"Your Highness? Your Highness! Wake up! Wake up!" Eloise, witnessing Rufus devoid of life, was plunged into inconsolable grief, wailing with profound sorrow. The suddenness of it all caught her completely off guard. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine Rufus would die in her arms. Those who rushed to the scene were similarly moved to tears, for Rufus was not only the heart of the castle but also the linchpin of the entire West Lucozia.…As time passed, the dawn gradually broke, casting a somber atmosphere over the entire castle. The hall, once a place of bustling activity, was now transformed into a memorial hall adorned with white lilies. A finely crafted black coffin took center stage, containing the peacefully laid-out Rufus in resplendent attire.Mourners, which consisted of mostly loyal castle personnel and members of the Rhys family, dressed in mourning attire filled the hall.Eloise, kneeling at the forefront, gazed at Rufus's portrait with tears silently strea
"Your Highness suggests we root out the traitor?" Jaxon inquired."No, exposing the traitor and tracking the killer is Albert's task. Your mission is even more critical," Eloise said with seriousness. She went on, "These years, the situation in West Lucozia has been unstable. With His Highness gone, the castle is vulnerable. "I've gathered you, the Draken Guardians, to protect the castle. Whoever dares to plot against it, eliminate them without mercy!""I understand!" Jaxon replied. In times of crisis, extraordinary measures were necessary. With the prince gone, the castle faced imminent challenges."General Steele, you were a trusted aide to His Highness and are a pillar of our castle. It's up to you now," Eloise said solemnly."I am willing to sacrifice everything to safeguard the castle," Jaxon declared, fully aware of his responsibility.The prince's assassination placed the blame squarely on him as the captain of the royal guards. Were it not for the castle's current st
"Dustin, I understand you're dealing with a lot right now. But before you make any decisions, let me finish," Grace said with a smirk. She went on, "These girls trust you completely. If you take them in, it could be beneficial for you in many ways. You know, when you're feeling lonely or ... Well, you get the idea.""Hey! No jokes. Get to the point!" Dustin retorted impatiently."Alright, I'll get straight to it," Grace said, her tone turning serious. She added, "Logan, these girls are exceptional. I've screened them, and each one is intelligent, resilient, and will become remarkable individuals with a bit of nurturing.""What do you mean?" He squinted."I believe you understand the importance of undercover agents, especially female ones. They possess unique advantages in certain aspects. "If you train these girls as undercover agents, it could be a significant asset," she explained."Easy for you to say. Training an undercover agent takes a lot of time and effort. I'm strug
The other girls bowed and kneeled. Their sincerity was evident in the gesture.As Dustin observed the scene, he was momentarily stunned. The words spoken by the girl in yellow carried a profound impact. He hadn't expected that, after enduring such traumatic experiences, these girls weren't merely concerned about their own situations. But they were contemplating the fate of all vulnerable groups worldwide. Their noble aspirations and heightened awareness resonated deeply, even touching Dustin deep in his heart.In alignment with Grace's earlier insight, these young women were forced into the darkness but still harbored aspirations to be the light. Their exceptional courage was genuinely commendable. Who claimed women fall short of men? In the domain of true righteousness, these female heroes stood tall, contributing noble deeds to uphold their share of the world. With such a group of virtuous fighters, how can West Lucozia not thrive? How could the world not find its equilibri
At this moment, Dustin's eyes burned with determination. His eyes reflected a silent resolve. Though once estranged from his father, the passage of time had woven a deeper comprehension of the choices he made. Particularly upon learning of his father's deteriorating health and limited time, any residual discord had gracefully dissipated. His singular aspiration now was to address the concerns surrounding the Dragon Guard. Then, in his father's remaining days, he would do his duty as a son with utmost sincerity.Unexpectedly, a tragedy struck, and now his father fell victim to an assailant before their reunion. This sudden and devastating event left him profoundly shaken."Celestial Blade!" Dustin roared in a burst of emotion, beckoning the Celestial Blade to his side, readying himself for the challenges outside. Fueled by the profound grief of the loss of his father, he was determined to eradicate every remnant of the Dragon Guard."Your Highness! Please calm down!" Seeing D
"Alright, I'll set you up with a guard's identity. But before you head in, you'll need to change your appearance," Rodrigo finally conceded. Though it came with some risk, it was better than doing nothing.…At noon, inside West Lucozia Castle, news of Rufus's death had been sealed off. But many officials still gathered upon hearing it. Some came to offer condolences with heavy hearts, while others had different motives."The Grand General of the Supreme State has arrived!""The Grand General of the Sentinel has arrived!"Two shouts echoed from the entrance. And two middle-aged men in combat gear, each leading a troop of soldiers with menacing swords at their waists, swaggered in.These soldiers looked fierce and had an evil glint in their eyes. Everett Caide and Shane Gilby, holding the ranks of Grand General of the Supreme State and Grand General of the Sentinel, respectively, entered grandiosity."Generals, you must disarm before entering the castle," a castle guard tol
Everett's and Shane's expressions instantly changed at those words.Their initial intention to display authority now clashed with Eloise's unexpected assertiveness, immediately casting them as rebels.The potential consequences of such a charge were severe, and leaving the castle gates alive would be doubtful. Shane hastened to explain, "Your Highness, please don't joke. It's an exaggeration to call it a rebellion. Even if you give us the courage, we wouldn't dare undertake such a thing!""Exactly, our loyalty to His Highness has always been unwavering. Why would we commit treason?" Everett added.Though both harbored a hint of ambition, it was clear they were not ready to reveal it openly. At least, the timing wasn't right."If you're not planning a rebellion, why come armed? Don't you understand the rules?" Eloise scolded mercilessly. They were just two second-rate generals, relying on military power yet daring to act insolently within the castle. When His Highness was alive
Shane exclaimed loudly as he fell to his knees, bowing. His eyes welled with tears, looking like he was in pain at just having lost a loved one. Although it was an act, it was much more convincing than Everett's. "General Rhys of the Iron Stallion Cavalry has arrived!" Right then, they heard a loud announcement from the door. Following closely, a heroic-looking, middle-aged man walked in imposingly. He carried various weapons with him and was clad in golden armor. This person was none other than the Iron Stallion Cavalry's first-ranking Grand General—Julius Rhys!Julius Rhys was not only the Grand General of the Iron Stallion Cavalry but also Rufus' cousin. From a young age, he excelled in both the literary and martial arts, displaying exceptional talent in various aspects. If not for Rufus' existence, he would have been the Rhys family's most outstanding genius. Unfortunately, in the face of an unparalleled hero like Rufus, even the most formidable talents would pale in
After stepping into the castle, Boston felt a knot in his stomach. He had been here before, but only for official matters.He was always escorted by guards or attendants, but this time, Austin himself had led him inside. Boston felt both honored and somewhat overwhelmed. Since when had he earned such treatment?Austin had brushed off higher-ranking officials, so why was he showing him so much attention? Was it because his shiny bald head made him stand out? He had no answers, only a growing curiosity as he followed Austin into the meeting room. "Sit." After Austin sat at the head of the table, he raised his hand and gestured for Boston to do the same."No… no need. I'll just stand." Boston smiled awkwardly."Just sit down. Why are you so nervous? I won't bite," Austin said in a dismissive tone. "Y-Yes, Your Highness." Boston didn't dare refuse again and obediently took a seat. He was six feet three inches tall, yet he looked like a startled rabbit. He sat up straight and didn't
When the castle's gate swung open, every eye turned toward the entrance. Under the watchful gaze of the crowd, Austin strode out with his two guards. His posture exuded confidence and authority."Your Highness!"The gathered officials instantly rushed forward to greet him. Grins spread across their faces as if they couldn't wait to please him. Whether it was Huxley, Percival, or Warrick, all wore the same ingratiating expression.After all, Austin was the infamous hellraiser. Though he had reined himself over the past two years, his past reputation still loomed over them.At least Rufus could be reasoned with. But Austin? He was a wild card—utterly unpredictable, like a ticking time bomb. Every last one of them had suffered his wrath before.Percival approached with a flattering smile. "Your Highness, you finally come out. I have something important to discuss with you. If you'd be so kind as to listen—"Before he could finish his sentence, he was dismissed by Austin, who found h
"Get lost! I'm not in the mood for anything right now. If you want to eat, go on your own." Warrick snapped, looking annoyed."I'm not going either," Percival refused flatly. "I'm on a health regimen these days—only tea, no alcohol.""Fine. If you're going to wait, then keep waiting. I won't be sticking around." Huxley forced a smile and acted like he was about to leave.But as he turned, he almost bumped into Boston, who was approaching from the other direction."Sorry, Sir Thatcher! I hope I didn't startle you." Since he was surrounded by so many high-ranking officials, Boston was already on edge. He had momentarily spaced out and almost caused a mishap by running into Huxley, which left him flustered and a bit tongue-tied.Unlike the other generals, Boston didn't come from an influential background or have any powerful connections. He had worked his way up from the bottom, and the last thing he wanted was to offend Huxley and risk losing everything he had fought so hard for.
After parting ways with Boston, Jovian checked into a nearby hotel to await the good news. Boston wasted no time. After changing into a fresh set of clothes, he headed to the castle to deliver a letter of introduction. But when he arrived, he was stunned by what he saw.The gates of the West Lucozian monarchy had already gathered quite a few people, and among them were several figures he immediately recognized. These included Huxley Thatcher, the Commander of the Militia; Warrick Prescott, the Major General of the State Guard; and Percival Wentworth, the Chancellor of the National Academy.These three were first-ranking officials. In West Lucozia, they were nothing short of kingmakers who wielded immense power and influence. Warrick, in particular, was two ranks above Boston. Hence, he felt the need to be cautious in his presence and was eager not to make a bad impression.Alongside these three prominent figures, several second- and third-ranking officials also stood in line at
The following morning, Jovian stood at the entrance of West Lucozia Airport, wearing a sharp suit.Before the trip, he had contacted his comrade with whom he had fought side by side in the military. After earning military merit and with the Ballard family's influence, he was fortunate enough to stay in Oakvale and secure a decent position.His comrade, on the other hand, had moved to West Lucozia to carve out a life for himself. Years of hard work had paid off—he was now a third-rank general with considerable power, influence, and a strong network of connections. Jovian's meeting with the Prince of West Lucozia would depend entirely on his comrade's connections.Just then, the roar of an engine cut through the air as a military jeep pulled up beside him. The window rolled down, and the first thing that came into view was a bald head gleaming in the sunlight like a lightbulb. The glare nearly blinded him.Under that shiny dome was a face that looked ordinary at first glance. But w
"Grandfather, I understand why you sent Uncle Jonathan and Uncle Jensen to the Spanner and Fallon families to gather information," Natasha began. "But West Lucozia is thousands of miles away."She shook her head slightly. "They've always stayed out of the government's political matters. Sending Uncle Jovian there wouldn't achieve anything. He'd likely just be turned away." Oakvale and West Lucozia were worlds apart. The fight for the Oakvale throne didn't really affect the West Lucozian monarchy. Both sides had long adhered to an unspoken agreement to avoid meddling in each other's affairs."I know, but it'll be different this time. The royal throne is at stake, and every faction will do whatever it takes to secure West Lucozia's support. If the West Lucozian monarchy picks a side, the balance we've maintained for years will collapse. That's why I need to be ready for whatever happens," Simon replied.It would be best if the West Lucozian monarchy stayed out of the political strug
At the Ballard estate, Dustin was warmly welcomed to stay after dinner. This was the first time Natasha had brought her boyfriend home, so the Ballards made a big deal of it.Simon personally accompanied the young couple and invited them to the study to chat over tea. With his sharp eye, Simon could tell Dustin was no ordinary martial artist. His manners, speech, and broad knowledge set him apart from most people."Dustin, I fully support your relationship with Natasha. Your background or status doesn't matter. What matters most is that you two are happy together." Simon paused and said earnestly, "I want you to understand that she's been pampered all her life and hasn't faced much hardship. Now that she's with you, I hope you'll take good care of her.""Don't worry, Mr. Ballard. I would never let her down," Dustin replied sincerely.Though they had known each other for some time and hadn't yet taken their relationship to the next level, they had already made their feelings clear
After hearing Nathaniel's words, Tristan's expression darkened. His brow furrowed as he sank into deep thought.It seemed he had underestimated the situation. He had assumed it was just a simple rivalry between brothers; he hadn't anticipated Seamus seizing the chance to further his own agenda.Seamus already wielded considerable influence. Under the guise of supporting Matthias' ascension to the throne, he had been forming alliances and recruiting talents. His influence had grown to rival the royal family's.If Seamus really supported Matthias' ascension, he'd overshadow the king, and no one would be able to stop him. The worst-case scenario would be Seamus using Matthias as a puppet to overthrow the House of Linsor."Nathaniel, is everything you said true?" Tristan frowned."Absolutely. Every word," Nathaniel replied solemnly. "Of course, if you don't believe me, you can send someone to investigate.""I believe you. But… taking down Seamus won't be easy. Do you have a plan?" Tr
An hour later, Nathaniel quietly entered a private mansion wearing a disguise.Inside the living room, Tristan had already prepared tea and refreshments. He looked as if he had been waiting for a long time."Sorry to have kept you waiting, Tristan." Nathaniel took off his coat and walked forward with a smile."No need to apologize. I'm happy that you made the effort to arrange this. A few extra minutes are nothing, especially since it's rare for us to meet." Tristan gestured for him to sit while he poured two cups of tea and handed one to his brother.Nathaniel accepted the cup and discreetly set it aside. Whenever he was out, he was always cautious about food and drink—this wariness had become second nature."You asked to meet me on short notice. Is this about official matters or something personal?" Tristan took a sip from his cup and got straight to the point."Both," Nathaniel replied, still smiling."Oh?" Tristan raised an eyebrow. "Let's hear it, then.""Given how things