Chapter 133

"However, judging from the layout of these runes, if my speculation is correct, the structure of this array is quite rough. There are even quite a few useless places. It seems the rune knowledge level of the person who set it up still needs improvement..."

After evaluating the positions of these runes, Jie Ming couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

What is the other party's purpose?

Is it the same as his?

Jie Ming frowned, then relaxed again: "Well, the functions of these rune layouts don't conflict with my purpose. Maybe I can borrow the power of these runes to reduce my workload... I hope that wizard won't mind me hitching a ride."

Royal Capital Elosia City, inside the magnificent banquet hall of the Winter Palace.

Crystal chandeliers cast brilliant light, illuminating the entire space like daylight.

Gorgeous silk and gold thread decorated the walls, and the air was filled with the fragrance of fine wine, flowers, and powder.

Nobles in gorgeous costumes mingled, laughing and talking in low voices, as if the war clouds outside had never touched this paradise.

Jie Ming wore a dark custom-made dress, appearing exceptionally low-key among the bright colors.

He held a glass of red wine in his hand, wearing a decent smile, occasionally chatting with the nobles who came up to talk.

As someone who is outside the kingdom's political system, Jie Ming is generally not invited to banquets.

However, today, it is estimated that all the nobles in the kingdom are trying every means to hold various banquets to suppress the fear in their hearts.

In the bustling crowd, his gaze fell inadvertently on the central area of the banquet hall, where a group of young talents and noble ladies were surrounding a young woman.

She had a graceful figure, and a lake-blue long dress set her off like a forest fairy.

The other party's face could not be called peerless, but she had an indescribable attraction, like morning dew, pure and yearning.

She had a smile on her lips, and when talking to people, her eyes always carried a sincere care, as if she could see through people's hearts.

Jie Ming could clearly feel that a soft and powerful life affinity was spreading invisibly from this person.

This power did not cause any aggression, but it could make people close to her feel physically and mentally comfortable, subconsciously letting go of their guard, and even producing a heartfelt love and trust.

After people talked to her, they would subconsciously reveal a relaxed and joyful look on their faces.

"What a powerful life affinity..." Jie Ming sighed in his heart.

This woman was exactly Miss Mary, who had been very popular in the Royal Capital recently, the daughter of a viscount in the border area between the Elf Kingdom and the Human Kingdom.

Just as Jie Ming was deep in thought, a familiar voice sounded in his ear.

"Lord Jack! You are here too!"

Turning his head to look, Jie Ming smiled slightly.

The visitor was Count Reinhardt, Baron Fabio, and General Brandon, three nobles who had once escaped from Golden Port with Jie Ming, now changed into gorgeous dresses.

Although their faces still carried some exhaustion, their spirits were much better.

They walked to Jie Ming's side, their expressions carrying just the right amount of gratitude for surviving a disaster and a trace of awe.

"Count, Baron, General." Jie Ming nodded with a smile, raising his glass to welcome them, "It is a blessing to be able to see you all here again."

"A blessing! A blessing indeed!" Baron Fabio's fat meat trembled with excitement. He gulped down a glass of wine before saying with lingering fear: "If it weren't for your bravery, my lord, we would have long been buried in the wilderness. How would we have the opportunity to enjoy the prosperity of the Royal Capital!"

Count Reinhardt looked at Jie Ming meaningfully, then cast his gaze toward Miss Mary, his voice carrying a trace of emotion:

"Yes, being able to return here is truly like a dream. However, the atmosphere in the Royal Capital is also much more tense than I imagined. The war on the front lines, the panic of the people... fortunately, His Majesty is wise, and there are some comforting existences."

He paused and pointed to Miss Mary: "For example, that Miss Mary. She is truly the focus of the social circle in the Royal Capital recently. The countesses all praise her, saying that her conversation and temperament can make people relax, and even those restless nobles will calm down a lot after talking to her."

Baron Fabio took over: "Count Reinhardt is right. Miss Mary is like a clear spring, nourishing the restless hearts of the Royal Capital. I heard that Miss Mary came to the Royal Capital this time to seek marriage. I really don't know which lucky person has this blessing to marry such a beauty."

General Brandon snorted lightly from the side, his tone carrying a trace of reality unique to old soldiers and imperceptible worry: "I've also heard of that viscount; he's nothing more than a wine bag and rice sack. If he has this spare time, it's better to think about how to deal with the coalition army next. Those wizards won't look at your status."

As soon as these words were spoken, the others fell silent.

Jie Ming knew why they were acting like this; this was also the main reason why the nobles of the Kingdom were holding various banquets today.

Actually, if he didn't know the inside story, he would probably feel fear too.

After all, today is the day the contribution ranking list refreshes.

So the people of the Elosia Plane witnessed the sky being torn apart again, and the scene of the gods and the "foreign evil god" fighting.

However, perhaps to reflect the difference from the previous few times, or to provide appropriate tension for the natives, or perhaps the fate-type high-tier wizard this time was simply not clean in his hands...

In short, this time the "foreign evil god" exploded with all his strength when "dying" and dragged a god to "die together."

... Actually, it was just "picking up" a god and putting it in his pocket before being kicked out of the plane by the gods.

Although the one taken away was only a lower god who had just reached Tier 4, for mortals, the fall of any god was an unimaginable major event.

"But having said that," Baron Fabio drank another glass of wine, trying to change the topic, "If we talk about people in the Royal Capital who have truly fought against those foreign demons, it should only be that 'lucky guy' Kaden now! Lord Jack, you should have heard of him too, right? He is the village warrior who survived the 'David Annihilation Battle'!"

Count Reinhardt frowned, seemingly not liking this topic, but still explained: "It's better not to use this title to describe him. Mr. Kaden has a high reputation in the civilian district of the Royal Capital recently."

"He often gives speeches in taverns and squares, telling the cruelty of the war he personally experienced, as well as the evil of the wizard 'David.' His words are extremely inflammatory, and every time he can ignite the emotions of the people. Now the people of the Royal Capital are almost all calling on His Majesty the King to launch a general offensive against the wizards immediately!"

General Brandon snorted coldly: "That Kaden is a complete lunatic. But I have to say, his nonsense has made the entire Royal Capital fanatical. Many new recruits in the army joined because of his incitement, each one like they were injected with chicken blood. Although it helps to boost morale, this kind of excessive fanaticism before the war... is not a good thing!"

Baron Fabio disagreed: "Who cares if he's a lunatic or not, as long as he can make those ordinary people willing to fight for the Kingdom, he's a good lunatic! Now the people of the Royal Capital are really determined to fight the wizards to the death, even those merchants who are usually timid as mice are shouting to donate money and goods!"

Jie Ming heard this, and his heart was shocked.

He could basically confirm that this "Kaden" should be a wizard in disguise. As for the true identity of this wizard...

Jie Ming was not very sure. It might be David, but it was also very likely not.

Because judging from the re-released contribution ranking list, David's contribution points didn't increase much this month, so the specific situation was unclear, and it was not easy to draw a conclusion.

"It seems that the peace in the Royal Capital won't last long." Jie Ming raised his glass without changing his expression, clinking glasses with the three nobles, but a deep light flashed in his eyes.

On the other side, Miss Mary, who was surrounded by everyone, dealt with the people in front of her skillfully, but her gaze looked toward Jie Ming's position from time to time.

After the banquet, Jie Ming returned to his mansion.

He walked into the study covered by the illusion, his expression solemn.

The information obtained at the banquet gave him new inspiration.

He re-engraved the rune array traces discovered recently on paper, re-examining every rune node and every energy flow.

Soon, Jie Ming discovered that the distribution of some of these runes was not as chaotic as he thought.

After continuous outlining, Jie Ming connected these runes with other runes and discovered that he could outline the contours of three giant arrays!

These three arrays were located in three different areas of the Royal Capital. They were connected to each other, and the final energy convergence point all pointed to the core faith hub of the Wang Cheng—the faith power gathered by all churches in the Wang Cheng.

"Three arrays..." Jie Ming whispered, excitement flashing in his eyes, "Truly great minds think alike..."

This indicated that besides him, there were other wizards from the Nolen Workshop lurking in the Royal Capital, and they were all working toward a common goal.

The excitement on Jie Ming's face was a bit hard to suppress.

If he only intended to hitch a ride before, then now he decided that he would also get involved!

"Huh? No!"

Jie Ming suddenly discovered something else, unfolded the map of the underground rune network of the Royal Capital again, and compared the new drawing with the previous one.

"Sure enough, several runes here have disappeared... and the engraving style of these runes doesn't quite fit the habits of the other three..."

Saying this, the corners of Jie Ming's mouth couldn't help but curl up:

"Not three, but four people, right?"

(Added chapter, one more chapter.)

(End of chapter)