184 Dekan Accidentally Caused a Major Incident
The Rick Kingdom located in the northern part of the continent.
This morning, the Capital City appeared unusually prosperous, with crowds of people already bustling on the streets at dawn.
Various shops lined the streets, the scent of pastries wafting through the air, punctuated occasionally by hearty laughter, adding a touch of warmth to the cold winter of the Northern Kingdoms.
Today, the Rick Kingdom was hosting a celebration.
Not only within the urban areas of the Capital City, but also in the square not far from the Royal Palace, grand activities were prepared.
This was the largest square in the Capital City, backed by the Royal Palace and facing the entire urban district, with extremely wide streets on both sides. All the streets were paved with strong, flat white stone slabs, capable of accommodating a knight regiment formation.
His Majesty King Ashtonton would soon personally ascend the platform in the square to preside over the annual regular celebration ceremony.
On the platforms erected on both sides, there were seats for the nobility and powers of the country, as well as invitations for various high-level officials from organizations like the Sun God Church and the Cardmakers Association within the Rick Kingdom to attend.
The closer to the square, the more you could notice the fully armed royal guards.
It seemed that this year’s military security was stricter than in previous years.
A considerable number of citizens had already gathered near the square, with even more people flooding into the long streets on both sides. The queues stretched for what seemed like kilometers.
Not long after, the golden gates of the Royal Palace finally opened slowly.
The current ruler of the Rick Kingdom, His Majesty Ashtonton, appeared in the sight of everyone.
All the nobles on the platforms stood up and bowed slightly to the Palace gates, while all knights and troops performed the standard knight’s salute.
This old king in his sixties, crowned and dressed in heavy ceremonial robes, looked far from aged. He exuded the majesty and vigor of a seasoned general.
Due to King Ashtonton’s high cultivation talent, he had challenged the Shadow World in his youth, thus establishing himself as a sixth-stage strong individual. Most kings in this world were not this powerful.
King Ashtonton often didn’t need bodyguards since he himself had once personally defeated assassins.
For significant events, King Ashtonton would take along eighth-stage strong individuals for protection.
After all, open large-scale events like these were easy to be exploited by the Rebirth Church.
Ordinary followers were one thing.
But in case one of the bishops decided to make a big move on a whim without proper precautions, even King Ashtonton’s sixth-stage strength would be insufficient to resist.
The bishops of the Rebirth Church were all fanatics who had pushed the dark arts to their extreme.
Except for the so-called “Bishop of Pain,” whom Ashtonton wasn’t afraid of, he was somewhat wary of the rest of the bishops.
Everyone understood that the Rebirth Church fabricated the existence of the Bishop of Pain merely to give those in the Kingdom Union who wanted to deal with Dekan an opportunity to voice their opinions.
As for Dekan, he was far from deserving the notorious title of “Bishop of Pain” before he grew stronger.
Unfortunately, Dekan would have no chance to grow stronger.
Since the Northern Kingdoms had already decided to eliminate this dangerous variable that would hinder their grand plans in the future, they would employ every means.
Dekan was safe in the Norton Kingdom.
But they had thrown bait—
Forcing Dekan to leave the Norton Kingdom and go to other countries to participate in the seventh-stage team assessment.
Dekan fell for it as expected.
They would certainly not allow Dekan to return safely to the Norton Kingdom!
…
King Ashtonton walked onto a platform solely for him, where everyone stayed at least ten meters away from him.
There were only two people quietly following him closely.
One was a high priest of the Sun God Church, and the other was a female knight with a horrifying scar on her face.
Clearly, these two were both eighth-stage strong individuals.
Only these two people were allowed to stay close to the King; everyone else, including the King’s four sons, was positioned more than ten meters away on either side.
On the platform, King Ashtonton swept his eyes over the entire scene with a smile, nodded, and raised his hand in greeting to the masses.
After the cheers from the crowd subsided, Ashtonton glanced again at the entire scene and began his speech:
“Right now, I am happily serving as your king…”
Ashtonton’s speech stopped abruptly, his expression changing drastically.
This sudden change made everyone in the audience puzzled and tense.
The female knight immediately entered a state of alertness, shielding the king with the menacing aura radiating from her body.
But she turned slightly, discreetly glancing back at the Crown Prince.
“Cough… cough!”
Ashtonton coughed twice, shook his head, and signaled to the female knight that he was fine.
Although Ashtonton wanted to continue speaking, sweat began to bead on his forehead.
It looked like Ashtonton wasn’t injured, but was enduring pain.
The senior priest frowned deeply and immediately supported the king.
Upon touching King Ashtonton, the high priest realized the situation instantly.
A formidable spellcaster had just cursed the king!
Even the high priest standing beside the king hadn’t sensed the curse.
He urgently performed a high-level purification spell on the king to counter the curse.
“Your Majesty, you have just been cursed.”
The high priest whispered into Ashtonton’s ear.
Ashtonton did not say anything, but turned back to cast a fierce glance at his four sons.
Some princes looked him directly in the eyes without fear, while others appeared somewhat guilt-ridden and avoided eye contact.
At this point, the king’s speech during the celebration was interrupted.
It took a few minutes before there was any sign of continuing.
“Your Majesty, please rest assured. I have erected a barrier that can block all spellcasters who wish to harm you in this area. Once they dare to curse you again, I will locate them in an instant!”
The high priest stated to the king and then looked at the female knight.
The female knight understood and nodded.
Once the spellcaster was found, she would be the quickest to catch them.
Ashtonton took a deep breath. That fleeting curse earlier was unusual.
It seemed to bring minimal physical damage.
It merely caused excruciating pain, akin to a pure torment curse.
Just considering that he had been cursed with such a humiliating curse seemed like a direct challenge to his authority, which nearly caused the king’s suppressed anger to explode.
“I detest those who dare act but not own up! I believe there are those among you, even around me, who harbor intentions against me. After all, I have occupied this position for too long, and I will continue to stay indefinitely!”
Ashtonton didn’t hide his anger as he swept his stern gaze across the knights and nobles on the square and the stage.
There was no doubt that the person capable of cursing him was hiding among the audience!
In the distant crowd, though many didn’t know why the king said such words that disrupted the festive atmosphere,
The king’s words caused a storm of unrest among the nobility.
Initially, they thought the conflict between the king and the princes was tacitly understood, but didn’t expect the king to voice it openly first.
Some speculated that it might have been one of the prince’s subordinates who had acted earlier.
“Whoever you are! The spellcaster who cursed me earlier, and whoever instructed you to do so, I, Aeshton Julius Gaius, proclaim judgment upon you! As long as the Rick Kingdom stands, the pursuit of you will never…!”
Suddenly,
Before the threat was even finished, King Ashtonton’s expression drastically changed once more.
His eyes widened, his entire body shaking violently as he experienced the heart-wrenching pain similar to what he had earlier.
But it was obvious that this curse was much stronger this time!
King Aeshton clenched his chest, streams of crimson blood oozing from his mouth uncontrollably.
Even the high priest was dumbfounded.
Was his barrier fake?
Moreover, without any sign or magical fluctuations, the curse had been cast!
The high priest immediately responded, hastily protecting the king and removing the cursed state.
The king clutched onto the high priest’s sleeve as if holding onto a lifeline, momentarily losing some of his usual majesty.
Although the curse would not be fatal,
It was unpredictable!
The king had to always have a priest around like an emergency remedy to feel at ease!
This humiliating curse was like a challenge to the king and high priest —
Try to find me if you dare,
Otherwise,
I’ll kill you.
“Why don’t you dare to show yourself, sir?!!!”
The high priest stood on the platform, anger sweeping through the surroundings as he roared.
For the moment, he found no target at all. Beyond frustration, he felt more fear run down his spine.
Whose hand was this?
Even he, who specialized in removing curses, could not determine where the curse originated.
Had the enemy’s concealment and curse techniques advanced to this level?!
This was definitely not something an ordinary spellcaster could accomplish!
“All spectators and people on the square must remain stationary! Any attempt to leave will result in immediate execution!”
The female knight made her judgment, shouting with a chilling voice.
From that moment forward, everyone in the plaza feared for their own safety.
At the same time, the female knight also cast a frown toward the Crown Prince.
However, after hesitating for so long, the Crown Prince finally made up his mind and nodded at the female knight.
Now that the king had made such threats, there was bound to be a thorough investigation into the factions of several princes.
His private maneuvers absolutely must not be discovered by the king!
Besides, there was also a concealed spellcaster somewhere, likely a subordinate to some conniving prince. If he didn’t seize this advantage, he might miss his best chance.
Even though the timing was far from mature, he had no other choice but to act!
Thus, the female knight unsheathed her sword and moved closer to the king.
Meanwhile, other princes also began to lose patience…
…
Two days later, Dekan, who had finally recovered, set out to buy breakfast, basking in the first rays of sunshine of the morning.
“What a hopeful day again, I’ll buy a newspaper on the side.”
Dekan couldn’t help but be eager to read about topics such as “King Aeshton’s sudden serious illness.”
Otherwise, he would be slightly disappointed in his “Dekan’s Gospel”.
If it couldn’t even manage to injure the king, this book would merely serve to irritate the enemies, messing with their minds.
“Meow! I want to come too!”
The Teacher Cat staying in Dekan’s dormitory perked up when it heard Dekan’s words.
It naturally knew what Dekan wanted to see.
Soon, they obtained today’s Kingdom Union Times.
Dekan picked up the newspaper.
As he scanned the headline, his brows furrowed immediately.
The headline read —
“Northern Rick Kingdom’s ‘Day of Blood’: King Aeshton was assassinated by a Knight Commander, Prince’s power struggle instigates major turmoil, aristocratic forces split into camps, regional lords begin chaos! Rick Kingdom is disintegrating in danger!”
Dekan: “???”
What does all this mean?!
Dekan couldn’t understand, but was greatly shocked.
“Meow meow meow?”
The Teacher Cat, perched on Dekan’s shoulder, looked at the newspaper and let out a puzzled meow.
Its eyes darted around for a moment, and it seemed to have figured something out instantly.
Just as it was about to ask something, Dekan quickly shoved a piece of pastry into its mouth and hurriedly returned to the dormitory with the cat, closing the door securely.
Back in the dormitory, the Teacher Cat finally couldn’t help but ask,
“Dekan, I doubt this has anything to do with you, right meow?”
“Absolutely not, don’t think too much! Even if I had unmatched abilities, there’s no way I could achieve this!”
Dekan shakes his head firmly.
“You, you intended to do that thing before… meow?”
The Teacher Cat didn’t dare to mention Dekan’s specific plans.
Although it hadn’t seen the finished product, the Teacher Cat had already known Dekan’s idea to counter the enemies.
“That’s completely different, alright? I didn’t kill Aeshton! What does the turmoil have anything to do with me?”
“But, isn’t that quite a coincidence meow?”
“It’s not me.”
Dekan stubbornly insisted.
“Tell the truth meow, wasn’t your curse target related to the Rick Kingdom before?”
“…”
Dekan was unusually silent for once.
“What are you saying? I don’t understand, I don’t even know where the Rick Kingdom is.”
While Dekan was saying this,
The Teacher Cat sensed Dekan slightly shifting his gaze away due to a bit of unease.
It immediately grasped the situation!
“Trouble meow, if what you initiated caused this, if the truth ever comes out, it wouldn’t take the Rebirth Church publicizing that your bounty would overshadow that of the church’s bishops…”
“Don’t say random things! It’s not necessarily related to me! It might just be a coincidence!”
The man and the feline whispered inside the house.
But when Dekan continued flipping through the newspaper,
They read the following:
[King Aeshton of Rick Kingdom was attacked by an unknown spellcaster during a speech, hit by two curses, setting off the already brewing power struggles among the princes… ]
“…”
“…”
Dekan and the Teacher Cat exchanged a glance and didn’t speak.
