In the Grand Frey Palace, Prince Vincent knelt before his father, 'Iron Hammer' Adrujesa, sweating profusely.
Recently, Prince Vincent, along with the Holy Lance Knight Holly and the Holy Eye Scholar Sariven, had been striving for fame on the battlefield. However, he suddenly realized that everything he did was anticipated by his father. This included Marshal Troski being notoriously implicated in the 'Night Visit Gate' scandal, Rody and his elite squad’s great victory in the siege against the demons, and even Queen Mire of Mire and King William II of Camalon planning to build the Kast Fortress and a second line of defense. All these were within Adrujesa’s predictions.
Only now did he understand the exceptional wisdom of his father, whom the world called a 'Reckless Plunderer.'
“My son, there’s nothing wrong with participating in the Night Visit Gate incident. Your only mistake was doing it in front of Rody,” Adrujesa said indifferently. “Haven’t you ever wondered why today's orcs have become so smart? How could they, known only for killing, use strategies beyond their intelligence? Moreover, these strategies with multiple traps are difficult even for clever humans to set.”
“Father, are you saying it was Rody who instructed the orcs to do this?” Prince Vincent was reluctant to believe this seemed improbable.
“No, you might want to think differently. Rody cannot command orcs, but he can collaborate with the Lionheart King. As far as I know, the Lionheart King has always wanted to break free from the demons’ control. The orcs lack someone like Rody as an excellent advisor. Now, various signs indicate they are cooperating. Perhaps Rody used this condition to secure temporary peace for humanity. Vincent, my son, haven’t you noticed that Rody is never worried about the attack strength of half a million orcs? Even though he is miraculous, half a million orcs are equivalent to three million human warriors. Even if Queen Mire and King William II support him, how can they give him three million soldiers? It’s impossible for Rody City with only thirty thousand soldiers to withstand an assault, unless the Lionheart King sends a fool as the commander.”
“Father, do you have evidence? We should report this to the temple and expose it!” Prince Vincent excitedly thought he saw an opportunity.
“That's the most foolish thing you've ever said. Poor boy, I thought you had grown up a bit,” Adrujesa looked at his son as if he were a mere insect.
“Are we just going to watch Rody act arrogantly? That damned bastard, he's stolen all the glory!” Prince Vincent said hatefully.
“He has the strength, Vincent. Don’t blame others, blame your own incompetence, understand? The biggest difference between you and Rody is that he doesn’t envy you, but you pitifully envy him. Envy is never the mindset of a strong person! If you don’t understand this, how can you ever become a true strong person?” Adrujesa sneered.
“Father, then what should we do?” Prince Vincent, choked for words, asked quietly.
“From today, forget the temple, forget your fair-weather friends. Watch more, listen more, think more. The only thing you should do less is talk. You think you're excellent, but you don't realize there are many more excellent people in this world. Even if you don't want to admit it, that's the truth. If you want to surpass them, then you must work harder than them,” Adrujesa said with a faint smile. “Of course, you can also do as you please. I won’t interfere with your actions or blame you, including your foolish participation in the Night Visit Gate.”
"Yes, Father, although I don't understand, I will obey..." Prince Vincent had never been so obedient before.
"What else do you want to know, my son?" Emperor Adrujesa asked.
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"I want to know what Rody will do next. Will he rescue those slaves and women? If he does, the magic newspapers will be full of praise," Prince Vincent said bitterly.
"Of course he will rescue them, but not now... Alright, go tell the temple envoy that I will send troops and food to Saint Song and will issue a statement supporting Troski, but I will not meet any envoy. I have nothing to say to foolish people; let them stay as far away as possible." Emperor Adrujesa waved his hand nonchalantly, sending his son away.
"Yes, Father." Prince Vincent, respectfully leaving, had a flash of resentment in his eyes.
My dear father, one day, you will regret never looking at me properly. I know whatever I do, you will never like or appreciate it. You are only satisfied with your own kingly power, suppressing everything with your lofty authority. My father, one day, you will step down from this position in disappointment, and then you will understand the anger of one who has been driven out of the palace... Prince Vincent didn't say this, but these thoughts had circled in his heart thousands of times. He felt that one day he would say them to his father.
Inside the palace, Emperor Adrujesa watched his son's departing figure and sighed helplessly.
His beautiful queen gracefully approached and knelt down.
"My husband, what troubles you to be so worried?" the beautiful queen embraced Adrujesa, sitting in his lap and asking.
"I have many troubles, but the biggest one is how to make my dozen sons smarter. Others have only one or two children, and they have sons like the Red-haired Sal, Ice Demon Gao, Elf Son Chris, and the miraculous boy Rody. I have more than a dozen sons, yet the best among them is the self-conceited Vincent. I feel sad for myself," Emperor Adrujesa sighed.
"It's my fault for not bearing a son for you, otherwise, he would certainly be the most outstanding hero," the queen said with a hint of self-reproach.
"If you bore me a son with demon horns on his head and a tail behind, well, he'd be excellent, but everyone would immediately know he's a demon descendant. My beautiful and charming queen, you would be known as a hidden female demon of terror in the human continent, how would I explain that to everyone?" Emperor Adrujesa laughed heartily, knowing his words could shock the entire human continent if they were spread.
"I still want to have one when there’s a chance. I must pass down your finest qualities," the beautiful queen laughed softly. "That fool Troski is planning to use Rody's father against him. What do you think Rody's reaction will be?"
"Sorrowful, Rody will definitely be very sorrowful," Emperor Adrujesa, with a queen known as a female demon of terror, affirmed.
"I think not only will Rody be sorrowful, but so will the people. In the end, Troski, that pig-headed fool, will be even more sorrowful. Look! Another drama that will lead to his disgrace is unfolding. It seems he won’t be happy until he's completely ruined himself. My husband, if it were you, what would you do?" the beautiful queen asked.
"Rody has a mother, who is said to have been a maid of Lady Warren. But I find it suspicious. How could Lord Warren, so valiant and brave in those days, become such a person? Not only did he marry Lady Mary, whom he didn't love, but he also seduced her maid. It's unbelievable. My beautiful queen, if you think about it, you'll find it very unreasonable. Rody's mother has always been obscure. Could an ordinary maid give birth to such an outstanding son? Not to mention heredity or lineage, but just in terms of education, do you think a maid could raise a son like Rody? I once tried to track her down but found it extremely difficult because very few have seen her, and even fewer remember her appearance. If she was so ordinary, how could Lord Warren have been attracted to her? And why would he dote on her son Rody in his earlier years?" Emperor Adrujesa expressed his doubts about Rody's mother's identity.
"Right, I also find that strange. Lord Warren was so doting on his son in the early years, but now he sees him as an enemy. Why is that? I'm sure there must be a reason, something unspeakable," the beautiful queen nodded in agreement.
"This mother, always hidden from the world, I've sent people to scour all over Phrygick and still can't find any trace of her," Emperor Adrujesa said.
"I know where she is now, Rody's mother is in Rody City," the beautiful queen affirmed.
"Yes, of course, she's in Rody City, but now we can't touch her, the opportunity is lost. We should have found this mother in Phrygick, as she is Rody's only weakness. It's too late now, but fortunately, we can find some scapegoats to do this, and then think about how to exploit her," Emperor Adrujesa said.
"Angels, I know, my husband, you want those birds of heaven to do this foolish thing," the beautiful queen chuckled.
"This task requires not only the involvement of angels but also the secret cooperation of demons," Emperor Adrujesa pondered.
"Don't worry, my husband, leave half of this task to me. There won't be any problems with the demons. You just need to spread the good news to the ears of the angels, and they will be eager to act. Coupled with the temple using Lord Warren to distract Rody's attention, I think this will be very interesting. What are you worried about? The strong ones of Phrygick?" the beautiful queen asked curiously, seeing Emperor Adrujesa not making an immediate decision.
"I'm worried about many things, but most of all, Rody. This boy is indeed the most troublesome opponent I've ever faced in my life. He disrupted my entire plan, forcing me to hide my strength and start all over again with major arrangements. I'm afraid to let him know of my existence too soon, to prematurely mark me as an enemy... There are not many things that can restrain Rody, and his mother, who is his lifeline, is definitely one effective means. I must be extremely cautious!" Emperor Adrujesa said solemnly.
"Hehe, I just love your serious demeanor. Haven’t you noticed? Ever since the miraculous boy appeared, you've been happier than before," the beautiful queen laughed.
"It's troubling yet exciting to have a formidable opponent. My beautiful queen, with you by my side, I'm confident in defeating anyone," His Majesty boasted proudly.
"I believe in you, Adrujesa, my dear husband. One day, we will look down upon all beings from the heavens..."