Chapter 268 : Chapter 268
Chapter 268. The King
The scene shifted to the Royal Cathedral. Since Carlisle had been killed by Logaris inside the Tower of Inverted Truth without even fragments of his soul remaining, the coffin could only contain the sword he had used in life and an old military dress uniform.
The light inside the cathedral was dim, and the atmosphere was oppressive.
The hall full of nobles had all changed into pure-black mourning clothes. They were like a flock of well-trained crows, their heads lowered, their faces carrying just the right amount of grief and sorrow.
But with even a little attention, one would discover that these people’s gazes were constantly crossing in secret.
Their eyes shifted. Their peripheral vision darted everywhere.
With Carlisle dead, the greatest military authority in the Southern Territory had changed hands. The balance of power between several factions in the Royal Capital had tilted violently. Everyone was observing those around them, calculating how they could preserve themselves in this reshuffling, or even take a share of the spoils.
The priest held a heavy sacred tome, cleared his throat, and prepared to recite the long and hypocritical eulogy.
Step. Step. Step.
At the main entrance, an extremely heavy and rhythmic sound of footsteps suddenly rang out, accompanied by the dull thud of a cane striking the ground.
The entire hall instantly became so silent that a falling needle could be heard.
Hundreds of gazes shot toward the doors in unison. The old king, who had not appeared for a long time and was rumored to already be terminally ill, had actually made an appearance.
Although his steps were somewhat slow because of age, he still crossed the threshold alone with steady composure.
Despite his graying temples and the deep wrinkles on his face that seemed carved by knives and axes, he did not look at all as though he was on his last breath, contrary to the rumors outside. His turbid eyes revealed a cold hardness that made hearts tremble. Rather, he seemed more like a lion in his twilight years, still vigorous in spirit.
At this moment, Conrad, the Minister of Military Affairs standing at the front of the crowd, had his pupils contract sharply.
As an old and important minister who had always firmly supported royal authority, he had once thought that the old king had already been placed under house arrest and controlled by the current Prime Minister.
But now, matters did not seem to be as simple as he had imagined.
While Conrad rapidly assessed the situation and his mind spun furiously, the old king had already slowly walked to the coffin.
He did not lower his head to look at the empty casket. His withered fingers rested on the armrest of the chair beside him.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
He knocked rhythmically, each sound seeming to strike the hearts of everyone present.
His hoarse, low voice echoed beneath the vast dome of the cathedral.
“I have lost a child.”
“The Southern Territory has lost a general.”
“But the kingdom faces a deeper shadow.”
He swept his gaze around the surroundings, his eyes cutting like sharp blades across those faces, each harboring their own schemes. “The beast tides from the Great Howling Rift are becoming increasingly violent, and demons that have not appeared for a thousand years have once again shown themselves. For this reason, the Pope of the Holy Land will arrive at the Royal Capital tomorrow night. I will hold a banquet in the palace to receive His Holiness, and together we will discuss the grand expedition plan to resist the demons.”
The old king paused. In the end, his gaze accurately locked onto the cold figure at the back of the crowd—Logaris.
“I hope everyone present will attend this banquet punctually. Especially you, Professor Logaris.” His tone carried unquestionable authority. “As the current front-line commander resisting the Great Rift, I believe your experience is crucial to the realm. Tomorrow night, I look forward to hearing your insights.”
At the very instant the king’s words fell, a violent ripple suddenly rose in the depths of Logaris’s heart, which had originally been as still as an ancient well.
Some vague emotion flashed swiftly through the depths of his mind. However, when he tried to focus and capture that anomaly, the feeling swiftly receded like a tide and vanished without a trace, leaving behind only the usual silence.
Logaris lowered his eyelids, concealing the fleeting doubt in his eyes. In the end, he bowed slightly, his voice low and steady. “As you wish, Your Majesty.”
......
The funeral ended. The crowd gradually dispersed.
Conrad did not follow the masses toward the main entrance. He deliberately slowed his steps and circled to the corner of the corridor behind the cathedral.
A series of steady footsteps approached.
Logaris had one hand in his pocket, while the other played with the count’s seal. Sylvia walked at his side, wearing a black, waist-cinched long dress. Her silver-gray hair was coiled behind her head, making her appear capable and cold.
“Count of Mechanism. Your Highness Sylvia.” Conrad stepped out of the shadows at just the right time, a warm smile piled on his face as he bowed slightly. His manners were thoughtful, neither servile nor overbearing.
Logaris stopped and glanced at him without speaking.
“Your Excellency, Minister of Military Affairs.” Sylvia nodded slightly, her tone calm. “Is something the matter?”
“I merely wished to congratulate His Lordship the Count in person once more.” Conrad lowered his voice, his gaze sweeping lightly over the surroundings before finally resting on Sylvia’s profile.
“In addition, Your Highness may not know this, but if not for my letter of recommendation and strong promotion back then, Captain Clement of the current Royal Capital Garrison would likely still be eating dust in a border trench. He is a man who repays favors.”
“I imagine Your Highness and His Lordship the Count will inevitably have some ‘social engagements’ in the Royal Capital that are inconvenient for you to appear at in person.” Conrad stopped at the right point, his tone becoming increasingly respectful.
“Another day, if the two of you are interested, why not allow me to host and introduce you to the captain? In this Royal Capital, having another one of our own who can speak on your behalf will always make the road easier to walk.”
This was a declaration of allegiance with considerable weight. The Royal Capital Garrison controlled the most central public security and defensive force within the city.
Logaris raised an eyebrow, but still did not respond.
Sylvia’s gaze, however, deepened in that instant. She understood the calculations of an old fox like Conrad too clearly. This was not only an attempt to win them over, but also a display of his deeply rooted factional power in the Royal Capital.
“The Northern Territory will remember Lord Conrad’s ‘favor of promotion,’” Sylvia said, the corner of her mouth lifting into a polite and appropriate smile.
Seeing this, Conrad’s suspended heart landed firmly. He immediately followed the opening she had given him. “There is no need for such courtesy. I have reserved a table at the Nightingale Restaurant tonight. Might the two of you honor me with your presence and allow me to fulfill a host’s courtesy? At that time, we can discuss Captain Clement’s matter in detail.”
Sylvia looked at Conrad’s eyes, which flickered with sharp light, and had already guessed that there must be some greater scheme behind the garrison captain chess piece he had thrown out.
“Very well.” Sylvia agreed.
Night fell. In the lower district of the Royal Capital, inside a hidden private room on the top floor of the Nightingale Restaurant.
On the surface, this was a high-end restaurant. In reality, it was a den of luxury that provided absolutely private meeting spaces.
The door to the private room closed. Conrad did not hurry to take a seat. Instead, he turned to look at Logaris, his expression rarely carrying a trace of pleading.
“Mr. Logaris, could I trouble you to set up an anti-scrying array?” Conrad rubbed his hands together. “What I am about to say must not be heard by a fourth person.”
Logaris pulled out a chair and sat down, casually snapping his fingers.
Several streams of pale-blue mana shot out from his fingertips and instantly disappeared into the four corners of the private room. A faint distortion appeared in the air.
Logaris leaned back against the chair and speared a piece of roasted meat from the plate with his fork. “Speak.”
Conrad took a deep breath and pulled out a chair to sit down. He placed his crossed hands on the table and leaned forward.
“I suspect that His Majesty is being controlled by the Prime Minister.”