Chapter 433: Playing with Fire

In the rear garden of the Golden Feather Palace, Crown Prince Garrett was conversing with Jesus.

After a lengthy silence, Garrett gave a cold chuckle. "Given my talent, becoming a Sun is only a matter of time. Why should I risk my life attempting the power you speak of?"

Jesus, with a look of regret, explained once more, "This only makes you more explosive; it has no bearing on whether you become a Sun. Moreover, even if you later become a Sun Knight, this power can still allow you to unleash greater strength."

"I've heard many knights in the palace speak of your battle with Ronin. Although the latter conceded voluntarily, from my understanding of Ronin, he likely concealed his true strength, deliberately losing to you. If they had truly fought..."

Garrett narrowed his eyes. "Do you think I couldn't defeat him?"

Facing the Crown Prince's intense gaze, Jesus hesitated briefly, then spoke his thoughts: "Actually, Ronin has already taken away your 'once-in-a-century genius' title, hasn't he?"

Garrett snorted. "My dear uncle, you still haven't changed your habit of sowing discord among others. You should know that Ronin will be my brother-in-law; his strength only solidifies Auduin further."

"It's said that the first Emperor of Orlant also married a princess from the Star Kingdom, but what happened eventually? When a knight's power reaches a certain height, he no longer binds himself to noble codes and tacit agreements."

"Although Ronin hasn't reached that height yet, a nineteen-year-old Silver Moon—doesn't that frighten you?"

Jesus came to the Golden Feather Palace, one of his purposes for attending this founding celebration was to stir trouble.

He understood Garrett's character—arrogant to the point of conceit, a Crown Prince who already saw himself as king.

His words, even if not immediately effective, were now rooted in Garrett's heart.

In the Auduin Hall, after discussing for over an hour, the king and nobles began to disperse.

Although the meeting hadn't confirmed a full-scale war with the Tirizia Kingdom, King Bruno had conveyed signals for active preparation to the major duchies and the Wushan Territory, with nobles reinforcing troops at the front lines.

Once favorable news arrived from Tirizia, Auduin could commence war at any moment.

Sophia glanced back at the splendid Auduin Hall, her eyes filled with disappointment.

Though the king stated upon departure that he would later inform everyone of Master Fassrey's findings, promising to deal with Jesus if problems arose, Sophia seemed to already know the outcome.

She arrived full of hope but left disappointed.

"What, feeling disheartened?"

Ronin, walking beside her, comforted: "This is actually normal. Apart from Jesus being the king's brother, for rulers facing Jesus—who possesses Witch Soul power yet appears normal—they likely consider whether this power could serve the royal family."

"This is undoubtedly seeking death!" Sophia said coldly.

"Witch Soul clans are demons with human bodies; they are no longer human. If not eliminated promptly, they'll spread like wildfire across the grasslands!"

Sophia seemed to make a decision, looking at Ronin: "Though one Witch Soul Pearl only creates ten thousand Witch Soul clan members, if even Lord Jesus is afflicted, Moonlight Valley must have fallen! If the king still shields Jesus, would you fight for humanity against Moonlight Valley?"

"Witch Soul power plagued Wushan Fort for nearly thirty years; both I and my grandfather despise this evil force deeply."

Ronin said firmly: "Even if the entire kingdom seeks to strengthen itself with Witch Soul power, I will not."

"Although slaves and serfs exist in my territory, I am gradually granting them basic human rights. Yet these people turn humans into walking puppets, battlefield cannon fodder, nourishment sources—this I absolutely cannot accept!"

Meeting Sophia's direct gaze: "I will act against Moonlight Valley, and it won't be long."

Ronin valued Sophia's group's influence, hoping they would join the Northern Wu Territory to aid his future endeavors.

However, his words were sincere, without pretence.

Though lacking lofty ideals for an equal, free society, he despised inhuman acts treating people as puppets or materials.

This differed little from human experiments or Unit 731?

So regardless of Bruno's choice, Moonlight Valley he would conquer.

Sophia nodded, holding Ronin in high regard. "Now we await the king's choice."

Regardless of his decision, she did not mind cooperating with Ronin.

"After returning, I'll have Uncle Simon write down Dawnship's construction method. When you need ships, I'll have him assist."

Ronin showed delight. "I need ships now!"

Though attacking Tirizia didn't require Northern Wu's navy, such things shouldn't wait until urgently needed.

Moreover, besides Screaming Island, if disputes arose between Wushan Territory and Vila Duchy, Northern Wu's fleet could sail south along the eastern coast to Vila Duchy, opening another battlefield beyond Purple Thunder Territory.

Sophia smiled lightly. "Fine, after returning, find enough assistants for Simon. Prepare iron ore; I'll assist too."

Her ability: using magic to purify, strengthen, and shape iron ore.

One reason New Moon Continent's Human Alliance sent her: valuing her fire magic aiding Simon's shipbuilding.

Elsewhere, Bruno, leaving Auduin Hall, went directly to Garrett's manor.

By then, Master Fassrey had completed Jesus's examination.

"How is it?" Bruno asked.

Fassrey said puzzledly: "I indeed sensed eerie dark energy on Count Jesus. What is it?"

Clearly, Philip hadn't detailed events in the hall to Fassrey.

Bruno's breath deepened, his mind unsettled.

Though despising this brother, accepting his inhumanity remained difficult.

"Thank you for your effort, Fassrey; you may return now."

Bruno gestured politely: "If anyone asks, say Jesus is entirely normal."

"I will, Your Majesty." Fassrey bowed and left.

Bruno sighed heavily. "Broler told me of Witch Soul clans' terror—not only losing humanity but spreading like viruses! If Jesus is Witch Soul, he must be removed. But this must be done privately, lest royal authority suffer."

"I disagree, Father!"

Garrett proposed his view: "Jesus explained Witch Soul traits; they can create only ten thousand Witch Soul clan members. Though nine tenths are cannon fodder from ordinary people, on battlefield, they still hold significant deterrence."

Bruno frowned deeply; he usually supported his son's actions, but this risked greatly.

"Cooperating with demons, we easily fall into traps," he cautioned.

Garrett showed confidence: "Whether Jesus or his source Mephistopheles, cooperating with us now offers survival chance."

"Ten thousand cannon fodder far insufficient against kingdom's knight orders!"

Bruno nodded slightly—this indeed true.

Due to prior propaganda, Witch Soul clans were universally despised.

Without royal shelter, they lacked survival ground.

"But I still deem risk great." Bruno remained wary.

Garrett shook head: "Father, you're too cautious; only absolute power achieves our wish—unifying continent, founding Auduin Empire!"

He said earnestly: "This power not just our own strength but utilizing other forces. Witch Soul clans are like mad dogs; if used properly, they bite whoever we target!"

"And current Wushan Territory grows stronger beyond our expectations; we cannot let them develop peacefully."

Bruno pondered long on sofa, finally sighing.

"Fine, you persuaded me. But if uncontrollable someday, threatening Auduin rule, we must unite other nobles, eliminating these beings!"

Garrett confidently said: "Father, rest assured—initiative lies with us." (This chapter concludes.)