CHAPTER 634: CHAPTER 427: SHOCKING UPHEAVAL IN THE ROYAL CITY

Cold, trembling...

"You’re awake?"

Selene slowly opened her eyes, finding herself inside a carriage, with the members of the Hasavi Team sitting opposite her.

"Huh?"

She made a bewildered sound and looked out the carriage window. Scattered along the roadside, things were left behind by the moving carriage, the plains continuously receding.

"We got out?" she said somewhat dazedly, "When?"

"It’s been about ten minutes since you left the Painting World and fell asleep," Fingerley said, "We’re heading back to the Royal Palace now."

"Oh..."

Selene’s mind hadn’t yet transitioned back from the Painting World; she appeared a bit befuddled. After a moment, she gradually came to her senses and adopted an excited expression.

"Do you know what I just saw in the Painting World? Ornstein, alive!"

She recounted the events eagerly, then clenched her fist indignantly, "Damn it, I had finally resolved to move forward, but got kicked out! I’m not feeling any headaches, okay!"

That’s because Aleya was continuously treating you...

"Can I go back in? Give me a day - no, half a day, and I can conquer that Painting World!"

Selene clasped her hands together, her eyes brimming with hope.

To this, everyone could only shake their heads helplessly, as the Princess’s schedule wasn’t within their control.

"But, since you’re so keen on it," Fingerley gave a thumbs up and smiled, "we’ll help you plead your case!"

"Yay! Ahem, I mean, that’s wonderful."

A day’s adventure had quickly warmed the relationship between the Princess and the Hasavi Team to the point of friendship. Of course, it might also be related to the numerous events they experienced that day.

People in the carriage discussed how to obtain Minister Oro’s approval to continue arranging the Princess’s Dungeon trip, creating a lively atmosphere.

However, by the time they arrived at the Royal Palace, no, the Royal City, the lively carriage was overshadowed by a greater atmosphere inside the city.

That atmosphere was...angry?

The people on the streets looked furious; some were even demonstrating, but for the Princess’s safety, the demonstrators were kept outside, so she couldn’t see what they were doing.

"What are the people doing?" Selene asked the nearby knight through the carriage window.

"They’re demanding war against the Warrior Country."

Selene was puzzled, "Aren’t the two countries already at peace? Doesn’t the public desire peace?"

"This... I dare not say much. Someone will explain once you return to the Royal Palace." The knight wiped the sweat from his forehead, looking at the demonstrators with eyes full of worry.

An odd atmosphere enveloped the people, and when they returned to the Royal Palace, it wasn’t familiar guards that met them, but rather another acquaintance.

Eliphas!

Seeing him, Selene’s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly adapted, returning to her courteous demeanor.

Fingerley waved at Eliphas, who nodded in response. They were friends, but seemingly without much to talk about.

Curiously, Eliphas’s attire was quite different; the usually fashion-conscious Eliphas was wearing the distinctive White Eagle Armor. Moreover, he appeared to have a bandage around his neck, as if he had just returned from battle, even injured.

Not just him, the Royal Palace guards seemed more tense than usual, adorned with additional weapons.

What is going on? It felt off since entering the Royal City.

Fingerley frowned; they had spent the day in the Dungeon. Surely, nothing incredibly significant could have happened?

Selene also noticed the bandage on Eliphas and immediately expressed concern like a lover.

Eliphas’s expression remained unchanged as he said, "Princess, please come with me; there are matters to discuss. Fingerley, you can come too."

"Us?"

Fingerley eventually followed, entering the Royal Palace. As they passed through the corridors, anxious officials were pacing about, and the entire Royal Palace was enveloped in a heated atmosphere.

"Damn the Warrior Country, can’t believe they could do such a thing."

"They treat peace like a child’s game to trample on!"

"Lord King, when will you awaken and lead us, please..."

The chaotic voices filled their minds until they reached the reception room, finally understanding why the Royal Palace was in that state.

Eliphas clapped his hands, activating the projection crystal in the reception room.

The images projected revealed a burning palace, charred corpses, fallen Flying Dragons, and the comatose Minister Oro on a sickbed.

The series of images stunned everyone’s minds, momentarily at a loss for where to begin questioning.

"The Warrior Country trampled on the hard-won peace."

Eliphas said solemnly.

Through his explanation, Selene gradually understood the sequence of events.

The Warrior Country capitalized on rumors of the Light Eagle Group colluding with the Demon Clan to gather Minister Oro, Eliphas, and other influential figures in the Kingdom. Given the gravity of the Demon Clan, the Kingdom was bound to take it seriously.

Then, Dragon Blood Warriors and Flying Dragons attacked, causing explosions and fire that nearly razed the palace. Only a few survived the assault, including Eliphas and the comatose Oro.