Chapter 428: The Dark Aura on Hesusu

Gilded Rose Hotel in Jinyu City, Sophia's room.

Ever since arriving in Jinyu City, Luoning had arranged for them to stay in this most luxurious noble hotel.

"Hameng, how has the intelligence gathering been these past few days?" Sophia asked.

Hameng took out the small notebook he had bought from Wilson and reported, "Your Highness, I have been frequenting the Mercenary Guild these past few days and have also visited two academies, getting to know some noble scions with decent strength. As it currently stands, it seems that just as Luoning said, there are no Legendary-level figures on the Orland Continent."

He paused for a moment and continued, "Some people only know of the Radiant Sun and Archmage levels; they don't even know there is a Legendary level above them."

Peiteluo also chimed in from the side, "The shipbuilding technology here is very mediocre. I am certain that none of the ships anchored in Niujiao Bay could cross the Storm Sea!"

Ximeng, who was skilled in shipbuilding, raised his hand, "I completely agree with this point. If we want to return, it would be best to build new ones. I fear that even if our ships are repaired, they will still have flaws."

Aini Lu sighed, "With no Legendary figures, how are we going to go back~"

Sophia looked out the window with some sorrow; she had not revealed to Aini Lu and the others what Luoning had told her.

This was not because she did not trust Aini Lu and the others; on the contrary, these four were carefully selected by the Alliance, and it was impossible for them to commit an act of betrayal.

She had not revealed it simply because she was keeping her promise.

"The matter of returning cannot be rushed. The Alliance has persisted for these years, so persisting for another ten years should not be a problem."

Sophia said, "Luoning said that the Amethyst Count, Beiluola Xierwa, is an Archmage. Perhaps in ten years he can become a Legendary Archmage, and by then, asking Luoning to have the other party do us a favor should be possible."

Although there was hope, their moods were very heavy.

When they came, they thought they would be able to return in a year or two at most; they never expected that they might now have to wait here for ten years.

"Your Highness, what shall we do next?"

Peiteluo asked, "We aren't going to find a place to live in seclusion for ten years, are we? I might die of boredom!"

"That won't happen."

Sophia shook her head, "The Shadow Lord's people have already arrived. Our goal from now on is to completely crush these minions of the Demon God and let Orland return to being the land of hope we envision!"

While the few were talking, deafening cheers and the sounds of pleasant musical instruments rang out from outside.

Aini Lu ran to the window to look outside and saw that on the wide Jinyu Avenue, countless people had taken to the streets, crowding around the parading noble procession in the middle of the road, letting out extremely joyful cheers.

"Your Highness, come quickly! Their founding celebration has begun!"

Sophia also walked over curiously to look outside.

One of the forms of celebration for the festival was for the King to organize an unprecedentedly large parade on the main streets with his wife, nobles, Knights, and soldiers.

Along the parade route, there would be large-scale acrobatic performances and competitive events; the nobles would choose their favorite events to stop and watch, focusing on sharing the joy with the people.

Additionally, the Knight tournament performances were also one of the main highlights.

Unlike the previous Martial Arts Tournament, this time the Knight competition was open to the entire public, and the content included various events such as horsemanship, archery, jousting, and melee combat, attracting a huge number of spectators.

Besides this, musical performances showcasing culture, theatrical plays, and even art exhibitions were also part of the festival.

As a noble, and with his Silver Moon-level strength having been spread around, Luoning was naturally not suited to participate in the Knight competition.

So he could only accompany Lulansi to walk around and watch.

"That one over there is Duke Andeliya."

Lulansi pointed at the old man with red hair and said, "People outside say he became a Silver Moon Knight several years ago; it seems that is indeed the case now."

Luoning nodded; although the other party looked old, his spirit and energy were very good.

"That shrewd-looking one over there is Mailun Fulaiming; his father, Count Aifangsuo, did not come this time."

Luoning chuckled, "I bought a few ships from him; this person truly has the attributes of a merchant."

Lulansi pointed out other nobles for Luoning to see; some the latter recognized, while others were seen for the first time.

Suddenly, Luoning's gaze sharpened, landing on a familiar person.

"Hesusu..."

Lulansi did not notice anything unusual and just hummed, "You have seen Hesusu. He has been very busy lately, moving around and making contacts; I fear it might be directed at us."

Luoning's brows were tightly locked; he felt an ominous aura coming from Hesusu.

And when he closed his eyes and probed with his Mental Power, a scene that shocked him appeared.

Strange dark energy was surging within the other party; this kind of energy could only be sensed by those whose Mental Power was at the Archmage level, which was why Lulansi had not noticed it.

"How is this possible? How did Hesusu fall into becoming a Witch Soul Clan member?"

Luoning was shocked in his heart; when did this happen?

Before Aosen?

For a moment, Luoning felt a chill down his spine.

If this were true, was it possible that the entire Moonlight Valley had also fallen?

His Mental Power swept over the few Guards beside Hesusu like a whirlwind, and the result he obtained made his heart heavy; they were indeed all Witch Soul Clan members.

Although Luoning had no good feelings toward Hesusu, after learning that the other party had been forced to become a Witch Soul Clan member, he felt not a shred of schadenfreude in his heart, but rather two parts sympathy, as well as a high level of vigilance toward Mofisite.

"Grandfather!" Luoning called out in a low voice.

Lulansi had originally wanted to go up and chat with the Valjisi Duchy, but after hearing Luoning's call, he walked back, "What is it?"

Luoning leaned in and whispered, "Hesusu, like Aosen, has become a Witch Soul Clan member."

Lulansi's body shook violently; he stared at Hesusu with wide eyes, then looked at Luoning, "Are you sure?"

Luoning nodded, "An Archmage can sense this energy."

He pondered, "Should we go up and expose him?"

Exposing him was definitely necessary, but in such a festive situation, coupled with the bustling crowd, suddenly exposing such a thing—and with the other party being the King's brother—would undoubtedly damage the royal family's face.

Lulansi's brows were tightly locked, and after Along while, he shook his head.

"We must expose him, but this matter cannot be exposed by you."

He pulled Luoning to the side and explained, "If you expose him, others will definitely ask how you knew. Will you admit then that you are an Archmage?"

Luoning shook his head; the point Lulansi mentioned was exactly the second point he was worried about.

"After the celebration, there will be an Advanced noble banquet tomorrow; you should take Suofeiya with you to attend."

Lulansi said, "Let her be the one to expose it."

"That is a good idea!"

Luoning nodded in agreement, "I was just preparing to introduce Suofeiya to His Majesty today; it would be perfect to use tomorrow's banquet for them to meet."

He had never thought of preventing Suofeiya from meeting Bruno in order to force the former to join the Wubei Territory.

Such methods were not honorable.

Over there, Hesusu had not noticed at all that his identity had been discovered by others, and was currently watching the song and dance performance happily.

That Mofisite was truly bold, actually daring to let Hesusu come to a place where so many people were gathered so openly; he was truly not afraid of being exposed at all.

Thinking about it carefully, perhaps he felt that no one could know how to distinguish whether a person was from the Witch Soul Clan, which was why he was not afraid of being discovered.

But what he could not have imagined was that Ruidar had already revealed the characteristics of the Witch Soul Clan to Luoning.

What Mofisite could have imagined even less was that people from the New Moon Continent had already arrived in Aoerlante! (End of this chapter)