Scepter of Thorns

Chapter 79 78. Internal Response

"Do you really think that what you're after is right?"

"I believed it at the time, and now I regret it."

The dawn cannot stand the silence of the night, it will open its eyes and you will die. ——"Black Apocalypse"※※※

Alfonso walked through the rose bushes, tiny thorns scratching his clothes.The black cat crouched quietly under the flower wall. He walked over and sat down.

"You miss him too, don't you?"

The black cat called Queen licked its paw gracefully, got into his robe, and pulled out a round box, small enough for it to put in its mouth.

"So smart." Alfonso stroked its soft fur, "Does Joker still hug you often?"

The queen nodded as if she understood, and then stretched out her paw to touch his robe.

"It seems that all the medicine on the meat pad has been applied to Joker's body." He murmured, "I'll apply it to you after you come back."

Miss Cat arched her beautifully curved back, as if a black lightning disappeared in the rose bushes in an instant.

※※※

The fragments in the body are about to move, and the strong light element is firmly suppressing the dark element.They fell into an extremely restless state, as if they were longing for something.

The wound on the back of the heart was very deep. The specially made silver arrow wounded the ribs, only two inches away from the heart.

The Fragments of Light began to heal the wound little by little, and Edward felt his body hurt almost numb when he moved a little bit. After adapting for a while, he stood up with difficulty while leaning on the wall.

The man in the silver mask walked into the room after hearing the voice, and he firmly held Edward's waist, "You need to rest."

"Is this the meeting place?"

"Yes, except for the investigation team who stayed in the royal city, all the troops were successfully withdrawn. We are in the southern part of the heaven, and the forces here are all controlled by spades."

"...Very good." Edward refused his support, "I can do it by myself."

The huge steel wings protruded suddenly, and the metal tips touched the ground, barely stabilizing his figure, and Edward left the room slowly.It's just that he didn't see the moment when he spread his wings, the person behind him narrowed his eyes dangerously in the mask, with a slightly cold look on his face.

This is a simple and low-key small attic, which is also the commander's residence.Edward went straight to the lobby on the first floor, where several spades were already discussing strategies.

When Edward came down the stairs, everyone stopped and stood up to salute.

"Sit down, I can hold on until the war starts." He came to the main seat and folded his hands on the table.At this time, the Two of Spades sitting on the right pushed his glasses and handed him a small round box.

"Sent by the courier. It is our general courier, and often delivers reliable information."

Edward took it apart and looked at it carefully.

Five minutes later, a cluster of light condensed on his fingertips, and the letter was instantly wiped out.Then he stood up and clicked a place on the celestial map spread out on the table.

"Bypass Wang Cheng and attack Luo Jia directly."

"How to say?"

"This place is very important. It is the place where all Joke's supplies must pass. Joker has already appeared in the king's city, so he must travel lightly. Cutting off Luo Jia's land means blocking Joker's back path."

"Are you sure of the accuracy of the intelligence?" asked one of the Generals of Spades.

"I can." Edward scanned the people at the table, "Because this person has a reason to betray. But in this way, he is likely to be suspected."

"Then shall we still capture Lorgarland?"

"The role of intelligence is to let us know what we can't know, and then seize the opportunity."

"Yes."

"Also, I want to tell everyone a sad news." Edward's tone sank, "My father, Prince Edmond Daulsas, was brutally killed by the Joker who rushed to the royal city ahead of time. The reason for attacking Joker, he desecrated the honor and dignity of Spade, and I can't let go of my father-killing enemy, the enemy of Spade."

He has a good grasp of emotions, both the pain of losing his father and a little anger hidden in his calmness.This made him appear affectionate yet rational, and successfully won the favor of many spades.

"We will avenge Prince Edmond." The general said in a deep voice, "From the day of the split, Joke has been the old enemy of Spade, and we will never let Joker go!"

He didn't use "Master of Spades" to describe Edmund, which is good.

after an hour.

"The plan has been deployed, my lord." Two of Spades knocked on Edward's door and brought some military materials.

"Send a message to the messenger for me." Edward circled and outlined Xiao Zhang's map, "Tell him that Master Spade was tortured and killed by Joker, and his body was buried in the rose garden."

Two of Spades glanced complicatedly, "Yes."

If Joker is smart, he should know that there is an internal response in Joke when Lorgarland is captured.In order to maximize Alfonso's value before he becomes suspicious, Edward decides to stimulate him in advance.

After hearing the news of Edmond's death, Alfonso must lose his mind.He will pass all the information about Joker to the messenger, and then frantically destroy the organization, which is what Edward wants to see.Although Joker may change the military plan if he finds out, the destruction inside is enough to blow Joker.

Afterwards, the wound in his heart was hurting again, and Edward couldn't help thinking of Edmund, if that man was still there——

No.

If you don't want to be sad, crazy, or broken, reject all emotions.

The death of the father, the potential traitor, the loyalty of his subordinates, the severe situation, weed out the useless, and use the useful to the end.Do not consider feelings and humanity, only consider the value of them.

The scepter is always wrapped with thorny thorns, and it must be painful to hold it tightly.

※※※

Two days later, Spades attacked Luo Jiadi and successfully won it after four days of hard work.

Heaven, Seine Palace.

"I have to rush to Luo Jiadi." Owen Cherry said coldly, "There is a mutiny inside Joke, and Luo Jiadi is only known to Joke's senior members."

"I have to go too." Senna put his hands behind his back, "I want to personally confirm Edward's life and death."

He frowned, "It's fine for me to do this kind of thing, there must be one person left behind in the king's city."

"No, you can't." Senna turned to look at him, "Edward has an extremely powerful person beside him, not to mention he is also a ruthless character, and you are too weak."

"Huh?" Joker laughed back angrily, a gem-studded knife cut off a few strands of Senna's hair and nailed it deep into the wall behind him.

"Do you really think that Edward is just an ordinary Celestial Race?" Senna was a little displeased, "He used to be an envoy and was baptized by the God of Light. I can tell you clearly, if he hadn't been shot by my silver arrow , you can’t last long under his hands.”

"How long has it been since I heard the word of light? What is the use of that god other than to look good in the church?" Owen Cheli sarcastically said, "What's more, no matter how powerful he is, he is just a mage, and he is as fragile as being close. Don't act like you know my strengths, 'Ace of Spades'."

Senna raised his voice, "That's because you have never seen the power of the God of Light! And Edward is also a demon hybrid, do you know what his demon energy is? Where are you fighting?!"

Owen Cherry pondered for a few seconds, and suddenly laughed strangely.

"Well, I was impulsive." He tilted his head, and the colorful clown hat seemed to fall off, "You still did the right thing, Senna."

Senna saw the intention of peace talks, so he went down the steps he gave, "I also need your help, Joker. My father, Mephisto, stays in Wangcheng, and I will go to Luojiadi with you."

※※※

Two days later.

Mephisto looked gloomy, and said to his subordinates, "Are there any Joke people in the palace?"

"It has been cleaned up, Your Majesty." The attendant said, "Joker is not a good person, and the eldest prince's friendship with him does not have much effect on the future situation, but it is easy to be bitten back."

"That's natural." His eyes were full of coldness, "Owen Cheli will never let go of those dignitaries who ruined the revolution, and the Daulsas family - it can be seen from his father's attitude towards Edmund I'm really worried about that child Cenna hiding everything about the Joker from me."

There are still a few days until sleepy days.

Mephisto has fond memories of the day that marked his official transition from titular Grand Prince to candidate for the throne.And the younger brother Edmund, who had high hopes, was found to have had an affair with a pagan religion and betrayed the God of Light.They intend to launch an anti-God plan called Sleeping Day, to combat the growing power of the Holy See, to equalize the rights of nobles and commoners in their beliefs, and the crime should be punished with death.

They want to wake up the sleeping people and see the true face of the church and theocracy.It was a group of greedy vultures, asking for a lot of taxes, a small part was used to build the temple, and the rest went into the bishop and the pope's pocket.They drank, raped, and executed those who opposed them for the crime of abusing their faith.

Mephisto discovered the abnormal behavior of his brother, and he directly bypassed his father and reported it to a powerful pope at that time.

After the Old Heavenly King heard the news, he looked at Mephisto who was kneeling under his knees, and sighed, "You have won."

Edmund was tried by the Holy See, but he didn't say a word, and the judge couldn't learn the specific plan of Sleeping Day from him.So the Pope asked the old heavenly king to hypnotize Edmond, "If you refuse, the Daulsus family will be suspected of treason, and they are not worthy of being a clan."

The old king did it, and Edmund told him all the details under hypnosis.But in the end it was his own son. He couldn't bear to see him executed, so he declared that Edmond had left the pagan organization and returned to the embrace of the God of Light.

Although the pope was dissatisfied, he finally agreed to change the death sentence to exile under the pressure of the king of heaven.

The young Mephisto looked at his younger brother who had taken off his fine clothes, "You lost. In the eyes of the pagan organization, you are a traitor; but in the heavens, you are a complete loser and an outlier."

"You can laugh at me, whip me, and exile me, but you can't make me lose my faith." Edmund replied calmly, "Theocracy will eventually decline, this is the inevitable trend of history, just like slavery will be abolished sooner or later .You are only temporarily victorious, because the interests of the church are behind you, but if the interests do not belong to the people, they will overthrow you in the future."

"Don't you think you are ridiculous? Edmund." Mephisto was angry. "God has already decided everything. We are a noble clan, above any heavenly clan. And yet you still want to serve the common people Seeking power is really ashamed of your blood."

"Only when the people benefit, can the monarchy be more stable; if you exploit the interests of the people in order to stabilize the monarchy, then you will be overthrown." Edmond gave him a last look, "I will come back sooner or later."

He did.Mephisto thought, but all this is in the past, Edmund is dead, and his eldest son is about to follow in his footsteps.

"Your Majesty!" The attendant who rushed over interrupted his thoughts, "The eldest prince brought Princess Ostana here! It was His Royal Highness Senna who rescued the princess who was hunted down by the Queen of Hearts. He has prepared a surprise for you. .”

"What?!" Mephisto sat up in surprise, "Hurry up and bring the princess to see me!"

Ostana, dressed in plain clothes, ran over from the end of the hall. She was a little embarrassed, but she didn't seem to have suffered too much.Ostana threw herself into Tianwang's arms, crying, "Father, father! I miss you so much... I thought I would never see you again..."

Although Mephisto was excited, he had mixed feelings, "I'm relieved that you are safe and sound, do you know Senna?"

"...Well." Ostana's body froze when she heard the words, and she rubbed her hands uneasily, "Father, you don't want me, do you?"

"How could it be?" Mephisto's eyes softened, "You will always be my daughter, dear Osa, my little princess."

Ostana hugged his shoulders, so the king didn't see the painful and firm expression on her face. She seemed to be intoxicated by his family affection, but had to hesitate about her own beliefs.

The attendant behind Mephisto gestured to her, and a needle popped out of Ostana's ring in an instant, piercing the back of Mephisto's neck.

The king of heaven passed out without making a sound, and the attendants supported his body, and quickly put a thin mask on him, changing his appearance.

"You hesitate, Ostana."

"This is the last time." The girl showed a mature but tired look like a woman, "When I was a princess, he was my father; but when I was a sergeant of spades, he was my enemy Our pursuits are contrary to each other, and our beliefs are very different. I can't accept that the Celestial Clan is gradually declining under his leadership... I don't want to see those poor people praying under the false holy light. Rejected by the temples they paid to build."

She choked.

"Let's go." The attendant picked up the unconscious Mephisto, drew a door in the air with the thorn scepter, and walked in first.

"Who the hell are you? You are wearing that thin mask that can change your appearance. I have never seen your real face." Ostana hurriedly followed, "Why do you have Edward's authority?" Staff?"

The man smiled lightly, "You can call me Jack of Spades, Lord Spade's personal bodyguard. He gave me the scepter. The royal city is already under Senna's world, and there is no way to escape without the scepter. But I want to congratulate you, Ou Stana, you have already begun to grow, and you will become an excellent... saintess."

Ostana didn't catch the last words, but she didn't ask any more, but followed him silently.

She already understood that there are no absolutely bad people or absolutely good people in this world, but people have different beliefs and pursuits, so there will be wars, and there will be winners and losers.

In the end, the river of time will wash over everything and carry away the useless sand.Only the last remaining things are eligible to write a rich and colorful stroke in the history books.

----Chapter78. Internal response & end----