Volume 3: The Land of Mist Chapter 33: Duke of Ice Dragon
"Did the empire's envoys assassinate the previous ruler of the continent here?"
The ivory-white door slowly closed automatically behind him, and William asked in disbelief.
"Is there such a thing?"
Although assassination as an extremely important political means has never been absent in any historical era, assassination in the name of a mission is a taboo in almost all civilizations.
On this point, whether it is the local human civilization of the Vic continent, the elves and their derived branches, or even the masters who fled from the Osis continent to the Quicksand Province, as well as the barbarians who believe in power on the Daemon continent, have reached a very surprising consensus in the development of different environments - turning against each other in the process of negotiations, assassinating and beheading, is the most despicable and shameless behavior, which will be written in history books and bear the infamy for thousands of years, and will even shake the legitimacy of the ruling to a certain extent.
This is not difficult to understand, because of the existence of supernatural forces, some individuals in this world can have combat power that can even form an army. Therefore, when inviting delegations to negotiate at one's power center, if the tacit understanding of letting down one's guard cannot be maintained, then there will never be a possibility of peace talks between countries.
In history, there have been only a handful of assassinations through diplomatic missions, and none of these assassinations failed to usher in a long era of turmoil in later generations.
It only takes a moment to destroy trust, but it takes far too long to rebuild it.
Forgetting is always harder than remembering.
"Have you imperial people never recorded the good deeds you have done?"
Morton walked in front and asked without turning his head.
William recalled the brief history of the Riel Empire that he had read. Even the failure of the Piaoling Campaign was recorded as objectively as possible in the brief history, but this incident was not even mentioned.
But now think about it, if Ava Continent is conquered, then the entire world known to mankind, except for the Dragonbone Islands and Daemon Continent, will basically be incorporated into the territory of the Riel Empire. At that time, the empire really doesn't need to care too much about other people's opinions.
From this perspective, this radical and risky behavior is understandable.
Of course, it is also possible that the Empire has other intentions in wanting to conquer Ava, so much so that they have no time to care about their dignity.
However, the ultimate failure of the conquest is another matter.
The wide and long corridor gave the castle a sense of religious solemnity. The moonstone was carved into the shape of a teardrop and decorated on the marble column with silver edges. The gems were connected by complex elven inscriptions. The faint light flowed in it, dyeing the surroundings with a veil like moonlight.
William could feel the magic flowing through it.
If William were to expand his etheric domain to detect it now, he would definitely be able to sense a magical network woven throughout the castle...
"I advise you not to do that."
Morton said suddenly.
"After the assassination, the entire Moon City's internal defense design was designed by the advisors of the Takma Cult. If you don't want to lose any body parts before meeting the Queen, I advise you not to do this."
Perhaps having caught a glimpse of William's eyes fixed on the surrounding magic circuits, Morton continued to add.
William smiled and said nothing, then asked, "So, the Takma Cult is still cooperating with you until now?"
If there is anyone among the mortal wizards in this world who deserves our vigilance, it must be the elusive members of the Takma Cult.
The origin of the concept of magic, the keeper of the secrets of the Age of Gods, and the believer of the All-God "Ma".
At the same time, he is also the ultimate riddle man who never speaks human language.
William had dealt with members of the Takma Order before, and he finally concluded that the Whispering Queen's words were easier to understand than these people.
"Not 'we'..."
Morton slowed down his pace after hearing this, turned his head slightly, looked at William out of the corner of his eye and said:
"They are just cooperating with the rulers of Ava."
But they don’t care who the ruler is, they just want to be the ruler’s advisors?
William muttered in his heart.
If the Takma Cult is willing to help, the balance of power between Ava and the Imperial Expeditionary Force will be equalized in an instant, and may even be reversed.
The Takma cult member whom William met that year claimed to be at the level of "Adept". Although he didn't know what level that was within the cult, it at least didn't seem to be the highest level, otherwise he wouldn't have come to the Vic continent in person to conduct research on the changes of day and night and seasons.
Even the cult member who was at the "Adept" level was a truly powerful being who could cast divine-level spells and was proficient in all types of spells.
It is hard to imagine the overall strength of the Takma Cult.
This time he came to Ava State with the hope of having some contact with them.
Of course, William didn't have high expectations for this.
"So, your current ruler, Remedios, came to power after that assassination?"
After walking about ten meters, William suddenly asked.
"Yes, she was the only survivor of the assassination. Not long after, she was elected as the continent leader at the Moon Wheel Conference."
"Until today?"
William continued to ask.
"Forever and ever."
In response, Morton simply replied indifferently.
"That's...too cruel."
William shook his head.
"It's cruel to whom, you guys?"
Moulton asked.
"It was too cruel for her."
William replied.
Remedios, at least in William's impression, was an extremely restless person who was eager for adventure. This could be seen from the fact that she gave up her surname and set out on the adventure as a ranger on the continent of Vic alone.
Politics was not for her.
And eternal rule is even less suitable for a mortal.
Morton did not reply. The three of them walked quickly along the silent corridor, crossed the entire atrium and came to a door made of mountain copper.
William noticed that a faint mist was drifting out from the crack in the door.
The Mist Palace, the center of Moonfair City, was once the throne room of the Lord of the Mists.
"In here?"
William asked.
Morton said nothing, but half-knelt in front of the door.
"Your Majesty, Blood Blade requests an audience."
Although it is a city of mages, isn't there even a single guard outside?
William muttered.
It was also at this time that William suddenly realized a problem - not just the guards, he had not seen any other people since they entered the castle.
…………
"Who to bring up?"
Looking at the Phoenix Guard who retreated after receiving the order, Ward had a puzzled .
"The person who was supposed to meet you in Yinsu City."
Remedios answered briefly.
"Yin Sucheng? Who is that?"
Ward repeated with some doubt.
"An Inspired One of the Eighth Order, and perhaps an ambassador from the Imperial Court."
Remedios said, looking at the puzzled expression on Ward’s face, she added:
"The one who came to baptize you."
"What baptism?"
"Then why did you destroy Yin Sucheng's communication technique before?"
Seeing that the expression on Ward's face didn't seem to be joking, Remedios immediately asked.
As she asked, she placed her hand on the dragon crystal glass display case that held her beloved bow, "Liuliyue", and the ever-changing brilliant colors on it began to fade away layer by layer.
"It was destroyed by the impeachment vote. It's an old ritual that hasn't been maintained for over 30 years."
Ward answered in confusion. He looked at the serious expression on Remedios's face and continued:
"Even if I want to contact the Empire, I can't be stupid enough to use the public spells in the city, right?"
With a "click", the lid of the dragon crystal glass display case opened automatically, and Remedios took out the crystal clear bow that seemed like it could melt into the air at any time.
"So what is your way of contacting the Empire?"
Remedios held the crescent-shaped bow in her hand, hung the quiver inlaid with dragon scales around her waist, and then pulled out an arrow and rolled it in her hand.
Ward grew up listening to "Ranger" stories. Looking at the Liuliyue sword that was said to be able to shoot a full-grown dragon down from the sky with one arrow, he couldn't help but swallow.
Therefore, Ward naturally did not dare to neglect her question.
"Smuggling ship. I have been communicating with the Empire through smuggling ships..."
"Will smuggling ships work for the Empire?"
Everyone knows that most of the smuggling ships that have traveled between Ava and Vic over the years have had a bad relationship with the imperial authorities. After all, if there is no choice, who would be willing to risk the ship's destruction and the loss of life on the stormy Broken Sea?
Remedios turned her head and glanced at the Mist Crown beside her, then focused her attention entirely on the door of the collection room.
"They don't know who they are working for. They have always thought that their biggest client is just an extremely wealthy elven handicraft enthusiast in Cold Stone Province."
Looking at Remedios's behavior, Ward answered quickly, and then he asked nervously:
"What happened?"
"If it's not the Eighth Order, who are you working with, the Empire?"
Remedios did not answer his question, but continued asking in a cold tone.
"I do have a connection with the Empire, but the Empire is a very broad concept..."
Ward replied.
“The point.”
The arrow in her hand began to flash a deep blue light.
"The biggest financier behind those smuggling ships and our biggest trading partner over the years is none other than the current Duke of Ice Dragon, Gray Riel, the brother who was exiled to Lengyuan by Queen Irene and is now the guardian of the Cold Stone Province."
Although he didn't know whether the arrow was aimed at him, Ward, who sensed the murderous intent, still answered directly.
This time, Remedios turned her head and looked directly at him, staring at him for a long time, until she felt a little uneasy.
"You know, the relationship between the two siblings has never been so, uh...harmonious?"
Unable to bear being stared at any longer, Ward spread out his hands and explained directly.
"Is this why you keep insisting that we have bargaining chips in the peace talks with the Empire?"
Remedios asked after a moment of silence.
"That's why I've always insisted on not confronting the Empire head-on. There's no need to exchange our precious people for theirs. When the time comes, they will go back on their own."
Ward seemed to answer helplessly.
"Then why didn't you bring it up directly at the Moon Wheel Meeting?"
Remedios continued to ask.
"Am I crazy for telling everyone that Grey Riel is planning to take back the throne? If any of you leak this news to the Platinum Palace, don't say you won't. As long as this news gets back to the Platinum Palace, all my plans in Cold Stone Province over the years will be ruined."
Ward's plan was actually very simple, to negotiate with the Empire, but not the Empire under the rule of Queen Irene, but the Empire under the rule of the future Emperor Grey.
If the Empire wants to completely swallow up Ava Continent, it needs to station at least three legions and at least three powerful gods in charge, and they must be the direct troops that Queen Irene absolutely trusts.
In this way, the Platinum Province will fall into a state of internal emptiness, and Gray Riel can take advantage of the opportunity and seize the throne that should have belonged to him in one fell swoop when the troops stationed in Ava Continent cannot effectively return to support.
As the key to this plan, Ava naturally has enough bargaining chips to bargain with the empire.
Thinking of this, Ward's face showed a puzzled expression again.
"You didn't know about the plan between me and Duke Ice Dragon? Then why did you capture me?"
Remedios didn't say anything, but frowned as if she was thinking about something?
"You think I'm working with the Eighth Order?"
Ward asked tentatively, but Remedios did not answer.
This confirmed to Ward that this was the case.
"Where did you get the information about the Eighth Order?"
Ward continued to ask.
Without waiting for the other party to answer, he said directly:
"That's where Morton Bloodblade is, right?"
Remedios nodded slowly.
"I've already told you, don't trust him. His mind is no longer able to hold anything other than war and honor. By then..."
“Whoosh!”
Before Ward could finish his words, an arrow missed his cheek. The whistling wind instantly made his back tighten, and then cold sweat dripped down.
A slight pain came from my cheek, and then I felt something warm slowly moving along my cheek.
His mind went blank for a second or two, and then he turned like a wooden man to look at Remedios who was holding a bow as bright as the moon.
Then Ward followed her gaze and looked behind him.
A Phoenix Guard was nailed to the wall, his eyes were bloodshot and there was no trace of rationality at all.
