Chapter 165: Princess's Big Gamble! Crime Preview?
The wings sliced through thick clouds, and golden rays poured down, coating the cold steel fuselage with a sacred halo.
At this moment, Arthur was on a special plane prepared by the Red Cross, heading to England.
Erica, standing nearby, sighed softly, and with a feigned gesture, touched her pretty face, attempting to break the silence in the first-class cabin.
"A King's thoughts are indeed the hardest to fathom."
Arthur didn't even lift his eyelids, still perusing the magic tome in his hand, as if the stunning beauty beside him was just air.
"You're quite good at adding drama to yourself." Arthur closed the tome, his gaze finally falling on her, "Aren't you afraid I'll throw you out of here?"
Erica gathered the hair across her chest, the smile on her face not diminishing in the slightest.
"The Red Cross has staked everything on you, and if Erica cannot persuade you to change your mind, the outcome is no different from facing death."
Arthur shook his head calmly: "Then put away your little schemes. Since I promised Italy, I will not show mercy to Marquis Vauban."
"My destination in England is the Sage Council."
"The Sage Council?"
Erica's eyes flickered violently, no longer able to hide her surprise and suspicion.
For a member of a magic society like her, the Sage Council was a special existence on the fringes of the magic world.
Rather than a magic society, it was more like a training academy specializing in intelligence gathering and research.
However, their research subjects were Godslayerss and Heretic Gods.
Founded in the nineteenth century, the Sage Council collected information on all Godslayerss' authorities to date.
"Is the King planning to fully grasp his trump cards before confronting Marquis Vauban? Just like you dealt with the previous Sword King?"
Arthur nodded slightly: "My mission is merely to purge the Demon Kings on earth, and as for how, I decide."
With the King's assurance, Erica felt greatly relieved, her strained nerves finally relaxing. She turned to prepare miscellaneous tasks for him.
...
And so, while Arthur's private jet was still tens of thousands of meters in the air, the destination was already in chaos.
Inside the Sage Council's headquarters, a massive uproar had been stirred by a "delivery" magic letter from the Red Cross.
"The truth behind the absence of new Heretic Gods descending globally is unclear, so why has a Last King been born without any warning?!"
"According to historical records, whenever a Last King appears, the earth's essence is inevitably extracted, and the global elemental energies of wind and fire rage violently!"
"Without the combined efforts of fellow mages to construct a large-scale ritual to pacify and regulate it, the surface of the earth would turn into a desolate wasteland within days!"
Duke John, wearing a monocle, slammed his hand on the table, the sound making his colleagues in the conference room jump.
He waved the imprinted document in his hand, his old face flushed with excitement.
"Throughout history, a surge in the number of Godslayerss inevitably heralds the descent of a hero to purge everything and restore balance!"
"Perhaps only a calamity can counter a calamity, but why did the birth of this new King not trigger any celestial phenomena?"
After hearing the old scholar's questions, everyone exchanged glances, no one able to answer.
"Duke John, the Red Cross's message has been verified; the Sword King has indeed lost all his authorities and is now merely a mortal."
A clear and elegant voice came from above. Everyone looked up to see Princess Alice, dressed in a white knitted dress, gracefully descending the steps.
She greeted those who bowed to her, then raised her hand to signal them to rise.
"Since the matter has already occurred, instead of dwelling on the reasons, it's better to consider how to utilize it."
"You mean..."
Duke John calmed himself slightly, a thoughtful expression appearing in his eyes.
Although the initial purpose of creating the Sage Council was to resist the incursions of Marquis Vauban.
But by now, what troubled the entire European magic world even more was the elusive Black Prince, Alec.
Relying on his authority called "Lightning Flash," he came and went without a trace, wantonly stealing precious magic artifacts from various places.
Princess Alice walked to the center of the room, stretched out her arms, and, in an almost casual tone, threw out an earth-shattering proposal.
"The Italians have paid their entire fortune in exchange for the demise of Marquis Vauban."
"So, how much leverage are we willing to offer to resolve the major problem of Alec?"
...
When the vehicle smoothly drove into the Hampstead mansion district, Princess Alice was already there, with an impeccable smile, leading a line of scholars to greet him.
Arthur was not surprised by this scene; Erica had already mentioned on the way that they had previous acquaintances.
His gaze lingered for a moment on Princess Alice at the head of the line, his eyebrow subtly raising.
In his perception, the woman before him was not a being of flesh and blood, but a consciousness clone formed from immense magical power.
Noticing his scrutiny, Princess Alice lifted the hem of her skirt with both hands and curtsied gracefully.
"Please forgive the King, Alice has been frail since childhood and can only travel outside in this ethereal form."
Arthur nodded indifferently, his gaze passing over her to sweep across the trembling scholars behind her.
"My demands should have already been conveyed by the Red Cross. Since you haven't hidden or fled, then lead the way."
Princess Alice nodded slightly, turning to lead the way, her every gesture exuding noble grace.
"The Sage Council has collected information on all Godslayerss to date. Which one would the King like to learn about first?"
Upon entering, Arthur looked up at the vast, endless library of ancient texts that reached the ceiling, and directly stated the main topic.
"Marquis Vauban, and Alec." A hint of mockery played on his lips, "This should also be the answer you most hope I choose, right."
Princess Alice, half a step behind, covered her face and chuckled softly: "The King is much more direct than I imagined."
"Unfortunately, the Sage Council is not like those warlike magic societies; our collection is not extensive, only our knowledge reserves related to Godslayerss and Heretic Gods are worthy of praise."
"Stop beating around the bush," Arthur's gaze swept over the scholars whose foreheads were sweating, "they are not as composed as you. Explain the situation."
Princess Alice looked up and glanced at her unaccomplished subordinates behind her, feeling helpless.
She took out a luxurious black letter with gold embossing from behind her, unfolded it, and handed it to Arthur.
"I heard that your residence received a divine artifact transferred by the Witch of Naples, and I am greatly curious. To show my sincere intentions, I will definitely visit in three days—Alexander Gascoigne."
Arthur read out the contents of the letter word by word, his expression strange.
"What is this? A crime notice of 'courtesy before force'?"
Princess Alice nodded bitterly: "Yes, King... We have been targeted by the Black Prince."
Arthur pinched a corner of the letter, shook it, and murmured softly.
"No, it's the Black Prince who has been targeted by me."