Under Ivan’s relatively objective explanation, Annan finally understood what had exactly happened:
Fu Fu and Dmitry had three gambling gas together.
The results of the first two gas were a tie, one to one.
And the third ga, which was also the last one, was originally the one in which Dmitry had the greatest advantage—
It was a gambling ga similar to a variety show.
The rules were simple.
Dmitry would choose soone as his "assistant." Fu Fu would then ask both of them two questions—at least one question about Dmitry and another question about his chosen assistant, and both questions would be ones they knew the answers to.
If the answers to both questions were the sa, and neither person lied, they would win.
If the answers were different, however, they would lose. If they failed, the "one who answered correctly" would pay the price, that is, bear the curse of "No Offspring," while the "one who answered wrongly" would not have to pay any price; if both people’s answers were the sa but both lied, then both would have to bear the curse of "No Offspring."
—Hearing this, Annan understood.
It was a gamble that tested people’s hearts.
If both answers were correct, they would win; if both were wrong, they would lose; if one was wrong and the other right, the correct one would paradoxically fail.
This was not simply a gamble that tested "tacit understanding" and "understanding."
It was a test of "trust."
—A classic prisoner’s dilemma.
Especially since the assistant was personally appointed by Dmitry.
Even a friend, who was once close, upon learning that they were involved and the possible price they might have to pay, would likely develop resentnt.
Rather, if the relationship were to get even closer—like Maria or Annan who are "relatives"—they definitely wouldn’t be chosen as assistants.
Not even a one in ten thousand chance. Dmitry could not afford the price of failure.
So on the flip side...
If one were chosen to be an "assistant," it was tantamount to telling the other party that you are a "friend who can be sacrificed."
"...No, that’s not right."
Annan suddenly realized a key issue.
—So, why was it Bella?
To choose a werewolf — especially one from the ranks of Winter’s Hand, as an assistant for a ritual is not strange because the fundantal task of Winter’s Hand is to protect the bloodline of the Winter family. It is part of their duty to take risks and complete tasks.
After all, it’s unlikely that the mbers of Winter’s Hand will have offspring anyway.
Because they hold too many secrets.
Once a mber of Winter’s Hand retires, they are surveilled even in their daily lives.
Be it going out, shopping, or hosting friends, any contact with others will be investigated. Don’t even think about tourism; if they wish to leave the city, they must obtain the mayor’s signature and be accompanied and watched over by three mbers of Winter’s Hand. And this is only for those among Winter’s Hand who are deed relatively safe and have established rits.
For many mbers of Winter’s Hand, it does not end well. Their last task is usually to guard the tombs of the Winter family and prevent theft of bodies with divine blood—starting from then, they cannot leave. The only consolation is that they can be buried with the Winter family mbers they have protected throughout their lives.
But undoubtedly, their family mbers can’t even worship at their graves.
To be appointed as a new instructor for Winter’s Hand, continuing to work in the Frost Speech province until death, is already considered the best outco.
Dying in the line of duty, on the other hand, is the greatest fortune.
At least then, they would beco "heroes" and be rembered by people.
As Michelangelo once mockingly said:
—The "Winter’s Hand" are giants.
Because giants are a race "without vision in their youthful days" and "speechless in their old age."
They don’t fight for justice, nor do they need to follow the law.
First and foremost, they protect the bloodline of the Winter family; their next priority is to carry out the Winter family’s orders to capture and kill specified targets, and only then do they punish evil-doers. Therefore, Winter’s Hand are undoubtedly "blind followers."
Having Winter’s Hand as the assistant should be the best choice.
But the premise is that both parties should have a thorough understanding of each other. Otherwise, even if there’s no intent to betray, failing to know the answer to the question ans failure.
"Because Bella and Dmitry... were once lovers. It even got to the level where they were discussing marriage."
Ivan Winter revealed shocking news.
After saying this, he glanced at Dmitry again.
Annan couldn’t help but widen his eyes.
Brother?
Werewolf?
How did they even make a BestMatch?
The son of a noble Duke fell in love with a lowly, orphaned werewolf girl...
Annan felt like a story of at least three hundred thousand words was forming in his mind.
But Ivan, out of consideration for Dmitry’s dignity, didn’t delve too deeply into the issue.
However, Annan already knew how the story ended.
"...But in the end, Bella chose to betray?"
He was sowhat baffled.
What was this for?
Since the two decided to get married, if one of them lacked the ability to have children, wouldn’t the end result be the sa? They could only choose to face the challenge together—which was exactly the no-win scenario.
"And Bella, intentionally choosing the wrong answer... resulted in Dmitry paying the price for his trust."
"Then what happened?"
"Then Bella was under investigation by Winter’s Hand. Although it was an unfortunate event, it was also a good thing..."
Ivan lifted his head, looked at Annan and then glanced at Dmitry who was hanging his head low.
"Had it not been for this incident, we wouldn’t have discovered... that Bella’s ntor, a forr mber of Winter’s Hand, ’Thumb’ Vladimir, had long betrayed the Winter."
"...Betrayed, Winter?"
Annan mumbled, repeating the phrase.
—He rembered.
If he wasn’t mistaken, this "Vladimir" was the "Thumb" from "Nightmare: Wolf’s Kiss" who recruited Bella into Winter’s Hand.
No wonder he asked Bella such an odd question as "Are you loyal to the Duke?"
Loyalty that was not tried, not trained, was aningless and could not be trusted.
—Unless the answer he sought was not "loyalty."
But "disloyalty."
"What did they do?"
Annan asked.
Ivan paused, tapping his staff.
Duke Winter replied in a low voice, "They used Bella to steal Dmitry’s bodily fluids to create a bewitched object capable of controlling and taming Frost Beasts without the need for ’Winter bloodline.’"
Annan asked curiously, "So, how far did they get?"
"Unfortunately, they’ve already succeeded."
Ivan ran his hand over the grooves on his staff, slowly responding.
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