265: Chapter 262 Andrei: This is your last chance

Zhang Mu was not surprised by which of the three heirs would preside over the debriefing meeting.

But the King appearing in person was truly unexpected.

He had fantasized about admiring his senior's heroic posture during her speech; who wants to watch some old guy rambling on stage?

Unfortunately, established facts won't change based on personal will.

In the end, Zhang Mu could only line up in a phalanx with the City Lords, watching the King emerge from a side door on the right of the high platform, ascend the wooden stairs, and sit on the throne.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

The City Lords bowed slightly in a knight's salute while offering their greetings.

Standing at the very back, Zhang Mu didn't act pretentious and performed a standard knight's salute, treating it as meeting his father-in-law in advance.

He raised his head after finishing.

He wasn't short, so he could look over the rows of heads in front of him and clearly see the King on the throne.

There was some discrepancy with the rumors.

The King's silver hair was radiant, his skin smooth, and his complexion ruddy. His previous gait was steady, showing no signs of serious illness or weakness.

Was he on drugs, or were the rumors wrong?

Zhang Mu couldn't help but wonder, and the other City Lords likely had the same thoughts.

Of course, the King knew none of this; he didn't have the ability to see into people's hearts, but he could roughly guess.

With a warm yet majestic smile, he spoke slowly: "It has been hard on you City Lords to travel so far to Wangdu. This year's meeting will begin shortly."

"Before that, I will convey to you the kingdom's overall plan for next year..."

After listening for a bit, he found the speech to be just like the chairman of the company he once worked for—like an old woman's foot-bindings, long and tedious.

Zhang Mu's mind instantly drifted away.

What snacks should I bring back to the hotel for Leah?

Tsk, even in the Capital, there probably isn't anything good to buy. Maybe I should go back to Blue Star for a bit.

Palina... I'll buy her a couple of outfits. All women should like new clothes.

Speaking of which, if...

"Now, City Lords, follow the regulations. Once the meeting begins, you are not allowed to go out privately or have contact with any outsiders."

"As you command."

It was over.

Coming back to his senses, Zhang Mu saluted with the City Lords. After the King left through the side door, they all turned to return to the hotel.

The meeting was set to start tomorrow morning, but the regulations took effect immediately.

They stepped out of the palace gates, escorted by over a hundred Guards in light armor, walking toward the main palace gate.

Glancing at the expressionless Guards, Zhang Mu whispered to Soren beside him: "In previous debriefing meetings, were the Soldiers of the Griffin Legion also responsible for monitoring the City Lords?"

"City Lord, it's protection, not monitoring."

"Fine, fine, protection it is."

Correcting his inappropriate wording, Soren looked sideways at a familiar-looking Guard: "No, last year it was handled by the City Defense Force."

"I see..." Zhang Mu said thoughtfully, then scanned the surrounding City Lords.

Though they all walked along the same stone path, they were roughly divided into three groups.

The distance between them wasn't far, yet the divisions were clear.

"The largest group is likely Andre's." Watching them for a moment, Zhang Mu looked at the other two groups. "The medium-sized one is definitely the Second Prince's, and the smallest belongs to the Third Highness."

Soren nodded in agreement: "This makes our targets for recruitment clear."

"And the two most important people."

"The two Archdukes?"

"Yes."

Pondering with his hands tucked in his sleeves, he said: "City Lord, it would certainly be good if we could get the support of the Archdukes."

"However, I think it's best not to go. We shouldn't even attempt to test their stance."

"Heh, afraid of offending the King?"

"You saw it; the King is healthy. The previous rumors were probably..."

"You're overthinking it. This King is a fake."

"Fake?"

Muttering in confusion, Soren scanned the City Lords walking ahead.

They all had their backs turned, so their expressions couldn't be seen, and with voices intentionally shielded, their conversations couldn't be heard.

Even so, Soren could sense the unease and panic in everyone's hearts through their hurried steps.

After staring for a while, he looked away: "City Lord."

They are all Professionals of at least Magister rank. They've attended debriefing meetings many times and met the King more than once.

If there were a problem with the King who just appeared, it would be impossible for them not to notice."

"It's normal that they can't tell. After all... never mind that, just know he's a fake."

The group arrived at the main gate and were surprised to see Andre standing by the door.

Adhering to the principle of following regulations, the City Lords kept their mouths shut and eyes forward, striding past him.

As the First Prince, Andre understood the taboos of the debriefing meeting and showed no intention of talking to them, watching the flow of people pass by indifferently.

Until Zhang Mu approached.

"City Lord Aiji."

Zhang Mu looked at him with some confusion. Trying to frame me? Such a low-level tactic?

Before he could speak, a Guard from the Griffin Legion stepped between them: "Your Highness, the King has ordered..."

The City Lords who had walked into the towering gateway turned back one after another, their eyes full of shock.

Andre smiled and took a gold coin from his pocket, the front engraved with the portrait of the First King of the Lake Kingdom.

Holding the edge of the coin with two fingers, he showed the front to the Guard while saying: "I am not an outsider."

The Guard retracted his spear and stepped back a few paces to clear the way. There was no longer any obstacle between Zhang Mu and him.

"City Lord Aiji, talking to me does not count as a violation of the regulations."

"Is there something, First Prince?"

"I believe you should not go to my royal brother's residence."

"I've already been there."

"People always make mistakes; it's unavoidable. But one can be given a chance—a final chance for remediation."

"For example?"

"I hope City Lord Aiji will not step into that residence again."

"What business is it of yours?"

The sudden rude remark not only stunned Andre but also terrified the group of City Lords.

It's true the royal family wouldn't dare act within the city, but... the royal family always has ways to make you leave the city on your own.

Besides, even if you refuse a recruitment, there's no need to be so confrontational, right?

"Is he crazy?"

Andre's smile slowly faded: "How truly regrettable."

Having said that, he turned and walked back into the palace.

Looking around, Zhang Mu said cheerfully: "What's wrong with everyone?"

The dazed crowd snapped back to their senses and hurried away as if avoiding a plague.

Soren felt he could no longer understand his own City Lord: "Didn't you say you wanted to win over the other City Lords?"

"Yes."

"Is this how you win them over?" He pointed at the City Lords who were speeding up, nearly running.

"No rush," Zhang Mu said leisurely, walking forward with his hands behind his back. "You'll know tonight."

...

Walking down the corridor, Andre's face was no longer composed; it had become exceptionally gloomy.

He considered himself broad-minded and relatively easygoing, but that was no reason for others to dare offend him.

"Your Highness." The butler followed behind. "The manpower was arranged yesterday. He cannot leave the Capital alive."

"Add a few more people. Capture him alive."

"As you command."

The butler withdrew silently.

Andre continued walking. At the end of the corridor, he pushed open a wooden door.

"You're late."

Two people were standing in the room: one was the Second Prince, and the other was—the King.

The one speaking was indeed the King, yet Andre did not salute his father respectfully. Instead, he directly took out a potion and handed it over.

The King took it and consumed it. His body then changed into various shapes like dough, followed by a series of tearing and shaking. Fragments exploded everywhere, revealing Avril inside.

"A potion that can deceive a Magister... I don't recall there being an Apothecary of such caliber in the Capital."

"A small token from Bishop Jarvis."

The Second Prince looked at him, and the latter said: "Brother, royal family matters should not involve the Church."

Coldness gradually emanated from Avril's already icy pupils: "Do you want to push Lake into the abyss?"

Andre met their gazes without flinching. "Your vision is too narrow. Under my leadership, Lake will return to the throne of the First Empire."

"Are you crazy?!" The Second Prince's anger almost erupted from his chest. "The gods' gaze upon us has never shifted!"

"That was the past."

Walking leisurely to a wooden chair by the wall, he sat down. "Bishop Jarvis heard a divine oracle; the gods have forgiven our ancestors' disrespect."

Furthermore... Saul Continent is about to be in turmoil."

They didn't understand the last sentence. The Second Prince clenched his fist: "I object!"

"Hahaha... Royal Brother, are you joking with your dear brother?"

"I am about to become the King of Lake. Does my decision require your consent?"

"Teacher Potter will crush your madness."

"Unfortunately, Mr. Potter probably won't be coming back."

Avril took a staff from her robe's sleeve, ice mist billowing from her body.

But instead of counterattacking, Andre stood up and walked toward her, actively moving into the ice mist.

The moment before contact, the icy mist suddenly retracted into Avril's body.

Watching her tuck the staff back into her sleeve, Andre sat back in the chair: "At least you're not an idiot."

Seeing him still provoking Avril, the Second Prince stepped forward to interrupt: "Stop playing these little tricks."

"Brother, I acknowledge your excellence, but you should not lead Lake astray."

Taking a few deep breaths, he said sternly: "The ancestors had an admonition: the Church is not to be trusted!"

"That's why the ancestors died, and they couldn't even protect their own empire."

Replying indifferently, Andre seemed unwilling to discuss it further and changed the subject: "Brother, I know you sent that old fellow out of the city."

"True, I don't have the power to kill him, but it might be different if he's carrying a burden—whether that burden is you or City Lord Aiji."

"And Avril, it would be very easy for me to take your life. I just need to delay the activation time of the Magic Tower."

"What are you trying to say?"

"What I'm saying is, you pose no threat to me, so be good and stop making a fuss, alright?"

Avril ignored him and walked out the door.

The Second Prince was silent for a moment, said, "I won't let you run wild," and also left the room.

Leaving Andre alone in the wooden chair, he slightly closed his eyes: "You don't understand the glory of Lake, and even less the glory of the Ice and Snow Empire, the First Empire of the Saul Continent."

He didn't get up to return to his palace; he just sat there.

About an hour later, an old man in a pure white robe walked in.

"Good afternoon, Bishop Jarvis."

He ignored the greeting and said directly, "The place where Haige died has been found."

"Where?"

"In the woods about five kilometers outside the city."

Frowning, Andre thought to himself, isn't that where Avril set up the tomb?

With a grim face, Jarvis sat in the wooden chair next to him: "Haige had been staying at the cathedral for six months since being transferred to the Capital. Yet, on the second day after the City Lords arrived, he went out of the city alone in the middle of the night."

"Hmph, the murderer must be among those City Lords!"

He looked furious, but Andre knew it wasn't because a beloved student had died, but because someone dared to assassinate a Believer.

And right under his nose.

Thus, Andre felt quite relaxed: "Rest assured, Bishop, the murderer will surely be caught."

"The priority now is to help me ascend the throne."

"Is there anyone left who can resist you?" Jarvis's tone returned to calm.

"You know I'm not worried about them, but about what happens after I become King."

"The divine oracle won't be wrong. The gods have already forgiven the Ice and Snow Emperor's disrespect."

Sweat seeped from Andre's palms; he was unusually nervous: "Then, the Griffin Legion..."

"It can continue to be used. Expanding the size of the legion is also fine."

His eyes lit up, and he asked, "Are you sure?"

"The gods do not deceive mortals."

Exhaling deeply, he leaned back against the chair: "I thought..."

"You thought the gods feared that Knight Magic, and that's why they destroyed the Ice and Snow Empire?"

"Isn't it?"

"Heh." Jarvis gave a strange, half-smiling expression. "What do you take the gods for?"

"Would they fear something they themselves bestowed?"

"Then..." Andre looked bewildered. "Then why destroy the Ice and Snow Empire?"

"The gods set thresholds for Professionals, divided them into ranks, and then scattered items to accelerate advancement."

"Then the gods sit upon their divine thrones, looking down as relatives and friends slaughter each other, companions betray one another, and lovers turn against each other, admiring the ugliness and filth we so freely display."

"What... what do the gods gain from this?"

"In the endless passage of time, the gods get too bored. They always need some entertainment."

"What does that have to do with the Ice and Snow Empire?"

"That Knight Magic would be useless if obtained by an individual, but if obtained by the Ice and Snow Empire of that time, it would have become the catalyst for unifying the continent."

Jarvis looked at him with a hint of mockery: "Do you understand now?"

"Your ancestors spoiled the gods' fun, so they were destroyed."

Seeming unable to accept that his ancestors' failure was due to such a ridiculous reason, Andre was dazed for a long time before recovering: "Since the gods don't want to see peace in Saul, why did they throw out that Knight Magic?"

"Perhaps the gods lost it accidentally, just like you might accidentally lose your purse when you go out."

"The only difference is, failing to return a purse might get you sentenced to three years in prison, while the price of choosing to keep the Knight Magic is an empire."

Another long silence.

Coming to his senses, Andre asked blankly, "Why do the gods allow its use again?"

"The gods are tired of the dramas played out every day on the Saul Continent."

A bizarre smile curled his lips—as if he had been repeatedly hammered, torn, and reshaped, becoming someone else, someone completely foreign to the world.

He saw the world and felt a sense of novelty.

"What do the gods want to see?"

"Rivers of blood."