Chapter 241: Kneeling Welcome

He carefully folded the letter and sealed it in a special envelope.

The edge of the envelope was coated with a layer of anti-peeping alchemical paint to ensure that the content would not be stolen by third parties, and then handed it to the big-mouthed parrot.

"Fly to the Royal Capital of the Kingdom of Faluo, find Andre Faluo."

Luo En ordered softly, simultaneously inputting a wisp of spiritual power, branding Andre's magical power mark in the bird's consciousness to ensure it could accurately find the target.

The big-mouthed parrot let out a hoarse cry, spread its wings, and quickly disappeared into the sky.

After sending away the messenger, Luo En returned to the meditation state, continuing to absorb the power of the stars, perfecting his "Star Projection" technique.

He could feel the magical power pool expanding slowly but steadily; although this growth was not as violent as during the breakthrough, the long-term accumulation would be extremely considerable.

【《The Star Eater's Babble》 (Proficient) Experience +1】

【You are currently in the "Star Mapping" state, magical power is continuously rising】

Kingdom of Faluo, Royal Palace Council Chamber.

The golden-haired Andre sat at the head of the long table, wearing gorgeous royal ceremonial robes, with a gold badge representing his status as Crown Prince pinned to his chest, engraved with the sun crown family crest of the Faluo royal family.

His changes were more obvious than when he left the Black Fog Jungle—not only was his attire more gorgeous, but his temperament had also undergone a transformation.

That ambition once hidden under an elegant appearance had now completely emerged, no longer hidden, but instead became the most eye-catching trait on him.

Golden vertical pupils revealed an unquestionable majesty, and every look and every movement carried a bit of a king's bearing.

The originally elegant aristocratic temperament had now completely transformed into the calmness and confidence of a ruler.

That change was not only external but also a fundamental transformation of internal temperament, as if he were born to sit in that position.

"The search in the West District has been completed, and no abnormalities have been found."

A guard captain wearing shiny armor reported with his head lowered, his voice respectful and restrained.

His armor was engraved with the emblem of the Sun Crown Knights, showing his elite status.

Andre's fingers tapped lightly on the chair armrest:

"What about the South District? That is my eldest brother's sphere of influence; how is the situation?"

"The South District is still being searched, and it is expected to take two days to complete." The guard captain replied, his voice carrying caution:

"The building structure there is more complex, with numerous underground passages, requiring careful screening. Moreover, the residents there are relatively resistant to our search operations, and progress is slower than expected."

A cold light flashed in Andre's eyes:

"Continue the search, and be sure not to miss any suspicious places. Especially those secret passages leading out of the city must be completely blocked. If the residents of the South District dare to obstruct, treat it as treason."

The guard captain stood at attention and saluted, then retreated. His footsteps echoed on the marble floor, sounding exceptionally clear.

When the last official left, Andre finally breathed a sigh of relief, leaning back in his chair.

He rubbed his temples, the cold expression on his face relaxing slightly, revealing some fatigue.

This was one of the few moments of solitude he had had in the past few months, without needing to maintain that perfect ruler image.

Since returning to the kingdom, he had not truly rested.

The bloody struggles within the royal family were far more intense than he had expected, and he faced new crises and challenges every day.

Of his fifteen brothers and sisters, three had already died in assassinations, two had gone missing during their escape, four had been confirmed to have deformed, and the rest were constantly struggling to survive.

The conspiracies, betrayals, and sacrifices involved were far more complex and bloody than outsiders could imagine.

Even Andre himself was often shocked and uneasy.

Fortunately, the Goddess of Luck seemed to have always favored him.

In the first few difficult months after returning to the country, he relied on his powerful bloodline strength and the weapons and equipment provided by Luo En to successfully repel several fatal assassinations.

That long sword flashing with deep red light had saved his life countless times;

That silver-white breastplate had also blocked countless hidden weapons and spell attacks for him.

Coupled with the show of power when he first returned, and killing his own brother in the imperial duel, his momentum had expanded rapidly.

As he took this opportunity to gradually master more military power, the situation began to develop in a direction favorable to him.

He first won over the generals of several elite troops on the border, then used these forces to gradually erode the military forces of those brothers.

Finally, in a clever coup, he seized control of the Royal Capital.

After the news of his father's critical illness spread, he took action quickly, seizing most of the military power in the Royal Capital in one fell swoop, and began large-scale arrests of his brothers and sisters.

Those princes and princesses who were once high and mighty and arrogant were now either fleeing outside or had become his prisoners.

"Your Highness." A deep voice interrupted Andre's thoughts.

He looked up and saw an old man in red robes walking slowly.

The old man had gray hair, his face covered with the traces of time, and deep wrinkles crisscrossed like gullies.

But those blue eyes were still bright and spirited, revealing a kind of extraordinary wisdom.

In his eyes, it seemed to contain insight and understanding of everything in the world.

This was Andre's grandfather—August Faluo, the only high-stage apprentice in the kingdom, regarded by the royal family as the most important advisor.

Andre stood up immediately, his face returning to that calm and self-possessed expression.

Despite the grandfather-grandson relationship, in occasions involving power, the two always maintained a subtle distance and vigilance.

"Grandfather, shouldn't you be resting?"

He asked, his voice carrying both concern and some vigilance.

August waved his hand and sat slowly in the chair opposite Andre.

"What time is it, and you're talking about resting?"

The old man's voice was low and hoarse, carrying an undisguised worry:

"The old man just received news that an abyssal aura leakage event occurred at the Black Fog School, and the school has now begun to evacuate, fearing it cannot even protect itself."

Andre's expression immediately became solemn: "What? Is the news accurate?"

He had been busy with the struggle for the throne recently and had reduced contact with the Black Fog School.

But this news was of great importance; if the school really faced a crisis, then his connection with Luo En might also be affected.

Moreover, this level of crisis could spread to surrounding areas, even affecting the stability of the Kingdom of Faluo.

August nodded, a look of worry appearing on his face.

His aged fingers unconsciously rubbed an ancient badge on his robe, which was a symbol of his identity when he practiced at the Black Fog School:

"Very accurate. This news came through my old friend Hom, who happened to leave the school before the evacuation.

According to his description, the school has already shown obvious signs of pollution, especially in the areas near the abyssal passage, where traces of deformed creatures have begun to appear."

The old man paused, a flash of disdain in his eyes:

"Speaking of which, that Luo En you have always been proud of is probably trapped in a crisis and unable to escape right now.

Just an apprentice who hasn't even taken shape; facing this kind of crisis, the possibility of escaping unscathed is minimal."

Andre frowned, but did not refute. He understood that his grandfather had always been skeptical of Luo En.

This attitude was not too rare for these rigid and old superiors.

They often found it difficult to truly acknowledge the value of newcomers in order to maintain their authority, unless they witnessed their power with their own eyes.

"In addition." August's voice lowered, his tone carrying a hint of reproach:

"Your recent actions have been too radical. Large-scale arrests of brothers and sisters, forcing them into a dead end, leading some to even choose the path of deformation, bringing shame to the royal family."

As he spoke, the old man's gaze became severe, and that kind of kind appearance suddenly revealed a temperament as sharp as a knife:

"The struggle for the throne is understandable, but completely severing family ties and blood-washing the royal family is really too much.

Your brothers are certainly not good things, but at least they all understand propriety and know how to play power politics without damaging the overall interests of the royal family. They just wanted to drive you out, not completely erase you."

A cold light appeared in Andre's eyes, and his facial muscles tightened involuntarily.

He felt a familiar anger wandering in his blood vessels; that was the instinctive reaction of the Red Blood Flying Dragon bloodline.

But he quickly regained his calm, taking a deep breath to suppress that impulse.

The expression management skills he had specifically trained in were particularly useful on such occasions.

Emotion is the most unreliable advisor, especially in power struggles, where a moment of impulse could lead to irreversible consequences.

"Grandfather, I know you are worried about the unity of the royal family, but the current situation does not allow for any hesitation."

He explained earnestly, his voice carrying unquestionable firmness:

"Eldest brother and second brother had already begun laying out plans, intending to seize power when Father passed away.

They secretly bought off the captain of the Royal Guard and even prepared forged royal edicts.

If I hadn't taken the initiative, I fear the one standing here would be one of them, and I might have already been secretly executed."

Andre's memory returned to the days when he first returned to the Royal Capital; behind his eldest brother's enthusiastic welcome were carefully designed traps, and his second brother's kind concern covered up fatal poison.

If not for Luo En's gifts and warnings, he might have died long ago.

August sighed long, a flash of helplessness in his eyes.

His fingers unconsciously swiped across his robe:

"You are too impatient, Andre. Inheriting the throne requires not only courage and decisiveness but also wisdom and patience.

If all your brothers and sisters become enemies, you will live in fear and suspicion forever, and even if you sit on the throne, it will be difficult to feel at ease."

The old man's gaze became sharp, looking straight into Andre's eyes, as if he could penetrate all disguises and reach the depths of his soul:

"Every step of your actions must lay the foundation for your future rule.

Now that you are slaughtering like this, by the day you truly sit on the throne, I fear few nobles will dare to express their true thoughts to you.

A king needs loyalty, but also needs true voices, otherwise, it is easy to be blinded by flattery and lies."

Andre was about to answer when a sharp cry suddenly came from outside the window, interrupting the two's conversation.

August was slightly startled by this sudden sound, raising his hand reflexively to prepare for a spell.

A black bird with a body twice the size of an ordinary parrot appeared on the windowsill, its red eyes flashing with unnatural light, its beak slightly open, revealing the rolled-up letter inside.

Its feathers shone with a metallic luster in the sunlight, and its entire body exuded the aura of a non-natural creature.

Andre recognized this special messenger bird at a glance; this was a letter-sending tool specifically cultivated by the school.

He immediately stood up and walked to the window, taking the letter from the parrot's mouth.

The parrot let out a satisfied cry, then flapped its wings and left, disappearing into the sky.

When he unfolded the letter, his golden vertical pupils swept across the content, and a look of undisguised surprise appeared on his face.

That kind of joy was not the polite smile of social occasions, but an ecstatic joy from the heart, even causing his dragon pupils to contract and expand uncontrollably.

"Luo En is about to arrive at the Royal Capital?"

August noticed the change in his grandson's expression and asked. His voice was calm, but his eyes were exceptionally vigilant, as if facing some potential danger.

A smile appeared on the corner of Andre's mouth, and a kind of victorious light flashed in his eyes, just like a gambler seeing the perfect hand of cards:

"Not only that, he has successfully been promoted to a formal wizard."

"What?!" August stood up abruptly, the wrinkles on his face twisted in shock, his eyes widened like copper bells:

"Promotion? Formal wizard? Absurd! How could he complete the promotion in such a short time? The school could not have easily granted the key potion; this is simply a fantasy!"

The old man's reaction was somewhat excessive, his voice trembling due to emotional agitation, even forgetting to maintain his consistent calmness and restraint.

His palm covered with wrinkles squeezed tightly subconsciously, his knuckles turning white due to excessive force, as if wanting to grab the letter and confirm it himself.

As a senior high-stage apprentice, he knew the difficulty of promotion better than ordinary people.

The gap between a formal wizard and a high-stage apprentice is a fundamental chasm, not just an improvement in ability, but a transformation of life form.

A high-stage apprentice, no matter how powerful, is just a mortal body, while even the weakest formal wizard has already shed most of the weaknesses and limitations of biological beings, with heaven-and-earth differences in lifespan, potential, and use of magical power.

"You must have been deceived."

August shook his head, his tone firm, his voice carrying a kind of earnest teaching from an elder to a younger generation:

"That Luo En might have fabricated this lie in order to exaggerate his strength in front of you.

Although it is said that there are special ways to advance besides the key potion, the success rate is almost negligible; even with superior spiritual power aptitude, without the blessing of special talent, it is almost impossible to succeed."

"No, Grandfather, Luo En is not an ordinary person."

Andre said firmly, flames of excitement burning in his eyes.

Those flames were so intense that they even made August feel a hint of unease.

"If anyone else said such things, I would also feel suspicious."

Andre continued, his voice full of firm confidence:

"But for Luo En, I have deep conviction. From the first time I met him, he showed ability and potential beyond ordinary people."

His golden vertical pupils flashed with peculiar light, as if witnessing a great secret:

"He is different, Grandfather. From a sixth-star edge candidate apprentice, to a high-stage apprentice, to the current formal wizard, all of this is indicating a truth—he is not a mortal."

August was silent for a moment, his brows locked, falling into deep thought.

As an experienced high-stage apprentice, he had a deep understanding of the difficulty of wizard promotion.

Reaching a formal wizard from a sixth-star aptitude was almost an unheard-of miracle, but if it were true...

"I hope so."

August finally sighed, his tone carrying both doubt and a hint of hidden expectation:

"The support of a formal wizard can indeed improve our situation a lot."

Saying this, Andre shook the bell on the table lightly; the bell sound was crisp and pleasant, with strong penetrating power.

Soon, an attendant in a red uniform stepped into the hall, bowed his head, and waited for orders.

"Three days later, I want to hold a grand welcome ceremony."

Andre ordered, expectation flashing in his eyes, his voice clear and firm:

"Open the city gates, let all the civilians in the city come out to welcome a distinguished guest who is about to visit.

Send the Royal Guard to kneel and welcome him ten miles outside the city, and pave the way with flowers and brocade, welcoming this distinguished guest with the highest specifications. Let everyone in the city know that the kingdom's most powerful ally is about to arrive."

Although the attendant was somewhat surprised, he still recorded the instructions respectfully, clearly accustomed to the prince's various bold measures recently:

"As you command, Your Highness. May I ask who this distinguished guest is..."

"Wizard Luo En Ralph."

Andre's voice was full of pride, as if announcing a great achievement:

"A formal wizard, and also our kingdom's most important ally in the future. I hope this welcome can become one of the grandest welcome ceremonies in the history of the Royal Capital, letting everyone remember this day."

A look of astonishment flashed in the attendant's eyes, then he bowed and retreated, hurrying to arrange this unprecedented welcome ceremony.

The footsteps echoed on the marble floor, gradually moving away, leaving only a room of silence.

August watched all this from the side, the doubt in his eyes not fading, but instead adding a hint of deep worry.

He did not believe in miracles, only in stable power tested by time.

"You are too trusting of this so-called friend."

The old man stood up slowly, his voice low and serious, carrying the authority unique to elders:

"Don't forget, formal wizards have their own status and principles; their horizons have already exceeded the pattern of kings and kingdoms.

Once promoted to a formal wizard, the vision will be completely changed, and they are usually not very interested in the affairs of the kingdom and the mortal world.

You cannot expect a newly promoted wizard to invest too much energy in your struggle for the throne; they have a broader world to explore."

Andre smiled slightly, a flash of confidence in his eyes:

"Grandfather, Luo En is different from other wizards.

The connection between us is not just an exchange of status and interests, but a true friendship.

And he is coming, which also shows that he has taken a fancy to some things I have in my hands now..."

August shook his head and said no more. He saw that Andre had made up his mind, and any persuasion would be difficult to change his thoughts.

This young man was too confident and too trusting of the wizard named Luo En; this combination often led to dangerous consequences in power struggles.

The old man walked out of the hall slowly, his heart full of worry. He did not know what kind of agreement Andre and the wizard named Luo En had.

But he was certain that the appearance of a formal wizard would completely change the future direction of the Kingdom of Faluo, and this change might be far beyond Andre's control.

Regardless of whether this change was good or bad, it would be profound and irreversible.

The will of a wizard is enough to change the fate of a kingdom.

Just like a stone thrown into a calm lake.

Even the smallest ripples can gradually evolve into unpredictable huge waves under the push of time.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 242 =====