Dragon Clouds City, Armor District, an alley.
"Don't you even want to explain?" Under the setting sun, Cohen's breathing quickened, and his grip on the hilt of his sword tightened.
In front of him, the white-robed Raphael smiled. "For the sake of the past, Cohen, leave Dragon Clouds City immediately. This is an advice from your former colleague."
Cohen took a deep breath, suppressing the indignation and confusion in his heart.
For a moment, he did not know what expression or words he should use to face his former colleague from the Tower of Eradication.
"Miranda is here too. She's nearby. Did you know?" Cohen adjusted his breathing and tried his best to appear calm.
"Forget it. The city gate is closed." Raphael ignored him. The white-robed young man looked at the sky and sighed. "Find a place to hide. No matter what happens tonight, don't come out. Leave Dragon Clouds City at dawn tomorrow. The earlier, the better."
"She doesn't know yet." Cohen lowered his head, letting the shadow cover his face. "Miranda doesn't know about you … about you … The Tower sent us out to …"
"No matter why you came, give up." Raphael sheathed his sword expressionlessly. "The next few days will not be your lucky days. In fact, you shouldn't even be here."
"Damn it! Raphael Lindbergh! "
Cohen could not take it anymore. He raised his head and roared indignantly, "Put away your pride as a smart person. Don't you understand? We are here for the Disaster Swords! "
Raphael's pupils shrank.
"I saw a Disaster Sword in Red Street Market and experienced his Power of Eradication. I also saw that Power of Eradication on you in the Hall of Stars —" Kohen gritted his teeth and said with great difficulty, "Do you know what orders the tower gave us regarding the Disaster Swords? Investigate them carefully and trace them back to their roots. If we can't capture them alive, kill them on sight!"
"Do you still have nothing to explain?"
Raphael stared at him with a complicated expression for a full three seconds.
Finally, the white-robed young man chuckled and looked at him with a playful expression. "So? You suspect that I joined the Disaster Swords? Want to capture me? Or just kill me? "
The two of them stared at each other for a few seconds. Then, Cohen raised his fist and waved it in the air.
"No!"
Cohen panted and lowered his gaze.
"I don't care about the Disaster Swords, and I don't care about the hundred-year-old grudge."
The police officer bent down slowly and picked up the scabbard on the ground. Then, he raised his head and sheathed his sword while stuttering.
"But I care about my friend — I want to know what happened to you."
"I want to help you."
Raphael gazed at Cohen and chuckled. "You haven't changed, Cohen."
"Tell me everything that happened in the past three years, whether it's your contact with the Disaster Swords or how you entered the Black Prophet's Secret Intelligence Department." Kohen let out a sigh of relief. He then took a step forward and said solemnly, "No matter what, let's think of a way together … The people in the tower, whether it's Master Shao or Zedi, they don't know who you are … As for Miranda, if it's for her own good, I can help you hide it from her …"
Raphael breathed softly and clenched his fists.
"As for the Disaster Swords, they aren't just the Tower of Eradication's nemesis." Kohen stared at Raphael carefully. "Their goal is not simple. From the assassination of the Eckstedt Diplomat Group two months ago to the recent assassination of the Second Prince of Constellation in front of the fortress, they are all related to them!"
This sentence caused the expression of the young man in white to change.
Raphael put away his usual smile and furrowed his brows.
"These things … I don't know if you know what kind of person you're dealing with." Cohen sighed and looked straight into Raphael's eyes. "But I'm willing to believe you. I believe that you have a reason that can be understood!"
"But before it's too late, before it's too late —"
"This is the reason you came to Dragon Clouds City?" The young man in white interrupted him and said in a low voice, "The Disaster Swords plotted to assassinate two princes?"
"It is said that they are working together with a certain Archduke of Eckstedt." Kohen nodded and said solemnly, "So this is no longer the Tower of Eradication and the Disaster Swords, but Constellation and Eckstedt! It's war and peace! "
"Why is it you?" Raphael raised his head. His gaze was as calm as water. "Why are the two of you investigating this matter?"
"Because we have the experience of dealing with the Disaster Swords!" Cohen punched himself in the chest. "It's also because we've all rolled on the battlefield, because we're all 'seeds'!"
"Hmph, seeds." Raphael snorted and shook his head. "I am also a seed, Misadun is also a seed, Kroesch is also a seed, and there's also Acklin from Alumbia, Solovsky and Bekov from the Eastern Peninsula. Why not send us? Why did they have to send you two delicate and noble young masters and young ladies? "
"Speaking of which, God, I thought the argument between the commoners and nobles was resolved after your fight with Misadun." Kohen sighed. "Kroesch's right hand was crippled while she was investigating the Disaster Swords … I think this is one of the reasons why the Tower sent Miranda."
The last rays of the setting sun illuminated Raphael's face. He did not speak, but his gaze was deep.
Speaking of the tragedy of his former colleague, Kohen lowered his head. His tone was dejected. "Yes, the girl who gritted her teeth and persevered even when she was punished to run with her sword between her teeth. The girl who dreamed of becoming a female knight one day, the next 'Heart of the Rain' …
"She … can no longer lift her sword.
"So, I don't want you to become like that.
"So, just like in the past, let me help you!" Kohen took a deep breath. He suddenly took a step forward and placed his hands on Raphael's shoulders. "If you are really doing something, even if it is something unforgivable, then let me be your accomplice!
"No matter what, we will solve it together!
"You are not alone!"
Raphael was silent for two seconds. Then, his expression changed.
"You have to leave immediately, immediately! Whether it is climbing over the city walls or digging tunnels … "Raphael put on a smile again, but his gaze gradually turned cold." Something is wrong, and this is not something you can interfere with … "
He flung his shoulders, but found that he could not break free from the police officer's arms.
"You know me, Raphael." Kohen's gaze darkened. His tone was strained. "If you don't agree …"
The police officer raised his gaze. His gaze was firm. "Don't even think about leaving this place."
Kohen was taller than Raphael, but the young man in white did not raise his head. He only shifted his gaze and met Kohen's gaze.
This made his gaze even more sinister.
"For the last time, Kohen Karabeyan, the future Count of Walla Hill." Contrary to his gaze and tone, Raphael's smile grew brighter. "Times are different now. Mind your own business … especially the matters of the Secret Intelligence Department."
He suddenly stretched out his hands and clashed with Kohen's arms, which were tightly locked around his shoulders.
* Thud! * A muffled sound of a collision.
Both men trembled at the same time!
But the two of them did not separate.
Kohen still held onto Raphael tightly. He did not let go.
"Really, Police Officer Karabeyan?" Raphael felt the other party's increasing strength. His tone was cold. "Did you think that when I said 'get rid of you' just now, I was only joking?"
Kohen's expression darkened as well.
"It was like this in the Hall of Stars, and it's the same in Dragon Clouds City." Kohen clenched his teeth and tightened his grip around Raphael's shoulders. "You just appeared out of nowhere, put on a baffling expression, and asked me to 'mind my own business'?
"Becoming a Disaster Sword and joining the Secret Intelligence Department … Did it really change you so much?" The police officer's anger grew. "You're not even willing to give an explanation to an old friend?!"
The two men wrestled barehanded in the alley. As their strength increased, it became more and more terrifying.
"You said it yourself, we're 'old friends'." Raphael maintained his smile, narrowed his eyes, and said briskly, "We're walking on different paths, that's all."
Looking at Raphael's expression, an indescribable pain rose in Kohen's heart.
'What made these brothers, who were once as close as brothers, become like this?'
Kohen's breathing grew heavier. "If something unfortunate happened to you, I might not be able to understand how you feel, but as long as you're willing to tell me, we can still …"
"Kohen Karabeyan, the Count of Walla Hill in Constellation ten or twenty years from now," Raphael shouted coldly. "Do I look like I've been through something unfortunate?"
"Nope."
An unfamiliar yet familiar female voice traveled into their ears.
The two men were stunned at the same time!
Kohen turned his head.
Raphael flashed his most perfect smile.
The two of them stared at a pretty figure standing under the moon, which had risen at some point in time.
The Chief Seed of the Tower of Eradication, Miranda Arunde, slowly walked into the alley under the moonlight.
She placed her hand on the hilt of her sword and stared coldly at the two men who were hugging each other.
"Is there anything you want to explain?"
'Explain?'
Kohen's mind raced. He turned his head and looked at Raphael, who was very close to him.
He suddenly realized …
'My posture with Raphael …'
The police officer abruptly let go of Raphael's shoulder and pushed him away!
"Miranda, listen to my explanation." Kohen smiled sheepishly and touched his head. "Don't be angry, we're not —"
But Miranda interrupted him coldly.
"Shut up, Kohen." The swordswoman from the Arunde Family's expression was as cold as ice. "I'm not asking you."
Kohen's expression and words froze at the same time.
Miranda's gaze was fixated on the man.
The man who had not appeared for three years.
Under Miranda's gaze, Raphael lowered his head and … laughed out loud.
"Long time no see, Mira." The young man in white shook his head slowly. "Are you still so … cold?
So cold that it breaks my heart. "
At that moment, Kohen Karabeyan, who was touching his head, suddenly felt a little redundant.
"Mira? Don't call me that anymore. "Miranda walked slowly to Kohen's side. Her tone was flat, as if she was not facing her former lover." Raphael Lindbergh. "
Kohen sighed.
"I say …" The police officer looked at the two of them awkwardly. "We should find a place to sit down. There are some things that we need to discuss …"
"Also, Miranda," Kohen tried his best to blink at Raphael, wanting him to understand his painstaking efforts. "You still don't know … Raphael is now a high-ranking officer of the Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department …"
But he was interrupted again. This time, it was Raphael.
"You're actually not angry." The young man in white did not even look at Kohen. Instead, he stared straight at Miranda's pretty face and smiled. "That's really out of my expectations.
You know, I thought you would be more agitated … "
Once again, Kohen felt that his existence was redundant.
"Then, I would throw myself into your arms, punch your chest, and cry weakly, 'Where have you been? Why didn't you come to me? Do you know how much I've missed you these past few years?'. Then, I would close my eyes and wait for you to kiss me." Miranda sneered. "Don't read too many romance novels — it hurts your brain."
Raphael clicked his tongue. "I was the one who told you that, wasn't I?"
Kohen looked at the two of them helplessly. He looked awkward.
"Besides, I'm not one of those weak and incompetent women. Why should I be angry?" Miranda lightly flicked the hilt of her sword. "A man who clearly had the ability to come back, but left for three whole years. What right does he have to make me angry?"
'She's angry.' Behind Miranda, Kohen sent Raphael this message with his gaze.
Raphael was still smiling.
Miranda stared intently at Raphael's gaze, but she could not find even the slightest hint of familiarity in it.
This made her heart clench.
Finally, Raphael raised his eyebrows.
"Alright," he said slowly.
"All of you stop all activities in Dragon Clouds City and keep a low profile," Raphael said flatly. "Leave tomorrow morning … Agree to this condition, and I will explain it to you after everything is over.
"In the meantime, no matter what happens —"
Kohen frowned. This time, it was his turn to interrupt Raphael.
"Hey, Raphael." The police officer raised his right index finger and said bluntly, "I swear, if you continue to use this attitude —"
Miranda cut him off again.
"There's no need for that. I won't listen to your explanation, and I won't believe it either."
Miranda was expressionless and her tone was flat, but it sent a chill down Kohen's spine.
For the third time, he felt that he should not be standing there.
"Oh?" Raphael curled up the corner of his mouth and said with great interest, "Then what are you going to do?"
Miranda took a step forward and stared straight at the person she was once most familiar with.
Raphael looked at her calmly.
Miranda narrowed her eyes and used the faintest and most ethereal voice in her life to say faintly,
"I will first knock off your sword …
"Then I will beat you to the ground …"
Kohen frowned. 'What?'
The voice of Arunde's daughter continued to travel slowly.
"I will break your legs …
"I will remove your joints …
"I will break the bridge of your nose …
"I will smash your front teeth …
"And I will stomp you into the mud …
"And when you are lying on the ground, crying and begging for mercy …
"I will then, bit by bit, reveal the truth of the matter …
"… from your mouth!"
Miranda finished her last sentence flatly.
There was a few seconds of silence.
"Haih …"
Raphael flashed a bitter smile at Kohen, then closed his eyes and sighed, "It seems like …
"She's really angry."
Kohen only felt a headache coming on.
Under the moonlight, the two of them began to move at the same time.
Miranda slowly pulled out her sword.
Raphael smiled indifferently and touched the hilt of his own sword as well.
"Um, if it's a quarrel between a couple …" Kohen stood behind Miranda and poked his head out. He said carefully and awkwardly, "Can it be a little later …"
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