The stubbornness of the two captured assassins exceeded many people's imaginations.
The dungeon guards tried all kinds of methods to make them talk, but it did not affect Clint's good mood. He and Zhang Heng were now sitting in the guard room, eating a freshly roasted suckling pig while listening to the screams coming from the torture room at the end of the corridor.
"Interesting," Clint put down his knife and fork. "I guess Altrus would never have thought that I would be the one helping him track down his murderer after he died."
Clint initially thought that Zhang Heng would not speak because the latter had not said anything since he came to the dungeon with him. He sat there alone with his eyes closed, and no one knew what he was thinking.
Clint thought that Zhang Heng was panicking because of Altrus's death. After all, Zhang Heng did not choose to be with him during the previous incident. It was easy for Clint to suspect that Zhang Heng had secretly sided with Altrus. In the end, Zhang Heng's new backer died in less than half a day.
So Clint felt that he could understand the grief in Zhang Heng's heart at this moment. But to his surprise, Zhang Heng opened his eyes and asked, "When did you and Altrus meet?"
"Well, about four years ago." Clint was in a good mood now, and he did not mind answering Zhang Heng's question. In fact, he also needed someone to help him remember the most difficult opponent he had encountered in his life. "At that time, I had just joined His Majesty's side. We were still fighting those damn Germanic tribes by the Rhine River. His Majesty mentioned a man named Altrus to me, saying that he was smart and loyal. But I have never met Altrus."
"Was Altrus by His Majesty's side when you were fighting the Germanic?"
"No, to be exact, Altrus was not in the barracks like us. He stayed in Rome to take care of His Majesty's affairs. The two of us had a clear division of labor, but he would also put forward some opinions and suggestions on the war on the front line from time to time. He seemed to understand people's minds very well, especially the thoughts of the civilians in Rome. It was he who told His Majesty that the people were tired of the long wars over the years. That was why Commodus decided to end all this."
Clint paused, then continued, "Altrus seems to have his own special, uh … channels to collect intelligence. He knows what the civilians are thinking. It's not difficult for me to understand that. You can spend money to let someone walk around the city and ask what the people living at the bottom of society are thinking. But he also knows what the nobles are thinking. This is a little difficult for me to understand, especially some very secretive secrets. I don't think anyone in the entire city of Rome would know these secrets except for the people involved. This guy seems to have some kind of witchcraft, and he can drill into your head. This is one of the reasons why I don't like him very much."
Seeing that Zhang Heng had been listening carefully, Clint continued, "But His Majesty trusts him very much. To be honest, I have never seen His Majesty trust someone so much. I have always gotten along with His Majesty, but I know that His Majesty will never trust me as much as he trusts Altrus. I admit that I am a little jealous of that guy, but the smart Altrus has made mistakes too.
"About three years ago, His Majesty returned to Rome for a short time in order to marry Queen Christina. Altrus arranged for them to take a boat tour of the Tiber River. You know, it was mainly to give them some space as a couple. His Majesty did not bring any guards with him, and he and the queen traveled in casual clothes. However, they did not expect to encounter a group of boatmen at the dock asking for wages. They blocked the river and made a lot of noise. Fortunately, in the end, His Majesty and the queen were fine. However, after they returned, His Majesty was a little dissatisfied with Altrus.
Clint sighed, "That was one of the few times that Altrus was defeated. After that, I fought with him for so many years, and I didn't gain any advantage over him. This time, he was about to defeat me, but I didn't expect him to die in the hands of a group of assassins. It's quite ironic. Altrus, who knows almost everything, died under a sudden arrow."
Clint then forked a piece of pork with his fork. "A toast to our old friend! Although I have always regarded him as an opponent, I also thought that maybe one day we could sit down and have a meal together or something. But now, this kind of thing will never happen. "
At this moment, a prison guard covered in blood walked over and said respectfully to Clint and Zhang Heng, "My lords, one of the prisoners has decided to speak. However, he said that he wants to tell you in person."
Clint curled his lips when he heard the guard's words. He then looked at the sunlight shining from the stairs outside. "Is it already dawn? Sure enough, time flies when you reminisce about the past. Okay, let's go and listen to what he has to say together. "
…
The one who decided to speak was the younger assassin. Surprisingly, she was a woman. However, after countless rounds of interrogation, her body was in a terrible state, and her physical characteristics were almost non-existent.
Clint glanced at her and looked away to avoid vomiting the roasted pork that he had just eaten. However, he still said gently, "We actually don't want to make things too difficult for you. After all, you are just tools. Tell us who the mastermind is, and I will find a doctor for you."
However, the female assassin smiled sadly when she heard what he said. "I know I can't survive with my injuries, can I?"
"Well, at least I can let you die a little more comfortably," Clint shrugged.
The female assassin nodded. "Then come closer, and I will tell you who the mastermind is."
Clint turned his gaze to the prison guard who interrogated the female assassin earlier. The prison guard nodded, indicating that the female assassin no longer had the ability to hurt anyone.
So Clint moved his face closer. "Well, I have done as you said."
However, what greeted him after that was a mouthful of bloody saliva from the female assassin. "Stop dreaming. You can destroy my body, but Kreis will take away my soul because balance is hidden in everything. It is everywhere."
"Damn it, woman!" Clint was very angry that the female assassin had spat on his face. However, he had lost his target. After saying that, the female assassin used up her last bit of strength and died with her eyes open.
"Didn't I tell you to keep her alive?" Clint could only vent his anger on the prison guard who was in charge of the interrogation. "Do you know how angry His Majesty was when Advisor Altrus was assassinated? If you can't find the mastermind behind this, don't even think about staying here anymore. Go to the border post of the Rhine River and join those stinky Germanic! "
Clint took out a handkerchief and wiped the saliva and blood off his face while speaking. He then asked Zhang Heng, "What did she say in the end? Kreis, and the damn thing that 'balance is hidden in everything'. Do you know what that is? "
Clint asked casually. He didn't have much hope, but he did not expect Zhang Heng to answer him.
"Well, I know a little."
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