novelraw #156 - Section 156
#156 - Section 156
Now, the only fortunate thing is that the Night Empress has been successfully lured away, which should make our actions here much easier to complete.
Luring away the Night Empress is a crucial step in capturing Dio, as she is the only legendary-level combatant in the entire Azure Vine Empire.
As long as she's not around, Chati believes her strength can offset any variables and accidents that may arise.
Although she can't match the Night Empress, she still possesses at least one-tenth of the Empress's combat power.
As long as it's not a freak like the Night Empress, whose magic seems to have no limit, ordinary legendary powerhouses are nothing to fear!
...
...
Away from Dio's residence, in another direction, was a villa that had been requisitioned without compensation.
Hicks had led the Darknight Guard to reside here for nearly a week, monitoring all the actions of the Tianming Army in the City of Mysteries and observing whether they were acting according to their plans.
This was to avoid causing additional disruption to the lives of ordinary citizens after the operation began.
The area seemed normal and unchanged, but the Darknight Guard had cooperated with the Arcane Society to partially activate the city's protective magic array.
As soon as the combat energy exceeded a certain limit, irrelevant people would be immediately teleported away.
"It's a pity we're not the ones reaping this time."
The One-Eyed Sword Saint was boredly playing with his eight-armed gauntlet, with different weapons flashing between his fingers. He was somewhat disappointed with this arrangement, but also very curious.
This time, the Darknight Guard was only responsible for the second-line combat power of the Tianming Army responsible for responding in the city. The commander said that the enemy's elite combat power that actually appeared at Dio's residence would be handled by a special person.
Roger's control and prestige over the Darknight Guard were unquestionable, and Hicks would definitely carry out his orders resolutely.
But Hicks was still very curious about who this "special person" was.
We clearly have everything under control, so how much influence does this "special person" have that our commander would personally arrange to give up the kills and merits?
Hicks wasn't bragging; the Darknight Guard really had an absolute advantage.
Relying on non-magic monitoring equipment that was more advanced than anything in the Eternal Night World, all the actions of the Tianming Army were under their surveillance.
Every day, watching the enemy make combat preparations with ignorance and seriousness, the Darknight Guard even felt pity and regret for these restorationists.
General Xia, no matter how many layers of backup plans you prepare, it's useless. We're watching everything!
You play a card, and we dismantle it. We're really sorry...
If it weren't for the order from above to take out all the big fish in one fell swoop, many people would have been unable to restrain themselves from wanting to close the net.
Fortunately, they didn't have to wait long. Xia Ti was also facing time pressure, and today the Tianming Army and the Sea Country elites finally began their final actions.
A net to capture Lord Dio was being woven, meticulously arranged layer by layer, with each link connected to the next.
However, the Darknight Guard was like a strong man with scissors, standing beside this net, ready to cut it to pieces at any time, and then recycle the broken net cloth for Her Majesty the Queen to exchange for stainless steel basins...
...
...
Star Han Palace.
The cabinet ministers waited until close to the meeting before receiving a temporary message that today's cabinet meeting was canceled because the Night Empress was rushing to support the Abyss.
To be on the safe side, the level of secrecy surrounding the news of the Tianming Army and the Darknight Guard's battle of wits was relatively high. Only Roger and the Night Empress fully understood the inside story, and other departments only cooperated to complete related intelligence.
Even within the cabinet, apart from Roger, who attended as Dio, even Margaret was surprised that the Night Empress had suddenly gone to the Abyss.
Little Chandelier couldn't help but wonder, are we already preparing to explore the Abyss when there are still many enemies around the empire?
【When the Abyss is conquered and more demons are absorbed to become citizens of the empire, maybe I won't be so lonely...】
For some inexplicable reason, she thought of the word "lonely" and subconsciously glanced at Dio, who was sitting at the end of the conference table, before quickly withdrawing her gaze.
Margaret, you are still too weak. You said you would say it dozens of times next time, but why haven't you brought up the matter of an alliance?
You can't continue to be so weak!
Tomorrow will definitely be the last time!
With the Queen absent, the secretary-general arranged for everyone to discuss urgent matters that required coordination between different departments and then announced the adjournment.
Everyone left in turn, and Margaret called out to Roger, who was walking at the front closest to the door: "Lord Dio, wait for me."
She wanted to talk to Dio about how high the possibility of His Majesty attacking the Abyss was.
Angelina, who was packing up documents, suddenly paused.
She had heard reports from her subordinates that Margaret had been going to Dio's residence for breakfast every day recently.
However, during cabinet meetings, the two of them didn't seem to have much interaction, and there didn't seem to be much contact in other private occasions.
So, it should be defined as this mixed-blood little devil shamelessly and unreservedly pestering Dio, right?
Hmph, a demon sticky candy, just like always shamelessly opposing herself, this little devil is the kind that never ends once she gets attached.
A true imperial lady would never do something like that to cause trouble for others!
Angelina immediately sympathized with Dio, believing that Margaret's behavior could be considered workplace harassment.
The Right Minister has always quite approved of Dio.
Because of his talent, and also because he and her younger brother were "very close".
From Angelina's perspective, Roger began to exert his strength after meeting Dio. In a short period of time, he quickly transformed from a useless younger brother into an imperial hero. His ability and knowledge were like that of a completely different person.
This shows that Dio's influence on her brother must be very important, like a friend and a teacher. The Charles family owes him a great favor.
After the Blood Night of Ao Du, Margaret forced Roger to take over as commander of the city defense army, and Dio also took the initiative to stand up and shield his brother from a disaster. The Charles family owes him another favor.
Angelina had given Dio several gifts, but these could not repay even a fraction of his help to her brother.
So Angelina also asked Dio as a friend if there was anything he needed help with.
Unfortunately, Dio said that he had no worries about food and drink and that there was nothing extra that needed to trouble the Right Minister.
The attempt to repay the favor failed, but in Angelina's view, Dio was the kind of noble and elegant person who had no desires and dedicated himself to the empire, and his evaluation rose again.
She picked up her documents and left, seeing Margaret still clinging to Dio, chattering away, and a trace of anger arose in her heart.
As the chief minister of the cabinet (the Right Minister is higher than the Left Minister, so it's correct to say that), she had a responsibility to ensure the atmosphere of the cabinet and prevent situations where seniors bullied newcomers.
So Angelina walked to a place three steps away from the two of them and coughed a few times to signal her presence.
"Right Minister, isn't it bad to eavesdrop on other people's conversations like that?" Margaret turned her head provocatively, staring at this blue-haired saint.
Roger's gaze was also confused. His sister wasn't the type to casually interrupt other people's conversations.
Angelina ignored Margaret and said to Roger, "Dio, the cabinet is not a lawless place. If you encounter any unfair treatment, tell me, and I will definitely uphold justice for you."
"Angelina, you're thinking too much. Nothing like what you imagined is happening," Dio replied with a smile, realizing that she had misunderstood that he was being bullied by Little Chandelier.
Margaret felt an inexplicable fire rising as she listened. What did this blue-haired saint mean, slandering her for bullying someone?
But compared to anger, her more emotions were panic.
Was this the first time Margaret knew that Lord Dio and the blue-haired saint were already so close that they called each other by their first names?
When did that happen, so silently? Did that blue-haired saint run ahead of her again?
If it were normal, she would have retorted and had a big fight with Angelina, but at this time, she was only pondering her own little thoughts, wondering what kind of relationship existed between Lord Dio and Angelina.
Here, Angelina gave a reminder and saw that Margaret was looking down as if she felt very guilty, feeling that the purpose of her deterrence had been achieved, she elegantly bowed: "It's good that there's nothing I'm worried about, I won't disturb you any further. Dio, come to the Charles mansion to play when you have time, I will definitely entertain you well."
Roger smiled awkwardly yet politely, thinking to himself that he was very familiar with the Charles mansion and didn't need her to entertain him.
From beginning to end, Angelina didn't look at Margaret much before leaving.
Margaret lowered her head and didn't care about Angelina's wave of taunts at the face level.
"Left Minister, are you still going to continue discussing the possibility of the empire invading the Demon World?" Dio's voice pulled Margaret back to reality.
In the short time she had been in a daze, there was no one left in the Hall of Political Affairs except for the two of them.
She raised her head, but compared to her usual proud and confident expression, the light in her eyes was incredibly dim at this moment, and she said softly, "Lord Dio, can you walk with me?"
"Sure," Roger didn't refuse.
He felt that Margaret's state was a little off. Could it be that she was sad because she was slandered by Angelina?
She wasn't that fragile, was she?
However, since he was just going back to act with the Tianming mentor anyway, he would accompany her for a while and not really discourage the child.
The two strolled towards the outside of the palace.
But even after walking out of the palace, Margaret still looked preoccupied and didn't say anything.
"You're not just dragging me along to make up steps, are you?" Roger asked jokingly.
Margaret's constantly hesitant and tangled expression revealed a kind of determination, and she mustered her courage to say, "C-Can I also call you Dio?"
Roger was stunned for a moment.
He thought to himself that this mixed-blood little devil was too petty. If Angelina had something, you had to have it too, right?
He helplessly rubbed his forehead: "Of course..."
Margaret, however, sensitively sensed his emotions and added: "Don't pity me. If that would bring you trouble, we can just maintain our current relationship. I... I won't bother you for breakfast every day either."
Because of her loneliness since childhood, Margaret rarely considered others.
But Angelina's reminder made her realize that her behavior might already be a burden in the eyes of others.
Her voice grew softer and softer, her head drooped, her tail also drooped, and her two small hands were gripping her skirt so hard that her skin was almost transparent.
Roger realized for the first time that this imperial Left Minister, who seemed to be covered in thorns, was so thin and petite, at a loss in the face of someone she cared about, almost like a helpless child.
Maybe because she didn't have a childhood, in some ways, she was an idiot, never having the opportunity to grow up, which was why she was so childish?
Roger suddenly felt a little sorry for her, and his voice unconsciously softened, and he said gently, "There might indeed be trouble. That is, I already consider you a friend, but I don't know if you need a friend like me?"
"Of course... I need one!" Margaret blurted out.
So just eating and chatting together like this already counts as friends?
Roger couldn't help but chuckle: "Then it's only natural to call each other by name, Mary?"
The little demon's body trembled slightly, and she slowly raised her head. Seeing Dio's serious expression, her beautiful red eyes gradually regained their brilliance, and she said in surprise, "Thank you, Dio... I-I'm very happy. I thought you would choose Angelina."
Roger spread his hands very frankly: "There's no need to choose. I'm friends with her too."
Margaret immediately looked incredibly confused and subconsciously blurted out the truth: "How can you be like this? I won't be friends with her! The reason I initially looked for you was to hope you could help me win more favor from His Majesty than Angelina!"
"Me being friends with her has nothing to do with whether you and she are friends," Roger said seriously, "Just like, you wanting to win His Majesty's favor has nothing to do with what His Majesty's impression of Angelina is."
It was a very simple principle. If someone else told Margaret this, she definitely wouldn't have the patience to listen.
The little demon and the blue-haired saint were like fire and water, one of us would have to go sooner or later!
But Dio was the friend she chose herself, her only friend since she was so big. Margaret really listened to what he said.
"It seems... that's really the case? I don't really need to compete with Angelina?" Following Roger's train of thought, the little demon realized that she seemed to have really gotten into a dead end before, and then fell into self-doubt.
If that was the case, what was I fighting Angelina for all these years?
Roger was afraid that she wouldn't be able to accept this fact and would suddenly have a fit of madness, so he interrupted her thoughts in a timely manner: "In short, as a friend, if you want to win more favor from His Majesty, I can help you."
"Really? That would be great. Wouldn't that be too much trouble for you?" Margaret's face was full of surprise, and she instantly forgot Angelina.
Wasn't she waiting so long, hesitating for so long, just to get a promise like Dio's?
"Friends are supposed to help each other, and besides, it's just a small effort," Roger said casually.
He didn't explain, it was still the same principle, winning His Majesty's favor and suppressing Angelina were two completely unrelated things.
But such a promise was enough to make Margaret happy. She said seriously, "I don't seem to have anything I can help you with for the time being, so please let me treat you to lunch. You can pick the restaurant."
Before Roger could answer, he suddenly felt a great sense of alarm. He realized that the surrounding street scenes seemed to be distorted, and the hustle and bustle of the city was getting further and further away from him.
Crap, he was too focused on chatting and forgot that he had a rendezvous with the Tianming Army.
It seemed that because he was too late in returning home, Xia Ti directly activated the backup plan and changed it to intercepting him halfway?
Moreover, that way she could also take away the head of a mixed-blood little devil?
"My mentor, aren't you being a little too greedy?" Roger whispered.
Margaret also vaguely sensed something. She tugged at Roger's robe, her voice trembling slightly, "Dio, have you noticed that something is off about this environment?"
She had already seen faint but powerful magical fluctuations in different directions, erupting in extremely brief battles.