Chapter 45: Chapter45-The Azure Kingdom's Treasure

After reading the urgent secret letter, almost all the ministers were livid with anger, their voices filled with fury, and their eyes seemed to want to tear the people of Kyrik apart.

The content of the letter was simple: Alfonso and others were instructed to cause as much trouble as possible in the imperial capital of the Azure Kingdom, preferably resulting in the deaths of some Kyrik mages, giving the Kyrik royal family a reason to wage war against the Azure Kingdom.

"Your Majesty, for years Kyrik has repeatedly violated our borders, committing atrocities and oppressing the border populace. We've shown endless forbearance, yet they continue to push their limits!"

Standing beside King Aldric, Prime Minister Wilson, with a stern face and a hunched elderly frame, angrily said:

"For years, the Kyrik Empire has allowed bandits to harass our borders, excusing it by claiming these bandits were unruly fugitives, causing the border populace to suffer. However, we all know these so-called bandits are merely Kyrik's mercenaries. General Stanley, who has defended the border for years, has enough experience to deal with Kyrik. Since Kyrik has deliberately provoked us and targeted the Azure Kingdom, war is inevitable. It's better to strike first and gain the upper hand!"

With Wilson, a highly respected prime minister of the Azure Kingdom, speaking up, many ministers nodded in agreement, calling for a crusade against the Kyrik Kingdom.

Over the years, the Azure Kingdom had shown restraint towards Kyrik, but this was the final straw, and they could no longer tolerate it!

"The Prime Minister's words are too impulsive! Hastily starting a war now will disrupt the empire's order; continued forbearance is still the best course of action!"

"Indeed, Kyrik is too powerful. If war breaks out, it will be extremely unfavorable for the Azure Kingdom. Sending envoys to negotiate is the right way now!"

Several ministers, upon hearing the talk of war, shivered and quickly voiced their opposition.

For a moment, the war faction and the peace faction were at each other's throats, unable to convince one another. Eventually, they all turned their gaze towards King Aldric.

King Aldric looked at the converging gazes, hesitated for a moment, then slowly shook his head and said:

"This letter comes from Gowato Sanctuary and does not represent the Kyrik royal family. We cannot rashly start a war. The matter of launching an attack can be discussed later."

With King Aldric's voice calming the situation, the peace-faction ministers breathed a sigh of relief, showing satisfied smiles.

Wilson and several other ministers began to breathe heavily, wanting to say something, but seeing King Aldric's resolute gaze, they held back.

They could only sigh helplessly, then glare angrily at the cheering ministers before quickly turning and leaving.

King Aldric watched Wilson and the others depart, slightly furrowing his brow. At that moment, several attendants rushed in hastily.

"Your Majesty, bad news!"

Their expressions were extremely fearful, having rushed all the way here, their breath weak and labored.

They dared not rest for a moment, practically sliding on their knees to King Aldric and the others.

"Your Majesty, two late-stage platinum-tier powerhouses have breached the palace and abducted the eight-month-old Fourth Prince! Twelve high-level gold-tier guards have already gone in pursuit."

Upon hearing this, the scene erupted in an uproar!

This was the imperial capital, the palace!

How could intruders penetrate so deeply and even abduct a prince? What a heinous act!

The queen, standing beside King Aldric, turned deathly pale and fainted on the spot from shock.

"Pursue them!"

"This matter will not end until death!"

King Aldric's aura surged, like a raging beast, as he chased toward the horizon.

The Crown Prince, the Council of Elders, and other core members of the royal family followed, their faces showing a mix of anger and astonishment.

Princess Marry, following at the rear, slowed down slightly as she was about to leave. She gazed tenderly at Owen, who was standing on the stage.

"Owen, thank you for restoring the empire's honor today. Those who abducted my younger brother might be from Kyrik. Please be careful."

After expressing her concern, Princess Marry's cheeks flushed slightly before she continued following King Aldric and the others to intercept the two audacious platinum-tier mages.

Owen nodded at her, indicating his understanding, though his mind was already elsewhere.

The Fourth Prince's abduction clearly indicated that Leslie had received his message and had begun their operation!

Due to the sudden and severe nature of the prince's abduction, other prodigies and mages were caught off guard, becoming both cautious and curious.

Although the Azure Kingdom had been somewhat weak in external affairs over the years, its internal strength remained quite formidable.

It was unimaginable who would have the audacity to target a member of the royal family during such a grand event. If caught, it would be a crime warranting the extermination of their entire family!

"Alfonso was just killed, and now this happens. It feels like something Kyrik would do."

"I don't think so. If Kyrik did this, they would have even less reason to act against the Azure Kingdom."

"But if it wasn't Kyrik, two late-stage platinum-tier mages are not easy to come by. In any faction, they are the backbone and pillars of strength..."

Many mages discussed as they left, not wanting to get too entangled in the matter.

As everyone departed, Owen took advantage of the chaos, gradually concealing his presence and began to stealthily make his way towards the Kingdom Vault.

As Owen moved deeper, he could faintly sense the distant battle fluctuations between the twelve gold-tier guards and the two platinum-tier powerhouses.

The twelve gold-tier guards were cooperating seamlessly. With the aid of their formation, even the two platinum-tier powerhouses were having their escape significantly delayed.

Owen paused, gazing at the two platinum-tier mages in the distance. They had both reached the level of platinum-tier level 7!

Mages of this level were incredibly powerful. Even from a distance, Owen could feel a slight sense of oppression emanating from them.

Even the previously darkened Alfonso probably couldn't compare to either of them.

The higher one's level, the more difficult it became to break through. Many people spend their entire lives unable to reach the platinum-tier, and these two seemed to have the potential to reach the diamond-tier. Their talent and strength were not to be underestimated.

Such figures would be renowned wherever they were, and that Leslie could mobilize such high-level combat power indicated the immense strength of the Duke's household.

Owen's expression grew even more serious.

Although Owen had known that the Duke's household, especially Leslie, was no simple entity, it had only been a suspicion before. Now, he had a deep, personal understanding.

With the Fourth Prince taken away, nearly all the palace's strongmen had been deployed, allowing Owen an unobstructed path. He smoothly arrived at the Kingdom Vault in the palace.

The Kingdom Vault covered a vast area, resembling a circular iron fortress situated in the heart of the palace. As Owen approached, he felt an increasingly strong sense of oppression, like a flowing current pushing him back.

Owen squinted his eyes, slowing his pace. At that moment, a brightly colored bird flapped its wings, attempting to fly over the vast Kingdom Vault. However, as it neared the Vault, what Owen perceived as an invisible glass-like protective shield suddenly crackled with streaks of lightning.

Zzzt~

The bird collided with the invisible shield, sparking and flashing with lightning. Its bright feathers turned black, and its stiff body fell, emitting black smoke from its mouth and nose, with a faint smell of burning.

Bang!

The bird fell in front of Owen, shattering like a piece of charcoal.

Seeing this, Owen cautiously stopped. Leslie had previously mentioned that the Kingdom Vault was not only guarded by twelve gold-tier mages but also protected by a defensive array bought by the royal family at a high price from the Middle Earth auction.

Seeing it now, its reputation was well-deserved.

Owen tightly grasped the family crest he had copied from Princess Marry in his palm.

According to Leslie, the only way to safely penetrate the Kingdom Vault was with a royal family crest.

Owen hesitated for a moment.

The power of this array was daunting even to him, but remembering that a fragment of the Godslayer Staff was inside, he mustered his courage and slowly entered the array.

Princess Marry's crest emitted a soft glow, like a giant transparent bubble, enveloping him.

When it made contact with the powerful transparent barrier, they seamlessly merged, allowing Owen to be pushed inside.

Then, his figure vanished from the front of the Kingdom Vault.

The moment Owen entered the Kingdom Vault, a blinding white light shone before his eyes, so dazzling that he could barely keep them open.

After closing his eyes and adjusting for a moment, he realized he had seemingly entered a mirrored space.

Everywhere he looked—above, below, and all around—were white mirrors.

These mirrors not only reflected Owen's image but also seemed to contain independent spaces within them, holding all sorts of peculiar and rare items.