Chapter 121. The Foreign Races Want a Marriage Alliance
The crystal’s light brightened and dimd, illuminating a contemplative silhouette hidden in the shadows.
They would use the Foreign Race kingdoms as a whetstone to wear down Kroll’s strength, while also using Kroll’s hand to weaken the foreign races.
The sche could not have been more precise, but no one dared shoulder the risks involved lightly.
“But what if… William Kroll is hard?” another voice asked hesitantly.
Feir IV let out a scoff. “Relax. That boy William has the Grand Elder of Dragon Island’s Dragon Scale. He will be fine.”
Silence fell over the hall once more. Only the hum of the Communication Crystal lingered in the air, like an invisible net slowly drawing tight around the Kroll Kingdom.
While marching, William received a secret letter from Kroll II and unfolded it to read.
A short while later, when he lifted his eyes again, his gaze had darkened. He gave a quiet order to Zoe at his side.
“Pass on my command. The Sixth through Tenth Battalions of the Gold Legion are to break away from the main force imdiately and ride through the night to reinforce every trade route. The royal caravans must be protected at all costs. If they are attacked, kill without rcy.”
Zoe accepted the order and turned away. The clatter of armor stirred a faint ripple through the ranks.
Like streams of water cleanly split apart, the five battalions quickly separated from the legion formation. Once they understood their respective destinations, they scattered in all directions.
William swung himself onto his horse, his fingers unconsciously brushing the edge of the secret letter. At the end of the letter was one final line:
Return to the Royal Capital at once.
“Pick up the pace. Our destination is the Royal Capital.”
Thirteen days later, at dawn, the outline of the Royal Capital pierced through the morning mist.
The blue-gray city walls reflected a cold gleam beneath the rising sun, and the drawbridge over the moat slowly lowered like welcoming arms.
William reined in his horse and looked at the travel-worn forces behind him. “The Knight Orders are to return to their respective manors and rest. The Gold Legion is to enter the western camp and await orders.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
William motioned for Darwin to fly low, then ascended into the sky together with Zoe and the black-robed young man.
The wind roared past his ears. Looking down over the Royal Capital below, he saw endless traffic filling the streets, making the city appear even more prosperous than he rembered.
Presumably, after news spread that resources were being purchased, great numbers of adventurers had poured in and brought new vitality with them.
Before long, the palace spires pierced through the clouds and ca into view.
William patted Darwin on the neck. The giant dragon understood and slowly descended.
In the end, he landed steadily in the plaza before the palace gates. When the dragon folded its enormous wings, it stirred a gust of wind that made the banners at the entrance snap loudly in the air.
When the Palace Knights guarding the gate saw this, they imdiately dropped to one knee in salute, their voices perfectly unified.
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
William leapt down from the dragon’s back and gave a faint nod. “Rise. Open the gates.”
The knights rose at once and swiftly pushed open the heavy palace gates. William said to Darwin, “Go back to the Dragon Nest and rest first. Zoe, you should all go and recover as well.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Zoe and the black-robed young man bowed and accepted the order. Darwin let out a low growl, spread his wings, and rose into the sky, soon disappearing into the clouds.
William straightened his collar and headed alone toward Kroll II’s Study.
As he passed through one corridor after another, the maids and attendants beneath the colonnades all stopped and bowed when they saw him, greeting him in low, respectful voices.
As he was walking, Prince Kande hurried over, urgency written across his face. “Your Highness, you have finally returned. His Majesty is discussing affairs of state with the ministers in the Throne Hall.”
William nodded and continued forward as he asked, “Has anything unusual happened in the Royal Capital lately?”
A strange expression flashed across Prince Kande’s face, and he lowered his voice. “There is indeed sothing troubleso.”
“Recently, the three Foreign Race kingdoms have been repeatedly sending people to pressure us. They say they want to send their princesses here to enter a marriage alliance with Your Highness.”
“A marriage alliance?”
William’s steps ca to an abrupt halt, and his brows instantly knit together.
Just the thought of those Foreign Race princesses sent a chill of disgust through him.
“What else did they say?” William’s voice turned colder.
“They said… it was to ‘promote peace among all races.’ They also hinted that if Your Highness does not agree, there may be ‘friction’ along the border.”
Prince Kande smiled bitterly.
“His Majesty has been troubled by this for several days already. He has been waiting for Your Highness to return and decide what to do.”
William let out a cold snort, a sharp light flashing through his eyes.
He would rather die than submit.
He quickened his pace and headed straight for the Throne Hall.
“I understand.”
At the end of the corridor, the Throne Hall was already close at hand. Through the heavy doors, he could vaguely hear his royal father and the ministers talking.
William drew a deep breath. He would not let them have their way.
When the attendant at the entrance saw William approaching, he imdiately bowed, his voice respectful.
“Your Highness, His Majesty instructed that once you arrived, you were to enter directly.”
William nodded and reached out to push open the thick oak doors.
The hinges turned with a deep groan, breaking the sound of discussion in the hall.
Kroll II, seated upon the throne, imdiately stopped speaking with the minister beside him. His gaze fell on William, and a trace of warmth appeared in his eyes as he raised a hand and beckoned.
“William, co here.”
The ministers in the hall all turned their eyes toward him. Seeing that it was William who had returned, they each wore different expressions—relief, scrutiny, and a curiosity that so of them could not quite hide.
Without looking to either side, William strode steadily across the carpeted hall. When he reached the foot of the throne, he bowed slightly. “Father.”
Kroll II looked at his son’s dust-covered face from the long journey and pointed at the empty seat below. “Sit.”
William sat down in the vacant seat and looked directly at Kroll II, getting straight to the point. “Father, about the marriage alliance proposed by the Foreign Race kingdoms…”
Kroll II lightly tapped the armrest of his throne with his fingertips and slowly nodded.
“Yes. Things have indeed been strange lately.”
“The three Foreign Race kingdoms seem to have planned it together. All of them have set their sights on you, and their attitude has been extrely hardline, as though if we refuse, they will imdiately co to blows.”
He paused, and his tone grew a little more relaxed.
“There have been so minor clashes along the Northern Frontier border, and the newly incorporated Eastern Frontier of the Silver Oakleaf Kingdom has also seen occasional unrest, but those are all superficial matters.”
“As for the foreign races, I can still handle them for now. Although they have Domain-Level Powerhouses, they still do not dare openly tear apart all pretense.”
William’s brows did not relax.
“If they suddenly beca this aggressive, I am afraid it is not just about a marriage alliance.”
“Could it be related to the Secret Realm? Our extraction of Secret Realm resources may have crossed one of their red lines.”
“That is possible.” Kroll II remained noncommittal. “But it is even more likely that soone is stirring the waters from behind the scenes.”
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