My queen is rebelling!

"It's a plan secretly orchestrated by the high-level officials of the Kingdom of Ceylon—

The people of the Kingdom of Ceylon requested that we cooperate with them in collecting talented children from the Southern Territory and secretly transporting them to the Kingdom of Ceylon for training through the secret channels of pirate groups…"

Before Levis could finish speaking, he felt a chilling murderous intent enveloping his heart. He looked at Cohen, whose face had completely darkened, with trembling eyes, and couldn't help but stop speaking.

A chilling murderous intent surged within Cohen's heart. These nobles of the Southern Territory were truly rotten to the core, daring to do such things that shook the foundation of the country.

It seemed that he would take the opportunity of Asuna's inauguration to completely cleanse these parasites of the country.

He steadied his emotions and said in a cold voice:

"Continue, when did this start, and which families are involved?"

"It's been about one or two decades. Besides our Luca family, there's also Earl Xavier, Viscount Reyes, Baron Dean, the County Head of Bailey County, the Deputy Minister of Industry of the Yanke Province…

They are all transported through the 'Shadow Tide Specter' pirate group."

As Levis uttered each name, the murderous intent on Cohen's body intensified.

"How many have been abducted in total?"

"About five to six hundred a year."

Asuna's eyes flashed with cold light as she angrily rebuked:

"That means you've abducted at least ten thousand children!

More than ten thousand children with the potential to become transcendents have been abducted by you to the Kingdom of Ceylon!

And the ten thousand families behind them!

How dare you!"

Asuna involuntarily emitted a trace of dragon might, causing Levis to prostrate on the ground in terror.

Cohen suppressed the anger in his heart and continued to ask:

"What is the specific process? Explain clearly!"

Levis replied in a trembling voice:

"The major nobles will use their connections to register the basic information of newborns within their territories, and when they reach the age where they can awaken their transcendence, they will send people to monitor them.

Once it is determined that they have the potential to break through the Silver Stage, they will arrange some accidental events.

Sometimes it's a disappearance, sometimes it's a kidnapping, sometimes it's fabricated as an accidental death. In short, they use various methods to capture these children.

They are temporarily placed on an island near the Ceylon Kingdom's sea, and when the number reaches five hundred, the 'Shadow Tide Specter' will send people to take these children away."

Cohen asked:

"In all these years, hasn't a single official in the entire Southern Territory noticed?"

"Was the Gunter family involved in this matter?"

Levis said:

"Yes, but it was quickly covered up by our families working together.

As for the Gunter family, they had not yet decided to betray Effin at that time, so they were not informed of this matter.

Later, they also noticed something, but by that time, Saxon, the Third Prince of the Kingdom of Ceylon, had already contacted them, and under Saxon's suggestion, Grand Duke Gunter did not investigate the matter further.

They probably didn't know the specifics."

Cohen waved his hand and had Rafe take these people away.

Then he said to Asuna:

"Let's go to South County. We must take this opportunity to eradicate these tumors in the Southern Territory!"

……

"They're here, they're here!"

In the crowd waiting to welcome the Red Dragon Duchess in South County, someone shouted, immediately attracting everyone's attention.

Soon, accurate news came.

The Red Dragon Duchess's carriage was less than half a day away from South County and would arrive before sunset.

Hearing this news, everyone became much more excited. They had finally arrived; they had been waiting here for too long.

Those who came here to welcome her were all military and political leaders from various regions of the Southern Territory. Having been away from their territories for so long, they had accumulated many things that needed to be dealt with, and few could sit still.

Fortunately, the Red Dragon Duchess had finally arrived.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone on the main road of South County, and the orange-red light plated the entire city with a layer of crimson.

The nobles and officials of all sizes stood quietly and orderly outside the city, their eyes fixed on the official road in the distance, the air filled with a tense and excited atmosphere, as if even the wind was holding its breath.

Suddenly, a low horn sound came from the distance, the sound long and majestic, as if it came from the mouth of an ancient dragon. Immediately afterward, the ground began to vibrate slightly, as if some behemoth was approaching.

At the same time, an astonishing aura that made people tremble from the depths of their souls burst out from afar.

Dragon Might!

Pure Dragon Might!

The Red Dragon Duchess!

When they felt this powerful dragon might, the officials of the Southern Territory couldn't help but become slightly solemn. Being ennobled in the name of a dragon, regardless of who supported this duchess, was enough to make them feel awe.

Before long, a large convoy slowly appeared on the horizon.

At the forefront of the convoy were twelve knights clad in scarlet armor. Dragon纹 were engraved on the armor, and the eyes under the helmets were as cold as ice. The knights held spears, and each knight was at the seventh level of cultivation.

Royal Guard!

When everyone saw the escorting knights, they all showed shock.

The Royal Guard, who guarded the palace and protected the King and Queen, had been dispatched. The meaning of this was self-evident.

While feeling shocked, everyone became even more convinced of that rumor.

This newly appointed Red Dragon Duchess was indeed the King's lover; otherwise, why would the Royal Guard be dispatched to escort her?

I wonder if Her Majesty the Queen knows about this.

The expressions of the crowd became even more serious.

Following closely behind were four pure white steeds, their backs draped with crimson silk, pulling a magnificent carriage. The carriage was entirely made of obsidian, and the surface was inlaid with countless rubies, like a burning flame.

At the top of the carriage was a huge red dragon statue, the dragon's eyes inlaid with two huge, top-grade fire-attribute magic crystals, the dragon's wings spread out, as if ready to soar into the sky at any time.

Seeing this red dragon statue, the welcoming officials and nobles couldn't help but lower their heads slightly.

The carriage's curtains were made of crimson silk, fluttering gently in the wind, vaguely revealing two figures sitting inside.

The people of the Southern Territory, discovering this fact, couldn't help but be stunned. Shouldn't they only be welcoming the Red Dragon Duchess?

Why were there two people in the carriage!

Who was qualified to ride in the same carriage as the Duchess?

Before everyone could figure out the situation, the carriage had stopped in front of them.

Fulen David, the Southern Territory's political officer, also saw the two figures in the carriage and, as if suddenly realizing something, a deep look of astonishment immediately appeared in his eyes.

According to the procedure, Fulen was supposed to announce the arrival of the Red Dragon Duchess and then lead the officials to meet her, but at this moment, Fulen stood there blankly, without saying a word.

The atmosphere at the scene suddenly became very strange. Everyone looked at each other, and many stared at Fulen in the front, not knowing what to do.

Just as everyone was secretly wondering if something had happened to the political officer, the carriage slowly opened, and a handsome young man jumped out of the carriage.

Seeing this man, everyone was first stunned. Weren't they welcoming the Red Dragon Duchess?

Why was there a young man in the carriage?

But soon, when they saw the young man's appearance, a huge shock overwhelmed all their thoughts.

Seeing Cohen appear, a trace of understanding appeared in Fulen's eyes, and at the same time, a wry smile rose in his heart. This young King was indeed unconventional.

He would actually accompany the Red Dragon Duchess to take office. It seemed that the rumor about the Effin Palace was not groundless. This young Duchess indeed had an extraordinary friendship with His Majesty.

Fulen, the political officer, took the lead in kneeling on one knee and shouted loudly:

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

The people behind him were all startled and quickly bowed and saluted, shouting Your Majesty.

Cohen waved his hand casually:

"I'm here to deliver the Duchess to you. No need to be so polite."

After speaking, he turned around, came to the carriage, and extended his hand.

Seeing this scene, everyone felt even more incredible, and at the same time, they respected the new Duchess even more in their hearts.

The curtain was gently lifted, and a slender, jade-like hand reached out from the carriage, resting on Cohen's hand. Immediately afterward, a graceful figure slowly walked out of the carriage.

The Red Dragon Duchess was wearing a crimson dress, the skirt flowing like flames, the golden纹 shimmering in the setting sun.

Her skin was like snow, her eyes sparkling with cold light, her long hair cascading down like a waterfall, her hair adorned with a few delicate rubies, shimmering like dragon scales.

Asuna's appearance seemed to freeze time, and everyone present was attracted by her.

The Red Dragon Duchess's beauty and temperament, like a burning flame, instantly ignited the entire square.

Amazing looks, unparalleled talent, noble temperament... all these were fused in a twenty-year-old young woman. Asuna's appearance shocked everyone present.

Cohen took Asuna's hand and came to the crowd, raising his hand slightly, and the scene immediately quieted down.

Cohen's voice was steady and powerful:

"Everyone, this King has brought you an unparalleled Duchess. Her wisdom and ability have been fully proven in the 'Lost Land'. I hope that you can cooperate well with Duchess Iliat's work in the future and, under her leadership, let the Southern Territory regain its vitality!"

"As you command!"

After Cohen finished introducing her, Fulen, the political officer, followed the procedure and had the nobles and officials of the Southern Territory come before Cohen and Asuna to report on their duties.

Time passed by, and the sky completely darkened. As the last official left, Fulen, the political officer, slowly came to Cohen and said softly:

"Your Majesty, everyone has prepared a welcome banquet for Her Grace the Duchess. What do you think…"

Cohen nodded slightly and said:

"Fulen, don't worry about me. Just do what you would normally do. Just follow the normal procedure."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Cohen paused and then said:

"Also, this is Asuna's home ground. I will no longer attend the banquet.

Take my place and have a few more drinks with the comrades in the Southern Territory."

Fulen was stunned for a moment, then quickly replied:

"Then where will Your Majesty's residence be? I'll send someone to clean it up…"

Before Fulen could finish speaking, he noticed the smile on Cohen's face.

Fulen's words stopped abruptly, and he wished he could slap himself in the face.

Now, even the three-year-olds in the Southern Territory know about the relationship between the Red Dragon Duchess and His Majesty.

Where else could His Majesty live?

Wherever the Duchess lives, that's where he'll live!

Cohen cleared his throat and patted the shoulder of the Chief Administrator Follen, saying:

"Although Asuna is outstanding in all aspects, she is still young and lacks experience in some matters. In the future, we will rely on your support and assistance. Thank you for your hard work."

Follen bowed, repeatedly saying he wouldn't dare.

Cohen greeted the crowd and left on his own.

Asuna called out to Follen, took out a list, and said to him:

"During the banquet, arrange for these people to be seated in the front."

Follen took the list and glanced at it. Written on it were the names of some nobles and officials from the Southern Territory—Count Xavier, Viscount Luca, Viscount Reyes, Baron Dean, the County Chief of Bailey County…

A look of surprise flashed in the depths of Follen's eyes. Some of these people were indeed of high status, but some didn't seem qualified to sit so close to the King and the Duchess.

He didn't know why Grand Duchess Elyat, who had just arrived in the Southern Territory, would pay special attention to these few people. Follen suppressed the strange emotions in his heart and replied calmly:

"Very well, Your Highness."

Cohen hadn't gone far either, secretly summoning the Commander of the Southern Territory Military Region, Beo Angrain, at the Grand Duke's residence.

The most ⊥ New ⊥ Small ⊥ Say ⊥ In ⊥ Six ⊥ 9 ⊥ ⊥ Book ⊥ ⊥ Bar ⊥ ⊥ First ⊥ Hair!

Cohen casually asked:

"Are you adjusting well to the Southern Territory?"

Beo couldn't hide the excitement and excitement on his face, bowing and saying:

"Your Majesty, it's much better than the hard days at the border. Thank you, Your Majesty, for giving me this opportunity."

Beo Angrain was previously the commander of the Effien Border Theater. This time, with the personnel adjustments in the Southern Territory, he was transferred to the Southern Territory to serve as the commander of the Southern Territory Military Region.

Cohen casually waved his hand and said:

"Let's not talk about that. How is the handover of the Southern Territory's military power going? There will be a major military operation in the Southern Territory in the next two days, and you need to cooperate well with Asuna."

Beo immediately stated:

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will resolutely cooperate with all of Her Highness the Duchess's work."

Cohen lowered his voice and continued:

"Also, regarding the Kingdom of Ceylon, you should know what the Queen and I transferred you to the Southern Territory to do, right?"

Beo's voice also became much lower, replying:

"The Prime Minister has already explained it to me. Your Majesty, rest assured, I will secretly begin combat readiness training."

Cohen said with satisfaction:

"You are the Queen's clan uncle, so you are one of us. Work hard and don't let the Queen and I down."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

…

Inside the banquet hall, the music was melodious, and the nobles, both high and low, raised their glasses and talked, but their eyes occasionally glanced towards the entrance.

An older noble spoke to the person next to him in a low voice:

"Everyone, what do you think? The rumors are true, right? The relationship between our new Duchess and His Majesty the King is definitely extraordinary!

With such a top boss, your days will not be easy in the future.

Perhaps what we do during the day, Florentia can receive the news in the evening.

A king may not listen to the one-sided words of a duchess, but a man can definitely not resist his lover's coquetry in bed!"

The man ended with a risqué joke, causing a burst of ambiguous laughter in the hall.

Someone next to him interjected:

"Count Xavier, you shouldn't be worried, right? I just heard that you have received special attention from Her Highness the Duchess, allowing you to sit in the front.

Presumably, the governance of the Valderre Province has gained the favor of Her Highness the Duchess. If you become prosperous in the future, don't forget your brothers."

Count Xavier couldn't hide the smile on his face:

"It is my honor to be able to catch a glimpse of the Red Dragon Duchess's world-shattering beauty up close.

It's a pity that His Majesty didn't come to participate…"

Someone blurted out:

"It seems that our new Duchess is truly loved by His Majesty, knowing that this is the Duchess's home field, so he deliberately avoided it."

"Such a stunning beauty, I believe any man would dote on her."

The crowd discussed for a while, until the voice of Chief Administrator Follen sounded outside the hall:

"Her Highness the Duchess has arrived!"

The hall instantly fell silent. Asuna slowly stepped into the hall, her voice clear and powerful:

"Thank you all for the welcome banquet. Now that I have arrived as the Duchess, I hope to work with you to protect the prosperity and peace of this land for His Majesty."

Everyone bowed and saluted:

"We respectfully listen to Your Highness's instructions!"

Asuna waved her hand slightly, a faint smile appearing on her jade-like face:

"Please be seated in order. I happen to have some things I want to announce."

Everyone's hearts tightened, and they quickly took their seats according to the arranged positions.

Soon, everyone noticed a trace of abnormality. The seats in the very front, closest to Her Highness the Duchess, were clearly somewhat unusual.

Count Xavier, Viscount Luca, Viscount Reyes, Baron Dean, the County Chief of Bailey County…

Some people didn't seem to have the qualifications to sit there.

Count Xavier, who was originally smug about being arranged to sit in front of the Duchess, felt a chill rise in his heart when he saw the familiar faces beside him.

These people… these people…

Xavier suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, and a terrifying guess involuntarily surged into his mind.

The faces of the other people also turned pale.

Asuna came to the main seat, her eyes swept over the crowd, and she smiled slightly, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. She slowly raised her hand, and a red flame danced in her palm.

Although the flame was small, it exuded a palpitating heat and a majestic dragon's might.

Asuna's voice was calm, but with a thunderous sense of oppression:

"I hope you all understand that my arrival is to ensure that His Majesty's will can be better implemented and realized in the Southern Territory.

If anyone tries to secretly play tricks, I don't mind letting them personally experience what 'the Red Dragon's Wrath' is!

Asuna paused, her voice suddenly turning cold:

"Those who are loyal will be protected, and those who are rebellious will be punished!

This is my first banquet in the Southern Territory with you all, so I cannot tolerate sitting at the same table with traitors who betray Effien!"

Asuna's exceptionally stern remarks caused the entire hall to fall into a deathly silence.

What did Her Highness the Duchess mean by saying this?

Could it be that there were traitors among those present?

For a time, everyone was in a state of anxiety.

This Duchess was really not easy to mess with, not giving anyone any face on her first day.

The faces of Count Xavier and the others sitting in the front row changed drastically, and cold sweat kept seeping from their foreheads.

Asuna clapped her hands, and a burly figure escorted several people in from outside the hall.

Seeing the people who came in, a chill couldn't help but rise in everyone's hearts—

Chief of the Military Intelligence Southern Territory Station, Leif Zion!

Leif saluted Asuna, and then said to the crowd in a booming voice:

"Everyone, do you know who these people are?"

Most of the nobles looked at each other, not knowing what Chief Leif meant by this move.

Only the few noble officials sitting in the front row were sitting on pins and needles. If it weren't for the guards watching them like tigers, they would have desperately fled out the door!

Leif pointed to one of them and said in a deep voice:

"This is the Island Lord of Teras Island, Bonnie Green.

Responsible for transporting goods to the Kingdom of Ceylon. Bonnie, tell everyone, what are the goods you are transporting!"

Island Lord Bonnie looked flustered and said dejectedly:

"It's… it's the children with extraordinary talents gathered from the Southern Territory of Effien."

As soon as these words came out, it immediately stirred up a huge uproar in the entire hall.

Someone was actually secretly abducting children from the Southern Territory and transporting them to the Kingdom of Ceylon!

Chief Administrator Follen widened his eyes and asked angrily:

"Beast, who provided them to you!"

Everyone quickly realized that an island lord alone could not have committed such a crime. There must be an internal accomplice in the Southern Territory cooperating with him, and the position of this internal accomplice was not low.

Bonnie trembled all over, his eyes turning to the noble officials in the front row.

Everyone was even more horrified.

Those seated in the front row were all well-known nobles and officials in the Southern Territory. Could it be that they were actually involved in this kind of dirty business?

Disbelief flashed in Follen's eyes, and he glared and roared:

"Count Xavier, Viscount Luca!

Can you two explain!"

The Xavier family and the Luca family were second only to the Gunter family in the Southern Territory. If these two major families jointly committed such a thing, it would definitely be earth-shattering for the Southern Territory.

The credibility of the entire Southern Territory government would collapse in an instant.

The two men endured their emotions and stood up to retort:

"Chief Administrator, this is clearly them sowing discord. Are you going to convict us based solely on the words of a Ceylon Kingdom lackey?"

Asuna's voice suddenly rang out:

"Viscount Luca, you should be familiar with this gentleman."

As she spoke, she lightly clapped her jade hands, and a member of the Military Intelligence escorted Lewis in.

Seeing this person, Viscount Luca's face turned pale, and he was struck as if by lightning, collapsing directly.

Most people were also familiar with this head butler beside Viscount Luca. When Lewis testified against Viscount Luca's various crimes in person, no one had the slightest doubt anymore.

With a command from Asuna, in front of everyone, the noble titles of these people were abolished, and it was announced that after the Military Intelligence had investigated clearly, these people would all be executed according to the law.

On her first day in office, she used thunderous methods to remove two major families that had been inherited in the Southern Territory for a long time, and the Red Dragon Duchess's prestige was instantly established in everyone's hearts.

…

In the Grand Duke's residence, the peerless Grand Duchess, who had been decisive and vigorous at the banquet just now, suddenly changed her style. Cohen pressed her down and gently stroked her delicate face.

Asuna's face was flushed, her beauty was indescribable, and she said in a trembling voice:

"Your Majesty… you… what are you going to do…"

Cohen reached into Asuna's deep red dress, feeling the fullness in his palm, and said in a hoarse voice:

"The outside world is spreading rumors that you are His Majesty the King's lover. I think it's better to turn the rumors into reality.

Also, this king wants to try the feeling of bathing in dragon blood. I wonder if Grand Duchess Elyat is willing to cooperate!"