Emerging from a cave in the northern part of Twilight City, to the left lies the turbulent sea, and to the right is the settlement of immigrants who have not obtained residency status.

Standing on high ground and looking around, the forests that once covered the mountains and plains have been mostly cut down by the immigrants who moved here. Countless simple wooden houses or stone houses, and occasionally a small cement building, are scattered between the city and the mountains.

In this cluster of buildings, there is a dilapidated shack, standing alone in the bushes, long forgotten by its surroundings.

"King of Muxi, I am very sorry to 'invite' you here in this way." Under the low roof, Clarence bowed to Todd and said with a smile.

Paralyzed, Todd rolled his eyes, glanced at the girl beside him, and asked with difficulty, "What did you do to me?"

Clarence poured himself a glass of red wine and said gently, "It's the venom of a sea snake. When diluted, it's an excellent anesthetic, but don't worry, you'll be able to move again in three hours."

Todd's gaze lingered on Clarence's heavy robes. After a moment's thought, he said, "I have some recollection of you. You were there at the Silver Ring nobles' pilgrimage banquet that day!"

"Ha! I told you so!" Sabrina exclaimed with a knowing look, jumping in front of Clarence. "In this warm weather, you're wearing such strange clothes. It's no wonder people notice you!"

Clarence ignored the girl's sarcasm: "Your Majesty, I have always wanted to talk to you."

Todd softened his tone: "If you just want to talk, you can come to me directly. Every Thursday afternoon, I set aside some time at the Knights' headquarters to meet with those who need help."

Clarence smiled and rejected the suggestion: "No, no, Your Majesty, you may not know, but I am a shy person, especially when standing with others..."

Sabrina tilted her head and interrupted the elder: "Hey, you should know this guy is stalling for time, right?"

“Your biggest flaw is that you’re a spoilsport. I’ve told you this many times: once some things are said, they become very boring.” Clarence sighed. “Well, since we’ve come this far, Your Majesty, let’s get down to business.”

"The current situation of Muxi City is like that of a wealthy merchant parading through the slums. As the king, you have no noble background and no family protection. The only power you can rely on is a thousand-man knight order. Once they are defeated, the fate of Muxi City is destruction."

Clarence looked at Todd's conspicuous holy robes, his tone slightly mocking: "Your Majesty, the establishment of the Kingdom of Muxi was approved by the Church of the Father. If you can obey the Church's will, then naturally everyone will live in peace. However, the act of harboring heretics and scholars has completely deteriorated the relationship between the two. The reason the Church is still condoning you is simply to use your army to weaken the rebels."

"Your Majesty, once you have lost your usefulness, who will come to your aid? No one will, because you have no allies!"

Todd looked at the man and woman in front of him and suddenly asked, "Are you from the Council of Elders?"

"Yes, you are a smart person."

Todd thought for a moment and then asked, "What does the 'Elders' Council want from the Kingdom?"

Clarence and Sabrina exchanged a glance and uttered the same word in unison: "The Successor."

——————————————

Alfonso swung his longsword, severing the spiderweb-like "blood web" in front of him, clearing a path for the team.

He turned to his subordinates and said, "Where is the Elemental Successor? Why hasn't he come up yet?!"

"Sir, the sewers are packed with people, soldiers and civilians trying to help. They can't get here in time!"

"Nonsense! This is just making things worse!" Alfonso looked at the dense 'blood web' ahead, gritted his teeth and ordered, "We can't wait for those reinforcements! Have the men in the back send over kerosene, dog fat, anything that can burn."

Walton looked up at Leslie beside him, his voice still tinged with doubt: "You mean, you're a member of the 'Elders'?!"

The latter nodded.

“A high elder has ordered you to follow Lord Alfonso and monitor his every move.” Walton swallowed hard. “And that pervert turned the Lord’s wife into a monster, indirectly causing the death of his child, and even put him in the shackles of ‘Dragon Bones.’ All this, just because it’s interesting?!”

Leslie nodded again.

“You’re all a bunch of lunatics…” Walton gripped the crossbow tightly, closing his eyes in anguish. “I considered you my best brother. If it weren’t for you, only a fool would come here to rescue people!”

Leslie swayed slightly, without saying a word.

After handing over the task of clearing the passage to the guards, Alfonso stepped back a few paces to rest.

He looked at Leslie and slammed his two-handed sword heavily into the ground: "I once saved your life, and you saved mine today. From now on, we owe each other nothing."

The light in Leslie's eyes gradually faded as she looked at Alfonso.

“If you want to know why I stayed in Twilight City, I can tell you.” Alfonso’s words were resounding: “Years ago, I lost my wife and my children, but according to the doctrine, I cannot end my own life. So, for me, the meaning of life is nothing but revenge and prejudice. Thus, hating all the injustices in this world and seeking the entrance to death with a destructive mindset has become my destiny.”

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