Dear Broom Knight

Seeming to realize that the Dark Moon before him was a lady, Alex merely showed a subtle displeasure, his eyes also glancing at the Grand Earth Bishop who only shouted for help but didn't pour water even when it was at hand. He turned slightly to look in the direction of the great rift: “This kind of thing, after I return, will be handled by diplomats.

This isn't something that Lori and I can just casually decide.

However… Lori, if my grandfather wants to buy blueprints from you, you…

If the money's right, anything is negotiable,” Lori, floating back and forth in mid-air, lazily interjected.

As the originator of this phrase, his tone was indeed the most irritating.

Alex couldn't help but be stunned for a second, suddenly feeling that his grandfather's life wasn't so easy either.

He only had a few trustworthy people around him, and they all worked for money.

But, on the other hand… Alex thought calmly, if his subordinates would work as soon as they were paid, and never did anything extra, how great would that be!

He had never expected anyone to be willing to do anything for him for free. However, he paid high salaries, but often ended up supporting other people's subordinates.

However, even he, the future king, was having such a miserable time, and the other great nobles were actually about the same.

They were all gritting their teeth and using people, even if they knew that the people they were using might turn around and stab them with the weapons they had made for them, they could only continue like this.

This was the most painful thing in the Icefield Kingdom.

However, the reason why their country hadn't completely collapsed was because most of the people with some ability and skill weren't just taking one bribe.

As long as it passed through their hands, even the hair on a fly's leg would be plucked.

Alex was, of course, very dissatisfied with this situation, but what could he do?

The entire country had developed inertia over the years. Without the power to suppress everything, anyone would have to endure it.

The fact that the dozens of aides who left the Northern Kingdom with him could remain unchanged for twenty years was because Alex was lucky enough and had a good eye.

Even though these people, who had no relatives in the Northern Kingdom, had long sworn allegiance to him, once they were in the mud, how could they not be tainted with the stench?

Alex was very clear that the reason why his mother's side had lasted long enough was because the people who came with her dowry were all from harmonious families, and after a long period of testing, they knew that in addition to their reliable character, they also valued their families.

But as the King of the Icefield, Alex couldn't possibly have those encumbrances around him… So, Alex was truly grateful to his grandfather.

Alex certainly knew about the White Dragon King's covetousness towards the Icefield Kingdom.

His mother's marriage into the Icefield Kingdom was an open plot… but his father almost cheerfully accepted this chili pepper wrapped in honey.

When survival was a luxury, who cared whether the other person who reached out to help wanted the bit of land under their feet?

And in this situation, the Northern King could still abide by the agreements and oaths that had long been forgotten in the wind, those that the past kings had jointly set up to fight against the White Dragon and the gods, which was truly admirable.

Alex didn't know if he could be so polite, restrained, and balanced if he were in his position, but he still hoped that when he walked towards the true path of the king, he could be like his grandfather, so that even if countless people secretly wished for his death, no one could say that he had committed any real sin.

The political and military, economic and interest-based intrigues were never evil, and even the Goddess of the Night, who liked to say nice things, couldn't bring these up.

Alex sighed softly: He was about to step into the territory of the Icefield Kingdom, and he seemed to have become a little sentimental.

Why think so much? He hasn't put on his own crown yet!

Then, Alex suddenly felt a huge sense of grief from the bottom of his heart… His father was probably really only left with his last breath.

No, it was even possible that he was barely holding on with some magical means.

Clearly, when he left… although his father always shouted that he was dying, according to the healer's calculations, the flame of his life could last at least five years.

This was also why Alex had not been in a hurry during this time.

He really thought that his own father had been forced into a desperate situation by something he didn't want to do, so he pretended to be dead.

Putting aside other abilities, the Icefield King was really good at pretending to be dead, so much so that even the healer didn't dare to say that he could definitely save the king.

It just so happened that it was time for Alex to return to his country, so he seized the opportunity without hesitation.

Alex pursed his lips slightly, trying to suppress the turbulence in his heart.

Compared to the Ice Dog King, the most terrifying thing for him about this return was Isabella's sneak attack.

If he hadn't woken up in the end… If he hadn't trusted his grandfather and hadn't hesitated at all, even if Isabella was still killed in the end, his future would definitely be different.

Alex still understood himself very well.

He would not admit defeat because of his own wrong choices, but would quickly find another direction… even if this direction was to become an enemy of his own mother, who had always loved and protected him, he would not hesitate.

He would absolutely not accept the fate of only being able to barely live, waiting for his son to grow up, and then being directly sent away.

Even though Alex loved his father very much, he… from the time he had memories, his father, lying on the exquisite and luxurious bed in the king's palace, was his greatest nightmare.

Just thinking about how he almost fell into such a situation, how could he still have any attachment to Isabella?

He didn't even personally strangle that woman to death, because he understood that he didn't have that ability.

But Alex still knew how strange this matter was.

No matter what kind of situation he ended up in, Isabella would definitely die.

However, as a rare existence, the daughter of a great noble who was also abducted by the Ice and Snow Heresy, and who was personally praised by the Ice King and named a saint, Isabella could not be thrown out to die for a trivial matter.

The Ice and Snow Church must have had a certain degree of certainty that Alex had no chance to reverse the situation before they would gamble on such a slim chance.

If the Icefield King could live for another year, Alex's mother would be able to think of a way to save her son.

Even if she would inevitably give up Alex's future for the sake of the Northern Kingdom's interests, that was only the last choice, not the only choice.

Alex believed in his mother's love for him.

It's just… his mother was very clear that even if she turned against her own father in the end, even if she was willing to pay any price, even at the cost of killing her own sister, the outcome would not change in any way.

Even Alex's child could not be saved.

The people of the Icefield Royal Family are calmly in pain, and painfully calm.

Losing their minds would end up like his father's former brothers and uncles, taking their entire family down with them.

Although Alex himself would not give up struggling, he would hope that his mother could maintain that tormenting calmness.

Someone always had to stand on the side that was more likely to survive.

He narrowed his eyes slightly and raised his chin at the two clerics: “If you don't have anything else to do, can you go help out?

It's getting late, and I don't want to go home by moonlight.”

Grand Earth Bishop Clayton nodded decisively and turned to walk towards the battlefield area in front.

Inez hesitated for a moment before asking hesitantly: “Although… it's temporarily safe, someone has to protect…

‘Whoosh!’

A figure rushed directly in front of her like a hunting wind. Lori asked Inez with a face full of disdain: “Who do you think you are?

I'm still here!

You're a killer, you want to compare with a mage to see who has stronger protection?

Besides, why should anyone trust you?

He raised his eyebrows and looked at the Dark Moon Lady who was just trying to trick Alex: “Hurry up and do what you can do, don't delay here.

Haven't you realized that you and that Isabella are the same type?

Alex would sooner fancy a dog than fancy you!

“You!” Inez instantly drew the long sword from her waist.

Lori sneered, and the broom tail drew a semicircle in the air: “If you have the ability, stab me.

If you have the guts to provoke, you have to accept the consequences. Do you think no one understands the dirty things in your words?

Disgusting woman.”

Even Alex, who was suppressing the surging sorrow in his heart with willpower and constantly thinking about why his father had suddenly reached the end of his life ahead of schedule, couldn't help but have his mind go blank for a moment.

Is this, crazy, a must?

Then he suddenly realized… if Lori really lost his mind, he wouldn't have added the reason why he was so vicious at the end.

Alex slowly raised his hand: “Lori, Ms. Inez is free, she can do whatever she wants.

My request is not something that must be obeyed, don't be so rude.

As for those… words that sow discord, ah… someone like me is used to it.

I know you don't like these things, but let it pass!

That's an existence comparable to a grand bishop in the Dark Night Church.

It's good that we didn't take the bait.”