Facing a romantic rival, especially one intending to sabotage him with despicable means, Reinhardt showed no mercy and ranted on furiously for a full half hour.

After finally venting the emotions he had suppressed for so long, Reinhardt released his old friend's shoulders, lay back peacefully, and said with a smile, "Besides, does this matter really have any downside?"

"The Frost Crystal royal family indeed prioritized the interests of the nobility in the past, hoping for their support, but never neglected the civilians."

"During the time I was in a coma, you saw just how excessive their actions were, didn't you?"

Reinhardt could tolerate the darkness within the rules, allowing the nobles to skim a little firsthand, but he could not accept behavior so blatant.

Their previous actions were not merely seeking profit but destroying this nation!

When people cannot even survive, what will they do?

Ha ha...

Upon realizing this, Reinhardt shook his head and remarked wistfully:

"To be honest, I have to thank Herbert, don't I? Were it not for him, the Kingdom would have genuinely fallen into someone else's hands this time and would have been completely destroyed in no time."

What would Finn, that Grand Mage, need with a tiny kingdom?

He certainly wouldn't govern it well but completely destroy it, severing Aisst's hopes, which aligns with his interests.

"As for the Ice and Snow Goddess Church, you need not worry either,"

Reinhardt said with some irony, "In fact, kingdoms not interfered with by the Divine Spirit Church are few."

"The Kingdom previously did not allow the Divine Spirit Church to enter, fearing interference in royal rule."

"But now with the Mist Monastery supervising, the Ice and Snow Goddess Church wouldn't dare make any small moves."

"For the Kingdom, since such a step was inevitable sooner or later, the current situation is quite acceptable."

Reinhardt, in this respect, decided to resign and rationalize it.

Since the outcome was inevitable, rather than being directly annexed, the current situation is somewhat tolerable by comparison.

If you can't fight back, then just enjoy it.

And after his reflections, he looked at his old friend, whose expression showed confusion and a bit of bewilderment, and teased:

"Haha, why so anxious? In your current state, you can't even match your son! Hahaha—"

"Oh, right! That kid is unwilling to accept the title of the Duke of Silver Wings, so don't force him."

"I'll confer a title on him and give him some land afterward. Don't worry about it anymore."

After speaking liberally, Reinhardt's expression became weary, losing any interest in drinking with his old friend.

"Adrian, in your current state, drinking with you isn't enjoyable either."

He waved off the Duke of Silver Wings, who was overwhelmed from receiving so much information at once.

"Forget it. You can head back today. Come see me again when you've calmed down."

And the Duke of Silver Wings moved his mouth, wanting to say something but ultimately closed it, nodding silently due to the overwhelming information in his mind.

"Then... Your Majesty, please take care of your health. I'll be leaving for now."

Thus, the Duke of Silver Wings, originally intending to atone, left with his mind in chaos.

"..."

Soon after the Duke of Silver Wings departed, Reinhardt's previously dim gaze sharpened for a moment.

The dying aura around him dissipated. Though still weak, he was much stronger than before.

"This appearance is just as Herbert said, huh."

"To let the child you failed worry so much, you're truly shameful, Adrian... hah, not that I'm much better."

Remembering the nightly talks with Herbert, Reinhardt chuckled bitterly.

"However, my strength now surpasses yours by quite a bit, hahaha."

Reinhardt slowly got up, stepped off the bed, and approached the window, barefoot, pushing it open.

With his dim eyes, he gazed out at the Royal City lit with scattered lights in the night.

Reinhardt closed his eyes, but everything in his vision became even clearer.

Having faced life and death, he found unexpected fortune in his misfortune, awakening a special legendary ability.

"Eye of the Storm."

He "saw" the crying crowd in the noble district, "saw" their eyes filled with resentment and fear as they looked towards the Royal City.

He "saw" the resting people in the Civilian District, "saw" them talking about those rumors.

Finally, his gaze extended further... to the slums.

There were two very dazzling presences.

One was Bishop Lila, who was currently instructing her subordinates excitedly, attempting to drive away a neighboring church first.

And the other, an ordinary-looking nun, surprisingly sensed his "gaze"!

She slightly bowed towards him and then placed her hand on the angular book...

Having already been hit once by that tome, Reinhardt didn't want to be struck a second time, so he honestly averted his gaze.

At this moment, his gaze could only maintain within the entire Royal City; anything more was beyond his sight.

Finally, he looked in the direction of the Mist Mountains, feeling a bit sentimental, he murmured:

"Herbert, just what are you up to now?"

"Surely, you're not already starting to take action?"

Thinking of this absurd possibility, Reinhardt couldn't help but laugh.

"Hahaha!"

"I'm truly crazy; how could that be possible!"

"Who would be foolish enough to choose to establish a territory in the Mist Mountains!"

.

.

At dawn.

Fremay squinted, floating above the pigeon stake, looking down at the scorched earth beneath.

"Since she brought destruction to this land."

She raised her hand, letting the water ball gathering in her palm gradually grow larger, eventually floating high into the sky.

Bop.

With a soft sound, the giant water ball exploded instantly, turning into countless raindrops falling, soaking into the scorched earth.

"Then, I'll bestow life upon it!"