Chapter 208

As long as 'Lin Qi' is here, the power of Gate of Janus will remain. Not to mention anything else, just the fact that the Templar Knight Lillard is leading so many people means that the City of Desire would never dare to act recklessly.

Once 'Lin Qi' leaves, 'Motis' will likely be in danger.

Oh well, I'll just stay here anyway. The City of Desire isn't ruled by Bernard alone. If that damn City Lord dares to mess around, then... let him mess around.

Ryan glanced at the mark on his right hand. Come to think of it, he was a demigod, right? Although the power of desire had been driven away, should he make use of this identity?

After much thought, Ryan finally gave up on the idea. Desire was ultimately a trivial matter with no future.

Having tried too many backdoors, he still prefers the right path.

"Keep an eye on the City of Desire, and notify me immediately if there's any news."

"Hmm... there is some news." Dilia blinked. "A lot has happened in the City of Desire recently. I heard that some guy who appeared out of nowhere killed many of Elder Bernard's people and turned the whole City of Desire upside down."

Ryan was taken aback. "Who's so awesome?"

"I don't know. All I know is that he's probably not a resident of the City of Desire, or even Desire Cultists." Dilia said with some surprise. "It's said that he even went to Elder Bernard's house and took something from him, which is why the Elder issued a kill order."

An outsider... wait, could it be Old Joe?

"And then what happened?"

"I don't know. Anyway, they haven't caught anyone. Everyone suspects that he might be an enemy of Elder Bernard or something. He's in a real mess right now, otherwise he probably wouldn't have revealed the temple's affairs."

No one knew about the Temple of Desire before.

Only Bernard knew the truth; otherwise, he would have been the only one leading people to cause trouble for Northern Coalition for so long.

Now, the plan has fallen apart, and the enemies have come to our doorstep.

What can we do in this situation?

He couldn't do it alone, so Bernard released the news, and now it's up to the City Lord to decide.

If the City Lord doesn't give orders, even if someone wants to cause trouble, the commotion won't be too big. With 'Lin Qi' around, that's enough.

If the City Lord issues an order... then 'Lin Qi' will go back and get reinforcements. Although the City of Desire is powerful, it is definitely no match for the Gate of Janus. If a full-scale war breaks out, we can wipe them out in one fell swoop.

My dear wife, I'm counting on you! I'll definitely reward you handsomely when I get the chance!

"Okay, you can go now."

Ryan waved his hand, signaling Dilia to continue keeping watch.

Judging from the situation, it seems that Old Joe is up to something. There has been no news for so many days. I thought that guy was too drunk to walk in the City of Desire. I didn't expect him to go and steal things from the elders.

The worst part is that he actually managed to steal it, and now he's wanted by the entire city.

Ryan didn't go into the City of Desire, and he doesn't know if it will be troublesome to come out. Anyway, I hope he's alright.

"If you gave Old Joe the ability to become invisible, he could charge himself to his death."

Speaking of this, Ryan thought of Little Jack and Janus Path's invisibility ability, but other professions also have this ability, so it's not that convenient when facing Supernatural Being.

Two days later, at the Royal Palace of Wildeya.

Elvian sat on the throne, while Alfred and Avril stood in the hall.

The army has withdrawn, and Elvian has also conveyed a request for reconciliation to the Augustus Empire. Just recently, she received news that Empress Augustus, despite her busy schedule, has taken some time to meet with her personally.

"Your Majesty, the Gate of Janus is already supporting the Northern Federation."

Alfred said.

The news about the Federal Council eventually leaked out, and Alfred knew he was in trouble when he received the message.

Because of this, those forces that originally intended to leave the Northern Federation no longer dared to leave. Given time, as the Northern Federation grows stronger, it is Wildea who will be threatened.

"I already know." Elvian slowly relaxed her clenched fist and sighed softly, "Teacher, did I make a mistake? If I hadn't broken away from the Northern Coalition, or hadn't been in such a hurry to establish the Verdea Federation, Augustus and the Gate of Janus wouldn't have seized the opportunity."

Alfred shook his head. "The situation changes in an instant. Even a prophet cannot predict every step that will happen. Victory and defeat are common on the battlefield. We just lost."

"I lost...but I'm not reconciled!" Elvian said in a deep voice. "I didn't even fight a decent battle against Augustus, and I lost like this! I shouldn't have trusted that scoundrel Rider!"

"Rider?" Avril looked up. "Your Majesty, what happened to Rider?"

Elvian sighed softly, "Avril, this is why I summoned you... I must tell you this, and I hope you won't be sad."

"Your Majesty, please speak."

"Tell me first, is Rider a Wilder?"

"He said he came from a small town in the Western Territory and had aspired to be an adventure master since he was a child."

"Ha!" Elvian sneered. "Just as I thought. Avril, you've been fooled. Rider isn't a Wilderian at all; he's an Augustan!"

"This... is impossible!" Avril shook her head. "He even took me to his hometown."

"It's fake, it's all fake Avril!"

Elvian briefly recounted to Avril the important plans she and Ryan had been plotting during this time.

"... That's the truth. Rider not only deceived you, but he also deceived me. I'm sorry, Avril, I should have told you sooner. Perhaps then I wouldn't have..."

Elvian didn't continue, so what? She wasn't being lied to by Ryan?

It's fake. She always thought Avril was deceived by Ryan's sweet talk, but in fact, she was the one who was deceived the most.

You believed their promises? Did you really think the Augustus Empire could be held back by him alone? And you even persuaded the Kingdom of Lotte to side with Wildea? So many good things, Elvian, why don't you ever think about why they fall into your lap so easily?

"Rider ...he actually did this!" Avril exclaimed angrily. "Your Majesty, is all of this true?!"

"It is the real Avril. I swear as the King of Wildeia that there is not a single lie in her words."

"Alright, Your Majesty." Alfred waved his hand. "The most urgent matter is to meet with Empress Augustus. Peace talks are essential. We cannot afford to face both Augustus and the Northern Federation at the same time."

Elvian nodded, then looked at 'Avril' and sighed when she saw the latter's absent-minded expression.

"Avril, go and rest now. Don't worry, I will make Rider pay the price!"

Monica's fate is unknown, Elvian has already tacitly decided to groom 'Avril' as the next legion commander, so she doesn't want the latter to be discouraged and lose her spirit.

Avril lowered her head. "Your Majesty, I wish to see Rider."

"This... I will find a way."

Not only do you want to see me, but I also want to see me.

But not now.

Elvian waved for 'Avril' to leave first, then glanced at the time.

The time had come for her to make an appointment with Augustus.

"Your Majesty," Alfred suddenly spoke up, "Since Rider has a problem, wouldn't it be better to observe Avril a little longer?"

"No need, teacher." Elvian shook her head. "I know everything about Avril, and she was personally chosen by the Moon Goddess. She is the strongest Moon Goddess. Do you really think the Moon Goddess would abandon us?"

Alfred, of course, didn't think so, but things were always a bit strange. He was used to thinking about problems in a human way, rather than letting the existence of a god interfere with his normal thoughts.

But judging from Elvian's expression, now was not the time to talk about these things.

Whoosh!

Elvian threw something resembling a compass into the air, and the next moment an array condensed, reflecting onto her.

Immediately afterwards, her phantom appeared in a magnificent hall.

Above the main hall, 'Vainay', wearing a crown, leaned against the throne, her azure eyes fixed on her.

Positiond to the left and slightly in front of Vainay's is the Minister of the Interior, 'Ina'.

"Your Majesty, Empress of Augustus," Elvian lowered her proud head, "I bring with me the sincerity of Wildea, wishing to have an open and frank peace talk with your country."

"Peace talks?" 'Vainay' chuckled. "Elvian, my army has just crossed the Kingdom of Lotte and hasn't even officially engaged in war with Wildea yet. Isn't this peace talk coming a bit too quickly?"

Elvian said expressionlessly, "Veldria has always adhered to the principle of peaceful coexistence with Augustus, so I will not send troops to attack, and there is naturally no need for war."

"Oh? But I heard from my ministers that Wildea has long harbored the intention to invade." 'Vainay' said calmly, "If he hadn't laid the groundwork in the Kingdom of Lotte beforehand, wouldn't Wildea have already taken Lot and used it as a springboard for his future attack on the Augustus Empire?"

"..."

Elvian couldn't refute it.

Isn't that exactly how it is?

But she couldn't admit it.

This is the 'art' of conversation.

There are some things that even if both parties are aware of them, they cannot be said aloud, especially when she is at a disadvantage.

Advantages don't matter; it all depends on my mood.

"Is it Rider? Or some other name? He's in the Kingdom of Lotte, and he plotted to kill 30,000 Moonlight Cavalry of Veldya."

Elvian has already sent people to investigate, but there's been no feedback yet. However, she's not worried; someone as big as Ryan certainly wouldn't be unknown in the Augustus Empire.

"His name is Ryan." 'Vainay' leaned back on the throne, put her right leg on the lap, and said comfortably, "Alright, King Wildea, your time is running out. If you cannot persuade me, then this meeting will end here."

A flash of anger appeared in Elvian's eyes.

When has she ever been treated with such pity and charity?

Damn it, Ryan... I'll make you pay!

"Empress!" Elvian took a deep breath to calm herself. "Admittedly, the Augustus Empire is powerful, but the Western Territory is unstable, and the Southern Territory kingdoms of Kainter are in turmoil. Although Wildea is weak, it may still be capable of fighting. I have 60,000 Moonlight Knight Order and 100,000 elite troops from the kingdom. If we fight to the death, how much will the Augustus Empire have to pay?"

"As far as I know, the Gate of Janus has secretly reached an agreement with the Northern Federation. Has the Empress considered that if the Northern Federation grows stronger, it will pose a threat far greater than that of Wildea!"

"Hmm~~" 'Vainay' responded lazily.

⒈02㈡ろ○㈨8

Elvian frowned. After all that serious analysis, this was all the reaction she got?

At this moment, Ina pushed up her glasses and said, "Your Majesty means to tell us something we don't know."

Elvian looked at 'Vainay'.

The latter said calmly, "Ina, tell her something she doesn't know."

"Yes," Ina said calmly. "Queen Elvian, I can answer all of what you just said. The war in the Western Territory Frontier is being handled by the Iron Blood Legion. Even if the Kainter Kingdom and the Western Barbarian Army join forces, they are no match for them. Currently, 100,000 Iron Blood Army are stationed on the border, and the Western Barbarians can hardly move an inch."

"Just yesterday, His Your Majesty summoned 20,000 Holy Blood Army, who will soon depart for the Kingdom of Lotte. After meeting with Marshal Shally, the 30,000 Holy Blood Army will quickly advance eastward."

Thirty thousand?!

Elvian's expression changed slightly.

So many? How is that possible!

She knew that the selection criteria for the Holy Blood Army were extremely strict, and it was impossible to gather another 20,000 to send over in such a short time.

It's fake, it must be fake... But even so, even if there were ten thousand more, it would still be a huge threat.

"In addition, His Your Majesty has prepared 200,000 Royal Guards, and provisions are already being prepared." Ina turned to look at Vainay. "Your Majesty, regarding this eastern expedition, General Holman seems to be interested in participating."

"I know about this. Don't worry, the supplies are still being prepared," 'Vainay' said unhurriedly. "I will summon those generals later. It's time to let the Imperial Guards go out and have some fun. Otherwise, people will think that my empire only has that little bit of the Holy Blood Army."

"Indeed, it is only for one day of military service after a thousand days of training. The number of Royal Guards and Cavalry has exceeded 300,000. It is time to take them out for a spin," Ina said with deep agreement.

Elvian: "..."

That's all I have to say.

Elvian knew that the two men were giving her a warning.

Three hundred thousand people? She didn't believe it.

It's not that I don't believe Augustus can muster so many troops, but many of those 300,000 men need to be stationed at fixed posts, and it would be good if half of them could be deployed to fight.

Just like Wildea, she also trained a kingdom army of 100,000 men, but they had to be stationed on the border and maintain various orders on weekdays, so less than half of them could be deployed immediately.

Knowing this was one thing, but she dared not gamble on how many troops the Augustus Empire still had, because no matter how many, she would have a hard time dealing with the Holy Blood Army alone, and once Augustus took action, the Northern Federation would inevitably seize the opportunity to strike as well.

If Wildea is attacked from both sides, then destruction will be its only fate.

Compromise, to survive.

Or will they refuse to surrender and fight to the death?

Although she was unwilling, Elvian, as the Queen, knew that acting on impulse was pointless.

"I understand." Elvian raised her head. "Your Empress, since I have come to negotiate, I naturally bring sincerity. But I have one condition..."