Chapter: Chapter 2: New Century (Epilogue)
Chapter 13: The Rewinding Illusion Prism
Time ticked by second by second, and many nobles had finished perusing the Winter Code.
Their expressions shifted between uncertainty and indecision. They desperately wanted to stand up and throw the draft at the King’s face, but none dared to do so.
Finally, a hot-tempered Viscount stood up. Encouraged by the gazes of the other nobles, he mustered his courage and, with a trace of anger, addressed the King of Winter.
“Your… Your Highness, this code is unreasonable! It severs the foundation of the Empire’s strength. Doing so will only weaken the Empire further. Your Highness…”
“Drag him out and hang him.”
Before the Viscount could finish, the King of Winter, seated at the head of the table, interrupted him with a cold tone.
“Ah, this… Your Highness, I was wrong. I am willing to obey your command… Your Majesty!”
Two formidable Crusaders from behind the Viscount seized him. Amidst his pig-like screams and pleas for mercy, he was dragged away.
The nobles exchanged glances, their faces pale, and lowered their heads to continue staring at their tables.
None of the nobles present were Great Knights. All the high-end strength was firmly in the King’s hands. They might be able to swagger around their territories with their Great Knight strength.
However, in Winter City, they probably couldn’t even defeat the dragons pulling the King’s carriage.
“Does anyone else have any opinions? If not, this code will be implemented from now on.”
Xi Wei said with a forced smile.
He hadn’t intended to show these nobles any kindness today. If it weren’t for the fact that he couldn’t find suitable talents to manage the territories in a short time, and that reforms had to be carried out step by step, he would have uprooted these tumors one by one long ago.
The nobles dared not express their anger or dissent. They certainly dared not voice any opinions; the last one to do so was probably just being hanged.
“Very good. Thank you all for your cooperation. The Wintery Empire is in dire need of development. To help you promote the Winter Code more smoothly, I will dispatch a Dragon Knight to assist you in your work.”
Xi Wei clapped his hands, a friendly smile returning to his face.
“A banquet has been prepared in Winter Fort. Those who are not in a hurry to return to their territories can go to the banquet to celebrate. You can find out which territory you have been assigned directly from Clemon.”
The so-called Dragon Knights were a combination of elite Priests and Venom Dragons.
Elite Priests had reached level 35, and when paired with level 38 Venom Dragons, they were capable of tanking and dealing damage, with both healing and defensive capabilities, and they could fly.
For the various territories currently lacking high-end combat power, they were already top-tier existences.
They were indeed there to help promote the code, but if the lords did not promote it properly, they would not hesitate to depose the lords according to Xi Wei’s command.
…
Except for Xi Wei’s nominal father, Duke Manhattan, and some of his friends, no one attended the banquet at Winter Fort.
Xi Wei had only given these newly appointed lords three days to handle their family affairs. Any who had not reported to their respective territories by then would not be going.
Although the lords were full of resentment towards Xi Wei’s code, they still yearned for power and fantasized that the code might only be strict in its initial stages, allowing them to return to their lives as local emperors later on.
As for the Dragon Knights who accompanied them, everyone was human. Humans had desires, and with desires came the possibility of negotiation. With negotiation, one could turn a blind eye.
However, these nobles, who were fantasizing about the future, had no idea how loyal the system soldiers, like the Priests and Venom Dragons, were to Xi Wei.
They were even more devout than fanatical followers.
At least Count Mandev thought so.
The King of Winter had generously granted him the entire Most Territory, with so many precious resources on the land. He had already planned to immediately test the “Dragon Knight” by his side upon his return.
Power, money, treasures, beautiful women.
As long as the “Dragon Knight” desired them, he would do his best to satisfy them.
Arriving at his new territory after a dusty journey,
Count Mandev’s heart was filled with excitement.
War had both advantages and disadvantages. At least he was now enjoying the benefits of war, such as being promoted from a Viscount without territory to an Earl with immense power.
Your Lordship, there’s someone blocking the road ahead.
The carriage driver suddenly reminded him, jolting Count Mandev out of his daydreams about the future.
Who dares to block the Earl’s carriage? Are they tired of living?
Mandev roared indifferently, then impatiently lifted the carriage curtain.
Damn it, next time you encounter someone like this, there’s no need to report it. Just ram them, understand? If you can’t even do something like this, then you’re not fit to be a competent driver!
My Lord, this…
The driver’s voice was hesitant, as if he had something difficult to express.
Mandev let out a cold snort and looked towards the front of the carriage. There stood a beautiful girl in tattered clothes.
Mandev was not well-read; he didn’t know what words he could use to describe such a beautiful girl.
He only felt that he was facing beauty itself!
His heart pounded.
This was love at first sight.
“Lower the footboard, you unobservant fool. How can you let such a beautiful lady stand in the cold wind in front of the carriage?”
Mandev’s demeanor changed completely.
But he still continued to scold the driver.
…
…
After sending off the lords, the newly appointed Emperor Winter, Xi Wei, was holding his personal little maid in his office, leisurely eating grapes.
Their relationship had grown closer, naturally becoming more intimate. It was as if they were attached at the hip whenever they weren’t in public.
“Oh, Master, we just… last night. Why are you thinking about it again?”
Loli, with a flushed face, sat in Xi Wei’s embrace. She felt the restless stirring at his waist. Her soft body pressed against his chest, and her tender hands wrapped around his waist. Although her words seemed to be a complaint, the corners of her lips curved slightly into a playful expression.
Xi Wei let out a wry smile. This was not something he could control. It was fine when he hadn’t tasted it, but now that he had, it was even more unbearable.
After all, being happy with Loli was no ordinary experience. She was soft and tender, leaving a lingering aftertaste.
More importantly, it carried a gentle affection, like pairs of small hands caressing him tenderly.
He had initially thought Loli would have trouble accommodating his full love, but he was surprised to find that she was extremely tolerant and could accommodate everything about him, clinging to him tightly.
Not to mention that Loli also *believed* in the Water God.
Seeing Xi Wei’s distressed expression, Loli couldn’t help but chuckle. She picked up a crystal-clear grape and brought it to Xi Wei’s mouth, playfully mumbling,
“Ah~ Master~ My King~ Eat up~”
While Xi Wei enjoyed
