While Rory was joining the second prince, the news of his attack on the third prince’s mansion had reached the ears of those of the Sacred Church.

Father Timothy, who led the church, sat behind his desk with his eyes glued on the pictures in front of him. The pictures were that of the destroyed mansion of Christi.

“He sure did on a number on him.”

He said.

In front of him were several people dressed in white and gold cloaks, who had their faces hidden.

“How many died?”

“None, Father. There were also no life threatening injuries. We believe that he didn’t go with the intention of hurting or killing anyone.”

Said one of the cloaked persons.

“He didn’t want to hurt anyone and caused this much damage?”

The father was skeptic.

“That doesn’t matter either way.”

He flipped the pictures and made them face down.

“The news that he attacked and defeated everyone under Christi will be made public soon. That along with the news that he is supporting the second prince.”

He frowned.

“This is an undeniable smudge on the Third Prince’s name, and by extension those that support him.”

He tipped his finger on the table.

“Do you understand? This is a smudge on the Sacred Church’s name.”

“We understand. Something like that is unacceptable.”

Said one of the cloaked persons.

“That’s right. The Sacred Church is the flag bearer of the Sacred God and his only message.”

Timothy’s eyes became incredibly sharp.

“We can’t allow anyone to drag our name through the mud. Before that happens, I would prefer to commit suicide. Do you all feel the same?”

“Of course, Father!”

They all said in unison.

“I would rather cut out my tongue than see our church humiliated!”

“I would rather nail stakes into my eyes!”

“I would rather drink acid!”

They all started to declare their determination to not let their faith be humiliated.

“Good. Devotees of the Sacred God need to have at least that much resolve.”

Said Timothy.

“To erase this smudge, we need to erase the cause.”

He said.

“However, it won’t be easy considering who it is.”

He took out a file from his drawer that read Pandemonium.

“Our target is the notorious leader of that group, which messed up the natural balance of the world countless times over.”

He opened the file and started looking through it.

“The first time they popped up was the Dortenburg’s incident where the capital city was set ablaze and its King executed by rebels. It was said that a group of 8 were hired by rebels, who wanted to overthrow the king because of how corrupt he was. The rebels were on the brink of destruction, but they suddenly turned things around when the royal palace was destroyed and everyone in it slaughtered except the royal family.”

He frowned.

“It is believed that Pandemonium were the ones who infiltrated the palace and destroyed it before anyone could even react. After the rebellion was a success, the rebel leader publicly thanked a group known as Pandemonium.”

He took out a photo of a destroyed palace and placed it in front of the group.

“The group’s age average was estimated to be in their late teens back then.”

He said.

“From then on, their name became more and more known.”

He started putting down one picture after the other.

“Stealing the dwarves national treasure, kidnapping three princesses of the vampire race, assassinating countless government officials, destroying the siren navy…..These are just some of their smallest crimes.”

He said.

“As expected, they drew the attention of a lot of superpowers. However, when they reached their peak, they ran into a walking catastrophe.”

He put down the file.

“Anyway, taking down the Devil king won’t be easy. So if we’re going to do it, we have to be smart about it.”

He then looked like he started to measure his options.

“It’s best to hit him by surprise, but I don’t know how huge his Sensor range is……Looks like we have no choice.”

He then looked at the cloaked people and ordered-

“Ask the Aficionado member to assist you.”

The cloaked people all knelled in front of Timothy.

“Deus Vult!”

They said in unison.

Timothy smiled.

“Praises to the one true god.”

Elsewhere, Amelia was walking in the royal yard while mumbling. She was making her way towards the first Prince’s mansion. When she got there, she was surprised to see countless soldiers armed and looking alert.

When they saw her, they all pointed their weapons at her, causing her to lift both hands in the air.

“Wait, its Amelia Rosa.”

A soldier said.

Hearing their colleague, they all lowered their guns.

“Forgive us, but with the Third Prince being attacked we can’t take any chances.”

A soldier stepped forward and spoke to her. She recognized him.

“You’re Black Bull, Omar.”

She said.

Omar nodded and showed a stern expression.

“I am. We didn’t get to face each other in the tournament, but I was able to witness your strength. I’m glad that someone as powerful as yourself has decided to join his majesty. I can also understand why he fell for you.”

Amelia showed a slight smile when she heard that.

“I haven’t officially joined James. I’m here to hear his thoughts, and decide after that.”

She said.

“Also, whether he fell for me or not is not my concern. I seek only a platonic relationship with him. Friends and nothing more.”

“I’ll take note of that. However, relationships can change at the snap of finger. Please keep that in mind.”

Omar said.

‘He’s persistent.’

Amelia thought to herself.

“Fine. I will.”

Omar ordered the soldiers to make way for Amelia, and gestured her to enter at will. She started walking towards the gate, the moment she passed through it she felt like something scanned over her entire body.

“Ah, that’s our security scan. It’s a procedure that everyone has to go through before meeting the prince, so please don’t be offended by it.”

Omar said after seeing her cautious reaction.

“I see. I don’t mind.”

After saying that, she headed straight for James’s mansion. Before she could knock on the door, it opened up for her.

When she looked, she saw James standing at the doorway with a smile on his face.

“Thank you for coming.”

He said with a happy tone.

“Please come in, and make yourself at home.”

Amelia nodded and entered the mansion. The interior looked like what you would find in a typical mansion. It showed that the prince didn’t personalized the mansion in anyway.

“You don’t normally stay here?”

Amelia asked.

“No, I mostly stay at the military headquarters. I only come here for important meetings.”

James replied.

“Like this one.”

He sat on a chair while Amelia sat across from him.

“Can I get you anything to drink?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“I won’t serve you poison or any kind of drugs.”

James said.

“I said I’m fine.”

Amelia answered.

“You don’t seem to trust me fully.”

“Of course. I’ve only met you for the third time today, and have only known you for around a week.”

She said.

“Then why did you come here if you didn’t trust me?”

James asked.

“Because I was interested in hearing what you had to say.”

Amelia then smiled.

“Also, if things go south I’m pretty confident that I can at least take your head.”

James was surprised to hear that, but he soon burst out laughing.

“As feisty as ever I see.”

He said.

“Don’t worry, I would never hurt the woman I wish to court.”

“You won’t live long if you continue to reveal your feelings so blatantly.”

Amelia replied.

“One day you’ll meet an evil woman, who’ll use you for everything you have and throw you to the side after she’s done with you. Woman tend to take men who are obviously head over heels for them for granted after all.”

She smirked.

“That’s why we’re attracted to mysterious men, who we don’t even know what they’re thinking. They’re more exciting.”

“Then are you one of those evil women?”

James asked.

“Me? Who knows. I’m no saint, but calling me evil is a stretch.”

“Even though you’re traveling with the infamous devil king?”

James asked.

“………”

Amelia didn’t answer and just kept smiling. Seeing that, James smiled as well.

“Speaking of the devil king, I heard that he attacked my brother Christi. Do you know anything about that?”

“Not a thing.”

Amelia shrugged.

“I can never predict what that man is going to do, or understand why he does what he does.”

“He shouldn’t have attacked Christi.”

James said.

“And why’s that?”

“Because Christi is surrounded by dangerous people. There’s a reason why he’s able to compete with Liam who has all of the nobles and their money behind him, and myself who leads the country’s military and have thousands at my command.”

James said.

“It’s because the people who back him, are by far the most dangerous people in the kingdom. If a three way war was to break out between our factions, even if we somehow destroy him and his supports, Liam’s and my factions will suffer serious damages. We probably wouldn’t be able to function any longer.”

He explained.

“The devil king attacking them will definitely lead to them coming to seek him out.”

“Rory will be fine.”

Amelia immediately said.

“Taking him down isn’t easy; and honestly, I don’t see him losing to anyone.”

James frowned when he heard that.

“You seem to have a lot of faith in him.”

He said.

“Of course. He’s my partner.”

Amelia said with a smile.

“Whether you like it or not, it’s the truth. So what are you going to do? Will you tell me your plans for this country? Or will you let your emotions cloud your judgement and end our collaboration before it starts?”

She grinned.

“Either way is fine by me.”

“………..”

James looked at her in silence for a while. He then surprisingly showed a bright smile.

“You know, you have a Regal air to you. Its like you were born to be a queen.”

He said with a laugh.

“I don’t know if it’s the influence of the devil king or your true nature, but since I’m aiming to be a king having a queen by my side would only grant me benefits.”

He said.

“Very well. My plans for this country is simple, I wish to make this country strong; stronger than it has ever been.”

“How?”

“By improving the military.”

He shook his head.

“No, I want to make the military evolve. I want its power to reach an unforeseen level, and for that to happen the full support of the crown is needed.”

“Oh?”

Amelia looked a bit interested.

“Tell me more.”

“I plan on expanding the military and create numerous new branches that cover the entire country. I intend to protect the city from the inside and the out, leaving no weaknesses. I will use innovative ways to inspire the youth to join the military.”

“Like?”

“I will offer free education to the direct relatives of soldiers. I will also place insurance on all the soldiers, that in the case of death their families will receive a large amount of money to support themselves for at least a decade.”

“That will cost you a lot of money.”

Amelia said.

“True, that’s why I want to use the royal family’s wealth along with the nobles’s to make it a reality.”

James responded.

“Of course, after we’ve strengthen ourselves to a certain point, we’ll begin a campaign to concur the countries around us and gain more resources to create a bigger army.”

He said.

“To ensure the future children grow up to love their country, I will have patriotism implanted in them through child education.”

“You wish to brainwash them?”

Amelia asked with surprise.

“No, joining and leaving the military will be completely voluntary. There will be no forced drafts. Not everyone is good at fighting, as such I will also develop other sectors that will help with supporting the military. This will open up a lot of new jobs and give more people the opportunity to earn a living.”

James replied.

“I will also take up the poor and the homeless and offer them jobs like the ones I just mentioned, so they too can contribute to their country and earn a living.”

He then spoke with a loud voice.

“I intend to reach far with the country, as such I will leave no citizen behind!”

‘He’s like a natural born conqueror. He’s definitely hot blooded, but from our conversations and fights, I can see that he also knows when to proceed with caution and do what is needed to be done to achieve his goals.’

Amelia thought to herself.

‘I kinda wanna see how far he can go. Also, it looks like Rory wants me to join him.’

She nodded.

“Alright, James. I will help you in whatever way I can.”

She said.

“However, I do not serve you. Our partnership is one of equal status, got it?”

“No problem.”

James said with a smile.

“It’s good to have you on my side.”