67: The Magic Empire is about to fight on two fronts

Atop the Laiselo Temple, everyone was discussing the expedition to fight the Demon Race.

"Your Majesty, news has come from the Lingshu Kingdom. The Demon Race has already crossed their borders, and they request our immediate military support!" Grand Duke James spoke first.

"Your Majesty, I believe that following convention, the army of the Northern Province should set out, and a commander should be chosen from among the many generals!" Grand Duke William said with a peaceful expression.

"Hmm, then which general is willing to go and resist the Demon Race? These demons are extremely cruel; wherever they pass, the people are left in misery, comparable to a living hell. As the saying goes, if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold. If the Lingshu Kingdom falls, we will be next!" Emperor Alexander the Great asked the assembly.

"Your Majesty, the Magical Beast Empire has also sent news of a demon invasion. It seems they are coming with great force this time, determined to unify the entire continent. When that time comes, everyone will be living in deep waters and scorching fires!" a trembling old man with white hair and beard said.

The old man continued, "Your Majesty, the Magical Beast Empire has also requested aid from our country and the Lingshu Kingdom. The situation is urgent; I hope Your Majesty makes a decision soon!"

"Your Majesty, I believe the Northern Province should support the Lingshu Kingdom, while the Southern Province supports the Magical Beast Empire. I am willing to assist the Southern Province in the expedition!" Wei He said with an air of righteousness during his first time attending court.

"Ah! Granted! With Lord Wei willing to assist with troops, the Empire's chances of victory have increased. Haha! This time we will surely drive the Demon Race back to their nest!" Emperor Alexander the Great was more than happy for Wei He to send troops; since he proposed it himself, there was no reason to refuse.

Wei He knew this, which was why he made the proposal in the hall. That wasn't the main point; the point was to get the Southern Province to deploy troops. Wei He's spies were already spread throughout the Capital City, and he had known about the Magical Beast Empire's plea for help before these officials, which he could now exploit.

"Your Majesty, if the Southern Province is to deploy, I recommend General Carlos to take command!"

"I second the motion."

...Among the courtiers, half of the civil officials were spies, and the other half were making misjudgments based on information received from various Spy servants. None of that mattered; what mattered was that they were now unanimously recommending Carlos as the commander for the expedition.

"I think for the Southern Province, Neme should serve as the Grand Marshal for the expedition. Although Carlos is old but still vigorous, he is, after all, only a High-level Magician. Thus, Carlos shall serve as the vanguard and follow Neme!" Emperor Alexander the Great said slowly.

Wei He's head was full of question marks. Who was Neme? Was there someone in the entire Capital City he didn't know about?

After the court session ended, Wei He finally learned from his civil official spies that this Neme was a Magister-level magician, just like Alice. Experts of this level didn't need to stay in the Capital City and were generally stationed at the borders, which was why he was rarely mentioned in court and why Wei He didn't know of him.

"Isn't he just a Magister? It's fine, there's a way, there must be a way!" Wei He didn't feel much about an unknown powerful expert joining the expedition team. After all, he wasn't planning to kill this expert.

Unknowingly, Wei He arrived at Alice's Grand Generals Mansion. The expedition was about to begin, and he wouldn't see Su Qinglei for a long time. At this thought, Wei He's heart began to race.

Just as Wei He was about to knock on the door, he suddenly heard a girl's cry for help from behind him.

"Ah! What are you doing? Stop following me! Help! If you keep following me, I won't be polite!" Su Qinglei said as she ran, followed by a dozen men.

Among them, the one surrounding Su Qinglei was dressed in silks and satins, wearing shoes inlaid with two pigeon-egg-sized red gems. He had fair skin, refined features, and two charming dimples when he smiled. At this moment, he was surrounding Su Qinglei with a lewd grin, saying, "This young master likes it when you're not polite! Ah, ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!"

The dozen or so people following this man were wearing uniform liveries; they were likely his servants.

"Stop right there! Where did you come from, you idiot? How dare you come to the front of the Grand Generals Mansion to harass a respectable woman!" Wei He recited lines from a TV drama with a sense of vulgarity.

Su Qinglei also quickly hid behind Wei He, like a little quail seeking shelter from the rain, which was quite cute.

"Hahaha! He called me an idiot. I think you've lived too long. Where did you come from, you mentally challenged kid, to dare interfere in my business!" Gerard looked at Wei He with disdain.

"Do you know who I am? How dare you call me a mentally challenged kid. If I tell you, it'll scare the wits out of you!" Wei He was now a Lord after all, and ordinary officials were respectful to him. He wanted to use this identity to scare the other party and make them back down.

"Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Do you know who I am? You idiot, don't be ungrateful. I'm giving you face, but you don't want it. Get lost, now! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!" Gerard took two gold ingots from a servant and placed them in Wei He's hand.

"Take this money and get lost. Don't block this master's fun. Hey kid, you should consult a fortune teller more often before going out. I'm in a good mood today, but if I see you again another day, I'll beat the crap out of you, believe it or not!" Gerard said with a smile, his two dimples flashing, making him look extremely arrogant.

"I am the newly appointed Lord of the Harsh Forest, Wei He! Roll away immediately, or I'll throw you into the dungeon and let you taste prison food!" Wei He puffed out his chest and said with a proud look.

"Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! So you're Wei He, the Forest Lord? You're a forest ranger! Ah, ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!" Upon hearing Wei He's words, Gerard wasn't afraid at all; instead, he was filled with mockery.

Hearing him say this, Wei He knew that the young man before him was no ordinary wealthy person.

"Tell him, who is this young master? Hmm, ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!" Gerard waved his hand, and a follower immediately stepped forward.

"This is His Highness Gerard, the only son of Emperor Alexander the Great of the Magic Empire!" the follower said extremely arrogantly.

"Did you hear that, little beauty? As long as you follow me, you can have whatever you want. Riches and honor, inexhaustible wealth—it's much better than this poor forest-watching kid!" Gerard's gaze bypassed Wei He and looked at Su Qinglei.

"You should just go back. I don't like someone like you. Go find someone else!" Su Qinglei said in a very firm tone.

"You don't like someone like me? Am I not handsome and elegant enough? I am the most handsome, most suave, and most beautiful man in the Magic Empire! You actually rejected me!" Gerard said in disbelief.

"Although you look okay on the outside, your behavior is atrocious and your character is poor. You're just a useless playboy. I will never like you!" Su Qinglei looked at Gerard and said calmly.

"It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if you don't like me; what matters is that I like you. Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Seize her!" Gerard said nonchalantly.

A dozen servants stepped forward together, grabbed Wei He, and gave him a brutal beating.

Since coming to the Capital City and becoming a Lord of the Magic Empire, Wei He thought he wouldn't encounter such things and had let down his guard. Now, the events of Riquan City were repeating themselves with him.

"No, no, I can't be like this. I have to protect her!" Wei He said inwardly. Then, his adrenaline surged, and he began to scuffle with the dozen servants.

Unfortunately, Wei He was just an ordinary person. In the end, two fists were no match for four hands, and he was pinned to the ground by the dozen servants and ruthlessly ground into the dirt.

Meanwhile, Gerard walked up to Su Qinglei. Ignoring her protests and struggles, he grabbed her hands and prepared to forcibly drag her away.