Chapter 435: Dealing with the Tiger for its Hide

In the back garden of the Jinyu Palace, Crown Prince Jialete was conversing with Hesusu.

After Along while, Jialete let out a cold laugh, "With my aptitude, becoming a Blazing Sun Knight is merely a matter of time. Why would I risk my life to attempt the kind of power you speak of?"

Hesusu wore a look of regret and explained once more, "This simply grants you more explosive power; it has nothing to do with whether you become a Blazing Sun Knight or not! Moreover, even if you become a Blazing Sun Knight in the future, this power would still allow you to unleash even greater strength."

"I have heard many knights in the palace speak of your battle with Luoning. Although the latter voluntarily conceded, based on my understanding of Luoning, he was likely hiding his strength, which is why he intentionally lost to you. If a real fight were to break out..."

Jialete narrowed his eyes, "Do you think I am no match for him?"

Facing the Crown Prince's burning gaze, Hesusu's words stalled, but he still voiced what he wanted to say: "Actually, Luoning has already snatched away your title of 'a genius seen once in a hundred years,' hasn't he?"

Jialete snorted, "My dear uncle, you still cannot change your habit of sowing discord. You must know that Luoning will be my brother-in-law; his strength will only make Auduin more stable."

"It is said that the first Orland the Great also married a princess of the Star Kingdom, but what happened in the end? When a knight's strength reaches a certain height, he is no longer bound by noble terms and tacit understandings."

"Although Luoning has not yet reached that height, don't you find a nineteen-year-old Silver Moon level terrifying?"

One of the reasons Hesusu came to the Jinyu Palace to attend this founding celebration was to stir up trouble.

He understood Jialete's personality; this was a man arrogant to the point of conceit, who, despite being the Crown Prince, already viewed himself as the King.

The words he spoke now, even if they could not take effect immediately, had already taken root in the other's heart.

In Auduin Hall, the King and the nobles, having discussed for over another hour, began to disperse.

Although this meeting did not confirm an all-out war with the Kingdom of Tricia, King Bruno had already signaled active war preparations to the several Grand Duchies and Wushan Territory, and these nobles would simultaneously increase troops at the front line.

As long as some favorable news came from the Kingdom of Tricia, Auduin could start the war at any time.

Suofeiya looked back at the magnificent Auduin Hall, her eyes filled with disappointment.

Although the King had stated upon leaving that he would later have someone inform everyone of the investigation results from the Magister Fasulei, and promised that if Hesusu truly had a problem, he would certainly not let it go.

Yet, Suofeiya seemed to already know the result.

She had come full of anticipation, only to return in disappointment.

"What, feeling dejected?"

Walking beside her, Luoning comforted her: "Actually, this is also normal. Setting aside the fact that Hesusu is His Majesty the King's own younger brother, for a Hesusu who possesses Witch Soul power but behaves normally, they, as rulers, are likely considering whether this power can be used for the royal family."

"This is undoubtedly courting death!" Suofeiya said coldly.

"The Witch Soul Clan are merely demons with human bodies; they are no longer human. If not eliminated in time, they will spread rapidly like a wildfire on the prairie!"

Suofeiya seemed to have made a decision; she looked at Luoning: "Although one Witch Soul Bead can only create one hundred thousand of the Witch Soul Clan, since Hesusu, as a lord, has fallen victim, then Yueguang Valley must have already fallen! If the King still shields Hesusu, are you willing to go to war against Yueguang Valley for the sake of the human race?"

"Witch Soul power has tortured Wushan Castle for nearly thirty years; both I and my grandfather hate this evil power to the bone."

Luoning said firmly: "Even if the entire Kingdom is willing to borrow the power of the Witch Soul Clan to strengthen its own power, I will not."

"Although there are slaves and serfs in my territory, I have already been gradually granting them basic human rights. Yet these people turn humans into walking puppets, into cannon fodder on the battlefield, into nutrients to be drained—this is something I absolutely cannot accept!"

He met Suofeiya's direct gaze, "I will take action against Yueguang Valley, and this day will not be too far off."

Luoning valued the strength of Suofeiya's group and wanted the five of them to join Wubei Territory to plan for his future career.

However, he spoke these words from the bottom of his heart, without any pretense.

Although he did not have the lofty ideal of building a society of equality and freedom for all in his heart, he could not stand this inhumane behavior of treating people directly as puppets and materials.

Is this any different from those who conduct human experiments or Unit 731?

Therefore, no matter what choice Bruno makes, he is determined to fight Yueguang Valley.

Suofeiya nodded; she thought very highly of Luoning, "Now it depends on what choice His Majesty the King makes."

But no matter what the other chooses, she would not mind cooperating with Luoning.

"After we go back this time, I will have Uncle Ximeng write down the construction method for the Dawn, and whenever you need to build ships, I will have him assist you."

Luoning showed a look of joy, "I want to build ships right now!"

Although the navy of Wubei Territory would not be used in the attack on the Kingdom of Tricia, this thing could not be built only when needed temporarily.

Moreover, setting aside Screaming Island, if Wushan Territory has any disputes with the Vila Principality in the future, the fleet of Wubei Territory can sail south along the east coast, reach the Vila Principality, and open another battlefield outside of Zilei Territory.

Suofeiya smiled, "Fine, after we go back, find enough assistants for Ximeng. Prepare the iron ore, and I will help too."

What she could do was use Magic to purify, strengthen, and shape the iron ore.

Come to think of it, one of the reasons the Human Alliance of the New Moon Continent sent her over was that they valued her Fire Attribute magic ability to assist Ximeng in shipbuilding.

On the other side, Bruno, having left Auduin Hall, came directly to Jialete's manor.

At this time, the Magister Fasulei had already completed the inspection of Hesusu.

"How is it?" Bruno asked.

Fasulei said in surprise: "I did indeed sense strange dark energy on Count Hesusu; what is it?"

Apparently, Philemon had not told Fasulei the specific things that happened in the hall.

Bruno's aura grew heavy, and his heart became chaotic.

Although he detested this younger brother, the thought that the other was no longer human made it hard for him to accept.

"Sorry to have troubled you, Fasulei; you may return now."

Bruno made a gesture of invitation, "If anyone asks you about this matter, just say that Hesusu is completely normal."

"I will, Your Majesty." Fasulei took off his hat, bowed, and then left the room.

Only then did Bruno sigh heavily, "Buluoer told me about the terror of the Witch Soul Clan; they not only lose their humanity but also spread like a virus! Since Hesusu is of the Witch Soul Clan, he cannot be kept. It is just that this matter must be done privately, otherwise, it will damage the prestige of the royal family."

"I do not think so, Father!"

Jialete put forward his view: "Hesusu has already told me all the characteristics of the Witch Soul Clan; the number of Witch Soul Clan they can create is at most one hundred thousand. Although ninety percent of these one hundred thousand are cannon fodder turned from ordinary people, they still have considerable deterrent power when they fight for their lives on the battlefield."

Bruno's brows were locked in a frown; he had always supported what his son did, but this matter was too dangerous.

"Cooperating with demons, we easily fall into his trap," he reminded.

Jialete was somewhat confident, "Whether it is Hesusu or that source behind him, Mofisite, they only have a chance to survive now if they cooperate with us."

"One hundred thousand cannon fodder is far from enough in front of the Kingdom's Knight Order!"

Bruno nodded slightly; this point was indeed true.

Due to previous propaganda, the Witch Soul Clan is practically a target for everyone to beat.

Without the protection of the royal family, they truly have no soil in which to survive.

"But I still feel the risk is very high," Bruno said, still somewhat apprehensive.

Jialete shook his head: "Father, you are too cautious; only absolute power can achieve our wish to unify the continent and establish the Auduin Empire!"

He said earnestly: "This power is not just our own strength, but also the utilization of other forces. The Witch Soul Clan is like a mad dog; as long as we use them properly, they will bite whoever we point at!"

"Moreover, the current Wushan Territory is stronger than we expected, and we cannot let them develop steadily."

Bruno sat on the sofa and pondered for Along time, finally sighing.

"Fine, you have successfully persuaded me. But if they ever become uncontrollable and threaten the rule of Auduin, we must immediately unite with other nobles to eliminate these fellows!"

Jialete said confidently: "Rest assured, Father, the initiative is in our hands." (End of chapter)