Mystery Paradise: Wishing Power Demon
Chapter 352 - 351 "Win-Win

Chapter 352: Chapter 351 "Win-Win

Zhaixing City, in the Ice and Snow Hall.

Despite the hundreds of stoves set up around the place and the warm and comfortable fur rugs on the floor, the atmosphere was as chilling as the howling winds outside, piercing to the heart.

Duke Rosha listened quietly to everyone’s reports, her face turning an even deeper shade of iron blue.

"A force of twenty thousand... one fifth of what we can muster, and yet we have been shamefully chased back without even seeing the enemy’s face?"

What she found even more incredible was that this force of twenty thousand had lost nearly a quarter on a mere five-day march... Aside from the wounded soldiers who had to be abandoned due to aggravating injuries, there were several hundred who had discreetly deserted along the way. The morale had already plummeted before they even engaged the enemy directly; a general’s daughter was kidnapped, and even the Magic Goddess had gone missing—such disarray wouldn’t have occurred even if they were facing the Longjiu Army!

"Forgive my frankness, Duke," Francken Hearthfire said angrily, "all of this is the fault of the remnants of the Kingdom Army! The enemy’s flying contraptions have also been nearly wiped out, while my own forces remain eager to fight. The issue lies with a traitor within the Kingdom Army! Before, it was only a Master Level Warrior, but now it has escalated to a member of the Royal Guards!"

At that, he glared at Meckfah, "What do you have to say for yourself this time? A Royal Guard openly defecting, combined with a surprise attack on our rear lines—these are the main reasons we were forced to retreat!"

Meckfah clenched his teeth—it was the first time he had been questioned in such a manner as a royal protector by an earl, "I admit that Ryan Kray committed a grave offense, but let’s not forget that he passed the inspection by the Magic Goddess herself before the expedition, confirming his loyalty before allowing him to serve as the vanguard leader. If it were up to me, I wouldn’t have brought him in the first place."

"Are you questioning Kokomoqi’s judgment?" Sir Hollis, the Fearless General, said with dissatisfaction.

"Divine Sword Your Excellency is stating facts." Moses also spoke up, "The Goddess herself has now disappeared as well, from that perspective, she’s no different from Ryan Kray—"

"Shut your mouth! How dare you insult the divinities?!" The minister standing next to Rosha couldn’t help but reprimand angrily.

"In any case, the enemy has proven to be a tremendous threat and we must take immediate action!" Francken said loudly, "However, large army movements come with great disadvantages. We should send an elite force into Thistlefort for assassination and sabotage, to strike the enemy both in morale and in the flesh. Once they are exhausted, we can then deploy our army to finish them off!"

"And the relics of the Hunter God? Our enemy is Duke Longjiu and the divinities behind him, not bloody Thistlefort!" Moses swore loudly, "What if we get entangled with the Paradise Sect and the Longjiu Army suddenly comes attacking? If you don’t understand military strategy, it’s best to keep your suggestions to yourself!"

Francken narrowed his eyes, resting his right hand on the hilt of his sword, "Even if you’re a Royal Guard, you do not have the right to insult an earl with such impunity."

"Are you perhaps eager for a duel right here?" Rosha finally lost her patience, "We can be certain about one thing first—the Magic Goddess did not fall, as her faithful haven’t sensed her demise. Secondly, how can you assure that the enemy doesn’t have more terrifying methods to use against Zhaixing City? What if they have more flying contraptions, and they bypass the mountains to attack us directly? I don’t believe that without finding effective countermeasures..."

Just then, the minister beside her suddenly bowed down and said to her, "Duke, I have received divine guidance; she has something to say to you."

...

"What is this?" Chaoyang asked curiously, watching Kokomoqi bring a basin of water to the desk.

"Water Divination, an ancient magic that allows followers to communicate with divinities." She sat cross-legged and gently placed her hands above the basin. Ripples began to form on the calm surface of the water, with the center welling upwards and gradually transforming into a three-dimensional image of a middle-aged man’s head.

"Is this your follower?"

"Lallote Guinness. His family has worshipped the god of magic for a very long time, continuing up to this day," Kokomoqi said indifferently, "He also serves as Administrative Assistant Officer by Duke Rosha’s side now, speaking with him is equivalent to speaking with the Duke."

"Can’t you send messages directly?" Chaoyang asked eagerly.

"Not unless he is within my Divine Country. If the distance is too far, I can only communicate through magic." As she said this, she looked at Chaoyang with a hint of curiosity, "Don’t tell me you can contact followers outside of the Divine Country at any time?"

"I can... but not everyone can be reached." Chaoyang admitted frankly. No matter how he looked at it, the task of making water defy gravity and coalesce into a 3D image seemed technically more complex than long-distance communication, which fed into the notion that magic was indeed wondrous.

"Then your connection with believers must be quite strong. As far as I know... most divinities need to conduct special rituals to respond to the prayers of distant followers, perhaps this is also one of your adept abilities."

This seemed like purely a special effect of the contract. Chaoyang raised his eyebrows noncommittally, "Would speaking with you now disrupt your connection with them?"

"Not at all, water divination is merely a medium, what they see is Yu’s will."

"May I listen in?"

Kokomoqi glanced at him disdainfully, "You really lack the self-awareness of a junior."

Despite her words, she still extended her other hand.

Chaoyang showed no humility as he took it.

Who would act deferentially towards someone who looked like a mere little girl? Even if she was nine hundred years old, humans would still judge by appearances.

...

Lallote held the water steady, presenting it respectfully before the Duke. Soon, a line of text appeared on the surface of the water.

’Yu is currently in Thistlefort, unharmed; do not worry.’

"It’s good that you’re unharmed," Duke Rosha hastily replied. Then she announced to the others in the hall, "Lady Kokomoqi has sent a message; she has now arrived at Thistlefort and is having face-to-face discussions with the divinity of the Paradise Sect!"

Sir Hollis let out a sigh of relief, "It’s good that the divine lady is safe."

"But why is she talking to the enemy alone, abandoning the army?" Count Francken couldn’t help but ask.

"Shh." Rosha signaled for him to be quiet, staring at the water’s surface for a while longer, "The divine lady says the Paradise Sect is not an enemy, but a righteous religious faction with whom we can cooperate. Their presence in Thistlefort is also because of this place..." She paused for a moment, "In any case, she requests that we cease military actions against the Paradise Sect and instead collaborate to explore the City of Defense."

"If that is true, it would be excellent," Moses was the first to agree, "We indeed shouldn’t waste our precious forces on such matters, better to secure the Hunter’s Heart sooner."

"Has Lady Kokomoqi mentioned why they had to kill the Furnace Fire Priest?"

After waiting for a moment, Rosha shook her head, "No."

"In that case, on what basis do we trust the Paradise Sect?" The Earl stepped forward, "What if, after we get the heart, they turn on us? Without Thistlefort as a foothold, the Paradise Sect could easily encircle our search teams and seize the divine relic!"

"Yes... That would be the trump card against the Longjiu Army," some nobles in the hall voiced their agreement.

For a time, a chorus of discussions arose, with both supporters for Count Francken and Moses’ statements, and nobody could persuade the other.

"Enough, I’ve made my decision."

Just then, Duke Rosha stood up, silencing everyone’s debates.

"I agree with the Magic Goddess’s opinion. Not only that, but I will also entrust the Hunter’s Heart to the Paradise Sect to show our sincerity! When both sides hold one of the relics, I trust the Paradise Master will understand our intention. Because whether it is the Alliance Army or the Paradise Sect, as long as the Divine Slaying Artifact could be used to eliminate our enemy, it doesn’t matter who delivers that striking blow!"