After Rod left, Rocco turned to Adair. “Let’s speak somewhere else, please.”
“Mm.”
Adair nodded, and the two men settled into a room within the mansion.
Adair asked directly, “What do you need me to do?”
“It’s truly pleasant to speak with someone who understands,” Rocco remarked as he poured a cup of tea for Adair, handing it over. “So, I won’t beat around the bush any longer. You’ve likely already guessed our identities.
As members of the royal family, there are many matters beyond our control at times. Take the present situation, for instance. Although His Majesty the King is still in good health, he is, after all, advanced in years and struggling to keep his subordinates in check.
Otherwise, with his formidable methods, figures like Baron Quentin would be nothing more than a plump lamb. Many have realized this and have begun to make their preparations.”
Adair raised an eyebrow. “Preparations?”
“Heh heh.” Rocco offered no further explanation, continuing instead, “Preparations in every sense of the word. Rod and I are deeply embroiled in this, so we must prepare early.”
Adair asked calmly, “To what extent do you intend to prepare?”
Rocco sighed with emotion. “The situation in the royal capital is unpredictable and full of variables. However, my eldest brother has garnered the most support and the greatest chance of success.
Unfortunately, the relationship between him and us two brothers is far from harmonious. If my eldest brother ascends, our fate as brothers would be difficult to foresee. Therefore, these preparations can only move forward, never retreat.”
Adair gazed at Rocco, who wore an expression of helplessness, as if everything he planned was merely self-defense. Adair would be a fool to believe that.
“What good is it to tell a powerless, insignificant person like me all of this? This isn’t something I can get involved in.”
“Why be so modest? Isn’t esteemed Adair also pursuing the status of a national hero?” Rocco took a small sip of tea. “Besides, you aren’t entirely without influence, are you? The benefactor of Marquis Telford.”
Adair’s pupils immediately dilated. His first thought was that Telford had reported his involvement to the royal family. But seeing Rocco scrutinizing his expression, he gave a wry smile. “Are you testing me?”
“Precisely.” Rocco admitted. “Marquis Telford’s report only mentioned assistance from a benefactor; it didn’t reveal the benefactor’s identity. However, you suddenly brought up Pecoin City earlier, and you seemed remarkably clear about everything that happened there.
You must understand, that anomaly was suppressed by the Marquis and the royal family to prevent panic. Ordinary people wouldn’t be privy to such a significant event. Hence, I began to speculate about your identity.
Judging by your reaction, I seem to have guessed correctly. How interesting. I’m becoming increasingly intrigued by you.”
“Heh.” Adair lowered his head to drink his tea, ignoring Rocco, but secretly chastised himself. His cultivation of composure was still too shallow; a simple probe had revealed his inner thoughts.
He knew that if his involvement in helping the Sanctuary and the Marquis against the cult were exposed, the dangers that followed would be unforeseeable.
That group of cultists would immediately try to capture him, interrogate him about his source of information, and then eliminate him.
At that point, Ye Xi alone might not be able to protect him. He would only be able to live out his days miserably under the strict protection of the Sanctuary.
The thought sent cold sweat trickling down Adair’s back. He appeared to be at ease, yet a single step backward would plunge him into an abyss.
Adair could only drink his tea to calm his nerves, forcing himself to remain composed.
Adair decided to divert the conversation away from himself. This Rocco was too cunning; he couldn’t afford to reveal any more information.
“Even so, I don’t believe I can sway the Marquis’s allegiance. Moreover, the Marquis’s territory is located on the border, and he might find himself powerless against the distant royal capital a thousand miles away. He himself doesn’t seem interested in such matters.”
Rocco didn’t dwell too much on Adair’s involvement, nodding as he said, “But there is still an invisible influence. The Marquis’s second son serves as an administrator in the royal capital. Though his noble rank isn’t high, he possesses real power.
Furthermore, His Excellency the Marquis is known for his forthright nature, extensive connections, and popularity. I’m not asking you to convey messages to the Marquis to make him choose a side. I only hope that, when the time comes, you won’t deliberately conceal your whereabouts, at least not from the Marquis and his people.”
Adair fell silent. This was an open scheme. If the Marquis knew he stood with Rocco, he would instinctively lean a certain way, and that slight inclination could be magnified by those with ulterior motives.
Adair rubbed his temples. His meticulous nature, he realized, had become a source of vexation. If he were simpler, he would have agreed immediately.
After some thought, Adair said, “Alright, what do you need me to do?”
Adair ultimately agreed to Rocco’s request. This matter offered significant room for maneuver. There was no reason Adair couldn’t manipulate what Rocco intended to use, especially since the Marquis’s stance hinged on his wavering, which made things much simpler.
“Excellent! I don’t want to keep esteemed Adair tied down. I only need you to assist that boy, Rod, in his ascension.”
“Hm?” Adair was surprised by Rocco’s words, asking with a hint of confusion, “I thought it would be you. You seem more suitable than Rod.”
Rocco replied calmly, “I don’t have the qualifications. Besides, if it were someone as disagreeable as me, I doubt esteemed Adair would be happy to help, would you?”
Adair raised an eyebrow, sensing some hidden context.
Rocco stated, “In fact, the Marquis’s support is secondary. If you wish to manipulate it, I won’t stop you. But there is one thing I hope you will dedicate your full effort to.”
“What is it?”
Rocco calmly explained, “Help me prune away my younger brother’s excessive kindness. I’m not saying he’ll instantly become a qualified king, but he should at least be on the path to becoming one.”
Adair murmured, “Excessive kindness?”
“Precisely. Don’t you feel he is too soft-hearted?”
Adair shrugged. “I actually find it quite endearing.”
“That is from your perspective, not that of a future king,” Rocco stated decisively. “A king’s great love should be for their nation; great benevolence must transcend petty righteousness. A king’s heart should be capable of harboring filth and transforming decay into gold.
A king’s benevolence and righteousness should never align with that of common citizens, and a king’s gaze should never be limited to the present, but rather look toward the future. Sacrificing great benefit for small kindness is absolutely unacceptable.
Individuals like Baron Quentin, who amass wealth, oppress the populace, and are arrogant and foolish—the previous king knew of their actions but did nothing. It wasn’t because His Majesty was obtuse, but because he was raising a plump lamb. Once this lamb showed any sign of losing control, it could be slaughtered.”
Adair scoffed, “This plump lamb, Baron Quentin, currently appears to be poisoned.”
Rocco conceded, “Indeed, this was a mistake by the King. He overestimated his own energy; he can no longer keep everything under control as he once did. But his decision was not flawed.
My younger brother, however, lacks these qualities. He only sees the immediate suffering but doesn’t understand the consequences of rash actions. He only wants to eliminate the small evils before him, unaware of the true great evil hidden deep within.”
Adair calmly asked, “Why don’t you teach him these things yourself? Or find someone more trustworthy. Is it not a bit farcical to have an outsider like me, who appeared out of nowhere, educate the future king?”
“I wish I could,” Rocco said, covering his face and leaning his head back in resignation. “Time waits for no one. It just so happens that the royal capital’s situation began to shift precisely when my brother was in his rebellious phase. Now, he listens neither to me nor to his father.
He is particularly resistant to the teachers that the King and I arranged for him. He always thinks he’s grown up and can make his own decisions. Why, to buy him time to cool down, I even sent him out of the royal capital for a month. You wouldn’t believe how restless he was a month ago. This self-important, half-baked understanding is the most fatal.”
Adair hadn’t imagined this was due to a child’s rebellious phase. “So, you sought me out?”
“Exactly.” Rocco nodded. “For whatever reason, your actions and demeanor resonate deeply with that child, leading him to idolize you somewhat. Your words are far more effective than ours right now.”
Adair: “…That’s it?”
Rocco replied, “Otherwise, what did you think? It seems simple, but the consequences are severe. This is a heavy burden.”
“Rod’s personality is rather soft. Adjusting him to the way you want him to be will be incredibly difficult.”
“Born into royalty, to enjoy capabilities beyond ordinary people, one must bear equal responsibility. His life no longer belongs solely to him. A large group of people awaits him, and his failure would lead to their sacrifice.
Of course, I’m not saying I want his personality to become completely cold and ruthless; I wouldn’t want that even if you could achieve it. I merely hope you can make him understand what trade-offs are, what the bigger picture is, and what it means to be ruthless when necessary.”
“Hoo~” Adair rubbed his temples. “You’re truly bold, entrusting your envisioned crown prince to me just like that.”
“I have confidence in my judgment. Of course, I’m not relying solely on intuition. I trust that esteemed Adair wouldn’t want the news of your assistance to the Sanctuary in defeating the cult to spread as a heroic tale right now, would you?”
Adair spread his hands. “Spare me, please. I agree to it. However, being a life mentor is something I’m doing for the first time, so I can’t guarantee the results.”
“At this critical juncture, every method must be tried. There’s no need for formal lessons like a typical teacher; isn’t teaching by example even better?” Rocco chuckled. “With us as your backing, esteemed Adair can display your talents on an even grander stage.”
Adair gave a wry smile. “I truly thank you, getting drawn into a royal power struggle. Tsk, tsk, tsk.”
Rocco clapped his hands, then stood up. “Well, esteemed Adair, you should rest early. After all this, dawn is almost here. It’s best for you to focus on the present for now.”
Adair also stretched. “Alright. By the way, where’s the room assigned to me?”
Rocco asked in surprise, “Esteemed Adair, what do you mean? Of course, it’s the room where Miss Ye Xi is currently staying.”
The lazy expression on Adair’s face instantly froze.
“Rest well, both of you. I’ll be going now.”
By the time Adair looked for Rocco again, he found that Rocco had already left, leaving only that single sentence behind.
A trap!
Curse you politics.