Heading South! (5)

Kingdom of Auriel, Capital City, Royal Palace, Council Hall

"What did you say? The Flying Perch Corps and the Snow Pattern Corps were completely wiped out?"

Upon hearing His Majesty the King's exclamation, the Prime Minister nodded tremblingly.

"Impossible! How could this be?"

"Your Majesty, although these things may sound unbelievable, they are the truth!" (Prime Minister)

After the Prime Minister finished speaking, Pallet shook his head and said in fear, "If this is true, then our situation is in a bad way!" (PS: Pallet Auriel is the King of the Kingdom of Auriel)

"Yes! After losing these two elite units, our national defense capabilities collapsed by more than half, and we are constantly at risk of being plundered by neighboring countries. (Prime Minister)"

"Heh! Prime Minister, do you think this is what I meant by 'my situation is not good'?" (Pallet)

"Not this? Could there be some greater danger, Prime Minister?"

Looking at the bewildered Prime Minister, Pallet sighed and said speechlessly, "My lord Prime Minister, we have now offended King Erus. Do you think he will let us off?"

Only after His Majesty the King reminded him did the Prime Minister realize what he and his companions had just done.

If they had offended any other king, it would have been easier; they would simply have to pay some compensation. But they had offended King Erus, the madman who dared to wage war without reason and destroy other countries! Now that they had handed the reason to him, would he really let them off the hook?

The Prime Minister panicked at the thought of the fate of the Milantes nobles.

"Your Majesty, what should we do now?"

"What to do? If I knew what to do, why would I be here? I would have been preparing ways to deal with them by now!" (Pallet)

Upon learning that even His Majesty the King was helpless, the Prime Minister instantly lost the ability to stand.

"Clang!"

The limp prime minister accidentally knocked over something behind him, making a metallic clanging sound. The next second, a silver-white disc rolled to Pallet's feet.

"Prime Minister, could you please..."

His Majesty the King, who was criticizing the Prime Minister, suddenly stopped speaking the moment he turned his head and stared blankly in the direction where the Prime Minister was.

Just as the prime minister thought he had broken some valuable item and was about to kowtow and confess his sins, His Majesty the King standing in front of him suddenly threw his head back and burst into laughter.

"Ha ha!"

"Ha ha!"

"It's truly a miracle that Heaven hasn't forsaken me!"

"Oh no! Is His Majesty the King planning to make me take the blame?" (The Prime Minister's inner thoughts)

Although he already had a guess in his mind, the Prime Minister still asked, hoping for the best, "Your Majesty, have you thought of a solution?"

Upon hearing the Prime Minister's words, Pallet smiled and walked up to him, gently patting his cheek, then laughed and said, "Hehe! Thanks to you, otherwise I really wouldn't have been able to come up with such a brilliant idea."

"Damn it! You're really going to sacrifice me, huh?!" (The Prime Minister's inner monologue)

After forcibly suppressing his anger and fear, the prime minister maintained a forced smile and carefully surveyed his surroundings, preparing for his escape later.

Just as the Prime Minister was about to take action... ptooey! kick, His Majesty the King continued, "If you hadn't knocked over the food cart, how would I have seen the map on the wall? If I hadn't seen the map, how would I have thought of forming an alliance against the Erus Kingdom?"

"Hehe! Prime Minister, don't you think it's all thanks to you? (Pallet)"

After Pallet finished catching his breath, the Prime Minister hurriedly turned his head to look behind him, and then stared blankly at His Majesty the King.

"Oh my god! So that's what happened! I was so scared!" (The Prime Minister thought to himself, tears streaming down his face.)

After calming his heart, which was about to explode, the prime minister said with a slight sob in his voice, "Your Majesty is wise!"

"Hehe! Alright! Calm down, let's get started on forming the alliance! (Pallet)"

"Yes! I'll arrange it right away!"

After speaking, the prime minister turned and left, while the wise King Pallet began to ponder how to persuade the other two kings to join the alliance.

In the southeastern part of the Kingdom of Cushen, in the Gloom Forest, Skull Guild.

"Squeak"

As the dilapidated wooden door was pushed open, everyone in the cabin turned their attention to the newcomer.

"Hehe! What a wonderful breeze has blown by today, bringing His Majesty the King and the Prime Minister here?"

"Ha! Leipzig, I advise you to watch your words, or His Majesty the King will send you to jail!"

"Prison? Haha! I'm afraid His Majesty will just hang him!"

"Hmph! As if His Majesty the King wouldn't hang you!" (Leipzig)

"Haha! You're right!"

After everyone quieted down, Ralori said indifferently, "I'm not in the mood to deal with you today. Quickly call Icarus and the others out!"

"Hey! Did you hear that? His Majesty the King said he's not in the mood to talk to us!" (Leipzig)

"Hehe! His Majesty the King isn't in the mood to pay attention to us, but we're certainly in the mood to pay attention to His Majesty the King!"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the cabin surrounded the king and his companion with malicious smiles.

Just as the Contradiction was about to erupt, a clear, ethereal voice came from the stairs leading to the second floor.

"Hey! You guys are so rude! (Icarus)"

Upon hearing this voice, everyone who was exercising stopped and stared in horror at the trio walking down the stairs.

"Spot... spot..."

"Will you leave on your own, or will the three of us escort you away? (Icarus)"

Upon hearing the words of the cherry-haired girl, the crowd surrounding His Majesty the King swallowed hard and then fled out of the wooden house.

"I apologize; I've been negligent in my management, and these tactless fellows have offended His Majesty!" (Icarus)

"Hehe! Miss Icarus, you're too kind! (Ralori)"

After exchanging pleasantries, the Icarus cut to the chase and asked, "May I ask what brings Your Majesty here today?"

"Miss Icarus, you must be well aware of the current situation in our country, right? (Ralori)"

"The state of the kingdom? Which aspect does Your Majesty refer to? (Icarus)"

"Heh! Miss Icarus, is there any need for us to play this riddle between us?" (Ralori)

"Does Your Majesty think I'm playing riddles with you? (Icarus)"

"Isn't that right? (Ralori)"

"Your Majesty, you should know that our Skull Society specializes in assassinations, not intelligence gathering. It's impossible for us to know everything." (Icarus)

"Hmph! Since you're involved in assassinations, you should know where employers are most likely to appear and who are most likely to become targets. (Ralori)"

After Ralori finished speaking, the Icarus smiled and said, "Your Majesty is right, we know these things, but Your Majesty should not forget that providing target information is the employer's responsibility!"

Ralori glanced at the Icarus, then said coldly, "Cabria, all the senior officers of the Erus Legion!"

"Heh! Your Majesty, you should know that not long ago, a new ban was issued within our Dark Guild... (Icarus)"

"Do not provoke the Erus Kingdom! (Ralori)"

"Heh! Since Your Majesty already knows, then why bother... (Icarus)"

Before the Icarus could finish speaking, His Majesty the King interrupted again, "Icarus, if our country becomes a second Milantes, do you think your Skull Society can remain unscathed?"

Upon hearing Ralori's question, Icarus shook his head.

"If that's the case, then what are you afraid of?" (Ralori)

"Heh! So Your Majesty had already considered all this. No wonder you stepped into our Skull Society, this rat hole, today. (Icarus)"

"Icarus, I won't beat around the bush with you anymore. If you can help me through this crisis, from now on, your Skull Society be an ally of our country. You can openly recruit disciples, accept orders, and enjoy privileges exclusive to the royal family." (Ralori)

After Ralori finished speaking, the Icarus's eyes formed two crescent New Moon.

"Heh! Since His Majesty the King has extended such a sincere invitation... Alright! Our Skull Society take this job! (Icarus)"

"When are you leaving?" (Ralori)

"Now! (Icarus)"

The moment the Icarus finished speaking, the owl, who had been waiting for a long time, immediately activated the rocket behind him, carrying the two of Icarus away into the distant sky.

"Prime Minister, let's go!" (Ralori)

"Yes!"

Philiers, Royal Palace, Conference Hall

After finishing the last report, Irene stood up and stretched. Just then, a report came from outside the palace gate.

"Your Queen, there is a man outside the palace who claims to be Fiore's messenger and requests an Queen with you to discuss important military matters."

"Hehe! They've finally arrived?"

After muttering something under her breath, Irene called out towards the door, "Bring that person here immediately!"

"Yes!"

A moment later, hurried footsteps echoed in the corridor outside the door.

"Your Queen, Fiore's messenger has arrived!"

"Okay! You can go now!" (Irene)

"Yes!"

After the servants left, Irene stepped down from her throne and approached the messenger.

"Ambassador Fiore, the Fiore negotiator, Arcadius, greets Queen Irene!"

"Ambassador, please rise!"

"Thank you, Your Queen!"

"Arcadius, what is your king's opinion on His Majesty's proposal?" (Irene)

"Queen Irene, since the founding of our nation, we have declared that we will not intervene in or participate in any war, and will remain permanently neutral. If Your Majesty agrees to this request, Your Majesty is willing to establish a friendly alliance with your nation and live in peace. (Arcadius)"

"His Majesty has already made it clear that unless your country requests it, we will not allow your country to participate in the war, nor will we interfere with your country's policy of permanent neutrality. (Irene)"

Upon hearing Irene's words, Arcadius nodded and then took out a thick document from his Space Item.

"Queen Irene, this is the treaty prepared by His Majesty the Emperor. Please take a look!"

"Good!"