Chapter 417

Seven days later, a military report was sent to Pidence City.

“Your Majesty…” The messenger’s voice echoed in the Grand Sanctum. He looked flustered and knelt in the hall.

Facing Arthur on the throne, he said with a trembling voice, “Your Majesty, Prince Xander encountered an accident on his way back to Pidence City. The carriage fell into a bottomless cliff…”

This news exploded in the Grand Sanctum, and all the civil and military officials panicked.

“What did you say?” Arthur stood up from the throne abruptly, his voice sorrowful, “Say it again!”

The messenger lay on the ground, looking terrified, “Last night, Prince Xander’s convoy was traveling to Stormrend Cliff, and the trestle road on the cliff suddenly broke… None of the 30 personal soldiers survived, and only… Only the broken armor of the Aegis Guards and… and Prince Xander’s gold belt were found under the cliff…”

His hands trembling, he took out a blood-stained gold belt from his arms and raised it over his head.

Arthur only felt dizzy, but he calmed himself and signaled Thanatus to present the gold belt.

Thanatus trotted over and handed the gold belt to Arthur.

Arthur carefully examined it and saw a small Xander character embroidered inside the gold belt.

This was indeed Xander’s gold belt.

“How could this be?” Arthur’s mind went blank. Xander was the hope of Petanion.

If he died, the fall of Petanion would not be far off.

Amidst everyone’s grief, another messenger entered the hall. “Your Majesty, urgent news from the border! Northcold has amassed an army of 100,000 strong and is pressing the border, seeking a decisive battle with our kingdom.”

Arthur’s hand, which had just grasped the chair, slipped violently. He stared in the direction of the hall’s entrance, a beast-like roar escaping his throat, as if to vent all the grief and indignation within him. “Northcold… they dare take advantage of our crisis.”

Dillon Young, the Minister of War, felt faint, nearly falling to the ground if not for the Deputy Minister beside him.

He pointed a trembling finger outside the hall. “The Northcold envoys were all killed by Ray. They have come this time for revenge. The only one who can contend with Northcold is Prince Xander, but he…”

Dillon could not continue the rest of his words.

The ministers also looked worried, not knowing what to do.

Arthur’s majestic gaze swept through the hall, and he asked, “What do you think should be done about this matter, my esteemed officials? War, or peace?”

There is no one capable in the court. Peace? With what to negotiate it? Send another princess?

Northcold just suffered a great loss in Petanion; even if they agreed, they wouldn’t treat the princess sincerely.

Maybe they would even use the princess to offer sacrifices to the flag and humiliate Petanion.

All the officials in the hall were silent, and no one dared to say another word.

Misfortune never comes alone.

Another herald entered the hall, his voice trembling as he said, “Your Majesty, the Virelda Army has attacked the outer city of Ironfang Pass.

“Ray personally led 30,000 main troops to press the border, saying that as long as Athena is handed over, they will immediately withdraw their troops.”

“Preposterous!” Dillon’s court tablet slammed heavily on the ground, his gray beard trembling with anger. “Ray has the ambition of a jackal and must be colluding with Northcold, trying to take the opportunity to attack the Imperial City.”

However, this was not the most important thing.

The important thing was that Ironfang Pass had always been solid.

They didn’t know how Ray broke in.

Arthur could no longer remain calm and coughed repeatedly, “Defend Ironfang Pass! Investigate who is guarding it.”

However, as soon as he finished speaking, Fermin and the Queen walked into the hall.

“Father, there is no need to investigate.” The two were smug, and a large number of soldiers poured into the hall behind them.

Seeing this scene, everyone understood what was happening.

Fermin was challenging the throne.

“The Ironfang Pass garrison has long been my men, and now Ironfang Pass is under my control.” Fermin’s expression was unspeakably arrogant. “As long as I give an order, the Virelda Army will be able to attack the Imperial City.”

The ministers were trembling with fear. “What can we do?”

Arthur trembled with anger, pointed at Fermin, and stammered, “You… you rebellious son! I have always treated you well, why do you do this?”

Fermin sneered and walked towards the throne step by step. “Father, this world should have been mine. You are old and should have abdicated and made way for someone more capable."

The Queen also said triumphantly. “Your Majesty, a wise man submits to circumstances. You should obediently hand over the jade seal and let my son ascend the throne, so that everyone can have a better life."

“How dare you! You dare to challenge the throne? Do you not fear being cursed for all eternity?” Alfred, the Minister of Finance, stood up and scolded the two, pointing at them.

Fermin’s eyes narrowed. “Old bone, shut up! If you say one more word, believe it or not, I will let you be blood-splattered on the spot.”

“I have lived with honor and walked a straight path. Why should I cower before a wretch like you?” Alfred was full of integrity, and he stood up when everyone else dared not speak out.

Fermin had already hated him to the core. Seeing this, he winked at the people around him, and a guard stepped forward and slit Alfred’s neck with a knife.

Blood gushed out, and Alfred fell straight down.

Everyone was so frightened that they were silent, and no one dared to make a sound anymore.

Arthur looked at everything in front of him, his heart torn as though by blades, yet utterly powerless to stop it.

He never dreamed that Fermin would collude with Ray. If they cooperated internally and externally, Pidence City would be in Ray’s hands.

No wonder Ray could silently take Ironfang Pass; it was all Fermin’s doing.

Presumably, the palace was also under Fermin’s control.

“Father, you’re old and should rest. Guards, escort Father to the Core Palace to rest.” At Fermin’s command, several eunuchs immediately supported Arthur.

Arthur’s face turned ashen with anger, and he pointed at Fermin, constantly cursing, “You rebellious son, Petanion will be destroyed sooner or later in your hands.”

But no matter how Arthur cursed, Fermin remained unmoved.

He even strutted over and sat on the throne, reaching out to pat the seat, his face full of greedy smiles as he said to the Queen, “Do you think I look the part sitting on this throne?”

The Queen nodded excitedly. “You’re the real King, so of course you do.”

She triumphantly turned to the ministers and asked loudly. “What do you all think, my lords?”

The ministers in the hall had long been frightened into quivering masses. Seeing this, they all knelt down. “We pay respects to the King.”

The overall situation had been decided, and their struggles were futile.

Fermin laughed triumphantly. Then he commanded, “Convey my decree to search and confiscate Xander Manor, leaving no one alive, regardless of gender or age.”

Speaking of which, he seemed to remember something. “Oh, yes, spare Athena’s life and send her to Ray..."

The ministers all looked indignant, but more of them were powerless.

Outside Xander Manor, two horses came running over, and on the horses were Evander and Natasha.

Both of them were stained with blood, and they shouted loudly before they reached the gate, “Open the door, there is an emergency.”

The soldiers recognized the two and hurriedly opened the gate.

Michael stepped forward, bowed to the two of them, and asked, “What’s the matter with such panic?”

“Fermin is challenging the throne, and the palace has been controlled by him. Now he is going to send Athena to Ray. We are here to report the news.”