Chapter 187 – The Elder

In the capital city of Dillon Kingdom, the resplendent royal palace appeared somewhat dim under the setting sun’s glow. Lush lights were lit early, and the twisted shadows of withered trees stretched long across the palace walls… Yet the gold-dusted decorations couldn’t conceal the vast palace’s silence, instead making the entire royal city seem lifeless.

Over a dozen powerfully influential nobles in lavish attire filed out through the palace’s main gate. Having just attended the King’s council, they now appeared to have achieved satisfactory results, with nearly imperceptible smiles gracing the corners of their mouths.

For these nobles, this meeting had concluded, and they all hurriedly left the venue to prepare for the astonishing decisions made during the council.

But they didn’t know—the King, who had been imposing and authoritative during the meeting, hastily departed his throne after seeing off the last noble.

The middle-aged, balding King, now back in his private chambers, wore a stern expression. Gone was the cloud-like elegance and complete control he displayed when discussing matters with his subjects. Impatiently dismissing his attendants, he carefully retrieved a small box from beneath his pillow.

Facing the dim sunset, the sweat-beaded King swallowed hard and opened the exquisite little box.

Inside lay a crystal-clear crystal ball. As the box fully opened, the crystal ball floated upward, and a three-dimensional image of a sinister-looking old man slowly materialized beside it.

“Edward, how are things progressing?”

The old man addressed the King by his given name without title, his tone filled with commanding authority.

Hearing the inquiry, Edward showed not the slightest dissatisfaction but immediately bowed deeply. Bending at a perfect ninety-degree angle with extreme reverence, sweat droplets even fell to the floor. Finally, in a humble, trembling voice, he said:

“Respected Archmage, according to reliable information from General Disco, the third princess—Trelinka—has gathered sufficient ‘Glory Army’ forces in the northern part of the Kingdom. Within a month, Trelinka is certain to launch a rebellion to ‘overthrow the Church that usurped royal power,’ ‘destroy the corrupt nobles who collude with them,’ and ‘uphold the Kingdom’s glory.’ Influential lords including Texiqi, Anke, and Bidolan have all decided to join Trelinka.

During today’s council, the Noble Council has united ten lords ready to deploy troops to suppress the rebellion at any time. Moreover, Archbishop Kasparqi of the Church of Dawn has promised that once Trelinka initiates the rebellion, they will immediately declare her a blasphemer and dispatch sufficient priests and knights to assist the Kingdom’s suppression forces.”

King Edward rapidly reported all the intelligence and topics from the council, his words devoid of a ruler’s strategic command, filled only with deep fear and childish helplessness.

The old man listened to Edward’s account expressionlessly and gave a slight nod.”Excellent. Your guidance has not been in vain. Trelinka has indeed embarked on the path predetermined for her, but she remains too inexperienced. Whether in basic military strength or elite combat power, her forces are still insufficient to contend against the combined armies of the Church and the Nobles. If she rises in rebellion so hastily, that girl’s ‘dream’ will quickly become a complete joke… This won’t do. She must fight to a stalemate with both the Church and those meddlesome Nobles…”

Had anyone been present in the King’s chambers at that moment, they would have been struck speechless by the old man’s words. The National Guardian Archmage of Dillon Kingdom was openly aiming to incite civil war within Dillon Kingdom—and hoping for it to be prolonged and brutal.

Most terrifying of all, King Edward showed neither surprise nor anger upon hearing this. Instead, he actively contributed to the old man’s scheme!

“If possible, I could dispatch Vic, who holds unconditional loyalty to the royal family, to join Trelinka’s ‘Glory Army.’ I could also tamper with the rebel suppression army’s provisions and funds…”

“No!”

Before the King could finish, the old man firmly rejected the idea:

“The smooth progress of Trelinka’s rebellion has already aroused suspicion. Kasparqi of the Church of Dawn has begun sniffing around like a hound. If you make any clumsy ‘adjustments’ now, you risk exposure.”

“But…”

Despite the old man’s explanation, Edward seemed unwilling to abandon his idea. Yet before he could form a complete sentence, the old man spoke again:

“Enough, Edward. Now is not the time to openly break with the Church of Dawn. We must compromise even with those lapdogs who have thrown their lot in with the Church. Using Trelinka to strike at them is already quite risky. However, since the plan is already in motion, I naturally won’t let those scoundrels off easily. Trelinka will undoubtedly receive unimaginable support. Moreover… this is an opportunity to purge the pests within this nation. If wielded skillfully, that girl could become an extraordinary blade!”

“…Respected Archmage, with Kamos Kingdom watching us like a tiger eyeing its prey, if civil war erupts domestically, might Kamos Kingdom…”

“Rest assured. William, that brat from Kamos Kingdom, has already become a pawn under our control. Once Trelinka achieves her destined victory, the threat from Kamos Kingdom will timely end this division. Fear not, Edward. The Church’s claws will be severed, the ungrateful Nobles will be purged, the ‘Glory Army’ rebellion will be quelled… Everything is under control.”

With this, the old man let out two low, sinister chuckles before his image dissipated amid an almost imperceptible energy fluctuation. Only a final glint of silver light flickered in the air. Bowing in reverence, Edward barely caught a glimpse of the object emitting that silver gleam…

It was a slender, gleaming silver staff, its radiant surface utterly unblemished!

————————Division Line——————In the northern reaches of Dillon Kingdom, within an unremarkable small town, a maiden with fiery crimson hair stood atop an ancient, weathered tower, clad in golden female armor. Below the tower, the town’s buildings had been replaced by hundreds of snow-white tents, while countless soldiers gazed fervently upward at their Leader—the one for whom they would gladly sacrifice everything.

The specially crafted battle armor did nothing to conceal her figure; instead, it accentuated the majestic and heroic aura of the exceedingly beautiful maiden. At this moment, she bowed her head in prayer to Tyr, the God of Justice, the shimmering light around her undulating like a rhythm, framing her as though she were a slumbering fairy—so breathtakingly beautiful it stirred the soul.

“O great God of Justice, embodiment of righteousness and hope for the innocent, please shield this faltering Kingdom. Grant your blessing to the success of the Glory Army, that we may drive out the rebellious Church and corrupt Nobles, rescue the Kingdom from peril, and once more raise the banner of justice across the land! I, your most devoted follower Trelinka, humbly seek your blessing here!”

(End of Chapter)