Free Web NovelChapter 1227: Chapter 42: Borrowing Her...
The Kingdom Council Hall sank into deathly silence, as the Third Prince stood on the stone steps below the throne, looking somewhat displeased.
Joe Valentine stared blankly at the Old King’s corpse, his lips parted, though he had pledged allegiance to the Third Prince, he had never intended to kill the Old King.
"Iron Hand, we’ve succeeded."
The Third Prince suddenly spoke, his expression much calmer, even showing a smile.
"Hmm, we did succeed."
Su Xiao released the Old King’s neck, allowing this Old Lion to lean against the throne. It seemed that the two had turned against each other, but in reality, it was not the case. Before his death, the Old King confirmed one thing: Su Xiao would not betray the Kingdom like Rowen Harvey did.
The Old King tested with his life, finding that Su Xiao would not betray the Kingdom, leaving the important information to the Third Prince, who understood it, which is why he did not summon a large number of Forbidden Guards to encircle and kill Su Xiao.
"In the end, you still calculated against me one last time."
Su Xiao glanced at the Old King’s corpse, the Old King’s face devoid of fear before death, instead showing a smile.
This Old Lion could barely hold on seven days ago; he suffered from severe asthma, hence the constant dry cough. The Old Lion knew he was running out of time, but before a new King was selected, he knew he could not afford to die, absolutely could not die.
First, the Old Lion took the Secret Medicine, then injected the blood of the Undead Lord into his body. The Undead Lord was not transformed from the Undead Clan but from a powerful Holy Warrior.
The blood of the Undead Lord successfully prolonged the Old King’s life, but he also had to endure unimaginable pain. In these few days, the Old Lion could not sleep at all. He experienced maddening pain every moment, which was terrifying. If the Old King were in a healthy state, how wise would he be?
The Old Lion held on successfully, waiting for the emergence of the new King. When the Third Prince entered the Kingdom Council Hall, the Old Lion’s expression became relaxed because he knew he could finally be freed.
In the end, the Old King made a deal with Su Xiao, a transaction only the two of them knew, which was for the Old King to provide the way to enter beneath the throne. In return, Su Xiao was to help him relieve his pain and not betray the Kingdom or join the Undead Clan’s forces.
The result was clear, Su Xiao agreed to the deal, hence the Old King died with a smile on the throne.
Today, the Old King showed the Third Prince through his actions one thing: ’Your grandpa will always be your grandpa; you’re still too young.’
The Third Prince indeed did not have the fearsome presence of the Old Lion, but he was clever, which is why he did not turn against Su Xiao.
It wasn’t because the Third Prince feared Su Xiao, but because he needed the reputation of Su Xiao, Iron Hand, to intimidate those powerful ministers.
When the Third Prince fully grasps Royal Authority, then he will certainly turn against Su Xiao. Fully grasping Royal Authority is not a simple matter; it would take at least half a month, or even a month or two.
During this period, as long as Su Xiao doesn’t do anything to provoke the Third Prince’s anger, the two would maintain a tacit understanding of non-interference, which is the outcome Su Xiao desires, although it isn’t the ideal result.
Originally, Su Xiao intended to support a capable puppet (who couldn’t resist in the short term), but such princes or princesses were scarce; even if there were, they wouldn’t necessarily convince the crowd.
The princes and princesses received ’High-level Education’ from a young age, mastering the art of kingship, eliminating the incompetents, leaving those who were highly capable.
As for supporting a thorough puppet, Su Xiao never considered that, even if he supported a puppet, they had to be capable. The threat of the Undead Clan lay in front; if the Undead Clan breached the frontline, the joke would be too much, and then Su Xiao wouldn’t need to contemplate accomplishing the task but consider how to survive amidst the surround of the Army of the Undead.
After some observation, Su Xiao eventually chose the Third Prince. This guy commanded a large army, thus well aware of military affairs. A prince like this becoming the new King would mean that even if the Kingdom’s economic system collapsed, the Undead Clan couldn’t launch a successful attack in the short term.
If the Legion Commanders at the frontline learn that the Third Prince became the new King, they would be as excited as chickens on heat. The Third Prince would surely promote them vigorously, and the Kingdom’s Army Commander Herschel might even become the Third Prince’s right arm. Even if he was the Old King’s subject, belonging to the previous court, he aligned early, consistently supporting the Third Prince. Unless the Third Prince’s head got kicked by a donkey, he would certainly reuse Herschel; otherwise, it would dishearten many people.
At present, the situation is clearly favorable for Su Xiao. He and the Third Prince mutually restrain each other; the Third Prince needs him to intimidate those powerful ministers, while Su Xiao needs the Third Prince to maintain the Kingdom’s stability. Only in a stable environment could he more easily complete the hidden side mission.
As for the assessment mission for upgrading the Adventure group, Su Xiao roughly guessed how to activate this mission. If that’s the case, after completing the hidden side mission, he must leave the Royal Capital and head straight to the frontline battleground.
The Third Prince came before the throne; he actually had no emotional attachment to the Old King. While he was a naive child, he occasionally saw the Old King; during his youth, he received a territory at the border and then fought against the Undead Clan for years. It could be said the Third Prince grew up in the barracks, which is why he is so iron-blooded and ruthless.
"Your Majesty, how should the Old King’s funeral be arranged?"
Joe Valentine spoke in a low voice, his speed of changing his manner was quick; the Third Prince became His Majesty directly, while the Old Lion became the former Old King.
"Valentin, your suggestion?"
The Third Prince smiled slightly at Joe Valentine, his smile now somewhat similar to the Old King’s.
"Well..."
Joe Valentine abandoned his previous respectful posture, becoming enthusiastic and familiar, but in fact, he wasn’t particularly acquainted with the Third Prince.
"In my personal opinion, it’s best not to hold the Old King’s funeral."
"Oh? Why do you say so?"
The Third Prince showed interest in Joe Valentine.
"Your Majesty, think about it; only the three of us know about the Old King’s death."
"Woof!"
Bubu Wang, who had been watching nearby, barked, startling Joe Valentine. Bubu Wang glared at him, meaning: "I’m not a person, I’m a Dog Star People."
"Ahem."
Joe Valentine awkwardly coughed lightly. He certainly recognized Bubu Wang, who was inseparable from Su Xiao, but he didn’t know when Bubu Wang entered the Council Hall.
Seeing Bubu Wang, the Third Prince’s eye twitched; so many Forbidden Guards were placed outside the temple, but he couldn’t understand how this dog got in.
Bubu Wang surveyed the situation in the Council Hall. After a round, Bubu Wang was quite disappointed, meaning: "Where’s the promised feast?"
Bubu Wang entered the Council Hall not purely to find food but to warn the Third Prince. Even with numerous Forbidden Guards protecting him, Su Xiao could still easily claim his life. Perhaps one day when the Third Prince is sound asleep, Bubu Wang will sneak beside him and bite off his throat. freewebnovёl.ƈom
"I will enter beneath the throne soon, incidentally, I’ll borrow your sister."
Su Xiao headed toward the entrance of the Council Hall.
"My sister?" freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
Before the Third Prince could ask which sister, Su Xiao had already left the Council Hall with Bubu Wang.
