Chapter 592: The King's Speech
Is the Losent Family finally going to start dealing with my matter?
Chloe looked at Ed Liersen's smug face and silently stood up.
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She knew that in Ed's eyes, she was bound to fail—Loen's army often blindly believed in their "Admirals," and with Saints guarding the line, Loen could always achieve sufficient victories.
However, Loen's media whitewashed the results of the Fosac front line. Far away in New Lan Bridge, the house-arrested Ed Liersen had difficulty gaining a detailed understanding of the battlefield. Merely holding the front line in a protracted war could hardly be called a "victory."
If the results of the war assessment, received by those "Generals" in the Loen army, were known to the troops far from the front line, this blind faith would likely be difficult to maintain.
Of course, facing Hefeistok, Chloe couldn't claim to be entirely confident either.
Chloe was relatively familiar with the abilities of the Justiciar Pathway and knew that to the Losent Family, she was a criminal. Having Hefeistok Losent confront her was quite shrewd, as a Disciplinary Knight has a natural advantage in such a scenario.
Of course, how to respond was a matter for later. Chloe knew that Loen's East Balam Legion was mobilizing and gathering forces, not targeting the colonies of Intis or Fosac, but turning its blade inward, sending many Scouts toward Lan Bridge.
The intention was obvious.
She just didn't know that Hefeistok was the leader of this army.
Now Ed Liersen brought this news—of course, it might be false news, but in any case, Ed Liersen had absolute confidence in Loen's victory. When Chloe heard this, she knew there was no need to recruit him.
There were Spies in the city reporting to Ed, but due to the heavy workload, New Lan Bridge simply didn't have the energy to deal extensively with hostile infiltration, only to strengthen security at most.
Even if she told Ed Liersen and explained how New Lan Bridge had the confidence to cope, regardless of the outcome, there was the risk of revealing their trump cards to the enemy.
So, forget it. Before the outcome of the battle was decided, this stubborn Regiment Commander would likely not change his attitude.
Chloe thoughtfully left Ed Liersen's room, returned to her office, and then saw the representative of the Steam Church.
He was Ikhanser Bernard, the Deacon of the Machinery Hivemind who was once stationed at Leverage Church—old acquaintances are often used for liaison roles in places like this.
"Good afternoon, Deacon Ikhanser, is something wrong?"
"Chloe, it's a message the Church sent from Backlund." Ikhanser scratched his messy hair, his eyes filled with worry. "It seems King George III suddenly remembered that there's a metropolis of a million people on the Southern Continent, and they are also his subjects, so he wants to urgently set up a sub-venue in Lan Bridge to broadcast the sound of George III's speech on Saturday."
Chloe clicked her tongue and said, "They're planning to send troops to attack us, yet they want us to support him. What is this supposed to mean?"
"So, you mean we should ignore him?"
Deacon Ikhanser was not surprised—after all, as the representative of the Church of the God of Steam and Machinery sent to New Lan Bridge, he had access to sufficiently high-level information and knew that Chloe's actions in New Lan Bridge were likely aimed at resurrecting Emperor Rosell.
Although it was still nominally a Loen colony, it would inevitably break away from the mainland in the future.
Chloe making a decision to defy him was not unexpected.
But he was clearly mistaken.
"No." Chloe chuckled. "We'll do as instructed."
She cast her gaze out the window and sneered internally: "It seems you will have to work hard, Deacon Ikhanser."
"Just set up the venue in the Cemetery District. Since that person wants to broadcast his voice here, it will also be convenient for us to understand the situation in Backlund."
Saturday, Cemetery District, Nash Castle.
The former residence of the Nash Family, the rulers of Lan Bridge, now served as the administrative center of New Lan Bridge—a large square was left in front of the castle built in the center of the cemetery. Normally forbidden to ordinary citizens, it was opened to the public today.
Scattered figures stood in the square, mostly faces from the North Continent—and more than half of them belonged to the "Discipline" Assault Regiment.
The construction of New Lan Bridge was in full swing, operating on a single day off per week, so Chloe didn't give anyone a holiday.
Today was King George III's speech. He was going to use a new technology to let his subjects all over the world hear his voice.
Only those who considered themselves subjects of Loen would insist on coming here, and none of the New Lan Bridge natives held that concept.
On the outer wall of the castle, two metal cylinders connected by messy cables stood out awkwardly against the solemn and desolate overall environment of the Cemetery District, clearly having been newly erected.
Exactly at nine o'clock, this strange object suddenly emitted buzzing and rustling noises, which eventually turned into a deep, resonant voice: "Ladies and gentlemen, I am your Emperor, the ruler of Loen, East Balam, and the Rorsted Archipelago, George Augustus III."
Emperor————
Chloe did not personally come out to preside over the activities in the square, but listened from inside the castle.
Hearing George III declare himself Emperor, Chloe felt a mix of emotions.
It was already obvious that this was ultimately His Ascension Ritual.
She listened as George III proclaimed the defeat of Fosac's invasion plan, listed the crimes of the Fosac people, and mourned the soldiers who had fallen on the front line————
Concluding the first segment of the narrative, George III's penetrating voice suppressed the buzzing static, and he solemnly stated: "Let us observe a moment of silence here for our heroes, ladies and gentlemen. Repeat after me in your hearts: 'In the name of Emperor George III, may the departed heroes find peace, and may they become eternal in the kingdom of the God they believe in.'"
This voice carried supreme majesty.
At this moment, Chloe suddenly blinked—she broke free from a strange influence, then stood up and cast her gaze toward the square.
Chloe saw that the people in the square involuntarily lowered their heads, clasped their hands, and silently chanted: "In the name of Emperor George III————"
A few minutes later, after what seemed like a perfectly normal moment of silence was completed, the slightly static voice reappeared, continuing the unfinished speech.
Wait a minute————Logically, after being recited by all his "subjects," George III should have completed his ritual and could consume the Black Emperor Potion————So why is he still giving a speech now?
Chloe looked down at the people in the square from the upper level of the castle. As various thoughts raced through her mind, the speech continued normally, without any anomalies.
Could it be————is this truly just a trap set by George III to lure out opponents?
Chloe was somewhat worried about Queen Mystic Bernadette and 'The World' Gehrman Sparrow.
Just then, a particularly awkward explosion replaced the King's speech.
Dark green symbols appeared in Chloe's eyes—the device itself had no problems; the explosion came from the venue.
After a burst of ear-piercing static, the speech signal was abruptly cut off.
Looking at the collapsed Black Emperor Mausoleum, Klein knew the goal had been achieved. Without hesitation, his body blurred as he tried to hide inside the Historical Void.
At that moment, a vortex composed of countless Transparent Worms suddenly emerged from the gray-white fog in his field of vision, with transparent, slimy tentacles extending around it.
Zaratul!
Zaratul's true body has appeared!
——
>
Stopped
Chapter 591: The Coming Storm
"That's all for today."
Above the gray fog, Klein waved his hand, causing the crimson figures surrounding the bronze long table to dissipate. He sat alone in the magnificent palace, gently tapping the table.
Just now, Miss "Justice" Audrey brought a piece of news:
King George III planned to give a speech to the nation on Saturday, telling them that Loen would surely be victorious.
This speech would utilize the latest technology, organizing city residents in major city squares and rural populations, allowing everyone to hear the King's voice.
Such a grand display—could this be the ritual to become the Black Emperor?
Klein's expression turned solemn.
Releasing news of the ceremony might be a bait to draw out opponents, but if everything went smoothly, the possibility of directly consuming the Beyonder characteristic could not be ruled out.
The Scholar of Yore was still some distance from full digestion, and a forced assault would mean facing an absolutely powerful enemy.
Angel of Imagination Adam only promised not to personally support George III in becoming the Black Emperor—this meant that behind him, there might be other forces driving this development.
For example, the Demoness Sect, currently searching for Triss, the vessel of the Primordial Demoness; or the Psychology Alchemists, still lurking in the shadows. They had intertwined interests with the Loen royal family and would not simply collapse due to Adam's withdrawal.
There was also the Augustus family's ancestor, an Angel who had survived for hundreds of years, and George III himself—since he had decided to hold the deification ritual, it meant he had already become a Sequence 1 Angel, not to mention countless Saints, and numerous Grade "1" and Grade "0" Sealed Artifacts—
The greatest threat to Klein was Zaratul, the Sequence 1 Great Angel, who had already arrived in Backlund.
Zaratul's objective was clear: to find Klein, who possessed Sefirah Castle.
Since Klein's goal was to destroy George III's deification ritual tomb, Zaratul, who had no conflict with the Augustus family, naturally wouldn't miss the opportunity to lie in wait within the tomb. The Augustus family was also clearly happy to have this Sequence 1 Angel as an assistant for the deification ritual.
Facing so many enemies, while Klein could mobilize several Angel-level combatants, all of them were in less than ideal states and required him to provide "Flashback" charms for even a little support.
Adding in Queen Mystic Bernadette, who was determined to bring her father back, and the several Grade "0" Sealed Artifacts Roselle Gustav left her—while the gap in strength between the two sides wasn't daunting, breaking through the heavily guarded secret tomb still seemed like a slim hope.
"Fortunately, it's not a head-on confrontation. Fortunately, I only need to disrupt this ritual after George III drinks the potion. Fortunately, I have the blessing of 'Secrecy'—" Klein mocked himself, clenching his fists.
Suddenly, he recalled the demigod battle reported by "Strength" Chloe at the Tarot Club, and a flash of inspiration struck him.
Since he had the blessing of "Secrecy," why not be even more unexpected?
An idea gradually formed, and Klein slowly cast his gaze towards the pile of sundries, landing on an ancient, verdigris-covered cross.
"Is it starting already—"
Her consciousness returned to the New Lan Bridge mansion, and Chloe's thoughts became solemn—she looked out the window at the Spirit-Warding Hill, where construction had only just begun and no work had actually started.
She knew it was unlikely to finish Emperor Roselle Gustav's tomb before George Augustus III held his Black Emperor deification ritual, but she hadn't expected it to be so soon—the ritual would take place in just a few days.
Queen Mystic Bernadette hadn't even found the location of Emperor Roselle Gustav's problematic last tomb—
The first step to facilitate Emperor Roselle Gustav's return was not completed. Even if another Black Emperor tomb belonging to Emperor Roselle Gustav had been built, it would actually be of no use.
Chloe guessed that Queen Mystic Bernadette had secretly rushed to Loen to prevent George III's deification ritual.
She realized that, regardless of success or failure, this deification ritual would be a turning point in the war—both for the North Continent's battle situation and for New Lan Bridge.
Chloe stood up, opened the door, and went to another heavily guarded room. After signaling the guards to leave, she opened the door.
A figure in light-colored loungewear stood with their back to her.
"Reading, Commander Ed? I hope I'm not disturbing you?"
Chloe chuckled, placing a hand on the figure's shoulder.
After refusing to provide military training to New Lan Bridge, Ed Liersen, the Commander of the Discipline Assault Group, was placed under house arrest here by New Lan Bridge.
"Hmph."
Ed Liersen snorted, putting down the newspaper in his hand: "Sir Chloe, I don't know what the point of what you're doing is—indeed, I admire your methods, but you could have pledged allegiance to the country. With your current achievements, you could have become an Earl, Marquis, or even a Duke—and now? A traitor? I really can't compliment your foresight."
"I have my own objectives." Chloe casually pulled up a chair and sat beside him. "The war has begun. Loen's reach won't extend far. New Lan Bridge is ready to take over the entire Southern Continent. If you truly value my decisions, joining with your forces now would still secure you the status of a founding hero."
Ed Liersen sneered, disdainfully: "You've also maneuvered in Backlund, Sir Chloe. Have you forgotten that my surname is Liersen, the Liersen of Viscount Liersen?"
"A mere Viscount," Chloe sighed lightly, "a mere Loen."
Ed's face darkened: "Your so-called New Lan Bridge, though impressive, is still far from comparable to the Kingdom."
"Suit yourself."
Chloe dismissively raised her head as if unconcerned: "Your forces have been disarmed by me, and half of your soldiers have been swayed. Many of their families have already been brought to live in New Lan Bridge."
"If you choose to stand with New Lan Bridge now, the Discipline Assault Group can retain its designation, and you can be a founding general."
"Most people, though not defecting, have been wavering. All it takes is your command to end their indecision—actually, it doesn't matter, without you, it's only a matter of time."
"But you no longer have that time."
Ed Liersen sneered, "Let me tell you, besides the boring newspapers you send, I have other means of obtaining information."
"Your intelligence department should have noticed, right?"
"The East Balam Command will soon send a large army to flatten your city."
"I couldn't wish for anything more." Chloe chuckled, "I said, New Lan Bridge is ready."
"What about yourself?" Ed Liersen retorted, "Major General Hefeistok Lotzent will personally punish your crimes."
Stopped