Chapter 425: b: Father is Here, The New 'King'

It seems the existence of the Royal City’s Shadow was not intended solely, or perhaps not even primarily, for the ultimate weapon known as the Divine Husk. Driving that weapon was merely one of its functions; in essence, the Royal City’s Shadow was a testing ground.

Wang Yu muttered to himself as he flipped through the files concerning the Royal City’s Shadow. It was clearly documented here that the space beneath the capital was originally created to study the intersection of the Void and the material world, specifically to determine if the Void could be harnessed to directly alter the existence of the material realm.

The activation of the Divine Husk was only proposed and added to the agenda after considerable time and effort had yielded certain results.

“This doesn’t quite add up. Alastair had no need to conduct such experiments. The Void is a chaotic force, and it is rarely chosen by kingdoms as a tool, as the risks far outweigh the rewards.”

Wang Yu rubbed his chin. These confirmed experiments revealed something amiss about the royal family; they seemed to be pursuing endeavors that offered them little utility, which contradicted their reputation for prioritizing self-interest.

“Avia, what do you make of this?”

Wang Yu asked the girl, who was currently reading through the archives via the Midnight Library.

“Hmm... if you ask me, it feels as though a rather flimsy thread is being pulled behind the royal family. It lacks the strength of a puppeteer’s strings—it cannot force the target to act—but it exerts enough influence to steer their actions significantly.”

Nodding, Wang Yu found her assessment aligned with his own. A force was definitely influencing the Alastair royal family, and Serene, the Grand Astrologer, occupied a position perfectly suited to exert such influence.

“Records regarding Serene... as expected, none.”

Scanning the documents for keywords, Wang Yu found nothing substantial about her. It wouldn’t be entirely accurate to say there was nothing, but the only mentions were her date of hire and the total duration of her service to the crown.

This scarcity of information only served to confirm the uniqueness of her status.

“I have a rather unlikely theory: these impractical experiments were merely a smokescreen to hide the true purpose they hoped to achieve in Alastair—the ‘Utopia’ you mentioned she spoke of.”

The girl shared her thoughts, though she remained uncertain. Information was too scarce; it wasn’t even clear if this “Utopia” was real or merely a fabrication to deceive Wang Yu. For now, this was all they could surmise.

“Collect more information, then. Speaking of which, I’ve long suspected they had ties to Roland, the greatest wizard in human history. I’m thinking, perhaps it’s time to explore that place again. I wonder if my current strength is enough to open the gates of that fortress without the key.”

At the thought, Wang Yu recalled the material realm in the Void that the key had once pointed toward. His previous Chariot power hadn’t been enough to breach that area, but he didn’t know if he possessed sufficient strength now. Regardless, it was time to try.

While he pondered, the others present had finished skimming the materials, gaining a rough understanding of the royal family’s actions over the years.

“Tch, they really left behind quite a mess. We’ll have our hands full later.”

Edward clicked his tongue. These experiments had left behind many problems, such as the victims who remained in the dark. Edward intended to find these people and tell them the truth; it was the least they deserved.

“It’s more than just that. There’s the royal family’s diplomacy with other kingdoms, as well as their commercial dealings. While much of that relied on the kingdom’s major merchant guilds, the royals still had the final say—and took their cut.”

Wang Yu draped an arm over Edward’s shoulder, teasing him.

“Ah... true. It’s a good thing I anticipated the aftermath of toppling the royals. I just thought the chaos among the populace would be the most troublesome part, not these administrative burdens.”

Though the royals were corrupt, they had been the nominal owners of the kingdom, managing every facet from the economy to the military. Now that they had been wiped out, these systems had to be restored quickly to keep the kingdom functioning.

“You’ll have to give it your all. I’m truly hopeless when it comes to governance or matters of the heart, so I can’t help much. I’m better suited for more direct affairs.”

With a helpless smile, Wang Yu patted Edward’s back. He couldn’t assist here; these tasks would fall to Edward and Charles, who held the highest standing within the Blade of Night and in the hearts of the people.

“I miss my father more than ever right now, you know?”

Edward sighed, resting his forehead in his hand. He had to maintain an image in public, but among his brothers, there was no need to keep up the facade.

“Haha.”

Wang Yu understood. As Grand Dukes of the borderlands, those four were seasoned in dealing with rival kingdoms. They were not only warriors but masters of political maneuvering, far more capable than young men like Edward and Charles.

“Edward, I’m going to tell you something. Don’t be too shocked—stay calm, or you’ll ruin your future image.”

Charles’s message, sent via the prayer communication network, interrupted their conversation, and the content left Edward stunned.

“Just spit it out!”

Wang Yu took over, using his authority to reply to Charles directly.

“Oh, I wanted to surprise him! Fine, just look for yourself.”

Charles transmitted an image. Upon receiving it, Edward’s eyes widened, and Wang Yu, seeing the same, understood his surprise perfectly.

Standing atop the ruined mountain peak of the royal palace were four figures clad in armor, their cloaks embroidered with the crests of their respective duties and the Alastair Kingdom.

They were: Leon Leonardo, Grand Duke of the North; Lorinan Losgard, Grand Duke of the South; Shar Graywind, Grand Duchess of the West; and Von Hoiman, Grand Duke of the East.

It was hard to imagine these four arriving at the same place at the same time. Setting aside their status, the mere presence of four legends was enough to shake the very earth beneath them.

Looking at the man in the image—a lion-like figure with silver hair blowing in the wind, a robust frame, and heavy armor with golden pauldrons—Wang Yu pointed upward and said to Edward:

“Look, your old man really did come.”

“Uh, yeah...”

Edward didn’t know how to respond, offering only an awkward acknowledgement.

Unexpected as it was, since these four pillars of the kingdom had arrived, they should meet them without delay.

Sealing the files back in the storage room and having the girl reactivate the seals, the group ascended the passage back to the surface. There, they saw the four Grand Dukes standing atop the ruins, their armies waiting behind them, and Charles standing nearby, looking somewhat constrained.

Charles’s demeanor was different from the feigned respect he’d shown to Dolan Charlemagne; this was the genuine, nervous reverence one feels in the presence of elders—like visiting a friend’s house and feeling the weight of their parents’ authority.

Edward walked up to his father, who naturally unclasped his own mantle and placed it over Edward’s shoulders, saying with calm satisfaction:

“Edward, you’ve done well. Your courage has shown me your growth. The promise made by myself and the other three Grand Dukes will not be empty words. Have you chosen who will lead this kingdom next?”

Wang Yu took the opportunity to observe the other three. The Southern Grand Duke looked younger than Edward’s father—a bald man with a deep scar on his face. Honestly, he didn’t look like a Duke; he looked more like... a bandit?

Shar Graywind, the only woman among them, appeared mature yet quite young. She was clad in armor, looking heroic and agile, her long brown hair tied back to ensure freedom of movement.

Von Hoiman, the Eastern Grand Duke, seemed the oldest, though legends could easily maintain a youthful appearance; perhaps he simply didn’t care. His gray hair was neatly combed, and a faint smile played on his face, the wrinkles softening his chiseled features. To Wang Yu, he felt like a learned grandfather.

As Wang Yu looked at them, Lorinan and Shar were observing him in return. They didn’t hide their thoughts, their eyes filled with curious inquiry and an appreciation born of his reputation and strength.

Wang Yu felt no pressure—they were all legends, after all—so he simply waved at the two of them.

The soldiers in the accompanying armies were stunned, but the Dukes themselves didn’t seem to mind; after a brief moment of surprise, they even responded with smiles and waves of their own.

Charles winked at Wang Yu, as if to say, “Well, look at you, pulling off something different for once.”

Back to Edward, when faced with his father’s question, he pondered for a moment before earnestly proposing the idea of a council composed of the four Grand Dukes to lead Alastair.

“I am proud of you, child. I will support this idea.”

Sir Leon Leonardo looked at his son again; it seemed he had matured not only in strength but in his capacity for thought. He immediately expressed his support.

“A fine idea. There is no reason to disagree, is there?”

The Eastern Grand Duke followed.

“I agree.”

The Southern Grand Duke.

“Agreed. I approve of this idea, though besides us, we may need a few others to join.”

Finally, the Western Grand Duchess.

With the unanimous endorsement of the four Grand Dukes, the figure destined to lead this nation in the wake of the monarchy’s eradication was, at last, essentially confirmed.