Siacan Capital, inside the palace.
The First Prince, Lucia, who was now also the current King of the Siacan Kingdom, was resting his eyes in a side hall. Beside him stood Deacon Number Three, who was currently speaking.
"There is still no movement from the Second Prince's side for now," Deacon Number Three said calmly. Looking at the resting Lucia, a trace of cold intent flashed deep in his eyes.
"Mhm! I know. And there hasn't been any action from Daniel's side either, right?" Lucia slowly opened his eyes and asked nonchalantly.
"None for now. If he knows what's good for him, he wouldn't dare stir up trouble," Deacon Number Three smirked. "He should be thanking us instead."
If the order hadn't been given to eliminate Grand Duke Porken, Daniel wouldn't have been able to ascend to his position so quickly. Even though the man who died was his father, among nobles, perhaps a title of nobility felt far more important than family ties.
"Haha... He indeed needs to thank me. Otherwise, given Daniel's useless personality—like mud that can't support a wall—obtaining the title of Duke wouldn't have been so easy," Lucia said, a cold smile on his lips.
"It is all thanks to Your Majesty," Deacon Number Three flattered.
"It's just that he won't be able to enjoy these good days for much longer. He should cherish them," Lucia said pointedly. To him, Daniel was already a dead man. Once the Second Prince was dealt with, Daniel would outlive his usefulness.
Deacon Number Three nodded. Of course he knew what Lucia meant, and he had nothing to say about it.
For someone to act smugly after their father died just because they inherited the Duke's title—such a person truly deserved to die without pity.
"Lucas, on the other hand, has some skill. I didn't expect Kerrac to fall at his hands," Deacon Number Three suddenly said in a cold voice, a hint of confusion in his eyes.
What kind of capability did Lucas possess to capture Grand Duke Kerrac alive? One must know that even in the capital, Kerrac was a presence that gave Lucia headaches and commanded fear. No one could have predicted that Kerrac's campaign to dominate the western lands would result in him being captured alive so soon after it began. His life or death was currently unknown.
"Lucas, huh? After I finish dealing with Greena, he's next," Lucia stated expressionlessly, though murderous intent lurked in his eyes.
"Your Majesty must not underestimate him," Deacon Number Three advised, his eyelids half-closed.
"Hehe... A petty baron cowering in the western lands can't stir up any massive waves," Lucia said dismissively.
"Your Majesty, do not forget that Kerrac fell at his hands. Given Kerrac's status and his rallying power in the western lands, he should have commanded a significant number of knights. Yet he still lost in the end. Doesn't that strike you as highly suspicious?" Deacon Number Three looked at Lucia, a touch of mockery deep in his eyes.
"That only proves Kerrac was useless, unable to even take down a baron." Lucia tapped his finger rhythmically against his seat, tap by tap.
"Perhaps." Deacon Number Three didn't want to say more; he had said his piece. If Lucia insisted on being this arrogant, then whatever happened in the future would be his own fault.
"I heard your efforts to build churches in other cities are proceeding very smoothly," Lucia said, lifting his eyelids slightly.
Standing behind Lucia, Deacon Number Three's expression shifted slightly. He hastily replied, "It is all thanks to Your Majesty's support that this matter could proceed so smoothly."
Deacon Number Three knew exactly what Lucia meant. It was nothing more than a subtle warning telling the Luminous Creed not to go too far and not to overreach.
Right now in the capital, the marquises were all terrified. They had heard whispers of what happened to Duke Porken. Although the First Prince's secrecy measures were excellent, there was no such thing as an impenetrable wall in this world.
The Luminous Creed naturally wouldn't squander such an intimidating piece of intelligence, deliberately leaking it to a certain extent. As a result, when the Luminous Creed wanted to build churches in other cities, none of the nobles dared to interfere or say no, terrified they would be the next to be killed.
Currently, the entire capital was under Lucia's complete control. Even Grand Duke Benson had been roped in—or rather, threatened—leaving him with no choice but to submit to Lucia.
As for why Grand Duke Benson compromised, it was naturally because of his original partner, Kerrac. With Kerrac driven out of the capital, Benson was left alone to face the First Prince. Coupled with Duke Porken's death, he had no choice but to side with the First Prince; otherwise, he wouldn't survive at all.
Although he commanded knights, compared to the forces Lucia controlled, he was powerless to resist and could only concede.
"Your Majesty, now that the forces of the capital have been consolidated under your command, it is time to deploy troops," Deacon Number Three said suddenly in a deep voice to divert Lucia's attention, a gleam of cunning flashing in his eyes.
"Deploy troops?" The lounging Lucia slowly sat up straight, a faint murderous aura appearing on his face. He could no longer tolerate Greena prancing around out there.
Eliminating him a day earlier meant a day of peace of mind sooner. Otherwise, he would remain a thorn in his side—not lethal, but constantly annoying.
Lucia had harbored this thought for a long time. However, he was a bit uneasy about leaving these members of the Luminous Creed in the capital. If he sent out the majority of his knights, the capital wouldn't have enough force to keep these individuals in check.
"Yes. The sooner, the better. Otherwise, once the Second Prince establishes a firm foothold in the eastern lands, making a move against him will become exceedingly difficult," Deacon Number Three stated gravely.
"Hmph! With Greena's rallying power, he won't be able to recruit many people to serve him. But you make a fair point. Only by eliminating him as early as possible can I truly rest easy," Lucia said coldly. He had no intention of sparing his brother.
"However, this time, I want the Luminous Creed to accompany the expedition. You are the best at strategizing, and I'll feel much more at ease with you by my side," Lucia said, turning to look at Deacon Number Three, a cold smirk hooking the corners of his mouth.
Deacon Number Three's face stiffened. He knew this was a precaution against the Luminous Creed, an effort to prevent them from taking advantage of an empty capital.
Deacon Number Three suspected that if he refused now, Lucia would not let him off lightly; even the Divine Lord's churches might face destruction.
He knew all too well the callous nature of those in power. It was just like back in the Yadian Kingdom; wasn't the Archbishop exactly the same...?
"Of course," Deacon Number Three replied earnestly, his face a picture of pure sincerity.
"Hehe... Then let Grand Knight Benson consolidate the knights of the various nobles! Mobilize supplies and prepare to march out at any moment to subjugate the traitor!" Lucia laughed loudly, his words dripping with intense killing intent.
"Yes," Deacon Number Three bowed his head in compliance. He then turned and walked out, a sinister smile unavoidably surfacing on his face.
"It is finally beginning! This Siacan Kingdom only needs one King, and that is me!" Lucia watched Deacon Number Three leave. His voice, brimming with killing intent and supreme confidence, echoed through the grand hall, making the knights standing guard outside shudder involuntarily.
.
.
.
.
You can read advance chapters and view R-18 images of the characters on pat reon page.
pat reon.com/GreenBlue17
200 power stones.
5 new reviews.