Chapter 171: Lion's Roar, Empress Flower-Viewing, Sage Asks the Way (13)

Dusk.

Lion Fortress.

「How was this battle fought? Why did we lose so badly?! 」

Dange, who had just received the news, was enjoying dinner, but the content of the news made his tender, juicy lamb taste as bland as waste paper.

The battle's progress is unknown, and enemy casualties are unknown.

Our fleet was annihilated, nearly forty thousand naval personnel were all captured, and almost all noble naval officers were killed in action, with Admiral Knight Gorte leaving no remains.

Dange doesn't understand how the sea battle could have ended up like this.

Both sides have Black Stone warships and exchange artillery fire; civilians should be the ones suffering while nobles are captured, not the other way around—how did it get completely reversed?

He chewed absentmindedly, turning the lamb into a paste-like mush before letting it slowly slide down his throat.

"Could there be a traitor in the fleet?"

He stared intently at the signal mage, as if the mage were a traitor.

The signal mage felt immense psychological pressure, as if a real lion were staring at him, and his voice involuntarily trembled slightly.

"I-I don't know; Duke Weilan's report only said these things, he demanded that we Aaron issue an apology announcement and provide full war reparations, otherwise otherwise."

"Otherwise what?"

"Otherwise Duke Weilan's aircraft will come to Lion Fortress for a visit!"

Dange didn't know how to describe his feelings; there was a hint of pleasure from a successful plot, but mostly fear.

He didn't know what means the opponent used, nor what losses they suffered in this battle; the only thing he was certain of was that he had completely lost contact with the Northern Lion Fleet.

Not a single warship returned.

A fleet comprising one-third of the nation's naval strength was utterly wiped out.

"I understand, you may go."

He immediately summoned the Eye of the Storm, Sanchester.

"Sage, the situation seems to have far exceeded expectations."

Sanchester had a vague idea of the situation and was in a state of extreme shock.

"Obviously, Duke Weilan's arcane creations are not limited to aircraft and Black Stone warships; he also hides something truly terrifying."

"How does he have so many good things?"

Dange couldn't figure it out.

"Thanks to his peak Seven Rings power."

Sanchester's face showed a hint of bitterness.

"Your Majesty, magic has many subtle attributes, and many powerful and exquisite attributes can only be sensed by high-ring mages."

"Only upon reaching the Five Rings can one sense the power of fate, and upon reaching the Six Rings, and even the Seven Rings, one naturally can sense even more terrifying power."

Dange still objected: "The essences of the Nature God and the Light God are also high-ring mages, yet we haven't seen them fare well; they too command terrifying power."

At that moment, Dange felt a pang of doubt: "Sage, can royal authority truly oppose the gods?"

A mortal who possesses knowledge imperceptible to ordinary people is, in a sense, a god; Sanchester naturally sensed Dange's doubt, he himself felt a bit disheartened, but his resolve was far stronger than Dange's.

"Your Majesty, there are no gods in this world, and the power of high-ring mages is also limited, as history has repeatedly shown."

"The reason the Northern Fleet suffered a crushing defeat is that we were too impulsive, too contemptuous of the enemy, and failed to make full preparations!"

"You knew from the start that we couldn't win the battle; now it's merely confirming your prediction."

Dange gave a wry smile: "But I never imagined we'd lose so horribly!"

"Your Majesty, don't rush to a conclusion; the greatest fear in the world comes from the unknown."

"First, thoroughly investigate the battle's course, find a way to understand the whole situation clearly, then proceed to the next step."

Originally, this didn't require extra reminder from him as the Sage, but Dange's mind had clearly become panicked.

And what this Sage must do is bring him back to a normal state.

Dange, worthy of his title as Lion King, after taking a few deep breaths, his anxious thoughts from fear basically returned to calm.

He let out a light sigh: "Sage, Duke Weilan truly is a terrifying opponent."

Sanchester immediately replied: "It is terrifying, but it also has obvious weaknesses."

"Weaknesses?"

He said: "Yes, he is too merciful, afraid of excessive sacrifice."

"He is also overly cautious, refusing to act unless fully prepared."

"Finally, he is ultimately a mage."

"If he devotes a lot of time to studying arcane arts, his control over the political situation will be less keen than that of an ordinary king."

"Conversely, if he puts too much energy into politics, it will greatly hinder the progress of his arcane arts."

"After all, there are no gods in this world, only mortals, and nothing can be perfect."

These analyses were very reasonable, making Dange's mind even calmer.

He slowly nodded: "Sage, you're right; thanks to your reminder, I almost got scared stiff by him."

After quietly pondering for a while, his mind fully returned to tranquility.

"His aircraft is strong, but it also has many weaknesses; as long as we prepare targeted defenses, we can avoid being threatened by him."

"As for that, what is your advice, Sage?"

"Build sturdy underground shelters throughout the kingdom, especially beneath Lion Fortress, and the deeper the better."

"Once the aircraft is spotted, immediately hide in the underground palace."

"Of course, the most crucial point is that we ourselves must quickly possess aircraft."

"Exactly, we must have them too; even if immature, we must get them airborne!"

Dan Ge nodded: "But these are matters for later. First, I must completely control Aaron!"

Sang Qiesite startled: "Your Majesty, won't that be too hasty?"

He felt that they should at least wait for the news of the fleet's defeat to spread throughout Aaron, letting the nobles' prestige plummet to rock bottom, then act accordingly.

Dan Ge, however, had a different idea.

"If we act slowly, they'll be on guard. If we act then, it will plunge the situation into total chaos. This is certainly not the best approach, but I have no choice."

He is not a strongman like Duke Weilan, who has many trump cards to play, so he can always take the best route.

He is a mortal, and mortals can only weigh pros and cons.

Sang Qiesite understood.

Although he still felt it was too radical, he could think of no better way, so he remained silent.

Dan Ge immediately took action.

He summoned the Aaron Night Guard that he had secretly arranged earlier.

This night guard is none other than the Bloodflame Salas, who suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Luosen.

He is no longer a High-tier Mage but an Arcane Master; the earlier blow did not fell him but instead spurred him to strive harder.

Moreover, being of common birth, he has become the most valued blade in Dan Ge's Night Guard.

Gazing at the leaping flame in his opponent's eyes, caused by an arcane accident, Dan Ge softly said: "I am about to convene an emergency noble council, summoning all noble legislators to discuss this defeat."

"And your task is to make them completely a thing of the past."

Salas licked his lips, a hint of cruelty showing on his face.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, my men are ready; no noble will be able to leave the Hero Hall standing."

"Very well, go prepare."

After Salas withdrew, Dan Ge clenched his fists secretly: "Let these national parasites bleed out!"

Formerly he had doubts, but what happened in Weilan told him that for a nation to become strong, the first step is to eradicate all parasites! Originally he could have patiently sought opportunities, but the world is changing too fast, there's no time to dawdle!

Almost at the same time, 1,500 li away.

The capital of the Radiant Empire, hailed as "the Light of Lights, the Place Where Light Never Fades," is Mei Da Xilin.

A piece of information about a failed test of a new weapon traveled along a certain hidden yet swift light-channel to the Imperial Central Secretariat, becoming one of countless pending messages. Testing the brand-new anti-air weapon was important—important enough to reach the Imperial core.

But at the same time, many pieces of information just as important, or even more so, needed processing.

For example, a severe earthquake struck a certain city domestically, countless houses collapsed, countless people were affected, and it had to be dealt with immediately.

Another example: a mad mage, disregarding the ban, researched summoning and successfully summoned a succubus from another plane with at least seventh-ring power, and that succubus is still at large.

Another example. In short, for the vast Radiant Empire, important affairs are more numerous than the stars in the sky.

And its attention to domestic affairs far outweighs that to foreign affairs.

Because historical experience tells every Radiant Imperial citizen that no one can overthrow them from outside, but a minor internal hidden danger, through continual accumulation, can eventually be enough to topple the empire.

Thus, a full three hours passed before this message was finally taken in hand by an assistant secretary.

"Has the Trial Array experiment failed? Looks like it still needs improvement."

The message was stamped with a "Read" mark, and then the related information was sent to the Royal Light Forging Bureau.

Developing new weapons is not the assistant secretary's specialty; professional matters should be handled by professionals.

And the Royal Light Forging Bureau is precisely the department in the empire dedicated to developing radiant weapons.

Thus, the information about a naval battle that occurred in the Liujin Strait merely passed briefly through the Imperial core and then flowed away, utterly unworthy of landing on the Empress's desk.

What is the Empress doing? The Empress is admiring flowers in the rear garden.

Because the "Starlight Rose" is about to bloom, and this rose blooms only once a year, each bloom lasting only one hour.

When it blooms, the rose buds emit a cool starlight, adorning the entire garden like a night sky studded with stars.

Each year on the day the Starlight Rose blooms, the Radiant Empress holds a grand flower-viewing banquet in her Bu Ye Gong, inviting eminent figures from across the empire.

There are no restrictions on the invitees; they merely need to demonstrate sufficient influence in some field.

Thus, being invited to the Empress's flower-viewing party has become the greatest honor in the hearts of all imperial citizens.

At this moment in the garden, the Empress is surrounded by countless scholars and literati, shining like the sun encircled by stars.

Erin, who once served as an envoy to Weilan, is also present.

She has just returned home not long ago, attending the banquet as the Empress's cousin alongside her husband, and her seat is not far from the Empress.

"Erin, what's wrong with you today? Why do you keep spacing out?"

Erin suddenly heard her cousin's Spiritual Whisper, blinked slightly, and replied via Spiritual Whisper: "Really, Your Majesty?"

They used the royal-exclusive Spiritual Whisper technique, so they need not worry about outsiders noticing anything odd.

The Empress chatted with her other retainers as usual, while secretly responding.

"It's quite obvious; even your husband called you several times and you didn't notice."

Erin also indeed had something on her mind: "If I count the days, these few days should be the date of the naval battle between Duke Weilan and the Lion King."

The Empress blinked, her thick lashes fluttering: "What does that have to do with you? Are you worried the battle's incendiary shells will fall into Bu Ye Gong?"

"To be honest, if they really did fall in, that would be good—I could demand a huge compensation from those two troublemakers."

Erin smiled faintly: "Your Majesty, it's merely a work-related concern, after all this will determine my future posting."

"Huh~ you weren't planning to go abroad, were you?"

"I've changed my mind; I can't stand being a bored housewife at home—I'd rather have fulfilling workdays."

"Does your husband agree?"

"What right does he have to disagree, Your Majesty?"

"Alright, do as you wish. Although I've noticed your husband's dissatisfaction with you, if you insist on this, well, you could just change men."

Irene didn't want to say more about the matter; she whispered, "Your Majesty, is Duke Weilan truly an Eight Rings Mage?"

The Empress nodded, "The artifact shows it that way."

"But considering he is still very young, I highly doubt this is his final achievement; he may catch up to me later, but he shouldn't reach Ten Rings."

"Yet he himself says his magical power isn't growing any more, fine, he might be lying. On what basis does Your Majesty think he can't reach Ten Rings?"

"The information recorded in the artifact indicates that, and it's not my judgment but the judgment of the Lord of Radiance."

"But back to the point, even if he reaches Ten Rings, it's unlikely he'll create a great empire as in ancient times."

"After all, the times have changed."

Irene whispered, "What if he shows the potential to unify the Natural Alliance?"

"Then we would, of course, try every means to stop him; if the situation demands, even capture him, imprison him, and then use his intellect."

"Not eliminate him?"

"There's no need; after all, he's a human prodigy, killing him would be a waste. Besides, our greatest enemy is the alien race across the sea."

Speaking of which, the Empress glanced at Irene, "I happen to have time. I'll give you a divination, let's see who wins."

As she spoke, she casually produced a gleaming gold coin, "Heads Weilan, tails Aaron, the Radiance helps me see the truth."

She tossed the coin onto the table; it landed tails.

Irene gasped, "Aaron won?"

"Don't rush; one try isn't reliable, we need more attempts."

The Empress tossed it twenty times in a row, getting heads fifteen times and tails five times, then she satisfiedly put the coin away.

"Alright, you should prepare to go to Weilan as an envoy."

Irene breathed a sigh of relief.

The Empress added, "Divorce your husband first, then go; don't delay that good young man."

About five hours later.

Levinde also received news of the fleet's defeat.

It was already late night; the 17‑year‑old young king lay in bed, sleeping soundly, so no one disturbed him, and the message was delivered straight into the hands of the Frost Messenger Rafengge.

Rafengge looked at the message, a flash of shock in his ice‑blue eyes, "The Weilan navy is this strong? Was its power previously concealed?"

No one answered his query, and he didn't need anyone to.

"Step back."

After the spy left, Rafengge rose and went to the underground secret Magic Method Laboratory.

Inside the laboratory was an immensely huge mysterious formation.

Rafengge stood on the formation; his mana surged, and the runes on the formation instantly glowed with deep violet light.

Rafengge closed his eyes, spread his hands, tilted his head slightly, and muttered a strange and mysterious incantation.

About five or six minutes later, a black mist materialized in the void above his head, within which a pair of faint silver eyes appeared.

A thought came from the black mist, "Mage, what would you like to ask this time?"

Rafengge immediately said, "Supreme Great All‑Knowing, I wish to inquire about the details of the sea battle at the Gilded Strait."

The thought was silent for a moment, then spoke.

"Mage, you almost stumped me. This time I'll let it pass, but henceforth you may only ask me about magic, not about military matters; I am not your spy!"

Rafengge promptly replied, "I have noted, Supreme Great All‑Knowing."

The thought said, "Duke Weilan won; he suffered almost no losses. His opponents were either killed or captured—none met a good end."

"But how did he win?"

"By winning the fight."

"How did he win the fight?"

"I know how to obtain the answer, but I don't want to waste time on such trivial, boring questions. You'd better ask some valuable questions."

Rafengge felt irritated, but the mysterious presence had indeed helped him solve many difficult problems, so he didn't want to turn hostile.

Thus he said, "Supreme Great All‑Knowing, thank you for your answer; I've recently encountered a difficulty in magic, mainly regarding how to breakthrough to the Eighth Ring."

"That's the proper question; breaking through the Eight Rings isn't hard, you just need thorough preparation and discard a little bit of meaningless mercy."

Rafengge chuckled, "What a coincidence, I've already thrown all mercy away."

Deep underground in a secret chamber, the two wills set aside worldly trivialities and began to focus on exchanging magical dilemmas.

(End of Chapter)