Chapter 395

If it's the first scenario, Alda should quietly hide away and bide her time, keeping a low profile as much as possible. This clashes with cultivating rare and expensive flowers.

Furthermore, she claimed to be the head of the Londinium Self-Rescue Army in the Central City District, a position she had held for many years. We only need to ascertain her general source of income to confirm this later.

If Alda cannot provide a convincing explanation for her income and expenses, then she must be supported by powerful figures to have lived such a life of luxury until now.

So the second question arises: were those who supported Alda out of old friendship or had ulterior motives?

"It's unlikely to be out of nostalgia."

The Doctor shook his head slightly and offered his personal analysis:

"If it is a former member of the Lion King's faction who, out of old friendship, takes care of the last bloodline of the Cumberland family, they should usually keep a low profile and not be too ostentatious."

If there are ulterior motives, the Cumberland family is actually of little use. Unless the powerful figure behind the scenes knows that Vigna is not dead, then nurturing Alda would have a clear purpose. Once she returns to Londinium, she can follow the arrangements of this powerful figure, or...

At this point, the horn, who had remained silent until now, suddenly realized what was happening and spoke in unison with the Doctor:

"Seize the Breath of the Kings!"

The Breath of the Kings, the National Sword of Victoria.

If raising Alda was solely for the purpose of seizing the sword in the future, then everything makes sense.

"That's all I can think of. Doctor Zhongli is truly amazing for capturing the truth of the matter from such a detail as the precious marigold flower."

"No, it's just that Cumberland Manor feels a bit too grand to me. If she lived in an ordinary mansion, I wouldn't have any problem with it."

After saying that, Shi Lei seemed to sense something and turned to look in the east.

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499 The Human Nature is Sinister 4K

Amiya saw him suddenly turn his head and asked:

"What's wrong, Doctor Zhongli?"

Shi Lei gazed into the distance, somewhat uncertain. His Psychic Power could scan for the outlines of people; horned Sarkaz were the easiest to identify, but other races were less certain.

"You guys go into the main hall first. It seems the Self-Rescue Army have been Pincer Attack the Sarkaz City Defense Army. I'll go check it out and be right back."

Texas did not stop his lover from leaving. With him there, the lives of the Self-Rescue Army would surely be safe.

However, she wanted to share more of Shi Lei's burden. After exchanging glances with Mudrock and Xi, she spoke:

"Leave the matter of finding out Miss Alda's income to us. Don't worry, we will only inquire indirectly and will not make it too obvious."

Shi Lei always trusted Texas's services. He immediately agreed, reminding them that he had other plans:

"Alright, just don't alert them. If Alda really has a powerful figure backing her, and her ultimate goal is to seize the Breath of the Kings, I have a long-term plan to find the person supporting her."

After giving a brief explanation, Shi Lei turned and left.

He confirmed that there were no surveillance cameras or drones around, and took off under the cover of night to fly to the scene of the incident.

After crossing five streets, Shi Lei arrived at the scene. The situation there was almost exactly as he had estimated.

Clovicia's Self-Rescue Army was surrounded by two Sarkaz City Defense Army. They gripped their weapons tightly, constantly on guard, like frightened cats.

In this situation, Shi Lei didn't even need to show himself; he simply unleashed an invisible Jade Shield Wall to separate all the enemies.

"Comrades, staying here means certain death, whether we charge or not. Let's find a way to survive by following us to the north! Charge!"

Despite her young age, Clovicia displayed remarkable composure and leadership in the face of danger. She commanded the members of the Self-Rescue Army in an attempt to break through the encirclement of the Sarkaz City Defense Army.

Without looking back, they charged north with no thought. They didn't notice that the City Defense Army hadn't caught up.

It wasn't until she reached the next block that Clovicia looked back. Seeing that Sarkaz hadn't caught up, a strong sense of unease welled up inside her.

"They could have given chase but didn't, probably because they were afraid. Everyone, stay alert! This is most likely the territory of some Royal Court Army, let's get out of here quickly!"

Shi Lei stepped out of the alleyway at just the right moment and waved in the direction of the Self-Rescue Army:

"This way."

Clovicia's pupils dilated slightly at the sight, quite surprised. Wasn't he supposed to be with the Doctor and Amiya, reuniting with the Cumberland family? Why was he here?

Shi Lei scanned and found that three Sarkaz squads were approaching this location, without offering any further explanation.

"Come with me."

With his Psychic Scan the surrounding area as if he had a cheat code for the entire map. He could pinpoint the exact locations of the three Sarkaz squads and move nimbly through the streets.

Clovicia didn't have time to ask any further questions and led her men to follow the Cumberland Family Manor.

"Phew, that was close."

She ordered the Self-Rescue Army to erase all traces left along the way to avoid being tracked by the Sarkaz City Defense Army. Only then did she enter the magnificent garden, letting out a sigh of relief.

"Perfect timing! I have urgent information to inform the Doctor and Miss Alda. Mister Zhongli, would you like to hear it together?"

Shi Lei never expected anything in return for saving people; he found any attempt to force someone to repay his kindness utterly annoying. He didn't explain what he had just done, but nodded and followed them into the hall.

As Alda was talking with the others, she saw the commander of the Self-Rescue Army appear and took the initiative to stand up and ask:

"Clovicia, what brings you here?"

"Don't even mention it, we just escaped from the Sarkaz City Defense Army. They're not only capturing the Self-Rescue Army now, but it seems they're also targeting the Deep Pool Forces and Rhodes Island personnel."

The Doctor has remained undetected since entering Londinium. Therefore, Amiya suspects that it was likely Ascalon, Elite Operator who entered the city earlier, who caused the disturbance. The Sarkaz, unable to capture him, dispatched soldiers to search for him.

Shi Lei had no intention of participating and silently retreated behind the group. He turned his head to look at Texas, who shrugged slightly and spread her hands, seemingly unaware of what had happened.

There's no rush for this. If Alda really is a traitor, we just need to think of countermeasures in advance.

Clovicia first looked around to make sure no one else was there before revealing the important information:

"The Doctor, we have just received urgent intelligence from Messenger outside the city. The main force of the Sarkaz is currently returning to Londinium. This movement indicates that they are likely to officially engage in war with the various Duke!"

Based on previous intelligence analysis, even if the main force returned to Londinium, the Sarkaz's military strength would not be enough to contend with all the Duke. The reason for choosing this time to act might be that they held the power to influence the course of the war.

If war truly breaks out, everything the Self-Rescue Army has done will be in vain. We can join Rhodes Island in rescuing people throughout the city. But Londinium and our lives will be gone forever.

Amiya sensed her emotions and comforted her:

"Miss Clovicia, you've done a great job. Without your help, we wouldn't have been able to get into the Central City District. If war does break out, we will do everything we can to prevent it."

At this point, Amiya subconsciously glanced at Shi Lei, who had a barely noticeable presence in the corner, before quickly looking away.

If it were him, it would indeed be possible.

Clovicia didn't believe their small group could stop the war between the Sarkaz and Victoria. But if they didn't do it, no one else would:

"Amiya, I'm just the daughter of a textile merchant. Not only me, most of the Self-Rescue Army fighters are ordinary citizens. Our ultimate goal in coming together is to drive the Sarkaz out of Londinium."

We will not place all our hopes on those Grand Dukes. If they truly cared about the ordinary citizens, they wouldn't have been waiting outside the city for half a year.

Once war breaks out with the various Duke, the Sarkaz will inevitably be prepared to defend Londinium. In the past, they could maintain self-sufficiency through trade. But if trade routes are cut off during wartime, the city's resources will only dwindle.

Without support from surrounding towns, they will gradually reach a dead end. At that point, they will either have to ask the city for help or obtain resources from outside. However, resources in the city are limited, so I speculate that they most likely have at least one supply line connecting them to the outside world.

Once these hidden supply lines are found, the Sarkaz's retreat can be cut off. This war might very well be averted. Because persisting in fighting without support would easily lead to defeat, while fleeing offers a chance of survival.

Shi Lei shook his head slightly, disagreeing with this.

Clovicia proposed this plan based on the premise that Sarkaz had a backup plan.

But they've moved here from their hometowns, so where can they escape to? If they go back to Kazdel, won't they face retribution from the allied Allied Forces?

Therefore, Shi Lei judged that Sarkaz's willingness to stay and defend the city was greater than his desire to flee Londinium in a sorry state.

Regardless of whether this hidden supply line actually exists, assuming it does, the Self-Rescue Army's act of destroying the supply line is tantamount to driving the Sarkaz to their doom.

They occupied Londinium for a long time and maintained a policy of appeasement, refraining from massacring the Native.

Shi Lei guessed that this was a measure taken by Theresis to facilitate her rule and appease the workers in the city, in order to avoid making too many enemies and causing difficulties in all aspects.

But if one truly reaches a dead end, all manners and Morality will be abandoned. The basic need for survival will dominate one's thoughts.

It is foreseeable that if the Self-Rescue Army cuts off the hidden supply lines, it will only cause harm to ordinary people.

It's not impossible that the Sarkaz would then raise their knives and turn them into dried-out 'meat'.

In the Art of War of the world before Shi Lei's transmigration, there was a principle called "surrounding three sides and leaving one side open." This means surrounding three sides and leaving one side open to ambush and capture enemies who try to escape.

Cutting off their last hope will only drive them into utter madness, forcing them into a desperate struggle.

Shi Lei never cared about the lives of soldiers, but he wouldn't stand idly by while ordinary citizens suffered in vain, so he immediately raised his objections:

"The idea is good, but it lacks consideration. The purpose of the Self-Rescue Army is to drive out the Sarkaz and allow the people in the city to live a better life. If doing so would lead to them being eaten by the Sarkaz, would you still be in such a hurry to cut off the supply lines?"

He explained why the hidden supply lines couldn't be cut off, leaving Clovicia in a long silence.

After listening to Shi Lei's detailed analysis, she realized that she had been too optimistic and had overlooked the wickedness of human nature.

The Sarkaz are currently holding many civilians incarcerated, and it's difficult to guarantee that they aren't being kept as 'mobile food supplies'.

If they knew that cutting off the hidden supply lines would kill a large number of Victorians, the members of the Self-Rescue Army would most likely not agree to this self-destructive plan. They would prefer to maintain the status quo to minimize casualties.

"Let's put the search for the hidden supply line on hold for now and give me some more time to think about it."

The lives involved are a burden that a young woman in her twenties cannot bear.

Seeing that the other party had given up on the operation, Shi Lei turned the conversation to Amiya, asking her to explain the purpose of her visit:

"The reason we're escorting Miss Vigna to Londinium is to accomplish something very important. Amiya, you can tell everyone the details."

Amiya paused for a moment, then quickly realized what was happening:

"Doctor Zhongli is right, we brought Atreus's relic back to Londinium."

"Atreus?"

Clovicia's expression turned unusually strange upon hearing this:

"Is this the surname of the descendants of the Dolak Royal Family?"

Before Amiya could speak, Alda continued:

"That's right, I just confirmed with the Doctor. That relic is the Atreus Family Key, which can open the door to the Place Where the Kings Sleep. Miss Vigna wants to go there to obtain the Victoria National Sword, the Breath of the Kings."

When Clovicia heard that they had come here for a sword, she couldn't help but find it somewhat ridiculous:

"Heh, all that effort for a sword? Or perhaps for a piece of fancy steel? I don't understand, what use is the Breath of the Kings besides being a collection? Do you really think that holding this sword will make you the Emperor of Victoria? Isn't it now about who has the strongest power and the largest army to sit on the throne?"

Such a down-to-earth comment left Alda momentarily speechless. She reorganized her thoughts and began to explain:

"The significance of the Breath of the Kings is far beyond your imagination! It is not merely a magnificent piece of steel imbued with the symbol of imperial power; behind it lies a shocking secret. The truth the Place Where the Kings Sleep the National Sword and the final resting place of the kings may be our ultimate trump card to end the war!"

Seeing Alda's agitated state, Shi Lei and Mudrock exchanged glances, their unspoken understanding unspoken.

This is a rush to expose themselves...

Because the Doctor's face was covered by a hood, we couldn't see what his expression was, but we could roughly guess it.

Clovicia was confused and asked in return:

"The truth? What truth? Could it be that the place where the National Sword is kept contains the Lion King's countless royal treasures?"

"..."

For a moment, Alda felt a sense of helplessness, like a beautiful woman encountering a formidable enemy. But the current situation left her no room for escape. She could only grit her teeth and explain to everyone present:

"Only a small number of nobles and members of the Royal Family know about this. And I am a member of the Cumberland Family."

"The Noble Cumberland, I know. But the Place Where the Kings Sleep only exists in legend. Could there really be such an area in the Central City District, where...?"

Clovicia suddenly realized that she, as a commander, shouldn't be involved, and immediately stopped describing:

"Uh, wait, should I not have asked?"

Now that things are out in the open, there's no need to hide it any longer. Many people present know Vigna's true identity, and this time she's the one who has taken the initiative to reveal it:

"You already know what you should and shouldn't know, so what's the point of asking this now, Clovicia? I want to talk to you about my background."

"Ah???"

Vigna took off her hood, revealing her golden hair:

"My surname is Victoria, and my full name is Alexandrina Vigna Victoria."

"Victoria... Victoria?!"

Clovicia found it unbelievable and showed great surprise, her gaze sweeping back and forth between the other person: