Chapter 107 Storm: Invitation from the Demon Realm [VIP]
"Ah... good evening..."
The crystal mirror lit up completely, and Xiao Yun saw Edmund on the other side of the mirror sitting on a luxurious chair. He was wearing an old-fashioned dark purple robe, a heavy crown weighing down his dull golden hair, and a heavy royal sash hanging around his skinny neck. One couldn't help but worry that his neck would be broken by the gold.
Edmund was surrounded and followed by figures wearing black cloaks who looked like mages. The dimly lit candlesticks made his already thin and gloomy appearance appear even darker and more suspicious.
(Like the Lich King who rules the kingdom of the dead...)
Xiao Yun secretly complained.
After a brief look, Yaris was the first to smile politely: "Your Majesty, long time no see, you look--"
"It's completely different than before, isn't it?"
Edmund raised his head and proudly announced: "Now I have successfully obtained what my former self only dreamed of - power and majesty."
"I can indeed sense a unique majesty from you called oppression and fear."
Jarris looked at Edmund sarcastically.
Edmund was not angry at all.
He squinted his eyes as he looked at the two brothers, mocking them. "Yaris, your condition is getting worse and worse. Before long, you'll become one of those delicate flowers in fairy tales that can't even stand the air and sunlight outside. You'll hide in the deepest part of the palace, with all the windows in your room tightly covered with curtains, the floor covered with thick blankets, and even the lighting must be adjusted to a level that barely allows those who care for you to see clearly..."
"It's okay, I'll find a way to cure him."
Xiao Yun said calmly.
"You will cure him?"
Edmund looked at Xiao Yun in confusion, then gradually revealed a cunning smile. "Ah... I remember now. You were once known as the 'Saint of Flower Street' in Kukuchia. Those superstitious and blind people believed you possessed the special ability to cure all ailments... Unfortunately, all life is mortal, and even gods are no exception. Unless you become immortal..."
"You want eternity?"
Xiao Yun asked directly.
Edmund smiled faintly: "You seem very angry. Why are you angry? Because Yaris may die at any time, or because-"
"I don't want to waste time on meaningless topics, and I think you don't either!"
Xiao Yun interrupted Edmund and said forcefully, "In that case, let's get to the king's topic! My brother and I want to talk directly! Not through Edmund's skin!"
"--What did you say!"
Grand Duchess Anna, who was listening in, exclaimed: "What are you saying..."
"I see……"
Edmund lowered his eyes and spoke slowly, an indescribably unpleasant, almost human smile spreading across his thin face. "Do you think the Edmund you're talking to isn't the original Edmund? Can you provide evidence?"
"Your reaction is the best evidence!"
Xiao Yun's voice was calm, yet filled with power. His blue eyes burned as fiercely as if sinking into the sun. "You who call yourself the Dragon Emperor, no matter what you want from our land and our people, my brother and I will answer you—don't even think about it! Never! No matter the cost, no matter how long it takes, the people of this land will drive you out! Forever! Completely! Drive you out!"
"But I am Edmund, the very Edmund."
Edmund looked at Xiao Yun with a strange expression. "Lucien, in order to make your rebellion seem justified, you actually colluded with Yaris to fabricate such a ridiculous rumor! As if by claiming that the real me has been replaced by a magician named the Dragon Emperor, and that the one sitting on the throne is just a puppet at the Dragon Emperor's mercy, you can transform yourself from a rebellious ambitionist into a great hero who saved the country?"
"If you are not the Dragon Emperor but the real Edmund, please answer me—why did you completely ignore the lives of the Dalavians when the Black Death struck Dalavia? What happened to the Royal Knights who transformed into lizard monsters after sensing the blood of the Holy Family? And—has the Palace of Light really fallen into the demonic domain?"
"Demon Realm?"
"Edmund" raised the corners of his mouth slightly with a mocking expression.
"Dear Lucien, if you are truly a selfless hero of justice as you claim, do you dare to enter the 'Demon Realm' with Yaris and see for yourself what the Palace of Light looks like now? I will prepare the warmest welcome ceremony for you and do my best to keep you here, so that I can soon merge with your beautiful and fragrant body and soul forever~"
The room fell silent for a moment.
Xiao Yun subconsciously grabbed Yaris's hand, using the warmth of his palm to drive away the chill brought by the Dragon Emperor.
Archduchess Anna, who firmly defended Edmund, also clearly sensed something was wrong. Her pale cheeks were as stiff as a stone statue, and her arrogant hands tightly grasped the lace fan. She tried her best to maintain her composure while swallowing the sarcastic remarks she was about to make.
Edmund looked at them expressionlessly, then suddenly revealed a mischievous look. "My interests are the most important. The process is not important, not at all."
"I do not understand……"
Xiao Yun said: "For such a price, why should we still——"
"You have received a gift from the gods, possessing some special powers. Therefore, you are arrogant and convinced that you can make mistakes even from a height that humans can never reach. What's more, you are only a human! Do you think that what I said is just a sophistry?"
"I only trust my eyes and ears!"
Yaris said nothing, but his hand was tightly clasped around his brother's.
Seeing this scene——
"Well, since you've repeatedly claimed that my body and soul are controlled by a mysterious 'Dragon Emperor' from the Far East, and that I'm mass-producing terrifying lizard-like monsters—"
Edmund shrugged and said nonchalantly, "If you can't reach the Palace of Light within two days in the carriage I've prepared for you, I will feed everyone in the capital, in that order: homeless, commoners, and nobles, to the so-called lizard monsters you're talking about! Including Ulysses! I've always known he was secretly passing on information to you!"
After saying that, the crystal mirror dimmed.
The call ended.
Xiao Yun and Yaris looked at each other.
a long time--
"Brother, what do you think?"
"I'm very conflicted now..."
Yaris said bitterly, "This is a dangerous invitation, and we might not even be able to survive. But if we don't go, those who are still in the capital will be doomed... Many of them are our supporters, firmly and persistently believing in us..."
"Yes, I thought so too."
Xiao Yun's mind once again flashed back to the night when he and Yaris secretly attended a student dinner in the downtown area.
(Those young students… were not at all ashamed of their poverty; they proudly and generously entertained the noblest and most distinguished bloodlines in their humble homes…)
(They came from humble backgrounds, clearly never reaching the level of mid-level administrative officials under the current system of the empire. Yet, when they spoke to us, they proudly spoke of "our country," passionately discussing the flaws and injustices of the national system, arguing fiercely over how to properly reform it... They were filled with passion and dreams, unafraid of bloodshed and sacrifice...)
(They worship Wang Dong like a god, because he listens to their demands as an equal and communicates with them frankly... They place their hopes for the country and the future on us... How could we abandon them when danger strikes?)
"——Mother, what are you thinking now?"
Yaris suddenly spoke up and asked Grand Duchess Anna, who had a dazed look on her face.
Hearing this, the Grand Duchess’s already pale face turned even paler, and her gaze flinched.
She painfully emphasized, "No matter what, no matter what... Edmund is the emperor! Everything, including the lizard monster, is your imagination and rumor! To justify your rebellion!"
"So you still don't believe it?"
Yaris looked sad.
The Grand Duchess gnashed her teeth and said, "Yes! I don't believe it! I absolutely will not believe the stupid and ridiculous lies you brothers made up!"
"All right."
Yaris sighed.
The Grand Duchess looked at him, her eyes filled with hatred. "His Majesty has already shown sufficient goodwill. If you still have a modicum of shame in your hearts, or care about the people of the Empire and peace, you should unconditionally accept His Majesty's invitation, ride in the carriage He has prepared for you to the capital, kneel before Him, sincerely repent, and ask for His forgiveness! Resolve all issues peacefully!"
"Even if the price of solving the problem is spending the rest of our lives in the tower?"
"Since you've decided to rebel, you should be prepared to take responsibility! Spending the rest of your life in a tower is the most generous punishment you could receive!"
The Grand Duchess held her head high with pride, her face pale and cold.
Seeing this, Xiao Yun couldn't help but frown.
He said to Yaris, "Brother, since the Grand Duchess still firmly believes in Edmund and believes that the lizard monster and the Dragon Emperor's possession are all lies, we should take her with us when we take the carriage to the capital and let her verify the truth she insists on with her own eyes and ears."
"So you decided to go to the capital with me?"
"Yes."
Xiao Yun said, "As you said, including Ulysses, the professors of the Royal Academy, the scholars and students of the Academic District, and the civilians of the Lower City all firmly believe in us. We can't just ignore their lives! We can't just watch them get captured and fed to the lizard monsters! In fact, I hesitated just now because I didn't want you to go to the capital with me. I was worried that your fragile body would encounter unpredictable dangers in the capital."
"It's okay, I know how to protect myself..."
Yaris spoke softly, turned around, and bowed politely to the Grand Duchess: "Everything will be as you wish, Mother."
“…Yaris!”
The Grand Duchess screamed in rage: "Listen! Even if you lose your life because of your stupidity and arrogance, I will not shed a tear! And - from now on, you are no longer my child! I am no longer your mother! I will continue to curse you and Lucien until you fall into the lowest level of hell!"
"May the gods always bless you with good health."
Yaris said in a tone full of sarcasm.
The Grand Duchess' eyes were blazing again.
"You son of the devil!"
"Maybe."
Yaris smiled quietly and left with Xiao Yun.
…
…
Before I knew it, the moon had disappeared, but the sun had not risen. A cold wind blew through the deserted streets, bringing with it a faint, eerie whistle, as if a desperate person was hiding in a dark corner, sobbing and crying.
This is the road from Maga City to the Capital of Light. The wide avenue is lined with evergreen trees, which should give people a feeling of beauty and prosperity. However, due to the deadness and uncertainty in the middle of the night, there is an atmosphere of uneasiness and terror like the devil's world.
In the long, dark night, a huge black carriage sped forward, escorted by a large number of magicians covered in black.
The faces of the magicians were completely obscured by the two-cornered shadows of their long hoods, and their long cloaks hung to the ground. The only bright color on their bodies was the golden emblem of the Yula Dynasty adorning their hearts - they were magicians who obeyed the emperor's orders, and their feet were suspended off the ground.
The carriage is no exception.
With the help of a special spell, the four wheels of the carriage and the horses pulling it have left the ground and are floating faintly in the air. The doors and windows are closed and covered with a thick black cloth to prevent any prying eyes.
…
"These idiots from the Magic Guild actually managed to expand the 'Magic Space', originally only used by mages to speed up their journeys, and apply it to carriages. By continuously creating short-distance spatial distortions, they were able to shorten a journey that originally took five days to just one..."
Inside the carriage, which was as comfortable and luxurious as a small living room, the "Dark Night Mentor" commented with great interest, but unfortunately no one responded.
Grand Duchess Anna, who was forced to go along, wore a serious black dress, with a tense fair and straight face, and stared at the two brothers sitting together with her fiery eyes.
Xiao Yun was too lazy to pay attention to this woman who was only capable of making unreasonable demands and being furious.
Worried that Yaris couldn't stand the bumpy ride of the carriage, he covered his brother with a warm blanket and said, "If you feel uncomfortable, you can lean on me."
"Um."
Yaris nodded slightly, leaned his head lightly on his shoulder, and held Xiao Yun's hands with both hands.
Although we successfully took away the two destabilizing factors, the "Dark Night Mentor" and Grand Duchess Anna, the Royal Knights who refused to leave the suburbs are currently under the surveillance of Lance and Monger. Mikael and Marina will also follow our pre-established "Maja Citizen Evacuation Plan" and, with the assistance of all City Hall officials, send children under ten and pregnant women in batches to the neighboring city of Marta to seek refuge with the old Duke Alfrid. The elderly and the sick who cannot move will be taken by boat to the small island in Lake Lilia for temporary residence... But...
Are you still feeling uneasy?
Yes, a very strong sense of unease...
Yaris bit his lip.
"Maja wasn't built as a strategic fortress. Every corner of it, including the city walls, is more beautiful than solid. Once war breaks out, it won't be possible... Although I've long been aware of this..."
【We can only do our best to reduce casualties. 】
【yes……】
Yaris sighed.
Magha City is nearly impossible to defend. Fortunately, the Dragon Emperor has only controlled a few of the empire's high-ranking nobles, while the majority of officers and soldiers in the army are still normal humans. After they are ordered to attack Magha City, they might engage in murder, burning, and looting against the civilian population, but they won't immediately resort to such inhumane acts as massacring or burning the city...
You shouldn't be so pessimistic.
Xiao Yun comforted Yaris.
Magha City is indeed a fragile city, with weak military and fortifications. But as long as we prepare for the worst from the outset, no matter what happens, it won't be worse than the worst-case scenario... In fact, all the knights still in Magha City—including the citizen volunteers—are willing to sacrifice their lives for this beautiful city!
[I don't want them to sacrifice their lives for Maga City. I want everyone to live and live well...]
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