Mrs. and Mr. Smith
Chapter 1977

Chapter 1977: Chapter 1977: The Royal Family's Sanctum Chapter 1977: Chapter 1977: The Royal Family's Sanctum Ethan Smith paused for a moment, then said, “I think this feels a bit like the fox guarding the henhouse.”

“The fox guarding the henhouse?” The Prince looked visibly startled by Ethan's words.

He glanced around, ensuring no one was near, before continuing, “Why do you think that?”

Ethan didn't bother with small talk and immediately laid out his thoughts to the Prince.

After listening, the Prince let out a deep sigh.

“Mr. Smith, let's discuss this somewhere else,” the Prince said, rising from his seat.

Understanding the Prince's concern, Ethan did not object. He nodded and stood up as well.

The group made their way to a secluded room in the Palace, where the Prince locked the door behind them, dismissing even the two attendants ordinarily responsible for his safety.

“Mr. Smith, to be honest, I share the same thoughts as you,” the Prince said with a faint sigh.

Ethan wasn't greatly surprised. He replied calmly, “The only thing I can't figure out is why they'd do this.”

“Why would they do this?” The Prince raised his head, looking at Ethan with genuine curiosity.

Then, pointing at himself, he said, “Because of me. Because of the royal family.”

“What do you mean?” Ethan asked, puzzled.

“Sky City has stood in the Central Province for countless years, and no one has ever dared to act out here. Although the royal family has fallen, nominally we still reign supreme over the Nine Great Families,” the Prince said solemnly.

Hearing this, Ethan immediately understood.

“You mean… the Nine Great Families want to use this opportunity to replace the royal family?” Ethan asked in shock.

The Prince replied gravely, “That's highly likely. Over the years, countless individuals have fled to Sky City seeking refuge, including those who offended the Nine Great Families. Yet, they've never made a move–until now.”

“But recently, the Green family dared to use a secret Treasure to pull your friend into the Void, which clearly shows their malicious intentions.”

“Do you think the Green family didn't already possess such a Treasure before this? Why didn't they use it sooner? It's simple. They're testing the royal family's current stance.”

Ethan was taken aback and quickly said, “Could it be because of me?”

“You're merely a smokescreen; you're not fundamentally connected to this,” the Prince shook his head.

Taking a sip of tea, he continued, “The Treasure escorted at the auction was under immense protection. No one could steal it unnoticed–it was deliberately moved by their own people.”

Ethan scratched his head and asked, “Aren't they afraid of arousing suspicion from others?”

“They were worried before, but things are different now. Now, their opportunity has arrived,” the Prince said.

Ethan remained silent for a moment, then raised his head and said, “The mysterious person of the demon race.”

“Exactly.” The Prince sipped his tea and continued, “This mysterious person has already slain multiple heirs of the Nine Great Families, and now rumors suggest he might be heading to the depths of Azure Rock Forest.”

“Knowledge about the depths of Azure Rock Forest has always been shrouded in mystery. So anything that seems unreasonable could suddenly be deemed logical.”

After hearing this, Ethan finally understood the situation completely.

The Nine Great Families clearly wished to strip the Prince and Sky City of their esteemed status. They wouldn't hesitate to imprison the Prince, turning him into nothing more than a tool for producing magic coins.

Through repeated tests, it seemed the royal family was truly on the brink of crisis.

Ethan sighed and said, “I deeply apologize, Prince, but I fear there's nothing I can do to help you.”

The Prince waved his hand dismissively and smiled, “I don't expect your help; we're merely chatting. Besides, all of this is just speculation and can't be taken as truth.”

Ethan nodded, though he couldn't shake the anxiety in his heart.

Sky City's prominence might truly be relegated to history.

“If Mr. Smith has nothing urgent, why not stay here in the Palace for a while? Perhaps we'll witness something unfold,” the Prince suggested with a smile.

Ethan opened his mouth to speak but ultimately agreed.

After all, this was once the seat of the royal family. Surely, there were unparalleled treasures and opportunities hidden here.

More importantly, Ethan wanted to confirm his suspicions.

Over the following days, Ethan and Salena Carpenter stayed with the royal family.

The Palace was lavishly built, offering a multitude of accommodations. The Prince, being generous, arranged a comfortable residence for Ethan.

During his time with the royal family, Ethan came across the remnants of the royal family's loyal followers.

These few remaining loyalists were so ancient their ages were nearly unfathomable. Each of them was frail and decrepit–like weathered bark–evoking a sense of pity.

Yet, these old attendants were tirelessly devoted to safeguarding the Prince's safety.

One day, the Prince led Ethan for a stroll through the expansive garden in the royal family's back mountain.

The garden was picturesque, filled with intoxicating fragrances–with hints of something intriguingly peculiar in the air.

“Prince, are those elderly loyalists the last bit of strength the royal family has left?” Ethan ventured to ask.

The Prince nodded and replied, “To be honest, they are the royal family's only remaining strength. Sadly, none of them possess the Bloodline, and their cultivation has already reached its limit.”

He then gave a bitter laugh and added, “And here I am, the last inheritor of the Bloodline, unable to cultivate, forced to watch the royal family's decline.”

Ethan opened his mouth but struggled to offer a comforting reply.

The Prince waved him off and said, “Mr. Smith, there's no need for concern. I've long come to terms with this reality.”

Ethan nodded. Scratching his head, he seemed to want to ask something but hesitated.

“If there's something you wish to ask, don't hold back,” the Prince said.

Ethan cautiously asked, “Prince, those elderly loyalists… what Realm are they in?”

The Prince paused briefly, then said slowly, “They were my father's first generation of guardians. They watched my father grow up and ascend to power. Their ages far exceed my father's. As for their current strength, I'm not entirely certain.”

Ethan asked suspiciously, “Then why didn't your father leave you a few guardians of your own? Why are these elders the ones protecting you instead?”

The Prince let out a bitter laugh and replied, “Do you think he didn't? It's just that after the royal family's fall, they all left. Only these uncles chose to stay behind to protect me.”

Ethan understood now.

The tree falls, and the monkeys scatter–it has always been thus.

“Mr. Smith, that area used to be a small sanctum where my father would cultivate.” Suddenly, they came across a small stone platform nestled within the garden.

The platform was overgrown with flora, resembling nothing more than an abandoned, barren well, devoid of any mystique.

“Every ancestor of the royal family once sought enlightenment atop this platform,” the Prince explained.

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