I'm playing Honkai Impact 3

Page 1086

When the most important work of the year comes to an end, a large number of idle laborers emerge in society.

Therefore, the city-states often held military battles during this month, using iron and blood to dissipate this excess energy.

At the same time, this was also the season for executing prisoners and burning offerings to appease the gods, with a chilling atmosphere filled with the smell of gunpowder and blood.

The flickering lights in the council hall cast long shadows onto the palace walls, resembling a chaotic shadow puppet show.

The prime minister's face wore an unchanging smile, like a faded painting.

"Your Highness."

The prime minister spoke with deep concern, his voice carrying just the right amount of compassion, as if he were truly worried about the fate of the nation.

"The north is bitterly cold, unlike the warm and bountiful south."

Behind him, a nobleman unfolded a map depicting the territory of Hyperion, his finger poking at the barren northern lands, and sighed heavily:

"Living here in such a cramped place, Xu Po'er... is in grave danger, and the day of national subjugation is just around the corner!"

"The only way for the empire to survive is to head south and seize the fertile lands there."

"The King has issued a conscription order. Within the empire, over ten thousand loyal and brave men are filled with fervor, sharpening their blades, awaiting only Your Highness's command to become the sharpest sword in your hand, to expand the empire's territory!"

"not only that."

A slightly shrill voice rang out.

"The king has also contacted the most renowned mercenary group on the continent, the Azure Wolf Mercenary Group, as reinforcements, hoping that you can personally lead the expedition, with the glory of the royal family as the banner, to lead the imperial warriors and the Azure Wolf's edge to sweep away thousands of troops."

Petitions from the nobles rose and fell.

The country of Huppel is weak and its people are suffering; it is riddled with problems.

These high-ranking officials, however, intended to launch a war.

They used the pretext of national righteousness to incite the people and conscripted militiamen to serve as cannon fodder.

They squeezed the last drop of oil from the national treasury and hired greedy mercenaries as their spearhead.

Why would someone deliberately ignite a war when their very survival is at stake?

The answer is simple.

Only war, only victory, only the plunder of other countries' wealth and resources can inject a powerful boost into the skeleton of this man named Hyper.

Then the problem is coming.

Why did Huppel's condition become so bad?

Of course, it was the great Regent Rival who had already emptied the national treasury of pure limon coins and the ill-gotten gains from the people, filling his own secret chambers and cellars.

The nobles surrounding him, like hyenas, devoured the last scraps left after the royal power had been gnawed away.

The country is broken?

It's broken, so be it.

With his private army, even if the imperial cavalry trampled the capital, he could still escape safely with the wealth he had plundered.

He was, after all, only a regent, not the rightful heir to the throne.

His long regency had aroused suspicion among the people, and he had to go to great lengths to silence them.

But this is only a temporary measure.

At most, it will be a little over a year before the princess comes of age.

In Onfaros, the age of adulthood for women is 15.

At that time, he will no longer be able to rightfully sit on the regent's throne.

Even if he manages to kill Crydella by trickery in the final moments, he will still lose his legitimate status.

Justifiably.

These four words held immense value in ancient times, whether in ancient China or in a world like Onphalos, which possessed advanced alchemical technology and deities.

If the name is not correct, the words will not ring true.

If Liu Bei hadn't raised the banner of restoring the Han Dynasty, how could he have stood out in the chaotic late Eastern Han Dynasty when he came from a poor background, lacked territory, and had no powerful family support?

Having a banner means occupying the moral high ground.

Without this banner, no matter how many private soldiers there are, they would just be a bandit or a separatist force.

In an era that values ​​loyalty, it also possesses a strong talent magnet effect.

Would someone who aspires to be a hero and leave their mark on history join the bandit forces?

It is difficult for warlords to build a loyal core team.

Therefore, Rival must seize the greatest benefit during his legitimate term of power.

Then, find a scapegoat for the exhausted and doomed Hupper, who has been eaten up by parasites, to bear the pent-up resentment and desperate anger of the people.

So, who is the most suitable and capable of taking the blame?

The answer is self-evident.

It was that puppet princess who possessed the right of succession and symbolized the legitimacy of the royal family, yet was firmly controlled by him.

All it takes is to create a small opportunity.

What could ignite public anger more than a war in which the nation exhausts its resources and suffers a crushing defeat?

All the blame and anger will surge toward Cerberus like a flood.

Rival will leave with a mouthful of meat, concealing his merit and fame.

"Am I being used as a scapegoat and a shield?"

The white jade queen's chess pieces nimbly flipped at her fingertips, while Keludela sat upright on the princess's throne, her blue eyes sweeping over the faces in the hall, each harboring their own secrets.

She had long been aware of the Regent and his ministers' schemes.

If you fail, you will have to bear all the responsibility.

“Regent…Lival…”

The girl silently chewed on the name in her heart, a flame burning quietly in her eyes.

"I have waited too long for this day."

"How can you overturn everything without taking a desperate gamble?"

"Put yourself in a desperate situation and you will survive."

This was a trick she learned from her teacher when she was twelve years old.

"So."

Krystal suddenly stood up, clutching the white jade chess piece tightly in her palm, as if drawing power from it.

She faced the assembled officials, her voice clear and firm.

"As you all wish, I will personally lead the army and march south."

"Your glory will surely dispel the gloom of the North and illuminate every inch of the Empire's newly born fertile land!"

The corrupt officials quickly exchanged knowing glances, their lips curving into a veiled smile as they offered a false welcome.

"Your Highness, please guide this torrent, and do not let this soaring morale cool and dissipate like a furnace fire due to waiting!"

Some nobles continued to offer their advice.

Are you in such a hurry?

Kerudela sneered inwardly.

However, on the surface, he still obediently took over the conversation.

“Chixi Jue is right. Then let’s set the day of departure for the expedition in three days.”

Krydella quickly thought it over and made a decision.

"We will prepare the grandest victory banquet for you, Your Highness, to celebrate the supreme glory you have won for the empire!"

Another round of compliments and praise followed.

The meeting has ended.

Kerudela passed through the many palace gates and returned to the inner palace area deep within the royal court.

"Teacher? Teacher?"

A cold call rang out outside the side hall where Qiong resided, but received no response with a mocking tone.

Keludela stepped forward and gently knocked on the door.

The door was opened from the inside, and the beautiful figure that came into view was exactly what I expected.

Her long, jet-black hair cascaded down like seaweed, the ends tinged with a mysterious violet gradient.

Heather was nominally her personal bodyguard.

But what kind of behavior is it to always stick by the teacher's side?

Kerudela felt somewhat helpless.

Fortunately, the other party was not naked this time.

Kerudela still remembers it to this day.

When she was eight years old, she and her teacher had only recently been placed under house arrest by the regent.

Feeling unsafe in the vast, empty palace at night, I wanted to go find my teacher, but on my way I heard a heavenly singing voice and flute music.

The beautiful flute music and singing were a match made in heaven, plunging young Cerlydella into a state of blissful intoxication.

Only when the flute music and singing stopped did I awaken from my dream.

They immediately followed the sound of the flute to the teacher's side hall and rushed inside without waiting.

Then I saw the scantily clad knight singing in front of the teacher.

The unadorned, primal pink and white hues left an indelible mark on the young princess's heart.

It was later learned that Hathaway's true form was a siren, and she was not used to wearing clothes.

When I'm alone with my teacher, I feel completely relaxed and at ease.

"Your Highness, is the meeting over?"

Hathaway was not surprised by Krydella's arrival and welcomed the girl into the side hall.

"Hmm, where is my teacher?"

Kerudela stepped into the palace, where she felt more at ease than in her own chambers.

Where is my teacher?

Her gaze swept across the inner room, finally settling on the door that stood seemingly out of nowhere in the center of the bedroom.

The masculine color scheme and simple style gave off a sense of incongruity, as if it belonged in a magnificent royal palace. Kerudela's eyes widened slightly in surprise.

"Anywhere Door?"

The princess looked at Hathaway in surprise.

"The king has instructed me to wait here. If you come looking for me, please come with me back to the courtyard."

As Hazel spoke, her slender hand reached for the handle of the Anywhere Door.

The Anywhere Door can appear at the target location the moment it is established.

As long as Qiong doesn't change the coordinates, the door at the target location will always exist and can be opened in reverse.

With a gentle twist, pull it open.

Across the way lies the familiar, cozy courtyard, with potted plants on a wooden shelf beside it, their flowers in full bloom.

"Let's go then."

Krydella followed Heather's lead and took a step.

The door closed.

The pink doors in the palace vanished into thin air.