Chapter 449: Concession (Please Subscribe)

After a brief meeting with Princess Sophia, Aaron left the private box and headed into the ballroom to continue maintaining his role as a "merchant seeking connections in high society."

Sophia watched Aaron's departing back, her expression shifting uncertainly as she restored the room to its original state and walked into a private washroom.

Not long after, "Princess Sophia," with a pair of wings on her back, also walked in, and the two quickly exchanged their attire.

A Princess Sophia, identical to the one before, walked out with a smile.

As for the original performer, she became an illusory mirror image... and slowly vanished from sight.

As the Imperial royal family, having collected a vast number of Magical Items, it was not at all surprising that they could accomplish such a thing.

"Hmm, I have heard of this honorific name; it is a member of the Secrecy that has existed since the Ancient period..." Arthur IX smiled. "As for being watched or marked upon reciting the honorific name... I no longer care."

After all, he had already betrayed the "Dawn" and defected to the "Keeper of Secrets"!

"Father... what do you intend to do?"

"Lay everything out in the open!" Arthur IX waved his hand. "We have made so many small moves; even with the 'Keeper of Secrets' keeping our secrets, the Church is not entirely oblivious... Rather than hiding it, it is better to make it public. I will go to meet the Sun Pope tomorrow and show my cards... admitting that I am looking for a way to restrain the 'Son of Dawn.' We have been busy with this for some time now."

The Emperor's promise was undoubtedly a massive political concession!

"If we compromise on this point, will the Church help us?" Princess Sophia raised the question.

"This mistake has already drained the blood of the Sodoma line for generations; now, it must be corrected!"

Sophia took out a roll of parchment, which was smooth and devoid of any patterns or writing: "And if it is merely a verbal promise, before the other party confirms it, one must recite the honorific name of a Hidden Existence in their heart and pray for Them to bear witness!"

Aaron's arrival signaled that a new war of remaining Ages challenging the authority of the "Dawn" was about to begin.

"A contract that is bound to be broken?" Arthur IX mused. "The kind that must be signed? That might be a bit difficult..."

Sophia asked her own question.

"I have brought a piece of parchment; if it is a written contract, one only needs to write upon it."

Making the "Son of Dawn" bow his head is not an easy task.

After the ball.

"The other party hopes we can have the 'Son of Dawn' sign a contract that is bound to be broken, and then he will have a high chance of assassinating the other party..."

"That is good."

A light of determination flickered in Arthur IX's eyes.

And now, with just a little bit of payment, Arthur IX saw the hope of killing that monster!

"Sun King Arthur spent his life in battle, laying the foundation of the Empire and creating countless glorious victories and Legendary tales... but his only mistake was letting that monster descend into the Mortal World!"

The Second Council and the Third Council are currently evenly matched between royal power and divine power, but if access is opened up, there is no doubt that the Church can gain more support from the general citizenry than the Emperor!

After all, the Church has always maintained a very positive image; this is because the Church's foundation lies in the masses, and also because of their secret machinations!

If the royal family were to exhaust all their strength to assist him in killing the "Son of Dawn," Arthur IX might just turn around and sell Aaron out.

It must be said that the conditions Aaron proposed were not harsh.

Arthur IX revealed a look of keen interest.

Sophia recounted everything in detail.

"Which existence?"

"Lord Fanier hosted me very well, and the ball was quite interesting." Sophia lifted the hem of her skirt and performed a lady's curtsy.

"The Spirit of Falsehood that wanders in the unknown..." Sophia recited the honorific name of the "Spirit of Falsehood" separately.

Sophia rode in a royal carriage, escorted by a squad of musketeers, and returned to Mitra Palace.

Immediately, the Princess became somewhat worried: "Although that Mr. 'Feathered Serpent' is quite powerful and gives me a sense of life-threatening danger, he still cannot compare to that monster... What if our plan fails?"

At such a time, in order to protect the pillar of the "Dawn" in the Mortal World, the wise men of the Church would choose to endure for the time being.

"Then, I will promise to relax the access rights to the Third-level Council and give more power to the Second Council, and even the Third Council..." Arthur IX continued.

Arthur IX saw things very clearly.

"My beloved daughter... how was the ball tonight?"

Bang!

After the door closed, the elderly Emperor silently recited the honorific name of the "Keeper of Secrets," his aura returning bit by bit, like an aging lion: "So... what did the other party say?"

The Emperor of the Invis Empire—Arthur IX looked like an ordinary old man. He was currently talking to his Secretary, and seeing Sophia enter, a look of gratification appeared on his face.

Arthur IX waved his hand, dismissed the Secretary, and brought Sophia into the study.

"Of course not!" Arthur IX gave a definitive answer. "Otherwise, our ancestors would have done it long ago... To the Church, the 'Son of Dawn' is the Holy Son, the true executor of the 'Dawn's' will! And the 'Son of Dawn' has also stood on the side of the Church many times! Because the Church serves the 'Dawn' wholeheartedly, while we, the Sodoma, ultimately have some selfish motives!"

With a smile that made everyone feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze, she walked into a side hall.

'The largest palace in Mitra Palace does not belong to the Emperor, but to that monster... how ironic!'

"But this time, the Church will definitely compromise because of external pressure—in the Spirit World, another war is about to begin. If the 'Dawn' wins, it will achieve total victory, and if it loses, it will have nothing... Therefore, for the sake of the 'Dawn,' the Pope will persuade the 'Son of Dawn' for us and let that monster endure for now!"

After walking through the palace gate and looking at the most conspicuous building in the center, Sophia's expression was very complex.

That her father could come up with a perfect plan in such a short time—he was indeed a born emperor, his mind meticulous to the extreme.

"This should dispel the Church's doubts." Princess Sophia nodded gently.

Sophia recalled the personalities of the Pope and the others, and could not help but be convinced.

"Then I will immediately 'die of illness,' and the Sodoma Royal Family will fully compromise... although we will decline significantly, we can at least keep the crown."

There was a trace of fear in the deepest part of Arthur IX's eyes.

He would never forget the nightmare that coiled above the head of Sodom! And that terrifying Shadow that devoured his father...

(End of chapter)