161: Chapter 161 Subduing Gerald

"I'm doing well. Looking at you, it seems you came out on your own. Are you not with your father?" Linlin nodded gently, her face flushing red.

"No, I snuck out by myself this time. Didn't I just wander over here? And then I ran into you!" Gerard looked like he was about to cry. He had originally wanted to run out and have some fun among the commoners, but he hadn't expected them all to be fleeing. By the time he wanted to go back, he heard that Laiseluo City had been turned into ruins, so he had no choice but to stay here and wait for more information.

"Then come with me. I'll take you back to Laiseluo City to see your father!" Linlin picked up her wine flask and, drinking as she went, stepped through the hole in the wall to stand before Gerard.

"Linlin, who is this? Is he your friend?" Tang Xiaowei said with a worried expression.

"This is the only son of Emperor Alexander, the Crown Prince of the Magic Empire, and the future King—His Highness Gerard!" Linlin introduced him to Tang Xiaowei.

"Hehehe, I won't go back with you for now. I haven't had enough fun yet. Once I've played enough, I'll go back on my own. I won't trouble you. Bye-bye!" Gerard hunched his shoulders and spoke with a fawning expression, walking quickly toward the door like a mouse seeing a cat.

"Stop!" Linlin barked. Gerard trembled all over and obediently walked back.

"As long as you're obedient, I won't whip you, understand?" Linlin said, glaring fiercely at Gerard.

"Understood, hehe!" Gerard forced a smile that looked more painful than crying.

Outside Laiseluo City, the green radiation layer had long since dissipated. Wei He arrived with the Red Alert Troops in a grand procession. Looking at the city before him, which resembled a wasteland of ruins, Wei He felt a wave of sighs in his heart.

"The previous laborers all died under Emperor Alexander's Forbidden Spell. Find another batch of laborers to rebuild the city. Also, the treasure chambers and such inside must be excavated as soon as possible!" Wei He instructed Huang Yichen, who was beside him.

"Understood, Commander. I will arrange it as soon as possible," Huang Yichen nodded and said slowly.

While the two were still planning the city's construction, Linlin and Tang Xiaowei, their faces flushed from drinking, flew over with someone in tow.

"Wei He, *hic*... Brother, we're back! Look who we brought back for you, heeheehee!" Linlin pouted her small mouth, her eyes narrowed into slits as she spoke giggling.

"Hi, Lord, how are you!" Gerard was very tactful and took the initiative to greet him.

"Gerard, you're actually still alive! That's great, it's good to be alive, hahahaha!" Wei He laughed loudly as he looked at Gerard, making Gerard feel a chill and his skin crawl.

Wei He had been wondering how to handle things after occupying the capital. Since Gerard was alive, wouldn't it be perfect to help him ascend the throne? Thinking of this, Wei He looked at Gerard with a smile and pulled the lost bracelet from his robes.

"You recognize this, right? The Emperor gave this to me and told me to give it to you. What is this?" Wei He asked Gerard curiously.

"Oh, this? It's just a little toy of mine. I'm surprised the Emperor still remembered it. Thank you, Lord!" Gerard smilingly took the lost bracelet from Wei He's hand.

"Is that so?" Wei He responded calmly. "As long as you aren't lying to me."

"Of course not, it's just a small bracelet. What use could it have!" Gerard said with a relaxed expression, as if the lost bracelet really had no value.

"Good, I believe you!" Just as Wei He finished speaking, Yuri stepped out from behind him, looking at Gerard with a kind expression.

Gerard was about to speak when he suddenly felt a sharp pain and dizziness in his head, immediately followed by a loss of consciousness.

"Alright, he is one of ours now. You can rest easy," Yuri said with a smile.

"It's that easy? He didn't even resist a little?" Wei He asked in surprise.

"He knows no magic at all; he's even worse than an ordinary person," Yuri explained slowly.

"Alright, Gerard, now explain to me, what exactly is this thing?" Wei He pointed at the lost bracelet and asked curiously.

"As you command, Commander. This is the lost bracelet, one of the sacred relics of the Magic Empire. It is said to possess infinite magical power. When the Demon Race invaded, the previous King of the Magic Empire used this lost bracelet to cast consecutive Forbidden Spells to drive them out!" Hearing Wei He's question, Gerard's previously hollow eyes instantly lit up. His heart now held only one thought: loyalty to the Commander.

Under Wei He's orders, Gerard issued an edict in the name of the King of the Magic Empire, announcing his succession to the throne and stating that he would select talents from across the country to form a new political team.

Wei He left the matters of Laiseluo City to Gerard and Huang Yichen. He himself took Tang Xiaowei and Linlin to Nankang Golden Valley to tell Lin Xixue the news of Xie Yanwen's sacrifice.

Upon hearing the news, Lin Xixue appeared very calm, as if she had already expected it. She sighed softly and said, "Men fighting out there... it was bound to happen sooner or later. I'm fine!"

Seeing Lin Xixue like this, Wei He felt a bit uneasy and walked out. After Wei He's group left, Lin Xixue's entire demeanor became ruthless. Looking in the direction Wei He had departed, she said coldly, "Wei He, you just wait. You are responsible for the deaths of my father and my husband. Sooner or later, I will make you pay back this debt of blood!"

Wei He, heading north, was naturally unaware of Lin Xixue's change. At this time, he was helping Gerard collect taxes and military rations to support the frontline army. After all, the war between Wei He and Emperor Alexander had left the Magic Empire's frontline troops without supplies for several months. If they didn't support them now, the army would collapse on its own without the Demon Race even needing to attack.

Wei He sat in the night hawk helicopter, resting with his eyes closed while operating the red alert system in his mind. Tang Xiaowei and Linlin sat to the side, chatting and laughing as they looked at the scenery outside the window.

Soon, the night hawk helicopter landed outside the Black Fortress, the capital of the Magical Beast Empire. Blant had already asked Wei He for help when Wei He was attacking Laiseluo City. Now that Wei He had taken the Magic Empire, if he helped Blant ascend the throne, he would have the support of two nations. Unifying the world would be even easier then.

Thinking of this, a smug smile appeared on Wei He's face. He stepped off the night hawk helicopter and walked toward the gates of the Black Fortress with Tang Xiaowei and Linlin.

"Wow, it's so beautiful here! The people are quite interesting too—all fuzzy and cute!" Tang Xiaowei couldn't help but praise as she looked at the various humans and beastmen on the street.

"Ah, Sister Xiaowei, you like beastmen too? I can take you to a great place!" Linlin said excitedly upon hearing Tang Xiaowei's words.

"No, no need. I'm just curious!" Tang Xiaowei waved her hands in a hurry to refuse. She remembered Linlin's behavior when they went out drinking before and never wanted to go out drinking with her again.

"I'm so hungry. Let's go get something to eat first!" Wei He said excitedly to the two beauties, looking at the restaurant ahead.