Chapter 671: The Whole Family, Neatly Together!

King Amir beckons. The leader of the Royal Secret Guards steps forward with a sealed metal tube. After handing it to Arius, Amir says, "Arius, inside this is proof of royal succession, jointly verified by the Royal Council and me."

"Next, you must leave this place."

"Whether you go to your own territory to gather troops or go south to borrow soldiers from the Phoenix family and Henwell..."

"In other words, if you want to take the throne, you will have to fight your own way to it with your own life on the line!"

Arius looks around. "Can I walk out of the palace?"

"Of course. I am still king. Even if I am about to die, I am still king."

"The palace guards, the nobles of every side, and the royal guardians must obey my orders as long as I still have one breath left."

"Remember this. Your enemies aren't necessarily enemies of interest."

"The dukes of the four regions, the various legion commanders who have pledged themselves to Jonathan, and the nobles of every territory are, for the most part, not truly loyal to him."

"They are more loyal to their own interests."

"As long as I am alive, no one wants to bear the crime of killing a prince."

"So, do you understand what I mean?"

Arius takes the sealed metal tube and says something extremely disrespectful. "Then, Father, when will you die?"

King Amir doesn't mind. "In any case, not tonight. According to Jonathan's plan, I should die right now."

"But him..."

"He has schemes and patience, but he lacks resilience and calm. More than that, he lacks the courage and responsibility a monarch should have."

"Look."

"Even now, he still has not appeared. That shows just how timid he is, does it not?"

"So..."

"I also made a few small preparations. I truly couldn't find an antidote for the poison, but I could find another poison, one even more toxic, but capable of keeping me alive for two more days."

"Tansentia and Occam, like Bloomer at your side, were all secret guards who protected you back then."

"Their loyalty is beyond doubt. Next, they will lead the most reliable secret guards and palace guards to escort you out together."

Two secret guards step forward and bow to Arius.

Then Amir takes out a badge. "The royal family has five guardians. One died during the Transformation Ceremony."

"Of the three who remain, one has been bought by Jonathan, because his descendants are marquesses and happen to have the chance to seize the throne as well."

"Another guards the royal secret vault. He doesn't participate in any disputes and answers only to the king."

"The last is Lady Tess, my great-aunt."

"She will choose to protect you until you reach your destination."

As he finishes speaking, a tall woman in armor appears. Her left arm is a steel prosthetic.

This Lady Tess is the royal Iron Knight whose left arm was cut off by Newwood during the War of Transformation.

Now that arm has been replaced by a steel arm covered in runic marks. It moves as nimbly as an ordinary arm, and it even has the properties of superconductive fighting spirit.

This high-grade piece was sent by Archbishop Atwood after the attack during the Transformation Ceremony.

After all, Tess was injured as a royal guardian, so some compensation naturally had to be made.

Lady Tess is tall and doesn't look very old. She stares at Arius and says, "I will take you away, but afterward, you must ask Henwell to return someone."

"Pullman, my son, is also another guardian knight of the kingdom. He is currently in Henwell's hands."

Arius can't help glancing at Amir. "When Henwell's eldest son was born, you sent Sir Pullman to assassinate Henwell's family?"

Amir shrugs. "What? Should I not have? But Henwell really is impressive."

"For some reason, Sir Pullman was caught by him and has been detained until now."

"Earlier, he even used Sir Pullman to threaten me, telling me not to cause trouble for him when the three kingdoms besieged Peace Haven."

Arius bows to Tess. "I don't need Your Excellency's escort. I hope Your Excellency can stay here and protect my wife and children."

"If I am lucky enough to survive, I will definitely help you ask for Sir Pullman back."

"If my luck is bad and I die on the road, you can also use my wife and children to make an exchange with Henwell."

Amir frowns. "What are you doing? Now isn't the time for romantic attachments."

"As long as you are alive, Jonathan and the others won't dare touch your wife and children."

"Do not forget that your wife, Countess Karitan, is also a member of the Billie royal family. Killing her would bring serious consequences."

Arius doesn't answer. Instead, he signals to his wife in the distance.

Then Countess Karitan brings Arius's son and daughter to Arius's side.

Amir asks, "What are you doing?"

Arius takes out a pocket watch. "I am waiting. Waiting for Jonathan to come in person."

"Father, you have now handed me proof of succession in front of so many people."

"I imagine this news will reach Jonathan's ears soon. I estimate he is already unable to sit still."

As soon as he finishes speaking, Jonathan arrives, surrounded by a crowd of guards.

Jonathan reaches a hand toward Arius. "Give it to me, and I will let your wife and children live."

Arius ignores him. He crouches down and says to his son, "Maple, show Grandfather the gift you brought him."

Seven-year-old Maple happily nods. Then he opens the bundle in his arms and reveals an exquisite box about thirty centimeters square.

The metal box is covered in mysterious patterns and looks beautiful.

Maple raises the small box. "Grandfather, this is my gift for you."

The moment the box is revealed, two Iron Rank professionals shoot backward, fleeing dozens of meters away.

Seeing this, even a fool understands that the thing in Maple's hands is extremely dangerous.

The people left behind don't have the sharp instincts of Iron Knights, nor do they have that kind of extraordinary reaction speed.

By the time they realize this thing is anything but harmless, it is already too late to run.

Arius's fingernail has already lightly touched the metal box.

As Arius begins to activate his fighting spirit, the patterns on the small box light up in a ring.

When everyone sees this, they are so frightened they nearly see their ancestors.

Arius says calmly, "Henwell made this. How should I put it? It is a very terrifying thing."

"Do not be fooled by its small size. If I activate and detonate it again..."

"Aside from Iron Knights, no one in this entire hall will survive."

After those beside him confirm it, Jonathan also panics a little. "Arius, don't act recklessly. Calm down!"

Amir, however, curiously steps forward and examines the box. "Tsk. It truly is exquisite. Henwell really is a rare talent."

"Tell me, Arius, did you bring this as my birthday gift? Is that not a little treasonous?"

Arius smiles. "Father, surely you didn't think I would come to the palace and send myself to death without preparing anything?"

"At first, I thought you wanted to kill us, so I made this preparation."

"When the time came, our whole family would all go to heaven together, neat and complete. How wonderful would that be?"