The Boss King actually disguised himself as a novice village chief?!
Chapter 329 - 283: A Fragile Alliance

Chapter 329: Chapter 283: A Fragile Alliance

The forces pushed by the era to the forefront, who could be considered the "protagonists" before the public testing, might not say the same after, as a major update could skip the storyline ahead by a year.

By the time it was really updated, it could span several years, a decade, or even decades.

The new nobility, symbolic of the new era, possessed the official Newbie Village, and in their village, a large number of mighty individuals awoken by a mysterious force were born. This group suddenly became aware, recognized the undead, and believed these people were the future.

There were also those representing the old era, the Old Nobility, who derived their power from the now shattered Ring of Magic. Their lineage and surnames bestowed upon them power, but it maddeningly altered their personalities and even gnawed at their brains. Each of the Old Nobility controlled crucial paths. The noble Old Nobility were remnants of the old era, holding contempt for all and blocking the advance of the future.

In such a context, the cooperative invitation suddenly sent from Raven City seemed particularly bizarre to Lind.

Of course, he could understand that the target of this communication was likely himself and not Rania, as the news of Duke of Lions killing the Baron Ronan had already spread swiftly to every corner of the land, especially to nearby Raven City, which couldn’t have missed it.

But if Lind were to go, what would await him? An ambush from a surrounding attack or an inevitably unpleasant meeting? He believed his temper would definitely not tolerate a bunch of "official lapdogs" expressing their values to him.

You’re absolutely right, but you’ve been brainwashed by the Officials!

Even if they managed to forge an alliance, it would be incredibly fragile, breaking at the slightest impact.

Moreover, even if the new nobility showed him goodwill, Lind might not respond.

The loyalty among the new nobility, brainwashed by the "Officials," was a thorn in his side. He was inherently opposed to these people, regardless of any benefits, considering only his own perspective.

He worried about being recruited by them.

"Bloodlust Plague..."

Perhaps he should visit the Fox Hole quietly on his own. He was quite interested in the "Red Spirit" claimed by the undead; he wondered what level of creation that could achieve.

If he could also create his own "Red Spirit," would that mean he could immediately own a large number of "Lind Armands" as his own minions, or even if not for his use, create creatures for replication?

Lind knew that a large number of the undead wished to kill him.

That was all too normal, so should he give them an opportunity accordingly?

However, before that, there were discussions to handle, because in the letter, Rania had already stated clearly, she was the Queen, so she must go.

...

A man with half his face burnt by flames stood silently among the crowd.

This was a summons from Raven City. Every village leader had arrived at the border of their territories following the command of the potent Songbai Knight Guard from Permafrost Land.

Raven City was built on the main road of the Central Region, the essential route to the City of Gold, Goliath.

In comparison, Mountain Demon Castle, once a ducal territory of Rand Kingdom, was almost a country unto itself, leaning towards the southwest, far from the core of the Central Region, much like Griffin Fortress in the south.

Keeping the territories as far away from the Royal City as possible was also a way to reassure the King.

Otherwise, a powerful ducal territory right before his eyes, with soldiers training daily, would hardly let the King sleep well.

This was an urgent meeting, though the man did not believe it was much related to the bloodlust plague in Fox Hole, that labyrinth-like village had maintained that state for many years.

Perhaps there really were some issues inside, but it had always been communicating with the outside world, very peacefully, until the Undead arrived and shattered the tranquility.

Moreover, the real problem areas, like the Dark Night Orchard, were just like himself... heh, merely an excuse.

What truly surprised him was the harmony in the voices inside Raven City this time.

The internal divisions in Raven City were intensifying, and although it appeared peaceful on the surface, clandestine confrontations were still intense.

In such circumstances, a rational member of the Old Nobility had stepped forward.

Lind Armand, like a comet in the pitch-black night, had rapidly risen and, with a speed unimaginable by most, had taken the Mountain Demon Castle and pledged loyalty to Queen Rania.

The Mountain Demon Castle was not important, the Old Nobility never paid it any attention.

It was the same with Queen Rania, after moving into the new era, a queen without power was merely an ordinary woman.

But Lind’s emergence, however, had slightly altered the course of everything, and when he demonstrated his formidable strength, especially during the recent major battle where he crushed the Snake Catcher Fortress, his name had been repeatedly mentioned in meetings.

Lind was like a giant palm, the external pressure forcing the already cracked Raven City to be forcibly squeezed together once again.

The man with a scarred face looked ahead, the ground was shaking.

A golden light appeared on the horizon.

Riven Soldiers lined up to welcome them.

The commander was ’Big Beard’ Hull, holding a high position among the leaders of Raven City’s legions, and as a former Sun Knight of the old era, Hull had become a Great Knight long before the Ring of Magic shattered, relying solely on his strength and will.

His power was among the top of the Senior Grand Knights.

After the shattering of the Ring of Magic, Big Beard Knight had resolutely followed his inner faith in justice and the sun, and had joined Raven City.

Big Beard’s presence signified the importance placed on this reception.

After all, that man had a dragon loyal to him.

And anyone who had witnessed the power of the Old Nobility could never feel relaxed about his arrival.

Finally, the sound of horse hooves grew closer.

It was no secret that Lind had taken control of the Catastrophe Warhorse, so when the Gold Cavalry riding the Catastrophe Warhorses charged, the soldiers of Raven City were not too surprised.

Only Big Beard Hull was a bit anxious, his nerves surely tensed! Those warhorses, with their sharp teeth and claws, were nothing less than the most terrifying meat grinders on the battlefield.

The Riven Soldiers responsible for the welcoming ceremony also tightened their chests, swallowing their saliva.

Fortunately, the Gold Cavalry did not initiate a charge directly, and as they drew closer, they slowed their speed.

A roar came from the sky. A Flying Dragon, wings spread wide, tore through the sky’s clouds, its crimson scales wrapped around its slender neck, as it danced among the clouds and already turned the sky’s clouds red with flames.

Gale pressed down.

The storm made it impossible for them to open their eyes.

The Rand Legion Cavalry solemnly greeted each other, lowering their noble heads just to honor the one arriving on the Flying Dragon.

The huge dragon landed on the ground, causing the earth to tremble ceaselessly.

Surrounding were intermittent exclamations, some from the Riven Soldiers, but more from the Undead.

A considerable portion of the Undead had successfully infiltrated the army of Raven City, and this batch was seeing the legendary Flying Dragon for the first time.

Compared to watching it on flat screens, the colossal creature heavily landing on the ground horrified them even more.

However, the dragon came not with hostility, so it did not display a health bar, which left them somewhat disappointed.

Flame Tumor Alex raised his long neck high, looking down at everyone present.

Dragon wings spread out on the ground, like a red carpet laid over huge stone steps, easing the descent for the person on its back.

Then, long golden combat boots stepped off the dragon’s wing.

Only now did those present realize, upon seeing the graceful figure descending from the dragon’s back, that it was not Lind Armand but Queen Rania Hedwin of Rand Kingdom!

Hull was the quickest to react; he stepped forward from the ranks and executed a knight’s salute to Rania.

Even though their stances did not align, he had once been a hero of the Rand Kingdom and had sworn allegiance to the Hedwin Family.

"Her Majesty the Queen!" he exclaimed.

"Lord Hull?" Rania, seeing the knight bowing before her, was familiar with the name throughout the entire Rand Kingdom. "I am delighted to see you again in these chaotic times."

The barren history of Magic in Rand Kingdom was hardly worth mentioning, but there were still many stories of Great Knights, including Hull and Rania’s father.

Regrettably, the once Sun Knight Hull, praised even by the Pope, now lacked strength, his power ranking merely at Upper Rank, something Rania could probably perceive with her own attuned senses.

Sadly, Senior Grand Knights of Hull’s caliber were numerous under Lind’s command.

Seeing him tremble slight under Alex’s majestic dragon aura stirred a complex feeling within her.

Indeed, a new era had arrived, and all things from the old were being phased out.

The blood-bearing Old Nobility was being phased out, and "heroes" like Hull were no exception.

"I too am pleased to hear news about you," Hull raised his head.

He searched but, unfortunately, he did not find that figure.

Yet just the forces Rania had brought were enough to weigh heavily on Hull’s heart.

The Rand Legion’s standard-bearers, solemnly mounted, each held aloft flags depicting dragons and lions.

The flags billowed.

Each one a Great Knight!

This was a scene even more moving than the Flying Dragon’s entrance, and if Duke Lind was not one to stubbornly display all his Great Knights for the sake of appearances, the possibility that these hundred knights were merely Rania’s escort... then it meant Lind might command thousands of Great Knights.

What a terrifying sight that would be — he was almost startled by his own thought.

The Rand Soldiers’ armor shimmered with Mystic Runes and Enchantments, everyone fully armed to the teeth.

If a battle were to begin, Raven City would not easily win.

Now, Raven City was still in a fragmented state, and gathering these men today had taken considerable effort, but their modest number would likely not survive an initial charge by the Rand Cavalry.

"Just us?" The speaker was not Rania, but Cavalry Marcus, who had sworn loyalty to Lind and had seen his strength swiftly increase.

Now he was back doing what he was best at — protecting Her Majesty the Queen and the ceremonial squad, an area in which he was very proficient.

The arrival was the Queen, but only the supposed "Sun Knight" Hull on the other side disquieted him.

Although devoted to dying for Lind, Queen Her Majesty’s dignity still could not be affronted, an order given by Lind himself.

Maintain the Queen’s dignity, violators must die!

The once Sun Knight, how long could he last under his own sword skills now? Respect was linked to power, and currently, Marcus had the strength to disrespect the opposing side.

No Riven City high officials, just a group of about twenty.

Marcus’s expression was unchanged.

But Rania stopped any potential outburst from him.

"We are here to discuss the Bloodlust Plague of the Fox Hole," her tone was very calm, and with that dragon standing behind her, it made people subconsciously listen to her speak.

Even knowing she was just an ordinary person without power, no one dared to truly ignore her.

"Are you the one to negotiate an alliance with me, Hull?" she asked.

"No, of course not!" Hull bowed his head, "City Lord and the others are waiting ahead for you, in the conference room. Please come this way; we are merely the honor guard."

This alliance was doomed to be fragile, doomed to break.

Therefore, safety was a priority.

That was what Lind had said then, and his judgment now appeared entirely correct.

They shouldn’t need to worry too much about security.

The others should be concerned.

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