Chapter 67 : Chapter 67
Chapter 67. Variables
Early the next morning, William opened his eyes from meditation, a faint glimmer of circulating mana flashing in his pupils.
He pushed open the door. The chill of the morning rushed toward him, carrying the distinct scent of Qila City’s stone bricks.
After a simple breakfast, he once again went to visit Tos and the slaves’ quarters.
The effects of the High-Grade Healing Potion were indeed remarkable. The knights could already support themselves against the walls and slowly walk, while several of the more seriously injured slaves were able to get out of bed, though their faces still looked pale.
The maids responsible for caring for them moved back and forth through the rooms carrying bowls of medicine, their actions careful and attentive. It was obvious that they had taken William’s orders to heart.
William observed this silently and nodded without making a sound.
Just as he turned around, he saw the Third Princess, Jessy, walking toward him quickly, her face carrying both excitement and gravity.
“William, you would never guess what happened on Kadiya’s side.”
She stepped closer and lowered her voice.
“The Barbarian tribes and the Orc Kingdom have actually joined forces. They are launching a fierce assault on Kadiya’s northern border. I just received word that one of their northern frontier fortresses has already fallen.”
Jessy paused, a trace of certainty flashing in her eyes.
“I think this war is going to end earlier than expected. Kadiya simply does not have the ability to deal with Kroll, Dragon, and now the Orcs and Barbarians all at once.”
William looked at her quietly, thinking to himself that this third sister of his truly had well-informed sources. It seemed that during her time in Qila City, she had not been idle.
Over the next half month, news arrived like a rising tide, confirming Jessy’s words.
The northern frontier of the Kadiya Kingdom had indeed suffered a joint surprise attack from the Barbarians and Orcs. Enemy forces had already penetrated deep into the northern region. The Kadiya royal family was urgently mobilizing nobles and lords from various regions to reinforce the front lines, even withdrawing a large portion of the defensive forces from the Southern Frontier.
Rumors were also spreading: the Kadiya royal family had already begun considering negotiations and might even be willing to cede the Southern Frontier.
After hearing this, William specifically went to ask Jessy.
Jessy blinked and deliberately dragged out her tone.
“Little William, do you know that intelligence is very valuable?”
Seeing that William was preparing to pay for the information, she laughed.
“But you are different. After all, you are my younger brother, so this one is free.”
She leaned closer and lowered her voice.
“The news is true. They are indeed making contact about negotiations, but there are many additional conditions attached. As for the specifics… I have not found out yet.”
William nodded and did not ask further.
Additional conditions? They were nothing more than territorial concessions, indemnities, or sacrifices of certain nobles’ interests.
But regardless of what they were, it presented an excellent opportunity for the Kroll Kingdom to exert pressure.
He looked toward the south. The direction of Meteorfall Fortress was shrouded in clouds.
Internal turmoil in Kadiya was undoubtedly a gift from heaven for their offensive into the Southern Frontier.
How would his royal father respond to this sudden change in Kadiya?
And what about the slaves? Logically speaking, the fighting on the Ice and Snow Plains had already ended. A large number of captives should have been transported here by now, yet none had arrived. The delay was truly strange.
So many mouths needed to be fed, and the daily cost was astronomical. The kingdom had no reason to leave them idle—unless there was a more important arrangement.
Since he had not been able to select new slaves during the past half month, William devoted all his energy to cultivation.
Day and night, the High-Grade Meditation Potion was almost never absent. Threads of magical elements poured into his body under the potion’s effects, gradually settling within his meridians.
The legacy of Ningshuang City was now in his hands, and the quantity was enormous. After all, it had originally been meant to supply hundreds of thousands of soldiers on the front lines.
William had already made up his mind: as long as his royal father did not bring up the supplies from Ningshuang City, he would not mention them either. He would simply pretend that they had all burned away in that great fire.
At this moment, his magical cultivation had firmly reached the peak of the Black Iron Realm. The faint glow surrounding his fingertips was more solid than before. In his perception, only a thin barrier remained between him and the Bronze Rank. It likely would not take long before he broke through.
Meanwhile, Tos and the others, along with the slaves, had mostly recovered.
When the knights picked up their longswords again, their movements were still slightly stiff, but the sharpness in their eyes had returned.
Among the slaves, those who had lost arms or legs were not idle either. Leaning on wooden staffs, they practiced basic combat techniques in the courtyard. Sweat slid down their faces and splashed onto the stone slabs, leaving dark stains.
They understood better than anyone that only by training desperately and advancing to Gold Knight-level combat strength as soon as possible could they obtain the Limb Regeneration Potion.
William occasionally went to watch their training. He looked at those incomplete figures swinging their fists and blades in the morning light, their eyes filled with nothing but fanatic determination.
That evening, after finishing his cultivation, Jessy came to find him again, holding a rolled-up piece of parchment.
“Take a look at this—the latest development from Kadiya. The envoys they sent for negotiations are about to arrive at Meteorfall Fortress.”
William took the parchment and unfolded it. Only a few short lines were written on it, describing the envoys’ route and accompanying personnel.
His finger traced the surface of the parchment before he suddenly asked,
“Third Sister, do you think Father will accept their proposal for negotiations?”
Jessy leaned against a corridor pillar, absentmindedly twirling a strand of her hair around her finger. Her tone carried a casual certainty.
“That is hard to say.”
“After all, the contract was written very clearly at the beginning. As long as the Dragon Kingdom obtained Meteorfall Fortress, the matter between you and that ‘little bride’ would be considered settled.”
She looked up at William, the corner of her lips curling into a teasing smile.
“But now? They have taken Meteorfall Fortress without lifting a finger and may even gain the entire Southern Frontier.”
“Little William.”
She dragged out his name, amusement flickering in her eyes.
“I think your ‘little bride’ might fall through. The Dragon Kingdom will probably refuse to acknowledge that agreement.”
William looked at Jessy calmly.
“Father will have his own considerations. No matter how much we discuss it now, it will not change anything, will it?”
Jessy shook her head. She tapped the pillar lightly with her finger, her expression becoming more serious.
“Little William, this is not about whether you want it or whether Father will handle it. This concerns the honor of the Kroll Kingdom.”
She emphasized her words.
“The contract was announced to the noble class of both kingdoms at the time. It was practically a semi-public promise. How could it possibly be torn up so casually?”
She paused and looked toward the distant city walls.
“If the Dragon Kingdom truly dares to break the agreement, it may appear on the surface as though they are humiliating you, but in reality they would be slighting the entire Kroll Kingdom. Father will never tolerate such a thing.”
Jessy turned to look at William, understanding flickering in her eyes.
“So, things are about to become busy.”
“Either Dragon bows its head and fulfills the agreement, or the two kingdoms will have to ‘debate’ it properly at the negotiating table… perhaps even…”
She did not finish the sentence, but the implication was already clear.