The most shameless alchemist in history

“They were guests not long ago, but in the blink of an eye they’ve become enemies on the opposite side. Anyone with a modicum of sense wouldn’t accept such a change, would they?” Du Lei said.

"It seems... I didn't quite catch on." Mira nodded in acknowledgment.

“So it’s not too late to regret it now. You were originally one of the manor’s people. If you go to their side, you won’t suffer with me. You’ve seen that they’re everywhere. I can’t handle so many people by myself. I’m doomed.” Dure pointed out a clear path for Mira.

“No, Lord Durei, you’re mistaken,” Mira said earnestly.

"You said something wrong? Where did I say something wrong?" Du Lei asked in surprise.

“I’m not one of them, Lord Dure, have you forgotten what you just said?” Mira said, biting her lip.

"I just said a lot of things, but I don't quite understand which sentence you're referring to."

“Didn’t Lord Dure say I’m yours?” Mira winked at him.

"It seems... there is such a saying." Du Lei nodded and said.

“That’s right. Since I’m Lord Dure’s man, I’ll be wherever you are,” Mira said firmly.

"Even if it means risking your life, you're willing to do it?" Dure asked again.

"As long as I can be with Lord Dure, even if it's hell ahead, I will follow him to the end!" Mira nodded heavily.

She is a gentle person, but also a strong person.

Before this man appeared in her life, she was vulnerable and had no one to rely on.

The appearance of the man beside her was like a ray of light suddenly appearing in a dark world.

A bright, glittering light.

Yes, he was her light.

No matter where she was or what her identity was, this light was deeply imprinted in her heart.

This suddenly brought color and meaning to her previously aimless life!

“Mira, you’re a good girl,” Dure said with a smile.

“She’s Lord Dure’s good girl.” Mira moved even closer.

“That’s enough,” Jester said coldly. “Time’s up, Dure. I have no time to waste with you anymore. Don’t think that just because the Snow Kingdom is backing you up, I won’t dare to do anything to you. The Snow Kingdom is also a target for me to deal with. Not only the Snow Kingdom, but also the other six of the seven member states of the Azure Thunder Empire. I want to restore the glory of the Azure Thunder Empire. No, the Azure Thunder Empire is long gone, buried in the damned past. So, I don’t need the Azure Thunder Empire anymore. I want to build a brand new empire. I’ve even thought of a name. How about the Glorious Empire? Because I am the shining light that guides this world. Do you understand?”

Just as Jester raised his hand, ready to give the order, an officer rushed over from a short distance away.

"Your Grace, urgent military intelligence!"

"What intelligence is so urgent?" Jester frowned. This officer was his staff officer, usually a very calm and composed person. Why was he in such a hurry today?

"The Royal Fourth Legion, Eighth Legion, and Sixteenth Legion have approached the outskirts of Stormy City, and the Third, Seventh, and Ninth Guards Legions have appeared on the flanks of Stormy City!" The staff officer's face was pale and bloodless.

"What? How could this be? This is impossible! The railway is under our control, how could they possibly get close to Stormstorm City? And right under our noses, no less! Do they really think we're blind? This must be fake intelligence!" Jester was stunned for a moment, then flew into a rage and quickly tore the telegram to shreds!

“No, sir, it is entirely possible!” the staff officer said, bowing his head.

“Possibly? Then tell me how it’s possible?” Jester sneered, convinced that this was false information.

“There has been a lot of rain lately, and the river has swelled. In the past, the Azure River was not used by boats for a long time due to the water level. But because of the continuous rain, the water level has recovered, so the Azure River has resumed transportation recently. If they secretly enter the heart of Rainstorm City by river transport... it is entirely possible!” Although the staff officer was also shocked, he still suggested the possibility to Jester based on his professional expertise.

"Entering the heart of Stormstorm City via the river? That doesn't make sense. Sky City didn't mobilize the navy, and my informants in the navy couldn't possibly be unaware of this!" Jester still found it unbelievable. It was even somewhat absurd and comical.

"They...they..."

“What about them?” Jester pressed.

“They don’t necessarily need to use the navy for transportation; they could easily sneak in via merchant ships from the Swamp Country.” The staff officer suddenly thought of this possibility.

"What?" Jester was shocked. If he had thought the intelligence was a pipe dream just now, he now found that it was actually feasible!

"Sir, something terrible has happened! The airship formation has taken off!" another officer rushed over to report.

"Take off? But I haven't given the order yet." Jester was surprised again.

He spent a fortune to assemble this airship squadron!

"Don't you understand, Lord Jester? This is all a trap set for you," Dure said calmly, seeing the somewhat panicked Jester.

()

902 Nightingale Brigade

For Jester, this was a day of falling from the clouds to the valley, a day he had thought would mark the beginning of his life's peak.

He will follow in the footsteps of that Far Eastern duke to realize his "great ideal".

Of course, this is what Jester considers his "ideal," or perhaps it's just an excuse for him to realize his personal ambitions.

However, whether it's ideals or ambitions, in Jester's view, those are unimportant.

As long as he can achieve his goal, that's fine.

However, after years of meticulous preparation and finally taking this step, he was met with a devastating blow.

Jester couldn't believe it. He was so confident of victory, how could his dream collapse in an instant like a castle in the air?

“Targeting me? What do you mean by that?” Jester’s gaze was sinister as he stared intently at Durei and asked.

“Lord Jester, is this so hard to understand? Your existence has always been an obstacle for the Land of Rain.”

"Obstacle? What obstacle? I am the most legitimate king of the Rain Kingdom, how dare you call me an obstacle?" Jester scoffed at this.

"Lord Jester, times are changing. New things appear every day, and people's thoughts are different from before. Long ago, a farmer was a farmer, a merchant was a merchant, and a nobleman was a nobleman. It all seemed to be innate, predetermined, and no one could change it. People followed the same path in life, busy as wound-up machines, for hundreds and thousands of years." Dure spoke calmly, showing no awareness of the predicament he was currently facing.

“Isn’t that so? Farmers are destined to be farmers, and should be farmers. Furthermore, when needed, they should join the army to serve their lord and their king. It is their duty!” Jester said firmly.

"Obligation? No, Lord Jester. People are equal from birth. There are only responsibilities, not obligations. If a qualified lord or king can govern with benevolence, he will gain the support of his people. Out of love and to protect their own interests, people will serve their king. But if this lord or king is not qualified, then people can choose to rebel and do something for a better life, instead of silently enduring it," Dure said calmly.

“I think you’ve got something wrong. Isn’t it that Jelf is the one who’s incompetent? I’m just representing the will of the people to replace him and get this country moving in the right direction!” Jester loudly defended his actions.

“Lord Jester, I’m afraid you represent nobility, not commoners,” Dure corrected.

"What difference does it make?"

"The nobles have enjoyed this land for centuries. Some nobles are dutiful and beloved by their people, but this is only a minority. The vast majority of nobles are like termites, greedily sucking the blood of the farmers. Their greed is deeply imprinted on the land. They do not need to cultivate the land, yet they enjoy the most delicious food. They do not need to weave cloth, yet they wear the most magnificent clothes. But their people, those farmers and artisans at the bottom of society, Lord Jester, have you really gone to take a good look at their lives?" Dure asked.

"Of course I go to see these things. I go to inspect them every year. The farmers are living a life of plenty. Who wouldn't support and love me?"

Jester tried his best to defend himself.

"Abundant food and clothing? Lord Jester, you must be joking, or is this just a facade your subordinates are putting on to fool you? You were born into royalty and have always been high and mighty, never experiencing the hardships of ordinary people. Do you know that the northern region of the Rain Kingdom, which is your territory, is the most prosperous place in the entire Rain Kingdom..."

"I know this without you having to tell me. I am the king here!"

"But there's something you don't know: despite being such a prosperous place, there are over 600,000 people living in poverty. That's three times the number in the southern part of the Land of Rain!"

“How could such a thing be possible? You’re spreading rumors and slandering me!” Jester vehemently denied.

"Spreading rumors? As the Northern Duke of the Rain Kingdom, having ruled this land for so many years, how can you not even know what kind of life your people are living, yet you dare to talk about 'ideals' and conquering the continent?"

"Even if what you say is true, these are all extraordinary measures to give them a better life. As long as I become the sole king of the Rain Kingdom, all of this will change!" Faced with Dure's aggressive questioning, Jester gradually lost his confidence.

"Lord Jester, what you're trying to do isn't change, but rather restore all the changes Jelf has made to their former state, isn't it? Times are changing, and the old order cannot stop the tide of the times. In recent years, under the policies introduced by Jelf, the old nobles have suffered heavy blows, forcing them to side with you because you are the most powerful among all the old nobles. If you really want to adapt to this era, what you should be doing is not some grandiose dream of 'dominating the continent,' but rather enabling your people to live a better life and making the country stronger, not what you are doing now," Dure said coldly.

"You're talking nonsense! Kid, don't think you can change anything by spouting a bunch of rubbish. That piece of trash, Zeref, do you think he can beat me?"

Jester angrily questioned loudly.

"Lord Jester, you are quite confident."

"what?"

"What do you think Zeref has been doing these past two years of lying low? Why do you think the Assassin family was arrested? It was all just for show, to make you think there was an opportunity so that you would take action. After all, even if the entire Rain Kingdom knows you are going to rebel, no one can do anything to you before you take that step. Sending troops to conquer you would be illegitimate. Therefore, Zeref can only set a trap for you, making you mistakenly believe that the opportunity has come. That's why he contacted the major nobles of the Rain Kingdom to send troops immediately. In this way, Zeref has a reason to conquer you."

"I think there's something you're mistaken about? My Northern Legion is far more powerful than that idiot Zerf can possibly be!"

Jester had a lot of confidence in his men.

After all, his territory was the most prosperous region, and he could support huge military expenditures.

With this military budget, he can purchase the latest equipment and hire more skilled mercenaries.

The south, being barren, could not afford the military expenditures and its fighting strength could not compare with his northern army.

This is also the source of Jester's confidence in raising an army.

"You're far too confident in your abilities," Du Lei sighed softly.

"What do you mean?"

Just as Jester was wondering what was going on, another officer rushed over.

"My lord, my lord, something has happened!"

"What's the matter that you're in such a hurry?"

"The Third Army has mutinied and taken control of the train station!"

"What? How is this possible? I built the Third Army myself, where is General Gendry?" Jester was greatly surprised.

"General Gendry has been arrested, and the Third Army is now under the command of Colonel Roland, General Gendry's adjutant," the officer reported.

"That useless Gendry! How come he can't even control a legion?" Jester was furious!

"What are you still doing standing here?" Jester snapped, seeing the officer's hesitant expression.

"There's one more thing..."

"what's up?"

"The Sixth Legion is currently embroiled in internal strife and attacking each other. The exact situation is still unclear..."

The officer was ashen-faced; clearly, these events had occurred too suddenly for him to comprehend.

"What?" Jester looked to the west and soon heard gunshots.

"Don't you understand?" Du Lei asked calmly.

"Understand what?" For Jester, the blows came one after another.

"Anything that resists the times will be completely destroyed and reduced to ashes."

"No, I clearly inherited Lord Lin Ye's will..."

You're wrong.

"Where did I go wrong?" Jester was extremely unwilling to accept this.