A lovely garden surrounded the Orline mansion. This mansion was a bit smaller than Duke Alfredoās mansion, but it had more occupants.
Lance told Jack that Hans lived in this mansion with his wife and his three children. Aside from them, his brother and his sister also lived inside. His brother was still single. His sister had a husband and one child.
Jack met them all when he entered the guest room with Lance. They were gathering to mourn Neilās passing as they awaited the return of Neilās body, which had just finished the examination. Lance greeted them and promised that Neilās body would be brought here in a couple more hours.
They bowed when they saw Jack, but Jack could see hostility in their eyes. They were no doubt blaming him for Neilās death. If he didnāt go and open the border and the settlements to the orcs, no orc would be murdering Neil.
Their eyes were the same as the other civilians who happened to lay eyes on Jack in this town. Jack did not doubt that if this country didnāt have Serenityās Blessing, World Peace Garden, and Joyās Recreational Hub, this town would have erupted in a revolt already.
Even so, the enchantment and Wonder Buildings could not hold back the tide forever. They were not the solutions. To regain stability, he had to bring the murderers to justice and ensure such an incident would not happen again.
After a short meet and greet with the Orline family, Hansā wife brought them to the study room.
Jack and Lance entered the study room and saw Hans sitting in his chair with his back on them. He was staring out into the large windows, gazing at the front lawn. He had seen Jack and Lance through those windows when they came. The mistress of the house closed the door after they entered.
Jack saw several empty wine bottles on the desk.
āLord Orlineā¦,ā Jack began.
āThe orcs are not our enemyā¦,ā Hans cut Jackās words. āThatās what you said.ā
Jack went silent. He could sense the pain and resentment in Hanās voice.
āFor the good of our country, you saidā¦ We have to see the big pictureā¦,ā Hans continued speaking without turning back.
He then stood up. āNowā¦ One of my sons is deadā¦ MY SONā¦!!!ā
Hans turned and smashed his work desk using his fist. He was a level 65 elite human. The desk cracked from the impact.
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āYou said we have to keep letting the orcs into our town! You said they want peace! Is killing my son an act of peace?! Still, you defend them! When you should have dragged them all out and burned them at the stakes! And I, who have lost a son, am being imprisoned in my own houseā¦ for the crime of asking for justice for my sonā¦!! Is this how you rule this kingdomā¦?!ā
āHansā¦!!ā Lance scolded. āYou are talking to His Majesty! Get a grip on yourselfā¦!ā
Lance turned to Jack and offered an apology for Hans. āYour Majesty, please forgive him. He is drunk. It is not him talkingā¦ā
āYou bet your ass it is me talking!ā Hans yelled. āI may be drunk, by my mind is still clear. These wines do nothing to cloud my mind, even when I want them to!ā
Hans swung at the wine bottles on the desk. The bottles clattered as they fell onto the floor.
āAre you going to punish me, king?! For speaking my mind? For demanding justice?ā Hans continued. āGo ahead! Show the people of this country who you truly areā¦! I should have joined the rebellion in Themelotā¦ I didnāt because I thought, maybe we should give this new king a chance to prove himselfā¦ What a fool I amā¦ā
āIf you join the rebellion, you would have been punished!ā Lance rebuked. To Jack, he said, āYour Majesty, Iāve warned you about this. Please, forgive him and let him be for the moment. Wait until he cools down before we talk to himā¦ā
āLord Orlineā¦,ā Jack called again. His word was soft. There was no sign of anger in his tone. āI canāt tell you that I understand your feelingā¦ I donāt think anyone who has never lost an offspring will ever understandā¦ But I accept your anger. I swear to you I will bring the orc who has murdered your son to justice! If I canāt capture him to let you carry out your revenge, I will take the revenge myself!ā
Hans scoffed at Jackās words, but then he realized Jack had acknowledged the murderer as an orc.
āYouā¦ You admit that the murderer is an orc?ā Hans asked.
āAll the evidence points to this conclusion, I canāt deny it,ā Jack said.
āThen itās time to round up all the orcs! We should hang them all in public squaā¦ā
āLord Orline!ā Jack reprimanded. His tone turned stern. āI will bring the murderer to justice. Not all the orcs. The perpetrator is one orc or a group of them. Not every orc. We cannot condemn the entire race for the deed of one individual. Once we find out this murdererā¦ā
āYou are still shielding themā¦!!ā Hans again slammed his fist. He looked ready to lunge at Jack. āAll these talks and all you want is just to defend them. You orc-loving cuntā¦!ā
Lance charged forward and gave Hans a hard slap. He was a special elite and his level was higher, at level 70. Hans fell to the ground from the slap.
āYou fool! You can be hanged for that!ā Lance scolded. He then looked back at Jack, hoping Jack would forgive the outburst just now.
Jack gave him an assuring look. He didnāt mind the insult. He had received worse insults in the past. But of course, if this had happened in public, he would have no choice but to roll out punishment. Otherwise, the kingdomās dignity would be laughed at. Luckily, this happened within a closed room.
At this time, a knock was heard on the door.
āWho?! We are not to be disturbed at the moment!ā Lance yelled in irritation.
āItās me,ā they heard Sherlyās voice. āWeāve just talked with the teams in the other towns. We have something real to follow up on this case.ā
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