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With the white shadow's disappearance, the grand conspiracy failed, and the banquet hall, after a brief silence, became noisy and chaotic again. The freed royal knights and soldiers worked hard to maintain order, while the magicians skilled in healing magic treated the wounded lying on the ground. If not for witnessing it, no one would have believed that a single person could turn the banquet into such a mess.

After being shaken by Edward, Mengdie finally woke up. She spat out another mouthful of blood, stubbornly straightening up and climbing out of Edward's arms. Compared to the lightness she felt earlier, her body now felt as if it was filled with lead. The swift feeling was completely gone.

"Mengdie sister, are you alright?"

In the midst of the chaos, Aya and Nia gathered around Mengdie, asking repeatedly. Mengdie just shook her head, giving them a reassuring smile.

As the three girls talked, Edward took off his cloak and gently draped it over Mengdie's disheveled shoulders. He took a deep breath, looked into Mengdie's eyes, and nervously said, "Mengdie... I'm sorry you were scared. If I had acted a bit faster, you wouldn't have... wouldn't have..."

Mengdie interrupted him before he could finish, shaking her hand in annoyance.

"Alright, I won't say it anymore," Edward said with a naive smile, which made Aya cover her mouth and giggle.

"But that white shadow wasn't anything special, huh? Mengdie, you're amazing, you managed to drive him away all by yourself. I believe if I had pushed a bit more, I definitely could have subdued him!"

Watching Edward excitedly recount the battle, Mengdie fell into thought...

Drive away the white shadow?

Honestly, Mengdie had been too emotional to notice earlier. Now that she had calmed down a bit, she realized there were so many unbelievable things.

Was the white shadow really exhausted?

Yes, Sashara's accidental Sky-Piercing Arrow might have injured him, and he did bleed. But his injuries might not have been as severe as she thought. His actions didn't seem like those of someone skilled in the flicking technique, yet he insisted on only attacking with flicks. And according to Edward, he seemed to have many strange abilities unused. It was hard to believe that her momentary fighting spirit alone could have completely driven him back?

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Mengdie tilted her head, unable to figure it out. But if thinking more about it didn't help, then it's better not to think at all. She tightened the cloak around her and gently patted Edward.

"Hey."

"Ah, Mengdie! What's up?" Edward's face brightened as if he had been pardoned.

Mengdie pulled her hair out from the cloak, tossing it behind her, and said sternly to Edward, "Edward, I'm very tired. If you still consider me a friend, stop bothering me. The thing your father promised me, I hope you can get it for me now. If you don't want me to become your enemy."

Edward's joyous expression instantly wilted. He looked sorrowfully at the serious girl in front of him. Even with his thick head, he could tell she was serious.

Becoming an enemy of Mengdie was the last thing the prince wanted to see...

"Alright. I'm sorry... Miss Mengdie. I'll go get your necklace back now..."

Edward sighed deeply, turned around, and walked towards the hallway with a dejected expression. Watching his despondent back, Aya stepped forward and gently patted Mengdie's shoulder, whispering with a smile, "Hey, he's a prince, you know. You made him so sad, what will you do later?"

Mengdie, annoyed, shook her head and pushed Aya's hand away. Aya didn't mind and stood aside with her sister, giggling.

However, things are often unpredictable. Just when you think everything is over, it might be the sign of a new beginning! Just as Edward stood at the entrance to the treasury, a bloodied soldier stumbled out of the corridor! Due to excessive blood loss, he didn't see Edward and rushed to the throne, kneeling before the old king—

"Your... Your Majesty! The treasury... the treasury has been raided by the Black Flame Snake! We were outnumbered... couldn't stop them, the 'King's Cup' and many other jewels... all stolen!!!"

"What——???"

The gradually stabilizing banquet hall trembled with the old king's roar! Everyone looked at the old king, his angry and surprised expression frightening many nobles to their knees!

"The 'King's Cup'?! You're saying the 'King's Cup' was really stolen?!" The old king drew the sword from the soldier's waist, pressing it against his throat, and shouted loudly.

With the sword at his throat, the soldier trembled. Nevertheless, he recounted everything that happened in the treasury.

"Yes... Yes, Your Majesty! The five squads guarding the treasury were called to the hall for some reason, and we, a single squad... suddenly were attacked by people claiming to be the Black Flame Snake. We... we were outnumbered... finally... finally..."

"How is that possible! Without the royal-exclusive purple crystal, how could the treasury door be opened?!"

"But... but Your Majesty... they really opened the treasury... really..."

"Nonsense——!!!"

Furious, the old king raised his sword, showing no mercy as he aimed for the soldier's head. Edward, seeing the impending disaster, disregarded checking the treasury and rushed forward, blocking his father's lethal sword.

"Father! Calm down! He... he is innocent!"

"Get out of my way!!!" The old king kicked Edward, who could have dodged but didn't, instead taking his father's kick and rolling to the side.

"Guarding the treasury is these soldiers' duty! The theft of the treasury, the theft of the King's Cup, these foolish soldiers are unforgivable!!!"

The old king raised his sword again, aiming for the soldier's throat. The soldier, terrified, dared not dodge, watching his life about to end under this sword...

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