A Sudden Upheaval in the Royal City

Cold, shivering.

"You're awake?"

Serena slowly opened her eyes and found herself in a carriage, with the members of Hasawi Squad sitting opposite her.

"Huh?"

She made a confused sound, looking out the carriage window at the scattered people wandering along the roadside, left behind by the carriage as the plains continued to recede.

"We're out?" she asked, somewhat dazed. "When?"

"About ten minutes later, you fell asleep after you came out of the Painting World," Fingel said. "Now we're heading back to the Royal Palace."

"Oh"

Serena hadn't quite snapped out of her Painting World reverie and looked rather dazed. It took her a while to come to her senses, and then she adopted an excited expression.

"Do you know what I just saw in the Painting World, Ornstein? It was alive!"

She excitedly recounted what she had just witnessed, then clenched her fists and said indignantly, "Damn it! I finally made up my mind to keep going, and then I got kicked out! I don't have a headache at all!"

That's because Aleya has been healing you.

"Can I go back in? Give me a day, no, half a day, and I can conquer this Painting World!"

Serena clasped her hands together, her eyes brimming with tears and hope.

To this, everyone could only shake their heads helplessly, after all, the Princess's schedule was not something they could arrange.

"However, since that's what you think," Fingel gave a thumbs-up and smiled, "We'll help you plead for him!"

"Yay! Cough cough, I mean, that's great."

The day's adventure quickly warmed the relationship between the Princess and Hasawi Squad, and they had become good friends. Of course, this might also be related to the many things that happened that day.

The atmosphere inside the carriage was lively as people discussed how to get Minister Aoluo's permission to continue arranging the Princess's underground journey.

However, when they arrived at the Royal Palace —no, the Leyndell —the liveliness in the carriage was overshadowed by the greater atmosphere within the Leyndell.

Is that kind of atmosphere called anger?

The people on the street looked angry, and some were even marching, but for the Princess's safety, the marchers were kept outside, and it was impossible to see what they were doing.

"What are the people doing?" Serena asked the knight next to her through the car window.

"It is a request to wage war against the Warrior Country."

Serena was puzzled. "Didn't the two countries already cease hostilities? The people also want peace."

"Well... I dare not say more. Someone will explain for you when you return to the Royal Palace." The knight wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, looking at the parading crowd with worry in his eyes.

An odd atmosphere enveloped the people. When they returned to the Royal Palace, the person who came to greet them was not the familiar guards, but another acquaintance.

Iliphis!

Upon seeing the other person, Serena's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly changed her demeanor, reverting to her usual polite self.

Fingel waved to Iliphis, who nodded in response. They were probably friends, but they didn't have much to talk about.

What's puzzling is that Iliphis's attire is quite different from his usual appearance. He, who usually pays attention to his appearance, is now wearing his signature White Eagle armor. Not only that, but there also seems to be bandages showing around his neck, making him look like he has just returned from a battle or even been injured.

Not only him, but the Royal Palace guards also seemed more nervous than usual, and they carried more weapons.

What's going on? I sensed something was wrong as soon as I entered the Leyndell.

Fingel frowned. They had only spent a whole day in the dungeon. Surely nothing extraordinary could have happened in that time?

Serena also noticed the bandages on Iliphis's body and immediately went over to comfort him, behaving like a girl in love.

Iliphis remained expressionless and said, "Princess, please come with me. There are some matters to discuss. Fingel, you may also come along."

"Us?"

Fingel eventually followed, entered the Royal Palace, and walked through the corridors. Anxious civil officials were constantly pacing back and forth, and the entire Royal Palace was filled with a scorching atmosphere.

"Damn the Warrior Country, how could they do such a thing?"

"This is simply treating peace as a child's game that can be trampled on at will!"

"King Majesty, when will you regain your senses and lead us?"

The various voices made everyone feel confused until the group entered the reception room, at which point they understood why the Royal Palace had become like this.

Iliphis clapped his hands, and the projection crystal in the reception room immediately began to work.

What appeared in the projection were a burned-out palace, charred corpses, a slain dragon, and Minister Aoluo lying unconscious on his sickbed.

The series of images left people stunned, unsure of where to begin their questions.

"The Warrior Country has trampled on the hard-won peace."

"Iliphis a deep voice."

With his explanation, Serena gradually understood what had happened.

The Warrior Country gathered Minister Aoluo, Iliphis, and a group of powerful figures within the kingdom by spreading rumors that the Light Eagle Legion was colluding with the demons. After all, the demons were a matter of great importance, and the kingdom would certainly take it very seriously.

Then, the Dragon Blood Warrior and dragons attacked the people, detonating their own explosives. The explosions and flames nearly destroyed the palace, and only a few survived the attack, including Iliphis and the unconscious Aoluo.

As for why the Warrior Country would do this, you can come up with any reason you want; dozens of reasons could be listed, such as weakening the enemy nation's power before the start of the War Festival. There are always reasons that can convince people.

The enemy attack threw the Royal Palace into chaos. Iliphis survived, took on the responsibility and calmed everyone in the Royal Palace in just one day, but the news still got out.

The people were outraged. All they knew was that Minister Aoluo and others had gathered to meet the Messengers from the Warrior Country in order to show their sincerity in peace, but they never expected to be attacked by the envoy and cause such a disaster.

Since the Warrior Country has wasted this goodwill, the people naturally demand war, and that the war continue!

Iliphis lowered his eyes, as if he were heartbroken and unable to bear the loss of the hard-won peace. Anyone who saw him would feel that he truly cared about the people.

"Serena, I need you now," he called the Princess by her name for the first time. "Please go and appease the people, so that they do not fall into Furious Rajang of war."

"But."

"We will definitely seek justice, but we must never let hatred blind us."

Iliphis looked at Fingel, who was trying to absorb the information, and said, "Adventurers are the most easily swayed by emotions. The task of calming down the adventurers is entrusted to you, my friend."

Fingel sensed something was off, but nodded anyway, glancing casually at Serena.

The Princess's expression was bitter.

It seems I won't be able to go to the dungeon.

That morning, Princess Serena stepped forward to appease the public, and she did so for several days afterward.

Her intellectual display calmed public anger somewhat, and her popularity among the people rose significantly.

Besides handling Royal Palace affairs, Iliphis also publicly displayed several demon corpses. According to him, the Light Eagle Legion had been secretly dealing with the demons approaching the Leyndell to protect the safety of the people. The demons resented the Light Eagle Legion, which is why rumors of cooperation spread. The Warrior Country was also being used.

As time passed and the people calmed down, they began to regard Serena and Iliphis as the kingdom's two brightest new stars, guiding them forward.

War affects everyone's life. These days, the word is everywhere, from the streets to the alleys, and even adventurers are no exception.

In contrast, the underground intelligence brought back by Hasawi Squad is vying for attention, even more so than the topic of war.

The Nameless King was incredibly powerful, and his identity was a major point of interest. This naturally attracted the attention of the guild, and the adventurer team at the forefront of dungeon raiding naturally entered the Archdragon Peak and even brought back images of the Nameless King, leaving people in awe of his power.

The story of House Gwyn has gained a new chapter, with people speculating why the Sun's Eldest Son God, a dragon hunter, would become a protector of ancient dragons after his victory, and why Gwyn banished him.

Some nitpickers have even pointed out that the corpse wearing the [Sun's Eldest Son Ring] on the altar of Irithyll Cathedral is positioned directly opposite the distant Ancient Archdragon Peak!

Given that Gwyndolin was once the ruler of Irithyll, some have suggested that Gwyndolin was using this subtle method to commemorate his brother.

Unsurprisingly, in addition to scholars, a group of people who enjoy studying the relationships between historical figures, commonly known as "CP fans," became active in this field.

Besides the Nameless King, Dragonstone is the second most discussed topic. Many teams are researching ways to obtain Twinkling Dragon Stone, but so far they have not been able to achieve any results.

The Skyrim Strategy Team, which was usually the most active, was absent from this exploration of the Archdragon Peak. It is said that it was because their leader Lu Lu Wo, was not there. As for what Lu Lu Wo was doing, it seems to be related to a girl carrying a greatsword.

In addition, the beast tamers gathered at the call of the Magician Luo Jieer, who had his sights set on the Ancient Flying Dragon of Archdragon Peak and vowed to bring this behemoth to his grasp together with his apprentice Vierde.

Gwyndolin's reaction to Yorshka's Chime was interpreted by the public as something like an "Easter egg," and they marveled that as expected of a divine remnant, he remained unharmed after realizing his true nature.

[The Painting World "embarking on the path of Gu Long"] These days, many people have been brought back by the cutting-edge teams. Because no one has yet conquered its harsh and cruel conditions, it has gradually been regarded as a means of tempering the mind. People have begun to compete to see who can climb the farthest, and the farther the climb, the more respect they receive.

In short, the appearance of the Archdragon Peak has rekindled people's enthusiasm for exploring the unknown.

Unfortunately, the scope of this enthusiasm has changed in the face of a potential war.

Nighttime, the Royal Palace.

"Well."

Serena stood by the window, gazing in the direction of the Zane Dungeon, her face full of exhaustion.

Pacifying the public was tiring enough, and in addition, she even began to get involved in some political affairs, albeit with Iliphis's help.

What help? It should be called supervision, right? She thought to herself, and couldn't help but purse her lips.

Minister Aoluo remains unconscious, while the Princess is now under immense pressure, and the training to make her a qualified Queen is even more demanding.

If that were all, Serena would only feel tired, but she wouldn't complain, since it was her responsibility.

But now, she feels that the training she is receiving is more like "how to make her a qualified Queen subordinate to Iliphis".

During this period, Iliphis went out, and their interactions were always polite and affectionate, seemingly deepening the public's perception of their bond.

Serena could perfectly guess the purpose of doing this, and she was absolutely certain of it.

The attack on the Warrior Country is full of suspicious points, but so what? No one can question Iliphis, and the Princess can't resist him either.

"I really want to relax."

She stroked the ring in her pocket, the one imbued with the Painting World, which reminded her of her adventure at the top of Archdragon Peak, like a dream.

"Knock knock—"

There was a sudden knock on the door. Serena's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly pulled her hand away and turned to face the person who came in.

Iliphis.

The young man's appearance was even more handsome under the bright moonlight, so much so that he could be described as alluring, enough to captivate anyone.

"Lord Iliphis, what brings you here so late?"

Serena knew this was another trick by the other party. Every night, the other party would come here for a while, practically to show others, "Look, the Princess and I are so close that we're having a secret rendezvous."

A red light appeared in Iliphis's eyes. Serena pretended to be stunned for a moment, then sat down in the chair with a smile and took the initiative to start a conversation with Iliphis.

This is so annoying! How long do I have to keep performing?

The evening's routine "rendezvous" only lasted about ten minutes. Iliphis would do nothing but sit for a while and then leave, while Serena only needed to perform a one-woman show for about ten minutes.

However, this time, Iliphis left her something before he left.

"The enemy country might send assassins. Take this necklace. It's a magical item enchanted with teleportation magic. As long as you use it, you can instantly teleport here from the Leyndell and the surrounding area. However, there is a time limit. You must not use it unless you are in danger."

Iliphis spoke, a red light flashed in his eyes. He was giving Serena an order. After seeing her nod with a bewildered expression, he withdrew his power with satisfaction.

"A gift for me? Thank you so much, Lord Iliphis."

Serena happily put on the necklace, and the other person said some formulaic greetings before turning and leaving.

One minute to go.

A minute later, a smile bloomed on Serena's face as she stared at the teleportation necklace.

She seemed to know how to relax, but she shouldn't forget one thing: she had all the pages of the magic book that Iliphis had collected.

This naturally includes those who can return to the Zane Dungeon.

[The Road Home]