Chapter 27: I Study History

"Milord, we can testify. Verlan is that 'historical insider.' We've known him since we were kids."

"Yeah yeah yeah, I can prove it too!"

"Milord, this matter has nothing to do with us, can we go?"

"That's right, I didn't even know Verlan snuck into the group. He was wearing a mask before, otherwise I would've reported him for sure—I'm innocent!"

"..."

Not far away, the other civilians who heard the conversation over here immediately began identifying Verlan.

They didn't want to get dragged into this. They were just civilians, who only wanted to live a peaceful life.

"Make them shut up. Drag them to the side."

Rosse waved his hand, and the marines beside him acted immediately, driving the civilians far away. On this side, only Rosse and a few others remained, along with the Doyle family.

After clearing the area, Rosse looked at Verlan with a half-smile, "So this is your reason for turning yourself in?"

"I'm someone who studies history. Most of the time, civilians are just a disorderly mob."

Verlan nodded helplessly, speaking bitterly, "I could fool the navy, but I can't fool these fellow villagers. They really do know who I am."

"That's indeed true," Rosse slightly nodded in agreement.

In times of crisis, even close brothers can't be relied on, let alone just fellow townspeople.

Before, Verlan could still pretend to be a distant relative of the Doyle family, but before boarding the evacuation ship, he would have to drop the disguise. If the fellow villagers reported him at that point, he would be exposed.

This kind of thing isn't even worth gambling on.

To live smoothly, normal people would all choose to report. Otherwise, if it's discovered, everyone on the ship could die.

"Then why did you try in the first place? I remember you were on the run before, right? If you hadn't come over here, you still had a chance to escape," Rosse pursued.

"I'm someone who studies history. Those who abandoned their families in history all ended badly."

Verlan smiled and looked around at his family, the people he couldn't cut ties with no matter what.

He knew very clearly that with himself being wanted, his family couldn't survive.

Even if they did, they'd become bait to lure him out. If he didn't show up, the whole family would die.

Just for that alone, he had to come over.

Not for the sake of defending Ohara's historical truth, but to protect his family.

"You're a real man. Aren't you afraid they'll be implicated and purged along with you?", Rosse asked with a smile.

"Although I study history, saying I'm not afraid would be lying to myself. I'm terrified! After hearing His Highness's name, I got even more scared," Verlan laughed heartily. He said he was scared, but there wasn't the slightest hint of fear in his tone.

"You're really not afraid of dying," Rosse laughed.

This "historical insider" was actually quite interesting, very much to his taste.

"Your Highness, only if I die can my family survive," Verlan's lips carried a smile, and his gentle gaze fell on his worried family.

Since he began studying historical truths, he knew this day would come.

Yes... In the end, he still couldn't resist his own curiosity, and that curiosity brought harm to his family.

For this, he could only atone with his own life.

"Are all history scholars like you?", Rosse saw the death resolve in Verlan's eyes, and a trace of respect appeared in his gaze.

A man willing to die for his family, he was a man indeed.

"I'm someone who studies history. History taught me reason. Unfortunately, due to this damned curiosity, I still made a mistake," Verlan replied solemnly.

"I'll give you a chance," Rosse pulled out a platinum pistol from his lower back and handed it in front of Verlan, "Kill those civilians, or kill one of your family members. The rest, including yourself, can live. And I promise you, in the future, you'll still be able to study historical truths and satisfy your curiosity."

Rosse liked watching people struggle. He also liked giving others a choice.

This time, he didn't swear on the family name.

If Verlan killed the civilians, he would let Verlan live. But, he would never let him research historical truth again.

If Verlan killed his family, not only would he not let him study historical truth, he'd also turn him into a slave and throw him into the Celestial Dragons' cricket pit.

If Verlan refused, Rosse would happily keep his promise.

"Can I exchange it for another promise from Your Highness?"

Verlan picked up the gun and suddenly looked up.

"You're really not afraid of dying?", Rosse asked back.

"I'm someone who studies history. I know Your Highness won't make things hard for me," Verlan smiled.

"Speak. You're worth it," Rosse sighed. From the moment Verlan picked up the gun and asked the question, he already knew what the other party was going to do.

"Then I ask Your Highness to please treat my family well!"

Verlan stared firmly at Rosse. He knew what each of Rosse's options meant.

But he was someone who studied history, he had his pride too.

"Approved," Rosse lightly sighed and solemnly nodded at Verlan.

Then, he turned around and walked step by step toward the exit.

BANG!!!

Behind him, the sound of a gunshot rang out.

Immediately after, a wave of panicked cries erupted:

"Daddy!!!"

"Verlan!"

"Uncle Verlan!!!"

"..."

Among the cries were Robin's voice and her weeping.

Verlan had been very kind to her. Who would've thought that he'd choose to commit su*cide for the sake of his family.

At that moment, Robin thought of herself.

She too gave up Saul for the sake of her mother.

But the difference was. She chose to kill others, while Verlan didn't choose to kill anyone else. He chose su*cide.

'Maybe... I should've killed myself back then too...', Robin was filled with regret.

Verlan's su*cide gave her an immense shock.

'So the choice Saint Rosse offered, can be answered like that...'

Rosse didn't join the commotion. Instead, he walked forward at a very slow pace.

Several seconds later, Gion appeared beside him, respectfully handing back the platinum pistol.

Seeing Rosse take the gun, Gion pursed her lips and asked, "That Verlan... did he have to die?"

"There's never a 'must die.' He knew how to live," Rosse glanced at Gion, unhurriedly said, "But for some people, some things are more important than life."

"More important than life...", Gion's eyes flickered, a trace of melancholy surfacing in her gaze.

"All right, you'll have enough time later to think. For now, we need to see the other scholars. See if they've got the same backbone."

Rosse steadied the sobbing Robin on his shoulder and strode forward.

"Lord Rosse, how should we deal with the Doyle family?"

On the way, a rear admiral beside him, though nervous, still stepped forward to ask.

Even with Rosse's promise, it was better to clarify. What if Rosse changed his mind?

"Let them board my warship and later arrange them in the naval family zone. As for Verlan's body… ask his family and handle it according to their wishes," Rosse said lightly.

"Yes, sir!"

The rear admiral immediately left at a quick pace.

After hearing Rosse give his orders, both Zephyr and Gion looked at Rosse very differently now.

They could accept Rosse's cruelty, and they respected the heroism of protecting one's family.

Rosse's willingness to give the dead some dignity had already exceeded most Celestial Dragons and nobles.

———

"Don't move!"

Beneath the Tree of Knowledge, Spandine led a group of CP9 agents, gathering all the historians together.

Most of the historians now were trembling, crouching on the ground with their heads in their arms, not daring to move.

It wasn't that they lacked courage, but those who had courage… were already lying in pools of blood.

Looking at the scholars lying dead not far away, the remaining historians trembled even more.

Of course, not all were like this.

Dr. Clover stood at the front of the scholars, eyes fixed on Spandine. Beside her, Olvia stood with lips pursed, also glaring angrily at CP9.

If stares could kill, Spandine would have died tens of thousands of times.

But sadly, stares couldn't kill. They were just a bunch of powerless scholars.

"Don't you f**king look at me like that. Heh, if it weren't for His Highness's orders, I would've executed all you criminals already," Spandine swept his eyes across them disdainfully, not taking them seriously at all.

No power, yet always yelling about researching the Void Century, where did they get the guts?

"You're the real criminals. What's wrong with us studying that history? History belongs to everyone. Revealing the truth is the hope of the whole world!", Olvia shouted back emotionally.

"Ha? The whole world's hope?", Spandine looked at Olvia like she was an idiot, "You must've studied history so hard your brain melted. Who hopes for that? I don't. And the World Government strictly forbids it. That's what the whole world wants."

"What the World Government is doing is wrong. I demand a call with the Five Elders," Dr. Clover said solemnly.

"You people? Worthy?", Spandine said with disdain. If Rosse hadn't ordered to spare these two, he would've killed them already.

"Sir, a powerful presence is approaching. Just from their aura, we estimate we can't last even a single exchange," A black-clothed CP9 agent whispered into Spandine's ear.

"Not an enemy. It must be His Highness. Get ready to receive him."

Hearing the agent's words, Spandine knew it was Rosse arriving. As he turned his head, his demeanor instantly flipped.

He looked excitedly at the approaching black dots, shouting with excitement, "CP9 Chief Spandine, along with CP9 members, respectfully welcome Lord Rosse!"

As soon as his voice rang out, all CP9 agents dropped to their knees facing Rosse's direction, as if it were rehearsed.

Watching this scene, Olvia and Dr. Clover were dumbfounded.

The name "Saint."

It could only mean a Celestial Dragon had arrived.

They never expected the Buster Call on Ohara… would actually draw in a Celestial Dragon.

[T/N: Sorry guys, it was supposed to be Spandine instead of Spandam in all of those previous chapters. He is the father of Spandam]

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