.

  Feeling the icy edge of the blade on his neck, Lambert's face turned ashen. He was already quite old, and at this moment he looked like he had lost his soul, utterly dejected.

  "Mr. Lambert, you've watched me grow up, why are you doing this?" Charlotte said with a pained expression as she walked up to him.

  "Lambert said with a strong spirit: 'Because you will only lead Haidington in the wrong direction.'"

  "Are you still believing what the Federation says?" Charlotte asked in surprise.

  "It's better than letting Haidington fall into the hands of that mysterious guy." Lambert grunted, "I failed, nothing to say. However, as long as I can kill Javier, Haidington will eventually return to Lavieth one day."

  "What, you've also laid hands on Mr. Javier?" Charlotte was shocked to the core; if Javier were assassinated, then Haidington would truly be finished.

  "Hurry and inform Mr. Javier to be careful." Charlotte hastily told Bast, but immediately remembered that Morgan had already made his move, another person would not wait until now, and it was too late to warn him at this time.

  "She changed her tone and said: 'You take Mr. Morante with you, we'll go to the garrison's headquarters.'"

  Unaware of Lambert's plot, Charlotte hastened to the camp of the guard with Bassette, who was leading Morante, her heart burning with anxiety, all part of Raymond's plan.

  At this time, outside the camp of the defending team, Fan Ning was hurrying towards the entrance.

  Lambert followed Morgan to Charlotte's side, while Depierre and Spiel went to assassinate Javert. Once the two were confirmed dead, he would use a pre-prepared committee order to mobilize the guard troops to drive away Raymond. If they refused to leave quietly, they would frame Charlotte's death on them and solve the problem by force.

  After that, Hayden can be accepted by the Federation of Lavi again. Everything will return to normal. There are no robbers and no despicable Raymond. Although it's a pity to kill Charlotte, it's also a necessary price to pay.

  Of course, if Lambert and Depero can also get into the lower council, that would be the most wonderful result, and finally don't have to stay in this town with no future.

  However, for some reason, although the plan had been made long ago, Fan Ning's heart was getting more and more uneasy. Although he was very sure that those two thieves would not make a mistake, there was always an inexplicable anxiety lingering in his mind.

  Finally, Fan Ning couldn't wait any longer. He decided to mobilize the garrison troops first. Although at this time, she had not yet received news of Charlotte and Javier's deaths.

  "Who goes there?" The guard at the entrance of the camp asked cautiously as Fan Ning approached.

  "It's me." Fan Ning said in a low voice.

  "It's Lord Fan Ning." The guard recognized him and hastily put away his weapon: "So late at night, what brings you here?"

  "Is Shawn in? Take me to see him." Fan Ning ignored the guard's words.

  Seeing his complexion was not good, the guards did not dare to slack off and quickly brought him into the camp.

  "Mr. Fan Ning, how did you come here?" The commander of the guard team, Xiao En, was also surprised to see him.

  Fan Ning said: "I'm here to take over the defense team. From now on, everyone will follow my command."

  "What!?" Sean was shocked: "What's going on?!"

  Van Ning said: "The town mayor has been assassinated, and now Haidington is in a state of emergency. According to the committee's authority, the guard troops will take orders from me from now on."

  As he spoke, Fan Ning handed over the command book that had been prepared in advance, with the signatures of the three committee members on it. In the event that Charlotte was unable to fulfill her duties as mayor, everything in Haidington would be managed by the committee.

  "Charlotte... Charlotte's mayor is dead?" Shawn asked incredulously as he mechanically took the order book. "What happened?"

  Fan Ning shook his head: "It's not clear for the time being, but the biggest suspects are Raymond and his gang. So I order you to immediately gather all the guards and go with me to Raymond's residence to investigate."

  This thing happened too suddenly, and Shawn still can't believe it now. He couldn't help but say: "This is not a trivial matter, I hope to confirm the mayor's safety first before making a decision."

  "Haven't you seen the order book?" Fan Ning said angrily: "Now you will listen to the committee's dispatch and execute the order immediately."

  Xiao Shuai was still hesitant, and Fan Ning was about to put on more pressure when suddenly a voice came from the doorway: "Hey, how did I suddenly become the murderer?"

  "Is it you?" Upon hearing this, Fan Ning could hardly believe his own ears.

  He turned his head in astonishment and saw that it was indeed Raymond who had entered the room with Freddy by his side.

  Fan Ning's unease grew stronger. Why did Raymond appear here? Shouldn't he be completely unaware, sleeping soundly and waiting for the guard team to arrive?

  Xiao Nai also sensed something was off, he quietly put away the order book and waited for developments.

  "Captain Shaw, I'm guessing, Mr. Fanning showing up this late must mean Charlotte's been killed, right?" Raymond smiled.

  "Ah!" Fan Ning exclaimed in disbelief?

  "Yes, and he also said that you are the prime suspect." Sean asked cautiously: "I'd like to know what's going on here?"

  "Ah, it's actually quite simple. Charlotte is fine." Raymond waved his hand: "On the contrary, Van Ning, De Pero and Morante conspired with Pastor to plot against her, wanting to assassinate her, but instead framed me."

  Fan Ning suddenly felt a wave of dizziness in front of his eyes and almost fainted. The plan had indeed been exposed. But how did this kid find out?

  But it's come to this, and of course we can't just give up. Fan Ning forced himself to say: "He's talking nonsense, this is just the murderer trying to turn black and white around. Xiao En, don't listen to his nonsense, catch this guy immediately."

  "Don't waste your brainpower, you don't really think you still have a chance of winning, do you?" Freddy sneered.

  "Xiao En, don't forget you're a Haitington person. Are you going to distrust me and believe in these outsiders instead?" Fan Ning said gritting her teeth.

  Sean looked at both sides and said slowly: "Before confirming whether the town leader is dead or alive, I won't believe anyone."

  "Alright, then let's send someone to Charlotte's house to take a look." Fan Ning said resolutely: "I'm telling you, she's definitely dead!"

  Now Fan Ning was just betting that Raymond was bluffing, and Morgan and Speil would definitely succeed. But in his excitement, he forgot his current tone, as if he couldn't wait for Charlotte to die.

  Sure, here is the translation:

  As expected, upon hearing his words, Shawn furrowed his brow. Just then, a guard rushed in: "Captain, it's the mayor, the mayor she..."

  "What's wrong with the town mayor?" Xiao En hastily asked.

  "I'm fine. Mr. Fan Ning, I didn't expect you to be involved in the rebellion as well." At this time, three people walked into the room, and the first one was Charlotte.

  Charlotte's appearance left Van Ning at a loss, and when he saw Lambert being pushed by Bastard, his face turned incredibly pale.

  Fan Ning knew he was completely finished.

  "Captain Shaw, I command you in the name of the mayor to immediately arrest Mr. Van Ning on charges of rebellion." Charlotte said to Shawn.

  Although it's still unclear what exactly happened, Charlotte's appearance has already explained everything. Shawn said in a low voice: "Mr. Van Ning, you heard that."

  At the same time, one of the guards walked towards Fan Ning, ready to take him away.

  As the guard approached, Fan Ning suddenly made his move. He swiftly drew the guard's sword and retreated a few steps back against the wall, shouting to the crowd: "Don't come any closer!"

  Everyone was shocked by his actions, Basute smiled and touched the curved knife on his waist, ready to move forward.

  "Bastet, wait," Raymond said, holding up a hand to stop her.

  "Mr. Fan Ning, don't do anything unnecessary anymore, just surrender." Charlotte said calmly as she stepped forward.

  "Hmph, I really didn't think you'd be able to escape this time." Fan Ning sneered, pointing his sword at Charlotte: "It seems I underestimated you. However, as long as I can kill Javier, then..."

  Before he could finish speaking, Freddy coldly said: "Don't be stupid, do you really think that if you and Lambert both fell, another killer would succeed?"

  In fact, Fan Ning was very clear in his heart that tonight's plan had completely failed. He just couldn't accept the reality yet. At this moment, hearing Freddy's blunt words, his stubbornness and arrogance were instantly deflated, and the hand holding the sword also drooped down.

  "Mr. Fan Ning, surrender." Charlotte said in a timely manner.

  "No, I will never surrender. Let me rot in prison with those thieves next time, rather than die!" However, unlike the decrepit Lambert, Fan Ning was quite tough.

  Knowing that there was no hope left, a crazed look appeared in Fan Ning's eyes. Before Baxia could make a move, he suddenly drew his sword across his neck.

  Charlotte cried out, but it was too late. A large amount of blood spurted from Fan Ning's throat, his body swayed twice, the sword in his hand fell to the ground with a clang, and he died on the spot.

  Van Ning was after all a respectable person in Haidington, and Charlotte couldn't bear to look at his lifeless body. "Captain Shawn, please send someone to collect Mr. Van Ning's body."

  Sean nodded and called two guards to carry the body out. The two guards, who had not yet known what had happened, suddenly saw Fan Ning's body and couldn't help but show a look of shock and bewilderment.

  Soon, the house was left with only a puddle of blood on the floor, as if to remind everyone what had just happened.

  "What a close call! Luckily I thought of coming here to the guard team first, or Fan Ning would have succeeded." Charlotte said with relief.

  She walked up to Raymond: "Mr. Raymond, why are you here?"

  Raymond said: "Actually I just received the news that something might happen in Haidington City tonight, so I came here to take a look and didn't expect to run into Fan Ning."

  As he spoke, he patted Bastet's head: "Bastet, you saved Charlotte, well done."

  "Meow, I was just accidentally hitting it by mistake." Bast said with a "humble" tone. However, the actions of the two people seemed to be well-rehearsed in advance, no matter how you looked at it.

  "Are you really completely ignorant?" Charlotte looked at him.

  Raymond shrugged: "Of course, I didn't think they'd be so bold either."

  At this point, Charlotte had some perception that Raymond must have known something. However, it was meaningless to pursue the matter further at this time.

  She cleverly dropped the pursuit of questioning: "Since Lambert and Vanning both failed, I think Mr. Javier won't have any problems either?"

  Raymond smiled: "Maybe so, Mr. Javier has been traveling all over the world for many years, I think he should know how to protect himself."

  "Then let's go and see, hoping to ask something from Mr. Depro."

  Charlotte and Raymond, accompanied by the guard squad, headed towards Javier's residence.