259: Chapter 256 The Capital, Here I Come

As they approached the Royal Capital, the state of the infrastructure improved significantly.

The dirt roads on the wilderness were flat and wide, stretching straight ahead.

Three carriages moved slowly along the road, with cavalry scattered around them.

In the middle carriage, Zhang Mu sat on a bench, his gaze fixed on the man opposite him who was talking incessantly.

A month had passed since the day he met Grand Duke Bulova.

Through their interactions, he found that this man didn't put on the airs of someone in a high position; on the contrary, he was exceptionally easygoing.

If it weren't for the unmistakable aura he displayed on the day they first met, one would doubt whether he was truly one of the two Grand Dukes of the Lake Kingdom.

Over the past month, besides getting slightly more familiar with him, Zhang Mu had also gathered a harvest of first-hand intelligence regarding the Royal Capital.

First of all, it was certain that the King was indeed about to kick the bucket.

Zhang Mu had originally been skeptical about this, but Bulova's decision to travel with him to the Royal Capital dispelled those doubts.

No one would joke with their own life; since he was going, he naturally had sufficient evidence to be certain that the King was about to perish.

Otherwise, as long as the King had even a single breath left, as a Saint-level Professional who also held the key to the inherited Magic Tower, he could still pose a threat to Bulova's life.

Furthermore, Solon's speculation regarding the two Grand Dukes was only half right.

They were indeed after something belonging to the Royal Family, but they had no intention of rebelling.

Instead, each supported a specific heir, and once successful, the new King would grant that "item" to them as a reward.

As for why they chose a more laborious method when their own strength was sufficient to hold their own territory or even counter-attack the Royal Family...

Bulova was vague about the specific reasons, but Zhang Mu had a guess that it likely had something to do with the Royal Family's inherited Magic Tower.

Connecting the two points above, the King had not only lost control over the kingdom but likely even his own children were no longer obedient.

The man wasn't even dead yet, and his children were already eyeing the items in his treasury.

Otherwise, why would Bulova head to the Royal Capital alone? Though, as a Saint-level Professional, he didn't need to worry about safety during the journey anyway.

Finally, there were the heirs the two Grand Dukes were investing in.

The other Grand Duke chose to support His Highness the First Prince.

To be honest, it wasn't surprising.

Whether considering prestige, individual strength, or personal ability, Andre was undoubtedly the most outstanding candidate.

What confused Zhang Mu was Bulova's choice.

Initially, the one he favored was Avril.

The Lake Royal Family's inherited Magic Tower was a cylindrical tower with a spire that reached into the clouds and an exterior that was entirely ice-blue. From a distance, it looked like a straight icicle connecting heaven and earth.

Bulova didn't know what mysteries the Magic Tower held, but the fact that the tower's magic attributes were identical to Avril's made it impossible not to let one's imagination run wild.

Regrettably, however, Avril seemed to have suffered a severe blow several months ago.

She became despondent, shrinking away in her palace all day and refusing to see anyone. Occasionally, when she did go out, it was only to take a turn in the mountain forests outside the Royal Capital.

When talking about this, Bulova's face couldn't hide his regret and sighs.

Zhang Mu scratched his face, looking indifferent.

Would that senior of his, who wanted to oppose the Church, really become lonely and decadent over a little setback?

Nonsense.

Shaking his head inwardly, he asked, "Grand Duke, so the first thing you're doing after arriving at the Royal Capital is to test the Second Prince?"

Having spent a month together, Bulova warmly asked Zhang Mu not to use formal titles. Since Zhang Mu didn't like tongue-twisting addresses anyway, he took the opportunity to switch to something more familiar.

"Yes. The King originally had many children, but in recent years, they have been dying one after another in the wild, and not even a clue to the killer's identity can be found."

"Who is so arrogant as to ambush and kill princes around the Royal Capital?"

"Heh, who knows." Bulova's tone was somewhat subtle, and he changed the subject after speaking. "My coming to find you also has something to do with the succession struggle that is about to break out."

"You want me to pick a side?" His nature was straightforward, so Zhang Mu didn't mince words.

"Yes."

"Hmm... I have some doubts. Can the Grand Duke answer them?"

He nodded.

Zhang Mu organized his thoughts for a moment and spoke slowly, "I have practiced for many years and barely managed to be promoted to Magister. I cannot deny that a Magister is considered among the top tier of power in the kingdom, but... is it enough for you to personally recruit me?"

He was indeed deeply confused.

A Magister couldn't be called weak; they were only one step away from being a Saint-level Professional.

The problem was that this one step was something many geniuses could never cross.

The Lake Kingdom had a total of several hundred cities. The strength requirement for a City Lord was at least a Magister. According to the data provided by Bulova, about one-third of those hundreds of City Lords were Magisters.

Even if it was only one-third, that was still around two hundred people.

And then, how many Saint-level Professionals did the Lake Kingdom have?

Excluding Potter, who was a special existence, there were only three including the King—and the King had taken a shortcut through the Magic Tower.

Bulova smiled. "Eight thousand against a hundred thousand. Although part of the reason was the enemy's unfamiliarity with your weapons, being able to bring those advantages into play is a talent in itself. You are proficient in war."

"Sss..." Zhang Mu leaned back until his back hit the carriage wall. "I know a little bit about war, but on the Saul Continent where Professionals roam, is knowing how to fight... a talent worth valuing?"

"Simply being good at war of course isn't much..."

After pausing for a few seconds, he suddenly reached into the Storage Pouch at his waist and pulled out a magic rifle.

"How did you..."

"How do I have one?" A smile curled on Bulova's lips as he spoke his pseudonym. "Eji, you didn't clean up the battlefield thoroughly enough."

Zhang Mu was indeed a bit surprised that he had a magic rifle from the First Army, but it was only "a bit."

It was inevitable that the magic rifle would enter the public eye; he had been mentally prepared for it.

Bulova lightly stroked the gun's body. "Did you get it from the labyrinth?"

"Yes."

Smiling noncommittally, he continued, "The precise manufacturing process is something even my best craftsmen would find difficult to achieve. Even if they spent great effort to forge a weapon of the same level, the speed would be too slow. But these weapons of yours... even the curvature and size of the circular holes are exactly the same, as if a god had exercised their authority."

Looking up, he asked, "You have a massive blacksmith workshop."

"It's alright."

Zhang Mu brushed it off. Bulova stuffed the rifle back into the Storage Pouch. "Don't misunderstand, I have no designs on your things. Besides, as I said before, even with superior weapons, they must be fully utilized to be effective. What I truly value... is that eight thousand Soldiers fought until only a thousand remained, yet their morale still didn't collapse."

"The Grand Duke could do that too."

"I cannot."

"Eh?" Zhang Mu looked at him in confusion.

"Some people are born Legion Commanders."

Zhang Mu shook his leg. "So, it's because of my performance in that war that you came to find me personally?"

"Yes."

"It's hard to understand. On the Saul Continent, fighting is prohibited in cities. As long as one side avoids battle, a fight basically won't break out. There's simply no room to display talent for war."

"You will understand in the future."

He fell silent. Seeing that he had proactively ended the topic, Zhang Mu talked about what he cared about. "Since the Grand Duke intends to give up on Princess Avril, who is the backup candidate?"

"The Second Prince."

Zhang Mu was stunned again. "Really?"

"Of course."

"Why? Does the Second Prince have a chance of winning?"

"The hope is slim."

Before he could ask further, Bulova explained of his own accord, "As for why, I don't like the First Prince."

"In what way?"

"Personal feeling." He turned his head and gazed at the boundless wilderness through the half-open window. "It's like tasting a candy for the first time and finding it unpleasant."

What kind of person is this?

Zhang Mu felt bewildered.

Although Bulova's youthful appearance made it impossible to accurately judge his age, based on his strength as a Saint-level Professional, he was at least three hundred years old.

On Earth, that would be ten whole generations!

People in their seventies or eighties are usually extremely rational old foxes, yet at his age, how could he still have the temperament of a child?

Taking a helpless deep breath, Zhang Mu said, "I'm not familiar with the three Highnesses, so I'll give you an answer after I arrive at the Royal Capital."

"Fair enough."

Afterward, the two began to chat about light and leisurely topics.

Bulova was indeed a long-lived Professional with rich experiences. When he spoke of the things he had seen and heard while traveling the continent in his youth, it seemed endless.

Both were High-tier Professionals and didn't need sleep to replenish their energy, so they chatted all the way to the Royal Capital.

"Lord Marshal, we can see the Royal Capital." Damu's voice came from outside the carriage, interrupting their chat.

Getting up and pushing open the door, standing behind the coachman, Zhang Mu squinted his eyes to look ahead.

It was a majestic city-state situated on a plain.

The towering city walls lay across the earth like an impregnable solid barrier, protecting the citizens.

The city gate was opened in the middle of the wall, tall and wide, with crowds and carriage teams like ants weaving in and out.

Because of the special rules of the Saul Continent, no moat had been dug around the Royal Capital, and naturally, there was no retractable drawbridge.

However... there might be one soon.

Zhang Mu saw Farmers in linen clothes swinging shovels at the base of the wall, and other Farmers pushing carts, loading up mounds of earth and pushing them toward the distant grassland.

"What are they doing?" He turned back and asked Bulova, who was stooping to pass through the carriage door. "It looks to me like they're digging a moat, but with the Church around, is such a thing necessary?"

"It's likely the Second Prince's idea."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." Bulova stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the city wall from afar. "For the throne, they are all doing their best to win the support of various forces. Avril hasn't made a move in a long time, and Andre doesn't need to rely on such childish methods."

"Uh, it is indeed quite childish, or rather, I don't even understand what use digging a moat has. So you still insist on helping the Second Prince?"

"Heh." He chuckled and didn't say more.

Fine then.

If I could beat you, I'd definitely punch you to death, you riddle-monger.

He crawled back into the carriage and ordered the convoy to speed up.

About half an hour later, the convoy arrived before the city gate.

Bulova left a sentence, "Come find me once you've considered it," then went to his own carriage and entered the city first.

As one of the only two Grand Dukes in the kingdom, no one dared to inspect his carriage.

On this side, Zhang Mu was in a bit more trouble.

The Griffin Legion had completed their mission and left on their own to report back.

The issue of settling the hundred or so Soldiers of the First Army was truly a headache.

According to the normal procedure, the City Lord's personal Guards who came to the Royal Capital to report on their duties had to be stationed outside the city.

But Zhang Mu had come to the Royal Capital to stir up trouble. Whether the commotion would be grand or minor was another matter, but regardless, a conflict was bound to break out.

Not to mention Andre, he had been thinking about Haige, who had been transferred to serve in the Royal Capital Church, for a long time.

When that time came, Zhang Mu, Solon, and the others wouldn't be attacked inside the city, but it was hard to say for the First Army Soldiers outside.

Leaving them outside wouldn't work, so should he put them into his world?

That wouldn't work either; it would be equivalent to telling others that he had brought all his forces.

After pondering for a while to no avail, he had no choice but to first arrange for the First Army Soldiers to camp as close to the Royal Capital as possible.

He would find another way later.

With the Soldiers' destination settled, Zhang Mu's two carriages followed the Guards through the city gate and along a dedicated road by the wall.

When a City Lord came to the Royal Capital to report, they didn't have to find a place to stay themselves; instead, they all stayed in the reception hotel built by the Royal Family.

It was called a hotel, but it was actually just a large inn with spacious rooms and slightly more luxurious furnishings.

The Guards brought them to the reception area and then turned to leave.

Several staff members immediately came out of the main gate and led the carriages to the backyard for parking.

The remaining person led them into the hall and upstairs, arranging two adjacent rooms: one double room and one triple room.

Zhang Mu wanted a private room, but as the annual reporting period was near, rooms were in very short supply.

What was ridiculous was a regulation that City Lords like them were not allowed to find their own hotels elsewhere.

There was no choice but to make do.

Taking the keys, Solon and the other two walked into the next room, while he walked into the door in front of him with Pavlina, who was holding Liya.

Fortunately, the space and beds in the room were spacious enough. It didn't feel crowded for three people to move around or sleep in one bed, not to mention there were two beds.

The facilities were very complete, and the environment was pleasant.

At the far end of the room was a balcony with luxurious crystal windows. When the windows were fully opened, the lighting was exceptionally bright.

To the right was the bathroom.

Having arrived at a new place, Liya wriggled out of Pavlina's arms and onto the floor, excitedly pushing open the bathroom door.

Zhang Mu poked his head in to take a look.

All four walls and the floor were covered in crystal tiles. There was a squat toilet, but he didn't see a flushing device.

He didn't care himself; any metabolic skin flakes or dust from the air could be shaken off with magic.

It was a bit inconvenient for Pavlina and the other to wash up; they would likely have to go to a dedicated bathhouse.

"Knock, knock—"

Not resting?

The door was knocked. Zhang Mu thought it was Mihe and the other two and opened the door in surprise.

"His Highness the Second Prince?"

The Second Prince, whom he had only met once, stood at the door dressed in simple commoner's clothing. He smiled and said, "Mr. City Lord, why didn't you notify me when you came to the Royal Capital? We had an agreement back in Gur City."

Zhang Mu smiled. "I've just arrived and didn't know where to find Your Highness yet."

"Haha..." The Second Prince laughed a few times. "Mr. City Lord is very humor... Eh? A demi-human?"

Turning his head, Liya's hands were gripping the door frame, her eyes and cat ears peeking out from behind the door.

Hearing the Second Prince's surprised tone, she was startled, and her head hurriedly retracted.

He regained his composure and quickly waved his hand. "Little girl, I don't dislik—"

"Bang—"

The bathroom door was slammed shut.

"This..." the Second Prince said awkwardly. "I just haven't seen a demi-human in the Royal Capital, so I was a bit... sorry, she seems unwilling to see me. Please help me express my apologies, City Lord."

After looking him up and down and seeing that he indeed bore no ill will, Zhang Mu said,

"I will."

Returning the gaze, the Second Prince said in confusion, "City Lord, you seem... ah, never mind. I have already prepared a banquet. I hope you and your wife, Mr. City Lord, can spare some of your precious time."

"What time?"

"Evening."

"I'll be there on time."

"I look forward to your arrival."