Chapter 246
But this is destined to be nothing more than self-deception.
"Come on, come on." Chen Ce smiled and waved to Morgana, who immediately stepped forward.
Now it was much clearer... Kayle's golden armor was completely shattered, his divine sword was tossed aside like trash, and his face and body were covered in mortal mud...
What a cruel humiliation!
"I treated your sister like this... you shouldn't be angry, right?" Chen Ce asked, feigning embarrassment.
Morgana's reaction was as expected—she wasn't annoyed at all; instead, she gave a meaningful smile.
"Of course not, but..."
"But what?"
"But I think you made a mistake."
"Hmm? Really? I'm so sorry... What did I do wrong?"
"Your mistake was..." Morgana's smile widened.
Her jet-black wings unfurled, and the chains that had bound them slid down to her hands.
"You should tie her up... right, my dear sister?"
"Madmen...! You two madmen...!" Kayle flapped his wings forcefully, trying to sweep away the chains in Morgana's hands.
But the next moment, she couldn't move.
Not only because Chen Ce pressed her down hard again, but also because she accidentally made eye contact with Chen Ce —she looked directly into his eyes... and in those eyes she saw [fear]...
Chen Ce unleashed the power of the demon.
An overwhelming sense of fear enveloped Kayle.
Although she believed she was no longer afraid, she couldn't escape the shadow of that day... She saw her father again... Kilam... he was covered in blood... he lay in Morgana's arms, slowly closing his eyes...
Morgana is crying... her father's life is slipping away...
And she... simply ran away in terror...
As it streaked across the sky... countless mortals wounded by the sacred flame wailed and awaited death... yet they had clearly committed no wrong...
Are they guilty too...?
Is my father also someone who needs to be purified...?
Countless self-doubts surged into Kayle's mind, and he felt fear for the first time in a long time—extreme fear.
She stopped struggling and lay on the ground with lifeless eyes, letting Morgana tie her up.
The chains first passed through her wings, then bound her hands...
After the chains were tied, Morgana took out the veil she had once used to cover herself.
"Your justice blinds you, Kayle... Since your eyes are useless, then blindfold them."
Morgana blindfolded Kayle with her veil.
After examining it for a while, she bent down and picked up the torn pieces of Kayle's corset.
First, knead it into a ball, then...
It was stuffed into Kayle's mouth.
"I don't want to hear your high-sounding words anymore."
After doing all this, Morgana finally nodded in satisfaction.
But Chen Ce only felt...
So astringent...
Chapter 99 Morgana: You're actually a pretty nice person.
With the empty throne right before her, Tianna had to consider whether this was her only chance in this lifetime.
As the Grand Marshal, it's impossible for her not to crave power... All she's done over the years has been to gradually increase her power, hasn't it?
But... the king...?
She had never thought of this before.
Even though some powerful and influential people who didn't get along with her gossiped about her behind her back, saying that she had rebellious intentions or something... she herself never had such thoughts.
She craved power, even wanting to surpass the king's power... but "becoming the king" was never on her mind.
Because the trouble that title brings is completely beyond what she can bear at this stage.
But... but...
Rebellion is impossible, but what if it was "forced"...?
She is loyal to all of Demacia, not to any particular person or family... if this can bring more benefits and development to Demacia...
What are you waiting for?
Eldred's seductive whispers were like those of a demon... He kept urging me on, but was that throne a sacred chair or an endless abyss?
Tianna can't tell... she really can't tell...
Looking at the corpses on the ground and the remorseful Seneschal of Demacia, and recalling the reactions of the rebellious mages and Eldred's words... she had guessed everything, but she still hesitated.
Yes... the king's death... was done by Eldred...
He sent men to kill the king amidst the chaos... then framed the Black Mage who had either been arrested or escaped... There's no way to prove it now...
The recent "anti- Mageseekers" speeches and marches have had an effect... The people outside are saddened by the king's death, but there aren't many voices insisting on finding out the truth... Perhaps all they need is an explanation... an explanation that doesn't require any proof...
Those were all... yes, they were Eldred...
In this situation, Tianna understood everything.
She wasn't stupid; she could connect the dots and draw conclusions with just a few clues... She had already guessed everything.
She turned around and looked at the group of trusted confidants who had followed her into the main hall of the palace.
Everyone looked indifferent.
But their eyes clearly held a longing... even excitement...
They... are all waiting...
At that moment, Tianna knew she had no other choice.
It's no longer a question of whether she wants to or not, but a question of "taking the risk or giving up everything".
So, regarding this choice...
"I've come this far... how can I possibly return to that dark and hopeless borderland..."
Tianna took a step, muttering to herself.
Her gaze grew increasingly resolute, and her steps became more and more steady... Finally, she stopped before the empty throne.
Her confidants all looked at her with expectant eyes, as if they themselves were about to sit on the throne.
But... their hopes were dashed the next second.
Tianna stood before the throne, but did not sit down.
She already has her own ideas.
She wouldn't give up everything, but this throne... she wouldn't risk sitting on it either.
There are still too many uncertainties. The problem of the mage rebellion and the remnants of the Lightshield Family have not yet been resolved... Rashly declaring oneself king will only plunge one into a terrifying abyss.
Yes, she admitted... at that moment, a word that was considered "outrageous" in Demacia came to mind—
[Empress]
She wants to become the kingdom's first empress and wants to completely change the country's system... but now is not the time.
She must be patient... only patience can ensure absolute safety.
Now, the most pressing issue is...
Those two "Kayle".
They appeared briefly in the Grand Plaza before disappearing in the midst of the fighting... What will be the final outcome?
If the angel, symbolizing law and justice, wins, then everything will be fine—given the legendary angel's style, she will uphold absolute legal justice—as long as the Lightshield Family disappears, even if there are suspicious circumstances, she will still approve of her ruling Demacia with legitimate rights.
That angel would never waste her time investigating the truth... She's too busy, only concerned with the judgment of the outcome, not the process. So, a mortal's investigation... is practically useless.
This is the best possible outcome.
But if the "The Veiled Lady" wins... things will get very bad.
She utterly despises traitors, and once she senses something amiss, she will do everything in her power to investigate the truth... It is truly difficult for mortals to conceal their deeds from the eyes of the gods... In that case, she will be branded with the crime of "regicide and usurpation."
So, let alone the public who suddenly learn the truth, the rage of the Veiled Lady alone is something they cannot bear...
In short, the throne cannot be sat on until all issues are properly addressed.
At the very least... it can't be done openly.
But the power it represents...
We must find His Majesty the King!
Tianna stood before the throne, her imposing posture making her appear like an empress of a thousand ages—even though she had not yet truly claimed the title of queen.
"But to ensure the safety of Demacia —to ensure the basic functioning of a nation—we cannot sit idly by and wait for our demise!"
"Until His Majesty the King and His Highness the Prince are found, all matters of state and military affairs shall be under my command!"
"Gentlemen—let's move out!"
At a command, all the nobles and officials in the main hall knelt down, their respectful posture as if they were worshipping their king.
This result has satisfied and raised expectations among many people.
They... succeeded.
Demacia is already in our grasp!
"We will do our utmost to find His Majesty the King!" Eldred, the commander of the Mageseeker Order, responded, his smile now completely undisguised.
The throne he single-handedly pushed forward... Tianna is about to sit on it.
He deserves the most credit!
He has enough secrets!
He will also gain sufficient influence!
As for the vanished prince... heh... since he's gone, let him never reappear...
While everyone bowed their heads in greeting, only Eldred secretly glanced at the woman on the steps.
He recalled the other person's previous contempt, disdain, and insults... all those unfair treatments he had received.
There won't be any more like this...
"It's so quiet, sister..."
"You know... you used to be quiet and reserved, but you would bravely stand up when it was necessary to resist... I admired you so much back then."
"But then... how did you end up like that?"
"You always talk about justice... you endlessly spout those grand principles... but you've stopped standing up for what's right."
"You used to talk less and do more, but now you talk more and do less... When did you start to become like this? And when did our disagreements begin?"
"I still prefer you to be quiet like this..."
Morgana cupped Kayle's blindfolded and gagged face, a strange feeling creeping into her gaze as she examined him.
This made Chen Ce, who was standing to the side, feel a little scared... a little morbid...
Morgana talked a lot, but Kayle didn't respond at all—not only was her mouth gagged and unable to make a sound, but her body had also completely given up struggling, as if she had given up in utter despair.
This is because her thoughts are currently in a state of extreme confusion.