My queen is rebelling!

Hearing Windsor's words, the three were simultaneously startled, feeling a touch of admiration for Windsor's powerful analytical abilities.

This winged elf, besides her beautiful face and powerful strength, also had quite the intellect.

Facing the gazes of the two, Asuna replied without a change in expression:

"If the two sisters are curious about the leader's identity, you can ask him yourselves.

As for us, we have already signed a soul contract and cannot say more."

Grace, standing to the side, instantly became indignant:

"Hey, I signed it too, why can't you tell me?"

Windsor then turned her gaze to Nephthys:

"They have all signed contracts, so I won't make things difficult for them. What about you?"

Nephthys said with a smile:

"I cannot betray Mr.'s trust in me. My suggestion is the same as Sister Asuna's. If the two sisters really want to know Mr.'s identity, why not take the initiative to ask him?"

"Ask me what?"

Cohen's voice came from outside the door.

He entered the living room and found that the atmosphere among the girls was strangely peculiar.

Hearing Cohen's voice, Windsor instantly concealed all emotions and said calmly:

"Asking who you were communicating with, so secretive, having to hide it from everyone?"

Cohen replied with a smile:

"My wife, just talking about some private matters."

Hearing Cohen's answer, apart from Asuna, Nephthys, and Freya, who already knew Cohen's true identity, Grace and Windsor were both simultaneously plunged into confusion.

The former immediately asked with a shocked tone:

"You… you're already married?"

A look of astonishment also filled Windsor's eyes.

Cohen nodded and said:

"Is there anything strange about that? Isn't it normal for a man as outstanding as me to be married?"

Grace opened and closed her mouth, thought for a moment, and said:

"You're actually married, so why are you still toying with Little Isa's feelings…"

Cohen quickly interrupted:

Grace expressed even greater shock, stunned for a long time, muttering:

"As expected of the Harem King, actually planning to let the Golden Winged Woman be a mistress…"

Cohen's face fell, and he was about to argue with Grace about where this "Harem King" title came from.

Windsor, who was next to them, suddenly asked:

"Does your wife know about us?"

Cohen's expression became flustered, and he stammered:

"What could there be between us? Why are you like Grace? We all have a pure team friendship…"

But as he spoke, he saw the serious expression on Windsor's face and realized that he had misunderstood.

He quickly realized that she was referring to the secret deal between them.

Especially the secret of the ancient elven ice coffin beneath Starfall Valley.

Windsor's voice remained low:

"I don't want a third person to know about the things between us.

Even if that person's relationship with you is very close!"

Cohen immediately said solemnly:

"Miss Windrunner, please rest assured that no one else will know about our agreement.

Although I love my wife very much, I will also be responsible to my friends."

Grace weakly raised her hand next to her:

"And me, you have to keep it a secret for me too…"

Asuna finally seized the opportunity to complain at this time:

"Sir, just now, two people wanted to inquire about your true identity!"

The two bodies trembled slightly, and they both cast angry glances at Asuna.

Asuna was not afraid at all, and said firmly:

"As a squire knight of the Lord Commander, I must nip in the bud all potential dangers around him that may endanger his safety."

Windsor became even more angry, and her tone could not suppress the intensity:

"Are you implying that I will harm him?"

Seeing that there was a risk of a fire in the backyard again, Cohen quickly stepped in and said:

"Alright, I understand. Everyone, calm down!"

Hearing Cohen's words, the two hummed softly and turned their eyes away.

Cohen sighed:

"Miss Windsor, and Her Royal Highness the Princess.

The reason why my identity is kept secret from you two is because there is a reason why it must be kept secret.

Because your identities are different from Asuna's.

One of you is the daughter of the Winged Elf royal family, a student of the Archmage of the Holy Domain, and the other is the eldest princess of the Eastern Region Empire.

If my identity is known, it will pose a huge threat to my future plans, including the safety of the people around me.

I'm very sorry, this is not distrusting you, but for the sake of insurance!"

Windsor didn't say anything, she was originally entrusted by Viktor, the Archmage of the Holy Domain of the Central Empire, to come to Effien to remove the "Memory Ice Seal" spell for Cohen.

Cohen suspected that Viktor was being pressured by a certain force, so he only sent his student to pretend.

If his student knew that the King of Effien was not only not under a spell, but also alive and kicking and making such a big name for himself outside, it would definitely be a huge hidden danger to Cohen's future plans.

As for the eldest princess Grace, her younger brother is the mastermind behind all this, and it is also risky to let her know her true identity.

Even if Cohen is willing to trust these two people, it is difficult to guarantee that there are no spies or secret agents around them.

If it is leaked inadvertently, it will definitely be a disaster for Cohen, who has not yet grown up.

Cohen cannot take this risk.

Cohen's explanation did not convince Windsor and Grace, and their expressions still carried a hint of annoyance.

Windsor did not hide the displeasure in her heart and said coldly:

"To put it bluntly, you still don't trust us."

Cohen shook his head, his tone full of emotion:

"If I really didn't trust you, I wouldn't explain so much to you.

On the contrary, it is precisely because I don't want to lose your friendship that I have to hide my true identity from you.

I don't want our relationship to be irreparably broken in the future because of a small mistake on your part."

Hearing Cohen's sincere explanation, Windsor's expression thawed a lot, and Grace's expression was not as stiff as before.

The latter curled her lips and asked:

"Is it that serious? Is your true identity that sensitive?"

Cohen's voice was very serious:

"Please believe me, I am definitely not exaggerating.

Although I am not very clear why they are targeting me so much, if my identity is leaked at this time, it will definitely be a devastating blow to me and the people around me."

Cohen finally said softly:

"As soon as one year, as late as two years.

After we have accumulated enough power to deal with unknown enemies and crises, I will take the initiative to be honest with you!"

The conversation ended here, and the two did not delve into it further.

Choose to believe Cohen's words.

Finally coaxing these two girls, Cohen secretly breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.

This effort is definitely no less than fighting with several high-level transcendents!

The atmosphere in the living room eased again, and Cohen talked about business:

"Next, let's continue what we were discussing.

About going to get the 'Order Fire Seed' and opening up a new 'Order Oasis'.

According to the information I got from the ancient books, I can roughly deduce the location of the 'Order Fire Seed'.

According to records, this fire seed is a nascent seed left in the sanctuary of the Arcane Empire thousands of years ago.

After the collapse of the Arcane Empire, it slept with the sanctuary in the depths of the earth.

After thousands of years, it has finally grown into an 'Order Fire Seed' that can reshape an oasis level.

The specific location is under the "Wasteland" three hundred kilometers outside the south gate of "Gengzhe City-state".

Grace suddenly said:

"Are you saying that this 'Order Fire Seed' is located on the 'Wasteland'?"

Cohen nodded:

"Yes, that's why it has been preserved until now and no one has discovered it.

I know Her Highness's doubts. Normally, 'Order Fire Seeds' can only be born on 'Order Solid Soil'.

Because the fire seed also needs to absorb the surrounding energy rules to slowly form.

If it is on the 'Wasteland', it will soon lose its spirituality and become a waste seed.

But this 'Fire Seed' is different, because it is in the sanctuary of the Arcane Empire and is guarded by layers of protection magic circles, so it can continue to live in the 'Wasteland'."

After hearing Cohen's explanation, the girls showed a look of understanding on their faces.

Cohen didn't expect them to understand the principles and continued:

"Everyone knows the dangers of the 'Wasteland', so we won't dispatch collectively this time.

My suggestion is to send someone with relatively confident strength to secretly retrieve the 'Order Fire Seed'.

I will teach her the methods to crack the formation outside the sanctuary.

Um, my suggestion is…"

Cohen's gaze fell on Windsor, seemingly unintentionally.

Windsor said directly:

"Let me go. Three hundred kilometers, plus retrieving the fire seed.

Give me five days and I guarantee to bring it back."

A look of joy immediately appeared on Cohen's face, and he said:

"That's what I was thinking too. Then I'll have to trouble Miss Windsor."

Grace next to her said somewhat resentfully:

"This palace is also at the seventh rank, why didn't you choose me."

The reason Cohen gave was very sufficient:

"The delivery of the 'Unicorn Merchant Guild' logistics route is in these two days.

We still need to trouble Her Royal Highness the Princess to worry more!"

Grace's face turned from cloudy to sunny, and she smiled.

Cohen secretly shook his head. Is this woman really thirty years old? Why does she feel like a little girl who hasn't grown up?

He cleared his throat and said:

"Um, the big things in the city-state have been resolved almost.

Externally, we have the Witch to support us, and internally, we have the rule of the City Lord's Mansion and the Council, as well as the assistance of the 'Unicorn Merchant Guild' and those big families, so there won't be any trouble.

I happen to have something to go to the Chaotic Demon Continent, so I'll leave the city-state for a few days."

As soon as the words fell, the girls looked at Cohen, and Cohen quickly said:

"The agreement with the 'Conductor' of the Chaotic Demon Continent is about to be fulfilled.

Otherwise, if the 'Conductor' instigates the Demon Lord to target our 'Gengzhe City-state' again.

Even if the Witch supports us, it won't succeed, but it will still bring some trouble to our city-state's construction."

The girls also knew about the agreement between Cohen and the "Conductor".

Windsor frowned slightly and asked:

"Not to mention the grain quota, which cannot be fulfilled in a short time.

Do you need to go there yourself for the magic medicine formula of the Godhood pathway?"

Cohen nodded:

"Mainly some magic potion recipes. Just talking about them won't do.

I have to personally concoct them for her and let her see the effects.

Well, gaining the friendship of a high-level Golden-tier Order City-State lord is very beneficial for our future development. This trip won't be in vain.

Most importantly, I am also very interested in this famous 'Virtuoso'."

Of course, the two paths to godhood magic potion recipes that Cohen promised are only up to the Golden tier.

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Even if Cohen really gave her higher-level recipes, she wouldn't be able to verify their authenticity.

Seeing that Cohen was determined to go, the girls didn't try to persuade him any further.

After all, Cohen possesses the unique skill of traversing sub-dimensions. Even if the 'Virtuoso' is a Ninth-Order Transcendent, they can't easily do anything to him.

Cohen finally instructed:

"During the few days I'm away, all matters, large and small, within the city-state will be handled by the [Civil Affairs Officer] Asuna.

As for matters within the team, the girls, including Arnold, you can all raise your hands to vote, with the minority obeying the majority.

If it's a three-on-three tie, contact me via communication stone, and I'll make the decision.

Winsadler, after taking out the Fire Seed, keep it safe for now, and be careful not to leak any information.

As for how to use the Fire Seed and when to use it, we'll have to see how the situation ultimately changes."

The others nodded silently.

Finally, Cohen smiled and said:

"Also, I hope everyone won't quarrel. We are all brothers and sisters of the same team, so we should support each other."

As he spoke, his gaze fell on Winsadler and Grace, who often argued with each other.

Grace raised her fair and tender arm and took the lead in expressing her position:

"Don't worry, Team Leader. I will obediently listen to you!"

Winsadler turned her face slightly to the side, uttering a barely audible voice:

"You also take care. I will help you take care of your people, ensuring that none of them will have any problems."

......

Central Empire, Imperial Palace, Hall of Political Affairs.

A magnificent and dignified empress was sitting upright behind a carved, massive desk.

The desk was made of ebony, with intricate patterns carved on it, emitting a mysterious luster under the magical lamplight.

Xenis Klein was wearing a gorgeous brocade dress, like a flowing galaxy, every stitch and thread embodying the superb craftsmanship of the artisans.

Golden threads intertwined to create a badge symbolizing royal authority.

A fox-fur shawl was draped over her straight shoulders, its fur as bright as snow, as if the purest spirit of winter had rested on her shoulders.

Xenis's fair and slender fingers skillfully flipped through stacks of intelligence documents, her beautiful eyes flashing with sharp light.

Her gaze quickly scanned the words, and suddenly her eyes stopped on a piece of intelligence.

Slightly frowning, a small wrinkle appeared between her delicate eyebrows, like a ripple on a calm lake.

Xenis pulled out this piece of intelligence from the "Land of the Lost", a pensive expression on her exquisite face.

She shook the bell on the table, and soon a serious-looking female official quickly and quietly pushed the door open and walked in:

"Your Majesty!"

Xenis's voice was calm, without any emotional fluctuations:

"Go and summon the Archmage of the Holy Domain, Mr. Victor."

"Yes."

Not long after, Victor arrived at the Hall of Political Affairs with a respectful expression.

When Xenis saw Victor, she went straight to the point and asked:

"Winsadler went back to the elven race to visit relatives, hasn't she returned yet?"

Victor's expression remained unchanged as he slowly replied:

"Currently, I have not received any news of her returning to the Imperial Capital.

Is Your Majesty asking because you have news of her?"

Xenis raised her head, gazing at Victor, her eyes faintly carrying a hint of sternness.

This always neutral Holy Domain mage, even during the power transition a few years ago, did not clearly take a side.

Xenis let Winsadler go to be his student, also harboring some intention of monitoring him.

The empress's gaze pressure did not shake Victor, who had the cultivation of a Saint, but after all, the other party was his monarch, so Victor still bowed slightly to show his respect.

Xenis suddenly changed the topic:

"I heard that some time ago, Your Excellency Victor sent Winsadler to help King Effie remove a spell?"

Victor frowned slightly, wondering why the empress suddenly brought up this matter, and slowly nodded:

"The Prime Minister of Effie is an old friend of mine. He wrote a letter asking for help, and I had no choice but to agree.

Without Your Majesty's permission, I shouldn't have interfered in the political affairs of other countries. This action was inappropriate of me."

Xenis withdrew her gaze:

"Winsadler has only been studying magic with you for a few days. With her half-baked level, can she help your old friend?"

Victor was slightly puzzled inside.

Wasn't the empress unhappy with him because he arbitrarily interfered in the internal affairs of another country?

Then why did she suddenly bring up this matter?

Victor chose to remain silent.

Xenis didn't seem to be prepared to listen to the other party's defense, paused for a moment, and continued:

"I heard that the king was afflicted with 'Memory Ice Sealing'?

Accurately speaking, it's an ancient elven spell sealed on an ancient scroll, is it not?"

Victor was even more shocked inside. He didn't understand why the dignified empress of the Central Empire would suddenly be so interested in the king of a small duchy.

And investigated it so thoroughly!

Could it be...

Victor nodded expressionlessly:

"According to Winsadler, it seems to be so."

Xenis's voice was very cold:

"You originally intended to personally help remove it, why did you go back on your word later?"

Victor's pupils constricted slightly, and he quickly realized that there must be a secret agent of Her Majesty the Empress planted by his side.

Who could it be?

He didn't deny it. Since the empress said so, it meant that the other party must have a reliable source of information.

Denying it now would only increase the rift between the monarch and her subject.

Victor replied:

"That's right. Later, due to some reasons, I couldn't go, so I let Winsadler take a trip for me."

Xenis sighed and asked:

"Was it Chief Heisenberg who said something to you there!"

The Chief Heisenberg in Xenis's mouth referred to the Chief of the Central Empire's House of Nobles.

Controlling the entire empire's noble system, his power was second only to Her Majesty the Empress.

Back then, it was Chief Heisenberg who strongly supported and overruled all objections to enthrone Xenis Klein as the first female emperor in the history of the Central Empire.

A look of understanding appeared on Victor's face, and he said with a wry smile:

"As expected, nothing can be hidden from Your Majesty. The Chief did greet me.

Please forgive me, Your Majesty. Although I am a Saint, I am not alone, and there is still a huge family behind me to take care of.

Heisenberg promised very heavy conditions, and I felt that this matter did not involve the fundamental interests of the empire, so I agreed.

But other than that, there are no other dealings between me and Chief Heisenberg.

The Victor family is forever loyal to the imperial power, this is the oath that the family ancestors engraved in their blood and marrow!"

Xenis remained unmoved, making it impossible to see what the young emperor was thinking in her heart.

She didn't make any statement about Victor's frank confession, but only asked faintly:

"Why would Chief Heisenberg be so concerned about the king of a small country?"

Victor shook his head:

"This is also something that I don't quite understand."

Xenis suppressed the doubts in her heart, knowing that the other party probably didn't know the inside story either, so she continued:

"I understand Your Excellency, but I also hope that Your Excellency understands me."

Victor immediately expressed his loyalty:

"Your Majesty is too kind. If there is anything, please instruct Your Majesty directly."

Xenis said faintly:

"Two things.

First, the first thing is, where is Winsadler now?"

Victor no longer concealed it and said the place that Xenis was most unwilling to hear:

"The Land of the Lost!"

A complicated look flashed in Xenis's eyes, and she continued:

"The second thing is, the House of Nobles is about to bring up the issue of an heir again.

Of course, inevitably, it is to choose a suitable husband for me."

Victor suddenly realized that this must be the main reason why Her Majesty the Empress summoned him today.

Victor calmly replied:

"Your Majesty, I don't think this proposal from the House of Nobles is without benefits for Your Majesty.

Doesn't Your Majesty hope to have a close companion to help you better continue the glory of the Klein family?"

This was also the common thought of many important ministers of the Central Empire, including Victor.

Her Majesty the Empress is at the age of youthful beauty. Finding a powerful husband can not only solve the endless topic of heirs in the country but also help her face the complex political situation in the country together.

They didn't understand why Her Majesty the Empress would be so resistant.

Could it be that Her Majesty doesn't fancy any of the men on this continent?

Xenis's expression remained calm, and she said slowly:

"It's not that I want to resist the proposal of the House of Nobles, but there are reasons why I have to resist.

Well, let me tell Your Excellency Victor a secret, actually, I already have a fiancé!

Moreover, this engagement was concluded during a very important moment in my life.

Concerning my dignity and promise, I cannot violate it."

Victor's mouth was slightly open, Her Majesty the Empress actually secretly had an engagement and a fiancé!

This news was like a thunderclap exploding in his ear.

Enough to shock even a Transcendent of the Saint level.

The empress reached out and drew a few runes in the air next to her, and took out a scroll exuding a faint magic wave from the exclusive sub-dimensional space array of the Golden-tier Transcendent, and handed it to Victor.

Her voice was very low:

"I haven't told anyone about this, only you.

It's because I believe in the loyalty of the Victor family.

You must keep this matter secret, I don't want this marriage certificate to cause any waves."

Victor nodded slightly, respectfully took the scroll with both hands, opened it and looked at it, and it was indeed a marriage contract.

But when he saw the name of the fiancé, his brow couldn't help but furrow slightly.

The name in the female column was naturally Her Majesty the Empress, Xenis Klein.

But the content in the male column made him slightly moved!