Chapter 97: Royal Invitation

Gobonlan City fell.

This tragedy that shocked the Feren Continent swept across the whole continent at astonishing speed by the third day.

The popes of the major benevolent deity churches issued extremely harsh condemnations to the Yinbu Tu Kingdom's royal family over this matter, and the Dawn Church has even dispatched an investigation team of paladins and priests to Yinbu Tu to thoroughly examine the case.

In fact, the disaster that broke out in Degun City previously had already drawn the attention of the major benevolent deity churches, but at that time the perpetrator was clearly identified as a Sai Er Mage, and since the consequences were not too severe, the matter was let to fade away.

Do not underestimate Sai Er's power; as a mighty Mage nation, Sai Er can mobilize an enormous force, and if it were not for Lai Se Man—a similarly Spellcaster‑ruled strong nation that has been locked in a dead‑heat with Sai Er—Sai Er's iron hooves would likely have already trampled the surrounding countries.

The status of the divine churches is indeed lofty, but mortals are well aware that deities may not interfere in the mortal world; if any benevolent deity church went mad and truly tried to pick a fight with Sai Er, Sai Er's millions of Undead troops and hundreds of senior Mages would make the opponent understand just how strong a Mage can be.

But now the situation is different.

The demon sealed in Gobonlan broke free, slaughtering tens of thousands of the city's inhabitants, an act of extreme wickedness; worse still, the one who broke the seal turned out to be the sister of Yinbu Tu Kingdom's Regent Grand Judge—a member of their own side!

Regardless, repelling demons is a bottom line for all major benevolent deity churches; even though that demon has already been captured by Sazhas Tan, the outcome has already occurred.

"The Yinbu Tu Kingdom's royal family is likely in trouble this time,"

Inside Rosa Castle, Schneider stood before Naimi Xisi and sighed.

Naimi Xisi looked up at the newly arrived red‑robed Mage; as a Sai Er Chancellor, Schneider possesses extensive Arcane knowledge and also has a very clear view of the international political landscape.

Beside them, Losrien sensed a hint of threat; he also felt that this newly arrived outsider was rapidly supplanting his position in Juan Ce Long's regard, and the half‑elf took this very seriously, refusing to let himself become a burden to his master.

"It is said that the Noble God's Church has already sent people to join the Dawn Church's investigation team," Schneider said with a wry smile.

Losrien's pupils narrowed, and he snapped toward Schneider, "They came too?!"

Schneider nodded and, noticing Naimi Xisi's puzzled expression, explained:

"The Noble God's Church is the most reliable protector of the nobles and even the royal families of mortal nations, and it is the first line of defense that the divine churches cannot intervene in mortal countries."

"The actions of the Yinbu Tu Kingdom's royal family seem to have even offended the Noble God's Church, prompting them to side with the Dawn Church."

The silver‑haired youth seated at the desk lifted his slender white finger, twirling the gyro in his hand, his dim yellow eyes appearing to contemplate something.

Naimi Xisi understood that the Yinbu Tu Kingdom's dealings with Sai Er were most likely discovered by the divine churches.

For these shepherds of the gods, having no crime at all incites more anger than trading with the gods' own followers.

The Yinbu Tu Kingdom is a nation that widely worships the Earth Mother Shangtiya and the Silver Mother Selennye, which is why many ordinary people here say aloud, "May Shangtiya protect," as they are followers of the Earth Mother.

But Gobonlan City is different.

This city, once ruled by Sai Er centuries ago, was liberated by a powerful practitioner who worshipped the Lord of Dawn; after Gobonlan returned to Yinbu Tu's embrace, the city erected a Dawn Church in gratitude to that champion, and every successive mayor has loudly propagated the faith of the Lord of Dawn.

Today, Gobonlan is firmly under the Dawn Church's domain; without exaggeration, of the tens of thousands of dead citizens, over eighty percent were followers of the Lord of Dawn!

That is why the Dawn Church is so outraged.

After being blessed by Selennye a few days earlier, Naimi Xisi had a clearer sense of the place faith holds in the hearts of the gods.

True divine power—how terrifying—just a single crystal condensed from divine power can even affect the Magic Net, an entity that spans the Multiverse, temporarily granting oneself permission to unleash spells up to the ninth Spell Circle.

And this dreadful energy is precisely the product forged by the gods through faith.

In fact, after learning about true divine power, Naimi Xisi felt, for the first time, the tremor of the virtual Infinite Crown; a second gem was faintly manifesting, sensing a possible miracle.

Even though it has not yet witnessed that miracle with its own eyes.

Naimi Xisi walked to the window, gazing at the road outside; after confronting the unrivaled demon, he for the first time felt a clear yearning for the direction of his future.

He wishes to become a god, to command the power of infinite possibilities; he will become the dragon that controls all! But before that, he'll set a modest goal.

Let me become the behind‑the‑scenes dragon that rules this kingdom, Naimi Xisi thought.

"Perhaps I should accept their invitation and visit the capital,"

Naimi Xisi produced a letter encrusted with lavish gold foil from his hand; it was a missive the royal family sent to Rosa Castle, sincerely inviting Naimi Xisi to be a guest in the capital.

Juan Ce Long's two attempts to rescue the Yinbu Tu people, though perhaps not purely altruistic, nonetheless earned the goodwill of the capital's high nobles toward him.

Divine Favored, Juan Ce Long, hero who saved Degun City—these labels are essentially green lights for politically savvy nobles.

The Feren Continent never lacks colossal dragons allied with human‑friendly factions, and many kingdoms are willing to offer benefits to befriend such dragons; after all, the only flaw of such a powerful Monster is greed for wealth, which to those nobles is practically no flaw—who wouldn't covet riches!

Naimi Xisi was not opposed to this; he hadn't forgotten that the royal family had yet to fulfill the reward promised to him! With a "Bang," the main door swung open, and Sgena swaggered in, taking a seat on the sofa.

"Honestly, the surface is just too boring; I want to go back,"

Sgena complained, having grown to hate life on the ground—the sunlight too glaring, the streets too tidy, and she still had to be trapped in a humanoid form every day.

Naimi Xisi was also somewhat helpless; although Sgena had long revealed herself before the army, after Sai Er's withdrawal the troops had already left Degun City, and Loja succeeded his father, continuing to lead the army's advance toward Sesk.

The remaining citizens of Degun City were completely unaware of a black dragon wandering their city; to prevent panic, Naimi Xisi strictly ordered Sgena not to revert to her original form.

Of course, he was different; as the hero who saved Degun City, he would occasionally revert to his true form and soar above the city, causing no panic and even prompting the onlookers to kneel and extol the name "White Mystery".

This drove Sgena nearly mad with jealousy; the title she meticulously crafted, "Corrosion Tide," is still known only to that green witch, and dragons are outraged by other dragons!

"You're about to fall asleep, aren't you?" Naimi Xisi glanced at Sgena, noticing a slight surge of magical energy around her—a sign of impending slumber.

The black dragon nodded weakly, "I want to return underground; sleeping here is too uncomfortable. Without my gold coins and treasures layered beneath my scales to accompany me, I can't fall asleep."

Naimi Xisi was speechless, waving his hand dismissively, "Understood, you may go back now."

Sgena's eyes lit up, and she scampered off.

Naimi Xisi tucked the letter away; beside him, Losrien seemed to recall something and called out to him.

"Master, if you travel to the capital this time, you could try to make contact with Prince Lei En,"

"Prince Lei En?" Naimi Xisi asked, puzzled.

Losrien nodded, "You should know that my mother was once a noble from the Elven Royal Court."

"During her travels across the continent, she met my father—a member of the Yinbu Tu royal family—and gave birth to me."

"By that count, Prince Lei En is essentially my peer; Prince Lei En's father is my father's cousin."

Naimi Xisi was somewhat surprised, "Logically, you also have royal blood, so why..."

Losrien shrugged; although he is now an eighth‑rank Mage with a respectable social standing, there remains a considerable gap compared to a member of a kingdom's royal family.

"I am a half‑elf," a trace of embarrassment flickered in Losrien's eyes.

He has always taken pride in his elven lineage, but the Yinbu Tu royal house, a long‑standing human dynasty, does not look kindly upon such mixed blood.

Don't be fooled by Losri En's youthful appearance; they're actually not that young, since their father, if still alive, would be about the same age as the current King Saint De Lisi of Yinbu Tu.

"Since my father passed away, the royal family has not granted me the corresponding status; instead they offered me only one choice: to become a hereditary viscount with my own fief."

"Back then I was also proud, despising the royal family's charity, and I decisively chose to refuse, drifting through life relying on the books my mother left behind," Losri En said with a wry smile.

If you ask whether they have any regrets, the answer is certainly yes; were the present Losri En—a world‑worn, scheming half‑elf—to choose again, they would most likely accept the royal title, which is better than the emptiness of their past.

"Prince Lei En was my childhood playmate; although I probably have no face to save with him now, after nearly fifty years without seeing each other," Losri En said.

"But he is still a decent person," Losri En added, a hint of nostalgia flashing in their eyes.

The Long‑lived race and humans view time differently; for a half‑elf like Losri En, fifty years is just a phase of life, but for humans it is already a sea of change.

The silver‑haired youth tilted his head, his dim yellow eyes fixed on Losri En; the Mage's words felt odd to him—what does "not bad" mean, and why would he want to interact with a "not bad" person? The other's mindset at that moment was even more incomprehensible to him.

"Seeking profit for one's childhood playmate?" A flicker of confusion crossed his dragon‑like eyes—was the Mind Gem's control malfunctioning? The apostle's suggestion, though, was motivated by others.

No, the Mind Power is fine; Naimi Xisi closed his eyes and sensed for a moment.

He did not sense fear, tension, or unease in the other's heart; Losri En was not worried that their petty thoughts would be discovered.

He sincerely believed that his master's contact with Prince Lei En posed no harm, and he was willing to advise his master for the benefit of his childhood playmate.

Naimi Xisi gained a new understanding of the minimal control over Mind Power.

When the master's interests are not at stake, apostles may also lean toward their own selfish motives.

"Understood," the youth gently set down the letter, replying as if nothing mattered.

After all, they are their Dependents; before crossing any line, satisfying this small request is harmless.

(End of chapter)