Chapter 1224

Tipao doesn't quite understand: "The citizens' assembly just ended not long ago… why would anyone want to cause sabotage?"

"The Golden Heirs won by only one vote, Lady Tipao. According to my years of campaigning experience, narrow victories and turmoil often go hand in hand."

Just as Kelatus was speaking, another voice sounded from outside the door; this time the messenger was noticeably more panicked:

"Something big has happened! Miss Fengjin… something big has happened!"

Clementine stood at the door, still shocked, her chest heaving violently.

"... Clementine? You… don't panic, first catch your breath!"

"Three, three lords! The Yunshi Heavenly Palace… something… something big has happened!"

"What's the matter, doctor? Calm down and recount the situation!"

"Lady Aglaea…" Clementine's face instantly turned pale, as if all color had been drained from her body, and she began trembling uncontrollably.

"The one who met with misfortune… is Lady Aglaea!"

——

Overlord.

"Impossible, absolutely impossible!"

Kossetes's hulking frame, like a small mountain, shuddered violently; he could not believe how much truth lay in Clementine's words. Although he and Demigogus had indeed considered the possibility of Aglaea being ambushed, the assassins' success rate… approached zero.

No matter how weakened Aglaea might be, it's impossible for mere humans to shake her.

"Could this human woman be mistaken?" Sumatiya rested one hand on her cheek and idly twirled a strand of silver-white hair with the other, saying softly, "Honestly, if Aglaea wished, she could slaughter the entire Senate in a single night—just a few human assassins trying to kill her… it doesn't seem real."

"I think there's a possibility." Demigogus pushed up his glasses.

"Oh?"

"I heard from Sebas that humans especially favor a tactic: feign weakness to lull the enemy into complacency, then, when those behind the enemy surface due to their victory, strike and net them all at once."

Demigogus spoke in a slow, leisurely tone, as if supremely confident in his conjecture.

"I think Aglaea is certainly planning to use the same strategy: first spread the news of her ambush, then, when those behind the Senate are dazed by victory and rush to seize power, she will reappear—and then——"

Demigogus trailed off, his gloved palms slowly coming together.

"I agree with that view," Kossetes said, nodding. "In terms of strength, aside from Tipao and Fengjin, even if all the Purifiers were gathered together they would not be a match for the Fire Pursuit Journey's Golden Heirs and Demigods. Yet these humans previously said Aglaea's control over the Goldweave had weakened… could she really have failed to sense the Purifiers nearby?"

——

"Just moments ago, the Yunshi Heavenly Palace——"

"..."

"Aglaea stood on high, looking down on the crowd, then suddenly closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh."

"I still remember, this bath that overlooks the entire heavenly palace was proposed by the Senate nine hundred years ago. Its original purpose was to commemorate the first Fire Pursuit Journey and to honor the heroes who, a thousand years ago, made great sacrifices for Wolferos."

"The rules have stood since then. Aside from guests invited by the Goldweave, no one may intrude here." Aglaea slowly turned, then said, "But I suspect… you no longer intend to pretend to follow the rules, do you, Lady Kaines?"

Kaines stepped out from behind the Purifiers, chuckling softly: "Aglaea, ha, Aglaea… you immortal monster wearing a god's skin to deceive mankind… we have always been too lenient with you."

Aglaea's face was expressionless, her godless eyes showing not a ripple, like a bottomless ancient pool.

"Mercy? Why use that hypocritical word to mask your…" she said, word by word, slightly lifting her chin.

"Incompetent."

Kaines's eye twitched slightly.

"Aglaea continued calmly: 'Anaxagoras has made you lose face before the public. If you still retain any shame, you should leap from the Dawn Cloud Cliff in secret to preserve your last shred of dignity.'"

Kaines drew a deep breath, a smirk of success crossing her face: "Demigod, why not use the pool as a mirror to behold your wicked visage? Now you are not only blind but also deaf… the Purifiers were born for this moment. When no order, rule, or law can bind you, it is the dagger's turn to judge you."

"Aglaea remained unmoved: 'If you truly are so reckless, go ahead and try.'"

——

Crimson Red Eyes

"With just a few Purifiers you think you can kill Aglaea? It seems she doesn't even know her own place." Main sneered, her words full of mockery: "Doesn't she realize Aglaea could kill her with ease?"

"No, she knows." Najeta shook her head slightly, "But what we fear most is that the very fact… is that she knows Aglaea could easily kill them."

"Huh?"

This Kaines, though hateful, is no fool. Quite the opposite—she is fully aware of the vast gap between her and Aglaea's power. So her reason for being here is certainly worth pondering… in short, she must have come prepared.

Main raised an eyebrow: "Could she have mastered some secret Senate art?"

"If she had mastered power surpassing Aglaea's, she would have acted long ago; there'd be no reason to wait until now." Thinking this, Najeta also felt utterly perplexed, unable to imagine what Kaines could have as a trump card against Aglaea.

From her standpoint, shouldn't she be using poison or some other covert means to carry out the assassination? What advantage does this grand display give her?

【47) ……Could there be outside help?

……Could it be that there is external help?

The strongest person in Wolferos should be that Laigushi hiding behind the scenes. But given its absolute neutrality, it seems unlikely to actively intervene in the standoff between the Senate and the Golden Heirs.

Najeta lowered her head in thought, a faint sense of foreboding gradually rising in her heart.

"Could it be that she sensed Aglaea's weak point—a thin soul? But for a few mortals, that wouldn't be enough to bridge the gap with a demigod, would it?"