One-Eyed Monster

”I do not recommend a direct assault on the palace,” Princess Juliette smiled gently, ”Even though I know His Majesty the King is trapped there and is bound, I still would not advise a forceful attack.”

”Are you worried that His Majesty the King might be used as a hostage by these puppet soldiers? You don’t need to worry about this point, because although the Soul Devourer has strong control, it is only a few. There are so many League Guards, it’s impossible for all of them to be controlled by a High Rank Soul Devourer, most should only be some Spirit Cores...”

Igor explained incessantly. He was an expert in this field, but before he could really get into it, he was interrupted by Princess Juliette.

”I know, Igor, I’m not worried about my brother, even if he is used as a hostage, he has a way to escape.”

”Uh, then what are you worried about? Currently, if you’re trying to enter the palace, a direct assault seems like a pretty good option.” Igor was puzzled.

”I’m worried about these League Guards. Just as Bigas said, these League Guards are top-notch experts, and I really don’t want them to become puppets, losing their sense of self...”

It turns out this is the case; the princess’s thoughts are indeed meticulous, making Igor and Kadi feel inferior.

”But if we don’t launch a direct assault, we won’t be able to enter the palace to rescue the king. We need His Majesty’s orders now!” said Bigas, who had her own view of the current situation and believed that a direct assault was the only option.

”My other brother, Charles, is on his way to Xinbal, and behind him, he has the entire Dark Cabinet and the armies of several other imperial capitals. These people are on their way to serve the king. What we need to do now is just to stabilize the palace,” Princess Juliette continued.

”Even so, this requires time, but the enemy will not give us much time. It’s important to know that now the enemy is Kuyi Tulan, who can command the entire Alchemy Workshop with his presence.” Bigas continued to insist, wanting to lay out all the pros and cons to the princess.

”Don’t be agitated, Bigas. I’m not suggesting that we do nothing. It’s just that, compared to a direct assault on the palace, I feel we need to do something else.”

”Something else?” Bigas and others were puzzled.

”What exactly?” asked Igor and Kadi there.

”That’s why I brought you here. Haven’t you forgotten about Xiso?”

”Lord Xiso...” Igor and Kadi fell into reminiscing.

Bigas remained silent, completely silent.

”Lord Xiso was captured by Kuyi Tulan,” Biggs broke the awkward silence.

”My plants found out where he is. The Alchemy Workshop is holding him, using an extremely vile method,” said Princess Juliette, trembling as she spoke, because the information her plants sent back included specific details of Xiso’s condition. Clearly, in that dark corner, Xiso was being terribly tormented.

”What have they done to Xiso!” Bigas asked with deep concern.

”They haven’t abused Xiso, but the environment is indeed despairing. Everything is shrouded in darkness.”

”So, Xiso has not been emptied yet,” Bigas’s voice trembled.

”Yes, Bigas, he still has his consciousness.”

”Uh, now that Lord Xiso has been captured by Kuyi Tulan, why hasn’t Kuyi Tulan refined a Spirit Core? Could there be some plot?” Igor also sensed something unusual, realizing that things seemed out of the ordinary.

”You’re right, Igor. Xiso still has an important role for Kuyi Tulan,” Princess Juliette continued.

”You said so much about Xiso, how does this relate to whether we launch a direct assault on the palace or not?” Kadi asked confusedly, scratching his head, clearly perplexed by the current discussion.

”That’s because my suggestion is for everyone to rescue Xiso,” Princess Juliette promptly answered Kadi’s question.

”Rescue Xiso...” Bigas was taken aback, not expecting the princess’s plan to be this way.

”Yes, rescue Xiso. We will assault the main base of the Alchemy Workshop and quietly rescue Xiso.”

”Why...” Bigas wanted to know why to do this, when clearly His Majesty is most important right now.

”Because rescuing Xiso can save the entire League Guard, who are heroes defending this nation. I don’t want them to sacrifice without clarity, especially not at the hands of their own people,”

”But the Alchemy Workshop also has many such people!” Kadi said, making a valid point that not all alchemists are villains; many are controlled by Soul Devourers.

”That’s why I’ve brought you here,” Princess Juliette smiled.

Igor realized that Princess Juliette already had plans, detailed plans, and they were here just to discuss these plans with her.

”Xiso is the mastermind of the entire Empire. He has great insight, and with him, we would be twice as effective,” Princess Juliette said.

”But, the Alchemy Workshop isn’t easy to conquer either!” Igor voiced.

”The assault is just a guise, as Kadi said earlier, the Alchemy Workshop also has many who are safeguarding this nation. Our attack mainly serves to divert attention and allow you to go in and rescue Xiso.”

”Us?” Igor pointed to himself, puzzled.

”Yes, it’s you and Kadi.”

”Why us?” Igor was bewildered.

”Because you are the most suitable!” Biggs said from the side, ”Although my apprentice sister dons the holy robe, she rarely deals with these Soul Devourers, so she’s not adept at handling those guarding Xiso.”

”Uh...” Igor scratched his head.

”Haha, we’re going, just us, I’m quite excited,” Kadi, however, was very enthusiastic.

”Xiso’s wisdom will surely aid us. What we need now is all the unifying power we can gather, to gradually reclaim our strength from the enemy,” Princess Juliette said.

”Xiso, he, his abilities indeed let him foresee many things, even the cemetery incident was arranged by him. At that time, I was confused, now I realize he had seen things invisible to us early on...” Bigas’s thoughts were once again focused on Xiso, she always had an indescribable feeling for her lover.

”Your Highness, what exactly should we do?” Kadi was already impatient, eager to spring into action.

”My plants will guide you, but you must also be prepared to conceal yourselves and seize the right moment to enter the test grounds,” Princess Juliette told Kadi, with a smile still lingering on her face, ”However, Bigas, you must draw the main force of the Alchemy Workshop away...”