Confrontation and Rescue

After Caroline took Ophelia away, it didn’t take more than five minutes for the speeding vehicles to come to a halt at what used to be the main gate of the estate. A considerable number of knights from the Holy Edict Knight Order appeared in sight, surrounding the crowd with disciplined precision.

Luo Wei noticed that they were dressed in uniform light armor, adorned with plain white cloaks, and carried a cross-shaped longsword at their waists. At first glance, they seemed no different from a traditional knight order. However, upon closer inspection, one could see that they also carried a large-caliber double-barreled shotgun on their right side.

The design of the shotgun was both refined and rugged. It was refined because it was engraved with intricate runes that shimmered with the mysterious glow of mithril, and rugged because it was clearly a weapon meant for close-range combat—capable of blasting someone into pieces with a single shot.

This combination of cold weapons and firearms in a church-armed force gave off a peculiar vibe, as if to say, “My lord! Has the times changed or not?”

“We are the Holy Edict Knight Order, affiliated with the church,” a tall, imposing knight stepped forward with a cold expression. “We’ve detected the foul presence of evil creatures here. This is a matter of great importance. Please cooperate with our investigation immediately!”

His tone was less of an introduction and more of a direct order. As soon as he finished speaking, the knights swiftly began to secure the scene.

Ophelia’s loyalists watched them coldly.

The scene quickly descended into chaos as the knights started searching through the crowd without explanation. However, it seemed they already had a target in mind, bypassing the maids and other servants, focusing instead on identifying specific individuals.

They were undoubtedly looking for Ophelia, but fortunately, she was no longer there.

Meanwhile, another squad was investigating the ruins of the estate.

“Your Highness! There are traces of evil energy here!”

A knight holding a detection device exclaimed as the once pure white light on the device flickered and nearly went out.

“Such a strong foul presence! It’s as if... as if an evil god has descended!”

The members of the knight order immediately became more alert.

At the same time, a man surrounded by numerous knights slowly made his way over.

Luo Wei noticed that his expression wasn’t as tense as the others. Instead, he wore a faint, almost imperceptible smile.

This man, referred to as “Your Highness,” was a young man with dazzling golden hair and light blue eyes.

He was undoubtedly Ophelia’s elder brother, the Third Prince of the Empire.

Upon seeing the flickering device, the Third Prince feigned surprise. “To think that such power would be unleashed so brazenly... in our most important capital, no less.”

“It seems Father’s decision to release her was a mistake,” he chuckled softly. “A calamity is a calamity, no matter where you leave her. If you’re not careful, she’ll cause trouble.”

He then swept his gaze across the crowd in the estate and waved his hand.

The knights immediately moved in, surrounding everyone in the estate and pulling out gleaming silver handcuffs.

“What do you think you’re doing? This is Her Highness’s property!” Jason snorted coldly, stepping in front of them.

The moment Jason moved, the knights drew their firearms, their gun barrels pointed directly at him.

The Third Prince looked at him indifferently.

“Where is your master?”

“She’s always been hands-on. Why is she hiding behind you now?”

Jason remained silent, simply glaring at the Third Prince.

The Third Prince glanced at the surrounding ruins. “Is she hiding because she’s guilty? Did she flee after causing this disaster?”

Among the maids, the muscular “Barbie Doll” had a quick temper. Unafraid of the Third Prince’s status, she lashed out at him.

“You think you’re worthy of seeing Her Highness? You’re nothing but a murderer! A disgrace to the sacred light of the church! Stop putting on airs!”

“Silence, you insolent servant!” The Third Prince’s aides were enraged.

Their fingers tightened on the triggers of their guns, as if they were about to fire at any moment.

The Third Prince, however, wasn’t angered. Instead, he narrowed his eyes and smiled.

“Purifying evil and filth, guiding the people under the sacred light of the true god, has always been the duty of the church. Even a princess cannot act lawlessly.”

He spoke with an air of authority. “You have all aided and abetted Ophelia in worshipping heretical gods, spreading corruption and chaos, and severely endangering public safety. You must all be arrested and brought to the church for trial!”

Hearing this, Ophelia’s loyalists looked indignant.

If they didn’t already know what kind of person the Third Prince was, his words might have sounded convincing.

The people in the estate now wore cold, fearless expressions. Luo Wei noticed Jason’s wrist twitch slightly, as if he was about to thrust a dagger into the Third Prince’s chest at any moment.

Just as tensions were about to boil over, Luo Wei spoke up calmly.

“Your Highness, as far as I know, this matter was entrusted to the Special Affairs Department by His Majesty, wasn’t it?”

All eyes turned to Luo Wei. The Third Prince frowned slightly as he looked at this unfamiliar face.

Luo Wei smiled faintly. “This isn’t within the jurisdiction of the church. Isn’t Your Highness overstepping by taking such drastic action?”

“Overstepping?” The Third Prince laughed as if he’d heard a joke.

“Anything related to evil forces and creatures falls under our jurisdiction. That’s our duty. Didn’t you understand that?”

Luo Wei was well aware that the church had broad authority in such matters and had always acted accordingly.

However, they seemed to have forgotten that this wasn’t an ordinary case.

“Your Highness,” Luo Wei chuckled, “I thought you were here to arrest the perpetrator of the infamous ‘airship explosion case.’ I didn’t realize you were here to settle personal scores. Do you think His Majesty would be disappointed to know you’ve mobilized the knight order just to harass the princess?”

“Airship explosion case?” The Third Prince was momentarily confused. “What airship explosion case?”

Luo Wei pointed to the ruins of the estate. “Are you blind? The culprit just fled. If you don’t hurry, they’ll get away.”

The Third Prince’s face darkened. “Are you mocking me? What does this have to do with the airship explosion case?”

“How could it not?” Luo Wei crossed his arms, glancing at the people in the estate.

Susan, the perceptive maid, quickly chimed in. “Yes, yes! It was definitely the same culprit! They used unstable magic crystals as explosives, just like before!”

Soon, the other servants in the estate began to join in, loudly condemning the despicable culprit of the explosion case, hurling all sorts of insults.

The vulgar language made the Third Prince’s expression shift between anger and embarrassment, while his aides looked at him awkwardly.

Luo Wei watched the Third Prince’s increasingly sour expression, his smile growing wider.

If the Third Prince was indeed behind the explosion in Saint Callen, every word of this was a direct insult to him, and there was nothing he could do about it.

The Third Prince must have been monitoring Ophelia’s residence, thinking he could use the pretext of “practicing dark magic to endanger society” to cause trouble. He hadn’t expected that there was another, higher-priority case involved.

“Enough!” the Third Prince snapped. “One thing at a time. The explosion case is one matter, and the evil energy case is another! The suspect in the explosion case has fled, but now we must arrest all of you, Ophelia’s accomplices!”

With that, the knights moved in.

The servants in the estate nervously stepped back, while the combat maids and shadow guards prepared for battle.

The Third Prince was determined to arrest everyone, and it seemed the conflict was unavoidable.

Luo Wei coldly observed the Third Prince, who was no longer hiding his intentions, his face now filled with a triumphant, sinister smile.

He had no idea how to continue stalling...

And just then,

another force suddenly arrived at the scene.

Camera flashes flickered intermittently, reporters whispered among themselves, and the barking of police dogs echoed one after another.

Luo Wei was overjoyed to see that the officers from the Saint Callen Police Department, along with agents from the Special Affairs Department, had finally arrived at the scene.

“Saint Callen Police Department handling official business! Unrelated personnel, step aside immediately!”

Police Chief Raymond made a heroic entrance, appearing at the gates of the manor.

At the same time, a worried girl’s cry could be heard.

“Brother!”

“I’ve finally found you!!”