Magic Exchange Conference

However, the news of Morton falling to the enemy reached the capital of Keren, stirring up wave after wave of massive turmoil.

In the capital of Keren, Cleveland sat upon his throne, his face so gloomy it seemed as if water could drip from it. The news of the main city's fall and the annihilation of the legion had reached the palace that morning, causing Cleveland to rush into convening a grand assembly, so much so that he didn't even notice his crown was tilted. While the other princes and nobles noticed, they dared not speak given his expression, choosing to act as if they hadn't seen it.

"I have just received news from the front lines: the Third Legion has been wiped out..." Cleveland spoke, only to find that the ministers below were not overly surprised, but rather filled with anxiety.

"You all already knew?" Cleveland asked, a surge of anger in his heart.

Isli, the Minister of Finance, hesitated for a moment before saying softly, "Your Majesty, as early as yesterday, the entire capital was rife with rumors. It's just that it hadn't been confirmed, so we dared not report it."

Cleveland slumped exhaustedly on his throne, clutching his forehead as if it were aching terribly.

After a long silence, he said in a slightly hoarse voice, "This monster, without the aid of any siege weapons, breached one of my border main cities and completely annihilated the Third Legion, one of the kingdom's three great legions. Everyone, the leader of these monsters has even spouted wild words, claiming that in twenty days, he will be sitting on my throne drinking wine! Do you have any suggestions regarding this?"

The princes and nobles looked at one another, whispering among themselves, but they fell silent under Cleveland's gaze.

"Are you all just waiting to watch him stand on my throne drinking wine in a month's time!!!"

Crash... Cleveland smashed the cup beside him onto the floor. A massive roar echoed throughout the palace, and the two ministers in the front row shivered from his sudden outburst of fury.

"Your Majesty..." Isli, the Minister of Finance, spoke up again. "Your Majesty, the Magic Guilds of surrounding nations are currently holding a magic exchange conference, and the location is right here in our capital. I believe the Third Legion's defeat at the hands of the monsters was due, firstly, to a lack of understanding of the monsters, and secondly, because our magical strength remains too weak. If we can hasten our research into this new monster lineage and obtain the help of the various nations' Magic Guilds, I believe defeating them will not be much of a problem..."

Cleveland swept his gaze across the faces of the other ministers. "Did you hear that? Did you see that? When the kingdom's security is violated, the military affairs of my dignified Keren Kingdom actually require my Minister of Finance to offer strategies. What about the rest of you? Are you all useless fools!!!"

"Your Majesty, I am willing to request the help of the Magic Guild, lead the First Legion, recover the lost territory, and exterminate the monsters!" Yarman, commander of the First Legion, suddenly stepped forward and said with a clanging, powerful tone.

"Finally, I see a living general!" Cleveland said with great dissatisfaction. At the same time, he asked Yarman, "The mages in the Magic Guild are all selfish old fogies who don't hold royal authority in their eyes. Are you certain you can get them to act?"

Yarman revealed a strange smile. "Your Majesty, aren't they holding a magic exchange conference? Even if it bears the name of an exchange, the guilds from different countries and provinces will inevitably compete for the top spots. Real combat is the only standard for testing combat effectiveness. As long as we offer sufficiently large benefits as prizes for this exchange conference, I believe those old fogies will be willing to move the location of their exchange from a target-filled training ground to the battlefield where we conquer the monsters..."

"For the first time, I have finally heard a sentence that doesn't make me angry. Yarman, you have full authority over this matter. Three days. I hope that in three days, I can see off the soldiers of my First Legion at the city gates as they march to conquer the monsters and recover the lost territory!"

"No, Your Majesty. I am confident I can persuade that group of mages today. Tomorrow, tomorrow our great army will embark on the journey to recover the lost territory!"

"Very good, Yarman. Exterminate these monsters, and I shall grant you the title of Marquis!"

Inside the capital, on the bustling streets, Ye Yan walked out of a magic shop. He looked at the dozen gold coins in his hand, weighed them twice, and put them into his pocket. Behind him, two mages followed closely.

Three days ago, following Ye Luo's orders, he had formed a caravan to head to the capital to scout for information. Having sold his goods to the shop and earned only a meager amount for travel expenses, Ye Yan didn't care in the slightest. He led the two mages behind him toward a tavern; in any kingdom, taverns were undoubtedly the hotbeds for news and rumors.

"Damn it, mages really do get the treatment of nobles. When we warriors are conscripted to fight, where would we ever get such rewards? Tsk tsk tsk, Mage Merlin's robe—this magic robe could sell for at least eight thousand gold coins on the market..."

"Eight thousand gold coins? Even at ten thousand, there's no supply! Mage Merlin is a Radiant Mage, and his attainments in fire magic have reached the pinnacle. How could his magic robe be measured in mere gold coins? Tsk tsk, the Keren royal family is truly blessed to have obtained this robe. For a hundred years, the capital's Magic Guild has repeatedly hoped to obtain it, only to be refused by the royal family. I didn't expect the royal family to actually bring it out this time!"

"Heh, this monster lineage is completely finished. With the mages of the six great kingdoms gathered here, even if it's just those from the Magic Guild, there must be at least a thousand of them..."

Ye Yan's heart stirred, and he transmitted the news he had heard to Ye Luo word for word. The Flying Ant on his shoulder even transmitted the visuals directly into Ye Luo's mind.

In the massive bedroom of the City Lord's Mansion in Morton, Ye Luo listened to the reports from Ye Yan and the Flying Ant while looking at Caroline, who was left with only her undergarments.

She was a very stubborn girl. Her golden hair was tied into a high ponytail, and her eyes often flashed with the heroic spirit of a warrior. Her delicate, small red lips revealed an incomparable temptation. As for her figure, because she was a fourth-rank Silver Warrior, her chest was somewhat small, but it was undoubtedly filled with a resilience and elasticity that other girls lacked.

A beauty of the mortal world!

Ye Luo drained the red wine in his goblet. "Caroline, it cannot be denied that your allure is quite sufficient, but I still hope to hear your reasons. Only then can I set my heart at ease and fully enjoy your service..."

"..." Caroline bit her lip, revealing a hint of helplessness and despair. "Because... because the Barute Chamber of Commerce is our enemy. Since it has received the support of His Majesty Ye Luo, there will be no end to the retaliation against us in the future."

Ye Luo looked at her with a hint of pity. "Why bother? Two women, why must you compete with a group of stinking men?"

"..." Caroline remained silent.

Ye Luo sighed. His long-suppressed desire, combined with the repeated betrayals of humanity, and the loneliness and anger in his heart—all these complex emotions suddenly fused into one, causing the clothes on his body to shatter instantly. With a wave of his hand, Caroline was pulled into his embrace by an invisible force!

"Ye Yan, take your squad and return immediately. I already have a strategy for how to deal with these mages!" After issuing the order to Ye Yan, Ye Luo blocked out all perception.

In the bedroom, the spring scenery was boundless...