264: Chapter 261 The Reporting Meeting: A Key Point in the Struggle for the Throne

When Zhang Mu and Soren appeared at the entrance of the Second Prince's residence, the prince himself was quite surprised.

The kitchen quickly prepared a table of delicious food, and the three of them sat down at the dining table, in the same spots as last time.

As soon as they were seated, the Second Prince asked in confusion why they had come to his home.

Looking at his suspicious expression, Zhang Mu captured two important pieces of information.

First, although the Second Prince had little reputation in the capital or even the entire kingdom, just as they had privately speculated, he was ultimately a prince who had survived a cruel environment and possessed his own confidants and methods.

Secondly, the Senior and he had indeed joined forces.

Zhang Mu had already suspected this since seeing the Senior at the residence the night before last.

It was slightly unexpected, but it made sense.

Zhang Mu had Domit wander around the capital yesterday not just to create an alibi, but also to scout the reputations of the three heirs among the people.

As expected.

Andre was the most praised among both the citizens of the capital and the noble circles.

Avril, on the other hand, rarely appeared in public and was now simply keeping her doors shut; the people's perception of her was neither good nor bad, mostly one of indifference.

"Princess Avril? Oh, the King's daughter?"

In noble circles, she did have some reputation, and many young nobles were infatuated with her beauty.

However, Avril herself disliked socializing with nobles, so most of them only knew her as being "cold."

Consequently, when it came to major decisions involving the future of their families, the heads of households were more inclined toward Andre, who promised generous benefits.

As for the Second Prince, compared to the active one and the quiet one, he seemed somewhat eccentric.

To win the favor of the people, he had paid out of his own pocket and raised funds from supporters to start a massive project for a moat around the capital.

After Zhang Mu finished his meal, driven by intense curiosity, he asked the Second Prince why he was digging a moat.

Did he truly believe it would be useful?

The Second Prince gave a bitter laugh and confessed everything—the King had told him long ago that if he ever felt he was about to lose, he should dig a moat around the capital.

Great, another riddler.

After hearing this, Zhang Mu sighed helplessly and then intended to talk about tomorrow's debriefing ceremony.

Just as he spoke, the Second Prince interrupted to ask the question Zhang Mu hadn't answered at the start of dinner—why had he come to his house?

Taken literally, this was a truly baffling question.

After all, he had said at the door, "I'm here to grab a meal tonight. It's a bit sudden, and I didn't notify you in advance. I hope it's not too intrusive?"

However, Zhang Mu understood the underlying meaning and asked back with a smile.

"Is Your Highness surprised that I came to your home right after leaving Andre's palace?"

He didn't act coy or falsely deny it, but nodded frankly.

"I don't like him, it's as simple as that."

The expected answer was so blunt that the Second Prince was stunned for a long time before showing a look of joy: "You are willing to..."

"Don't misunderstand, I don't intend to join your camp for the time being."

"Then..."

"Is there a rule that says I must choose a side to support?"

"Uh..." The Second Prince frowned and thought for a moment, "No."

"Haha, exactly."

"It's just... City Lord Eji, first, I want to clarify that I have no intention of provoking or slandering anyone."

Zhang Mu looked at him, signaling him to speak his mind.

Understanding his look, the Second Prince said, "My royal brother's personality is a bit... harsh."

"And?"

"By coming to me immediately after leaving his palace, he will see it as a provocation and an insult."

"Well, then let it be."

"You could go and explain to him person—... what?"

The Second Prince only reacted halfway through his sentence, saying anxiously, "City Lord Eji, you don't understand my brother. Once he wants to make things difficult for someone, his actions will be quite extreme!"

"What, can Andre really move against me within the city?"

"He certainly doesn't have the courage to violate the Church's rules, but you eventually have to return to Gur, and then..."

"That's my own business." Zhang Mu acted as if he didn't appreciate the good intentions and proactively changed the subject. "There are some things I'd like to know. Can Your Highness help explain them?"

This behavior was very rude, even offensive.

Yet the Second Prince didn't seem angry; his brows remained tightly furrowed, and he opened his mouth as if to speak but hesitated, seemingly still wanting to persuade him to take the matter with Andre seriously.

Seeing this, Zhang Mu smiled. "Don't worry, Your Highness, I have arrangements."

He had no other choice and emphasized once more: "You'd better explain to my brother, or even apologize if necessary.

If my brother refuses to let you go... I will help you secure a chance to escape back to Gur. Once you enter the city, even my brother won't be able to do anything to you."

"If that day truly comes, I will rely on Your Highness. Now, let's talk about what I just mentioned."

"City Lord Eji, please ask."

"As you've said, I rarely come to the capital, and the process of royal succession is very unfamiliar to me."

After the prologue, Zhang Mu got to the main point: "It's common knowledge that violence is prohibited in the city, and we City Lords must also comply.

The selection of a royal heir is not through a public vote, and it's impossible for City Lords to directly use force to help their supported candidate seize the throne.

That being the case, what is the point of the three Highnesses joining forces to delay the Debriefing Meeting and keep the City Lords in the capital?"

"If the King were healthy and the capital were stable, it would naturally be meaningless."

The Second Prince picked up his wine glass and drained it in one gulp. "The problem is that the kingdom is now in turmoil, and the King is in a coma."

"Has the selection of the King turned into a vote this time?"

"Haha, of course not." He laughed in spite of himself. "But it is indeed somewhat similar."

"Elaborate."

"The King's power is not just that crown, but also the control over the cities within the territory.

If a royal descendant ascends the throne and all the City Lords refuse to submit or follow orders, the King will lose all authority, and the kingdom will come crashing down."

"Oh, I see. I understand now.

It means that whichever of the three Highnesses wins over far more City Lords than the other two, that person can become the King?"

"Yes."

Nodding to himself, Zhang Mu asked again, "Before coming to the capital, I heard some rumors... um... it seems some City Lords have intentions of declaring independence?"

"That is indeed the case."

"Then they shouldn't have come to the capital at all, right?"

"Ever since the gods bestowed the Silent Forest, the Lake Kingdom has been at peace for over a thousand years. They are all young City Lords who grew up in peace,

they have never experienced the flames of war, nor do they understand why the Royal Family is the Royal Family."

The words were slightly vague, but Zhang Mu picked up on something.

The Royal Family had a trump card, one powerful enough to make all those with restless hearts among the City Lords calm down.

He estimated it had something to do with that Magic Tower.

Speaking of the Magic Tower...

Zhang Mu emerged from his thoughts. "Your Highness, I heard that the Royal Family's inherited Magic Tower is a towering ice tower. Why... didn't I see it in the capital?"

"I'm sorry, City Lord Eji. I would love to tell you, but that is a royal secret."

"Oh, I'm the one who should apologize for asking something I shouldn't have."

After expressing his apologies, Zhang Mu felt he had asked everything he needed to, so he stood up. "Thank you for your hospitality, Your Highness. I'll be heading back now."

"Time was short, so things were a bit simple. Notify me in advance next time, and I will prepare a feast."

The Second Prince saw him to the gate, and as he watched Zhang Mu's departing figure in the distance, he called out loudly, "City Lord Eji, do not forget my suggestion!"

It wasn't clear if the suggestion referred to "explaining to Andre" or "asking him to help escape back to Gur."

Although neither was among Zhang Mu's options, it was a kind gesture after all, so he raised his hand and waved while his back was turned to the Second Prince.

As the figure disappeared around the corner, a person completely shrouded in a black robe silently came up behind him.

"Your Highness," a raspy, aged voice sounded.

"Have you found out?"

"His Highness Andre has already sent people to lie in ambush on City Lord Eji's return route."

"That royal brother of mine... is far too impatient."

Looking up at the night sky, the Second Prince said, "When my brother takes the throne, you should go back to Gur with City Lord Eji."

The black-robed person remained silent for a moment. "I can only safely take one person away, and the Consort's final wish was for Your Highness to live well."

"If I were a commoner, I would," the Second Prince turned to face him, "but I am my father's offspring, a member of the Lake Kingdom's royal family."

"No one cares about your sacrifice, Your Highness."

"I care."

The air was quiet for a moment before his firm tone softened slightly. "The Lake Kingdom must not fracture; otherwise, it won't be us who suffer, but the people.

Compared to me, who is useless except for my royal status, City Lord Eji is far more capable.

He is proficient in warfare, loves his people, and vigorously develops armaments and the military.

These are all things you have witnessed with your own eyes, aren't they?"

After a very long silence, the black-robed person knelt on one knee. "You should be the King, Your Highness."

"My brother is more outstanding than I am. *Sigh*... I hope that before everything ends, I can secure a chance for Avril to enter the Magic Tower.

Go and carry out my orders."

"As you command."

...

The next day, early morning.

Climbing out of bed, Zhang Mu scratched his head and went into the bathroom to wash up. Palina came over with his clothes to serve him as he dressed.

Because of the layer of illusion, she could only grope around to put the clothes on him, during which she would inevitably touch sensitive parts of his body.

Every time she touched him, she would act like a timid rabbit and quickly move her hand away.

Zhang Mu strongly suspected she was doing it on purpose, but the innocence in Palina's dark eyes didn't look like an act.

*Knock, knock—*

"City Lord, it's time to depart."

"Coming." Zhang Mu responded, then turned back to tell Palina and Leah to stay in the room and not run around. He then pushed open the door and went downstairs with Soren.

Upon reaching the door and boarding the carriage, he recalled the empty hotel corridor. "What time did the other City Lords set out?"

"Before dawn."

"So early? Didn't they say the Debriefing Meeting would start soon?"

"They probably had to go see the three Highnesses first."

"No wonder."

Zhang Mu looked through the carriage window at the pedestrians on the roadside. "You heard everything the Second Prince said yesterday. Do you have any ideas?"

"Regardless of which Highness you choose to support, we need to win over the City Lords."

"That's quite difficult."

"Yes." Soren flipped through his documents again. "We lack personal intelligence on all the City Lords, so we can't formulate targeted plans.

Most importantly, City Lord, which Highness do you choose?"

"The Second Prince."

Having been brushed off several times, the sudden straightforward answer made Soren daze for a moment before recovering. "Why the sudden decision?"

"I like the look of him."

"Is it really that arbitrary?"

Hearing Soren's rare sarcasm, Zhang Mu felt it was novel and said with a laugh, "Should it be the First Prince then?"

Recalling the time spent standing during yesterday's lunch, Soren shook his head. "Then I'd rather it be the Second Prince."

"Exactly."

"Isn't there one more Highness?"

"Avril?"

Hmm?

Soren closed the file and asked strangely, "How do you know the Third Highness's name?"

"Beautiful women always catch the eye, and everyone is keen to discuss them. I just happened to overhear it."

It was a sufficient reason. Although Soren still harbored doubts, he didn't press further, continuing from where they left off: "Has the Third Highness been excluded by you?"

"Yes."

"Forgive my boldness, but why?

You don't like her look? But you haven't even met her."

"We'll talk about that later."

Whenever Zhang Mu proactively cut off a topic, it meant he didn't want to talk anymore. Soren obeyed as usual and fell silent.

The carriage continued forward and reached the main gate of the palace two hours later.

According to the rules, the City Lords had to enter on foot. The two got out of the carriage and followed behind a servant into a magnificent palace.

The palace space was vast. Upon entering, there was an open area covered with a red carpet. At the far end was a wooden platform with a luxurious throne, accessible via a wooden staircase on the left.

When Zhang Mu stepped over the threshold, the hall was already filled with people. There were knights in light armor and mages in robes. They were gathered in small groups, and the air was filled with whispers.

Having no acquaintances, Zhang Mu led Soren to a corner and scanned the surroundings.

Roughly estimating several hundred people, it seemed almost all the City Lords had arrived.

Listening in for a while, he found they were talking about trivial family matters or where to go for fun in the capital after the meeting ended.

Zhang Mu couldn't be bothered with the City Lords' romantic escapades and shifted his gaze to the throne at the very end of the palace.

Based on the intelligence gathered over the past few days, the King's health had deteriorated to the point where he could no longer move.

So who would give the speech later?

Or was the King faking his illness?

Hmm... Grand Duke Bulova also said the King was about to kick the bucket, and he had no reason to lie to me.

Speaking of Bulova, Zhang Mu looked around while whispering to Soren beside him, "Don't the two Grand Dukes need to come?"

"City Lord." Soren's voice was even lower, to the point where it would be almost inaudible if not for Zhang Mu's exceptional hearing.

"I know you don't have much reverence for the powerful, but this is the royal palace. For the sake of your goals, please show a little restraint."

"Uh, the two Grand Dukes?"

Soren's tensed shoulders relaxed slightly, and his voice returned to a normal volume. "It's normal for you not to be familiar, since you've always stayed in Gur.

The two Grand Dukes do not hold honorary titles; they are powerful dukes with territories granted by the King.

Nominally, they are supporters of the King, but in their own territories, they are like kings themselves, so they are different from ordinary ministers."

"So you mean we City Lords are employees, and the two Grand Dukes are shareholders?"

Soren often heard Zhang Mu mention these novel terms and had asked about their actual meanings, so he could understand them.

He nodded slightly. "Yes. The two Grand Dukes have the responsibility to protect the kingdom's borders, but they do not need to report the governance of their territories to the King."

Just as he was about to ask about the requirements for the Dukes' fiefdoms, a loud shout suddenly came from the direction of the high platform.

"His Majesty the King has arrived."