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Chapter 82: Swordsman vs. Sorcerer - Which is Stronger? (Bonus Chapter for Alliance Leader "Wearing a Vest 314")
The sun has set.

As the last rays of the setting sun disappeared from the horizon, it was as if someone had hidden behind the mountains and extinguished their lantern.

Daphne was shrouded in night.

The royal palace is situated on a hill at the northernmost edge of the city, giving it a high vantage point. Every day, the people of the capital can look up and gaze upon this magnificent castle.

Wang Xi and Pinocchio changed into gorgeous aristocratic clothes and wore fluffy dome hats adorned with peacock feathers.

The two were already outstanding in appearance, with smooth skin, red lips and white teeth. Combined with their attire, they were dignified and imposing. No one would believe they weren't nobles.

Three ministers from Ando led the way, carrying oil lamps, and the journey proceeded smoothly without hindrance.

Inside the palace, the palace guards who were on duty and patrolling rarely came forward to inquire; they would simply bow and walk away.

Facial recognition is so convenient.

Even when Ando was stopped by the elite guards on both sides of the porch after passing through the wing courtyard and arriving at the Queen's Tower at the innermost part of the palace, he only said that Prince Calvin had summoned him on important business before being allowed to pass.

But as everyone entered the hall and prepared to go up the spiral staircases on both sides, they encountered an accident.

The hall was brightly lit by candlelight from several large gilded chandeliers. Three men and women dressed in dark blue lace robes stood in front of the group.

Wang Xi glanced at them and saw the entries above their heads—

"Court Sorcerer Moreno (Yellow/3-star)"

"Court Sorcerer Larin (Yellow/Three Stars)"

"Court Sorcerer Emily (Yellow/3 Stars)"

Three three-star court sorcerers.

"Lord Ando, ​​may I ask what brings you to the Queen's Tower so late?"

"Moreno," the short-haired middle-aged man asked in a deep voice.

The portly minister chuckled, seemingly already at odds with the court's sorcerers, and said in a cold tone:

"Lord Calvin has summoned me urgently. Don't waste time; you'll be held responsible if things go wrong."

"Lord Calvin has summoned me?"

Another sorceress, Emily, glanced at them with a suspicious look on her face.

"And who are these two? I've never seen them before."

“Ms. Emily, there are many people you haven’t met, and I don’t have time to introduce them to you one by one.”

Ando, ​​slightly impatient, waved his hand and said:
"Get out of the way."

"Heh." However, the fat minister's words had no effect. The three sorcerers remained unmoved and instead sneered. "Lord Ando, ​​your attempt to cover up only makes you look guilty."

"We, the court sorcerers, are responsible for the safety of the Queen and Lord Calvin. If we do not ascertain their identities, please forgive us for not allowing them to pass."

The sorceress said calmly.

Ando's face was grim, while the mint official and the apothecary beside him exchanged silent glances.

Logically, after nightfall, the swordsmen should take over from the sorcerers to continue guarding the tower. But tonight, for some reason, the rotation didn't happen on time.

Andor is on good terms with the chief swordsman of the court, but has a terrible relationship with the group of sorcerers. This is because the chief sorcerer, Bertrand, is also one of Calvin's confidants, and they dislike each other.

Normally, this wouldn't be a big deal; it would just be a war of words, a waste of time. But now, the other party is fixated on Lord Gurui's identity, and if this drags on, it might cause unforeseen complications.

"I am Gurui, a traveling scholar invited by Lord Calvin. He wants to discuss with me the importance of swordsmen and sorcerers to the development of the kingdom."

Wang Xi stepped forward, put his hands behind his back, and began to speak eloquently.

His serious demeanor startled the three sorcerers. They exchanged a strange glance.

A wandering scholar, a Guru?
Which remote mountain village did this guy come from?

"Lord Calvin would be interested in something like this?"

The male sorcerer named Larin frowned.

He was a middle-aged man with long, flowing hair, fair skin, and delicate features.

“Of course.” Wang Xi raised his chin, looking down at him rudely with an expression that suggested his knowledge had gone haywire and arrogance had taken over his head. “You simply don’t understand Lord Calvin’s ambitions.”

He raised his hands as if playing an accordion; no one understands Calvin's appearance better than I do.

He then pressed further, questioning:

"I'm asking you—"

Wang Xi drew out his words and stepped forward.

"Swordsmen or sorcerers, which is more important to the development of the kingdom?"

"Heh, of course it's a warlock."

"The sorceress Emily said calmly."

“Those reckless and stupid swordsmen can only understand simple commands and know nothing but fighting… But we sorcerers, because of our noble bloodline, have elemental affinity and can use various spells to solve the royal family’s problems.”

"Then let me ask you some more questions."

Wang Xi nodded, seemingly in agreement.

At the same time, he took another step forward.

"Which is stronger in combat, a swordsman or a sorcerer? Which is better able to protect the Queen and Lord Calvin?"

"Silly question."

Emily glanced at him.

"Within seven steps, the swordsman is strong. Beyond seven steps, the sorcerer is strong... But such comparisons are meaningless, because even the swordsman must bow down before us."

"so smart?"

Wang Xi looked surprised.

He glanced at the three of them, revealing a bright, sunny smile, his voice deepening as he spoke:
"One last question, how many steps away are I from you now?"

"?!"

The three sorcerers' expressions changed slightly.

call--

They only felt a blur before their eyes, and then a strong gust of wind rushed towards them. The traveling scholar named Gurui leaped like a humanoid beast.

Bang bang bang!
In the blink of an eye, before the three could react, they felt a sharp pain in their necks, their vision went black, and they lost consciousness.

thump!
To the astonishment of Ando and the others, the three court sorcerers collapsed and fell asleep, motionless on the ground.

"They...they're dead?!"

Mint Officer Dick, as if intimidated by Lord Gurui's imposing aura, shrieked as if his throat had been gripped.

"He's not dead, just knocked unconscious," Wang Xi said casually, flexing his wrist.

'A three-star warlock's physique is truly frail, even weaker than a one-star caravan mercenary.'

He secretly thought.

Once he got close, the three of them were utterly helpless and were easily dealt with.

Six orbs of light, three green and three white, flew straight into Wang Xi's forehead. Ando and the others were completely unaware of this and couldn't see it at all.

Wang Xi grabbed the legs of the sorcerer group members, dragged them to a corner of the hall, and threw them into the shadows behind a large vase.

Then he clapped his hands and walked back.

"Ando, ​​continue leading the way."

"..."

The fat minister wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

"Yes, Master Gului."

...

...

The tower has five floors, and this is the top floor.

Inside the magnificent and spacious Queen's boudoir.

With the help of two young maids, Xiana removed her white velvet cloak, gorgeous long dress, elaborate headdress, and queen's crown.

She changed into a pure white dress and sat barefoot by the window. Two maids carefully and gently combed the queen's long golden hair.

The cool moonlight fell on the windowsill and onto Xiana's face, making her look even more haggard.

Gazing at the distant snow-capped mountains, one can vaguely see a "sapphire" shimmering on the summit—that is the crystal castle where my sister resides…

The Queen was lost in thought.

A hint of weariness and sadness flashed in his eyes.

Siana knew very well that she was not suited to be queen. However, her father had passed away early, and her sister was unwilling to get involved in any affairs of the kingdom, choosing instead to live in seclusion atop a snow-capped mountain.

She had no choice but to bite the bullet and bear it all.

Faced with the invasion from the North, the threat from the Magic Forest, and the infighting among the court ministers, she is now exhausted.

In reality, Sienna didn't love Calvin at all.

Even a vague sense of disgust.

But she dared not show it.

Because he needed to rely on the other party's identity and the technology he possessed to fight against the evil monsters of the Magic Forest.

My father was killed by a witch!
She had witnessed the magical weapons Calvin had created; they were incredibly powerful. Having them would surely be enough to protect her.

What time is it now?

The Queen asked without turning her head.

“It’s one quarter before bedtime, no… it’s 8:45 PM, Your Majesty.”

The maid glanced back at the mechanical clock and quickly corrected her slip of the tongue.

That clock was a gift from Prince Calvin to Her Majesty; it was far more convenient and accurate than a water clock or an hourglass.

It is said that in the Clockwork Kingdom across the sea, every household has such exquisite timers.

"Yes, I'm tired."

Queen Sienna raised her hand in greeting.

"You guys go out first."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Two maids lifted their skirts, curtsied, and quietly left the room with their heads bowed.

Before Xiana could reach the bedside, she heard a maid's exclamation from outside the door.

"Lord Calvin, you...you can't go in, the Queen has already gone to bed!"

"It's alright. I just came to say goodnight to Theana and chat for a bit."

A man's deep voice could be faintly heard.

With a slight shoving and a gasp, the door was opened again.

bang.

Theiana frowned slightly and looked at him coldly.

A short-haired man dressed in a deep red aristocratic outfit, with a small ruff collar, stood at the door, casting a smiling gaze at her.

Behind the man were two tall, heavily armored humanoid robots carrying greatswords.

Siana knew this was a more powerful combat-type mecha... Even ten members of the Swordsman Guild would struggle to defeat one of these mechas. Even the magic of the Sorcerer Guild members could barely harm them.

There were only two of these mechs, which Calvin kept with him as his personal guards.

"Don't you want me to come in and sit down?"

The man's burning gaze fell on the queen, scrutinizing her without restraint.

Xiana disliked this guy's rudeness and offense, and said coldly:
"It's late, Calvin. Let's talk about it tomorrow."

"This is important."

Calvin ignored the Queen's coldness, walked in as if he hadn't heard her, and closed the door behind him.

Bang!
"Calvin! What do you think you're doing?!"

Xiana was startled by the other party's behavior and couldn't help but take two steps back.

Calvin strode forward, grabbed her arm, and his hot breath hit her face.

"We're getting married soon, Theana, why are you so resistant to me?"

Calvin said in a deep voice.

The Queen struggled to shake off his hand and angrily rebuked him:

"Don't get me wrong, our marriage is just a political alliance... and your current status is only that of a prince. Even if you want to enter my room, you'll have to wait until after the wedding."

"I've been incredibly patient with you in the palace all this time, don't go too far!"

(End of this chapter)