Chapter 82 How dare they seduce Ancia like this in the Monster Mountain Range?

Having received important intelligence updates, Ancia arrived at the Dark Night Guild's stronghold early in the morning.

After the guild was restarted, the intelligence gathering device that had been destroyed was remade and placed in the basement of the new stronghold.

Ancia clicked on the dark green dot next to Red Maple City. "Now there's information about the Monster Mountain Range? Last time I checked, it only went up to Red Maple City."

Franka said respectfully, "It was Lord Mortri who added it. He said that the Guild Master is particularly interested in intelligence about the Monster Mountain Range. Our people in Red Maple City regularly go to the Monster Mountain Range to collect intelligence, but recently the people from the Church of Light have been appearing frequently, making it a bit more difficult to collect information."

Ancia expressed her understanding, "After all, it's almost time for last year's Warcraft wave to break out, and the Vatican is on high alert."

The intelligence network listed all the information about the Monster Mountain Range. She only saw two items before her brows furrowed slightly, and her expression became more and more serious as she read on.

"The activity and numbers of low-level magical beasts in the Magical Beast Mountains have increased. Even though spring has passed, a large number of magical beasts are still mating and reproducing."

"The strength of mid-level magical beasts has increased slightly, and their alert range has expanded. If they enter what was once a safe zone, they will be detected and attacked."

...

The previous intelligence was all about mid-level and low-level magical beasts. The strength of the Dark Night Guild in Red Maple City is not very high, and at most they can only enter the middle part of the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

Only after browsing to the very end did Ancia find information about high-level magical beasts.

"Some magical beasts that are on the verge of becoming mid-level or high-level are undergoing mutations and transforming into high-level magical beasts."

bite.

A new intelligence report was just updated at the very bottom of the intelligence network.

"It has been confirmed that the intelligence level of high-level magical beasts near the abyss has increased, and solitary magical beasts have begun to show a tendency to live in groups."

Only one person can venture deep into the abyss.

That person was opening up a new intelligence point for her request, getting close to the mutated high-level magical beast group. Even though she knew he was strong enough to deal with it, Ancia was still moved by it.

Ancia softly called his name, "Morley..."

She lowered her eyes, suppressing her emotions, and when she looked up again, she had regained her composure.

When high-level magical beasts approach the abyss, they are uncontrollably drawn to the demonic energy. Whenever demons or demon generals have appeared near the abyss, they become restless. The unusual behavior of high-level magical beasts alone cannot determine anything.

However, mid-level and low-level magical beasts are located in the middle and outer parts of the Magical Beast Mountain Range. They are far from the abyss, have almost zero intelligence, and act almost entirely on instinct. They are also more likely to react to changes in the magical beast tide.

Based on all the intelligence, Ancia sighed, "This year's monster tide crisis is likely to escalate again."

This isn't something she can handle alone. Heligaluo has already reached the Monster Mountain Range and should have noticed some details, having a premonition about this. What she needs to do now is take the support the Dark Night Guild can provide to Red Maple City, and…

She informed Verion of this news, and since they had already formed an alliance, she didn't need to hide some of the Dark Night Guild's movements from him. She also wanted to see Verion's reaction.

Ancia took out a piece of paper and wrote on it, "Your Majesty Verion, mutated individuals have appeared in the Monster Mountain Range. This year's monster tide will probably be more dangerous than last year. I will go to Red Maple City to participate in the resistance."

She put the letter in an envelope and handed it to Franka. "Take this to Aurora at the Nightingale Salon and have her deliver it to Verion. Also, give me all the potion reserves that the guild can currently control, and use the money to purchase a batch of magical plants to replenish the potion inventory. Put it directly in my account."

Franka: "Yes, President."

After filling the potion, Ancia left the Dark Night Guild's stronghold and took a carriage to the Holy See of Light. She currently had ample magic power; if she insisted on using teleportation magic directly to Red Maple City, her magic power might be reduced to only one-tenth, which would negatively impact her condition. It was better to use the Holy See of Light's teleportation array directly.

The inner court of the Holy See.

She was greeted by Cardinal Finier as always, who smiled and said to her, "Miss Ancia, good day, you've finally arrived."

Before Ancia could explain her purpose, Finier seemed to already know her intentions.

Seeing Ansia's slightly stunned expression, Finier explained, "His Holiness instructed that if Miss Ansia comes to the Holy See, the teleportation array to Red Maple City will be opened directly for you."

Ansia: "..."

You really figured her out perfectly, Hurley.

Finier activated the magic circle and cast a beam of holy light at Ancia, who was standing in the center of the circle. "Blessing of the Sun. Thank you for all the help you have provided to the Holy See, Miss Ancia."

A flash of golden light, and the scene before Ancia's eyes had transformed into the inner court of the Holy See of Light in Red Maple City.

Bishop Bohr stood smiling beside the teleportation array, extending his hand to point the way, "Miss Ancia, the carriage to the Monster Mountain Range is ready."

Ancia: "Thank you. Where is Heligalo now?"

Bishop Pol: "His Holiness the Holy Son is setting up defenses at the camp in the Monster Mountain Range. He has given orders..."

Ancia interrupted him, her tone gentle, "Just take me to the camp to see him."

Jess was already at the entrance of the Vatican, opening the carriage door for Ancia.

Upon arriving at the camp where the Vatican was stationed, Ancia immediately spotted the two adjacent tents prepared by Herigalo.

Heligalo smiled. Although it had only been a few days, his eyes were filled with the tenderness of a long-awaited reunion. He quickly stepped forward, took her hand, and said, "Ancia, good day."

Ancia sighed helplessly, "You've prepared all this, what if I don't come?"

Heligalo's tone was filled with certainty about their tacit understanding. "I knew you would come because you love Maple City, and you won't feel at ease until you see the monster tide recede with your own eyes. And..." His eyes shone as he intertwined his fingers with hers, "You won't leave me alone to face any potential dangers."

He led Ancia to her tent. "This is the only place in the whole camp where you can get some sun. Do you like it?"

Ancia and Heligaluo sat side by side on the chairs in front of the tent. The warm sunlight shone on them, and she squinted comfortably, her posture relaxed, but her words became heavy.

"Heli, have you noticed the anomalies in the Monster Mountain Range?"

The two men tightened their grip on each other's hands, and Heligaluo nodded slightly. "Yes, the magical beasts in the outer and central parts of the mountains are much more active than in previous years. The Holy See is prepared to resist, and the three knight orders will arrive in Red Maple City by tomorrow at the latest."

Ancia: "Not only that, but the high-level magical beasts near the abyss are also showing signs of mutation. In the past, only low- and mid-level magical beasts gathered during the magical beast tides, but I'm worried that high-level magical beasts will participate this time."

High-level magical beasts all have their own territories. They have a strong sense of territory and will not act together with their own kind except for their own cubs.

Heligalo's expression turned serious. If high-level magical beasts were involved, then with his current preparations, he might not be able to resist them, or he would have to pay a huge price, which was also unacceptable to him.

"The bishop and I will go deep into the Monster Mountain Range again today to check the situation. If they have already gathered together, we will send reinforcements immediately."

Ancia nodded, it was good that he was prepared.

The camp suddenly fell silent, while the clergy on the outer perimeter became somewhat agitated.

Jess strode over, his expression somewhat strange. He whispered, "Your Majesty, Miss Ansia, His Majesty has arrived at the Monster Mountain Range."

Ancia's brow twitched. "Your Majesty? Which Your Majesty?"

Precisely spaced footsteps came from the side. Verion, dressed in understated yet luxurious monarchical attire, stared intently at Ancia with his pale gray eyes. "Of course it's me."

Ancia blurted out instinctively in surprise, "How did you get here? What about the Empire?"

There was a hint of disapproval in her tone; it was far too risky for a king to personally go to the front lines. Moreover, the relationship between the royal family and the Papacy was not harmonious. He had no guards behind him and dared to come alone to a camp full of Papacy forces. If Heligalo were ruthless enough, he could have killed him here and blamed it on the monster tide, which would have been perfectly acceptable.

"It's just a short absence," Verion said calmly. "If the Senate can't even keep the Empire running, then they have no reason to exist. As for why I'm here..."

His sharp gaze met Heligaluo's, unwavering. "Protecting the people of the Empire should never be solely the responsibility of the Papacy."

"The Griffin Guard arrived shortly after, and coincidentally, their numbers were slightly greater than the Knights Order that the Holy See was about to send."

Ancia considered that Verion might do what Lionheart did and leave the monster tide entirely to the Church of Light to weaken the Church's strength. He might also send some Imperial Guards to provide support and gain the people's approval.

But she never expected that Verion would personally lead the royal family's most elite griffon guard to the Monster Mountain Range.

At this moment, Ancia truly realized that the ideal that Verion had set since childhood—to make the people of the empire live happily—had never changed. It had just been hidden in the face of his grandfather's oppressive rule, and now it was finally showing its true colors.

Heligalo still disliked Verien, but with the monster tide looming, they were short-handed, and the arrival of the Griffin Guard could solve their immediate problem. Their goals were aligned. He nodded slightly, "Ancia and I welcome you on behalf of the Holy See, Your Majesty."

The Griffin Guard arrived at the mountains, and the Holy Knights also arrived at dusk. With sufficient resistance, the defense plan against the monster tide could be rearranged, assigning the main force and tributaries to different teams.

The discussion lasted until midnight before a conclusion was finally reached, and everyone looked exhausted.

Only Ancia, Heligalo, and Verion remained in the tent.

Verion rubbed his temples and looked up at Ancia. "Ancia, do you now acknowledge me as your ally?"

Ancia's probing was practically an open secret to him. He came in person not only to enhance his reputation among the people, but also partly to gain Ancia's approval.

Everyone thought he was cold and ruthless, with only the interests of the royal family in his heart. Only Ancia, who had gone deep into his memory palace, was different. She had seen all his disheveled and helpless moments.

At least, let her see that she already has the ability to change the empire.

Ancia nodded. "You are an excellent king."

Vilian chuckled softly, then changed the subject, saying casually, "Eve once mentioned that the beds provided at the camp were rather thin and light, making it difficult to fall asleep. I wonder how she managed to cope with that?"

Ansia: "..."

How was it solved?

She put her mattress and blanket together so they could sleep together; she couldn't do the same to Villion, could she?

Heligalo smiled, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "I can give my blankets and mattress to His Majesty. I'll sleep with Ancia. We don't mind."

Would a king not have his people provide him with comfortable amenities?

That's a truly clumsy tactic. It's not that they don't know, but rather that they know all too well.

How dare you seduce Ansia right in front of him, as if he doesn't exist?

Verion raised an eyebrow, but before he could speak, Ancia chuckled softly.

She stood up, her gaze shifting between the two men. "Alright, you two. I just happened to bring a few extra sets of bedding. If Verion needs them, ten layers wouldn't be a problem. As for Heli," her voice softened, "my tent is spacious, but only enough for one person. It's getting late, so go back and rest. There's still a lot to do later."

After saying that, Ancia gave them no more chance to argue, turned around and walked towards her tent, leaving the two of them behind.