In the southern part of the continent, in the Starlight Empire, the capital city is Stral.
This is the second most populous city on the entire continent, with its eight gates swallowing up and spitting out millions of people every day.
Alongside the millions of people, there also existed a considerable number of companion animals; this was the way the Imperials lived.
Whether day or night, inside or outside the city, the noise and garbage produced by animals always fill every corner.
But in this vast city, there is still one place that can be called a sanctuary, and that is the Imperial Palace located in the very center of the city.
On this morning, the core officials of the Starlight Empire once again gathered in the main hall of the palace, their steps steady, but their hearts filled with trepidation.
Emperor Leo VII, who has reportedly been bedridden for several months, issued a summons order yesterday, his second such order in three months.
The first order was issued five days ago, appointing a new Minister of the Imperial Seal.
The fact that two imperial edicts were issued in just five days raises the question of whether the patient's condition had improved or worsened to the point where everyone needed to be present to witness something. This is a question that no one can ignore.
Upon entering the hall, the group did not see the emperor of the empire, but instead spotted a somewhat familiar yet unfamiliar face beneath the throne.
He was a middle-aged man with a small mustache, dark green, slightly curly hair, and eyes that resembled calm, deep pools, tinged with a hint of green light amidst his gloom.
At this moment, the person, dressed in magnificent aristocratic attire, stood upright in the very center of the hall, smiling as he looked at the crowd.
Aside from not sitting on the throne, all his actions exemplified the word "usurpation."
Just as a slightly older court official was about to step forward to question him, the middle-aged man, who stood out from the crowd, spoke first:
"Some of you may have seen me before, but please allow me to introduce myself. I am Luokenuosuos i, former court physician, and currently the Lord Keeper of the Seals."
These words immediately caused a commotion in the palace.
No wonder some officials found this middle-aged man very familiar; it turned out he was the mysterious court physician.
However, they hadn't taken this person seriously before, and since he always wore a wizard-like outfit when he was a court physician, they didn't recognize him immediately.
Even some officials who had never met Luokenuosuos i gradually realized who he was. The physician's existence was no secret, but everything about him, except for his existence, was elusive.
He seemed to have suddenly appeared in the capital five years ago, and was subsequently personally appointed by His Majesty the Emperor as a court physician.
In the period that followed, the emperor's condition improved significantly, and almost everyone felt that things were about to get better.
However, starting a year ago, the emperor's illness seemed to have worsened again, and three months ago he completely abandoned his duties as emperor.
If it weren't for the certainty of some trusted court officials who claimed to have actually met with the emperor, the officials would almost have thought that their emperor had died of illness.
However, today's gathering was strange in every way—
All the officials were present, but the emperor was not. Not only was he absent, but a physician was appointed as the Minister in charge of the imperial seal, and allowed to stand there so arrogantly.
Could it be that His Majesty the Emperor has already...?
Some people inevitably harbored negative suspicions.
Just then, a clear and powerful footstep came from behind the throne.
Just as everyone was about to look up, they remembered that it was where the emperor was, so they lowered their heads again, only slightly rolling their eyes upwards, intending to see what was going on.
Then a tall and imposing figure walked out from behind the hall. He was a middle-aged man who looked to be about forty years old. Today, he was wearing gorgeous clothes that he hadn't worn in a long time. He strode over and sat heavily on his throne.
"Gentlemen, have you been overly concerned about my health lately?"
Upon hearing this, all the palace officials below lowered their heads and dared not utter a sound.
As officials in this palace, the lives of their entire families depended on the person on the throne. It was impossible for them not to worry. Moreover, if His Majesty were to pass away, they would have to find a way out...
Seeing that no one answered, the emperor on the throne continued:
"As you can see, my condition has greatly improved, and I will soon be fully recovered. You can now put your worries and concerns to rest."
These words left everyone speechless. They could only bow their heads lower and wait for the emperor to release his pent-up anger, whether it was the arrogance of someone recovering from a serious illness or the pent-up resentment in his heart.
The one on the throne continued:
"You have all met Luokenuosuos i, haven't you? He was a competent court physician before, and recently I discovered his outstanding abilities in handling affairs, so I promoted him exceptionally. I hope you will get along well in the future."
"I recall there's something else I need to discuss today, Luokenuosuos i."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Even when facing the emperor, the young man with dark green hair only bowed slightly, then turned to the crowd and said:
"Let that uninvited lobbyist in."
The order was relayed outside the hall, and soon a person dressed in a dark gray linen robe walked in. This person looked even younger Luokenuosuos i, and could even be described as a youth.
It's rare to see someone so young in such a serious setting, and the sight of his companion animals was so captivating that everyone's attention was drawn to this unfamiliar fellow.
A huge falcon was perched on the young man's shoulder. The crowd rarely saw such a large bird of prey; it was so large that its two sharp talons could barely fit on one of the young man's shoulders.
Ignoring the curious gazes of the crowd, the young man gave a slight bow, then looked at the emperor on the throne and said:
"I am but a traveler, and I have come to offer my congratulations to Your Majesty."
Leo VII asked with a forced smile:
Is there some good news I don't know about?
The young man nodded firmly and said:
"Yes, Your Majesty, the good news is that in a month, the Skeleton Alliance in the east of the empire will be sending its entire army across the sea to the Demon Realm. At that time, their country will be vulnerable, which will be the best opportunity for Your Majesty to lead your army to reclaim the lost territory!"
As soon as the young man finished speaking, the hall erupted in an uproar.
Leo VII frowned, clearly displeased with the outsider's outrageous remarks.
What are they trying to do by sending their entire army across the sea?
"Your Majesty, they intend to hunt ' Wens,' one of the seven Vampire Progenitor. They need the Authority to ' Drain ' to complete themselves! Of course, if Wens is difficult to capture, Rosalind's 'devour' is also a good alternative."
Leo VII stroked his short beard, his impatience turning into a thirst for opportunity:
"Such a secret, even no one in this hall knows it, how did you find out?"
No need to inquire.
The young man straightened his robes, revealing his youthful face, which concealed his sharp edges:
"If you agree to send troops, I will depart for the Skeleton Alliance today to inform those self-proclaimed 'senators' of Grand Duke Wens and Rosalind's information. Given their greed, they will be unable to resist the temptation of this Authority and will certainly do their utmost to cross the sea and hunt down the vampire Grand Duke!"
After this explanation, how could anyone in the palace not understand?
What intelligence sources are there?
Everything stemmed from this young man in front of me who looked to be under thirty.
He intends to single-handedly stir up trouble throughout the entire Southern Continent!
Leo VII stopped stroking his short beard; his heart was now filled with an uncontrollable ecstasy.
My condition had just improved, and now the opportunity to reclaim lost ground had arrived?
Is there really such a good thing in the world?
Just as he was about to ask a couple more questions, the young man suddenly said:
"Your Majesty, please consider this carefully. You only have this one chance. If you cannot drive the Skeleton Alliance back to sea to feed the fish, when they return with new Authority, the Starlight Empire will no longer exist on the Southern Continent."
Just as he was about to speak, Leo VII's expression froze instantly upon hearing this. He had intended to get up, but he sat back down heavily, pretending that nothing had happened.
The young man made his point very clearly: the current situation in the Southern Continent is a stalemate between the Empire and the Skeleton Alliance, and he has come to break this balance.
He will give both sides a chance, and who can seize it and become the ruler of the Southern Continent will depend on the abilities of this emperor and those "senators".
As for him, the middleman, he was nothing more than a tiny variable that added a little bit of variation to the rigid balance between the two sides.
The atmosphere in the hall was extremely tense, with everyone, including the newly appointed Keeper of the Seal, awaiting Leo VII's response.
A rhythmic tapping sound echoed in the hall; it was Leo VII, lost in thought, tapping the armrest of his throne with his knuckles.
After an unknown amount of time, Leo VII suddenly laughed, first a quiet chuckle, then a loud, unrestrained laugh.
After laughing for a while, he leaned down slightly to look at the young man below:
Tell me, what do you want?
The young man placed his hand on his chest, and the falcon on his shoulder mimicked the gesture.
"I want to end the conflict and bring peace and tranquility back to the world."
(End of Volume 4)