Chapter 449: The King's Decision

After capturing Nazca Town and Pizza Town, Luo Ning and Ridar entered a period of rest as planned.

Many vacant houses in the small towns could be used for soldiers' accommodation.

Even provisions didn't need to be transported from Shore City, as the towns' food reserves were sufficient for their needs for a while.

Luo Ning used Wind Wings to travel between the two towns, discussing and finalizing the timing for the attack on Moonlight City.

Although they achieved great victories in the battles for the two towns, the exhaustion from the rapid march and intense combat was significant. The army needed at least two to three days to recover before facing the more challenging battle for Moonlight City.

Thus, they ultimately decided to gather forces outside Moonlight City on August 24th.

Of course, this was assuming the enemy would hold their position without attacking.

If Jesus actively led troops out of the city to attack, their strategy and timing would need corresponding adjustments.

However, based on Luo Ning's speculation, Jesus was unlikely to leave the city, as their advantage was greater when relying on the city's defenses.

Golden Feather Palace, Odyn Hall.

The kingdom's intelligence minister, Mel, was reporting to Bruno about the rumors circulating through the streets of Golden Feather City over the past two days.

"The news about Earl Ossen of the Ushan territory becoming an alien race earlier this year has spread to every corner of the kingdom, and all nobles know the evil and terror of the Soul Wraith race."

Mel bowed and reported: "Based on this perception, the fact that Jesus is a Soul Wraith is simply explosive. Wanderer swordsmen, roaming poets, and many mercenary groups have marked Moonlight Valley as dangerous, and there are already voices demanding the royal family to investigate the truth."

Bruno frowned, with images of the high-ranking nobles present in the hall flashing in his mind. Who could have leaked this information?

He rubbed his temples, troubled by his suspicions: "This rumor spread from someone in the Ushan family, right?"

"Your Majesty is wise, immediately guessing the source of the rumor."

"Among the nobles present that day, the possibility of Ushan Fort being the source is the highest."

Mel smiled and said: "To be precise, the Ushan family didn't act cautiously enough. I hardly needed to investigate to find the source."

Bruno pondered slightly, wondering if it was intentional negligence on their part.

"What is their purpose in doing this?"

As he pondered, a royal knight entered, saluting: "Your Majesty, Ushan Fort's administrative officer Albert is outside requesting to see you. He says he carries an urgent letter from the Ushan Marquis."

Bruno had a bad feeling. "Go, immediately bring him here to see me!"

Tap, tap, tap…

A series of hurried footsteps approached, as another royal knight ran in. "Your Majesty, the intelligence department received a letter from Moonlight Valley, with the highest level of urgency!"

Bruno felt uneasy.

Mel hurried to the knight and took the letter. He immediately opened and read it, then his expression changed dramatically: "Your Majesty, the Ushan Marquis led troops to attack Moonlight Valley and has already captured Nazca Town and Pizza Town!"

"Rulance…"

Bruno's eyebrows furrowed deeply. He stepped down from the throne and took the letter, growing increasingly angry as he read.

"How dare the Ushan territory?"

In his expectations, Moonlight Valley, Screaming Island, and the Vela Principality would surely invade the Ushan territory through pirates and thief groups, while the latter would dispatch troops to suppress them as before.

Eventually, under the combined efforts of Moonlight Valley and the other two parties, even though the Ushan territory had many high-level combatants, its mid- and low-level combat power would remain depleted.

Without solid mid- and low-level knights as a foundation, relying only on a few high-level superhumans would pose limited threat to the kingdom.

During this process, Moonlight Valley, Screaming Island, and the Vela Principality would also incur losses.

The four parties would compete, with the royal family being the final victor.

But Bruno never imagined the Ushan territory would actively attack, openly invading noble territories.

"Go, bring Broral here immediately!" Bruno roared.

Mel watched the knight run off and asked: "Your Majesty intends to dispatch the Griffin Knights to assist Moonlight Valley and attack the Ushan territory?"

Bruno did not respond, but quietly returned to sit on the throne.

If this had happened before announcing the royal family's alliance with Ushan Fort, he could consider deploying troops to pressure Ushan Fort, forcing them to withdraw and pay the price for invading royal nobles.

Even if Ushan Fort refused negotiations, he could condemn them as traitors.

But now, frankly, his situation was somewhat awkward.

Luo Ning and Blanchy would marry in less than four months, and Golden Feather Palace was bustling with preparations. If Bruno declared the Ushan family traitors, it would be absurd.

Where would he hide his face then?

As he pondered, the royal knight brought Albert into the hall.

As the administrative minister of the Ushan territory, Albert had witnessed many grand occasions, but entering the palace to meet the king was his first time.

Though nervous, he maintained proper etiquette.

"Ushan Territory Administrative Minister Albert greets the King!"

Bruno's face was cold, and his voice icy: "Stand up."

Albert smiled slightly. He knew this palace visit was risky; even leaving Ushan City, he had written his will and made arrangements.

He retrieved a letter from his coat. "Your Majesty, this is a letter from my master, the Ushan Territory Marquis, to you."

Mel took the letter. Since it wasn't from intelligence agencies, he didn't open it but directly passed it to the king.

As Bruno opened it, Albert said: "The Marquis informed me that Earl Jesus has become a pawn of the Soul Wraith race, harming nobles around Moonlight Valley. Viscount Milke Lucius of Wave Fort suffered persecution by Jesus, hence Jesus gained Wave Fort's port."

"But at the founding celebration, he continued pretending as Your Majesty's younger brother, deceiving you and many nobles."

Albert solemnly stated: "For Your Majesty's honor, the safety of the Ushan territory, and the security of all nobles and commoners in the Odyn Kingdom, the Marquis bravely decided to lead an attack on Moonlight Valley. Even exhausting all strength, he aims to kill the alien race and capture Earl Jesus for Your Majesty's judgment!"

Bruno read the letter while listening to Albert's account, his expression visibly grave.

Mel rubbed the ring on his finger, thinking inwardly: "No wonder Rulance spread the rumor about Jesus being a Soul Wraith—it was for this purpose."

Such propaganda placed the Ushan territory on moral high ground. Even if the king opposed, he couldn't avoid investigating Jesus's identity.

Thus, whether Jesus was an alien race or a normal person, Royal Magic Academy's Dean Fasley's opinion might not suffice. Likely Grand Magister Belora Silva would need to verify for credibility.

Belora wasn't traditionally loyal, and he seemed friendly with Luo Ning, possibly speaking impartially.

Bruno's expression shifted repeatedly, eventually slowly storing the letter. Upon looking up, his earlier coldness had diminished.

"Rulance detailed evidence of Jesus being a Soul Wraith and listed Jesus's crimes in the letter. It's unbelievable—my own younger brother became an evil alien race!"

He looked at Albert, regaining some smile. "The Thunder Marquis's loyalty to the royal family and determination to uphold its honor deeply moves me!"

Bruno knew Jesus was an alien race.

When deciding to cooperate with Jesus, he had concerns, as partnering with tigers risked injury.

Recent actions by Moonlight Valley toward neighboring nobles showed this tiger was indeed restless.

Alien races couldn't be restrained purely by noble etiquette and laws.

Bruno witnessed the Turisia Kingdom's chaos; he could become a great emperor. He didn't want to damage his credibility with rumors of the king colluding with alien races now.

Thus, it was time to abandon Jesus.

Now Rulance exposed this and offered him a stepping stone, allowing him to descend gracefully.

Moreover, if the Mountain of Shadows territory alone captures Moonlight City, it will inevitably incur a tremendous cost.

This aligns precisely with Bruno's aim to weaken the strength of the Mountain of Shadows.

"Clearing Moonlight Valley solely by the Mountain of Shadows is quite challenging. I have already arranged for Deputy Commander Broler of the Griffin Knights to provide support."

Bruno said, "Albert, you must be tired after your journey. Go and rest now."

Albert was somewhat surprised.

He could sense that the king was displeased earlier—why did he suddenly become so kind?

Such matters were not for him to inquire about. For him, this hurdle had been overcome.

Upon returning, his status as an honorary baron would be secured.

"You intend to support Shadow Mountain Fortress, Your Majesty?"

He had thought earlier that the Griffin Knights would be dispatched to aid Moonlight Valley.

Bruno nodded.

Support would certainly be provided, though when it would arrive remained uncertain.

The battle between the Mountain of Shadows and Moonlight Valley would have to be fought on their own terms. (End of Chapter)