Ossen City, Han Shuo's own mansion.
As soon as Han Shuo returned to the count's mansion, steward Kallas immediately reported to Han Shuo that the third prince, Lawrence, had been waiting for him.
Lancelot Empire's King Uhtred originally had three princes, Eldest Prince Charles, Second Prince Cyril, and Youngest Prince Befuli. Among the three princes, Eldest Prince Charles was valiant and skilled in battle, Second Prince Cyril was a standard refined nobleman, and Youngest Prince Befuli was only fifteen years old, still a child.
After Lawrence's identity was made public, he became the third prince. However, this third prince was only what everyone called him on the surface. Only those people knew how they cursed him in secret.
As soon as Han Shuo returned to the count's mansion, he learned from steward Kallas that Lawrence was waiting for him. He couldn't help but marvel at Lawrence's information network. After entering Ossen City from Brettel City, Han Shuo only made a trip to the Babylon Academy of Magic and Force and the Dark Mantle headquarters. He basically didn't show his face in front of anyone. The news from Brettel City shouldn't have arrived so quickly. Lawrence obviously had another sensitive information network.
Compared to his previous cheerfulness, Lawrence's expression was a bit more gloomy. Perhaps it was because he hadn't lived as he wished recently, but Lawrence's temperament had become even colder. However, when he saw Han Shuo walk in, he still laughed heartily and came over to hug Han Shuo.
After a deep conversation with Candide, Han Shuo gained a new understanding of Lawrence's farsightedness. Seeing Lawrence come over to hug him, Han Shuo also had a happy expression. He suddenly hugged Lawrence tightly, laughing heartily as he greeted Lawrence with greetings. Han Shuo waved his hand to dismiss the servant who brought him refreshments. He lightly took a sip of the fragrant tea from the south of Oden Empire, then looked at Lawrence and said, "It hasn't been long, I didn't expect the situation to have already reached this point."
"Brian, there's finally news of you. During this period of time, my days in the imperial capital haven't been good. Charles has been pushing me around. Currently, apart from my adoptive father and uncle Boris, there aren't any other nobles supporting me. Sigh, due to my awkward status, I know those nobles look down on me. However, I can't escape from this situation. Otherwise, Charles and the others will definitely not let me off. " Lawrence didn't pretend to say too much and went straight to the point, telling Han Shuo about the predicament he was facing.
Among the other three princes, Eldest Prince Charles had the support of Grand Duke Ashburn. In addition, his mother was the Empress, making him the most promising candidate to inherit the throne. The second prince, Cyril, had a good relationship with the various nobles in the imperial capital. He seemed to be kind and knew how to win people's hearts, and he had a bunch of nobles supporting him.
Although Little Prince Befuli was still a half-grown child, his mother was the woman His Majesty loved the most. With that woman constantly whispering in His Majesty's ear, Uhtred seemed to love Befuli very much. Although little prince Befuli was still a child, his mother was the woman His Majesty the King doted on the most. With that woman constantly blowing wind into His Majesty's ears, Uhtred seemed to dote on Befuli very much.
Actually, if it wasn't for his awkward status, the third prince Lawrence, who had interfered, would have had the support of his father and uncle. In addition, his master was sacred swordmaster Karel. Unfortunately, due to his status as an illegitimate child, these weren't considered too heavy of a bargaining chip and basically couldn't guarantee him anything.
From Candide's words, Han Shuo knew that old astrologer Madam Grace had a decisive say. The reason why Lawrence's master Karel hadn't expressed his stance seemed to be because he was waiting for astrologer Madam Grace's opinion. Lawrence didn't seem to know about this matter. Han Shuo came over and listened to Lawrence's sighing narration.
After a while, Han Shuo opened his mouth and said, "I've just returned from the Dark Mantle and obtained an extremely important piece of information. There's a senior astrologer Madam Grace in the Dark Mantle. One word from her can bring you enormous benefits. The reason why your master hasn't expressed his stance yet is perhaps due to consideration for the Lancelot Empire's overall situation …"
After Han Shuo described what he had seen and heard in the Dark Mantle to Lawrence, Lawrence knitted his brows and pondered for a while. He then looked deeply at Han Shuo and said, "Thank you, Brian. This piece of information is extremely important. Madam Grace is my father's personal astrologer. I've heard some rumors about her. However, astrology is too vague and insubstantial. No matter what, I must make early preparations."
Nodding his head, Han Shuo understood that for some people who were passionate about power, that mysterious astrology wasn't something they would fuss over too much. Taking this incident as an example, in addition to the fact that old astrologer Grace had said that Lawrence would be able to bring prosperity to the Lancelot Empire, the other three princes would definitely not allow themselves to be captured without a fight and willingly hand over the throne to Lawrence.
The mysterious astrology was only a part of it. For those who strived for power, they absolutely weren't people who were willing to bow their heads to fate. Lawrence was precisely this kind of person. Listening to his words, Han Shuo couldn't help but nod inwardly. Thinking of Lawrence's deep foresight, Han Shuo knew that Lawrence wasn't someone easy to deal with.
However, Han Shuo's choice was Lawrence. The more difficult Lawrence was to deal with, the more at ease Han Shuo felt. Hearing Han Shuo's words, he smiled and nodded, saying, "Don't worry, no matter what the final outcome of astrology is, Brettel City and I will always stand on your side. Who cares if it's some kind of prophecy or divination, we will still fight it out. Hehe, of course, if the situation is favorable to us, then it will naturally be a bit better. "
"Thank you, Brian. If I can inherit the throne, the Dark Mantle will only have you as a big shot in the future." Lawrence solemnly promised Han Shuo.
"I don't care about your future promises. I only care about the help you've given me in the past and the friendship between us. That's why I will spare no effort to help you." Han Shuo smiled as he explained to Lawrence. The future was always the hardest to predict. Nothing was absolute. Promises about the future were the same as astrology, they were all illusory.
"Hmm, it looks like I should start from Madam Grace's side. Although I know that doing so might be futile, I still need to try." Lawrence understood that people like Madam Grace and Karel only cared about the future of the Lancelot Empire, and not about any one of them gaining power.
After receiving Han Shuo's guarantee, Lawrence finally felt relieved. He discussed a few more details with Han Shuo before bidding farewell to Han Shuo and leaving.
After Lawrence had left for a while, Han Shuo couldn't help but frown. He walked out of the hall and looked at the opposite roof, muttering to himself, "He's already left, why are you still here?"
As soon as these words were said, a shadow floated down from the opposite roof. Bollands, whom Han Shuo had met in the Rose Garden, suddenly appeared in front of him. A dense stench of blood mixed with killing intent slowly drifted out, filling Han Shuo's surroundings.
The old assassin Bollands, whose face was covered in scars, had been hiding there ever since Lawrence entered Han Shuo's mansion. When Han Shuo came over, he first sensed the dense stench of blood on Bollands' body. Han Shuo understood that Bollands' goal was to protect Lawrence, so he didn't pay attention to his existence.
However, after Lawrence and Han Shuo had finished their conversation, Han Shuo discovered that Bollands hadn't left with Lawrence when Han Shuo should've left. That was why he walked out and questioned Bollands as if he was talking to himself.
"How were you able to discover my exact location?" Bollands' eyes focused on Han Shuo's body. A murderous aura emanated from his body as he questioned Han Shuo with some doubt.
Han Shuo knew that it was because his hands were covered in blood and he had deliberately trained in this aspect that his murderous aura naturally permeated the air. It wasn't because he had killing intent in his heart. Han Shuo smiled faintly and said, "The murderous aura on your body is too heavy, and you don't know how to completely conceal your aura. Naturally, you can be sensed by experts. Heh heh, I think you've stopped being an assassin ever since you started training your murderous aura, right?"
A top-notch assassin had to be able to completely conceal their murderous aura. Only in this way would they be able to finish off their target with a single strike before they could even react. Bollands used to be a top-notch assassin. However, it was obvious that he had focused on researching how to use his murderous aura. Slowly, his murderous aura became uncontrollable and the smell of blood on his body became heavier and heavier. For a top-notch assassin, this was a flaw.
Bollands couldn't help but stare blankly when he heard Han Shuo's words. He then replied, "That's right. When I discovered that I could no longer conceal my aura, I stopped being an assassin. However, my murderous aura is able to destroy the enemy's willpower in actual combat. In a real battle, I have the absolute advantage. Even two people may not be my match."
This person was actually a good seedling. With his current physical condition, he would be able to cultivate demonic arts with twice the effort and half the result. If Han Shuo was to guide him carefully and specialize in a demonic art of the God Slaying Path, he would definitely become an extraordinary figure. His strength would also improve by leaps and bounds.
"Actually, I have a method to conceal the murderous aura on your body, as well as a method to better control and utilize it. Hehe, this kind of path that you're exploring on your own has some similarities with the martial technique that I cultivate. If you cultivate according to my method, you will definitely be able to greatly increase your strength in a short period of time. In addition, you will also have unlimited potential to expand. " Han Shuo suddenly recalled that Uhtred had once told him to spread the martial technique. This Bollands was indeed a suitable candidate. However, the only thing that made Han Shuo somewhat apprehensive was the relationship between Bollands and sacred swordmaster Karel.
As long as Bollands cultivated the God Slaying Path that Han Shuo had taught him, Han Shuo had full confidence that he would be able to control Bollands. In the future, he would be able to make Bollands his loyal lackey. Therefore, Han Shuo began to probe.
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