[Sorry for the mistake with chapters 61 and 62. I'm uploading the corrected versions now, along with three extra chapters to make up for the inconvenience.]
"A confession? There's really a witness?"
Huh? Wait, seriously?
Faced with the equally stunned looks in the meeting room, Manstein actually felt a bit more at peace.
As expected, bad news is best shared. No way was he going to be the only one pulling his hair out in frustration.
If he didn't give them a proper explanation, they'd really think he was slacking during his shift.
He cleared his throat. "That's right. The Shenzhou Houses have officially submitted a complete accusation with an inquiry-ready chain of evidence."
First, the Gattuso family did indeed dispatch a sizable number of personnel, claiming it was for a marriage alliance with the Chen family. But for reasons unknown—perhaps information blocked by the Houses—these agents clashed with Chen family insiders.
With the Houses' involvement, a three-way conflict erupted. Most Gattuso agents died during the clash, leaving only one survivor, who has now accused the Party.
This individual stated that the marriage was a decoy, and the real mission was Gattuso collaborating with the Chens in illegal experiments.
Supporting this, the Shenzhou Houses found extensive death servant experiment records and test subjects in the Chen family's facility.
Second, the mastermind behind the Chen family was Odin, leading a group of ancient military-like "Heroic Spirits." Upon analysis, they were found to be experimental products like death servants and corpse guards, matching the records and bearing the same technological traces.
The Houses pointed out that among the old families capable of supporting such experiments, the Sigurd family—an Elder Council member and descendant of Odin—was the most suspicious.
An old man beside Manstein, tall with wild gray hair, suddenly spoke up:
"Hold on. Everyone knows Odin is the chief god of Norse mythology... but given how world-ending his Word Spirit was, he's probably a Dragon King. Don't you think the Shenzhou Houses are intentionally covering this up?"
"Oh, Guderian, my old pal, always the sharp one," Manstein sighed.
Even Schneider had nothing to say to that, because he knew you couldn't say such things aloud.
If Guderian weren't Manstein's long-time friend from the same mental hospital, he might've booted him for that.
"We're already under suspicion. And now you want us to admit to collaborating with a Dragon King?"
Dear god, might as well worship Odin as a god!
Schneider and Manstein exchanged glances, both ignoring the "how not to be associated with Odin" question.
They knew the Shenzhou Houses hadn't provided convincing proof on that front. The core issue was Gattuso.
If they could resolve that, the second accusation would collapse under its own weight.
Schneider, abandoning his infiltration plan, went straight into rebuttal mode:
"These accusations are absurd! The Party is complex. The Gattuso family may be a board member, but their power base is separate from Kassel. There's no way they're 'collaborating.' That survivor's testimony is suspicious!"
Manstein adjusted his glasses.
"But the Houses don't see it that way. Their system is clan-based. To them, all Party families are one, and Kassel is just an extension of Party territory."
Truth is, most mixed-blood organizations are clan-based due to bloodline inheritance.
Strong bloodlines combine to produce even stronger offspring, forming these families.
Exceptional commoners are rare. Kassel's elite gathering depends on global fishing, casting wide nets and choosing the best.
The Party's Kassel system is more advanced than old-school families—but not free from their influence. For instance, their Italian division is practically Gattuso's personal enterprise.
There are exceptions, like the Solomon Temple Knights, who expand worldwide under the cross banner.
Knock knock knock.
Schneider tapped the table. "Get in touch with Frost. His subordinate gave direct testimony to the Houses. He needs to handle this."
Manstein glanced over. "Already tried. Before you arrived. The acting head hasn't answered. No clue what he's doing. Suggestions?"
Guderian eagerly raised a hand. "Then try contacting Pompeii, Gattuso's head?"
The other two ignored him.
Every mixed-blood in the world knows Pompeii is a playboy who chases women and avoids responsibilities.
A few seconds passed.
Manstein asked about the others: "Mance still not back?"
Schneider muttered, "Bad weather delayed him on his return."
"What about our dear Principal?"
"Him? He just finished some salsa dance party at his Paris estate. He's now flying to Shenzhou on his Gulfstream G550 for negotiations. Phone's on airplane mode."
Principal Angers of Kassel Academy—famed dragon-slayer, also infamous retiree-tourist-socialite.
"..."
The room fell into a heavy silence.
This endless, torturous wait really felt like a trial by the Shenzhou Houses.
No one knew what they wanted. The Party didn't want a full fallout. Nuwa's aggressive tactics were nothing like the Houses' usual style—it had stunned them.
Only one thing could flip the table now: if the Shenzhou Houses couldn't handle Odin, Angers could play the professional dragon slayer and save face for the Party.
The communicator buzzed again.
Manstein's face lit up—only to fall as he saw it wasn't Frost. It was Cheng Shuangfan from Shenzhou.
His joy crumbled instantly.
Exhausted, defeated, resigned.
No more bad news, please?
He answered.
From the other end, Cheng Shuangfan's heavy voice:
"The Houses let us in. But they say it's over. Everything's resolved. We don't need to do anything—just take custody of the physical 'evidence.'"
"...Because Odin has already been dealt with."
The three in the room were struck as if by lightning.
(End of Chapter)
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