[Count of Monte Cristo] Archon

The group stayed where they were and pitched a tent by the roadside.Although Izmir is close at hand, they can't go to sea without the crew; what's more, Muhammad was just frightened by Edmond, and he doesn't know when he will regain his senses. You will be caught in the urn, and it will be difficult to escape when the time comes.In contrast, it is better to stay where you are... At least you can buy time and wait for rescue from Istanbul.

Ulysses sat silently by the fire, staring at the shadows dancing under the flames.Haiide also realized something, and took the initiative to sit next to Lilith to help, trying her best not to cause trouble for her brother.And Edmund poked the branch with the hilt of his sword, looked at the splashing sparks, and said, "Muhammad should have recovered by now... Do you think he will send people to surround us?"

Ulysses knew well that Edmund deliberately picked a question that didn't need to be answered to ease the atmosphere.He moved his lips, he couldn't speak for a moment, and after a while he recovered his normal voice: "...I don't know, probably not."

As long as the sailors were still in Muhammad's hands, there was no need for him to set an ambush against Edmond.This is like a delicious bait, you don't have to worry about the fish not taking the bait.Muhammad had only fallen into Edmond's trap out of carelessness before, and he had a high level of political literacy. He didn't believe that Muhammad would not be clear about things that Ulysses could see through at a glance.

And the fact is the same. It was afternoon when they encountered each other. Now the sun has set and the crescent moon has risen in the sky, but this road is still very quiet, without any movement.

Edmond fiddled with the fire for a moment, as if he was thinking about something, before he said, "Then what do you think he will do next?"

In the City Lord's Mansion of Izmir Port City, there are also two people who are having similar problems.They were all lying on exquisite soft couches, in a richly decorated room, and the fragrance of spices was wafting in the furnace.However, most of the smoke that filled the room came from the smoke pipe.

The actual controller of Izmir, Muhammad's cousin Mustafa, exhaled a puff of smoke, watched the smoke gradually rise and drift in the air with blurred eyes, and his voice seemed to drift along with it: "My cousin, Muhammad Prince...I heard that you summoned my guards to teach a bunch of lowly sailors a lesson?"

Muhammad sneered when he heard the words, his face was gloomy: "Are you trying to stop me, my cousin?"

"I'm just curious, what is the purpose of your coming here." Mustafa laughed, raised his arms lazily, and handed a small box to Mohammed: "Izmir is not as prosperous as Istanbul, There is not much money to be made, and my only wish is to die in this beautiful place, but if the Sultan has any orders..."

Muhammad opened the box, dug out a spoonful of translucent green paste from it, and put it in his mouth.The blissful feeling made his expression relax a lot, and his tone became vague: "How many ships pass through Izmir every year, Mustafa? There is not much oil and water. Only my father is willing to believe such words... …I haven't heard of him changing his mind yet, but after a while, it might be."

Mustafa already knew the reason why Muhammad came here, but out of a cautious nature, he chose to test it out. He didn't expect that Muhammad really knew something different... His eyes flickered, and he asked: "Why? ?”

"Ask this question, it's like asking me why I left Istanbul." Mehmet sneered, "There is a woman beside the Sultan, and he has been fascinated by it. No matter what decree is issued, it is possible. ...and the instigator behind that woman is also the one the group of sailors are waiting to respond to."

Mustafa gave a meaningful oh, and asked as if unintentionally: "Then why didn't you take the opportunity to kill them? I heard that they have arrived in Izmir..."

"...kill them?"

Muhammad paused, and asked back with a strange expression.Mustafa thought he was having a hard time talking about today's failure, so he smiled veiledly, and said clearly: "My subordinates have reported some things to me... Although they, or someone, seem to have powerful Strength, but in front of bullets, these are nothing... It's just a little more strength, I can send you a team of gunmen to cut grass and roots together..."

Muhammad was silent for a while, then smiled abruptly: "You seem to have planned well for me, my cousin. But what's the use of killing them? As long as my father still loves that woman..."

"My dear cousin," Mustafa interrupted him, sat up, and said with burning eyes, "I have been robbed of power for a few years, have you really forgotten the feeling of life and death? Sudan has already Old, and you, my cousin, are the youngest... These strangers, the remnants of Ali Tibelin, sent a slave girl to charm the Sultan, and took the opportunity to poison him .After that, Prince Muhammad, who succeeded in avenging his father, ascended to the throne of the Sultan..."

Muhammad also sat up and stared at him: "And you?"

Mustafa said slowly: "And I got a permanent fief - Izmir Port, and the five cities around it."

Muhammad took hold of the pipe and stood up.Mustafa thought he was going to agree to his proposal, but Muhammad walked up to him, tilted the cigarette holder, and stabbed him in the eye unexpectedly.

The gas coming out of the cigarette holder was scalding hot, and it hit Mustafa's eyeballs directly.Mustafa cried out in pain, covered his eyes and fell backwards.

Muhammad grabbed the pipe, lifted the bottle, threw it on him, and said with a sneer, "Sure enough, it was born of a lowly dog, even with such low thoughts... You actually let the bravest son of the Sultan do such a foolish thing?" Things? As long as those sailors are still around, they will obediently put their necks in the noose and offer their last value."

After speaking, he turned and left.Mustafa looked at his back with a cloudy expression, took a short breath, and sneered.

It doesn't matter whether Muhammad was stabbed in the wound, or whether he lacked the courage to kill the grass... What matters is that, as the "bravest son" of the Sultan, Muhammad wanted to kill his father.Based on this alone, Mustafa can do it.

-

Edmond's question was difficult to answer. After thinking about it, Ulysses said: "Obviously Muhammad will not let us go, but compared to him, I think others are more difficult. Although I don't know if you use Is there any way to scare him from taking action, but as the prince of the Ottoman Empire, as long as he is willing, there will be a steady stream of people to deal with us in order to win his favor... As far as this is concerned, it is better to end it as soon as possible. "

Edmund smiled and said meaningfully: "The problem now is that we have no way to end it quickly."

As long as Jacob and the others are still in the prison in Izmir, even if Edmond and the others can board the ship, they will not be able to set off smoothly.With Muhammad's instruction, I am afraid that no ship would dare to take them away.This has almost become a deadlock, no matter how you look at it, Edmond and the others have to compromise with Muhammad.

And when things have developed to this point, what is Muhammad's purpose?Ulysses couldn't help feeling tense when he thought of this.Is it money...or beauty?

They had fled in a hurry before, and Ulysses had not seen the box of treasures from Muhammad in the carriage, not even the two boxes of treasure they had brought over as chips, so Ulysses took it for granted that those Everything fell into Muhammad's hands.If they managed to escape, it would be fine to lose a sum of money, but Muhammad is obviously on the right track with them now...

According to Edmund, he has offered a beauty to the Sultan, and if he can wait for a while, he may be rescued... But Ulysses, who has experienced betrayal himself, cannot place his hope on others.

He looked up into Edmond's eyes, and for the first time there was confusion in his eyes: "Is there no other way? For example, return from here, find a random port and leave first, as long as I can contact my father's old department, I can Find a way to rescue your sailors..."

Edmund frowned and shook his head: "That's the strength left by your father, and it's the foundation of your future...I can't let you sacrifice your strength for my subordinates."

Ulysses said eagerly, "I'm not..."

not what?But he couldn't say it.

Edmund saw his expression in his eyes, raised his eyebrows slightly, and a sad smile appeared on the corner of his lips: "You don't need to do anything for me, Ulysses... you will take me with you tomorrow morning." Let Haiide leave together. Lilith and I may not be able to send you off... But," he let out a breath, flicked his fingers, and raised the hilt of his sword, "it's not that simple to take advantage of me... No matter who it is, whoever dares to arrest me, he will die."

Lilith, who was eavesdropping, could swear that the second part of Edmund's sentence was true, but Ulysses obviously wouldn't believe it.He bit his pale lips, shook his head and said, "No, you sacrificed too much for Haiide and me..."

Edmund suddenly leaned over and pinched Ulysses' chin with one hand.Ulysses involuntarily raised his head following his strength, and his gaze fell into a pair of eyes that seemed to be burning with black flames.

"Do you think I'm sacrificing for you, little prince?" Edmond's voice was soft, and his cold fingers stroked the corner of Ulysses' lips, "I should have said it a long time ago... I came here The purpose is only for Haidee."

Ulysses' eyes suddenly ignited raging anger, and he punched Edmund in the chest, and walked into the tent without saying a word.

Lilith, who had witnessed all of this, sighed softly, and continued to explain the precautions to Haiide with a gentle smile.

Ulysses... finally fell into the trap completely.