Hearing the Poet’s words, Sista’s heart instantly surged with turbulence.
Shock and suspicion mingled within her blood-red eyes.
She knew very well that the Black Feather assassin organization of Valivadan was notoriously cunning and cruel.
“Phoenix” was their top assassin, a name that had once struck terror into the hearts of countless nobles in Ansels.
Now, such a group was claiming they wanted to help her take the throne?
“Help me?”
Sista sneered, her gaze sweeping over the Poet and Tii like a blade.
“When did the people of Valivadan become so kindhearted?”
“Don’t think I don’t know that Black Feather only cares about profit, never emotion.”
“What exactly do you want from me?”
The Poet seemed to have anticipated her reaction. He smiled faintly, his tone peaceful yet firm.
“Your Highness, I understand your suspicion.”
“After all, we were once enemies.”
“But now, we have broken free from Valivadan’s control and have our own goals.”
“Oh? Leaving the organization?”
Sista narrowed her eyes.
“Without a reasonable explanation, I find that very hard to believe.”
The Poet nodded slightly and spoke slowly.
“Internal undercurrents have long been surging within Valivadan.”
“We are tired of endless killing and the fate of being manipulated.”
“The so-called Black Feather is nothing more than an abyss corrupted by power and greed.”
“Meaning…”
Su Ling couldn’t help but interject.
“Tii doesn’t belong to that organization anymore?”
Tii reached out to rub Su Ling’s head, a gentle smile appearing on her face.
“Yes, I don’t plan on staying there anymore.”
“What happened?”
Su Ling pressed further.
“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you slowly in the future,” Tii said softly.
Then she turned to Sista, her expression turning more serious.
“Everything I’ve said is true.”
“I was once betrayed by Black Feather and nearly lost my life. It was the Poet who saved me.”
Sista was slightly stunned.
She looked at Tii, then at the Poet.
While the doubt in her heart hadn’t fully dissipated, she also realized something. ‘If they truly harbored ill intent, Su Ling and I would already be dead.’
She took a deep breath, her tone softening slightly.
“Fine.”
“Then make it clear.”
“Where did you learn about the ‘Holy Seal’? And why are you so certain Moria is unfit to be King, while I am?”
The Poet smiled, a glint of wisdom flashing in his eyes.
“Your Highness, it is like this.”
“The Holy Seal is the symbol of legitimacy for the Kingdom of Ansels.”
“After Valivadan obtained Nori’s Heart Core, they secretly handed it over to Moria.”
“Nori’s death became the fuse for everything.”
“It was precisely because her Heart Core was exposed that the secret of King Steyat possessing three Holy Seals was made public.”
Sista’s pupils constricted slightly.
‘So that’s how it is.’
This meant that her father’s death wasn’t an accident.
The Poet continued.
“Although Moria obtained a Holy Seal, she does not possess true ruling ability.”
“Her reign will only plunge the Kingdom into deeper chaos.”
“And you —”
He looked directly at Sista.
“You possess wisdom, courage, and a sense of responsibility toward the nation.”
“These are the most important qualities for a monarch.”
“You certainly talk a good game,” Sista huffed.
She remained silent for a moment, appearing to weigh the pros and cons.
Then she looked up, her gaze sharp.
“In that case —”
“Prove it to me.”
“Tell me your plan.”
The Poet showed a hint of a smile and nodded.
“Your Highness is indeed decisive.”
“Our first step is to take you and Miss Su Ling safely away from here to a stronghold of the ‘Holy White River Alliance’.”
“There, we will consolidate various forces to oppose Moria.”
“We won’t force you to make any decisions.”
“But please believe that we sincerely hope for a new future for Ansels.”
“And you are the one who can bring that hope.”
Sista fell silent for a moment.
She remained on guard, but she also knew the reality. ‘The current me has no choice. Su Ling and I are both thorns in Moria’s side. Without allies, we’ll have nowhere to run. These people might be our only chance.’
“Fine.”
She spoke slowly.
“I am willing to listen to your plan.”
Her tone carried a trace of resolution.
“But remember —”
“If I find out you are deceiving me, I will never let you off.”
The Poet and Tii exchanged a glance, both showing satisfied smiles.
They knew that Sista had taken the first step toward trust.
And this step would change everything.
—
The men in black from before were actually mercenaries hired by the Witch Tribe.
After the Poet paid them their reward, they quickly withdrew.
The Earth Dragon Cart set off once more, slowly traveling along the rugged mountain path.
The atmosphere inside the carriage became subtle and tense.
Sista sat on one side, her alert gaze scanning the surroundings.
The Poet and Tii sat opposite her, their expressions calm, appearing confident about the upcoming situation.
Su Ling leaned against Tii’s shoulder, looking somewhat exhausted.
The silence lasted for a while.
Sista was the first to speak, her voice low and cold.
“I want to hear more specific reasons.”
“You said earlier that Moria’s reign would plunge the Kingdom into chaos —”
“Why?”
The Poet nodded, his tone remaining composed.
“Because of the ‘Holy White River Alliance’.”
“The members of this alliance are mostly human merchants and some Blood Clan nobles.”
“What they pursue is profit and stability.”
“The New Tax Law and the methods of rule that Moria is pushing make them extremely uneasy.”
“By contrast —”
“You are King Steyat’s biological daughter and possess the legal right of inheritance.”
“The Alliance needs a monarch who can guarantee their interests and order.”
“And you are the most suitable candidate.”
Sista frowned slightly.
She clearly didn’t like the feeling of being used.
But at the same time, she saw the reality clearly.
The Holy White River Alliance was a massive commercial league composed of human merchants and Blood Clan nobles.
Its leader was a human, and Duke Lorian was one of the Alliance’s primary pillars.
Duke Lorian came from an illustrious background with a deep family legacy.
Relying on his wisdom and skill, he had won immense prestige among the various factions.
Whether it was resource allocation, strategic planning, or mediating cooperation between different powers — he played an irreplaceable role.
And because of that, this alliance was powerful enough to sway the entire future of the Kingdom.