That beam of light drained all color from the entire hall.
A torrent of blazing white brilliance, dazzling to the extreme, erupted from the tip of the staff raised high by Laxana, carrying a terrifying pressure capable of obliterating all things.
So radiant was the light that even the holy images of deities on the stained-glass windows dimmed in an instant.
A scorched scent of ionized air spread through the room.
BOOM—!!
The light cannon swallowed Agnes Veid’s figure precisely.
The thunderous roar shook the entire Throne Hall, dust raining down from the dome as if the end of the world had come.
The hard, heavy marble floor cracked with web-like fractures from the point of impact, tearing the elegant patterns to shreds.
The terrifying shockwave exploded in a ring, flinging nearby nobles like rag dolls, their screams and cries mingling into chaos.
Dense smoke and flying debris engulfed the center of the hall in the blink of an eye, cutting off everyone’s view.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
As the light faded and smoke billowed, it felt as if an invisible hand gripped everyone’s throats.
All eyes locked on that chaotic area, hearts pounding wildly, not daring to miss even the slightest movement.
Astreia held her war lance, taller than a person, across her chest, every muscle beneath her honey-colored skin tensed to the limit.
Like a lioness ready to pounce, she was prepared to strike at any moment.
Laxana clung to her staff, chest heaving, beads of sweat glistening on her brow, but her eyes blazed with absolute confidence.
This “Ultimate Flash” was enough to reduce an adult dragon’s scales to charcoal!
Only Wendy…
He stood behind Astreia, his smile vanished from his face at some point.
His peach blossom eyes narrowed as he watched the swirling smoke, not with joy, but deep in thought.
As expected… It’s not that simple.
A mocking chuckle suddenly echoed from within the smoke, clear and sharp in everyone’s ears.
“Heh… Hehehe…”
The smoke slowly parted.
Agnes Veid’s figure reappeared before them all.
She still stood where she had been, hands elegantly clasped behind her back.
The luxurious gown of obsidian and gold thread she wore was spotless, not a wrinkle to be seen.
Unscathed.
“This… this is impossible!”
Laxana cried out, her confidence freezing into disbelief, unable to comprehend the scene defying all logic.
How could her strongest magic have failed?!
“Trivial tricks.”
Agnes Veid glanced at her with contempt, as if looking at an apprentice who had just learned to conjure a fireball.
“Little girl of the Ke Cain Family, it seems your mother never taught you the true heritage of your house.”
Her gaze swept across the hall, savoring the fear and despair on every face.
At last, her eyes settled on the Queen, who sat on the throne, shock written across her face.
“And you, my dear Majesty, you’ve truly given me a grand surprise.”
“What a pity…”
The Duchess sighed, her tone full of arrogant certainty.
“You were too hasty, and underestimated the foundation of the Veid Family.”
As despair and silence filled the hall, a calm, gentle voice sounded unhurriedly.
“Guardian of the Ten Rings.”
Wendy spoke softly.
Though not loud, his words struck Agnes Veid’s heart like a heavy hammer.
“A supreme alchemical artifact from the Ancient Dwarven Kingdom, crafted from ten different magical gemstones into rings. Each ring can fully negate a fatal attack below forbidden-class magic and instantly cast a corresponding spell.”
The Prince paused, his gaze falling on the Duchess’s hands, adorned with rings. A slight smile tugged at his lips once more.
“That last attack consumed the ‘Anti-Magic Obsidian’ and the ‘Light Prism White Crystal’, didn’t it?”
“Now, there are only eight rings left on your ten fingers.”
“Veid. Duchess. My Lady~”
At those words, the composure and mockery on Agnes Veid’s face vanished completely.
She spun around, fixing the handsome young man standing behind the Great Princess with a fierce glare, her eyes for the first time showing shock and… unmistakable fear.
How does he know?!
The “Guardian of the Ten Rings” was the deepest secret of the Veid Family—the ultimate trump card that gave her the confidence to stage this coup!
Who is this man?!
How does he know a secret even core family members might not be aware of?!
“I see!”
Laxana’s eyes widened in realization, looking at Wendy with newfound admiration.
So it wasn’t that her magic failed—it was that the opponent used a cheat-level defensive artifact!
Prince Wendy… even knows such hidden lore!
In Astreia’s emerald starry eyes, a fierce light burst forth.
She looked at Wendy’s back, her heart swelling with infinite trust and pride.
As expected of Wendy!
As expected of the man I set my sights on!
“Damn it!!”
Her trump card exposed for all to see, Agnes Veid finally lost control.
The Duchess shrieked hysterically, her once elegant face twisted with rage.
She hesitated no longer!
A flash of light.
The hyacinth stone ring on her ring finger crumbled to dust.
In the next instant, her form vanished like a ghost!
Not retreating—
But attacking!
Her target was unmistakable—the one who had unraveled her secret and ruined her plans with a single sentence!
“Protect Prince Wendy!”
General Sera roared, leaping forward with her massive warhammer to shield Wendy.
Yet, Agnes’s figure twisted mid-air, moving with impossible speed, slipping past the iron-towered One-eyed General.
“Out of my way!”
Astreia had already locked onto her, her war lance lunging like a furious dragon for the Duchess’s heart.
But Agnes didn’t even look, letting the sharp tip pierce toward her.
Another ring shattered.
Using the fleeting invincibility, she became a streak of black lightning, bypassing all obstacles and appearing behind Wendy!
It all happened in a flash!
Cold, powerful fingers clamped around the Prince’s fragile throat.
Wendy’s whole body went rigid, his expression displaying perfectly timed fear and shock, a strangled gasp escaping his lips.
“Let him go!”
Astreia’s scream tore through the hall, her eyes burning red.
Laxana was so terrified she could barely hold her staff.
“Heh…”
Agnes Veid dragged the Prince before her as a human shield.
“Prince Wendy Black, isn’t it?”
She leaned to his ear, her burning breath and seething hatred dripping from every word.
“You’ve truly… made me suffer!”