Chapter 1002: Prelude

In the Holy Dragon City palace, anxiety plastered across the King’s face as he read Farron’s updates. His brows furrowed deeper.

“Farron, have Doomsday disappeared along with Shadow King, Liberator, Phantom King, and Nine-Lives Werewolf? All of them disappeared at the same time. What are they trying to do?”

The King’s tone turned slightly frosty.

“They’re going to go berserk…”

“Berserk?”

The King’s face darkened. He knew that these five people were the strongest forces among the rebel armies in the Holy Dragon Empire. The five of them practically represented all the rebel armies.

“Just the five of them? They’re too reckless. The Holy Dragon Empire has been passed down for a thousand years. Would it be so easy?”

The King scoffed. These five were too reckless. True, the Holy Dragon Empire had not been stable in recent years. Although the number of strong contenders achieving the “ultimate limit” continued to grow, most of them had became rebels.

Meanwhile, in the royal family, other than the old folks who were kept hidden, none of the younger generations had managed to produce an ultimate contender. As time passed, the gradual weakening of the royal family became apparent.

Nevertheless, just because the royal family had weakened, it did not mean that they could be “toppled” by five ultimate contenders.

Looking at the confident glint in the King’s eyes, many thoughts flashed across Farron’s mind. Even though Farron held the King’s absolute trust, he did not know how many old folks the royal family had hidden away, especially those who had achieved the “ultimate”.

This so-called ultimate simply meant that they were on par with Farron and had cultivated their Supreme Talents to the utmost limit where it could no longer be further enhanced. Everyone belonged at the same level, so the only comparison hinged on the respective effects and strength of their Supreme Talents.

Such “ultimate” contenders were truly formidable. They were the pillars of an empire. If not for these ultimate contenders, the Holy Dragon Empire would not have been passed down for a thousand years.

“The royal family probably have two, maybe three or even up to four ultimate contenders!”

Farron could only guess. If there were three or more ultimate contenders, plus Farron and Holy Dragon City’s accumulated experience, they had nothing to fear from those five rebel army leaders.

“However, will it be so simple?”

Farron still felt slightly uneasy. Suddenly, a familiar figure flashed across his mind.

“Perhaps, he’ll be a variable…”

Although this person was a potential variable, Farron was no longer able to eliminate him.

…

In the castle on the outskirts of town, Merlin was simulating Farron’s ability repeatedly in his mind. He had run this simulation over ten thousand times and had exhausted all kinds of methods and almost every possibility.

Nevertheless, Merlin still failed to find Farron’s weakness. It was almost as if he was flawless. Merlin did not believe that there was any person in this world without a flaw. The only reason Merlin could not find the flaw was simply because he did not know his opponent well enough.

Particularly regarding Farron’s Mirror Talent, Merlin’s understanding was too lacking. How would it be possible for Merlin to find a flaw with such a limited understanding of the talent? It was completely impossible!

However, this did not mean that Merlin was defeated. His physical form was still the most powerful. Merlin was unafraid of any attack from other ultimate contenders. On the other hand, if Merlin had inadvertently discovered the flaw of an ultimate contender’s Supreme Talent, his opponent was doomed. This was Merlin’s most terrifying aspect.

Regardless, only a handful of people knew of Merlin’s true prowess.

“Honorable Marquis, the Princess Royal has sent someone to summon you.”

Suddenly, the butler’s voice sounded outside the secret chamber. Previously, Merlin had instructed that no one should disturb him, except for matters of utmost importance. In that circumstance, the butler was allowed to report to him.

“The Princess Royal?”

Merlin took a deep breath. He had a premonition that something big had happened. Otherwise, had the Princess Royal become impatient so soon? Nonetheless, Merlin still had no confidence in defeating Farron at this stage.

Merlin did not continue guessing. He stood up and left the secret chamber. In the hall of the castle, a blond-haired man was standing respectfully. Upon seeing Merlin, he bowed and said, “Honorable Marquis Leon, the Princess Royal has a very important matter to speak to you about.”

“Lead the way.”

Merlin did not doubt that this blond-haired man was one of the Princess Royal’s guards. Merlin had seen him many times before, so he held no suspicion toward the guard. The fact that the Princess Royal had sent this guard to fetch him meant that something serious must have happened.

Soon, Merlin entered the Princess Royal’s palace. Currently, the Princess Royal’s brows were tightly furrowed as her face expressed worry. When she finally saw Merlin, her expression evened out gradually.

“Leon, sorry for disturbing you and your wives but this matter is truly important. Doomsday and some other rebel armies – a total of five ultimate contenders – are getting ready to attack Holy Dragon City!”

As soon as the Princess Royal saw Merlin, she informed him immediately.

“Doomsday and four other rebel army leaders are coming to Holy Dragon City? Why didn’t I receive any news from Phantom?”

Merlin’s face changed slightly. In the past, he would receive intelligence from Phantom at first instance but in the past few days, there had been no such news forthcoming.

It was impossible that Phantom did not receive the news. As the Holy Dragon royal family’s most powerful Intelligence Department, Phantom was always the first to receive new information. It was infallible. Merlin was well-aware of Phantom’s powerful abilities.

“Leon, the reason you haven’t received any news is probably due to Farron reinforcing control over Phantom!”

The Princess Royal’s reply made Merlin’s heart sink slightly. Indeed, he had underestimated Farron. No matter what, Farron had been the Minister of Phantom for decades. His influence had far surpassed someone like Merlin who had appeared out of nowhere. Perhaps, before this, Farron had deliberately facilitated Merlin’s “smooth journey” in Phantom Intelligence Department but at the most critical moment, Farron could easily regain complete control over Phantom Intelligence Department.

“It looks like I’ve miscalculated Farron’s foundation. Nonetheless, Doomsday and the others’ arrival in Holy Dragon City shouldn’t be our concern but rather the King and Farron’s.”

Merlin knew that the royal family’s foundation was very well-established, especially the old folks of the royal family. There were at least three or more ultimate contenders and each of them was at least as powerful, if not more powerful than Farron!

As long as these old folks of the royal family were still alive, trying to conquer Holy Dragon City was nothing more than a joke.

However, the Princess Royal’s expression remained tense. She did not relax the slightest. She did not believe that the five main rebel army leaders would come on a whim. The rebels’ knowledge of the royal family was very thorough, so it was impossible for them not to know the royal family’s foundations.

“I still feel that it won’t be as simple as it seems. Doomsday is usually very meticulous, otherwise, he would’ve conquered Holy Dragon City a long time ago. Therefore, this time, the five of them must possess some degree of confidence!”

The Princess Royal was still a member of the royal family. If the royal family’s rule was toppled by the rebel armies, then her huge ambition would amount to nothing.

Merlin nodded. “I understand. Lisa, what do you want to do?”

The Princess Royal paced back and forth, one possibility after another flashed across her mind. The ambition in her heart grew. Perhaps, this time, the royal family was truly in danger but at the same time, there were hidden opportunities amid the danger.

“Leon, maybe, this will be our chance!”

Looking at the Royal Princess’ ambition-fueled gaze, Merlin realized that the situation would become even more complicated. Nonetheless, the Princess Royal had made up her mind.

“Lisa, this will indeed be a chance but it won’t be easy to grasp it…”

“We’ll only know if we try. Moreover, Leon, I believe in you!”

The two of them smiled at one another. The Princess Royal might be ambitious and longed for power but she had absolute confidence in Merlin. This much was enough for him!

Merlin took a deep breath. He suddenly looked forward to Doomsday and the others’ siege into Holy Dragon City. Perhaps, thereafter, a new era would begin…