Chapter 716, Go Call Wu Heng
First floor living room.
Shanaila, the Fifth Princess, the butler, and the maids were all gathered in the living room.
When they saw Wu Heng come down, they all looked at him curiously.
Shanaila asked directly, "Any news from the Guild?"
"Yeah." Wu Heng sat down opposite them before saying, "Headquarters has assigned a new investigation team to head to the Ekow Kingdom's capital to continue investigating the royal family's collusion with the cult. Elder Tapani, myself, and the original investigation team members have all been reassigned to logistics."
There was no need to hide this.
The investigation team would depart tomorrow, and everyone else would stay—it was clear.
And there were no outsiders in the room now. Even the Fifth Princess was now bound to him.
The Fifth Princess, Brittany, hesitated and asked, "So... what are your plans? Will the troops stay in the city?"
Shanaila also looked over with questioning eyes.
Wu Heng said directly, "The cooperation between Netalei City and Gold-Silver Island remains in effect. The skeleton troops will stay here. I'll also arrange for technicians from Gold-Silver Island to help install streetlights and carry out some repairs."
These were things already agreed upon.
Netalei City and Gold-Silver Island were tightly connected.
Hearing this, Brittany was visibly relieved.
It proved that Wu Heng wasn't abandoning her and that previously made promises would still be honored.
"So what's your main role now?" Brittany asked cautiously.
"I'm responsible for the safety of the sea routes and for transporting and delivering supplies. The investigation team's logistics needs will be fulfilled from Gold-Silver Island."
Brittany asked, "Will you still stay in Netalei City later?"
Wu Heng glanced at her and said, "I'll return to Gold-Silver Island. If anything comes up, I'll contact you from there."
"Oh..." Brittany lowered her head, suddenly looking downcast.
Wu Heng then turned to Shanaila, "Shanaila, are you coming back with me?"
"When are you going back?" Shanaila asked.
"After the investigation team departs tomorrow, probably in the afternoon."
Shanaila hesitated, looked at Brittany beside her, and said, "I'll stay a bit longer with Brittany. The merchants entering the city are quite sharp. If anything happens, we can discuss it together."
"That's fine. But be careful. If there's danger, head to the Guild. Tapani and the others will protect you," Wu Heng said.
"Got it," Shanaila replied with a smile.
Philipa set her parrot aside and said, "What about me?"
"You're responsible for sea route safety. When free, patrol along the routes and mainly escort supplies from Gold-Silver Island," Wu Heng said.
"Oh, alright," Philipa nodded.
This was her area of expertise, nothing out of the ordinary.
With the matters discussed—
Brittany and Shanaila left the City Lord's Mansion to handle business affairs.
Wu Heng returned to his study.
......
Nightfall.
The sound of insects chirping came from outside.
Wu Heng stretched and was about to go rest.
Knock knock knock~!
Someone knocked on the door.
"Who is it?"
"Island Lord, it's me, Brittany," came a soft voice from outside.
The Fifth Princess?
Wu Heng opened the door and saw Brittany, still in her daytime outfit, standing at the doorway with her head lowered.
"What's wrong? Someone bullied you?" Wu Heng asked.
Brittany softly said, "Island Lord, I want to talk to you. Can we go to the study?"
Wu Heng didn't step aside and said, "Let's go to the room next door. The study's a bit messy."
The three wraiths were busy inside, and the radio was on the desk.
Best not to let Brittany see any of that.
"Oh, okay!" Brittany nodded immediately.
They walked into the room next door together.
Seeing Brittany a bit hesitant, Wu Heng asked, "What's wrong? We're all familiar now. Just say it."
Brittany suddenly raised her head, "Island Lord Wu Heng, will the new investigation team going to Chelu affect the kingdom? If they really find ties to the cult, does the Ekow Kingdom stand a chance?"
Chelu was the capital.
With a new team assigned, Brittany had begun to worry that something might change.
Hearing her question, Wu Heng had another guess.
Maybe the report mentioned the Fifth Princess and the current situation in the Ekow Kingdom, which led to the leaders' personnel adjustments.
The original members had all been reassigned to logistics.
A new investigation team with little connection to the Ekow Kingdom had been sent instead.
It was certainly possible.
Wu Heng sat down and gestured for her to do the same, then said, "Don't assume the worst. With the team going over, other factions won't dare act recklessly. It might improve the kingdom's situation."
"But... I'm afraid there really is a problem," Brittany mumbled.
All the evidence pointed to the First Prince receiving support from the cult.
The Holy Veneration Sect killed a local steward and tried to wipe out the entire investigation team. The Guild would never let them go.
Even if they disbanded now, the culprits would still be hunted down and killed to prevent future threats.
And if the royal family was involved, they would certainly be implicated.
It all depended on how the Guild handled it.
"Everyone must take responsibility for their actions. If someone tries to profit through the cult, they must bear the consequences," Wu Heng said, looking at her. "Didn't you say you wanted to reclaim the kingdom? Why worry now?"
Brittany added, "If royal family members are involved, can they be given a second chance?"
"That's not for me to decide. If they don't do anything foolish, the investigation team will handle it according to Guild procedures. They might not be executed," Wu Heng replied.
Back on Gold-Silver Island, she was the one lobbying to restore the kingdom.
Now, she didn't seem like someone fit to do it at all.
"I just don't want them to die."
"Brittany!" Wu Heng said sternly.
Brittany looked up at him.
Wu Heng said seriously, "You're the Fifth Princess. You're guarding a city and might even compete for the throne someday. Being this soft-hearted will only hurt those who support you."
Brittany froze, then nodded, "I—I understand."
"You need to be mentally prepared to turn the Ekow Kingdom back to what it was under your father."
Brittany's eyes widened, shifting from confusion to determination, "I'll keep reminding myself."
"Good. If anything happens, talk to Shanaila. She has a communicator linked to me."
"Thank you, my lord," Brittany bowed again.
Wu Heng nodded.
Brittany added, "Then I'll head back now. When you leave, I'll see you off."
"Mm."
After Brittany left, Glenda slowly revealed herself beside him.
"That little princess is quite dependent on you."
Wu Heng glanced at her, "Were you eavesdropping again?"
Glenda ignored him and said, "It's not a bad thing she relies on you. Makes things easier to manage later."
"You say it like I'm manipulating a young girl."
Glenda floated to his left shoulder, "If you don't guide her, she'll only suffer worse and be exploited even more."
"Maybe. I've already told her—Netalei City is bound to Gold-Silver Island."
Glenda added, "If other necromancers had this many undead troops, they'd have launched a war already. You're the only one worried about deceiving some little girl."
"I want to be a good person."
"Try telling that to the church. See if they believe you."
Wu Heng said no more. He returned to the study, tidied up a bit, and cast [Teleportation] to appear in Shanaila's room.
Shanaila, in a sheer nightgown, lay sideways on the bed, reading a book.
Wu Heng walked straight over and took off his clothes.
He embraced the wood elf and lay down to rest.
......
The next day, at the city gate.
A light breeze swept up dust.
The new investigation team gathered at the gate. Horses and carriages were all ready.
"We're off. We'll send updates by letter along the way," Daniel said.
Tapani nodded, "Don't worry. If there's an issue, we'll assist immediately."
"No, if there's an issue, your main job is to get the message back—don't take risks," Daniel said seriously.
Tapani nodded without replying.
Daniel turned to Wu Heng, "If we send back intelligence, help us analyze it."
"If there's anything I can do, I'm happy to help," Wu Heng replied with a smile.
"Alright, time's short. Let's move out," Daniel said with a wave. The convoy set off.
The group behind them waved.
As the team disappeared into the distance, the rest began heading back.
Tapani asked, "When are you going back to Gold-Silver Island?"
"This afternoon."
"Don't forget to assign the patrol duty."
"Got it."
They chatted briefly and parted ways at the Guild entrance.
......
Gold-Silver Island, Guild.
Steward's study.
Shiyali rested her chin on her hand, sighing gloomily, "So boring. Let's go to the Island Lord's Mansion tonight and give Wu Heng a call."
Sheila Grey put down her pen and frowned at her.