Chapter 554: The Really Urgent Matter
Shea was a little surprised when she saw Chen Rui who had left and returned, but Isabella’s report immediately made her focus.
Isabella reported 2 matters. The first matter was from the b.l.o.o.d.y Empire. Some time ago, the b.l.o.o.d.y Empire Lord Raizen had some realization and went for closed doors training. He handed over the affairs of the empire to Great Prince Aleus, a.s.sisted by Second Prince Edmund. Obsidian’s crusade against the Dark Moon also deliberately chose this opportunity, but it was a pity that his army was defeated and he died in the war.
The 2 ruling princes of the b.l.o.o.d.y Empire had fought openly and secretly for the position of the first heir. Now the contradictions were even worse. It had gradually evolved to an uncontrollable degree. A few days ago, Edmund, who was suppressed by Aleus, finally used the most extreme method to launch a mutiny while Aleus went out to patrol. However, he was ambushed by Aleus and was forced to lead the remnants to escape the capital. He was currently fighting against Aleus in the north of the Iron Fist Estate.
As the great prince of the empire, Aleus publicly declared Edmund as a traitor while Edmund claimed that Aleus persecuted his brothers, deceived his father Raizen, and conspired to overthrow the b.l.o.o.d.y Empire. Now, the 2 forces were at a stalemate.
Chen Rui’s spirits lifted up, “The b.l.o.o.d.y Empire has always been eyeing us. I was initially worried that the b.l.o.o.d.y Empire would take advantage of this civil war in the Fallen Angel Empire. I didn’t expect them to actually start fighting on their own. It seems that Raizen chose the ‘right’ time to go for closed doors training. Without this worry, Princess Royal can quickly rush to the capital, immediately ascend the throne as the empress, and stabilize the entire empire.”
“No, Princess Royal Highness can’t go to the capital yet,” Isabella shook her head, “Because of the second news. The envoy sent by the Dark Shadow Empire to the Dark Moon is already on the way. When we received the news of the official visit, the envoy had pa.s.sed Town Walan. Moreover, according to the latest intel, the Dark Shadow Empire is actively mobilizing its military forces.”
Chen Rui was taken aback, “The military mobilization of the Dark Shadow Empire?”
“From the current intel, it is to the east and south. The predicted target may be Town Leia in the west of the Dark Moon and the Tekula Fortress stationed by General Gerant. The Jergal Fortress, which is adjacent to the b.l.o.o.d.y Empire, seems to be quiet. They are obviously targeting the Fallen Angel Empire.”
Shea looked solemn, “It seems that Gerant has guessed it correctly. The closest allies are probably the most ferocious enemies. Our greatest enemy now is not the b.l.o.o.d.y Empire, but the Dark Shadow Empire.”
“Yes, there are some signs that the Dark Shadow Empire seems to have sold a lot of equipment and strategic materials to Aleus or Edmund. The purpose is obvious. And during our war with Obsidian, the Dark Shadow Empire’s economic restrictions have been loosened and many favorable conditions have been provided. It has attracted many merchants from the Fallen Angel Empire and the Dark Moon Estate.”
Isabella earnestly a.n.a.lyzed, “I have a guess that the Dark Moon’s gift of the magician legion and goblin team from the b.l.o.o.d.y Vine Flower Estate’s General Crawford was probably instructed by Catherine the Great. Because the stronger we are, the more intense the war with Obsidian. In other words, the Fallen Angel Empire’s internal friction will be more intense. This Her Majesty Empress not only can wait patiently, but she also has a far vision. She can damage the enemy and strengthen her empire without a b.l.o.o.d.y war. She is indeed the first sage of the Demon Realm.”
Shea looked thoughtful and nodded. The b.l.o.o.d.y Vine Flower Estate’s Lord Crawford has a good personal relations.h.i.+p with me, but Crawford is also the third general and an estate lord who is loyal to the Dark Shadow Empire. Putting aside some of the supplies that support the Dark Moon, the magician legion and goblin warriors are true elites which are also precious army resources. This kind of gift is too “valuable.” It now appears that the purpose is to increase the Dark Moon’s bargaining chip against the capital. The Dark Shadow Empire has been on the sidelines since the civil war of the Fallen Angel Empire began. The fact that the army led by Gerant to ambush the Dark Moon pa.s.sed Town Leia smoothly may also be some kind of consent from the top.
Chen Rui was silent for a while. He knew Catherine better than Shea and Isabella. She is a wise and stubborn woman, a truly mature and powerful master of an empire. As long as she can create true peace, she will never spare war and force. The b.l.o.o.d.y Empire and the Fallen Angel Empire had successive civil strife which gave Catherine a G.o.d-given opportunity. Although the b.l.o.o.d.y Empire is in chaos, Raizen the Great is still there. With Raizen, the b.l.o.o.d.y Empire will not fall. What Catherine could do is to further intensify the conflict between the 2 princes and try to make the b.l.o.o.d.y Empire hurt its vitality this time. The Fallen Angel Empire is different. The war to crusade against the Dark Moon caused serious internal exhaustion. Several Demon Overlords, a dozen of Demon Emperors, the regent of the empire and the second general had died. The military strength has casualties of more than 500,000. In this weakest state, if Catherine is still indifferent, she is not Catherine.
There is no real friends.h.i.+p between countries. Even on the surface of peaceful coexistence, there are still countless meticulous games underneath. Chen Rui had a hunch that with Shea’s official ascension, he would inevitably become an enemy who stood opposite of Empress Catherine.
“Gerant and Rometty should have been preparing for the selection of soldiers. Immediately order him and Rometty’s Flying Cloud Legion to set off first using aerial demonic beasts to reach Tekula Fortress as quickly as possible. Tim’s Moon Shadow Legion has returned to Walan Fortress, but the military force is not enough.” Shea pondered, “The Dark Moon’s 3 legions lost nearly half of their forces in the war this time. The original capital coalition army suffered more than half of the casualties. It can be described as a huge setback in military strength. Although the recruitment of new recruits is smooth, it is impossible to form a legion in a short time. This is really nerve-racking.
“What about the undead legion?” Isabella squinted, “The casualties should be a good supplement to the undead legion.”
Shea shook his head, “If we haven’t eliminated Obsidian, we can do that, but now Obsidian is dead and the capital coalition army has all surrendered. If we transform their dead comrades into undead, then I will lose far more than I gain. Besides, in the battle with Obsidian, the Dark Moon’s trump cards have been completely exposed, and there is no secret in terms of military strength. With Catherine’s wisdom, if a war is really to be launched, there will definitely be targeted deployment.”
Isabella shrugged like Chen Rui’s habitual movements, but Shea faintly guessed that Isabella should be able to guess the problem of the undead, and the purpose of making this opinion was more to remind her.
Chen Rui finally spoke, “There is no need to worry about the materials of the undead. Guradam once said that there are at least 300,000 soldiers on the ancient battlefield of Town Yankou. If he a.s.sists in guarding the Walan Fortress, we should be able to block possible attacks. I guess the envoy of the Dark Shadow Empire will be here in a couple of days. Now we can only react to the situation and see what news this envoy brings. At the same time, Princess Royal Highness must be ready to go to the capital.”
Shea nodded. In fact, in the past few days, she had finished the settlement matters of the Dark Moon and was ready to leave, but Chen Rui had not been awake. The most important matter was that the Sword of Fallen Angel was missing, so she had been using the excuse of stabilizing her realm to wait.
The 3 discussed related matters for some time. Shea summoned Old Gauss, Sarandi, Gerant, and others to discuss. Chen Rui and Isabella left the palace to work separately.
When Chen Rui walked to the outer courtyard, he spoke up, “If you have confirmed the details of the Dark Shadow Empire’s envoy, let me know immediately.”
Isabella nodded. Her voice suddenly became charming as she asked, “Why don’t you ask me if I’m free tonight? Is it because of a Royal Highness matter that you are not in the mood?”
Chen Rui’s eyes lit up, “Mood is actually nothing. So… beautiful and attractive lady, do you remember a promise? Can you leave a door open for me tonight?”
“I’ve always had a good memory. It’s okay to leave a door open,” Isabella’s blue eyes rolled. “It’s just that you have to solve the little black dragon sister who is guarding the door first.”
Olypheus was now lingering in Isabella’s house every day, which meant that Chen Rui must first get rid of the troublesome Ms. Black Dragon if he wanted to gain certain benefits.
“Why did Olypheus stick to you all of a sudden? She even called you sister?”
Isabella stretched out her hands helplessly: Calling me as sister is better than calling me as her mother… The first thing the black dragon girl did after waking up from her drowsiness was to call her mother, almost making Ms. Secret Intelligence, who had always been calm, fl.u.s.tered.
When taking care of Olypheus to recover from her injuries these days, she didn’t deliberately express anything, but for some reason, the little girl liked her and clung to her.
Isabella sighed, “It’s quite nice to have Olypheus there, lest I have always been alone and deserted in my place. I can only eagerly look forward to the 1 or 2 hours that someone occasionally allocates to me.”
“I’m sorry.” Chen Rui lowered his head guiltily, “I’m very selfish, why don’t you just move to…”
“Don’t think I’m easy to trick like your women.” Isabella sulked, but there was a faint tenderness in her gaze toward the man, “Since you feel guilty, then a certain promise is canceled. We don’t owe each other. If you are free, welcome to hang out at my deserted little place. I think Olypheus will be happy to see her rich employer.”
It’s over. Now even the benefits are gone.
Princess Royal Highness is like that, and Madam Aunt is the same. Princess Royal Highness at least deferred payment, but Madam Aunt simply canceled the account.
“You cast me aside after getting the benefit. Are women so irresponsible?” Chen Rui turned his head angrily and left. Seeing that there was no patrol guard nearby, he suddenly appeared in front of Isabella, and they teleported to a corner. He then lifted the veil and smooched to the purplish red lips.
[Double Teleportations] was used to do this kind of thing. It could be regarded as a pearl covered with dust. (Meaning valuable skills used for the trivial matter)
Isabella was caught off guard and tried to struggle, but now Chen Rui’s basic power had reached the peak stage of the Demon Emperor, and his spirit power had reached S+. Isabella’s power was not strong, so she was unable to break free. She bit the man’s lips, but Chen Rui still did not let go. Slowly, the resistance turned into active entanglement. It took a long time before both sides slowly separated.
Isabella looked at his swollen lips, then she gently stroked with her fingers distressingly, “It’s not that I broke my promise, but… the difficulty hasn’t been completely overcome, has it?”
The so-called “overcoming difficulties” was the condition of the previous benefit.
“I don’t care what the difficulties are and how deep the scar in your heart is. I don’t even mind about being a subst.i.tute. You only need to know one thing.” Chen Rui hugged her domineeringly, “You owe me a few lives. Without my permission, you can never let yourself die again! Understand?”
Isabella trembled, “What do you mean?”
Chen Rui didn’t speak, but he looked directly into her eyes. Isabella looked away, gently broke free of his embrace, and put on the veil.
“Don’t act smart,” Isabella’s eyes were a little red. She turned her back and walked out slowly. “I want to go back to base and work on the envoy’s intel.”
“Yini…” Chen Rui sighed, “I only say this 1 sentence. You have already died once. Even life can start over again. What else can’t start over again?”
Isabella’s body paused and her voice was a little low, “Give me some time.”
It’s hard to step from emotional injury… Curious if Chirstina will really kill Chen Rui herself, hmmm