One-Eyed Monster

Although Princess Juliette did not show her sadness, Igor and the others could feel the sorrowful atmosphere.

Igor felt that the Knowing Flower was truly a magical species, never forgetting to protect its place until the very end.

”The Knowing Flower only blooms once, and each time they brilliantly end their lives. This Knowing Flower may not have given us the exact location of Xiso and Bigas, but it did give us what we wanted.”

Princess Juliette continued to speak, showing her familiarity with the Knowing Flower.

”Aren’t you sad for them?” Kadi asked out of curiosity, thinking he would be heartbroken if he were in her place.

”Without sacrifice, there is no reward; without sacrifice, there is no victory. Sadness undoubtedly occupies my heart, but at this moment, I have more important things to do than be sad. If I only focused on sadness, it would be even more disrespectful to the Knowing Flower.”

Princess Juliette’s words left Kadi somewhat bewildered. He didn’t fully understand the reasoning but felt a bit of it. He also knew that now was not the time for sadness, but he still couldn’t remain as composed as Princess Juliette.

”What conclusion did we reach? I hope Her Highness the Princess will enlighten us!” Igor was very concerned about the outcome the Knowing Flower brought them.

”Look at what it left behind.” Princess Juliette pointed to the flower’s remnants.

So Igor and the others looked towards where the Knowing Flower vanished.

Besides the ashes, there was a leaf neither too big nor too small, and its color was golden!

”This is a unique flower from the Alchemy Workshop; you can’t see it anywhere else. The golden sunflower can only be found in the Alchemy Workshop!” Old Cole, well-knowledgeable, quickly identified it.

”This!” Igor and Kadi were quite shocked.

”This indicates that our imaginary enemy has now become a formal enemy!” Princess Juliette said decisively.

”I never thought that the Alchemy Workshop would also be controlled,” Igor said, having certain feelings towards the Alchemy Workshop, mainly due to the influence of Master Guzan.

”Even if controlled, they had the option to resist, but they chose to become part of it instead, which is abnormal no matter how you look at it.” This time, Kadi was very resolute.

Kadi’s words made everyone present look at him with newfound respect.

”Next, we will face huge challenges, and I, no matter what, must enter the palace to see for myself!” Princess Juliette said.

”The King...” Old Cole felt very uneasy, unsure of how to articulate, especially now that the King showed no movement, seemingly under control...

”My royal brother won’t fall so easily. He must still be resisting. I believe in him; please also believe in him!” Princess Juliette declared resolutely.

”The Kangen Family pledges to defend the Kayne Royal Family to the death, ready for any command!” Old Cole knelt on one knee, swearing allegiance to Princess Juliette!

”Um, I, Igor, am also willing to contribute to Her Highness the Princess!”

”Me too!”

Kadi and Igor clumsily learned from Old Cole, swearing allegiance in front of Princess Juliette, though their manner and words lacked the solemnity of Old Cole.

”Thank you for your support of our Kayne Family. We will break through more unknowns and protect this land!” Princess Juliette stood up and was ready to take action.

”Your Highness, please command!”

”Go back for now and try not to stir any waves. I will slowly relay my plan to you; you should know my way of doing things.” Princess Juliette pointed around at the flowers and plants, addressing Igor and the others.

”Understood!” Old Cole and Igor replied.

Their interaction with Princess Juliette yielded significant results, and now they understood who the current enemy was.

They used to be wary of the Alchemy Workshop, but now they could confirm that they were indeed the enemy.

Old Cole led Igor and Kadi back the way they came, knowing there was a lot to do once they returned.

The image of the golden flower lingered in his mind, and in the Alchemy Workshop, he also had many old friends.

Now, when facing these old friends again, it would be as enemies.

The world was indeed changing quite fast.

While Igor and the others were returning the same way, in another direction on Bayes Avenue, a tense investigation was underway.

It was the Alchemy Servants, under the Alchemist’s command, checking every corner. Every trace had to be collected carefully and taken to the testing grounds for careful analysis.

The leftovers at the scene weren’t many, and these Alchemy Servants were having a hard time.

”We’ve been searching for half a day and still haven’t found a clue!”

”Yeah, all we found were traces left by plants, just like the Wizards depicted. I don’t understand why they have us wasting time here.”

”Hey, keep your voice down. If you’re overheard, you won’t get a good night’s sleep tonight.”

”Yeah, you fool, always complaining!”

These Alchemy Servants began to grumble, feeling disgruntled over the menial labor, not understanding why they were made to search for traces when the Wizards already knew the results.

The invasion was discovered early by the Wizards, who retaliated effectively, causing the intruders to flee with tails between legs.

Afterward, the Wizards began tracing these remnants, but the tracing hadn’t fully commenced before the intruders started to obliterate the remnants; their speed left no time to react.

However, this act clearly exposed the identity of the intruders; only Wizards could achieve such infiltration.

Hunters couldn’t control a plant, nor could other Adventurers with Class. Only Wizards could resonate with nature, commanding and controlling plants as if it were natural.

So the Servants felt entirely frustrated, believing this work was just a ruse, with the Wizards venting frustrations on them, having failed to catch the true perpetrators.

”This feels like a waste of time!”

”Say less and keep working!”

”What’s there to work on? All we’re facing are flowers, trees, and shrubs. What can be found here, maybe a bird’s egg!”

The most disgruntled Alchemy Servant grew increasingly agitated, unwilling to engage in such tasks.

”Say less!” The head of the Alchemy Servants stopped the emotionally charged subordinate.

”Let him keep talking.”

Suddenly, a voice rang from behind the Servants. It sounded familiar and authoritative, causing them to shudder.

The owner of the voice was none other than the Alchemy Workshop’s chief!

”Sir Chief!” The Servants turned and bowed reverently, while the worst complainer found his legs uncontrollably shaking, collapsing to his knees...