The aging man on the throne had reached the final stretch of his declining years. Life seemed to slip from him with every passing moment. His frail body had to lean against the throne to sit upright, and a gray film clouded his once-bright eyes.
Han Shuo followed Candida inside and glanced at Utrede, whose days were numbered. He knew then that the king truly was dying. No wonder the princes of the Lancelot Empire were so brazen in their struggle for power.
"Your Majesty, Count Brian has come to see you!" Candida said respectfully after approaching and bowing.
Utrede coughed violently for a while before some life gradually returned to his gray eyes. He struggled to straighten himself, glanced over Candida and Han Shuo, then finally fixed his gaze on Han Shuo. In a feeble voice, he asked, "Brian, Candida has told me everything you have been doing in Brettel City lately. You have done very well indeed!"
"You flatter me, Your Majesty. I was only doing my duty." Han Shuo had spoken with Candida on the way here and understood that it was best not to speak rashly before someone like this. He only needed to answer whatever he was asked.
"I hear rumors have been spreading outside that you have some connection with the Calamity Church. Haha, how interesting. Your background is clean, and you have made many contributions to the Lancelot Empire. How could you possibly have ties to such an evil church?" Utrede spoke to himself, as though the words were meant only for his own ears.
"Your Majesty is discerning. Those are nothing but rumors spread by enemies," Han Shuo replied.
"Then do you know who is spreading them, and what their intentions are?" Utrede asked, looking at Han Shuo.
Han Shuo shook his