Upon hearing Lia's words, Cassandra's expression immediately darkened, her brows furrowing as she coldly regarded Lia:

"Are you threatening me?"

Lia once again donned her smiling demeanor.

"Threaten? No, no, no."

"This is merely a statement of fact, Madam Cassandra."

She observed Cassandra's gloomy countenance with an air of nonchalance.

Seeing Lia's attitude, Cassandra couldn't help but clench her fists, a flicker of cold anger in her eyes.

The female guard beside her, sensing Cassandra's icy demeanor, began to tense up. A formidable aura, like a surging river, started to emanate from her.

The surrounding air seemed to tremble under this terrifying pressure.

"Stand down, Elsa."

Cassandra was well aware that if her guard made a move against Lia, it would mean the Reiser family and the Kravina family would irrevocably sever ties.

And this was Kravina territory.

If a fight broke out, Cassandra knew she wouldn't come out on top.

Although there were many knights around, Cassandra also knew they weren't here to help her.

Even if they were, their combat prowess was too low to be of any use.

As a member of the royal family, Cassandra understood better than anyone.

The Royal Knight Order was only meant to keep ordinary people in check.

Moreover...

Cassandra's gaze fell upon Lia's gloves.

She narrowed her eyes, brows knitting together.

She could sense that within those gloves lay an immense power.

Like a slumbering beast, its powerful pulse beating steadily.

And, after the demonic events in the capital, Cassandra couldn't bear the thought of losing a second son.

She crossed her arms, her fingers tapping incessantly on her shoulders.

"What will it take to release my son?"

Lia continued to smile lightly.

But her smile was like a sharp knife.

Waiting for the perfect moment to plunge into the other's heart.

"Five hundred million Geo."

"Wha-"

"One hundred sets of armor made from Mosterli bones, along with matching Mosterli horns, and blades forged from Vesuvius volcano's molten iron."

"How about that?"

Mosterli were extremely ferocious and rare magical beasts that could appear anywhere in the world.

Because of this, Mosterli possessed incredibly powerful physical attributes.

This made it exceptionally difficult for adventurers or armies to exterminate these creatures.

Moreover, they had no fixed habitats.

Today, a Mosterli might appear in the jungle outside the empire.

Tomorrow, they could be found hundreds of miles away on a riverside plain.

These creatures were always hard to track, meaning one would need to search every corner of the world for these cunning and powerful beasts.

One hundred sets of Mosterli armor meant materials from one hundred Mosterli drops were needed.

The Reiser family's extermination squad might not even encounter ten such monsters in a year.

As for the molten iron from Mount Vesuvius...

Hearing the name of this material, Cassandra was momentarily stunned.

This type of iron required venturing into the most dangerous areas deep within the volcano.

Moreover, it could only be mined from the internal iron deposits when the volcano was erupting lava.

And Mount Vesuvius had long since become a dormant volcano.

This material, by all accounts, should be impossible to extract.

However...

When news broke recently that Mount Vesuvius was showing signs of imminent eruption, the Reiser family's mining team discovered a portion of molten iron deposits in the deepest part of the volcano.

It seemed that due to the prolonged high temperatures inside the volcano, a new vein of molten iron had formed.

But... how did the Kravina family know they had mined those iron deposits?

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Suddenly, Cassandra's face froze.

The blades that could be forged from those molten iron deposits.

No more, no less, exactly one hundred sets.

And Lia had just mentioned this exact number.

'Is it a coincidence?'

No.

The person who nearly triggered the volcanic eruption was Viktor.

A feeling of being thoroughly outmaneuvered began to cast a dark cloud over Cassandra's mind.

She bit her lip, speaking with some difficulty.

"Aren't you going a bit too far?"

"You should know, this is kidnapping!"

Although Cassandra hadn't participated in her family's business dealings, anyone could understand the value of these items.

How incredibly expensive they were.

"Madam Cassandra, don't forget the grudge between your family and ours."

Lia crossed her arms, her tone calm.

"Even if it's a crime, it was Jace Reiser who first sent people to attack Kravina territory."

"Moreover, deliberately capturing demi-humans abroad, luring elves, and allegedly imprisoning our Kravina family employees."

"These crimes are probably enough to hang your son twice over at the gallows, don't you think?"

Lia enumerated Jace's crimes one by one, leaving Cassandra silent.

She knew that no matter what she said now, as long as Jace was in their hands, they could find countless reasons.

Just then, Lia pulled out a damaged pistol from her waist.

Although the gun barrel was bent to the point where its shape was barely recognizable.

The knights felt curious, craning their necks to look.

But due to the distance and Lia's careful positioning.

Under her deliberate concealment, no one could clearly see what it was.

"Madam Cassandra, as a member of the Reiser family, you should know better than me what this is, right?"

Seeing the object in Lia's hand, a flash of surprise crossed Cassandra's eyes.

"Why do you have..."

"I told you, your child Jace Reiser tried to have me killed."

"This, naturally, is my spoil of war."

Lia smiled and put away the gun.

"I'll give you some time to prepare. When the time comes, my brother will personally come to collect the payment."

"I hope you won't be stingy with the ransom for your son's life."

With that, Lia elegantly swayed her hips as she turned and walked towards the mansion.

The knights watched Lia's retreating figure, but not one dared to stop her.

Only after Lia's silhouette had completely disappeared did Cassandra feel her vision darken, falling backwards.

Fortunately, the female guard caught her in time and helped her up.

Cassandra's earlier imposing aura had completely dissipated, her mind filled with the image of that damaged pistol.

Supported by Elsa, Madam Cassandra walked into the carriage, her face pale and dejected.

......

Emperor Aubrey sat on the throne, listening to the ministers below continuously reporting news.

"Your Majesty, Count Viktor has kidnapped the Reiser family's heir. Should you perhaps intervene to handle this matter?"

"Viktor burned down the Reiser family's mansion with a single blaze, now only ruins remain."

"Your Majesty, Viktor is also using Jace to threaten the Reiser family, making outrageous demands. This behavior indeed seems to disregard the law."

"We implore Your Majesty to investigate clearly."

The ministers reported one after another, carefully probing the Emperor's attitude on the conflict between the Kravina and Reiser families.

They wanted to know exactly what the Emperor's stance was at this moment.

Aubrey absent-mindedly tapped his fingers on the armrest, looking towards Gwen beside him:

"Gwen, what's your take on this?"

"Your Majesty, I believe there are still hidden aspects to this matter..."

Hearing her words, the Emperor slapped the throne's armrest and burst into laughter.

"Earlier you said you were a knight and wouldn't participate in politics."

"But when it comes to Viktor's affairs, you're more involved than anyone."

Gwen lowered her head, her face reddening, not daring to refute:

"Your reprimand is justified."

The Emperor shook his head and said.

"It's a pity Levi is away on a distant journey, otherwise I could ask for his thoughts."

Seeing the Emperor's reaction, the ministers grew anxious.

What exactly was His Majesty thinking?

This matter had already reached a very serious stage!

What kind of existence was the Reiser family? They were nobles who practically ruled the South single-handedly.

They controlled the economic lifeline of the South and were extremely wealthy.

The Kravina family was equally important, mainly embodied in Viktor.

Viktor's identity was well understood by all.

Whether it was the Reiser family or the Kravina family, if either side engaged in internal strife, it would be a great loss for the Empire no matter what.

Just then, a eunuch slowly entered the hall, approaching the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, Madam Cassandra requests an audience."

The ministers immediately perked up, looking towards the entrance of the great hall.

Cassandra, holding up her long dress, entered gracefully.

She faced the Emperor, and the Emperor likewise gazed back at her.

Although they were siblings, the feeling they gave to everyone present was as if there was no familial affection between them.

The royal family was devoid of sentiment.

Cassandra curtsied slightly:

"Your Majesty."

"Ah, Cassandra, you need not bow."

Cassandra straightened up, speaking calmly.

"Your Majesty, Jace has been kidnapped by Viktor, who is now threatening the Reiser family, demanding a large ransom."

Her voice was calm, but her words seemed tinged with a faint anger.

The Emperor sat on the throne, quietly listening to her speak.

His fingers continuously tapped on the armrest.

"So, do you want me to mobilize the army to capture Viktor, or..."

Suddenly, Aubrey's gaze became incredibly sharp.

Like a blade capable of cleaving heaven and earth, suspended over Cassandra's head.

"Do you want me to intervene personally?"

Under this terrifying pressure, the surrounding ministers all trembled slightly.

Even the nearby guards lowered their bodies under this oppressive aura.

But even under such a horrifying presence, Cassandra showed no fear, only lowering her head respectfully and saying:

"Your Majesty, I'm not here to ask you to send troops."

"You are my imperial brother, as family, you know my character best."

Her eyes carried a hint of cold light.

"I've already lost one child, and now, I cannot lose Jace as well."

The Emperor fell silent.

His sister, Cassandra Sol.

Although she had now changed her surname to Reiser, the blood of the Sols still flowed through her veins.

The ministers around who knew something about Cassandra also trembled slightly.

They couldn't help but recall that memory.

The former princess, Cassandra, was no mere figurehead.

She was known as the "War Saint."

In her youth, Cassandra had also experienced the baptism of countless wars.

She was equally powerful.

But Cassandra's strength was unlike others.

Because she was neither a mage nor a warrior.

Cassandra herself was very weak, even weaker than those warriors who served as cannon fodder.

But she possessed an extremely special ability.

[Level Up]

She could greatly enhance those soldiers participating in battle.

Whether it was physical strength, energy, endurance, or resistance.

For normal third-tier warriors, their strength could be temporarily boosted to the level of a quasi-fourth tier.

The only drawback was that it couldn't give them the combat skills and experience of a true fourth-tier.

Because of this.

Madam Cassandra had countless admirers and protectors.

All because her ability was too powerful.

At this point, many ministers in the great hall fell silent.

Cassandra gave the Emperor one last look, taking a deep breath.

"This will only be my last resort."

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty."

"I won't put you in a difficult position."

With these words, she no longer looked at the sovereign on the throne, turning to walk out of the great hall.

Cassandra, as a former princess with special powers, as a woman.

Whether in war or marriage.

She had always been at the mercy of others.

Cassandra had never made any choices; for her, all choices were predetermined.

The only time she had tried to choose someone she loved.

But that person rejected her.

So, she compromised.

She was willing to sacrifice everything, simply because she was the Empire's princess.

And this time, Cassandra returned to the palace as a mother.

As if telling everyone.

This time.

She was no longer willing to compromise.