Knights and Magic Wand
Chapter 742: 347: Questioning the Crime

Chapter 742: Chapter 347: Questioning the Crime

The news of the assassination of Lydwen III was not made public until the seventh day after the turmoil in the royal palace.

Prior to this, the lockdown of the Royal City was perceived by the populace merely as a continuation of the martial law following the riots.

As expected, the knight dueling tournament was completely halted, all celebrations were canceled, and the nobles gathered in Oran attended the several days-long royal funeral.

Buried alongside the King was Princess Ines’ older brother, the unfortunate fallen second prince, Prince Rickdo.

Upon hearing that Prince Rickdo, once known for his wise counsel, had been assassinated, Leon sighed with regret.

He had once saved him, yet the prince could not escape his fateful assassination.

After the solemn funeral and mourning ceremony ended, the newly enthroned King Eric, filled with rage, branded all the captured living rioters and then hanged them one by one after trials.

Even the bodies of Athiasians killed amid the chaos and plots were once again hung on the gallows.

Even Met, whom he had split in two, was no exception. The magician’s body was reassembled with rope and displayed in the city center square of Oran for all to see.

In the vacant space, groups of Royal City citizens pointed and spat at the enemy assassins who hung from the trees, venting the fear and disrupted lives they endured during the martial law.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t let you take revenge yourself, but under the circumstances at that time, it was impossible to capture that guy alive, and I dared not let him escape again.”

Leon looked at Canis, who was gazing up at Met’s body.

“Forget it… the traitor got what he deserved. It’s not as satisfying not to kill him personally, but at least I can see this bastard’s dead body with my own eyes.”

The Wolf Family Young Master tossed a brick in his hand, striking Met’s rope-bound face with precision, causing the body to shake.

Seeing the mangled face of the murderer, a rare sense of relief appeared on Canis’ hate-filled face, offering some consolation.

“By the way, what does it feel like after death? Can you still find his wandering soul if you return to the Dead Sea? Maybe you could take revenge again.” Leon asked curiously.

“The Dead Sea… do you mean the Netherworld of Vinoles?” Canis shook his head: “I can’t describe the feeling, cold?… No, that’s just my imagination thinking back now, in reality, I felt nothing at all.”

A sudden chill ran through the Wolf Family Young Master.

As a battle-hardened warrior who had walked through countless perilous situations, there was little on this earth that could strike such soul-deep terror into him.

The sense of numbness, the endless void and stillness without any end in sight… was more terrifying than any torture and torment the world could offer.

Even as his consciousness twisted madly with the remnants of his life’s memories, he couldn’t release the resentment that was fixed within him.

Only when summoned by another did the void stir once more. Of course, at that time, he bore only endless malice, wanting to tear every sentient, perceivable thing into pieces, unable to think as clearly as he did now.

“Why are you asking? You don’t intend for me to go back, do you? I’ve worked hard for you; don’t forget your promise from back then!” Canis exclaimed, turning his head.

“No such intention, I was just thinking, seeing that your vendetta has been avenged, if there’s nothing left for you to linger for in this world, I can dissolve our contract.” Leon shrugged.

Canis glared, “Don’t even think about it, I still need to inherit my father’s title and lead the Gunnar Family. You better live a long life, so I can continue to exist longer…”

He suddenly shook his head: “Wait, given your reckless ways, who knows when your time will come. You’re not young anymore, better have more children before you die and pass this card down, I’m not tired of living yet.”

Feeling somewhat cursed by this guy, Leon twitchily nodded, speechless.

His gaze returned to Met’s body as Leon pondered.

After attending the funerals of Lydwen and Rickdo, he had spent these days reflecting on the conspiracy orchestrated by the Athias Empire to assassinate the king.

Though he couldn’t participate in King Eric’s trials of the captured Athiasian assassins and Wisemar, he was a witness from beginning to end.

From foiling the Athiasians disguised as Knight Kantadar, attempting to set up a magic guide siege crossbow to ambush Lydwen’s forces.

To the Athiasian assassins colluding with Wisemar to infiltrate the palace, intending to use ancient magic to disable the palace guards, assassinating the king and all the royal heirs, the Mage Empire’s objectives were crystal clear.

Just like their attempt years ago to harm Lady Adelina and frame the Gunnar Family, this strategy of causing internal strife within the kingdom was simply to provoke chaos and self-destruction.

Could it be that the Athias Empire really planned a future invasion of the countries on the Western Continent? Otherwise, why stir trouble a thousand miles away?

To be honest, he had never thought the other side capable in the environment of this feudal kingdom era.

But now, seeing the various miraculous magics of this world, Leon dared not guarantee anything anymore.

Common sense from his past life on Earth could not rigidly be applied to this Otherworld, so different from Earth.

Not to mention hearing from other lords who fought alongside Lydwen in the Undead War, that in Mamor County, there once appeared a ‘Dark Gate’ overflowing with the Undead Army, it inevitably reminded Leon of the concept of a ‘Teleportation Gate’.

One must know that the Lorelette Civilization even assisted the Helarn Dwarves in constructing a realm gate that allowed their entire clan to traverse.

Perhaps someday… the Athias Empire might possibly send its black-armored army through like a wave with the snap of a finger.

Even if not as dramatic, should the Mage Empire uncover some ancient Lorelette technology, enabling their sea ships to rapidly cross the oceans and deliver troops… then the fires of war that once engulfed Kovis’ old nation would be unavoidable for Orland.

Preemptive preparations must be made…

With a heavy heart on how to counter the Athiasians’ threat, Leon found a secluded alley for concealment before returning to the Avalon residence and retrieving the Wolf Family Young Master card.

On arriving home, he saw several large carriages parked in front of the courtyard and many Sea Eagle Knights standing at the entrance.

The Princess’s knights all saluted in unison to Leon, the savior of their Lord, with even greater respect than before.

Leon returned the salute and asked, “Is Princess Ines here?”

“Yes, sire, Her Highness is upstairs,” a Guard Captain replied.

“Then why so many carriages outside?”

“Those carriages are for transporting the tournament prizes for everyone from Avalon, as well as the rewards prepared by His Majesty… I mean the former King, for you and Miss Olivia during his lifetime, of course, Honorable King Eric’s awards are also included, and we delivered them all along the way.”

Leon realized.

These gifts were originally meant to be given in the royal palace by Lydwen III after quelling the conspiracy uprising, but… man proposes, and God disposes.

He would either die in the restoration war of the Golden Lion Queen or be assassinated by the Athiasian assassin. The old dragon’s death seemed inevitable.

Yet compared to another fate where he was slain under the guise of a ‘usurper false king’ by Olivia.

At least on this path, Lydwen III expanded his territory south and compelled the King of Kantadar into submission, likely earning far greater accolades in historical records and evaluations.

Especially with Olivia having no intent to restore her reign now, the Hecha Dynasty would naturally continue its legacy.

Heading up the stairs, Kovis flipped through a book on the second-floor terrace, and Lokhak was in the hall polishing his sword.