Chapter 190

Winter's Swan Lake still retains its very beautiful scenery.

Under the warm sun, the endless frozen lake surface reflects golden light, a perfect blend of ice and fire; the tall cypresses along the shore stand like silent giants, neatly upright, showing a northern region's unique stern quality.

Strolling by Swan Lake, Erin felt open-hearted, and she had already prepared for the question Luosen raised.

The only thing that surprised her was that the other party had actually endured until now to bring it up, since Aaron's navy defeat happened almost five months ago.

Even if she had returned to Weilan, it had already been two months.

In fact, this is her first private meeting with the Duke in the past two months.

"Duke, I have looked into this matter carefully; it is the result of my country's Light-forged Bureau acting on its own initiative."

"After the Empress learned the full story, she had me apologize to the Duke, and the various light-forged weapons equipped on Levinde's warships were given to him as an apology."

That really is an excuse that leaves Luosen speechless.

Fortunately, Luosen wasn't really seeking to settle scores with the Radiant Empire; the light-forged weapons he obtained from Levinde's warship have indeed benefited him greatly.

Especially, it carries a magic circle that converts flame into light-forged power, which he has already applied to many fields.

And as an anti-air weapon, the High-energy Judgment Array naturally fell into his hands, and he modified it.

The most important of these modifications is puppetization.

That is, the combat puppets perform most of the attack actions, while the mage only needs to provide auxiliary control, greatly reducing the operational difficulty while also greatly increasing the attack power.

So he spread his hands: "Alright, then let's consider this matter settled."

He paused, then shifted his tone: "But from now on, Weilan will openly be an enemy of Levinde; I hope your country can stand from humanity's standpoint and maintain as neutral an attitude as possible."

Erin blinked, quite puzzled: "Humanity's standpoint? Does your meaning, Duke, imply that Weilan represents humanity, and anyone opposing Weilan is humanity's enemy?"

She felt his words were somewhat overly arrogant.

Yet she didn't expect to see this young Duke of Weilan nod seriously, his face showing great solemnity.

"Miss Erin, I've been very busy these past two months; guess what I've mainly been busy with?"

Erin chided lightly: "You didn't tell me, so how would I know?"

After speaking, she felt her tone was off, and quickly coughed lightly: "Duke, you might as well speak plainly."

Luosen gave a faint smile: "I've been investigating the Levinde royal family."

Without waiting for her to ask, he began to explain in detail.

"Perhaps you don't know, but your Empress certainly knows that through the forbidden summoning spell, it is possible to summon beings from another plane, or even entities from Huan Wai Xu Kong."

Erin's heart jolted: "No, I know."

As a member of the Radiant Imperial Family, she truly knows.

She also knows that the continent across the sea fell into a terrible disaster because of this summoning spell, which is the biggest reason the Empire banned summoning.

Since she knows, this matter is simple.

Luosen raised his eyebrows: "After careful investigation, I found that Levinde's royal guardian Sage, Frost Envoy Laifeng, privately cultivated the forbidden summoning art, and very likely has already become a puppet of the Huan Wai Xu Kong demon."

Erin gasped in shock, stopping her steps: "Impossible!"

Luosen also stopped, his eyes meeting hers without hesitation.

"I have no need to lie; recently, Levinde's elder Princess Molly fled to Weilan and personally told me this, and I myself witnessed the incredible power."

"If we hadn't newly developed immensely powerful thunderbolt weapons, relying solely on traditional magic would stand no chance against Laifeng."

Erin's heroic, spirited sword brows almost knit together: "Evidence? I want evidence!"

Luosen could originally have given ironclad proof—namely, the icy-blue demonic power—but it has already completely dissipated.

Even if it hadn't dissipated, he couldn't take it.

Because once he produced it, it would inevitably reveal his Ten Rings cultivation level.

And as he knows, the Radiant Empire is very wary of that.

So he could not produce ironclad proof, and a hint of 'embarrassment' appeared on his face.

"Laifeng hid himself very well, and Weilan is too far from Levinde, making investigation difficult, so what I have obtained are only some indirect supporting evidence; I will organize it later and send it to you."

"Of course, this is merely my personal opinion; Miss Erin may not believe it, but please give this matter due attention, relay the news to the Empress, and let her investigate thoroughly."

Erin nodded slowly: "What the Duke says is correct; this news is truly terrifying, and I indeed need to send it back home."

She was about to turn back to send the message, but after half a step she stopped again, turned to look at Luosen: "Duke, I suddenly find this matter quite interesting."

"Because our envoy stationed in Levinde has also received information very unfavorable to the Duke."

"Between your two countries, there is rather a feeling of mutual mud-slinging."

Luosen raised his eyebrows: "Unfavorable information, Miss Erin, what are you referring to?"

"The Levinde side says that the Duke possesses peak Ten Rings magical power."

As she said this, Erin stared at Luosen's eyes without blinking, seemingly wanting to carefully observe his reaction.

In response, Luosen wore a look of 'astonishment', then innocently spread his hands.

"Miss Erin, we have previously had the most intimate contact; I believe I have already been completely frank with you about the situation."

Erin's cheeks flushed slightly, she nodded: "Precisely because of that, I do not intend to secretly scheme against you, but to openly and publicly inquire."

"I also hope the Duke can give me an explanation convincing enough to be believable."

Actually, there are not a few travelers around Swan Lake, but they usually keep a polite distance from each other; this time, however, Luosen and Erin deliberately concealed their identities, conversing as private individuals, so there were no attendants following them.

At this moment, the two unknowingly walked onto a relatively secluded lakeside path, with no one in sight around them, making it an ideal spot for a private chat.

Thus, Luosen seized the moment to cast a silent crystal wall of pure water, as well as a light-based invisibility spell to hide his form.

Then, he explained with a sincere expression.

"Erin, I've said before, I have self-awareness; Weilan is merely a duchy, with no intention of being an enemy of your country."

"I also said, my power is only at the early stage of the Eighth Ring, and I lack the ability to advance."

"The magical implement Miss Erin previously brought back should already have made this clear."

Erin nodded: "Indeed, but if the Duke truly possesses Ten Rings ultimate magical power, you still have the ability to deceive the artifact's detection."

Luosen was puzzled: "I'm curious—even if I truly have Ten Rings ultimate magical power, is this matter more important than the invasion of the Void Demons?"

Erin shook her head: "Of course, the latter is still more important."

"Our nation possesses boundless power, fully capable of both resisting demons and eliminating other potential threats."

Luosen inwardly sighed: "Ah~ probably just the arrogance of the great empire."

He could fully understand this trait, because when a nation's scale reaches a certain level and is well organized, the power it can unleash is truly terrifying.

Over time, from the empress down to the citizens, they all develop a feeling of invincibility, of being able to do anything.

Same in other worlds, and nations on Earth are the same.

Even Luosen himself feels that if he sat in the empress's position, he might be even more arrogant than she.

At such times, relying on various lofty verbal arguments cannot change the other's mindset; after talking until you're hoarse, they'll just think you're a clown, and a single "Come fight me if you dare" can shut you down completely.

Only a truly heart-wrenching military defeat will make the citizens of a great nation regain clarity and reexamine their many shortcomings.

Luosen Ziran naturally wouldn't act as the clown spouting grand principles; thus he wore a look of "feeling" and said: "Your Majesty's bearing is truly admirable."

"So, what should I do to completely dispel Your Majesty's worries?" This is very important.

Because the current Natural Alliance is still scattered. In this state, the Radiant Empire can easily cause him great trouble.

For example, by backing a war proxy within the Alliance, supporting him with various powerful artifacts behind the scenes, specifically to duel Weilan, it would both make Weilan's life very difficult and greatly drain the Alliance's strength.

Another example: sending domestic strongmen directly to assassinate him.

If one fails, then ten, a hundred—even if Luosen ascends to legend, his days would be very miserable; even if he himself cannot die, his family would be wiped out.

He could of course counterattack, but basically the only option is assassination.

But assassination carries extremely high risk; an obvious fact is that the phase-transfer formation is definitely ineffective against the Radiant God.

Because if they know of the demons' existence, they must have set up a phase-sealing formation.

After comprehensive consideration, the best approach is to stay low-key, quietly unify the Alliance, and once we have the strength to match the Radiant Empire head-on, then properly reason with them.

On the other hand, seeing Luosen so candid, Erin personally already fully trusts him, but regardless, the Emperor's decree must still be carried out to the letter.

"Your Majesty needs some of the Duke's blood—not much, fifty milliliters will suffice."

Upon hearing this request, Luosen understood the other's intention, because fresh blood, like bodily tissue, contains a person's most basic soul information.

With sufficient fresh blood, one can perform a very powerful soul divination technique that can pierce all mists and directly observe a person's soul essence.

If it were before, Luosen truly wouldn't dare let the other obtain that much blood; even when he was intimate with Erin, he deliberately controlled the amount of bodily fluids secreted.

But now the situation is different.

The Ten Rings ultimate realm is insufficient to perfectly disguise the soul, because the Radiant Lord also possesses Ten Rings magical power, and both sides' soul sensitivity is on the same level.

Yet his current soul strength exceeds that of a Ten Rings ultimate expert by over twenty percent.

Twenty percent may not seem much, but the sensitivity to power is heightened by a full order of magnitude.

What was previously incomprehensible is now clear at a glance; what was once hard to control is now easy as pie.

Of course, this does not mean his power is invincible in the world, for the world's mysteries are endless, with various unfathomable secrets.

But having said that, in soul divination, Luosen can indeed achieve perfect disguise.

Thus he spread his hands: "Must it be blood? Fifty milliliters is not a small amount."

After a pause, he asked: "Would saliva work? Or urine?"

Erin couldn't help but want to roll her eyes: "Be serious, Duke—saliva might work, but urine definitely won't!"

"But you really intend for me to bring fifty milliliters of saliva to Your Majesty?"

Luosen waved his hands repeatedly: "I certainly would not be so disrespectful to Your Majesty."

"I can give fifty milliliters of blood—even a hundred milliliters is fine—but Miss Erin must give me some compensation first."

Erin's cheeks flushed with a 'peng' sound, she coquettishly said: "You're such a big guy—this little bit of blood is nothing, yet you still demand compensation?"

Luosen chuckled lightly: "You know what I want, Miss Erin."

Erin gave Luosen a sideways glance: "Tonight, then—I'll come find you tonight."

Luosen was satisfied: "The usual place?"

"Can't we change the place?"

Doing it in the study feels weird.

Luosen hehe laughed: "Actually, I've newly opened a dedicated restroom behind the study, with a large bed, a private washroom, and even a changing room."

"Duke, you're really a scoundrel. But fine, I'll come see you tonight."

Luosen, seeing no one around, pointed to his own cheek: "Miss Erin, give me a kiss."

Erin pursed her lips, then finally lifted her foot and did as told.

Luosen, of course, wouldn't be honest; taking the opportunity, he embraced her and held her tightly in his arms.

His entire behavior was that of a libertine duke utterly unrestrained by beauty.

Erin, while greatly enjoying this forbidden intimacy, secretly thought to herself.

"Her Majesty is too cautious—this duke is only twenty-one, not much older than the little king of Xiela, reaching the Eighth Ring is already peak talent; how could he possibly be Ten Rings ultimate?"

Levinde's news, at first glance, is slander. To go to such trouble to investigate—what for? I was just thinking that, when suddenly I felt the duke's hand had gone where it shouldn't, and I quickly stopped him: "Duke, this is not allowed!"

If anyone saw this, how could she ever face people again!

"This place is very remote, no one will come by, and we're protected by an Eight Ring barrier."

Erin still wanted to refuse, but her head felt dizzy, and somehow she just nodded.

After a series of chaotic actions, she heard the duke say: "Miss Erin, actually you can bring this thing to Your Majesty."

Erin gave Luosen a fierce glare, scolding: "Little Duke, you're being utterly disrespectful! Want to die?!"

She felt this duke was truly outrageous in private, and she didn't know if the Weilan people, seeing this aspect of the duke, would have their beliefs shattered to pieces.

Even if she were beaten to death, she wouldn't believe that such a ridiculous person could have the Ten Rings' ultimate magical power.

After concluding the slightly ridiculous lakeside trip, Ai Lin hurried back to the embassy.

Not long after, someone sent over a bottle of fresh blood in a glass jar, amounting to 100 milliliters, and deliberately added an anticoagulant.

The strong aura emanating from the blood showed that it was indeed the duke's blood.

Ai Lin was certain she wouldn't mistake this; she secretly commented: 'Although his private morals are utterly ridiculous, he is not at all confused in major matters.'

After freezing the blood, she had it swiftly sent back to the empire, and also transmitted the information about the demon invasion of Levinde through a secret optical channel back home.

The information naturally arrived before the blood.

From her side, within less than an hour, the news reached Meidaxilin Cheng and was placed on the empress's desk.

The empress took the document and examined it carefully.

The first part relieved her, but the second part made her frown again.

"It seems that La Fengge really has a big problem!"

Not only because of the information sent back by Ai Lin, but the empire's envoy to Levinde also discovered many suspicious details, with both sides corroborating each other, enough to explain many things.

She lightly tapped the table, and after a while she drafted a top-secret document: 'Do not directly intervene in the conflict between Weilan and Levinde; instead, maintain neutral observation.'

After writing it, she had the maid distribute the document, and the empress promptly drafted another top-secret document.

"Imperial Shadow Guard, Sixth Special Action Unit, proceed immediately to Levinde to investigate the demon invasion of the Levinde royal family."

Why is it called the Special Action Unit? It is a corps established specifically to counter demon invasions; its related training and use of magical equipment were all developed at great expense by the empire's weapons research department, taking demons as the hypothetical enemy.

After sending the document again, the empress rose from behind her desk and walked to the huge light window in the study.

Through this specially made large window, one could overlook the scenery of the entire Meidaxilin Cheng.

After gazing for a long time, she silently asked in her heart: 'Grandfather, can we resist the void demons?'

After a dozen seconds, she received a response in her mind: 'If we cannot, then no one on the White Continent can.'

"What about the Holy Elf Empire?"

"They are strong, but the conflict between the sun god Boluo and the moon god Duola is deepening, which the void demons will surely exploit, becoming the spark of their internal strife."

"Zhuo Ya, my granddaughter, this world can only be saved by us."

(End of chapter)