Chapter: 75. Confusion! (4K)
Shifting contradictions, reality and illusion, misfortune diverted, unpredictable, and cunning paths to the truth.
In her past life, Xue Feiya had no particular hobbies, but she did enjoy reading Sun Tzu’s Art of War when she found herself with nothing to do.
She never achieved much from it; after all, after reading it over and over, she always ended up studying advanced mathematics.
But this life is different!
The things she read before can actually come into play, and the saying that studying is useful is not empty words!
By the time this sudden negotiation reached this point, the situation had already tilted dramatically.
Some nobles were feeling heated.
Years of hidden resentment toward the Church State erupted in loud curses.
Some nobles crouched down, covering their faces and sobbing, indicating that among them were believers who revered the deities, and their faith was currently facing immense shock.
Originally, they did not believe.
But with examples and corroborations, their cooperation became definitive evidence.
The examples given by the Demon Princess were very persuasive, striking like thunder, all undeniable facts that the nobles of the kingdom could not refute.
The Hero directly declared that this was the truth, sealing the examples with a hammer and completely solidifying the conclusion.
Amidst the noisy discussions and spread of pessimism, the King’s state of mind also underwent tremendous ups and downs.
Xue Feiya subtly shot a grateful glance at Xiya, but this adorable and playful look seemed to be so alluring that Xiya almost stumbled forward.
Just right, her momentary misstep opened the path for Xue Feiya to look at the King.
Alright, since it has come to this, it was time for Xue Feiya to throw out her final trump card.
“Look, your own Hero has said the same thing. Moreover… regarding the existence of deities and whether I lied or not, Your Majesty, you should understand the most, right?”
Hehe, even though I don’t know if you know, I assume you do, which makes you think I know, so I’m definitely not at a loss!
“……”
The King’s silence spoke volumes.
Some nobles, extremely anxious, turned to him for clarification.
“Your Majesty! Is this really true? Do deities really exist… and are we truly the discarded offspring of deities…!”
“Please, Your Majesty, make a decision! If this is really the case… our kingdom has no hope!”
Livra supported her trembling father, and in her worry, she seemed to sense her father’s helplessness over the years.
The King’s children all crowded forward.
On one hand, they wanted to confirm the truth of the information; on the other hand, they were there to encourage and support this monarch who had devoted his life to the country.
Sigh… Celtic was not entirely ignorant of this.
But he also could not know everything.
The moment he succeeded to the throne of Aulus, he inherited numerous secrets that had been kept sealed within the royal family for generations.
For example… the truth of the deities descending upon this land.
—[The phoenix concealed its wings, returned to the mountains and rivers, transformed into the dome of stars, illuminating the kin for eternal peace.]
Not only that.
When the Demon Race invaded the border fortress, setting fire to the snowy plains, the King also received a secret letter from the Pope.
The content of the letter was filled with riddles but carried a full threat.
[The stars have chosen us, not you. No matter how you dispute, it is already settled. If you are wise, we can ensure our kin’s survival. Otherwise, the outcome is uncertain.]
After reading this letter, the King burned it.
What exactly did the “stars” refer to… The King knew in his heart like a mirror.
At first, he held a glimmer of hope, thinking perhaps the Church State was just bluffing, but the strange magic and novel things sent over by the Church made Celtic’s thoughts grow increasingly chaotic, feeling despair as if the deities were so biased.
But he was the monarch of a nation; phrases that could shatter the people’s confidence could not be spoken.
Thus… after that, there were various compromises made toward the Church State.
To preserve the country and protect the people, he was left with no choice.
But now…
Were these compromises, humiliations, and inevitable decisions ready to be overturned?
Could merely hanging on grant happiness to the people?
Celtic believed the people of the kingdom were fearless.
He also believed the soldiers of the kingdom understood righteousness.
“Father…”
“Livra… Don’t blame your father for being resolute; the consequences of this decision, whether blessing or calamity… the result of this gamble may need to be shouldered by you in the future…”
Before Livra could agree or refuse.
King Celtic decided to make a decision at this wobbly age, one more grand than when he rode into battle.
He trembled and stretched his arms outward, not allowing his children to support him.
Celtic did not respond to the nobles’ queries.
Because.
He was now raising his head, directly gazing at the words spoken by the Demon Princess…
which was his answer.
“O friends from a foreign land… On behalf of the entire Aulus Kingdom, I declare that from this day forth, the Aulus Kingdom hopes to establish a temporary alliance with the Demon Territory, to jointly discuss resistance against the Corea Church State, and it will not be retracted.”
………………………………
Hey, who would have thought, just a dozen minutes later, the stance has reversed!
Originally, Xue Feiya had suddenly become the public enemy, and she thought that the food on the table might not be able to be packed to go.
But now! She sits back down as a distinguished guest!
While secretly pushing peanuts into [Storage Magic] from a hidden angle, Xue Feiya listened to the official on stage using his booming voice to announce the rewards decided by the King.
“Demon Race’s First Princess, Xue Feiya Halde Her Highness, rescued our Aulus royal family in the Gladiatorial Arena, bringing timely aid, displaying great righteousness. Therefore, to express gratitude, I have decided to grant the border fortress of Krotos to my friend, bestowing Princess Xue Feiya as the lord of the border fortress, with the title of Honorary Duke of the Kingdom, independent of the kingdom’s control, exercising complete autonomous power!”
Upon completion of the announcement, there was an uproar.
This… even looking at the history of the kingdom, granting titles to foreigners like this is unprecedented!
Why are there so many unprecedented events recently? Just a few days ago, when that girl named Shaya was conferred the title of Countess, becoming the youngest count in history, now there’s an even more outrageous record!
Moreover, the King directly assigned the border fortress Krotos to the Demon Princess, isn’t that equivalent to offering an important border defense territory to the enemy?!
They had many thoughts and worries, but no one had the chance to say anything.
After all, the Light Family had fierce and intimidating members… Clearly, they would not allow any comments regarding the King’s decisions.
Xiya had already returned to the ranks of the Light Family.
Her cousin, Nona Light, who had become much more restrained after her battle with Six-Winged Demon Jeffrey, quietly moved over to curiously ask.
“Xiya, I say, about that… what you mentioned earlier… regarding the deities, is it true?”
“Indeed, it’s true. Uh… cousin, you wouldn’t be thinking of challenging the deities too, would you…”
“No, no, no! I was just asking! You know me, I’ve been too reckless before… aren’t I smarter now?”
“I hope so…”
Are you really being smart? Just look at the thick bandage wrapped around your arm, it hasn’t healed completely yet.
Actually, more than whether this matter is true, Xiya was more curious about the King’s decision just now.
She thought the King would surely offer some unusual reward but didn’t expect that he would actually give Xue Feiya a border city directly?
Ecklight’s gaze darted downward, catching sight of his daughter’s perplexed expression, and seemed to guess her confusion.
“His Majesty might be expressing the kingdom’s determination to seek cooperation…”
“Eh? Father, what do you mean by that?”
“The Church State has already torn its relations with the kingdom; the Gladiatorial Arena incident is ironclad proof; they are unreliable. Plus, what you mentioned regarding the deities… Sigh, too many variables, for the kingdom to survive now, we can only take the risk and seek cooperation with the Demon Race, but after so many years of conflict between the two countries… it wouldn’t be realistic to expect one side to show goodwill first; the Demon Race won’t budge, so it must be us to express our stance.”
“I see… so if we decide to cooperate with the Demon Race, then the border city won’t be a fortified stronghold anymore, as the conflict with the Demon Race will temporarily cease.”
“That’s the logic, but it seems His Majesty has made a momentous decision this time… It’s alright, royal decree decisions, we as subjects shall just obey and execute.”
Everyone had their own thoughts.
And how does Princess Xue Feiya, the newly appointed lord of the border fortress, feel now?
She was quite unhappy!!
Hey, hey, hey, no way, was Xiya right?!
This old King is really so stingy, not giving money, only offering some empty titles and land, he might as well just throw some gold coins on the table!
Just as Xue Feiya was about to show her displeasure, she realized the reading hadn’t finished yet, and the voice rang out again.
“The specialty crops, commercial ingredients, fish and birds, mountains, rivers, and lakes of the border city also all belong to Her Highness Xue Feiya Halde, without needing the kingdom’s consent.”
“Okay.”
This “okay” from Xue Feiya was decisive, crisp, and powerful.
In fact, it was really okay!
Alright, old King! You have done a great thing!
Good, good, good, the things on the table are almost packed, this already changed flavor “celebration banquet” can be concluded, right?
Who knew, at the moment Xue Feiya stood up.
The King tapped the announcement document in the official’s hand with his scepter, signaling him to stop the reading.
And he himself—stood up personally.
Ah…?
Seeing his posture, was there another reward?
Could it be that he would shower gold coins!
The little money lover was already getting excited.
The King half-fisted his hand in front of him, clearing his throat.
He indeed had more words to say.
Forget the money; Aulus Kingdom’s treasury is already empty.
“Your Highness, the kingdom is currently in a difficult situation, and you understand our current state… But to show our sincerity for cooperation, I can promise you one more privilege.”
“Listening closely?”
The King’s gaze swept over the room full of nobles.
Though there was some guilt in his eyes, it was insignificant in the face of national interest.
“Your Highness, the children of nobles from across the nation, can be selected by you. Whatever catches your fancy, regardless of rank or title, we will assign them to the Demon Race as you please. What do you think?”
Huh? What are you saying?
Oh, got it.
Xue Feiya, just a moment of daze, recalled a widely circulated rumor among the noble circle.
It said that within every royal family of different countries, there are always some arrogant and unreasonable individuals, indulging in terrible tastes, confiscating what they want, and even thinking anyone decent-looking should be directly taken in to be raised as a slave; even if not a slave, they’d still act like sadists, abusing at will, just to satisfy those strange and malicious whims.
Ew… what do you take me for?
And you nobles, don’t all show those frightened expressions; I’m so gentle; I can’t even bear to kill a fish, being so kind with no brutality at all!
Anyway,
Xue Feiya was completely uninterested in the King’s proposal, even feeling a bit nauseated.
“No need, we of the Demon Race have no interest in you humans; cooperation is cooperation; as long as the goals align, there’s no need to involve any unnecessary matters.”
“I see… Your Highness’s character is much more straightforward than I imagined.”
“Mutual understanding.”
Originally, this conversation could have ended here.
But who knew… the King seemed to have anticipated that Xue Feiya would respond like this.
He was not surprised.
He really wasn’t surprised.
But Xue Feiya was quite surprised!
Suddenly, the King stepped aside.
No longer blocking the line of sight, letting the kingdom’s Third Princess Livra meet Xue Feiya’s gaze from afar.
In the midst of both sides’ puzzled expressions.
Although there was worry and reluctance in the King’s eyes, he still decided to say something that would surprise everyone.
“Princess Xue Feiya, I know you do not wish to choose among the kingdom’s nobles; I will no longer mention this matter. However… may I say one more thing? What about my daughter Livra? Would you be willing to have her by your side and guide her?”
“Father…?!”
“……”
Uh…
What kind of scheme are you plotting, old King…?
Look, those nobles had just breathed a sigh of relief…
And in the blink of an eye, you sold your own daughter out, huh?!
