Chapter 796 - 796 796 Our Way Forward (This volume ends

Chapter 796: Chapter 796: Our Way Forward (This volume ends, taking a day off) Chapter 796: Chapter 796: Our Way Forward (This volume ends, taking a day off) [Eternal Castle. Royal Palace District]

Thanks to the Duchess, Han Dong has the privilege to enter this area.

Walking through the elaborately decorated corridors, all the Forbidden Army soldiers patrolling here would bow their heads before the Duchess and address her respectfully.

Every one of these Forbidden Army soldiers exuded an aura that sent shivers down Han Dong’s spine.

“Nicholas, do you know how the Royal Family of the Holy City came to be?”

“Was it a hereditary rule passed down from the former King of Yidalos?”

“No… over two hundred years ago,

King Vittorio Emanuele II of Yidalos died during a demon awakening. The refugees from all over Europe gathered on Yidalos territory and ousted the few demons here to establish the Holy City.

As the Holy City became more stable and more Fate users appeared, a Council Monarchy was elected from individuals of exceptional power, wisdom, and virtue to become the initial members of the council.

Under their supervision, a unique royal system was established.

Times have changed, and so has the meaning of royalty.

If it is to symbolize the highest status, then it must be the strongest in the World of Fate.

At that time, before the Knight Corps System was formed, the ultimate goal of Fate users was to become a member of the royal family based on their own abilities.”

“So, Captain Shaia, you mean that… the members of the royal family are the early strong ones, selected through some kind of competitive selection process?”

“I wouldn’t exactly call it a ‘royal family’.

You can understand it as the ‘first-generation Knight Corps’. Some of the elders like to refer to the royal family as NO.ZERO-‘Zero Knight Corps’.

The establishment of the Thirteen Knight Orders and the detailed system were all derived from the rules of the royal family.

Of course, over time,

The focus of the Holy City’s military power gradually shifted towards the Thirteen Knight Orders. The royal family slowly retreated behind the scenes, and descendants of some royal knights were also considered members of the royal family, receiving certain privileges in the Holy City.

The royal family no longer directly recruits from graduates; instead, they secretly recruit from within the Thirteen Knight Orders.”

“Zero Knight Corps… So these Forbidden Army soldiers are knights of the royal family.

So, is the king equivalent to the position of a captain?”

“The king is not something your level can comprehend. Come in… I have something to ask you.”

With a push and a pull from Shaia,

Han Dong was pulled into a luxurious bedroom that emanated a unique fragrance.

This distinct scent and red-dominated decor clearly belonged to Duchess Shaia’s sleeping area in the royal quarters.

“This is my bed. You can rest here… but before you sleep, there’s something I’d like to discuss.”

Before Han Dong could react, he was pushed onto the soft, large bed.

“…What is it, Captain Shaia?”

Seeing the bizarre atmosphere, Han Dong had a bad feeling and feared that even with his protagonist’s halo, things would not turn out well.

“I heard that the council intends to recruit you.

But since you have joined the Big Expedition, even if you were to become an ‘intern member’, it would have to wait until after the Big Expedition… Joining the council then would shield you from much gossip, as you would be known as a ‘returnee from the Big Expedition’.

In the meantime, are you interested in joining the ‘Royal Family’?

As Duchess, I happen to have an ‘extra training spot’…and furthermore, any royal member directly recruited by me would get privileges equivalent to a Count.

You will have more opportunities here.”

From what Han Dong understood, the royal family seemed more like an elite training camp.

“But isn’t Lucius a good choice?”

“Lucius…He is indeed. But he has other responsibilities in the Scarlet Knights. Besides, when compared to him, you’re much more interesting, especially after the ‘Sacred Blood Incident’ last night.

Are you willing to join us?”

“Captain Shaia, I’m already swamped with work in the Secret Language Knight Order. If I were to tack on the title of royalty, my [Freedom] would be completely stripped away.

Also, as you may know, privately I’m in contact with many factions.

I’ve many secrets and some ‘necessary matters’ that need my personal handling and supervision… Thank you for your kindness, Captain Shaia, but I’m stretched thin as it is already.”

Even the council, I will refuse as much as possible.

Compared to power, I yearn more for freedom. I hope Captain Shaia understands.”

As Han Dong tactfully refused.

The shadow of the whip flashed by.

Smack!

The familiar sensation of the whip crack spread throughout his body, causing him immense pain and making Han Dong roll on the bed.

However, while rolling, Han Dong felt a nourishing blood energy spreading within his body, completely healing his internal injuries.

Next, he just needed a good night’s rest to recover to his best condition.

“Hmph… Get to rest quickly. I’ll wake you before the Expeditionary Army departs.”

Before Han Dong could thank her, Shaia had already left.

Han Dong, hands cushioning the back of his head, stared at the ceiling, “Captain Shaia’s invitation to join the royal family is probably for some power struggles… Ah, I don’t even have time for research, where will I find time for politics?

Let’s get some sleep. I hope the Swollen Doctor has already ‘packed up’ everything outside the city by then.”

Then, as Han Dong was sound asleep in the Duke’s bedroom.

[Between the Throne]

The Mechanical God Sect has completed the basic revision of the ‘Power Armor’.

Next, special units assembled specifically for the Big Expedition are being deployed, including:

1. The [Fighting Nun], a complete counter to demons.

2. The [Revived Brain Dead Soldiers], fallen knights from Tar Prison, combined with ‘Resurrection Potion’ provided by Han Dong and the research of the Mechanical God Sect, make up a zombie squad retaining the abilities of knights, replaced entirely with mechanical prosthetics and installed with information collectors.

3. The [Eternal Night Wolves], over ten times faster than the Expeditionary Army, used for reconnaissance and surprise attacks.

4. The [Magic Web Users], barrier masters selected from the Witch God Knight Legion and Doomsday Knight Brigade, able to create a magic web barrier covering the Expeditionary Army anytime, anywhere.

5. The [Eye of the Expedition], composed jointly by the Crow Squadron under the Plague Knights, Lightless Sect Members under the WindRider Knights, and the Writer’s Association and Prophet’s Association, provides extremely wide-range scouting and illusion technique defenses for the Big Expedition.

6. Some other special units, either covert or not needing to be separated out from the regiments, are interspersed among the regiments.

Simultaneously.

Several giant dragons from the magical world land on the pillars around the square under the control of the Forbidden Army, located at the back end of the Eternal Castle.

Some [Forbidden Army Dragon Ride] members will join the Big Expedition in conjunction with the air units in the Expeditionary Army.

Control over the dragon race is not as simple as just consuming Fate Points.

Similar to Captain Marlon becoming the Hell King, one must go to the World of Fate where the Dragon Race exists and undertake the highly difficult ‘Dragon Knight Assessment’.

The Great Demon Leader delivers a speech outlining the various stages, expected timeframes, and final objectives of the Big Expedition.

At the end of the impassioned speech, all the knights are brought to the peak of their emotions.

The giant dragons around the square raise their noble heads and let out earth-shattering roars.

Just then, the Great Demon Leader steps forward again.

A ‘Demon Wing’ around ten metres long suddenly grows from his back.

He stands at the very front of the overlook platform.

Arm outstretched,

Pointing straight to the north, or more accurately, to the final destination of the Big Expedition – the lair of a former monarch:

[London City Londinium]

A loud and inspiring voice came out of the Great Demon Leader’s mouth,

It echoed [Between the Throne],

Drowning out the chorus of several giant dragons’ roars,

Spreading throughout the Holy City,

“Let it be known, no one can stand in our way!”