20demayo Chapter 165 Stepping Over My Corpse
Chapter 165 Stepping Over My Corpse
Chapter 165 Stepping Over My Corpse
Arundel seemed to have realized something.
His white beard trembled as he gritted his teeth and said, "We can discuss the follow-up to this matter once we reach the mage academy."
Kane turned and glanced at Risa, then said to Arundel, "Your Excellency, if 'discussion' refers to how to deal with Risa, I need an answer right now."
"She is my partner, and her abilities are crucial to uncovering the Duke's plans and helping King Sussas."
I will never hand her over just because she "violated my body."
Upon hearing this, Risa glanced at Kane, her eyes flickering slightly, seemingly lost in thought.
Kane noticed her gaze, but other thoughts were running through his mind.
Risa's ability to enter dreams is irreplaceable in intelligence gathering.
With the demonic cults in the material plane becoming increasingly rampant, and countless demons being secretly summoned, this assistance is indispensable.
Ella observed the silent exchange between Kane and Risa, a thoughtful expression on her face.
Arundel sighed softly.
"In that case—I can guarantee on behalf of the academy that as long as this lady—"
"Risa".
Kane replied.
"—As long as Ms. Risa can prove during her time at the academy that this is indeed a conspiracy against the kingdom, and that she herself will not commit any more evil deeds, I will, in the name of the Illusion Academy, fully guarantee her safety."
This commitment remained in effect throughout her visit to the college.
Risa's lips curled into a mocking smile.
"Master, what if your colleague insists on killing me?"
"Just because I am an evil demon, and I possess the body of a mage who is equally evil, yet happens to be from your academy?"
Arundel frowned and fell into deep thought.
Kane stared intently at him—Rissa's concerns were not unfounded.
After a long pause, Arundel sighed again.
He looked at Risa, his expression solemn: "Then, I swear in the name of the Styx. During your time at the academy, if anyone intends to harm you, they will first have to step over my dead body."
Upon hearing this, Risa let out a soft hum through her nose and crossed her arms.
Kane understood that this was her tacit approval.
He didn't say much, but looked at Arundel, his heart growing heavy.
He thought about it more deeply.
The Dharma Academy is jointly governed by eight departments. Any major action requires the agreement of more than two-thirds, that is, at least six deans.
The fact that the other party insisted that Risa return for a confrontation suggests that there might be many variables in that meeting.
Several guesses flashed through his mind, but they did not shake his decision.
The power of the mage academy is too great. In this era, individual bravery still appears fragile in the face of legions and conspiracies.
Even someone as strong as a fourth-tier being could perish in an encirclement.
He needs this strength.
"So, may we set off now?"
Mrs. Ella glanced at the three of them and asked softly.
Kane nodded and walked side by side with Risa toward the boat moored on the shore.
Arundel then turned to Ella and bowed respectfully.
"Thank you for your previous support of Twin Harbor, Your Excellency Finafine."
Ella looked back at him, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
"Lord Arundel, you have never mentioned that you are an academy mage."
I always thought—you were just a scholar.
Arundel stroked his long, snow-white beard, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.
"Just like I never imagined you would meet such an interesting friend."
Ella watched Kane and Risa's retreating figures, her eyes flickering slightly, but she remained silent.
Four figures stood in the vast grassland, appearing small yet resolute.
The wind swept across the boundless sea of grass, brushed past the winding river, passed through city after city, and finally arrived at that magnificent capital.
That is, the royal court of Susas.
The capital city remains prosperous.
On the ancient streets, half-elf commoners and merchants from all over mingled shoulder to shoulder, and a peaceful atmosphere flowed between the exquisite buildings.
The turmoil at the border twin ports seems to have had little impact here.
For the residents and nobles of the capital, as long as the flames of war have not truly broken out, the turmoil in a border city is merely a distant topic of conversation.
Even if war were to break out, they firmly believed that the capital city, under the protection of a wise ruler, would remain impregnable.
The gaze moves beyond the vast outer courtyard to the inner court where the royal family and nobles reside.
Prince Grayson Susas, escorted by two hooded mages, walked through the corridor.
When people saw him along the way, they all bowed their heads respectfully and greeted him.
The prince nodded slightly, gave a gentle smile, and continued walking straight toward the towering tower in the center of the inner court.
After he had gone some distance, the two guards couldn't help but whisper to each other.
"Why is Your Highness out here? Didn't you just survive an assassination attempt?"
"Wasn't the assassin killed on the spot? I heard that people have been sent to capture the mastermind, I think it's something like the Finafenne family? A minor noble family on the border."
"Finafin?" another asked, puzzled. "Why would they want to assassinate His Highness?"
"Who knows? Things are never peaceful in the arena of power. Didn't a member of the Nord royal family also get assassinated?"
Perhaps that small family is just a puppet of some powerful figure, or perhaps—they've simply lost their minds.
The guard shrugged.
"However, His Majesty doesn't seem to be making a major effort, only sending one corps. Isn't that a bit too few men?"
The two were about to speak again—
A soft cough interrupted them. A tall elven general, clad in magnificent armor and with two rapiers at his waist, walked slowly by.
The two guards immediately straightened their backs, bowed their heads, and said in unison, "Lord Preston."
The tall elf named Preston glanced at the two and said in a deep voice, "Stay at your post and do not discuss state affairs."
"Yes!" The guard fell silent, his eyes fixed straight ahead.
Preston gazed at the central tower in the distance, watching Prince Grayson's figure disappear behind the door, a barely perceptible worry flashing across his eyes.
"Your Majesty—what is your true plan?"
Inside the tower, Grayson Susas was climbing the steps.
The tower is extremely magnificent, with gold-embroidered carpets from the distant East covering the floor and splendid murals on the dome telling ancient stories.
If Kane were here, he would surely find that the murals here are very similar to those in the Spiderblade family.
First image: The earth cracks open, and countless drow elves surge forth, slaughtering other elves and burning the forest.
The second image depicts a high elf, seemingly inspired, wielding his sword to strike at a terrifying giant spider and the spiderweb that blankets the sky.
The third image shows the drow and giant spiders collapsing in agony as they are surrounded by elves, humans, dwarves, and other races.
The fourth image depicts the elves rebuilding their homeland, their city standing tall, surrounded by many half-elf subjects.
From the fifth painting onwards, the paintings fall into a kind of cyclical praise and allegory.
Prince Grayson, under the obsequious gaze of his guards on either side, ascended to the top floor and stopped before a heavy double door.
The guards at the door bowed silently and opened the door for him.
He took a deep breath, put on an impeccable smile, and looked towards the end of the hall.
On the throne sat a tall elf dressed in elaborate robes and wearing a crown, though his face was somewhat pale.
"Father, I've come."
King Susas raised his head, looked at his chosen successor, and smiled gently.