Ning Busan gave an elegant knight's salute. “On behalf of all commoners, I thank Your Majesty for your benevolence.”
The nobles present glared coldly at Ning Busan, wishing they could skin him alive.
Ning Busan returned a brilliant smile, utterly provocative.
Since they had already completely fallen out, drawing a bit more hatred didn't matter.
Ning Busan was about to return to his seat when Novalia stepped forward.
“Your Majesty, I am feeling slightly unwell, so I must take my leave early.”
Before the King could even speak, Novalia added, “Ning Busan, I need you to look after me. Come with me.”
Just like that, Novalia took Ning Busan and left the banquet with an incredibly perfunctory excuse.
After they left, the nobles exchanged glances and began whispering to their subordinates. Even the King ordered his guards to do something.
Once they left the palace, Novalia said calmly,
“Ning Busan, I've accumulated quite a bit of influence in my territories outside over the years. Leave the imperial capital tonight. I will personally escort you to a safe place.”
Ning Busan replied, “I have no intention of leaving the imperial capital.”
Novalia frowned deeply. Her expression showed anger at being kept in the dark, but it was mostly worry.
“Do you have any idea what kind of consequences your actions today will bring?”
The nobility would spare no effort to send assassins after Ning Busan. Only with his death could they suppress the request he had made today.
“Don't worry, I know what I'm doing,” Ning Busan said. “Do you remember the demon that tried to assassinate you on your way back to the Empire?”
“I remember. What about him?”
“For certain reasons, that demon is going to protect me, so you don't have to worry.”
Novalia growled, “Ning Busan! What are you thinking? You actually made a deal with a demon!”
Just how much had Ning Busan been doing behind her back?
“Calm down, calm down! I didn't make a deal with him,” Ning Busan said. “It's a bit complicated, but rest assured, I won't gamble with my own life.”
Novalia had a massive headache. “Why did I ever think you were a well-behaved and sensible person?”
Ning Busan rubbed his nose. “Probably because... I look like an honest guy?”
“Forget it, I'll send you back to Roman Lane first,” Novalia said.
“The North District is heavily guarded, and I'll deploy more patrols. Be careful.”
Ning Busan nodded. “Alright.”
After returning to Roman Lane, Ning Busan smiled. “Didn't we agree before that if I won the Nameplate Snatching Battle, you would grant me one request?”
Novalia asked, “What do you want me to do?”
Ning Busan said, “Earlier, Kaelan stumbled upon William and Nigan's conspiracy and was hunted by them, so I took him in.”
“My place won't be very peaceful for a while, so I hope you can recruit him into your legion.”
Novalia sneered. “Ning Busan, so you had already planned all of this back then. Why didn't you discuss it with me beforehand?”
“Because I knew you wouldn't agree,” Ning Busan said gently. “You wouldn't let me put myself in danger.”
Novalia was speechless. “Ning Busan, but you...”
“Novalia—” Ning Busan cut her off.
“I know you've been building up your forces outside the Empire, planning to keep those nobles in check and slowly force them to compromise.”
“I won't interfere with your plans, and you shouldn't obstruct my actions. After all, we share the same goal.”
Novalia fell silent for a moment before slowly saying,
“Since the King has agreed, Teacher Saige and I will draft the regulations in the Mage Association to allow commoners to study magic.”
“You've already gone this far. Leave the rest to me.”
Ning Busan pulled a thick stack of papers from a drawer. “This is the proposal. You can use it as a reference.”
Novalia's gaze was complicated. “Take care of yourself.”
Ning Busan said, “Don't worry, I cherish my life very much.”
“By the way...” Ning Busan paused, asking sheepishly, “Could you draw me a map of the palace?”
Novalia felt another headache coming on. “What are you planning to do now?”
Ning Busan said, “I plan to pay a visit to the secret treasury. There's something I need in there.”
Novalia asked, “What do you want? I can get it for you.”
Ning Busan shook his head. “I'd better go myself.”
Novalia had lost her magic talent, so she wouldn't be able to sense the presence of the holy water.
He had to go himself.
Novalia drew a map of the palace's layout for Ning Busan, detailing what he needed to watch out for, and finally warned him:
“There are only four Grand Swordsmen on the Landia Continent. Among them, Grand Swordsman Elion is loyal to the royal family and has always guarded the palace.”
“Even Teacher Saige is highly wary of him. If he spots you, flee immediately. Do not linger under any circumstances.”
Ning Busan nodded. “I understand.”
Once Novalia left with Kaelan, Ning Busan immediately summoned Baphomet.
“Holy crap—” Baphomet's lips trembled wildly when he saw Ning Busan. “You... you, you, you...”
Ning Busan found it baffling.
What was wrong?
Baphomet shrieked, “What did you do? The power of Hell is corroding your body!”
“Didn't you say you'd summon me if you ran into danger? What on earth happened?”
“I'm dead! I'm dead! If Lord Lucifer finds out you're hurt, he will absolutely kill me!”
“Don't panic! Stay calm, stay calm,” Ning Busan patted Baphomet's shoulder. “Do me a favor.”
“For the next while, a lot of assassins will come to my house to kill me. Help me deal with them.”
Baphomet asked, “But the power of Hell is eroding your body. What do you plan to do about that?”
Ning Busan said, “I'm going to the palace. There might be holy water in the secret treasury.”
Baphomet didn't dare let him go alone. “I'll go with you.”
“Carrying a demon around is too conspicuous, you don't need to follow me,” Ning Busan refused. “I'll call you when I need you.”
Baphomet cried out in grief and indignation, “That's exactly what you said last time!”
Ning Busan looked utterly puzzled. “Really? Did I actually say that?”
Baphomet couldn't help but complain in his heart: My living ancestor!
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