Chapter 224: Wade

“Mr. Alef, welcome.”

A well-dressed man with thinning hair saw Alef enter his room and greeted him proactively.

His name was Wade, the lord of Sora City — the largest city-state in the southern part of the Saint Luo Empire.

Sora City served as a major transportation hub for many southern cities and possessed an enormous teleportation magic array. For Wade to hold the position of city lord here, he was naturally no ordinary person. He was a figure of immense power and influence.

However, his expression looked rather heavy.

“Good afternoon, Lord Wade.” Alef removed his hat and bowed to Wade as usual.

What caught Wade’s attention, however, was the unfamiliar face accompanying Alef.

It was a rather beautiful black-haired girl who looked very young, as if she had only just come of age.

At first, he assumed she was Alef’s attendant. But from the attitude the black-haired girl displayed, that clearly wasn’t the case.

“And this is?”

“Ah, Lord Wade, she is a guest advisor I recently recruited. Her name is Wei. She’s someone I trust.” Alef replied.

“Miss Wei, you’re quite accomplished at such a young age,” Wade said casually.

The girl called Wei gave no response and remained silent.

“Lord Wade, you asked me to come. Is there something you wish to discuss?” Alef inquired.

“There are some matters. Please, have a seat.”

Wade gestured for Alef to sit.

Then he noticed a strange detail.

Before sitting down, Alef glanced at Wei. Only after receiving what seemed like a nod of permission from her did he take his seat.

This left Wade feeling puzzled. That attitude didn’t seem like how one would treat a guest advisor.

“Lord Wade, my business has been able to proceed smoothly in Sora City largely thanks to your assistance. If you’re facing any trouble, feel free to tell me. I’m willing to do what little I can to help you through this difficult time,” Alef said with a smile.

“Well, about that…”

Wade hesitated.

He didn’t know how to begin explaining.

Seeing his hesitation, Alef seemed to read his thoughts and spoke first, breaking the tense atmosphere in the room.

“Lord Wade? Could it be related to the new Emperor?”

Wade was slightly surprised. The other party had actually guessed what he was thinking.

“To be honest, Lord Wade, the trouble you’re facing — I’ve already heard about it from other city lords. When a new emperor ascends the throne, the domestic situation naturally changes, doesn’t it?”

Wade closed his eyes and clasped his hands together.

He had to admit that what Alef said was correct.

As the lord of Sora City, he had naturally sent gifts to congratulate the new emperor upon his ascension.

However, the response from the imperial family had left him feeling uneasy.

Soren had not accepted his gifts.

According to the rumors, Soren was dissatisfied with many of the southern city-states because most of their lords did not belong to the First Prince’s faction.

Due to arrangements made by the previous emperor Gustav, many southern city lords had been on good terms with the Second Prince. Therefore, after ascending the throne, Soren wanted to replace all the southern city lords with his own trusted subordinates.

“Yes, Mr. Alef. His Majesty the Emperor wants to conduct an evaluation of the southern city lords to see whether we are still fit to remain in our positions.”

“This so-called ‘evaluation’ is just an excuse, isn’t it? His Majesty is clearly dissatisfied with all of you,” Alef said bluntly. “How could he feel at ease when such a profitable region isn’t under his control? No matter what righteous-sounding reason he uses, it all stems from his own selfish desires.”

“Mr. Alef! We should believe in the new Emperor. He ascended the throne in accordance with the divine oracle. He is the emperor chosen by God!”

“He does not represent God. That was nothing more than a performance staged with the cooperation of the Holy Land.”

“Mr. Alef, watch your words. That is blasphemy against God!”

Wade put on an angry expression.

“My apologies, Lord Wade. My earlier statement did contain some speculation,” Alef said with a half-smile.

“Then… do you have any way to change this situation?”

“If His Majesty is determined to reclaim all the southern city-states, then no matter what you do or how much you try to please him, it will be futile. After all, you are not trusted.”

“So there’s really no way at all?”

“There is a way. However…” Alef lowered his voice.

“However?”

“You’ll need to show some courage and oppose His Majesty’s decision.”

“What?”

Wade froze for a moment.

He almost instantly understood what “show some courage” meant.

“That’s impossible! His Majesty’s authority was granted by God!”

“The divine oracle only stated that the previous emperor should step down. It did not directly specify who the true emperor should be,” Alef paused. “Any heir has the qualifications.”

Wade was about to speak when he suddenly thought of someone.

There was still one heir who was currently wanted by the empire and whose whereabouts were unknown.

Could it be that Alef knew the location of this heir? Was that why he dared to say such things?

“An opportunity lies right in front of you, Lord Wade.”

“Absurd!!”

Wade suddenly stood up. He glared at Alef, his heart pounding violently.

“Guards! Seize this man who speaks such nonsense!!”

“As you command!!”

The guards waiting outside the room rushed in and quickly surrounded Alef and Wei.

Alef remained very calm. He showed no panic and made no move to resist, as if he was willing to let Wade do as he pleased.

“Take these two away and lock them up. Keep a close watch on them!!”

Wade ordered.

The guards moved to take Alef and Wei away.

“Yes!”

Just as they were leaving the room, Wei suddenly stopped and turned back to look at Wade.

“Lord Wade, may you have a good dream tonight.”

Her gaze met Wade’s.

“Think carefully about the consequences of your choice. Also, I wish you…”

Wade’s mind suddenly went blank. He staggered backward two steps and collapsed onto the sofa.

By the time he came back to his senses, Alef and Wei had already been taken away by his guards. The room was once again quiet, with only himself left inside.

He clutched his chest, recalling Wei’s words. Fine beads of sweat had inexplicably appeared on his forehead.

“The consequences of your choice… What does that mean?”