I know.

I know this day will come.

Ever since the verdict was handed down eleven years ago, I knew that this day would eventually come.

I left home when I was young, gave up my family fortune, devoted myself to studying knowledge, and only wanted to live in a study until I grew up. I never imagined that I would be lucky enough to put my knowledge to use, and manage the world and benefit the people. The sunset has been so kind to me, and I have no regrets in my life.

However, people and affairs are complicated and entangled, and it cannot be explained through study.

For more than forty years, I have been the Grand Inquisitor of the Emerald City. I have experienced wars and peace, and I dare not slack off in my actions. I dare not hide my private interests in public service. However, the anxiety and pain still torment me all the time. Whenever I put down my judgment,

Hammer, took off his official robe, still couldn't help but think over and over again:

Every time I review a case, do I thoroughly investigate the facts of the case and make no omissions?

In every trial, am I detached, neutral, and impartial?

Every time I speak, do I think clearly and explain appropriately?

Every time the hammer falls, am I worthy of my oath and original intention, not only protecting the interests of the weak, but also restraining the arrogance of the strong, upholding fairness, and not failing the law?

Over the years, have I ever misjudged a case? Have I wronged a good person? Have I ever contributed to oppression and exploitation?

Have I ever let friendship and loyalty, hatred and anger, interests and gains and losses, cloud my judgment without me knowing it, or pretending not to?

Or is it that for many years, I have just deceived myself with my righteousness, concealed myself with my official position, intoxicated myself with power, took shelter under the law, and made excuses for my personal likes, dislikes and self-righteousness?

Leinster and I, as well as so many colleagues who are aspiring to this, are the dream cities we have built together still just wishful thinking?

If so, if strife and destruction are inevitable, then is the future woven with blood and fire, conflict and death the eternal destiny of all the people in the city, and even the mortals in the world?

If this is the only way to achieve the so-called civilization and progress, then are the so-called justice, morality and law just tools that we use to unite ourselves and gather public support? Its significance lies in deceiving the public, maintaining power, and serving rule. Its value is

Is it better than nothing? Is the meaning clear or obscure?

So what are the differences between what we have learned and how we use it, and the spears in the hands of soldiers, and the saddles and harness on horses?

Where should the boundaries between justice and public interest be? Where should the people who have the authority to interpret them be?

But I am old.

His thinking is no longer quick, his logic is no longer clear, his values ​​are gradually becoming outdated, and he is dying, with no hope of finding answers to questions.

Only when I progress further and study deeper will I be able to finally solve my confusion and benefit the world.

All the evidence from the old cases are here, and all the strange controversies are there. Although there are thousands of threads, capable people should be able to sort them out. Even though they are complicated, a virtuous master should be able to clarify them.

But don’t commit too many crimes and harm innocent people.

When I left office, I was reviewing 29 posthumous cases, 15 pieces of administrative affairs, 6 unanswered official documents, and 10 letters to be read. They have all been numbered and categorized, and I have left a note on each to recommend someone to take over. If there is anything wrong, please let me know.

Colleagues, please be more considerate when working together. Please take care of Bi Ersan.

The remaining wealth of the family includes a large house donated by the Duke of Leinster in the past, several fields, a collection of more than 13,000 books, 206 gold deposits in the Royal Bank, and 30 gold in cash.

The house and fields were returned to the Emerald City, and the collection of books was donated to South Bank and even the Stars Have Their Own Career College.

(The ten-volume book "On the Tao and the Law" was borrowed from the Dean's study of Longkiss College before I left office, and I took it to the stars. It has not been returned after many years. If Dean Angus Jérôme is still in office, he will also

No need to pay it back.)

The money is entrusted to the eldest son and the eldest daughter. My son is upright and prudent, and my daughter is resolute and decisive. Now that we have established a family and a career, we should put aside the past grudges and work together to make things right.

The housekeepers and servants at home should be treated as before if they are retained, and treated generously if they are not used.

The gardener in the front yard is 70-40 years old. He met an evil master in the past and became disabled. The maid in the back yard is 50-50 years old. She was abducted when she was young and does not know her hometown. The two of them have worked conscientiously and served the family for more than 30 years. Everyone in my family has suffered from it.

Thank you, you should treat me like a relative, support and provide for the elderly, and don’t slack off.

When I leave, no matter what the situation is, my children, servants, students, peers, and even close friends, who have been favored and old friends, do not need to pursue any recourse, let alone seek revenge.

During my funeral, firstly, I must not inconvenience the public and waste money; secondly, I must not make unreasonable remarks about the situation and disturb the audience; thirdly, I must not accept public or private condolence gifts; fourthly, I must not violate the law and hinder the governance of the city.

My body has no coffin, no tombstone, no niche box. It is always waiting for hanging. No items are buried with it. No gold is left to cover my eyes. I kindly ask all the ministers in the night to follow the old rules of the stars, cremate them into ashes, and share their wives.

The niches are scattered on the south bank.

Back then, when I took a boat to take office, the Muhai sea was a harsh test. There were constant storms and waves on the way, and the newlyweds became seriously ill again and again. Now I am returning by the waves, and the girl should return my love. The waves become a song, and the ocean currents become a sampan, sending me and my first wife on a long journey home.

If you think about your children, your concubine will always be between the sea and the sky.

As for my soul, I don’t expect to see the angels of heaven, nor do I expect to meet new wives or old friends. I just hope that the ferryman will be fair and fulfill his duties. Although there is no bribe in the form of burial money, but because of my usual generosity towards others, I can sail the boat smoothly.

Get to the shore quickly.

I have written thirty-one volumes and entrusted them to my students and friends. If they are useful, keep them; if they are useless, discard them.

Jade is kind to me, so I work hard to repay it. I help Iris, but he should remember Jade.

(signature)

A native of Meng'an City, a lifelong honorary bachelor of Dragon's Kiss College, a citizen of Emerald City, the beloved and husband of Lenice Brennan, Johnny Brennan, leaving a message

My successor, please listen to what I have to say:

You have been given great power, so you must act with caution, trembling, and vigilance day and night.

You have been given overwhelming power, so when greater power comes over you, you have the responsibility to withstand the pressure to safeguard the weak and defend fairness.

You have been given great power, so when you lose it, you must be persevering and decisive, and never look back. Don't be greedy, deceive yourself, and others, so that you lose your mind and fail the trust entrusted by Jade.

————

After reading this special suicide note, Thales put down the letter and looked at everything in front of him:

A slightly messy desk, documents scattered on the floor, overturned seats, broken wine glasses, stained carpets - and the murder scene marked with chalk after the body was removed.

"Be careful! Step slowly and move slowly, especially the evidence that is separated by numbers. Don't disturb the scene!" Mallos' command sounded.

In the early morning, people were coming and going in Judge Brennan's residence and his former office and study. From time to time, cries and questions could be heard. That was a team of people dispatched by the Star Lake Guard. The local vigilance officer and the Emerald Guard were

With the help of the police, the crime scene was carefully investigated:

Conmuto dealt with the security officers with a smile, and comforted the children of the Brennan family who came over after hearing the news and cried hoarsely, trying to find out some information;

Glover observed the layout of the entire study and whispered to Morgan about where the murderer might have broken in;

D.D and Itarriano were lying next to the desk, flipping through the documents on it;

Paul stood in front of the broken window, squinting and looking out the window. Opposite him, Rolf stretched out his hand expressionlessly, feeling the cold wind coming from the window;

Miranda knelt on the ground intently, not missing any clues on the carpet, occasionally getting up and pacing back and forth, measuring the distance between different places.

It is said that the incident happened late at night.

As usual, Judge Brennan left a light on in his study and worked overtime to process documents. However, the gatekeeper, night watchman, gardener and servants in the mansion, including the neighbor's family living next door, all

At the same time, he fell into a deep sleep, and even the housekeeper who went to remind his employer to sleep fainted in the corridor, still holding the tray of late night snacks in his hand.

According to the interrogation, most people inside and outside the mansion had nightmares or sweet dreams of varying degrees. The scenes in the dreams were so vivid that it was difficult to distinguish between true and false. When they woke up, some people were afraid and some were ashamed.

But when the housekeeper slowly woke up, realized something was wrong, and called someone to open the locked door that received no answer, Judge Brennan had already collapsed in the study, losing his breath forever.

It is said that when he died, his eyes were wide open and his expression was painful. The large floor-to-ceiling window in the study was violently smashed, and the door was wide open, leaving only the cold wind.

"Violent break-ins and murders make people drowsy, and it's hard to distinguish true from false dreams." Thales frowned and turned to the broken window. The biting cold wind came in and hit his face. "Evil whispers, again

'He' did it?"

The Duke spoke and the whole place fell silent.

Mallos waved his hand and gently asked the security officers and guards to take the weeping housekeeper and the children of the deceased ("He has found justice for countless people, and I ask Your Highness to find it for him.")

Leave the room, leaving only the Star Lake Guards.

"It looks very similar," Miranda stood up from the ground. She nodded, knowing exactly who the person His Highness was talking about was. "It's a pity that there are no witnesses."

"Could it be someone else?" Glover turned around and asked.

Rolf by the window clapped his hands to attract everyone's attention, but he only stared at Thales and flipped his hand:

【No, it's him.】

"How do you know?" Thales asked.

Rolf touched his heart:

【intuition.】

Everyone looked back and forth and frowned. Miranda checked back and forth, but was still confused about the riddle between the mute and His Highness. D.D was on the other side, imitating Rolf's gestures, shaking his head from time to time, as if he had gained something.

"In any case, the body has no obvious external injuries and has been sent to the Security Department for examination. I believe the results will be available soon," added Conmuto, who is responsible for communicating with the security officer.

Thales lowered his head and looked at the letter in his hand again.

"Then what's going on with this suicide note?"

This suicide note was written casually, full of the owner's regret and sadness, relief and liberation. It is full of mysteries, but it is also thought-provoking.

Conmuto coughed:

"A few days ago, Mr. Brennan gave a key to his most trusted student, saying that he had been ill recently and would hand it over to His Highness the Prince as soon as he was unable to perform his duties."

"I?"

Thales couldn't help but be stunned:

"what?"

Commuto pointed to Brennan's desk, where countless documents were placed:

"I was about to report to His Highness, when Brennan's students came over after hearing the news. They cried and opened the safe in his study with the key. On the top were the arrangements and work handover documents after the death of the inquisitor, as well as personal letters.
To be continued...