Chapter 1987 - 538: The Lion Leaves the Forest (Part 3)

Looking at the indifferent captain of the Knight Order, the deputy officer couldn't help but step forward, his armor making a clashing sound.

"Your Excellency! You know those nobles in the Holy Light Council are all spineless! In their eyes, there is no kingdom, only their own small patch of land! The Campbell people from the south are watching us like hawks, and once we withdraw from here, they'll immediately come together!"

"I suspect there's a traitor in our court; this is practically handing over half the kingdom! I don't understand why our Majesty would—"

"Enough!"

A sharp "clang" interrupted the deputy officer's angry tirade as Heigmer sheathed his sword and turned to stare intensely at his deputy officer.

The air temperature dropped to freezing.

The deputy officer also widened his eyes, staring at his superior, momentarily lost for words.

Demigod level pressure is far beyond what an ordinary transcendent can withstand, even if his own strength is not weak, but ultimately still falls short.

"A knight's duty is loyalty. I don't want to hear any more blasphemous words from your mouth. Alarand, you are my most trusted subordinate. We've already lost so much in this calamity; if this is Saint Sis's punishment for us, unity is our only way through."

Heigmer paused at this point, adding an additional remark after his speech.

"I believe His Majesty must have his plan."

His words sounded like he was persuading himself, yet not entirely without reason.

He had seen his brother's methods; that seemingly sleepy old man was not as weak and easily deceived as he appeared. Beneath His Majesty's robe, who knows how many daggers are hidden.

Theoden has yet to unleash his full power.

As for Twilight Province, while the nobles of the Holy Light Council are spineless, they themselves are vested interests and might not truly lean towards the Campbell people; sitting on the fence and observing is the most likely choice.

And the Campbell Duchy too must not dare to outrageously usurp the title of their nominal monarch, even if envisioned in the most blasphemous direction—even if they turn that place into Dusk Duchy... then they can simply reclaim it later.

Seeing the esteemed Heigmer accept this outcome, the deputy officer said no more, merely nodded slightly, and exited the tent.

The rise and fall of the Ryan Kingdom is ultimately the Devalu family's affair, and as an outsider, he had no right to speak more on this matter.

He couldn't help but lament that after the Campbell Duchy's independence, the sacred crown once again was sullied by conniving villains...

As night fell, the Lion Heart Knight Order's camp sank into silence until the sun rose the next day.

Everyone packed their bags, carrying armor and fatigue, turning their backs to the dawn rising in the east and chased in the direction where twilight faded...

...

Twilight City, the Governor's Mansion study room.

Governor Ailarike paced back and forth in front of the fireplace, muttering continuously, barely able to contain his excitement from bursting into song.

"Gone! Finally gone! Haha! Exactly as Prince Edward planned... oh no, perhaps we should call him Majesty!"

Praise Edward!

Praise the Holy Daughter!

Praise the New Testament!

Praise all the Black Hands orchestrating everything behind the scenes!

Although Governor Ailarike didn't know every name, he could guess this was certainly more than a mere one or two people's conspiracy!

This is a grand chessboard, even Roland City got swept into it! And even someone of his stature could only glimpse a corner of the chessboard, unable to comprehend the entire picture.

But that's not important.

What's important is that from this moment onward, he shall no longer merely be the governor of Twilight Province but the uncrowned king of this land!

At this time, Ailarike remembered there was another person in the room, so he walked towards the wine cabinet with a smile and took out his precious collection.

"...Thelon Gard! Didn't I tell you? Those who laugh last are certainly us! Let us raise a glass to victory."

Now, Twilight Province is a blank sheet of paper.

The Royal Family's army withdrew completely, and those madmen from the Judicial Court have no power locally; only by using the Holy Light Council's influence can orders be issued to villages and towns!

And once the Judicial Court also leaves this land, he shall be the uncrowned king here!

As for Count Thelon Gard, he will be the king I push to the forefront!

"Congratulations, Mr. Ailarike..."

"It's congratulations to us!"

"Alright, as you wish, congratulations to us."

Looking at the busy figure at the wine cabinet, Count Thelon Gard struggled to share the governor's joy, instead a trace of worry appeared between his brows.

Is it really... worth being so happy?

The reason those bumpkins are so willing to cooperate is precisely because there's a lion between them that none can defeat.

But now the lion has left.

Though it's true there's a "treaty" between the Holy Light Council and the Salvation Army, negotiating treaties with a bunch of illiterate bumpkins is itself a joke.

Thelon knew these guys' nature all too well.

However, the trace of worry didn't linger long on his brow, soon dissipating like morning dew.

Perhaps... there's no need to worry at all?

After all, regardless of who's victorious, neither spoils nor misfortune would fall to him.

Even if the King returns at last, he's an unshakeable hereditary Earl. And if truly those bumpkins overturn the heavens, they would still need a respectable person to stand at the fore to maintain appearances.