A Battle of Words

Faced with Richard Richard's veiled threatening questioning, Monastery Melda's expression changed slightly, and she said:

"Your Highness, the Richard, I must remind you that North County Monastery has suppressed that ancient evil for over four hundred years, longer than the history of the Lionheart Empire."

Seeing Richard, Abbess Melda continued her impassioned speech, "For four hundred years, every generation of the Monastery has guarded against evil, preventing it from setting foot in the human world. You should believe that we nuns of this generation also have the ability to suppress evil!"

Richard smiled and said, "Is that so? Melda, your memory is probably not very good. Let me remind you of a name. Farga, do you remember?"

Dean Melda's expression changed drastically. This name was a taboo subject for her.

Richard, however, said leisurely, "Farga stole the Evil Soulstone from North County Monastery and successfully smuggled it out of Northshire! After such a huge problem, you still have the audacity to say that you have the ability to suppress evil?"

"Farga ... has already been publicly executed," Dean Melda said, sounding somewhat unsure of herself.

"Still trying to deny it?" Richard looked at Goliya beside him. "It just so happens that this case was originally handled by our royal family's former knight commander. Goliya, tell us the details."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Goliya remained expressionless, ignoring Dean Melda's hopeful gaze, and calmly stated, "Although Farga is dead, the Evil Soulstone has not been recovered; instead, it has fallen into the hands of an 'outsider.' Since the Cross-Realm Teleportation Talisman has already been used, I cannot pursue that outsider to his world. The mission has failed."

Richard sighed, "The poison is far-reaching. Farga has been executed, and Goliya has been stripped of her honor as Imperial Knights —both have paid the price. But the outflow of the Evil Soulstone stems from the North County Monastery's negligence! Dean Melda, what else do you have to say?"

Melda's lips moved, but she couldn't utter a single word.

"Therefore, I request that you open the seal on the Grand Mausoleum so that we can enter and verify the seal's integrity... Is there a problem?" Richard pressed on.

Melda said in a deep voice, "As I said before, His Highness may enter the Grand Mausoleum, but only in half a month."

"Nonsense! Checking the seal is urgent, there's no time for you to stall! Tell me honestly, has the seal already been destroyed?"

Richard slammed his hand on the table and said sternly, "Melda, don't think that giving you half a month will allow you to deceive people and confuse the issue!"

"No! The seal left by the Lord of Light remains intact!"

Melda said loudly, "Your Highness, the Grand Mausoleum has been tainted by evil energy for many years, turning it into an extremely dangerous place, a paradise for all kinds of undead creatures... If you wish to enter, you can only be guaranteed safety when the sealing power is at its strongest and the evil energy is extremely weak... which is in half a month."

"What a joke," Richard scoffed, standing up arrogantly. "Are all these powerful figures in this room just for show? If you're afraid, then I'll take two guards and Goliya along to check the seal!"

The faces of all the Boss Tier in the room changed color.

Grand Lord Galandis said calmly, "Your Highness, you should know that no one here dares to take the risk of letting a direct descendant of the Tiberon Royal House die in the Northern Frontier."

"So you should support me too, Grand Lord Galandis," Richard said.

Glandis scoffed, "No, Dean Melda and I are of the same opinion. The Grand Mausoleum is there; it's not going to disappear on its own. What's wrong with waiting half a month? The rebels have seized the capital of the Northern Frontier and are massacring nobles loyal to the Empire, causing bloodshed! Every minute of delay will result in several more innocent lives being lost."

Glandis continued, "Since Richard Highness Prince Richard has an army with him, what reason is there not to retake Northshire? With all our strength combined, retaking Northshire is not difficult."

Richard smiled slightly, "We people of the Empire have a proverb: Only a fool would sacrifice for the benefit of others."

Glandis's beautiful face hardened with frost. "Richard Highness Prince Richard, your words are far too disheartening for the Empire's allies. Moreover, let me remind you that the recapture of the Northshire is not without its benefits to you—not to mention the strategic advantages to the Empire, the merit of recaptured the Northern Frontier Capital alone is enough to leave a strong mark on His Majesty's mind and give you a solid step towards the position of Crown Prince!"

Richard shook his head. "Grand Lord Galandis, my secret mission in coming to the Northern Frontier is to investigate the seal on the North County Monastery... This is my duty. Now that I'm here, I must complete this task before considering anything else."

Richard Richard's words were easy to understand. The Lionheart Empire Emperor sent him to the North County Monastery, just like a teacher assigning a task. Only by completing the task of investigating the seal could he pass, and only then would he have the luxury of considering other tasks that would earn him extra points—such as retaking Northshire.

Ultimately, Northshire was lost to Arinas and belonged to Glandis's fiefdom. If anyone should be worried, it's those two, not Richard Tiberon.

Having realized this, Glandis finally changed her attitude.

"Very well. I hope you will keep your promise, Your Highness. After completing the task of investigating the seal, proceed to the Northshire!"

"Therefore I need your... and Lord Carlisle's assistance," Richard said with a slight nod.

"We will do our best within our capabilities. I have made the decision for you, Sir Carlisle, is there no objection?" Glandis said.

Behind her, the Sword Saint Carlisle, dressed in coarse cloth and with his eyes slightly closed, opened them. "My blade is at your service, madam."

"Dean Melda, it seems you have no other choice now," Richard said with a smile.

Standing on the left side of the hall, the solemn and dignified Imperial Royal Guards stepped forward in unison.

At Glandis's signal, seven or eight guards from the North Palace on the right side of the hall stepped forward. Instantly, the sense of Intimidation was palpable.

Dean Melda remained silent for a few seconds.

"Since His Highness insists and we have the support of the Lord of the Northern Frontier, I truly have no other choice. Everyone, please follow me."

Melda turned and walked away, followed closely by the burly, rough-looking nun.

Richard and his two Leader Tier bodyguards exchanged a glance, a strong sense of excitement visible in his eyes.

My wife gave birth to our second child today, another boy! It's been a long day. Because I have to stay up late with her, I won't be updating much for the next few days... sorry.