Tulip

"Teacher?"

Inside the tent, a small head peeked out.

Messiah was awakened by the commotion, her big eyes filled with curiosity.

"Fine."

Sulu waited a moment and saw a Centaur return, its spear tip stained with blood. It bowed to him, then disappeared into the card.

"They actually escaped?"

He smiled, unconcerned. "Looks like you do have some real skills."

Although the mutated Centaur was not as powerful as Rophis, it was still equivalent to a knight who had just entered the third tier.

To escape from its clutches, even at the cost of injury, is a testament to considerable strength.

"Teacher... is this also a skill I'm going to learn?"

Messiah had already disappeared into the tent, opened it a crack again, looked at the Centaur card, and a look of surprise appeared on his face.

"You don't need to know the answer to this question."

Sulu said sternly, "A lady shouldn't be up late at night, spying on people."

"Teacher, you remind me of my nanny... just as strict."

Messiah pursed her lips, then suddenly fell silent again.

Sulu felt a little embarrassed; most of the people in the palace should have died in the war.

"Alright, alright, go to sleep now!"

He climbed into his tent and stretched comfortably.

At the same time, a Shadow Clone appeared, like the most loyal guard, fulfilling its duty of standing watch.

West Territory.

This land is known as the kingdom's land of flowers, abundant with all kinds of flowers.

The core of the Drake Family's rule was located at Tulip Castle.

Council hall.

Many West Territory nobles lined up on both sides, some of their positions were vacant, or were temporarily filled by women and children.

These were the nobles who had traveled to the Royal Capital with Grand Duke Drake; most of them had died in battle, and a small number had been taken prisoner.

In short, the powers and obligations of vassals were temporarily fulfilled by their wives or children.

Seated in the main seat atop three stone steps was a boy who looked to be only eleven or twelve years old.

He is Bard, the second son of the late Grand Duke. Due to the death of his eldest son, he has now officially assumed the title of Grand Duke Drake and has gained the allegiance of the nobles present.

The boy was very nervous, glancing at the scholar beside him from time to time.

"Cough cough..."

The scholar, an elderly man with a full head of white hair, clutched books, his eyes gleaming with Wisdom. He coughed and said, "My lords... the Raven has brought us unfortunate news. I understand your sorrow and hatred, but reason is the only way to resolve this. The West Territory can no longer withstand the ravages of war..."

"Scholar Brunel, do you want us to make peace with those barbarians from the North?"

Beside the young Duke Bard stood a nobleman.

He looked middle-aged, with a hooked nose, a gloomy complexion, and a high hairline, seemingly suffering from hair loss due to prolonged contemplation.

His face was filled with rage. "Those barbarians killed my brothers, my sisters... Now, are we supposed to kneel before them?"

"Lord Shackle, please remain calm. I am merely acting from the perspective of the West Territory ..." Brunel explained.

The position of scholar was equivalent to a nobleman's private advisor, and the scholar himself did not necessarily hold a noble title.

Their status and power were closely related to the degree of favor and authority of their superiors.

Brunel was originally a highly trusted scholar of Grand Duke Drake, but now, with the young duke's authority waning and his father no longer trusting him as much, he had no choice but to explain himself to Shackle, the current duke's uncle.

"We haven't lost yet!"

Shackle roared, "The barbarians of the north are the real rebels! We must seek support from the south and the east... Oh, and find the Queen! I received news that, by the grace of the Mother Goddess, our Queen is safe; she has escaped!"

"Oh oh!"

A cheer erupted from below; this was the only 'good news' that all the nobles heard.

"Gentlemen... the barbarians of the North will not let this opportunity pass them by. They will surely attack the West Territory. We need to prepare for war! Mobilize immediately!"

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Shackle launched into an inspiring speech.

Brunel and Bard, however, had somber expressions, as if they had been forgotten by everyone.

"Your Grace, please be patient for now."

After the meeting ended, Brunel quickly caught up with Bard and said softly.

Because the Duke was still a minor, Shackle wielded enormous power, akin to a 'regency'.

However, if war breaks out, power will inevitably tilt further in his favor, which is not in the young duke's interest!

Unfortunately, as the party with a blood feud with the Northern Territory, Bard could not possibly propose a ceasefire, and even today's attempt to probe with the maester ended in a crushing defeat.

"I understand. Besides... just as Uncle said, the northerners are very likely to attack us directly... Let's prepare for war."

Bard smiled wryly.

late at night.

Shackle found himself back in the council chamber.

Unlike last time, this time he was dressed in a duke's robes, basking in the cheers of the nobles below with great pride.

This was his deepest ambition, and he never expected it to come true so quickly!

"Where... where am I? Am I... am I dreaming?"

Shackle was initially quite engrossed, but suddenly, a chilling sensation, like that of an icy river, washed over his entire body, bringing him back to his senses.

"You're right, you're dreaming!"

At that moment, everyone turned around, their faces bearing strange smiles.

Their figures blurred, as if they had turned into pieces of paper, then strangely merged together, Avatar into the image of another stranger.

He was a young man who looked to be only in his early twenties, dressed in a clean and tidy knight's uniform, with a tall and straight figure, dark eyes, and an alluring mystery.

"Let me introduce myself. My Sulu Potter! Uh... the chief Mage of the court appointed by Her Majesty the Queen! Please forgive my intrusion."

"It's you!" Shackle's expression changed. "Did the Queen send you? Where is she?"

"She is safe and will arrive at Tulip Castle soon. I came here specifically to ensure her safety."

Sulu smiled.

He was too lazy to stay by the Messiah's side all the time; besides, that wouldn't be the point of 'tempering' him.

"The Queen will be very safe in the West Territory..."

Shackle hesitated for a moment, then finally relented, saying, "What do you want to do? Sign Wizard's contract?"

"No, it's even simpler than that!"

Sulu shook his head and said, "I don't even need your cooperation..."

"You..."

Shackle was terrified, but in the dream, he was no match for Sulu, and his expression quickly turned blank.

Sulu stepped forward and pointed his index finger at Shackle's forehead.

"With Psychic Thaumaturgy combined with dream-making abilities... the alteration of memories can be done flawlessly!"

"However, just to be on the safe side, let's leave a time bomb curse here."