Be crowned king

Chapter 0004 ： Interlude of the Grand Meeting

The people in the square greeted each other and soon Caphe was led by the waiters to the most prominent position in the square.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am honoured that you have come to this event. Caphe sends his sincere greetings and best wishes to all of you. But I don't think any of us are the main protagonists today. The real protagonists are those poor people from the slums who are best qualified to speak about this matter.

In front of everyone, a representative from the slums was escorted from the government building by a waiter and brought on stage. The slum representative bowed respectfully to Count Carver.

The merciful God sent you into the world to bless us. Thank you for your generosity. I think the people who live in the big house will be grateful to you. Otherwise, I don't know what to say to express my excitement at this moment.

Looking at the poor man crying with joy, the nobles in the audience applauded. Suddenly someone in the crowd stood up and shouted, 'Mr Carver, I have heard that there is a gold mine under the slums. What do you think?

The crowd fell silent and everyone looked to where the voice had come from. It was a young man carrying an exquisite box. People whispered.

Carver's face turned ugly and he stared at the strange young man in the audience.

Foster wanted to see who it was too, but when he saw it was Downing next to him, he panicked and whispered a warning: 'Mr Downing, you can't say that, it'll get me killed.

Downing walked from the crowd to the front of the stage, looked up and waited with interest for an answer.

'Damn, where does a kid like that come from,' Carver muttered to himself, his expression returning to calm. 'Sir, are you joking with me?'

Downing put his right hand on his chest and bowed. 'Mr Carver, I think my tone was sincere enough.

Count Carver straightened his collar and scanned the noisy crowd. "It's a lie. If there was a huge gold mine in the slums of Shining Gold, I would distribute it to the poor people who own it.

What a perfect answer," Downing retreated.

The party continued, but Count Carver, the Mayor and the Chief of Police excused themselves early due to a slight indisposition.

'Tambor, I think your security work is really discouraging and almost ruined our big deal,' Carver's face was as red as a burnt steak and he was hysterical. 'Mr Mayor, if you want to get re-elected next time, you'd better make this a happy ending, or I won't be using my gold coins to finance stupid allies.

The Mayor's re-election was undoubtedly helped by Carver's political contributions, and if Carver were to be defeated, everything would be uncertain.

Rest assured, you will receive a satisfactory explanation for this matter,' the Mayor said, looking at Commissioner Tamber.

Tamber's expression was like the devil's at the moment. I will make him disappear quickly at the banquet, so Mr Carver need not worry.

'Fool, I am a great benefactor, not an intolerant dictator, because a doubt you arrested him in front of so many people is trying to ruin me?

Tambor is a little ugly, the mayor hastily makes peace: "Mr Carver, we will handle this matter, will not damage your reputation, please rest assured.

When the banquet was over, Foster, who had been waiting outside, looked dejected and desperate, glaring at Downing with hatred.

You're the devil! You made me lose my job, my only job, dammit!' Foster shouted, as if he had turned from a kitten into a lion.

He grabbed Downing's collar with both hands. 'I swear I'll make you pay.

Downing pushed Foster's hands away and held up a hand. 'Mr Foster, this isn't like the man I know. Please get in the car, I'll make it up to you.

Sitting in the car, Foster thought Downing would generously offer him a wad of cash as compensation, but no, the other man wouldn't even open the suitcase.

Mr Foster, look at you, no job, no family, not even your own house, what can you count on next?

Downing rubbed his hands together, not at all apologetic about Foster losing his government job, and with a somewhat smug expression on his face.

This orphan with no family had worked hard to get a job to survive on, and had taken great pride in it. Downing knew this only too well, which was why he had chosen Foster.

Foster covered his face and wept. I've lost everything. God has been so unfair to me.

Since he got this job, he has never taken a day off, not even when he had a cold or a fever. He has worked hard just to have a stable life and hopes to have a beautiful girl in the future to start a happy family with, but now he has lost his only job because of his compassion.

God? Downing sneers. Poor Foster, God is probably sitting on his bed. He's got a lot of things to do and no time to worry about you little people, and it wasn't God who took your job.

Foster was completely enraged by the mockery and his eyes became bloodshot. You despicable rich boy, you took my job. Maybe you got a kick out of bullying a little person. Now that you're satisfied, I'm going to kill you.

Downing picked up the sword on the seat. 'That's really pitiful, but I won't feel sorry for you. I hope your swordsmanship isn't too bad. By the way, I would like to correct you. It was those government workers who took your job, not me.

Foster looked at the gleaming blade of the sword and the courage he had just felt was instantly suppressed. The cowardice in the little man's bones made him give up the idea of fighting.

You win, I am completely ruined by you. No matter who took my job, I am a loser. Foster was like a walking corpse, his soul gone.

Downing lowered his sword and snapped his fingers. Come on, Mr Foster, losing this job doesn't mean you've got nothing. Maybe you've gained a better opportunity to work with me.

Foster was unmoved.

'Well, since you've lost your fighting spirit, and even the courage to take back what you've lost, there's nothing I can do to help you. Downing motioned for the car to stop and opened the door.

Foster looked out at the muddy road. He thought, he has nothing left, not even half a hope, what is there to worry about, what is the use of this worthless life, he should make the person who took his job pay instead of hiding at home waiting to die.

Tell me, what is your plan? Foster suddenly changed his mind, his eyes growing dark.

Downing closed the car door and took a stack of Caesar out of the case. Happy cooperation.

After saying goodbye to Foster, Downing checked into the city's largest hotel. His first target of revenge was just a small test of his opponent. Leaving Caesar's Tower, the first person he thought of was Count Carver, who had taken one thousandth of Uncle Anubarak's original property.

This once insignificant figure, who had only tidied up Uncle Anubarak's paperwork, was the reason why some people who coveted Uncle Anubarak's wealth had taken advantage of the situation because of his leaks.

He had been hearing this story for 18 years. Anubarak, a respected banker, had been rich beyond compare, but he was eventually betrayed. Not only was he robbed of his wealth, but his reputation was ruined. He went from being a great banker to a black gold merchant, hated by all, reviled by the world, and stripped of everything, he could only hide in the cursed place of Casterly Rock, a hell forsaken by the gods, among the remaining ninety-eight evildoers. Still, he kept his clothes neat and tidy, and the secret of the money ran in his blood.

And Downing had no intention of using any laws to bring Uncle Anubarak to justice. If archaic laws could bring justice, Uncle Anubarak would not have gone into exile in Kezhata. He would repay evil with evil and judge darkness with darkness.

As for why he chose Foster, Downing had some very thoughtful reasons.

Foster is a poor man, an orphan with no relatives and no one to care for him. This valuable job is his only hope. As long as he is deprived of his job and loses his only hope, this poor, cowardly little man will become as fierce as the devil. Downing has chosen Foster to be his accomplice in the plot. So far, his plan seems foolproof, as he needs a government employee willing to spread rumours for him.

There was an urgent knock on the door and Downing opened the hotel room door.

'Can I help you? Downing's guard rose slightly as he saw the two men at the door.

The two men were wearing cheap suits with neatly tied ties. A tall, thin man took off his bowler hat and placed it on his chest. Sir, I'm sorry to disturb you, but we are undercover officers from the Security Bureau.

Finally he had come. Downing let them in. 'I don't think I've done anything wrong. I hope my words didn't upset Count Calpho at his party, and that the good man didn't go so far as to call the Secret Service to arrest me.

The two Secret Service agents entered the room. The tall, thin one took a cigarette from his pocket and lit it. I think you've misunderstood. That's not why we're here. We're just doing a routine check on the city's foreign population. You know, the security of the city cannot be relaxed. It's our duty.

'Of course.' Downing gestured for the two men to check.

The two constables searched every inch of the room. The tall, thin, plain-clothed constable held out his hand. 'Please show me something to prove your identity.

Downing pulled out a family crest that proved his identity. 'I'm happy to cooperate.

The family crest was undoubtedly the best proof that only those in the family could possess. The design on the Downing family crest was three sharp sword blades.

The crest was made of pure gold and it was impossible for the average person to possess it unless they were a member of a large family. The two plainclothes officers were convinced that this was someone they couldn't casually provoke after seeing the crest.

Thank you for your cooperation and have a nice day," the tall, thin constable reminded him as he handed the badge back. "The city has always had good law and order, but there have been a few murders in the past, so I hope you can stay safe.

There was a hint of threat in the remark, but Downing remained expressionless. "Thanks for the reminder, I'll be careful.

After the two constables had left, Downing stretched out comfortably on the bed. "Count Calvo, I hope you weren't too surprised to learn the design of the badge.