When Marvin entered the parlor and saw Daniela sitting in the first seat, his suspicions were confirmed.

In fact, in terms of Feinan's time, the two of them hadn't met for more than a week, while for Marvin, a month had passed.

Daniela had changed a lot, and it felt like she now had the natural air of a ruler.

Her eyes were deep, and although she had a weary expression, she smiled genuinely at Marvin's arrival.

Marvin felt rather touched.

The two chatted for a while, and Marvin became aware that the current Fairhala 1 was different from before.

The Demon army's attack on the capital took countless innocents' lives, along those of many important powerhouses!

Fallen Angel Turalyon, who the Elder Council and many others had considered the most promising inheritor of the Great Duke's position… had died in battle!

And the Great Duke himself disappeared into the depths of the Astral Plane with two Greater Demons.

There was no further news of him so far.

Daniela could only silently watch these scenes as she protected the Source of Fire's Order.

When they finally repelled the Demon army, Lavis' people found out that the price they had paid was unimaginable!

But the days would continue to pass.

Daniela relied on her own power and prestige to inherit the Great Duke's position.

But barely a night had passed before an unforeseen event took place.

...

"I truly didn't think that even in such dire times, someone would jump out to fight against me."

"There was still someone that coveted the throne of Lavis."

"This is the worst time for there to be infighting over the leadership of the Dukedom."

Everyone had been sent out from the parlor. Marvin had suggested that Isabelle go rest while he caught up with Daniela.

Only the two of them remained.

The future Ice Empress finally showed a helpless and emotional side.

She forced a smile and looked at Marvin, murmuring, "Do you believe it?"

"If Turalyon had still wanted the throne now, I would have given him the position. He ran the capital for all those years, so I know he would be qualified to inherit the right to rule over Lavis. There were also many people that favored him… But that person is someone else!"

Marvin was moved. It seemed like quite a lot had happened while he was gone.

Turalyon died in battle, which was really regretful.

Whatever their differences, Daniela and Turalyon had been the two most sparkling stars of the Cridland clan.

After Marvin helped the Great Duke extract the Divine Source, the two of them simultaneously leveled to the Legend rank. With one being an Ice Angel and the other a Fallen Angel, they were two geniuses born at the same time.

With these two people guarding Lavis, this Sorcerer country might have ended up unifying the North one day!

But according to Daniela, Turalyon had used a large number of forbidden skills to protect the capital and the people.

He fought countless Demons, and more than a thousand died at his hands!

Over a thousand!

What kind of concept was that?! These weren't ordinary enemies, they were fierce Demons who had come from the Abyss Gate!

Turalyon had depleted his strength fighting them off.

Last time he was here, Marvin didn't have an especially good opinion of that scheming man. Perhaps it was because of him having a rather strong impression of Daniela. But now, he could only feel respect for that man who had given his all while protecting his homeland.

In contrast, it was the actions of another one that made Daniela feel shocked and bitterly disappointed.

"Hubble, my older brother. He wasn't here the last time you came." Daniela smiled bitterly as she confided, "I always thought that he was the nicest person to me in the world. He is my older brother, and we were always so close. I trusted him, and he knew all my secrets."

"But that man gathered all the elders last night and actually tried to snatch my right to inherit the Great Duke's position!"

"And he used a ridiculous reason, saying that I wasn't qualified because I am a woman!"

After saying that, Daniela's expression became rather severe. "I don't know how he convinced those elders, but this morning they already sent someone to tell me that I am only a temporary proxy. The real Great Duke needs to be elected by them! This is the Cridland clan's decision!"

"And they actually demanded that I give them a drop of Divine Source to help my older brother advance to Legend rank!"

"All this after only a single night! The Demons only just retreated and they already intend to seize power."

Daniela continued in an exhausted tone, "Most people in the city were Turalyon's trusted people. They are actually more willing to believe in Hubble, someone with no leadership experience, than in me."

"What are their heads filled with?!"

Marvin remained silent.

He quietly listened, neither agreeing nor refuting, only acting as a good listener.

Daniela clearly had been suffered from being under too much pressure. In this short period of time, she did her best in the war against Demons and had lost some of her relatives in the fighting. The one she had always considered the most hateful had actually been competing with her fairly. He just had a rather abrasive personality. And the most unbelievable part was that the one who wanted to snatch her position was the one she'd always had the most faith in!

She even started to doubt the course of her own life!

He had hidden so well for so many years!

She only saw love from his eyes all this time, but didn't notice the envy and malice hidden within them.

"Shortly before he died, Turalyon assured me once more that seven years ago, he truly wasn't the one who poisoned me," Daniela muttered.

This had some frightening implications.

Marvin sighed and gently grabbed Daniela's hand.

That hand was extremely icy, like she was seriously ill.

"I'll support you whatever happens," Marvin said conscientiously. "Believe me, no one deserves that position more than you do."

"The people of Lavis need you, not a power-hungry mortal."

Daniela's expression showed a trace of pain and confusion, "I know… But I don't know what to do now."

Marvin gently patted the back of her hand. "We all have to face the dark side of the world…"

"Sooner is better than later."

"Sometimes, we are forced to make a choice, even if what we decide on is bad. But in contrast, the other options are even worse."

"You are the most talented girl I've seen, and the fame of the Cridlands will be brought to greater heights in your hands. Lavis will grow in power, even becoming the hegemon of the North!"

"I think this is what your father, Turalyon, and those dead warriors would have wanted to see."

Marvin finally concluded, "Compared to this, the rest isn't as important."

Daniela nodded with a complicated expression.

"They notified me that tonight, they will carry out another meeting. Hubble and I have to attend. At that time, they will vote to decide on the new Great Duke."

Marvin smiled. "Tonight?"

"Good, I'll take the chance to join in on the fun. After all…"

"I am also a Cridland!"