Chapter 349: Two Dukes
The next morning, Fidel, Emperor of the Kingdom of Ersten, appeared before the gates of the Magic Association headquarters.
He wore simple, everyday clothes instead of the gorgeous noble attire symbolizing his status, followed only by two guards suppressing their auras.
Led by an attendant, he arrived at a room on the highest floor of the Association.
Rhodes was already waiting there, his expression normal, as if the turmoil affecting several city blocks last night had nothing to do with him.
"Lord Rhodes, sorry to intrude. Where is Lady Serie?" Fidel lowered his posture extremely, his tone carrying a trace of respect.
He knew the weight of the man before him. Not only a legend who saved the world but also a companion who fought alongside his ancestor, the Holy King Norne.
In front of Rhodes, his title as a descendant Emperor held little superiority.
"She will be here in a moment," Rhodes answered calmly.
The elf lady hadn't woken up when he rose, but calculating the time, she should be up by now.
Sure enough, before long, Serie emerged from the inner room, a stray hair sticking up on her head.
She expertly sat beside Rhodes, leaning very close. Letting him smooth down the stray hair, she rested her small head lightly against him without fully leaning on his shoulder—just a simple, comfortable closeness.
Of course, she didn't forget Fidel in front of her, giving a slight nod as a greeting.
Watching their intimate behavior, Fidel couldn't help sighing inwardly.
He hadn't expected their relationship to be so close.
But thinking about it, it was normal. Having spent a thousand years together, they were probably husband and wife long ago, right?
Fidel had only heard of love between different species in stories, most of which ended badly. But for these two, it seemed perfectly reasonable.
Collecting his thoughts, Fidel considered his words carefully before speaking with a bitter smile. "Lord Rhodes, Lady Serie... the commotion caused by your disciples yesterday was truly quite significant."
He sighed and began listing his troubles. "Last time, they at least infiltrated the mansion first, confining the conflict mainly to the interior."
"But yesterday, they forcibly blasted open the barrier right outside. Several surrounding blocks were alerted, and countless citizens witnessed the magical brilliance and subsequent chaos."
"Especially early this morning, my palace was crowded with nobles asking questions, applying pressure both overtly and covertly, hoping I would restrain the Magic Association's overstepping behavior."
He paused, then added, "Of course, I have already sent people to detain the two captured Counts and begun confiscating their property. Please rest assured on this point; our agreement remains valid."
After speaking, Fidel looked earnestly at Rhodes and Serie. "I came this time hoping to discuss something with you. Can we speed up the purge? Perhaps... if you two acted personally?"
"The longer it drags on, the more unsettled the capital becomes. Those hiding in the dark also gain more time to prepare. I fear greater trouble will arise sooner or later."
Fidel had actually obtained a list of nobles involved through special channels. The sheer number and depth of involvement left him dumbfounded.
If he purged everyone on the list, the nobility of the entire capital would shrink by about a third.
But he had to do it.
Because these nobles colluding wasn't just to target Rhodes. Long before the Magic Association was established, they had already conspired to commit numerous heinous acts.
They even had a share in the unspeakable dark industries of the capital.
It could be said that even without the plot against Rhodes and Serie, these nobles were tumors within the Kingdom of Ersten that had to be excised.
Thinking of this, Fidel hesitated, but ultimately took the list from his pocket and placed it on the table. "This is a list of those involved that I currently possess. Besides the Counts and Viscounts... it also implicates two Dukes."
When mentioning the word "Dukes," Fidel's tone became noticeably heavier, and his face showed immense distress.
"Dukes?" Serie raised an eyebrow, her tone carrying a hint of disdain. "So what? Just deal with them all the same. What is there to be distressed about?"
In her view, there was no fundamental difference between Dukes and Counts; they were all just fools seeking death.
Hearing this, Fidel explained hurriedly, "Lady Serie, it is not that simple. These two Dukes have special identities and extremely deep ties with the Ersten Royal Family."
He began to recount the origins of these two Dukes.
The ancestor of one Duke was a founding minister who followed the Holy King Norne north and south to establish the Kingdom of Ersten, possessing extremely high prestige in the military.
The bloodline of the other could be traced back to the Holy King Norne's own sister, the Noyun lineage.
Strictly speaking, they were cousins of Fidel's royal line, connected by blood.
Moreover, both families had been rooted in the Empire for a thousand years, with flourishing branches and intricate relationships. They controlled considerable private armies and fiefdoms. Acting against them would inevitably cause greater chaos.
After explaining, Fidel sighed. "Rash action might trigger unpredictable civil unrest. Plus, many neutral nobles are watching. It is truly difficult for me to act."
Rhodes fell into thought after listening to Fidel.
Since the ancestors of these two families were indeed extraordinary, they naturally couldn't be treated as simply and crudely as ordinary nobles.
"I understand," Rhodes spoke. "Since it involves Norne, the situation is indeed special. I will consider this matter."
He didn't give a solution immediately, but the meaning was clear: he had taken over the problem.
Hearing Rhodes's promise, Fidel breathed a sigh of relief. Just as he was about to say something more, a mage from the Association knocked and entered. "Lord Rhodes, Lady Serie, an elf claiming to be Kraft requests an audience outside."
"Kraft?" Hearing this name, Fidel froze slightly, then a look of surprise appeared on his face.
He was no stranger to this name.
Although in the epic legends circulating among humans, Kraft's fame wasn't as thunderous as the God-slayer Rhodes—even beginning to fade into obscurity—as the Emperor of Ersten, Fidel naturally had an impression of the name.
The great hero who saved the world from crisis again after the God-slayer Rhodes disappeared!
"Invite him in!" Rhodes said.
Before long, Kraft walked in. He nodded to Rhodes and Serie first, then noticed Fidel sitting to the side.
Fidel had already stood up, eyes wide, scrutinizing Kraft carefully.
By chance, he had seen a statue left behind by this hero. Although the real person before him was more restrained and peaceful, the unique temperament gradually overlapped with the image in his memory.
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