Chapter 35: Alliance
During this time, Bai Li had roughly understood this valley. The tranquility and peace here were indeed pleasing to the eye. Though the terrain was rugged and varied, it could also be self-sufficient.
In this way, it could be considered a paradise.
The castle was built on the mountaintop. Though its age was unknown, strangely, the facilities inside were complete. This felt inexplicable – logically, the Blood Clan’s craftsmanship shouldn’t reach this standard.
“Come on, you’re not the only one here who knows these things.” Vivian explained while drinking tea. “We still have many human dependents.”
Bai Li felt a bit confused. Dependents? It sounded like a nicer word for slaves.
Actually, that wasn’t the case. The humans living here under the Rose Sanctuary’s protection lived fairly decent lives. At least Vivian wouldn’t collect harsh taxes and levies. Correspondingly, they had to handle all the design and construction of the Sanctuary’s various buildings and facilities.
As for why situations like not knowing about tung oil fire prevention occurred, most were just ordinary people – professional craftsmen were still rare.
…
“You’re saying my brother can’t come back?”
“Crown Prince, absolutely true. This humble one was fortunate to escape. Sloy was indeed taken by the Blood Clan.”
The Crown Prince raised his sword and with one stroke cut off a corner of the table. The wooden piece fell onto the head of the soldier in front of him.
“Crown Prince…”
“I advise you that what you’re saying better be true, otherwise you know the consequences.”
He dismissed the soldier and turned around with a full smile, warmly greeting the servants.
“Miss, be more careful next time. Your bow tie is a bit crooked.”
He knelt on one knee and silently straightened her bow tie. The maid in front of him was flattered, blushing and at a loss. She had clearly messed things up, yet the Crown Prince was still so tolerant of her.
He patted the maid’s head. “Go busy yourself with your tasks. I also have work to do.”
Leaving the maid standing there in a daze, she looked completely flattered.
The Empire’s glory remained prosperous, but the darkness hidden beneath imperial wealth and nobility was never known to people.
In the monastery, Lan had been taking care of those orphans during this time. She could feel that the Empire’s claim of Bai Li’s death was false. The child she saw that day clearly looked identical to Bai Li as a child.
Combined with Vivian personally coming to pursue them, she was certain that little guy was connected to Bai Li – most likely him in person.
Regarding Second Prince Sloy’s disappearance, the ministers in the Empire’s court also understood this matter tacitly. Public opinion unanimously blamed the Rose Sanctuary.
The upper class were always the controllers of public opinion. Due to information gaps, the vast majority of common people would only blindly follow the upper class.
Imperial soldiers were also filled with righteous indignation, their morale high, vowing to flatten the entire Rose Valley and settle both old and new accounts for the Frost Moon Knights who sacrificed themselves before and current matters.
Sunlight fell outside as the Crown Prince stood on the balcony overlooking the thriving Empire, while waiting for someone’s arrival.
“You’ve come. I’ve dismissed all the spies and guards around the palace. The defense map should still be useful.”
A black shadow condensed into human form as Clement’s figure materialized. He came as promised, and the Crown Prince didn’t break his word either.
“The Empire’s fighting spirit has been ignited. Let’s proceed as we discussed before.”
Clement raised the blood goblet in his hand and elegantly sipped a small mouthful. His ability determined that he could appear from any dark place.
“Prince Herta, there’s one thing I’m not quite clear about.”
Crown Prince Herta was somewhat puzzled. Already distrusting Clement, the sword in his hand emanated holy light, ready to fight this sinister schemer at any moment.
“Don’t be hasty, Your Highness.” He slowly pressed down the Crown Prince’s hand, making him lower his sword.
“We’re only in a cooperative relationship – essentially still enemies. Take your hand away.” Herta’s voice carried coldness and disdain. “If you have something to say, just say it. Don’t try to get close to me.”
Clement awkwardly withdrew his hand. He had previously learned that a mysterious quasi-Prince had recently appeared in the Rose Sanctuary – this person’s background had no information whatsoever.
“What you say makes sense – absolutely no unstable factors can be allowed.” Herta opened the window, and sunlight immediately filled the entire hall.
He waved his hand, and the falcon atop the tower obediently perched on his hand.
“Go tell Cook about this matter – it’ll give him a chance to step down from losing the scroll.”
Accompanied by a sharp cry, the falcon spread its wings and flew away, disappearing at the horizon in just moments.
After the window closed, Clement lifted his hood. Herta’s action was undoubtedly not taking him seriously. After all, it was just a temporarily unstable alliance – he, Clement, also had his own plans.
…
“Are you serious?”
Vivian asked with a red face. Though this was within her expectations, it came too quickly – she wasn’t quite prepared yet.
Regarding pregnancy, it should be Bai Li who was more at a loss. He was clearly the one being coerced, yet ended up becoming a father – this was truly an ironic result.
“With your physical condition, wouldn’t that mean…”
The Rose Sanctuary’s current state wasn’t very good either. The joint strangulation by the Empire and Dark Night Temple was already difficult to resist, and now Vivian was pregnant.
That child was ultimately his own. In the end, he still had to shoulder all the big and small affairs. With only one-tenth of his magical power remaining, he had no confidence in confronting the Empire and Clement.
He had never longed for power this much. Though he had possessed it in the past, at that time he had no one worth protecting, making such power seem meaningless.
“You… you… don’t underestimate me.” Vivian stamped her small leather shoes. “No matter what, you still have to call me Your Majesty the Queen.”
She was about to wave her scythe when the next moment, abdominal pain made her unable to help but gasp, and her magic scythe was thrown aside.
“Hey, don’t force yourself.” Bai Li quickly stepped forward to embrace her.
“Go away, don’t touch me like that.” Though she said this, she didn’t push him away. Retracting her magic scythe, this was indeed a done deal.
What a stubborn but soft-hearted little one. Bai Li sighed. Though by age, Vivian was much older than him, their life experiences were actually equivalent.
“Since things are like this, I probably can’t handle Clement and the others now.” The blue light flashing in Bai Li’s hand was indeed quite faint. This magical power would be almost used up just by deploying his absolute zero domain.
How could he fight without a mana bar? He couldn’t just rely on physical strength and swordsmanship to be a super soldier, could he?
“It seems like more physical communion and guidance could help you better adapt to my bloodline…” When she said this, she was obviously quite pleased with herself.
“Wait, this guidance you’re talking about – is it that kind of guidance?”
Actually, the Blood Clan’s physical strength completely supported doing this. It was just unclear whether she was taking advantage this time.
“Well, I’m afraid you’ll still have to be on the bottom… because it’s my bloodline I’m giving you. From a certain perspective, I understand you better than you understand yourself.”