At this moment within the Royal Palace, Ola the Eighteenth was not resting; most of his time was spent handling state affairs. Although the Cabinet offered assistance, he had taken away considerable power from them over the years since his accession, which meant there were more matters he needed to deal with personally.

Anthony had already been escorted in by the palace knights. Due to the unresolved case, public protests persisted, even leading to several clashes, with many speculating that the King intended to release Anthony.

Anthony had some assurance in his heart. In circumstances like his, the worst punishment was the stripping of titles, which was the most severe consequence. Yet, he was unwilling; his title was earned through hardship in that barren land—the women there were as coarse as firewood, and he refused to endure such misery again. Clearly, the family title was destined for Didia. Hence, the best outcome would be a fine, no matter the amount, as the family would cover it, but the title was his own. The opportunity came as His Majesty wished to see him.

"Great devotee of Lisanna Luo, King of Destiny, embodiment of justice, the exceedingly honorable Your Majesty, your most humble and loyal subject Anthony Nasser greets you."

Anthony immediately performed a prostrating gesture, although nobles with merits did not need such reverence. In Hedan, the King and nobles governed the country and shared the blessings of the Earth Mother Goddess, so bowing sufficed except on special occasions.

Ola the Eighteenth nodded, scrutinizing Anthony closely, "Raise your head."

Only then did Anthony lift his head to look at the King before him, noting the wrinkles. Ola the Eighteenth studied Anthony intently, "Anthony Nasser, I now have a very troubling matter that requires your assistance."

"Your Majesty, my most revered Majesty, no matter the matter, your subject, your child, I, Anthony Nasser, am willing!" Anthony excitedly prostrated again.

"The issue with the Inner Demon has brought unease and fear to the Earth Mother Goddess's people. In such circumstances, your situation appears particularly abrupt. Recently, to defend you, my impartiality has been severely questioned. Tell me, what should I do?"

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, my father, these lowly peasants deserve death. You are incredibly just and merciful, yet they dare question you—this warrants blasphemy and burning, burn them all!" Anthony bewailed in agony, his eyes reddening.

Ola the Eighteenth observed Anthony, a curve forming at the corner of his mouth, "Over ten thousand are protesting."

"Your Majesty, my merciful father, what is ten thousand even worth? Even with a million, anyone daring to question you should be executed!" Anthony decisively declared.

"There is actually a simple solution, only you can assist me. Not only can it support me, but it can also save the Nasser family's dignity; only you can achieve this." Ola the Eighteenth sincerely stated.

Anthony paused, "What solution?"

At that moment, previously ignored Grandmaster James eyed Anthony, "Viscount Anthony, you can dignifiedly conclude the vile acts you've committed. By doing so, not only can you preserve your intact body, but also maintain honor for the Nasser name across generations. This yields many benefits."

Anthony was struck as if by a bolt from the blue; he had believed entering the Royal Palace was merely the King's way of recruiting him, the worst being the stripping of titles. Yet, now it demanded his life?

Why?

"Your Majesty, you must be joking. That woman is just a harlot, I, Anthony Nasser, with noble Nasser blood flowing through me, have achieved remarkable feats…" Anthony hurriedly argued, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I am willing to sacrifice for you as needed."

Ola the Eighteenth maintained an expressionless gaze, while Grandmaster James looked gently at Anthony, "Anthony, this is the best method to relieve the King's worries. Don't you wish to, or are you deceiving His Majesty?"

Anthony continued trembling, suddenly raising his head, realizing the King intended to use his life to garner public favor.

"Your Majesty, don't be deceived by the Celestial Principle cult; they are systematically persecuting the nation's heroes and destroying the Moncalleta Kingdom's foundations. Your Majesty, while you are the King, the Moncalleta Kingdom is not yours alone. It is protected by all Moncalleta nobility; it is the Earth Mother Goddess's realm. Truly deserving death are those treacherous miscreants!" Anthony shouted at James, "All this is their manipulative conspiracy!"

"Viscount Anthony, there are currently eighteen thoroughly investigated and conclusively evidenced cases, with 25 deaths. At the border, you massacred a village of 183 people; they were all Earth Mother Goddess's subjects." James calmly tossed the dossier in front of Anthony.

Anthony glanced and laughed defiantly, "You're truly a cult; these are fabrications. I only accept investigation by the Cabinet, even if judged, it falls under the Upper House—you're nothing."

Sensing Ola the Eighteenth's piercing gaze, Anthony showed no fear; that old thing, knowing they couldn't control the Cabinet or Upper House, dared resort to scheming, surely thinking him a fool. Kings come and go while families endure forever; feeling the silence from the King and James, Anthony felt a surge of mania.

"Your Majesty, remember, when you ascended, our Nasser family cast supporting votes. Without us, it's uncertain who would reign now." Anthony said smugly, yet once the words left his mouth, his expression changed, as Ola the Eighteenth and James showed odd smirks.

In an instant, Anthony felt a chill through his spine; he… was finished.

The incident back then was Moncalleta's royal family's most significant upheaval in centuries, with the old King suddenly altering the successor to now the reigning King, resulting in numerous happenings and many dying, ultimately changed by the old King.

To preserve royal face and Moncalleta's stability, this became a unified taboo among the royal family and all nobility; no one was allowed to mention it, otherwise facing death, and Anthony not only mentioned it but audaciously challenged the King directly.

In that moment, Anthony felt as though his spine was extracted, collapsing softly, realizing he had been entrapped. If only he held his ground, saying nothing, the King couldn't defy the entire noble class's opposition to kill him—that would destabilize the nation's core… Wait, this person isn't His Majesty!

Anthony jolted awake, seemingly regaining clarity, rising shakily to point at them, attempting to speak, but his mouth seemed glued shut, unable to open, his expression growing terrified, struggling, then his mouth appeared sewn, contorted into a solid form, leaving only nasal grunts.

This wasn't James' doing, but the Earth Mother Goddess Court's Great Holy Word Technique. Back then, all families involved were subjected to the court's Great Holy Word Technique, which was a Blood Curse, meaning it was linked by blood, with the Nasser family naturally included. Breaking the oath resulted in sealing the mouth.

Moreover, this was the final phase in executing Anthony; it had reached this point, and no matter the case, Anthony must die, otherwise the King's authority would suffer tremendously.

Anthony's shock revealed that above wasn't really the King, nor was he in the Royal Palace at all.

There was something wrong with his dinner.

At this moment, Anthony's illusion vanished; he remained in the Funeral Attendant prison, facing James and Travis. After waiting a long time, only now did such an opportunity present itself. Anthony was not weak in strength, even with the assistance of Magic Potion, some chance and guidance were required; Travis remained silent, merely compliant in this matter, marking a witness to the Celestial Principle School's Celestial Principle Omniscience Technique.

This night was a sleepless one for many people, indeed.

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