Volume 2: Empire Chapter 54: Return to the Palace
The Abyss Mages who had infiltrated the Imperial Capital were eliminated, which was a major victory for the war the Empire was facing.
As the investigation deepened, the crimes committed by the Abyss Mage and the assassination plans he was preparing were discovered, making the shock caused by this incident increasingly severe.
There is also information revealed by the joint operation of the Sixth Division of the Imperial Secret Service and the Fourth Division of the City Garrison; the Crusader Engineering Research Institute was sealed off, and evidence of the infiltration of Abyss Mages was found inside.
The things behind all these signs are enough for all the staff and think tanks in the imperial capital to think about for days and nights.
Soon after another visit from the eldest princess, the second prince Alex announced that he would go to the west to lead the fight against bandits.
Agatha told Alex that she could not completely control Meteorite. The closeness of Meteorite to Fania this time made Alex realize that he was at an absolute disadvantage in the fight for the crown prince.
Even if he stayed in the imperial capital now, once there was a major change in the palace, he would not have the strength to fight against Fania, who had both military power and the city of Raging Waves. Only by going to the west now and training an army loyal to him could he continue to compete for the throne with the help of Agatha.
However, the cabinet representing the Crusader Order was surprisingly calm. They did not make any statement regarding the destruction of the Crusader Research Institute and allowed the City Garrison to continue occupying the Caltrop Armor Factory.
Crown Prince Fania did not put pressure on the cabinet on the issue of the Abyss Mage.
Both parties understood tacitly that this was a stumbling block set by Meteorite for Fania in this great achievement, preventing him from getting the full credit.
The cabinet needs the continued trust of the future emperor of the new empire, and Fania also needs the stability of the imperial court to be handed over to her.
Therefore, apart from the Celtic Grand Duke, the only one who was injured was Emperor Augustine.
He wanted to get the secret of immortality from Morris... Morris was dead.
He wanted to gain immortality through the secret technique of eternal life... The Crusader Research Institute was closed down, and Dr. Elvis, who was in charge of the experiment, became an abyss wizard and died.
Even the related experiments at the Extraordinary Biological Breeding Center were destroyed by unknown persons.
Augustine the Great became haggard. In such a huge empire, no one wanted to see their lifespan extended. He used to think so and just laughed at himself, but reality told him... it was all true.
Although he was the emperor of the empire and one of the most powerful men in the world, he faced an extremely cruel and cold court.
Augustine sat on a chair. No matter how brightly the fire in front of him burned, it could not warm his body.
“Father…”
The soft cry brought a sense of warmth to Emperor Augustine's heart. He looked at his daughter who walked into the room, and a gentle look appeared in his eyes.
"Dai'er!" Augustine stood up, took Princess Dai'er's hand and asked her to sit next to him. He stared at his daughter who had been missing for many days and said softly, "I thought I would never see you again... It's good that you're back. Forget those terrible things. I will never allow you to be bullied again.
You must have suffered a lot these days."
Dai'er felt that her father seemed like a different person today, no longer the father who made her dare not even breathe.
"I didn't suffer too much. After I was attacked and captured, Miss Qingkong and Governor Meteorite quickly rescued me. Because we didn't know who attacked me, Miss Qingkong asked me to disguise myself as a student of Oulu College and live in her museum..."
Dai'er said what she had agreed with Qingkong.
If she said she escaped on her own, she would definitely be kept in the palace under strict "protection".
After listening to Dale's story, Emperor Augustine nodded slightly: "No wonder Meteorite was able to find the Abyss Temple so quickly, it turns out that he had rescued you a long time ago. It's a good thing that you were rescued by him. If you fell into the hands of the Abyss Temple, I really don't know how they would treat you."
Augustine thought of the information he had seen and couldn't imagine what would happen to Dale if she was sent there.
The emotions in my heart about the meteorite were inevitably diluted a lot.
Dai'er didn't know what kind of turmoil Meteor's actions had caused in the palace. Seeing that her father was in a good mood, she said, "Father, during my time in the museum, I learned a lot of interesting things from Miss Qingkong.
Moreover, attending classes and doing experiments with classmates is much more interesting than studying in the palace.
Can I…can I continue to stay in Miss Qingkong’s museum? Miss Qingkong is the most knowledgeable scholar I have ever met.”
Dai'er looked at Emperor Augustine expectantly.
Augustine the Great also looked at his youngest daughter, who looked so much like her deceased mother.
"It seems that you like Miss Clear Sky very much. What kind of person is she... no, what kind of elf is she."
When talking about the clear sky, Dai'er's eyes couldn't help but shine with admiration.
"Ms. Qingkong's esoteric arts class is so wonderful that it can only be described as magical. I don't know how she knows so many esoteric arts, some of which are even purely performance-based.
She can create the starry sky in class, and can easily present the sea and mountains in front of us. I have also seen her make mysterious props with dragon scales. Professor Ban said that Miss Qingkong killed a dragon..."
Dale talked excitedly, telling Augustine the other side of the clear sky.
Augustine listened quietly, looking at this mysterious and powerful elf from Dale's perspective.
Finally, Dai'er actually begged Augustine in a spoiled tone: "Father, please let me go to Miss Qingkong's museum to study. Miss Qingkong will definitely be able to protect me."
Dale grabbed Augustine's hand and shook it, but when she realized that her action was overstepping her authority, she immediately let go.
Augustine's expression also shook. The moment he felt Dai'er let go of his hand, his heart felt empty.
But he still thought seriously about Dale's suggestion.
If Dale is really close to Qingkong, it will be a good thing for the empire. Qingkong's military force is a strategic deterrent at the national level. As a princess, Dale has a good relationship with her, which is equivalent to binding a super force for the royal family.
"Well... Since Qingkong has been designated as the successor by Dean Wilred, she must have a wealth of knowledge. Being able to receive her personal instruction will greatly improve you."
After getting the approval, Dai'er was so happy that she almost forgot her princess manners and jumped up from the chair.
"Really? Thank you, Father!"
Augustine was infected by Dale's innocence and was reluctant to marry her to Meteorite.
But he quickly put aside the brief warmth and devoted himself back to his role as emperor of the empire.
"Your safe return this time is largely due to Meteorite. I have always intended for you to marry him, so you must be mentally prepared..."
Dai'er had known for a long time that her father wanted to marry her to Yunxing. This time when he formally mentioned it to her, Dai'er couldn't help but look dazed.
The scenes of what happened during the time she spent with the meteorite appeared before her eyes one by one.
Augustine looked at the stunned Dai'er, thinking that she was unwilling, and half-persuaded and half-commanded her, "You are a royal princess, so you must bear the responsibilities of a royal princess. Meteorite is a very talented person. He controlled the Raging Waves City at such a young age, and he can get along well with everyone in the court. In the future, he will definitely be able to enter the cabinet and become the prime minister in front of the emperor.
If this person is used well, the empire can continue to prosper.
If he rebels... none of your brothers can stand against him.
If you marry him and I give him supreme honor, I can put a bridle on him and make him serve the empire wholeheartedly.
Do you understand? "
"I..." Dai'er didn't know how to answer. She didn't hate Meteor, but she didn't love him. She didn't want to be a tool of imperial politics like her married sisters. She wanted to escape and pursue what she thought was beautiful freely.
But father is right, sister Agatha is right...the princess of the empire must make sacrifices for the empire.
Looking at Dai'er who looked confused and helpless, Emperor Augustine couldn't help but feel soft in his heart.
"Think about it carefully... I also need to observe the meteorite again."
"Yes, Father...If there is nothing else, I will withdraw."
"Go back and have a good rest." When Dai'er stood up and saluted to leave, Emperor Augustine couldn't help but add: "Come and chat with me when you have time in the future... Your brothers and sisters are too busy and rarely come to see me on their own initiative."
"Yes, Father, I will come to see you often."
After watching Dale leave the room, Emperor Augustine looked at the stove again. He tightened the blanket around himself, closed his eyes and fell asleep.
While the imperial court was showing signs of turmoil, Yunxing stayed away from the disputes in the Sixth Secret Service and did not come out, nor did he see anyone who came to visit him.
Luke disguised himself as a businessman from Raging Waves City and returned to the lower city. After picking up Alice, he asked Kuaishou to drive to the Extraordinary Species Research Institute of Melken.
Along the way, traces of battle were seen everywhere, and some bodies had not been collected, their faces completely disfigured by wild dogs.
There seemed to be fewer people.
Alice sat next to Luke very reservedly. Even though she didn't see Mrs. Jasmine, she didn't dare to make any intimate gestures towards Luke.
She thought she had seen the madness of downtown, but during the time Mr. Luke was away, she knew what true madness was.
All the people in the lower city were really like crazy, and killing filled the whole day and night. As an intelligence broker, the most news Alice received every day was that so-and-so was dead, so-and-so was dead.
Those well-known bigwigs in the downtown area turned into corpses in the blink of an eye.
The fight over the sewage reservoir had caused both sides to go crazy, and the entire downtown area was affected. The person who caused all this was the young man with a kind temperament next to him.
Alice reported to Luke on the recent situation in the downtown area.
With the money and the first generation of mysterious substance mixture potions, old Adrian withstood the siege of the other four alchemy factories in the early stages of the battle.
Then, old Adrian gradually switched from defense to offense with the help of more elite fighters and money.
During this period, with the financial support from Luke and the secret support from the Malken Institute of Extraordinary Species, old Adrian became stronger and stronger.
Now there are only three left of the original four alchemy factories, and after being severely beaten not long ago, they can only survive .
It was Luke who stopped the final occupation war initiated by old Adrian in time and asked Melken to mediate. This time he went to Melken's research institute to prepare to attend the sewage reservoir negotiation meeting.
We can’t let old Adrian’s family dominate alone.
After listening to her, Luke praised Alice: "You did a good job this time. When the incident is over and the downtown area is stabilized again, you will be my spokesperson here and be responsible for mediating the conflicts between the parties."
Alice knew that with Luke's status, it was impossible for him to stay in the downtown area and do everything himself. Being his spokesperson was like getting a golden rice bowl and becoming a powerful figure in the downtown area.
" Thank you Mr. Luke for your trust in me. I will definitely help you mediate between the various parties in the Lower Town and let them make money for you."
“Hahaha…” Luke couldn’t help but laugh. If it wasn’t for Alice’s reminder, he would have forgotten about making money: “Yes, let them make money for me!”
The car drove to Melken's Institute of Supernatural Species.
This place has been much more reinforced than the last time I came here, with high walls and a large courtyard, and many more guards.
The chaos in the downtown area during this period also made Melken feel a strong sense of crisis.
The one who greeted Luke and his party was the Black Panther Monis. He saluted Luke respectfully and said, "Mr. Luke, my master is conducting an experiment and cannot greet you in person. Please forgive me.
Please wait in the reception room. The master's experiment will be over soon."
Luke followed Black Panther Monis into the institute and asked, "Last time, Malken said he lost something very important. Has he found it now?"
Black Panther answered as he led the way: "No... This is the downtown area, and it's hard to find lost things. Fortunately, the investment brought by Mr. Luke has allowed the owner to carry out many research projects, so he doesn't have to be angry about that thing all the time.
Didn't Madam Jasmine come this time?"
Luke replied: "A lot of things have happened in Saint Lun City during this period, and Abyss Mages and spies are being captured everywhere. The Imperial City is still relatively safe, so I let my wife continue to live in the hotel.
Anyway, things won’t take long here, and my business here will be up and running soon.”
Black Panther Monis could sense the changes taking place in the Lower City. After the negotiation, Mr. Luke became the underground emperor of the Lower City.
"My master values your cooperation with Mr. Luke. Please..."
Luke was drinking tea in the reception room while waiting, and not long after, Melkan came in excitedly.
He was still wearing a lab coat. When he entered the room, he asked his assistant to spray disinfectant on his body while he took off the coat.
Then he picked up a small leather nest from another assistant's arms, and a little white creature was squirming in the nest.
Malcolm came over and showed Luke what he had in his arms.
It was a little puppy with pure white fur and a pair of small furry wings on its back.
"Mr. Luke , your arrival has also brought me good luck. Today's experiment went surprisingly smoothly, and I have completed the genetic sequencing of the first extraordinary pet. Soon, healthy and tamed flying dogs will be able to enter the market of Raging Waves City!"
