Late at night.
Outside the window frame, the rain continued to pour, drumming against the leaves like a relentless beat that echoed through the night.
Inside the side hall of the Temple.
It was already past three in the morning.
The magic lights were still on, though they had been dimmed to a gentle orange to avoid disturbing others, casting a drowsy glow over the room.
However, the two people inside were not the least bit sleepy.
Having dried himself off and changed into a clean priest's robe, Elmer sat at the round table, staring at the frail man before him.
A series of bright glimmers flashed in his eyes.
He never imagined that such a frail body, looking like a candle flickering in the wind, belonged to a youth who could devise such a plan.
If this actually succeeded, not only would his crimes be completely washed away, but he might even be able to stand among the noble circles once again.
Furthermore, if he gained the favor of Her Highness the Saintess, he could rise to incredible heights even without the Cromwell family behind him.
From the beginning of their conversation until now, he had not found a single flaw in the plan proposed by the youth, leaving him utterly shocked.
Setting aside the fact that this man wanted to support a million refugees on his own, the sheer meticulousness of the plan—calculating for countless variables—was astounding.
A faint, confident smile played on Augus's face, but the gloom in his eyes made the expression look somewhat sinister, making it difficult to look at him directly.
"In this way, not only can you wash away your sins and begin a new life, but I can also get what I want. It is a win-win situation. I wonder, Mr. Elmer, are you willing to join forces with me?"
"Has Her Highness the Saintess agreed?" Elmer asked suddenly after a moment of silence.
"Of course. Without Her Highness's approval, this matter could not proceed at all."
Elmer fell into deep thought for a long time, his mind racing through every possibility before he finally gritted his teeth.
"Fine! I am in!"
"In that case, Mr. Elmer, from today onward, we are allies. Let me introduce myself again. I am Augus Di Clapham."
Elmer froze upon hearing the name, his eyes widening as a flash of surprise crossed his blue pupils.
"You are... a descendant of the Clapham family?"
"Indeed."
Augus admitted it without hesitation, as if he had already anticipated Elmer's reaction.
Elmer remained stunned for a long while before his lips curled into a slightly bitter smile.
"No wonder... you chose me."
"Since you are self-aware, Mr. Elmer, there is no need to discuss the rest, is there?"
"Of course. I will handle things on the Cromwell side. Since Her Highness has given her nod, there will be no obstacles given my elder brother's personality."
He paused for a moment before continuing.
"However... the Dressas family likely won't agree so easily."
"You do not need to worry about that. I will visit the other families personally."
Elmer looked at Augus, and seeing the confidence on his face, he nodded.
"Since you are certain, I will say no more. Time is short; I shall return to the Cromwell estate now."
"It is good that you have such a mindset, Mr. Elmer."
Augus did not stop him, smiling as he saw Elmer off.
Despite the ongoing storm, Elmer took an umbrella and disappeared into the rainy mist against the strong wind.
However, no one noticed a figure cloaked in a brown robe vanishing around a corner not far from Elmer.
...
Lola sat quietly in her office.
The howling wind and torrential rain lashed against the window frame, creating a rhythmic clatter.
The feeling of the world going quiet, leaving only the white noise of the rain, was enough to make anyone drowsy.
But she did not dare sleep yet.
The sound of pages turning echoed in the room.
The orange magic light barely illuminated her desk, allowing her to see the records in her book.
Regarding the Clapham family, it was not just about the war eight hundred years ago.
Because of their subsequent involvement with the demon race, they had eventually fallen from their status as the premier family of the Kingdom of the Moon.
The nobles stationed in the northeast region were once the most trusted confidants of the second Saintess of the Moon.
This area was of the utmost importance, serving as the focal point not just for the Kingdom of the Moon, but for the entire human race and other races on the continent.
Because it was so critical, ordinary nobles were never permitted to be stationed there.
In fact, ever since the Clapham family retreated without a fight eight hundred years ago and surrendered the three lines of the Great Wall,
no other nobles had been stationed in the northeast region. Everything was kept under the direct command of the Saintess.
"My Lady..."
While she was lost in thought, a soft knock came from the door, followed by a man's voice.
Lola set down her book and looked toward the door.
"Enter."
"Yes."
As he spoke, the door slowly opened, and a man barely 1.6 meters tall appeared at the entrance, quickly walking to Lola's side.
"The news just arrived. After a private conversation lasting about two hours, Elmer has left the Temple. Based on his route, he intends to return to the Cromwell family estate."
"Understood. Kaster, keep a close eye on him. Her Highness places great importance on this matter."
Kaster looked at Lola and nodded.
"I understand."
With that, Kaster quickly withdrew from the room.
Lola was left alone in the silence.
"Allowing Elmer to return to the Cromwell estate... what exactly is this Augus trying to do?"
The next morning, despite the persistent storm, Augus took twenty knights and disappeared into the vast mist just as the gates opened.
After leaving the Temple, Augus's first destination was the Dressas family estate.
At this early hour, many nobles had not yet risen.
Upon arriving at the estate, Augus immediately revealed his identity.
"Inform your master that I am the Saintess's newly appointed Cabinet Minister. I wish to see the Great Elder of the Dressas family, Marcus."
The guard at the villa gate was stunned, instinctively looking up to size up the sickly youth standing before him.
The moment their eyes met, that incredibly sinister gaze locked onto his.
In an instant, even though he was a warrior with a combat power of level twenty, the guard couldn't help but tremble!
That gaze, like that of a venomous snake or a hawk, made him feel like prey that could be hunted at any moment!
At this moment, the guard instinctively looked away.
"I... I will go report this."
He didn't even think to question the youth; that gaze was far too soul-piercing!
All he wanted now was to escape the lock of those eyes.
The guard's figure hurried away into the interior of the gate.
Augus was in no hurry, waiting patiently at the entrance. After a short while,
a middle-aged man with fair skin, a long face, and a goatee walked out with measured steps.
His arrival was accompanied by a hearty laugh.
"Hahaha! For the Cabinet Minister trusted by Her Highness the Saintess to grace my humble abode, the Dressas family is truly honored!"
As he spoke, the middle-aged man's gaze quickly locked onto Augus.
He did so because that incredibly sinister gaze had caught his eye in that very instant.
Upon seeing the youth, Marcus's first thought was, 'Does the Saintess have a problem with her head? Why did she employ such a sickly young man?'
But when he saw the youth's eyes, that soul-piercing sensation made him shiver, and any thoughts of contempt vanished instantly.
"Cabinet Minister, how should I address you?"
Marcus wore a sincere smile, his voice full of cheer.
"I am Augus. By order of Her Highness, I have taken charge of the million refugees outside the city. I have come to your estate to discuss a certain matter."
"Oh? A million refugees. That is indeed a major affair. I did not expect Lord Augus to be so heavily relied upon at such a young age. Truly, the younger generation is to be feared."
At this point, a look of confusion crossed Marcus's face.
"However... since Lord Augus is ordered to settle the million refugees, why have you come to my humble home instead of going outside the city?"
Augus remained expressionless, looking at Marcus calmly.
"The matter of the million refugees requires a contribution from the Dressas family."
"Hahaha! Lord Augus thinks too highly of the Dressas family. Our family has simply been around for a long time; we are nothing special. Why bother coming to me?"
Marcus's eyes flickered; it was clear from his tone that he had no intention of helping.
"Oh? In that case, I shall take my leave."
Augus smiled slightly, a deep and thoughtful look in his eyes, as he turned to walk away without another word.
Marcus had expected Augus to say more; he thought that even if the youth didn't drop his arrogant attitude, he should at least try to negotiate.
Although Marcus didn't want to get involved, the prestige of the current Saintess was something to be reckoned with since it was her order.
If Augus had come to the door and the Dressas family offered no help at all, it would be difficult to justify.
But he never expected this Augus to turn and leave without a second word!
"Lord... Lord Augus, please wait!"
Augus suddenly turned back, looked at Marcus, and expressionlessly raised five fingers.
"Five million gold coins."
"Pfft! You—you're robbing us! The total annual tax revenue of the Kingdom of the Moon is only five million gold coins! You..."
Marcus was rooted to the spot, completely dumbfounded.
This was the first time he had seen such an exorbitant demand.
Gritting his teeth and looking at Augus, Marcus held up five fingers of his own.
"Five hundred thousand gold coins!"
To his surprise, Augus only gave a cold laugh.
"It seems Her Highness was right. The Dressas family truly has no further reason to exist. Farewell."
With that, he turned to leave once more without looking back.
"Wait!"
However, this time, Augus did not stop for a single second.
As Marcus watched Augus's figure grow more distant, his heart felt as if it had dropped into a frozen abyss, turning cold with dread!
What did he say?
The Dressas family has no reason to exist?
And Her Highness said it herself?!
This... how could this be?
Marcus's mind raced frantically, and he suddenly remembered something.
Currently... a minor family under the Dressas family had already sided with the Garnet family and joined the rebellion.
That was not something the Dressas family had wanted.
Initially, the Dressas family only wanted to secure more benefits, but no one expected the Campbell family to defect directly to the Garnet family.
Those within the Dressas family understood that the Campbell family had simply betrayed them on their own, and it meant nothing.
But how would outsiders know?
Especially the Saintess, who was currently at the height of her power?
Setting everything else aside, those two thousand skysoar dragons alone were enough to wipe out a major family!
Not to mention, Her Highness currently had a true dragon species by her side.
While the Dressas family didn't have a powerful intelligence network, everyone knew about things that were out in the open.
What a true dragon species represented was clear.
No race on the entire continent could successfully raise a true dragon species; given the unity of the dragon race, such a situation would inevitably draw the hatred and retaliation of all dragons!
Yet this Saintess made no effort to hide it, blatantly letting it roam within the Temple.
Even a child in Brilliant City knew that the Temple was raising an infant true dragon species.
Children might not understand, but could the adults not see the implications?
This Saintess of the Moon must be on good terms with the dragon race, perhaps even in contact with the Dragon King; otherwise, there was no way she would be granted the right to raise a true dragon species!
How terrifying a human Saintess with the dragon race backing her would be was self-evident!
Even if the Dressas family had considered rebellion before, the moment the true dragon species appeared, all the high-ranking members of the Dressas family had reached a consensus almost instantly.
No one wanted to oppose a Saintess backed by the dragon race.
But the Saintess didn't know that.
Others didn't know that.
Looking at it this way, for this man to suddenly show up and make such a massive demand, it was clearly the Saintess's intent.
This was... a punishment for the Dressas family having helped the Garnet family before, and a test of their current attitude.
No!
He couldn't let this man just walk away, or the Dressas family would be in grave danger!
Watching the frail figure that was already over ten meters away, Marcus suddenly opened his mouth and shouted with a desperate, blood-curdling intensity:
"Two million!"
Augus didn't look back, continuing his pace.
"Three... Three million!"
Marcus's gums were bleeding from how hard he was clenching his teeth, his mouth filled with the taste of copper, but he didn't care as he stared at that back.
Yet, the frail back still did not turn.
"Four million! It cannot be any more... It cannot be any more!"
However, the frail back only paused for a microsecond before the legs moved forward again.
"Five... Five... Five million! Five million!"
Augus stopped, slowly turning around, a smile finally appearing on his face.
"The Dressas family is voluntarily donating five million gold coins?"
"Yes..."
Marcus gritted his teeth, his fists clenched tight, yet he didn't dare hesitate for a moment.
Because he felt... this was likely the critical moment that would decide the life or death of the Dressas family!
"The Dressas family cares so much for the people; you are truly a role model for us all."
Looking at Marcus's expression, which was on the verge of tears, Augus said with a beaming smile:
"I think... Her Highness will be very pleased."
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