King Basil's words stunned Justin. He hadn't expected the king to be so closely attuned to Adrian's actions.Despite the distance of several kilometers, King Basil seemed to perceive Adrian's every move with uncanny precision.The ministers were equally taken aback. None had anticipated that Adrian's maneuvers would cause such an uproar.Some officials, however, scoffed at the notion of Adrian being a legitimate contender.One sneered. "He's just a young upstart. Even if he's strong, the soldiers clearly don't respect him. Let's see what other tricks he thinks he can pull."Their expressions brimmed with disdain, convinced that Adrian's youth rendered him incapable of true leadership. To them, he was merely an inexperienced boy, not a force to be reckoned with.Renee, however, countered icily, "Just watch. Let's see how Mr. Adrian turns the tide. This might bring an unexpected surprise to our great Ciawales."Her cutting words silenced the room.Even Justin, who had been on the

Looking at the crowd before him, Adrian smiled faintly. Undoubtedly, he had finally won over the people before him.This was precisely the outcome Adrian had envisioned. Their acceptance was crucial. Without it, dissatisfaction and lingering doubts would have continued to fester.Across from him, Tyler stood motionless, his gaze averted. Despair weighed on him so heavily that, for a fleeting moment, he considered ending it all right there.Despite years of military service and countless battles, Tyler's abrupt challenge to Adrian had ended in a crushing defeat—one so absolute it bordered on humiliation.Compared to Adrian's strategic brilliance, Tyler felt like an unseasoned recruit, as if he had never even studied the art of warfare. The chasm between them felt insurmountable, as vast as the distance between earth and sky. It left Tyler deeply shaken.Adrian, observing Tyler's demeanor, immediately understood his turmoil.He grinned, approached, and said in a calm, steady voice,

It was the soldiers' first encounter with someone as iron-willed as Adrian. His presence, filled with a terrifying aura and overwhelming strength, made it abundantly clear that he was no ordinary person. Any thought of opposing Adrian seemed an impossible challenge.At that moment, they were left with only two choices: surrender or submit.Their eyes reflected their helplessness. They knew there was no way to stand against Adrian, leaving them with no option but to compromise and follow him.For them, the choice was inevitable.Watching silently from the sidelines, Tyler was filled with amazement.In his eyes, Adrian's display of authority was highly effective. It helped to weed out those with wavering loyalties within the army.Those who remained would be steadfast individuals, and even if some still harbored doubts, further training would likely solidify their commitment.Among the fifty thousand elite troops, Tyler understood better than anyone the kind of soldiers they were.

Renee couldn't believe Justin's persistence. His scheme was transparent—if she joined the expedition, Ciawales would be left unguarded against his ambitions, giving him the perfect opportunity to seize control.But Renee had no intention of letting him succeed.With a frosty expression, she retorted, "Justin, your strength isn't lacking either. In fact, you're the most suitable person to lead the rescue mission."Her sharp gaze bore into him. "If you can live so comfortably in Ciawales, it's only because Michael stabilized the court. Without his efforts, how could you have such an easy life?"Justin sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh? Do you truly believe Michael is capable of that? If it weren't for Ciawales dispatching its army, do you think he could have held out this long?"Ultimately, he still failed and got himself captured. Michael is truly worrisome," he added, his cold laughter echoing as he walked away.Renee's fury burned as she watched him leave. Clenching

Adrian's words left the group in stunned silence.Tyler, still skeptical, remarked, "This matter was reported directly to King Basil. If someone tampered with the information, they must be incredibly audacious."At Tyler's observation, the group's expressions grew grim.Adrian's sharp gaze swept over them as he replied, "The Second Prince is already missing. Isn't that crime enough to be considered treason? If they dared that, what wouldn't they do?"The logic of Adrian's statement sent an icy wave through the group. The terrifying prospect left many uneasy.Adrian's killing intent sharpened as he turned his attention to Tyler. "Since I've pointed this out, take it as your reminder to act immediately."Cold beads of sweat broke out on Tyler's brow, and he felt a shiver down his spine. Adrian's piercing gaze carried an oppressive weight that made his chest tighten. "Yes, Sir Adrian!" Tyler responded without hesitation, immediately moving to organize the investigation.Adrian's