Chapter 72: Of the Same Kind

"So, I've inexplicably become a noble?"

Amidst the insincere applause of the nobles, Li En returned to the lower platform, still as if in a dream.

Looking at the knight's medal on his chest, Li En still felt somewhat ambiguous.

The Third-Rank Knight title is the lowest noble rank, non-hereditary, without fiefdom or franchise rights, yet it has stepped into the world of the kingdom's upper echelons.

"This should be a good thing?"

What Li En does afterward will encounter far fewer troubles.

For instance, personal tax exemption, convenience in finding people to handle matters, and doors to government departments will open wide.

Even opening a small shop to earn some money would allow for tax reduction on business income without worrying about trouble coming to the door.

Even today, when the royal house is weak and "titles" are inevitably distributed widely, a noble title is not so easily obtained, let alone...

"This must be Princess Dai Niya's first knight investiture."

"As expected, Li En and the others are the Princess's people; no wonder Viscount Sudar is protecting him so fiercely."

The murmurs of the surrounding nobles were not concealed.

From the moment Li En entered the slave market, received support from Miss Shaliman, and had his marriage announced, he was regarded as the Princess's person.

But accepting the investiture and title now is equivalent to locking in his political stance completely... Her Highness is actually a bit unscrupulous; acting first and reporting later, what about us?

Li En glanced at the little girl above, still speaking confidently, who seemed to have not considered at all the possibility that this "commoner" would refuse the knight title on the spot, leaving her with no way to save face.

A normal commoner naturally would not refuse; Talia on the side clearly showed a smile, as she would have more to do afterward... but the transmigrator Li En is hard to say; he might really refuse to give face directly.

"Sigh." What else can be done? Let's forgive her; after all, she is so cute.

Anyway, Li En must pick a side; currently, it seems the Wangshi Sect is indeed the only choice.

"Pfft! I'm working for my daughter! Justice is gone!" Ku Ku was still gloating.

"Shut up." Li En seemed a bit annoyed and ashamed.

The investiture ended, followed by honoring some of the meritorious personnel in this encirclement; various officials and soldiers, known and unknown to Li En, came up, and the applause was much more enthusiastic, even though those below probably didn't know what they had done.

And this was still only the beginning; at the appropriate time, Dai Niya went directly to the stage herself to deliver her first public speech.

"... Our kingdom has always been in the midst of storms, and this crisis might also be an opportunity..."

Dai Niya organized a special ceremony to meet the nobles of this city face-to-face; of course, it was not merely to invest a few commoner heroes... they were not qualified, nor worth such a grand scene.

This was equivalent to a formal meeting between Dai Niya, even the royal house, and the high officials of Radiant City; it could even be said to be the royal house's direct interference within Radiant City.

Many nobles came to show support, actually waiting to see a spectacle, but now it seems the situation is a bit off.

"Pastor Kahn actually came too."

"Isn't that Vice President Suo Luoda of the Explorer Guild? Didn't he already retire? Why is he standing in for the Princess?"

Behind the Princess stood too many big shots, including many bosses from transnational organizations.

While Li En's side was busy, Dai Niya had not rested for a moment.

At her position, the things to consider are far more complex; every step of action could be ambushed by anti-royal factions.

Once she truly starts acting, it must be with the force of thunder.

"... For those cultists, we will likewise cut them down to the end. If they are in noble residences, strip their titles and burn their mansions; if they hide in temples, strip their clerical posts and hang them; if they are in cellars, drag them out into the sunlight and let them bake to death."

Primarily, it is probably the attitude of pursuing the Beast Cult to the end; at least the kingdom's official stance must be clear.

Regarding the Beast Cult, most international organizations share the same attitude: find them anywhere and kill them immediately; the Princess is only quoting a famous line from some big shot previously.

Once this is spoken, with big shots standing behind her, it means that from tomorrow on, the Beast Cult will truly become the kingdom's mortal enemy, pursued to the end at every level.

But merely this would still not be worth making such a grand scene.

This time inviting nearly half of Radiant City's high officials and great nobles naturally meant there was a main dish.

"... In the next half year, the kingdom will carry out comprehensive development of the underground ruins in Radiant City. We will encourage anyone to explore them and provide support and additional rewards."

This is the true main storyline.

The other Hero Candidates, knowing the "Beast" underground is about to awaken, will not regard it as the number one major threat.

They will subconsciously feel this should be the kingdom's official matter; they are more likely to try to leak the news to the officials.

And Princess Dai Niya is the official.

She does not intend to entrust this responsibility to others; she has decided to do it herself!

"... This will not be an action by the kingdom alone. The Explorer Association, Physicians Association, Alchemists Association, Craftsmen Association, Magic Association, Magical Girl Fan Club, and ten other pan-continent organizations will be the hosts, while the six True God Churches including Hu Dun will fully support..."

Uh, is there something strange among them?

While Li En's group was outwitting evil in the dock district, Dai Niya was also on her own battlefield, outwitting the True God Churches and international organizations.

To truly solve the underground problem, relying solely on the kingdom, which has already crumbled into pieces, is impossible.

This matter must be thrown out to attract forces from all sides to interfere and strive together.

Rather than letting the "Beast" break free in two years, as a diligent and qualified politician, Dai Niya attempts to press it back early; this is being responsible to the kingdom and the people.

But from another angle, perhaps this is also an opportunity for internal factions within the kingdom to regroup; the Princess did not conceal that she called this an "opportunity."

Now, seizing the opportunity of the investiture, it serves as a summary and definition of previous events, elevating the fight against cultists to the kingdom's encirclement of the "Beast." Ordinary people, even ordinary nobles, may not understand, but those True God Churches and big organizations do.

They also know the danger of the Beast and are unwilling to see it break free and bring a world-class disaster.

But no one has surplus grain; crises exist everywhere on the continent; how many resources and capabilities can be offered must be negotiated.

Who knows how many houses Dai Niya visited and how many talks she held these days, but now being able to present this list, even if it is merely nominal support by signing organizations, is her great victory.

Under such circumstances, she indeed had little energy to pay attention to Li En's side...

In fact, even if Li En's squad was wiped out, it would not affect what she needs to do next, but if they win, of course, that is better; it can be seen as a successful start.

Or from her perspective, personally investing them and placing them under the Royal Faction is also protection for these "seeds of the kingdom's revival."

"This girl looks quite tired." Looking at the red-haired little girl's dark circles concealed by foundation, Li En also felt some emotion.

The underground ruins are troublesome, but with so many families interfering together, there is at least a possibility of a solution.

Li En even guessed what would happen next — his group would probably be recruited along the way.

"Everyone, Her Highness the Princess requests your presence; please wait briefly in the small hall." Sure enough, as soon as Li En's group came down from the stage, a maid led them to the side hall.

However, Li En was guided somewhere unexpected.

"Sir Knight Li En, please wait a moment — someone wishes to see you. The Princess knows you will arrive a little later."

Even the Princess's audience can be postponed? Who could this person be? Li En vaguely formed a guess — this was probably the real big shot who had specifically asked to see him.

And in another small room set aside for private talks, Li En saw her.

A "maiden" who looked not much older than Dai Niya, her mage's gown far too resplendent — vivid purples and reds producing a hallucinatory visual effect — was smiling at him.

What drew the eye most were probably the snake-scale hairpins she wore, and the great serpent coiled around her staff.

Li En observed her carefully, yet it was as if he saw nothing clearly, could not even retain the girl's features — only feeling that she must be very beautiful and very lovely.

She, it seemed, was looking past Li En, at his back.

"Indeed, the scent of a 'beast' — but it is—"

In the next instant, the girl was right before him, and with a winsome smile she lightly sniffed at Li En's neck.

This was not Talia's searching; it felt more like some unknown gesture of friendly courtesy.

". Hello, kindred." The woman smiled, baring her teeth — her forked serpent's tongue was especially alluring.

(End of this chapter)