King
Chapter 499 - 499 84 The Strongest 'Old Soldier' _2

499: Chapter 84, The Strongest ‘Old Soldier’ _2 499: Chapter 84, The Strongest ‘Old Soldier’ _2 Although most of the guests only had a few good years left, it did not mean that these old relics had a diminished say within their own power spheres.

Despite their retreat, their descendants remained in power.

Even if they were not the leaders of their respective forces, they were essential parts of the operation.

The reason so many of them gathered at the banquet was not due to the tremendous influence of Caesar III, but because everyone needed a platform for interaction and communication.

Those who needed to band together did so, and alliances were formed.

In this form of mass confrontation, going it alone would be devoid of any future prospects.

Ceasar III had no choice but to do his rounds and familiarize himself with people.

The unexpected arrival of more troops than anticipated inevitably affected the strategic plans of the Alpha Kingdom.

Originally, Caesar III had planned on focusing on defense.

However, upon seeing the luxurious lineup of reinforcements, he weighed his options and suddenly realized that a counterattack seemed more attractive.

As long as both sides cooperated well, they could engage in a decisive battle with the Orc Army.

The temptation to drive the Orcs back to their own turf ahead of time was too great to miss.

Caesar III, exhausted from the banquet, couldn’t even rest before being dragged by his ancestral elders into a secret chamber within the royal palace.

Even on his own territory, careful attention was maintained.

Caesar III’s expression became grave.

His intuition told him that something major was about to occur.

“Sit down.

We’re all kings here, there’s no need to stand.

You must have some idea of why I brought you here today.

Among the past monarchs of my Alpha Kingdom, your abilities rank within the top three.

And across the entire Continent of Aslante, there are very few monarchs with abilities surpassing yours.

But are you aware that you just made a foolish move?

If it weren’t for good luck, you could very well have exposed yourself!”

The old man’s words caused a significant change in Caesar III’s expression.

He was initially pleased with himself for successfully coaxing so many people, but he hadn’t expected to have left a loophole.

“Ancestor, please enlighten me!”

Caesar III asked urgently.

By his calculations, he had been extremely secretive in spreading the rumor, and under normal circumstances, it would not have been traced back to him.

However, from the old man’s tone, it was clear that his cover had been blown.

Political conspiracies are one thing, but manipulating a bunch of aged relics on the verge of death is a different matter altogether.

Giving them hope and then snatching it away could drive people mad.

The imminent destruction that a group of desperate people could unleash could far exceed expectations.

“You were very secretive, and there were no flaws initially, but it was too much of a coincidence!

As soon as the Bimon Emperor arrived at the front line and broke through three defense lines, the rumor appeared across the Continent.

It gave everyone pause for thought.

Luckily, your luck held up.

Shortly after the rumor spread, similar rumors appeared within the Orc Empire.

Moreover, substantial evidence was found by various powers.

You knew about these, but your initial impression led you to believe that the longevity method does not exist, and you didn’t consider it a big deal.

Unfortunately, the reverse is true.

From the data collected from within the Orc Empire, the Bimon Emperor has been pulled back from the brink of death several times.

After each recovery, his body returned to its youth.

If it hadn’t been for these turn of events, he ought to have died a hundred years ago.

Various signs indicate that even if the Bimon Emperor does not have the longevity method, he has a method to extend human life.

This method might have certain restrictions or require a certain price.

Regardless, as long as the secret technique exists, it’s worth us, the aged ones on the verge of the end of our lifespan, to give it a shot.”

The older man’s words caused Caesar III’s face to change dramatically.

The secret method indeed existed, which completely contradicted his understanding.

In Continent Aslante, there are numerous means to extend life, but they only work within the normal life expectancy range.

It’s difficult for ordinary people to live beyond 150 years.

Even the Sanctuary Powerhouses lived little more than 200 years.

No matter how many heavenly treasures consumed, they couldn’t surpass the limitation on lifespan.

Of course, the Dark Systems’ longevity method doesn’t count.

By transforming into the undead or becoming a witch, the lifespan would drastically increase.

However, that fundamentally alters the nature of life, turning into a new creature.

“Ancestor, you mean this time…”

The older man nodded with a faint smile, “Correct, I will be taking part in this action, too.

Not only me, but the other old relics in the kingdom won’t miss this opportunity either.

Perhaps the longevity method in the Bimon Emperor’s hands has very harsh restrictions and might not be suitable for large-scale promotion.

But, so what?

I am all too aware of my body condition.

If I can’t breakthrough the Sanctuary bottleneck, even without any accidents, I would only have a year or two left.

Using the last of my life to gamble on a glimmer of hope wouldn’t be a loss!

Moreover, if this battle proceeds smoothly, the kingdom’s crisis could be resolved.

Even if I die on the battlefield, it would still be a gain.

I know what you want to say, but the current situation doesn’t allow for any other choices.

If I don’t participate in this action, how could the others rest assured?”

Caesar III went silent.

With the mention of the “Longevity Method”, if strongmen from the Alpha Kingdom, who were in control, did not participate, everyone else would be unable to suppress their suspicions.

Hadn’t he thought of this?

Perhaps, not exactly.

As a powerful politician, Caesar III excelled at achieving maximum victories at a minimum cost.

However, humans are not machines and have their feelings.

Calculating others is fine, but when it comes to his people, Caesar III couldn’t remain calm.

In some sense, from the moment he released the rumor of the “Longevity Method”, it was predetermined that the strongmen of the Alpha Kingdom would be necessarily involved in this operation.

They were already on borrowed time.

Adding to that, they had to go to the battlefield to fight the Orcs.

Even if they could return, they would likely be carried back.

…

The biting cold wind whistled ceaselessly between heaven and Earth.

Early in the morning, Caesar III, along with a group of royal nobles, stood at the city gates to bid farewell to the reinforcement troops.

Looking at the team of white-haired individuals, their eyes filled with age and wisdom, everything was understood without saying a word.

They had no choice.

For old men in the last stage of their lives, each day counting down was precious.

If they delayed for too long, perhaps some people in the troop may have dropped dead on the road before even reaching the battlefield.

For a knight, even if he were to die, he should die on the battlefield.

Dying midway would indeed be an indignity.

The massive reinforcements headed north.

Soon, they drew the attention of the hawkman scouts.

This time, though, they were unlucky as they encountered a team of strongmen.

No sooner had the hawkman flown over the troops head than an irritable knight leapt up and pulled it down, killing it instantly.

This was just the beginning.

As the army marched north, the hawkmen scouts responsible for monitoring were the first to be sacrificed.

Getting information was not enough, the key was how to send the message back.

Upon running into the troublesome troop, the moment a hawkman scout popped up, they were taken down.

They were practically head hunting.

…