Chapter 550 - 301: Hot Commodity

Meanwhile, Stella’s eyes glinted, as if she had realized something. She looked at Howard. "Vice-Governor, does the board of directors know Governor Hoover came here?"

Howard shrugged. "By the time he set off for this place, an apology letter had already been sent to the board. Right now, those guys are probably in the conference room discussing how to dock Hoover’s salary and performance bonus."

"You know how it is. That guy always acts first and asks for permission later. Otherwise, Westminster would never have gotten involved in a deal like Yafurheim," Howard said. "But this way, we have a reason to get reimbursed for that one hundred pounds of Gold."

Meanwhile, in response to Bode’s inquiry, Governor Hoover simply said, "It’s not Westminster that’s come to join the fun, but all of you who are crashing Westminster’s party. Chairman Abraham, have you perhaps forgotten our previous agreement?"

The Old Cowboy said, "I’m just here for the show. Of course, I know Baron Constantin is an operative of Westminster Bank. The problem is, these other two don’t seem to be aware, so I thought I’d give them a little warning."

But Governor Hoover just smiled. "Baron Constantin has already returned safely to Westminster. The matter here is concluded. You may all go about your business."

The Holy Knight said, "My [Spiritual Essence] tells me Baron Constantin is still here."

Hoover forced a smile. "You’re imagining things."

The Holy Knight pressed, "If Baron Constantin stays with Westminster, his talents will be wasted."

The Golden Knight, Bode, also voiced his agreement.

Hoover narrowed his eyes. "Since you all think so highly of Baron Constantin, why didn’t I see any of you trying to recruit him before he killed Elder Pence and revealed his strength as a Dragon Knight?"

The Holy Knight answered honestly, "This area was shielded by the Magic of a Golden Mage, a place beyond the perception of my [Spiritual Essence]. If I had acted rashly, I fear the Golden Mage would have noticed and brought trouble upon my Holy Cross Association."

There were rumors in the Inner Side that the London Tower had long been displeased with the Holy Cross Association’s refusal to comply with directives.

Golden Knight Bode, on the other hand, let out a hearty laugh. "I just wanted to see if Baron Constantin had the guts to kill Pence Hestia."

"If he hadn’t made a move, I would have done it myself."

Old Abraham, however, said, "There was no benefit for me in killing him, and saving him would have just provoked others... Governor Hoover, after so many years as the head of Westminster, you should understand what I mean."

Hoover said, "Let’s end this matter here. You are all prominent figures in the Inner Side. The incident at Traitor’s Cliff and the auction, along with the Hestia Family’s subsequent Judgment, will be enough to keep you busy... As for Baron Constantin, I advise you all to stay out of it."

"All of your Law Enforcement Organizations still have [debts] with Westminster."

The three Golden Tiers heard the blatant threat in the governor’s words, but they showed no sign of being offended.

Only Golden Knight Bode asked in a low voice, "Westminster Bank has always been neutral, uninvolved in the affairs of the Inner Side, big or small, unless they concern Taboo Items. To make an exception today for Baron Constantin... is it just because of his status as a Dragon Knight, which has nothing to do with containment?"

"Mr. Bode, allow me to correct one point."

Hoover said coolly, "Baron Constantin’s importance to Westminster has never been because he is a Dragon Knight. First and foremost, he is a Triple-S Level operative, jointly recognized by the Westminster Bank board of directors. And second..."

Before the three Golden Tiers could even recover from the shock of Baron Constantin’s transformation into a Triple-S Level operative for Westminster Bank, a small lotus flower bloomed in the governor’s palm. At the sight of this lotus, for the first time, an expression other than "calm and unruffled" appeared on their faces.

The Westminster governor said, "This is the second reason."

...

"Besides being the governor of Westminster Bank, Hoover is also a Celestial Rank Daoist. That’s the equivalent of the Inner Side’s Golden Tier."

Lucy, sitting on Isabella’s shoulder, said, "Your transformation into a Paperman earlier was likely his doing. With him here, you’ve escaped this time... The only thing left to deal with will probably be the counterattack from the Old Blood Clans in court."

"Congratulations. It’s all over now."

A Paperman sat on Isabella’s other shoulder, its features holding a hint of the Dragon Knight’s air.

The Paperman was silent for a moment. "It would be nice if it were really over."

In the end, the four Golden Tiers whispered amongst themselves, striking some unknown deal. Afterward, Abraham ordered the Demon Hunters to deal with the attacking Dragon Tide. The Holy Knight stepped onto an invisible staircase, similar in effect to an [Illusory Cocoon], and vanished. Golden Knight Bode had his men collect the bodies of the fallen Knights, then dismissed the Knights who were assisting the Wizards in reinforcing the seal, taking over the maintenance of the Array by himself.

Governor Hoover didn’t linger. He had Howard activate his [Half-Dragon] state, transforming him into a Thunder Dragon. With a casual wave, the Paperman Baron on Isabella’s shoulder flew onto the dragon’s back. They then soared toward Inner London.

They left behind the Law Enforcers on Traitor’s Cliff, who could only look at each other, then stare dumbly at the receding silhouette of the Giant Dragon, like a bunch of frogs at the bottom of a well gazing up at a wild goose flying across the sky.

After a long while, someone finally remarked with emotion:

"Did we just witness history being made today?"

Silence. Endless silence, with only the sound of the wind carrying the rattle of the Mad Dragon’s chains in the Abyss.

Everyone was lost in deep thought amidst the silence.

’Baron Constantin is already this badass... just how much more badass is he going to get in the future?’

’Since Baron Constantin was the one who won this war of vengeance, does that mean... the sins of the Dragon Knights have more or less been washed away?’

...

On the dragon’s back, Baron, now restored to his original form, and Jack stared at each other, wide-eyed.

"Weren’t you dead?"

"Dead?" Jack said. "That was just the effect of a Taboo Item."

He took out the A Level Taboo Object that had been up for auction earlier, the [Golgotha Shroud]:

"Here, see? This is the shroud that lets you play dead... The Dragon Witch’s bullet actually hit my bulletproof vest. I was just pretending to be dead the whole time."

"So, what do you think, Constantine Brothers... Pretty useful, right? A perfect tool for escaping!"

As Baron stared in astonishment, Jack rubbed his head. "It’s just that there are some side effects. My head is full of the dying memories of dead people... Shit!"

He suddenly yelled, but after getting a glare from the secretary, Stella, he lowered his voice and said to Baron, "Guess whose memories are in my head?"

Baron was still reeling from the shock of Jack’s return from the dead when he saw Jack looking back at him, equally stunned, and say:

"Bill!"

"Bill was killed by the Lancelot Family Head!!!"

Baron’s pupils dilated abruptly.

...

[Baron Constantin’s Diary / Date Unknown

Today was my first day of work at Sheffield Industrial Bank. My top supervisor is Lady Eleanor.

Honestly, this Lady Eleanor looks like she’s not to be trifled with. Her gaze is murderous, and everyone in the office is so scared they barely dare to breathe. The atmosphere is extremely oppressive.

Also, rumor has it this Lady Eleanor is a member of the Conservative Party, and she’s domineering and old-fashioned. The employees at the Birmingham branch secretly call her "the Dictator."

I’m starting to wonder if moving from Worlington to work in the Birmingham District was the right choice. It’s not because this Lady Eleanor seems to have it in for me, or because the pay isn’t great.

It’s simply that I was thinking to myself, no matter what, I’m still a... (A messy scribble, but Baron later deduced from memory and context that the original text likely said something like "Bloodless of the Inner Side"), and I can’t just waste my life away in Birmingham.

Even if I’m just a debt collector for a bank in the Outer Side of Birmingham, I’m going to be one of the best!]

[Baron Constantin’s Diary / Date Unknown

Miss Alice’s aunt is actually Lady Eleanor? What’s the difference between that and finding out Mrs. Thatcher is Audrey Hepburn’s aunt?]

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