CHAPTER 463: A Great Gift

Aside from anything related to the Origin Crystals, Han Shuo told the story of his encounter with the old monster and Tiana in Tarrag Canyon. Even the incident at the Sacred Mountain of the Church of Light in the Oden Empire was revealed.

Candide was all ears as Han Shuo recounted his tale from beginning to end, his eyebrows knitted tightly together.

"Lord Candide, do you know anything about the true powerhouses of the Profound Continent and the Soul Race people?" The reason Han Shuo revealed everything was to ask Candide if he was aware of their existence.

"Tiana is the protector of the Kasi Empire. In the Kasi Empire, Tiana is a divine being. She is a character of the same era as our Lancelot Empire's dark divine magus Ayermike Cotton. I really did not expect her to still be alive!" Candide exclaimed.

Ayermike Cotton? A character from his time?! Han Shuo was startled.

Ayermike Cotton is one of the most respected characters in the history of the Lancelot Empire. It was all thanks to his existence that the Lancelot Empire was established and had such mighty power and influence these days.

But Ayermike Cotton, the Dark Divine Magus, was a character from 500 years ago! After learning this from Candide, Han Shuo realised how long Tiana had actually been alive. It was no wonder that even Stratholme, the antediluvian old monster who had lived through two dynasties, referred to her as 'Elder Sister Tiana'!

"Aside from Tiana, does your lordship know of the origins of the Church of Light and the Soul Race?" Han Shuo asked as he stared blankly at Candide.

"The Divine Knight and the Divine Light Magus of the Church of Light you mentioned, I've read a little about them from ancient records. They are both existences of the Church of Light, famous for their powers a few hundred years ago. Everyone assumed that they had both died of old age. Unexpectedly, they had lived on to this day.

"As for the saint of the Church of Light and the soul race of Tarrag Canyon, I have no idea. Had you not told me, I might never have heard of such characters on the Profound Continent. These beings are far beyond anything I can imagine," Candide lamented, shaking his head and sighing repeatedly.

Although Candide's knowledge was rather limited, Han Shuo at least learned of Tiana's origin and that she was a protector of the Kasi Empire.

"Bryan, do you mean that you already have the strength of Stratholme and Tiana?" After a long while, Candide suddenly asked as he stared blankly at Han Shuo.

It was then that Han Shuo mentioned fighting shoulder to shoulder with the old monster Stratholme and revealed the encounter with the Soul Race. Candide soon realised a small detail - Han Shuo and Stratholme were beings of the same class!

There was nothing to hide here, so Han Shuo nodded and calmly admitted, "I believe I now possess the so-called demigod power."

"Incredible, truly incredible!" Candide spoke somewhat incoherently, muttering, "Madam Grace's astrology is truly miraculous. No wonder she said you could bring a new future to the Lancelot Empire. With the presence of an existence like yours, any nation can become mighty."

"Mighty or not, I don't know, but I do know that Stratholme will not be appearing in the Seven Grand Duchies for the time being, and the Brut Merchant Alliance has just lost its Sacred Lightning Magus, Reynold. With the magical beasts of Tarrag Canyon roaming their streets and disturbing their inhabitants, and the group of Soul Races of unknown origin, I suspect they won't have the capacity to deal with anything else.

Now is the best chance for our Lancelot Empire to send troops and overthrow the seven grand duchies. It is now or never!" Han Shuo told Candide ambitiously.

"Bryan, go and meet His Majesty. I believe His Majesty will give you his full support!" Candide urged. It seemed that he was itching to get on with it as well.

Han Shuo nodded. After authenticating his identity as the Fourth Dark Sun's envoy from Candide, and without notifying Emily, Han Shuo headed directly for the Imperial Palace, using the transport systems in Dark Mantle's headquarters that only a few high-ranking personnel could operate.

"Bryan, you joker, you suddenly disappeared for three years. You have finally returned!"

Lawrence, the king of the Lancelot Empire, came to greet Han Shuo personally when he heard that Han Shuo had requested to meet him, and laughed heartily as soon as he saw Han Shuo.

Compared to three years ago, Lawrence now had more of the imposing demeanour of a monarch who wielded the power to dictate the life and death of others. He seemed even more mature and experienced. He even deliberately kept a beard over his originally clean-shaven upper lip. His eyes sparkled with wisdom and prudence.

"Your Majesty, long time no see!" Han Shuo stepped forward with a faint smile. He leaned over to Lawrence's side and continued, "Your Majesty, let's have a private chat!"

Lawrence waved his hand at his imperial bodyguards to send them away, "You are all dismissed!" Afterwards, he dragged Han Shuo back into the Great Hall and said with a chuckle, "So we are still good friends out of the public eye. How come you remembered to visit me this time?"

"I came here with the intention of presenting you with a great gift!" Han Shuo smiled.

"Oh? A big gift?" Lawrence asked eagerly.

"The seven grand duchies!" Han Shuo announced.

Lawrence's body shook. His eyes burst with cold rays that you wouldn't dare look at directly. With excitement in his voice, he asked, "Bryan, are you sure about this now?"

Han Shuo nodded and once again revealed what he had to Candide.

By the time Han Shuo had finished his story, Lawrence was trembling from head to toe. He held on tightly to Han Shuo with both hands, his fiery eyes fixed passionately on Han Shuo, and in an astonished voice he asked, "Bry...Bryan, you mean....you mean you have demigod strength now?"

"That's right!" Han Shuo confirmed.

"Good! Good! Good!" Lawrence howled with laughter, his face to the sky. Then he continued with a broad smile, "After the honourable Ayermike Cotton, our Lancelot Empire is finally blessed with a demigod being again! Haha, from now on no one will disrespect the mighty existences of my Lancelot Empire!"

"Don't get too excited. Like I said, a demigod being isn't the pinnacle of power on the continent. Besides, I'm not the only one with demigod strength. Tiana of the Kasi Empire is another. Over at the headquarters of the Church of Light in the Oden Empire, there's far more than one demigod existence!" Han Shuo doused Lawrence with cold water when he saw that Lawrence was so excited that he almost went mad, and he feared that Lawrence might rely on him too much.

"I know, I know!" Lawrence said in an excited voice. "Of course I know. But with you in the Lancelot Empire, I feel much more at ease in my heart. I have long thought about conquering the Brut Merchant Alliance and the Kasi Empire, but I have always put it aside because of all sorts of fears. But now, our Lancelot Empire can really flex our military muscles!"

"Alright. I knew you wouldn't do anything so rash! Hmm, you can start with the seven grand duchies. Of the seven, the Duchy of Helon and the Duchy of Boulet have long since secretly allied themselves with me. As long as we go about it secretly, without the old monster Stratholme showing up to upset the apple cart, taking all seven grand duchies is definitely in the bag," Han Shuo said in a deep voice.

"Very well, I will fully support your campaign. Whatever military or physical resources you need, speak up, what do you need? Tell me and I will help you with all the resources of my kingdom!" Lawrence came straight to the point. He seemed determined to put Han Shuo on the spot.

"Frankly, military strategy is not my strong suit," Han Shuo replied with a bitter smile. After thinking for a moment, he continued, "As for how to attack the seven grand duchies, it's better if I just leave that to you and your men to discuss and deal with. Oh, by the way, it would be best if Dorcas were appointed commander for this matter. He has spent the last few years roaming the Seven Grand Duchies and knows the situation there intimately. He also has experience in military strategy. I trust he will make a suitable commander!"

"No problem, I will make the necessary arrangements! Rest assured, without Stratholme's interference this time, the Seven Grand Duchies will surely succumb to the military might of my Lancelot Empire!" Lawrence assured.

"Well then, I have said what I should have said. I believe you will also need some time to prepare. I will leave now! I, for one, have yet to make time to see my ladies. If I don't look for them as soon as possible, I'm sure they'll start grumbling!" Han Shuo said to Lawrence with a smile.

After receiving a few meaningful winks from Han Shuo, Lawrence said sympathetically, "I understand. Hahaha, go ahead and pay off your 'debts'! Oh, right, your mansion has been rebuilt and all the servants are still there. From time to time, Phoebe, Fanny and the others stay there for a few days. Don't forget you still have a home in Ossen City!

Previously, during the upheaval in Ossen City, many of the nobles' mansions had been reduced to puffs of smoke in one night. The mansion he had been given as a Count was no exception to this severe damage. Originally, Han Shuo thought that the mansion had been completely destroyed. It looked like Lawrence really cared about Han Shuo, going so far as to completely rebuild the house for him.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Han Shuo replied. Without saying anything else, he left the palace.

"A demigod expert! Madam Grace is indeed an admirable astrologer. Bryan, oh Bryan, you really are my lucky star!" Lawrence murmured quietly after Han Shuo had left.

Report Chapter Comments