Chapter 453: The Serpent Speaker

The grand ceremony lasted only a quarter of an hour before ending.

The image on Baroske faded, returning to a gray‑white cold sky, but the effects of the ceremony had just begun; the hundreds of thousands of Baroske City residents, still lingering with their gazes, almost nobody continued with their own affairs, instead loudly debating with family, friends, or strangers.

This "live broadcast" ceremony, both in form and in the message it conveyed, greatly shocked everyone.

As Kangjiatuo's busiest port, the major families had placed agents in Baroske; now the news that the dragonborn had officially returned and that the Feishe family had pledged loyalty, spread by various means, would be known throughout the kingdom within two days.

This is exactly the result Lei En wanted.

He looked at Duke Feishe; his Soul Eye showed the other's emotions were stable, with no longer any of the previous subtle fluctuations.

Obviously, the duke had accepted reality and dared not entertain any second thoughts.

Aimilisi sat in the high‑backed chair, her face brimming with uncontrollable joy; the repeated "Your Majesty the Queen" sounded in her ears, making it feel somewhat unreal—excited, thrilled, and bewildered all at once, a flood of emotions that left her unable to recover for a long time.

"Your Majesty the Queen."

Duke Feishe waited until the image in the sky vanished, then reported, "Everyone in the city saw the ceremony just now; Mark will soon receive the news and must prepare quickly, but my sturgeon warriors... moreover, my vassals need time to muster their armies."

He paused there, and everyone understood his meaning.

The River Bay Legion had just suffered a severe loss; many sturgeon warriors were back‑fired by the collapse of the water‑screen shield, their souls wounded, and some still had injuries that hadn't healed, making immediate deployment impossible.

Aimilisi nodded in understanding.

"Lord Lifsi, how long will your army need before it can set out?"

Duke Feishe thought for a few breaths and replied, "At least five days." That was already very rushed; five days wouldn't be enough for the sturgeon warriors' injuries to fully heal.

Unexpectedly, Aimilisi didn't press, but smiled, "I'll give you seven days."

Duke Feishe was greatly surprised; speed is vital in war, each day is precious, and even a few hours' delay can affect the outcome. After seven days, Mark would surely have mustered his forces in the capital Jinslan, perhaps even launching a proactive strike.

Aimilisi saw his doubt, smiled and said, "Lord Lifsi need not worry; just gather the army."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Duke Feishe turned to his vassals and ordered, "Return immediately to your domains, muster your knights and Transcendents, and reach Baroske within three days; anyone arriving late will be deemed a traitor."

With Viscount Vadeflei's previous example as a warning, none of the lords dared to object.

One by one they left the White River Hall, racing back to their lands.

Later, Duke Feishe invited everyone to a more secluded council chamber on the upper level of Baroske, seating Aimilisi at the head while his vassals sat among the others.

"Your Majesty, might seven days be too long and affect the restoration plan?" Duke Feishe asked gravely, "Mark has just been fighting Duke Dans for months; his troops are exhausted and casualties haven't been replenished. This opportunity should be seized."

He had already assumed his role, considering matters from the Zhuogeng Castle family's perspective.

This filled Aimilisi with deep satisfaction.

As for Duke Feishe's question, before landing in Kangjiatuo, she had already discussed it with Lei En, Walogen and others.

Lei En smiled slightly and explained, "Lord Duke, our strategy is not a surprise attack but to defeat the enemy honorably."

"That is not easy."

Duke Feishe disagreed, "Mark's Giant Deer Legion is the strongest in Kangjiatuo, the number of Transcendents ranks second, only behind Duke Brandon of the North's Ice Wolf Knights. Moreover, Duke Brandon is Mark's staunchest ally, plus the Etes family's Snow Eagle Guard, and the vassals, knights, and Transcendents of the three great families, together can field a Transcendent army of over 30,000, with twenty legendary heroes. Even if we defeat them head‑on, the cost will be enormous."

"Months ago, when Mark campaigned against Duke Dans, he sent only half his forces yet suppressed the Dans family, the Moersi family, and our three‑family alliance. If Duke Dans hadn't learned before the final battle that Your Majesty would soon return to Kangjiatuo, the alliance might already have been defeated."

At this point, Duke Feishe half‑truthfully showed concern.

The previous Kangjiatuo civil war seemed lively but was not truly devastating; both sides exercised restraint, and the alliance was backed by three deities. The Seven Gods would not allow the Laobodier family to dominate and fully rule the Kangjiatuo Kingdom.

Even if Mark won, he would not dare to truly eradicate the three great families; he would be forced to cede land and pay reparations.

This usurper merely seeks to wash away his own disgrace.

"The three‑family alliance can't do it, but that doesn't mean we can't," Lei En said, fully aware of the situation; Walogen had been gathering intelligence daily and sharing it, and he knew this was Duke Feishe testing our strength, adding, "Lord Duke, you have never truly seen the Wizard Corps in war, nor experienced the full might of my Ultimate Corps and the Gunwing Knights."

"Our war is not decided merely by numbers," Lei En said with a meaningful smile, then slowly continued:

"Lord Duke, the times have changed."

Duke Feishe's complexion shifted as he recalled yesterday's battle; after the water‑screen shield collapsed, if the Wizard Corps had released a third round of Meteor Burst, Baroske would now be ruins.

"Lord Lifsi, I returned to Kangjiatuo to govern, not to destroy," Aimilisi added, "We will advance step by step, from south to north, reclaim territories, gain the support of the great families, the noble lords, especially the people of Kangjiatuo."

"The more stand with us, the fewer the enemies."

"When Mark gathers his forces, our strength will also grow; no scheming needed, the two sides will finally clash, and we shall surely win!"

Aimilisi's tone was full of confidence, as if she already saw herself ascending the Iron Throne.

Everyone was inspired by her confidence; Duke Feishe's heart also surged, and he cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, where is our next target?"

"Windrage Fortress."

Duke Feishe realized he had guessed wrong again; Lei En had just said we would advance step by step, so why the sudden move on Windrage Fortress?

Windrage Fortress is a military stronghold as well as a city.

It lies within the Laobodier family's lands, on Kangjiatuo's southeastern coast; the terrain is steep, battered year‑round by fierce storms, making it easy to defend but hard to attack. The city holds only a few tens of thousands of people, yet it is the Laobodier family's core fief, with a three‑thousand‑year lineage, making it one of Kangjiatuo's oldest castles.

Forty years ago, after Mark usurped the Iron Throne, he annexed the Zhuogeng Castle family's lands, and the Laobodier family's focus shifted to the capital Jinslan.

The Laobodier Duchy is not fertile; it borders the Feishe Duchy, together dividing Kangjiatuo's south in two. Yet in terms of crop yield, transport, or harsh weather, the Laobodier Duchy falls far short of the Feishe Duchy.

However, the harsh environment forged the strength of the Giant Deer Warriors, cultivating the strongest bloodlines.

After the Laobodier family gained the capital, the status of their lands gradually waned.

Windrage Fortress also lost its former importance; Mark granted it to his brother Prince Dilan, and he has not returned for years, using it merely as a training base for Giant Deer Warriors. Every Giant Deer Warrior who awakens their bloodline leaves Windrage Fortress for the capital.

The nobles within the Laobodier lands gradually moved to the capital, leading lives of lavish indulgence.

Its conquest value is far less than that of the Moersi Duchy in the north of the Feishe Duchy.

"Your Majesty, I don't quite understand," Duke Feishe said bluntly.

Aimilisi gave no explanation, "In a few days you'll understand." The council then discussed some details before dispersing.

Four days later, inside and outside Baroske, a Transcendent Army of over three thousand gathered.

The Feishe Duchy's lords dared not delay; they summoned their knights and Transcendents. Twelve lords in total, the wealthiest marquis fielded five hundred troops, the smallest baron brought forty‑five, nearly all forces poured out.

Adding the Feishe family's River Bay Legion and Transcendents brought the total to two thousand.

Five thousand half‑centaur troops and five thousand Supernatural corps, combined, instantly brought the number of troops under Ai Mi Li Si's command to over ten thousand.

With so many Supernaturals gathered, food, drink, waste and sleep already pose a considerable problem.

On top of that they must manage and reorganize, enforce strict discipline, and mediate the frictions among the lords; Wa Luo Gen and Fei She were swamped, taking two days to finish integrating the ten‑thousand‑strong army.

"Your Majesty," Fei She reported in the council hall, "everything is ready; the army can depart tomorrow."

"Lord Lei Fu Si, Wa Luo Gen, you've both worked hard these days," Ai Mi Li Si said, showing appropriate concern.

Both replied that it was their duty.

Fei She, having passed the weak period and healed his wounds, as a Legendary High‑rank Sturgeon Warrior could go half a month without sleep without issue; Wa Luo Gen's strength was slightly lower, yet showed no fatigue, his eyes bright, the long‑planned enterprise progressing smoothly, which made his spirit increasingly exhilarated.

At that moment a high‑rank Supernatural mercenary entered and handed Wa Luo Gen a note.

He opened it, glanced, then folded it back.

Ai Mi Li Si asked, "What is it?"

Wa Luo Gen's gaze swept the council hall, hesitated a moment, and said, "Your Majesty, an important figure has arrived outside Ben Liu Bao, requesting an audience."

Ai Mi Li Si sprang up, "He's arrived?"

"Yes."

"Invite him in quickly."

Wa Luo Gen sent the high‑rank mercenary out to fetch the guest. The exchange between him and Ai Mi Li Si left everyone in the hall bewildered; even Lei En didn't know who it was, let alone Fei She.

Lei En furrowed his brow, activated his Soul Eye, and found that apart from Ai Mi Li Si and Wa Luo Gen, only A Si Tan seemed to know the details, while Ding La Ji was completely in the dark.

This was clearly the most confidential matter for Ai Mi Li Si and her companions.

It had been concealed all the way until now.

"Lei En…"

Ai Mi Li Si turned her head, a hint of apology and some apprehension on her face. She silently thanked that the two Weizelan chairmen were absent; if they pressed, she didn't know how to explain.

Lei En shrugged, saying nothing.

Soon the high‑rank mercenary entered the council hall with four people cloaked in long robes, their faces hidden in hoods, drawing everyone's gaze.

They stepped in and simultaneously lifted their hoods.

"Salutations, Your Majesty the Queen!"

"Salutations, Dragon Lord!"

The four's titles differed; leading them was an ordinary‑looking middle‑aged man, of balanced build, clad in inconspicuous gray‑white leather armor, with short black hair, his eyes slightly gloomy and his aura dark; when people looked at him they felt an inexplicable unease, as if they were staring at a venomous snake rather than a man.

Lei En didn't recognize him, but someone else did.

Fei She couldn't help standing, his face shocked, and shouted, "Pei De Luo*Mo Er Si!" The other bowed gracefully and, in a hoarse voice, said, "Your Grace the Duke, we meet again."

Hearing the surname Mo Er Si, Lei En instantly understood.

He came from the Mo Er Si Principality.

His Soul Eye also confirmed it; he is a Legendary Mid‑stage "Snake Speaker", already at level fifteen, immensely powerful, just one level short of entering Legendary High‑rank.

The Snake Speaker is one of Kangjiatuo's seven Supernatural professions, merging with the "Dark Sand King Snake", able to communicate with serpents, adept at stealthy ambushes and using potent toxins, moving as fast and nimble as lightning; the Mo Er Si family's "Poison Snake Legion" is feared throughout Kangjiatuo.

The Mo Er Si clan is Kangjiatuo's oldest family, without equal, even older than the Zhuo Geng Bao clan.

They worship the "God of Venom and Snake‑people Setarinna", one of Kangjiatuo's seven deities.

The Mo Er Si Principality differs from the other six principalities; its ruling family members are not titled "Duke" but call themselves "Prince" or "Queen", with siblings sharing the same titles, and both sexes possess inheritance rights.

The man before them, Pei De Luo*Mo Er Si, is a Prince, second only to his elder brother Prince Duo Lang.

A Mo Er Si prince appearing at Ben Liu Bao and addressing Ai Mi Li Si as queen carries an enormous amount of information!

Lei En suddenly realized that the Mo Er Si family had long pledged allegiance to the Zhuo Geng Bao clan.

This is undoubtedly Ai Mi Li Si's greatest secret; only a few of her most trusted confidants know it. When the restoration plan was originally drafted, the Mo Er Si family was never mentioned, deliberately bypassed.

However, Lei En's Soul Eye saw even more information.

The three people behind Pei De Luo*Mo Er Si were not "Snake Speakers"; they bore a dragon's aura, bearing a striking resemblance to Dragon‑Born Apostles!

"What kind of Supernatural profession is this?" Lei En asked, puzzled.

(End of Chapter)