Chapter 1340 - 1258: The Mystery of Origins

Chapter 1340: Chapter 1258: The Mystery of Origins

The pitter-patter of spring rain fell on the convoluted double-pitched roof of the ry Court Barracks, droplets sliding down the metallic roof paint.

A few sparrows or blackbirds under the eaves, lifted their heads to gaze at the sky.

Behind them, at the edge of the glass window, water mist condensed, forming a frame that enclosed Horn and Jia Li sitting across each other by the fireplace.

Under normal circumstances, given Jia Li’s flamboyant personality, she would often sit on Horn’s lap when they were together.

Due to her elitist demeanor, she would finish her business first before getting intimate with Horn.

She was extremely cold at work yet fiery passionate once it was over.

This combination of restraint and clinginess truly gave this loli giant an intensely alluring contrast.

Although Catherine and Jeanne unanimously believed this was the frenzy of a madwoman, Horn quite enjoyed the essence of it.

"Look, a letter from Mitney arrived. He must be talking about Charles."

Horn picked up a letter from the documents and began to read it, while Jia Li opened the letter and casually asked, "Let me guess, Charles must be heartbroken?"

Horn’s eyes quickly scanned the lines back and forth, then he took a moment before putting the letter down: "Not at all."

After a brief moment of confusion, Jia Li frowned and picked up Mitney’s letter.

"...King Charles VIII appeared unusually calm, only pausing for a few seconds before swiftly canceling the original plan to march forward...

He returned to the Royal Capital at Flower Hill, announced a national mourning and declared it a state funeral...

However, at the Queen Mother’s funeral, Lorenzo arrested seventy-two nobles at once, on charges of consorting with vampires, imprisoning them...

Those two nobles who let the vampires cross the river, along with their paternal, maternal, and marital families, were all detained and exiled by Charles...

Consequently, a large number of incompetent nobles in state affairs were ousted, with many new aristocrats and citizens promoted...

Moreover, almost immediately after the funeral ended, King Charles VIII married a noblewoman from the Lakin Clan, allegedly Miss Lupher’s cousin..."

Jia Li put down the letter: "Do you think he’s too calm?"

"Quite the opposite." Horn shook his head, "I believe he’s too angry, though I see this as a good thing."

The strong little Charlie of the past is gone; now it’s the stronger Charles VIII.

If in the future the Holy Alliance and Falan are destined to become enemies, then this Charles VIII will certainly be much harder to deal with than before.

He has no weaknesses left.

"However, we must also stay alert to prevent him from making impulsive decisions out of excessive anger."

Saying this, Horn couldn’t help but lament that he had wanted to dispatch an airship for rescue.

But at Cheese Castle, due to the pilots’ arrogance, they got too close to the front line, where a Vampire Prince soared up and used spells to damage a Spring Machine.

If the Queen Mother had lasted a bit longer, perhaps a week or two, maybe she could have been saved.

But the Queen Mother acted too quickly.

Yet, from the Queen Mother’s perspective, aside from being besieged and having her child forced to rescue her, she was more afraid of being captured.

If Charles remained inactive and if the Royal Court made more aggressive moves, they might have decisively breached the city and captured the Queen Mother.

By then, even with airships, they might not have been able to rescue her.

"Actually, I feel she’s liberated." Jia Li put down the letter, "She finally had a reason to end her life, and I believe she was deeply tormented."

Horn was first surprised, then smiled bitterly: "Perhaps reality is indeed as you said."

"Trust my insight into human nature."

"What a twisted mother and son." Horn continued to review new documents, "If it weren’t for royal power and so-called noble traditions, these mother and son’s dependency wouldn’t have reached this point?"

Just as he put down the document, his hand was seized by Jia Li.

The loli-faced Jia Li, with her big, sparkling eyes, stared directly at Horn: "If one day I were surrounded, what would you do?"

"Uh..." The Holy Father was uncharacteristically flustered.

But before even half a second passed, Jia Li released his hand with a smile: "If that day really comes, don’t rescue me. If you come, I would also choose suicide or a suicidal charge."

Jia Li and Hilov, or Jeanne and Catherine, all have too many reasons that outweigh life itself.

The battlefield is ruthless, even a witch cannot guarantee safety.

Especially in the backdrop of this intense war, a casual farewell might be a final goodbye.

Jia Li hadn’t even pulled back her hand when Horn grasped it and solemnly said: "I will never let that day come."

Jia Li also held Horn’s hand, smiling gently: "I believe you."

As Horn showed a gentle smile in return, Jia Li already stiffened her expression, withdrew her hand, and handed Horn the Saf River Project from Alexei.

The first phase of the Saf River Project has succeeded, with Norn’s Restoration Army occupying Thick Bull Castle and building defensive fortifications.

The initial batch of materials for phase two is already in place, officially starting the excavation and dam construction.

The vampires, evidently aware of Alexei’s actions, only sent small cavalry groups for occasional harassment.

Clearly, compared to the tough nut of the Shattered Stone Plain, they favored the prosperous South Norn.

Even after capturing the Shattered Stone Plain, they would still have to overcome the Red Iron Mountain Range; the cost-benefit for resources is too low—Norn is easier prey.

"How does the academy estimate the construction timeline?"

"It depends on the frequency of vampire harassments, plus if Lakunio sees through it, then the plan is basically a failure."

"Is Lakunio at the front line or behind?"

"In Cheese Castle at the front." Jia Li mentioned, suddenly recalling something, "Speaking of Lakunio, I think there’s some intelligence you should see."

"What is it?"

Without saying much, Jia Li went outside to the privy office, exchanged a few words.

Soon, two Cheka delivered a document to Jia Li.

Holding the document in front of Horn, Jia Li did not immediately hand it over to Horn: "I’ll say upfront, the contents might be true, or they could just be for amusement."

"If it’s true, it’s good; if not, I’m bored anyway." Horn picked up the document she handed over, idly scanning it.

As soon as he looked away, he quickly returned his gaze, flipping through the document swiftly. He raised his head: "Do you have absolutely reliable evidence? Hair color, eye color, and phalanges can’t serve as credible judgment factors."

"So the scholars at the ry Court Barracks only say it’s possible, unless..."

"Unless what?"

Jia Li shrugged: "Unless we can obtain the spinal bone of the deceased Prince Kongdai and the flesh of little Prince Laszlo, then indeed there’s a way."

Horn instinctively sat up straight, as Prince Kongdai’s head was still in the museum’s warehouse.

"We do have the spinal bone."

"But we don’t have the young prince’s flesh, so I think we can recruit a subordinate to help us with this task."

"Laszlo is a ward of Serafe. Which subordinate could casually contact him..." Horn was first in a daze, then realized, "You don’t mean... Lakunio?"

"Don’t you think he would certainly have motivation in this matter?" Jia Li’s smile was downright wicked, "Of course, there’s also the possibility that he doesn’t dare to gamble, preferring to keep the façade going.

After all, he chose Laszlo over Stikal. According to Falan, that Stikal—has black hair, and his little toe only has two phalanges.

If we reach that point, we can spread the news to stir discontent between Lakunio and part of Leia’s Servant Army."

After much thought, Horn nodded: "Alright, give it a try. I trust you with tasks, but don’t let it affect the main business. The current primary goal is still the Saf River Plan."

"Understood."

After completing all ongoing tasks, the giant loli stood on the carpet, stretched lazily, and walked toward Horn with strides.

"Hey, hey, hey, I still have coffee in hand..."