There was not a hint of panic.
The corners of Chu Tian’s lips curled up slightly, and a composed smile remained on his face as he faced the surrounding guards.
The Third Prince, Elvin, froze, a terrible premonition rising in his heart.
If that recording crystal contained footage that put him at a disadvantage…
Chu Tian waved his hand and produced a recording crystal.
When he brought it out, Elvin’s expression shifted slightly.
Thinking of this, Elvin immediately spoke up, his voice turning sharp, “Take him!”
The Third Prince was clearly becoming anxious, and his voice sounded harsh.
The soldiers took another step forward, preparing to act.
However, Su Nian stepped directly in front of Chu Tian.
The aura Su Nian projected instantly forced back the soldiers who were about to attack.
“Since there is evidence like a recording crystal, it would be better to display it in public.”
Faced with the Saintess, whose fame was currently unmatched, the ordinary soldiers naturally did not dare to act recklessly.
At the same time, Isabella, who had nearly been hit by the out-of-control floating airship, naturally wanted to see the footage from the recording crystal.
For her, finding the true culprit was paramount.
Not to mention, this was also the wish of Su Nian, the savior who had just rescued her.
“Does Your Highness the Third Prince intend to cover something up?” Isabella asked, “Otherwise, why would you be afraid to let everyone see what is in this recording crystal?”
As one of the Heroes of the Five Capitals and the president of the Golden Chamber of Commerce, she naturally had the confidence to speak her mind.
At this moment, both Su Nian and Isabella had spoken up.
With the presence of the other four Heroes of the Five Capitals and the surrounding crowd, no matter how arrogant the Third Prince was, he did not dare to go against the will of everyone present.
His men were certainly no match for them, especially with the threat of the dragon’s breath from the giant dragon behind the Saintess.
Gore, the Sword Saint, spoke in a deep voice, “Since there is evidence, bring it out for us to see. Moreover, if a fight truly breaks out…”
Sana, the Dwarf Prince, was even more direct, “That’s right! I want to see who dared to sabotage our Allied Forces’ grand plan!”
Elvin’s face shifted between pale and blue.
“Hmph, go ahead and show it. If there is no evidence, you will still be punished for your crimes!” Elvin remained stubborn, secretly hoping that the recording held no actual proof.
However, his palms had already begun to sweat.
As Chu Tian channeled his magic, the recording crystal shifted from transparent to vibrant with color.
The image revealed a dim warehouse.
A middle-aged man in craftsman’s clothing, Karl, was conducting a deal with a figure in black robes.
Gold coins shimmered under the dim candlelight.
“Tamper with the materials for Shadowmoon Manor’s floating airship so that it crashes some time after the test flight.”
“Once it’s done, His Highness will personally request a title for you from His Majesty the King. A Baron’s seat will definitely be yours.”
The voice of the black-robed person rang out clearly for everyone to hear.
The sounds displayed in the footage were shocking.
“His Highness,” “nobility”…
It was obvious that if this was true, it likely involved someone of princely rank.
As the magical image appeared, a trace of murderous intent surfaced in Isabella’s eyes.
She had nearly died because of this conspiracy!
And that person was very likely the Third Prince, Elvin, standing right before her!
The magical image vanished.
The vast parade ground fell into a deathly silence.
Elvin’s legs went weak, and he nearly collapsed into his chair.
Cold sweat slid down his temples, soaking his ornate collar.
Only the whistling of the wind could be heard.
Everyone’s gaze was focused on his pale, sickly figure.
“No… it wasn’t me. This is fake.” Elvin chose to outright deny it.
In any case, there was no precedent for using magical images as evidence.
“These images might be forged!”
After all, he had already sent someone to assassinate the craftsman he had bribed, Karl…
“Do you take us all for fools? We can distinguish the authenticity of a magical image,” Isabella sneered.
“Your Highness, you are insulting everyone present. Mr. Mo Yuan nearly died, and I was nearly killed by your scheme!”
“That’s right!” Sana, the Dwarf Prince, was so angry his beard practically bristled.
Gore, the Sword Saint, went even further and drew his sword halfway from its sheath.
“Third Prince, you had better give us a reasonable explanation.”
Elvin’s face was deathly white.
However, he remembered the reminder from his advisor and quickly changed his tune, “Even if… even if someone was playing tricks behind the scenes, Shadowmoon Manor accepted the mission to manufacture the floating airship. Since it has failed, they must take responsibility.”
Yes, that was right.
He could still strike at Shadowmoon Manor.
Since the floating airship had already crashed, as long as he seized upon that point, it would work.
When the time came, he could be the one to judge Mo Yuan!
Then, he could use Mo Yuan’s life to blackmail Su Nian.
As long as he had the help of the Star-Moon Saintess, he could still turn the situation around!
“Failing to manage subordinates strictly, leading to the delay of the floating airship plan—this is a serious crime that affects the grand strategy of the Allied Forces!” Elvin said, forcing himself to stay upright.
Su Nian frowned when she heard this.
This Third Prince truly refused to repent.
Even at a time like this, he was still thinking of framing them.
Just as she was about to speak up in Chu Tian’s defense…
“Who said my floating airship was a failure?” Chu Tian smiled once more.
The feeling of having everything under control was quite pleasant.
Su Nian blinked, ‘Wait? Husband’s expression… why does it feel like he has everything under control?’
“I forgot to tell everyone that the Pathfinder which crashed earlier was just a first-generation prototype,” Chu Tian stated, “The second ship that follows is the true combat vessel we intended to show everyone!”
A crisp snap of his fingers rang out.
In the distance, an airship one size larger than the previous one sailed slowly toward them.
The crowd erupted in an uproar once again.
“What?!”
“There’s another one?”
“This… this is too shocking!”
Su Nian’s sky-blue eyes widened, ‘Husband actually had a hidden card!’
‘Now, that annoying Third Prince would be completely speechless!’
“Compared to the Pathfinder, this Destroyer is not just simply a bit larger. While retaining the maneuverability and speed of the original Pathfinder, it is equipped with an entirely new combat module.”
“The magical flight combat unit — ‘Swarm’.”
As Chu Tian’s voice echoed across the field, an extra layer of cabins on the Destroyer suddenly opened.
In an instant, countless small magical flight units began buzzing in the air, just like their name implied — “Swarm.”
Their movements were perfectly synchronized, advancing and retreating in an orderly fashion, like a well-trained army.
“Low cost and no need to sacrifice lives—this is the best way to deal with the Demon Race’s cannon fodder,” Chu Tian continued his introduction.
The dense clusters of small flying machines circled in the sky, emitting a low “humming” sound.
“My heavens!”
“What kind of divine design is this?”
“With this, won’t we lose far fewer people when we fight the Demon Race?”
The discussions among the commoners rose and fell, their eyes filled with the hope of victory.
Naturally, the Heroes of the Five Capitals present were all exceptional individuals, and they immediately recognized the value and combat significance of this battleship.
The pupils of Gore, the Sword Saint, shrank.
His knuckles turned white as he gripped his sword hilt—a warrior’s instinctive reaction when facing an unknown and powerful weapon.
Gore said in a deep voice, “This kind of tactical thinking… completely subverts traditional modes of warfare.”
Sana’s beard trembled, his eyes flashing with the frantic light unique to a craftsman seeing a divine artifact.
“Wonderful! Simply wonderful! This design is a stroke of genius!”
A rare look of shock appeared on Isabella’s elegant face.
She was already rapidly calculating the commercial value and strategic significance of such a weapon.
“Mr. Mo Yuan is likely going to rewrite the entire war history of the Continent.”
Ranur narrowed his eyes, a flicker of deep thought crossing his dark brown irises, ‘This Mo Yuan was not simple. To be able to secretly set up such thorough surveillance to turn the tables, and to create such an excellent battleship—such cunning and ability far exceeded ordinary people.’
More importantly…
The way Su Nian looked at Chu Tian was clearly filled with admiration and reliance.
And although Chu Tian maintained a businessman’s politeness on the surface, his subconscious protective instinct betrayed his true thoughts.
Ranur’s gaze shifted between Chu Tian and Su Nian.
‘It seems the relationship between these two is much more complex than it appears on the surface… Interesting.’
Meanwhile, Su Nian naturally knew how incredible the battleship Chu Tian created was.
Her beautiful blue eyes were locked onto Chu Tian’s figure.
There was only one thought in her mind…
‘Husband is amazing! As expected of the man I chose!’
Now, that annoying Third Prince was surely completely dumbfounded!
Indeed, the Third Prince looked as if he had swallowed something foul.
Clearly, he had not expected Shadowmoon Manor to have an even better alternative ready.
It seemed he could only retreat and plan for the long term.
At this point, he had no way to arrest “Mr. Mo Yuan” in public.
Elvin forced a smile onto his face, barely managing to squeeze it out.
“If there is a better combat airship, then that is naturally a good thing.”
However, his voice was clearly laced with the sound of him grinding his teeth.
“In that case, let the airship inspection ceremony end here,” the Third Prince said.
“Wait a moment.” Chu Tian lightly clapped his hands.
Just as he spoke, the sound of footsteps came from a distance.
Several guards from Shadowmoon Manor walked over, escorting Karl, the craftsman who had been bribed.
Karl’s legs were weak, his face as pale as paper, and his entire body was trembling.
Upon seeing the Third Prince, he fell directly to his knees, “Your Highness! Save me… you said you would protect me!!”
“Shut up!” Elvin roared hysterically, but it was too late.
Hadn’t he already sent people to assassinate this craftsman?
How was this guy still alive?
Chu Tian smiled calmly and said, “Your Highness, the efficiency of your people seems to be a bit poor.”
As it turned out, Chu Tian had already anticipated that someone would want to silence the witness, so he had sent people to protect Karl in advance.
Elvin’s face turned ashen, and the veins on his forehead bulged.
At this moment, he could no longer maintain his elegant princely demeanor.
“You…” He pointed at Chu Tian, his fingers trembling, “You are framing me!”
Su Nian watched the show from the side, her mood greatly improved.
That annoying Third Prince had finally fallen!
And he had fallen at the hands of her dear husband; it was truly satisfying.
However, on the surface, she maintained the dignity befitting a Saintess.
Su Nian’s cold voice rang out, “Your Highness, the facts are before us. Do you still wish to make excuses?”
Gore also gave a cold snort, “Anyone who sabotages the grand plan of the Allied Forces cannot be spared!”
Sana’s beard was practically exploding with rage, “To dare desecrate such perfect craftsmanship—it is absolutely detestable!”
Isabella stood up directly, her eyes filled with murderous intent, “Elvin, you nearly killed me! Our chamber of commerce will settle this debt with you properly. If Red Maple cannot provide an explanation… I will represent the Golden Chamber of Commerce in withdrawing from the Allied Forces and will implement an embargo against Red Maple!”
Surrounded on all sides, Elvin was completely finished.