After speaking, the two sat down, and the topic naturally shifted to daily matters.

"Actually," Eduardo picked up the teacup and smiled lightly, "the family sent much more than just these two things.

The carts outside are almost full, and according to the people traveling with them, a pile of boxes is stacked on the small square; they can't even be moved inside."

"Is that so?" Louis chuckled softly, with a hint of helplessness, "Please ask them to wait a moment. The warehouse in Red Tide City is almost out of space these days."

"Yes, I noticed."

In the ensuing conversation, both of them maintained their composure, lacking pretense and probing questions; everything felt natural, like thin clouds in spring.

But Louis had long known that Eduardo's true mission was not just to deliver gifts.

He was here for "investigation."

And the "investigation target" he had was just one of the core secrets Louis didn't want anyone to pry into.

According to protocol, they should talk a bit longer, but night was falling now, lights were just being lit in Red Tide City, and the day of hustle and bustle was drawing to a close.

The streets and residences of the city were gradually lighting up, the candlelight casting the entire city in the soft glow of amber.

People came and went in the front hall of the mansion, with the butler and maids of the City Lord's Mansion constantly on the move.

Seeing this, Eduardo was about to go rest, but Louis personally stopped him before he could head back to his room.

"Brother," he began with a sincere smile, "it's been a long time since we last got together, let's have a simple meal together."

Eduardo was slightly taken aback, then smiled and said, "This is your busiest time; I shouldn't add to your troubles."

"It won't be a bother," Louis waved his hand, "I just gave the order, a small hall has been prepared, and only four or five dishes are ready; I also want to take a breather."

He looked at his brother, his tone light yet firm: "You've been back from the Imperial Capital for so long, we haven't met once; if we don't have a proper chat tonight, even I'd feel uncomfortable."

"Since you put it that way," Eduardo finally nodded with a smile, "I graciously won't refuse."

Thus, the two of them walked side by side into a side hall, avoiding the hustle and bustle.

The banquet was set in a warm, tranquil little hall, the wooden floor spotless, and the fire in the corner gently burned, dispelling the early evening chill.

The windows were half-draped, with faint lights from the garden visible outside.

The table was simply set, yet elegant and fitting, with Red Tide City's specialty dishes: clear vegetable soup, honey-roasted fowl, and special smoked fish, all warming without being cloying.

Only Bradley and two trusted attendants served at a distance, so quietly they were nearly invisible.

"How goes the post-war reconstruction in the Northern Territory?" Eduardo raised his glass, seemingly a casual question.

"Quite smoothly, I'd say," Louis replied with a smile, "at least on my end, everything is nearly restored."

"When I just arrived at the castle, the scenery I saw indeed reflected that. You've done exceptionally well."

"Thank you for the compliment, brother." Louis gently shook his head, his tone modest yet dignified, "I've only done a little work."

"Before I came, Father kept praising your effective governance," Eduardo spoke with a hint of amusement, "I was wondering what kind of governance it could be, hearing it a hundred times couldn't compare to seeing it once."

"Well, please thank Father for his concern, but such minor accomplishments aren't worth too much focus from the family."

"You're so modest, it's almost annoying."

Initially, their topics were leisurely, occasionally sharing small jokes, like relatives reuniting after a long separation, or chess players cautiously testing each other's moves.

Then they lightly touched on topics about the Imperial Capital.

About the Emperor's recent "relapse," the unusual moves from a few princes during court meetings, and the gossip circulating in the Imperial Capital...

Eduardo, like a friendly storyteller, stopped at just the right spots, yet always managed to bring up intriguing details, even eliciting a low chuckle from Louis.

After a few rounds of drinks, Louis gradually began to notice some clues.

This "elder brother" probably wasn't as mild as he appeared on the surface.

He spoke with remarkable tact, never leading you to disclose what shouldn't be said.

Yet he could always adeptly guide the atmosphere to a point where he could listen, remember, and judge.

If not for the Daily Intelligence System, and if he wasn't vigilant enough, he might have fallen into a trap.

Louis narrowed his eyes slightly, his smile remained warm, but a sense of caution grew in his heart.

He took a sip of wine, seemingly casually looking out at the night: "Speaking of which, brother, did you know... recently, there's been something strange near my territory."

"Hmm?" Eduardo's eyes had a hint of curiosity, yet still seemed lazy, "Something strange? Don't tell me it's just the pre-wedding groom so stressed he's seeing ghosts."

"Ha, if that were the case, it would be great." Louis laughed, lowering his voice as if talking about something inconveniently publicized, "Recently, a patrol team found an unconscious mage at the edge of the forest, reportedly attacked by bugs in the woods."

"Bugs?" Eduardo raised an eyebrow, "A mage attacked by bugs?"

"This is different." Louis curved his lips, his eyes growing colder, "The man said, it's one thing for the bugs to attack the living, but the strangest part is, they don't even spare corpses."

"Corpses?" Eduardo's brow finally furrowed.

"Yes. They manipulate corpses."

As soon as those words fell, the small hall fell silent.

Eduardo didn't speak, as if waiting for more.

Louis also didn't immediately continue, instead, he took another sip of wine, as if to loosen his lips so that the words 'lightly touched' on the matter.

"The mage said that the bugs' behavior wasn't like that of wild beasts. They were extremely coordinated, almost like... a trained army, and they seemed to maintain the combat skills of the corpses' pre-death."

Eduardo gently exhaled, leaned back in his chair, his eyes turning profound.

"This doesn't sound like an ordinary wilderness attack."

"I found it strange, too," Louis, throughout, as if discussing something interesting, "I sent people to check the scene, guess what?"

He looked up at Eduardo, as if to confirm whether his older brother had understood the weight behind his words.

"They found almost no intact corpses, very little blood. It was as if someone had deliberately cleaned up the scene. All that was left was a stench beyond belief and... some scorch marks on the bark."

At this moment, the smile on Eduardo's face slowly faded, as if he finally detached from the 'drinking and chatting' context, adopting another identity.

He tilted his head for a moment, changed his posture, one hand resting on the chair back: "Those bugs you mentioned… do they have any distinct markings? Such as color, patterns, or any physical traits? What about their numbers, are there many?"

Louis gently swirled the wine in his glass and answered, "Those bugs are very small, so small they could fit on a fingernail, yet they can burrow into a body, manipulate a person's limbs like pulling puppet strings.

Not the kind of mindless walking dead, but with purpose, formation, and order. As for the numbers, I don't know."

Then he added, as if inadvertently, "I didn't want to publicize this matter; the Governor also told me not to speak out. But since you're here, I thought some things should be discussed with family."

Then the topic shifted away from this matter, moving back to some interesting things about the Imperial Capital.

As the gathering ended, servants cleared the silverware, and the fireplace flames continued burning, casting flickering shadows as the two exchanged final pleasantries.

However, when Eduardo returned to his temporary quarters alone, the smile on his face had long faded.

He walked slowly, as if digesting the "intelligence" garnered from that meal.

Louis' words lingered in his ears, each one seemingly still echoing.

He had already made a judgment in his heart, feeling this matter was likely related to what he was investigating.

Yet unbeknownst to him, he had fallen into Louis' trap.

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