Chapter 189: Grand Chancellor

To ensure the plan proceeds smoothly, Leibadun secretly purchased a large quantity of magical weapons and forbidden‑level magic scrolls on the black market.

He knows well that the resistance forces in the Western Frontier are not to be underestimated and must be fully prepared.

At the same time, he uses his position within the royal family to covertly dispatch troops, providing support to the westward noble coalition.

On the surface, he maintains an image of a fair royal member, issuing edicts to soothe all parties, while in reality he pulls the strings behind the scenes.

The dark‑purple magical candleflames flickered in the secret chamber as Leibadun stroked his staff set with a dragon crystal, a sinister smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

Dozens of magical boxes were neatly lined along the wall; the opened ones held Legendary magic scrolls emitting a dangerous pale glow, while beside them lay black‑silver crossbow bolts and a Curse Blade procured from the black market.

"Your Majesty, everything has been arranged." the trusted subordinate bowed and reported, "The magical weapons and scrolls will be shipped to the allied camp in batches, and the orders for troop movements have already been issued in secret."

Leibadun nodded with satisfaction, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes: "Very well. Those stubborn nobles in the Western Frontier will be reduced to ash under my plan." He lifted his hand to gently wipe the dragon crystal atop his staff, as if already envisioning the Western Frontier lands falling into his grasp.

At that moment, a Knight rushed in, the clank of his armor echoing as he dropped to one knee: "Your Highness! Bad news! All three elite reconnaissance squads we sent to the Western Frontier have been annihilated!"

"What did you say?!" Leibadun roared, smashing his staff hard onto the ground.

The dragon crystal burst with a blinding flash, the magical candleflames in the chamber instantly extinguished, and darkness engulfed the surroundings.

Only the oppressive aura emanating from him spread like a tangible force, making the kneeling Knight shiver all over.

"Useless! A bunch of useless!" Leibadun's roar echoed in the chamber, "The elite I hand‑picked can't even complete a reconnaissance mission!" He seized the Knight's collar, his eyes blazing with fury, "Who did this? The Knight Guild or the Purple Orchid organization?"

The Knight's face turned ashen, his voice trembling with obvious fear: "Temporarily… we're not sure yet. But according to the survivors' reports, the enemy seems to know our movements like the back of their hand, and their methods are extremely ruthless."

The dark‑purple magical fire erupted with a roar, and Leibadun's dragon‑crystal staff cracked the obsidian floor tiles, leaving spider‑web fissures.

The five Legendary Knight badges twisted and warped at his feet, their gilded patterns blackened by the heat: "Five whole years… I personally selected these elites from the Imperial Guard!"

He suddenly grabbed the collar of the Grand Chamberlain Qian Dele, his knuckles whitening, "Tell me, what kind of force can silently gnaw away five Legendary‑grade longswords?!"

Qian Dele let out a guttural croak, fine blood streaks appearing on his neck: "Your Highness, calm down. According to the fragmented reports from the covert line, those scouts didn't even get a chance to unleash their combat techniques." He trembled as he unfolded the charred Parchment, its edges still frosted with a strange ice, "They were likely cut down by a suddenly appearing strong opponent."

"Impossible. The entire kingdom's Order Knights number no more than ten fingers; moving even one would trigger an alert across the realm!" He suddenly recalled a secret report received half a month ago, which suggested a new Order strongman might be involved in the deaths of the Northern and Western Dukes.

"Luobin Gabriel!" Leibadun snarled the name, murderous intent surging in his eyes, "Could this rookie Knight who's only been around a few years truly become an Order Knight?" He seized a Curse Blade, its edge slicing his palm without leaving a wound, and barked, "Send the orders, activate the 'Blood Moon Plan'. No matter the cost, the Western Frontier must be turned to scorched earth within three days!"

Outside the secret chamber, night wind swept over the imperial city's tower, carrying a scent of blood.

At this moment, Leibadun stood at the center of a magic circle, a manic grin spreading across his pallid face, as if he had already witnessed the Western Frontier's ruin.

The loss of the five Legendary Knights was not only a massive blow to his strength but also a grave affront to his authority.

This time, he would show no mercy.

Leibadun hurled the deformed Legendary Knight badge into the magical furnace, where blue‑purple flames instantly devoured the metal, and the rising heat warped his sinister visage.

When the final gilded gleam vanished in the blaze, he let out a cold laugh, his voice echoing through the cavernous chamber: "The million troops of the Central Province will finally be put to use."

He raised his hand to summon a hovering holographic star map, his fingertips tracing the dense deployment markers of the Central Province's forces before pressing firmly on the Western Frontier sector.

The dark‑green dots representing Wizard Council outposts spread across the empire's map like coiled vipers.

"Armies and strongmen? Ha, with this bunch of lunatics aiding us, the Western Frontier's resistance is nothing but a mantis trying to stop a chariot."

From outside the door came rapid footsteps; a close Attendant dropped to one knee, his voice betraying nervousness: "Your Highness, a messenger from the Wizard Council seeks an audience, saying the Grand Chancellor has been awaiting your reply for three days."

Leibadun's mouth curled into a dangerous arc as he reached out to brush the ancient Parchment hanging on the wall—a century‑old pact between the royal family and the Wizard Council known as the 'Forbidden Covenant', its ink long yellowed yet still exuding a heart‑pounding Magic Power.

"Have the Wizard Council's Grand Chancellor come to see me," he said, a fierce glint in his eyes, "and tell him I have accepted his request."

As the gaunt figure of Grand Chancellor Suoluosi entered the secret chamber, Leibadun was fiddling with a ring set with black crystal, a symbol of the Wizard Council's authority.

"Your Majesty, you have finally come to your senses." Grand Chancellor Suoluosi's hoarse voice carried a barely concealed smugness, his violet pupils beneath the hood flickering like two dancing ghostly flames.

"Cooperation is possible, but I want you to bring out every last one of you." Leibadun slammed the ring onto the table, the black crystal flashing with a blinding light, "The Western Frontier must submit within ten days; any resistor must be eradicated completely with forbidden‑level magic."

The Grand Chancellor let out a sharp laugh, his gaunt fingers slowly gliding over the table: "Deal. But in exchange, after the war we will claim all the magical ore veins of the Western Frontier, and—" He paused, greed flashing in his eyes, "all the enterprises under the Purple Orchid."

Leibadun narrowed his eyes slightly, and after a brief silence burst into a sudden laugh: "As long as we can seize the Western Frontier, everything is negotiable."

The two laughs intertwined within the secret chamber, while outside the windows black clouds gathered; a storm capable of overturning the empire was silently taking shape in the shadows.

It was evident that the Western Frontier's displayed strength forced Leibadun to ally with the Wizard Council.

(End of Chapter)