Chapter 821: Albert of the [Empire's Twin Moons]

After all, that place was essentially no different from a forbidden zone.

There were investigation teams every year, and the result was still no news every year.

In the Imperial Capital, there was a very interesting Urban Legend.

That is, if you want someone to die, then stuff them into the investigation team, this way you can guarantee your wish will be fulfilled one hundred percent.

"Indeed, the Wailing Marsh does sound like it's very troublesome."

"But Your Majesty, don't forget, after the Meteorite smashed down, the geography of the entire Wailing Marsh will also undergo changes."

"And this, perhaps is exactly an excellent opportunity for us to investigate the Wailing Marsh once again."

Because there was news of investigation teams disappearing every year before.

So even a Title Holder like Nicolas didn't dare to rashly enter that bizarre region.

Because of the Meteorite, the marshland will definitely undergo a massive top-to-bottom change of the entire food chain and ecosystem.

Under this circumstance, going to investigate might exactly be the most correct thing to do.

It would be better to say this kind of opportunity was originally a rare opportunity in a thousand years.

If they didn't utilize it, that would somewhat be unjustifiable.

Of course.

Going to investigate the meteor shower was also a project included in this.

It was nothing more than two projects in the same region.

And it only required sending one project team to go.

Regarding this, even the aged Sima IX felt it was a very cost-effective deal.

"Then... who is willing to go?"

Yes.

Investigating was actually very simple, there were only the two options of wanting to or not wanting to.

But wanting to make people go investigate was very difficult.

After all, that place was a certain death zone.

"Why are you all not saying a word?"

Waiting for quite a while, seeing no one stepping forward, the old emperor frowned and said.

Although his voice wasn't loud, it was like a heavy hammer smashing into everyone's hearts.

After all, although the old emperor was old, he wasn't dead.

The majesty he should have was still there.

The oppressive aura he should have also still existed.

So.

Whether it was the nobles or the ministers, they all didn't dare to breathe heavily.

Deeply afraid the other party would open his mouth and demand they lead a team to investigate this matter.

That damn Nicolas, if he hadn't talked too much, things wouldn't have reached this state now.

"Alright, since no one is willing, then let me..."

"Your Majesty, I am willing to go investigate."

Just when the old emperor was preparing to call on people, Nicolas raised his hand.

He, who was originally standing on the red carpet in the middle, appeared even more prominent at this moment.

But then again.

It was his suggestion to begin with, so it was a matter of course that he wanted to go.

For example, after seeing the unnatural movement patterns of that meteor shower, he wanted to go see it personally.

It was just that because he didn't belong to either the civil or military factions, he had observed for a bit.

Under the circumstance that no one was going, he could then move.

No helping it.

After all, he was one of the Empire's only five Title Holders.

Normally, even in an absolutely safe place like the Imperial Capital, he belonged to the protected targets.

Let alone going to a place like the Wailing Marsh.

Didn't you see the old emperor didn't even glance at him when he wanted to find someone?

It was exactly because he was afraid something would go wrong with this precious darling.

After all, not every Title Holder belonged to the existences with overflowing martial prowess.

And those people who were complaining about him in their hearts just now only had praise left in their hearts now.

"With one of the Empire's Twin Moons going to investigate, it will definitely be perfectly safe."

"Indeed."

"If Lord Nicolas leads the team, everyone will be very relieved."

As if afraid the old emperor wouldn't permit it, everyone's statements were unusually unified at this moment.

Even the Prime Minister faction and the Minister faction who normally didn't get along were like this.

"Is that so... then there's no helping it..."

Seeing things had reached this point, and the other party was also volunteering, the old emperor didn't say more, immediately deciding Nicolas as the captain of this investigation team.

It's just that...

"Since you are the Empire's Twin Moons, then let Albert also go along together, and have the Flamingo Knights accompany you for protection, what do you think?"

"Your Majesty, Albert is currently conducting a research project at Teacher Baham's place, and didn't come to the Imperial Palace to report for duty today."

"...Is that so, then forget it."

Seeing Albert was actually not in the hall, the old emperor had no other way either.

After all, doing research projects with a teacher was a very common thing for Alchemists.

So even if he was the Emperor, he wouldn't assign blame because of this kind of thing.

It's just that what he didn't know was that Albert wasn't doing any research projects with any teacher at all.

He just purely didn't want to appear in this kind of place.

In his view, wrangling with these well-dressed beasts in the court wasn't as practical as making a pot of potions.

So usually under these circumstances, it was Nicolas, a person who didn't mind this aspect, who covered for him.

Even if the two didn't get along academically.

"However the Knight Order must follow, even if all of you die, you must ensure Lord Nicolas returns safely, understood?"

Albert wasn't there, but the necessary things couldn't be missing.

So the old emperor turned his head to look at a muscular man among the military officials wearing armor and a cape embroidered with a flamingo pattern.

"Your Majesty, I swear upon my sword."

The Knight Order Commander who was called upon stepped forward and hammered his chest with a fist to assure the old emperor.

Just like this.

The so-called 'Meteor Shower Investigation Team' was thus successfully formed, and immediately set off towards the Wailing Marsh that very night.

"Tsk tsk, meteor shower huh, it looks like it's quite interesting."

Inside a tavern near the Imperial Capital's city gates.

A thin middle-aged man around forty years old, wearing unlined garments and holding a wine cup, stood by the window watching Nicolas and the Knight Order leave the city.

What happened this evening was truly too shocking.

No matter who it was.

Anyone with a bit of magic common sense would feel it was strange after seeing that Meteorite and the meteor shower that appeared afterwards.

It was nothing more than the depth of their ability, and the different ways they viewed things.

For example, this one.

If what Nicolas saw was the abnormal speed of the meteor shower.

Then what this one saw in his eyes was the inconsistency between the before and after.

The initial one, and the group afterwards.

No matter how he looked at it, they weren't the same batch.

Or rather, there wasn't even a necessary connection between the meteor shower afterwards and the Meteorite before.

If he had to describe it, it should be like the same dish made by two different chefs.

Looking at it, the exterior is the same.

The materials and ingredients used are also the same.

But the actual taste made is worlds apart.

"The taste isn't right... very not right..."

The middle-aged man shook his head.

"Albert, what taste isn't right?"

"He should be talking about the taste of today's dishes right."

"Eh! Now that you mention it, it seems the taste really has changed!"

"Hey you, go ask the boss what the situation is, did they change chefs, or are they looking down on us from the Alchemy Department."

Seeing the middle-aged man shaking his head there, the people drinking in the room all joined in the commotion.

That's right.

This middle-aged man was exactly one of the [Empire's Twin Moons], Albert.