The Villain Saint is my secondary account

A deafening knocking sound almost shattered Ye Xiao's eardrums.

He suddenly opened his eyes and sprang up from the bed.

The cat that was originally lying on his chest in a "T" shape was also thrown away.

"bang bang bang"

Three more loud bangs made Ye Xiao, whose mind was still in a daze, look towards the door in confusion.

What's all that noise so early in the morning?

He glanced at the bed at the other end of the room and found only a messy blanket; his roommate was nowhere to be seen.

"bang bang bang"

"Hey, I'm here!" Ye Xiao got out of bed, picked up a wrinkled coat from the side, put it on, and walked towards the bedroom door.

With a long face and furrowed brows, he flung open the door. "I'm really speechless. What kind of person is spacing out like this so early in the morning... Oh, Your Highness, what brings you here? Good morning, haha."

Outside the door, a girl in a wine-red dress stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at a disheveled young man inside.

"Hey Ye Xiao, you're practically my knight now, and you don't even know you're supposed to pick me up for class in the morning?!"

"Huh?" Ye Xiao looked behind Skadi.

Thanks to the eldest princess, a large group of students who were watching almost filled the corridor.

Judging from the scale of the gathering, it seems that all the students on the entire floor have come here, curiously wondering why their princess has suddenly appeared here.

"What are you 'ah' about? Hurry up and let's go, or I'll be late!" Skadi grabbed Ye Xiao by the collar and dragged him out of the room without saying a word.

"But I don't have class in the morning..."

"Meow!!!" Upon seeing this scene, Greta screamed and rushed out with her short legs.

As the crowd watched, a golden kitten wobbled along behind the two people, heading towards the stairwell at the end of the corridor.

Chapter 53 Choosing a Side

Although Ella was already used to being the center of attention, it was still a bit difficult for Ye Xiao to be stared at by so many people on the street.

Especially since the eldest princess's group of followers had all disappeared, only Ye Xiao was walking alongside her at this moment.

"I said... Your Highness." Finally almost at the classroom, Ye Xiao couldn't help but ask, "Where are your other subordinates?"

“I chased them all away,” Skadi replied. “They were so noisy all the time.”

"Uh." Ye Xiao felt a headache coming on. The faction already had few people, and now it seemed like it would just be the two of them.

Is this guy really thinking seriously about how to become king?

……

Although it's called a swordsmanship academy, the morning classes actually teach some basic magic knowledge.

Unlike players' specialized growth paths, where warriors are simply reckless brutes with only single-digit points in spirit, and mages are skinny bamboo poles who are breathless even without magical aids, the academy's teaching is more systematic and comprehensive, after all, it is an elite education geared towards the aristocratic class.

Skadi actually did attend class attentively.

Furthermore, judging from the other party's neat notes, it was clear that this was not a spur-of-the-moment decision.

In Ye Xiao's stereotypical view, he thought this guy would be the kind of undisciplined, disruptive little tyrant.

The morning light streamed through the teak windows into the tiered classroom, where the old professor held an antique book, his deep voice echoing amidst the soft rustling of his pen.

Glancing at the girl's serious profile, her warm blue eyes nestled between her golden hair, Ye Xiao's thoughts drifted somewhat amidst this moment of tranquility.

"Ye Xiao".

Skadi's sudden soft exclamation brought Ye Xiao back to his senses. "What is it, Your Highness?"

"There's a meeting at the palace this afternoon, and I'd like you to come with me."

A meeting? Ye Xiao was taken aback, then remembered that this should be the meeting that Ella's father, Duke Heville, was supposed to attend regarding the king's death.

High-ranking officials and nobles came from all over the country. As the king's offspring and the core of the royal selection, these princes and princesses naturally had to participate.

"Okay." After thinking for a moment, Ye Xiao agreed.

"Aren't you even going to ask me what kind of meeting this is?" The eldest princess turned her head slightly to look at Ye Xiao.

"No need to ask further. Since Your Highness has a request, I will accompany you through thick and thin." Ye Xiao raised an eyebrow, then received a punch from the cat peeking out from his collar. "Ouch!"

"Hmph, you're certainly being glib now." Skadi pouted. "This meeting is mainly about the formal announcement regarding Father's affairs and the royal selection plan. I've been thinking about it, and I'm afraid there aren't many factions I can still win over now."

The two chose a corner seat in the classroom. Due to the Crown Princess's past behavior, no ordinary students dared to sit in the surrounding seats except for those who fawned over her. Therefore, the two were not afraid that their whispers would be overheard by others.

"As far as I know, the Knights and the old conservative families have basically sided with Evans, while the academics and the emerging families who intend to take this opportunity to change the power structure have followed Barnard and Raymond."

"Indeed, from what I've heard, the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince have a very good relationship, while the First Prince and Princess Erica have an even closer relationship?"

Previously, when Ella was discussing matters in the palace, the scene was basically the eldest and youngest princesses following the eldest prince in their endless chatter, while the fourth prince acted as the mouthpiece for the taciturn third prince.

“In fact, my faction members can also be considered vassals of the First Prince’s faction. Before the duel with Havil, our relationship was ‘very good’... well, that’s just what I thought it was.” Skadi waved her hand. “And after that, I believe you can roughly sense it.”

So, strictly speaking, the eldest princess's faction actually only consists of me, right?

Ye Xiao's lips twitched.

“Currently, Evans’ brother, as a conservative, has a slight edge in influence between these two factions. However, the faction of Ken’s brother is undergoing changes,” Skadi continued. “The faction supported by the Seychelles, Heville, and Scott families has not yet clearly chosen a side because it has lost its supporters.”

"Hmm... So the faction these three major families choose to side with is likely to be the key to the balance between the First Prince's faction and the Third and Fourth Princes' factions." Ye Xiao listened and quickly realized the implication. "The imperial selection ultimately depends on the support of these major families."

If Ye Xiao's assessment is correct, the afternoon meeting will most likely be a performance by the two factions trying to win over the three major families.

As for mourning the king... it wasn't that Ye Xiao was maliciously speculating, but rather that he knew all too well that these royal offspring wouldn't care about such a matter at all.

“Reformists are reformists… what the hell is the Third and Fourth Princes’ faction?” Skadi couldn’t help but complain. “By the way, you’re an adventurer, how come you can understand these things so quickly?”

"Of course, my hometown has given me a lot of knowledge."

“Hmm…” Skadi tilted her head slightly. “I originally just wanted to tell you these things so you could gradually learn about them, but now it seems you can also be someone I consult with.”

"Actually, I was quite surprised that Your Highness had actually considered these things," Ye Xiao said with a smile.

"Hey, what do you mean?!" Skadi angrily slapped Ye Xiao. "Do you think I'm an idiot?!"

"Ahem, so Your Highness's plan is to take this opportunity at the meeting this afternoon to seek support from these three major families?"

“The chances of gaining their support are actually not high.” Skadi rested her chin on her hand. “The Hayville family can be ruled out first. You know about my relationship with that woman, Ella Hayville.”

"Grand Duke Seychelles' territory is located on the coast and has a stormy harbor. The reformist policies are beneficial to trade and the economy, so he is most likely to be biased towards Raymond's side."

"So, in that case, only Marquis Scott has a chance to win?" Ye Xiao nodded.

"It's also very unlikely. As you can see, I don't have any leverage to make him stand out and start my campaign."

"Good heavens, even the title of Twin Dragon Sword Saint can't intimidate this marquis?"

"You have the nerve to say that? Even you can't control me," Skadi said disdainfully. "Did you agree when I confessed my feelings to you?"

"Ahem," Ye Xiao quickly changed the subject, "Then perhaps we could try to find out about that Marquis Scott? Right now, what Your Highness needs most is the support of a powerful force."

“This is one of the things we need to do, but this afternoon I will also introduce you to some of my uncles. Of course, you can also think of them directly as supporters of the First Prince.” Skadi tossed a strand of hair. “Then… well, I’ll subtly let them know that I want to return to Evans’s faction.”

Chapter Fifty-Four: Imperial Election Council

Huh? ...Interesting.

Ye Xiao was stunned for a moment, then understood the meaning of Skadi's last sentence.

The eldest princess was well aware of her position and knew that remaining neutral in this political struggle was impossible.

Now that she doesn't have a real faction of her own and can't stand alone, she might as well try to join one of the larger factions on the sidelines.

Even if the two factions were to fight, they would definitely have to deal with these neutral successors who might benefit from the conflict first.

Therefore, choosing sides to protect oneself is actually the most important thing.

However, this approach is tantamount to offering a warm welcome to the Crown Prince's cold shoulder. Although Skadi was actually angry at the Crown Prince's cold-blooded behavior and didn't want to have any more contact with him, it would be somewhat embarrassing for her to have to go back to him now.

As for seeking refuge with the third and fourth princes? Those two are even less favored. At least she had a decent relationship with the first prince before, and if she goes back to him now, at least the first prince won't openly cause too much trouble. But with the third and fourth princes, she can only beg them to put up with her.

Therefore, Skadi's approach will most likely become a laughing stock within the faction, but it will certainly be effective.

Ye Xiao had considered such a solution, but he thought that the eldest princess would definitely not be able to bear such humiliation, so he did not ask.

Skadi had never intended to do this before, but now that she's even considering such a compromise, it's clear she's really trying to change things.

Ye Xiao thought for a moment. Since Skadi had made this decision, he couldn't say anything more and decided to swallow his pride and go along with it.

More importantly, he also wanted to see if he could take the opportunity to find out what was hidden behind the Crown Prince's power.

For the crown prince, this was a political struggle between human powers, but Ye Xiao knew that behind it lay a game between gods.

He can observe Skadi's efforts in the struggle on the "human" level, but he can intervene in those games involving the "god" level.

The two continued their discussion and quickly finalized their action plan for the afternoon.

……

The sky was clear and blue, and the warm sun hung high in the sky.

Time flew by and it was already afternoon.

Ye Xiao, who was supposed to get to know the students in the regular admissions class according to the normal procedure, boarded a carriage with Princess Skadi and headed to the palace.

Inside the carriage, Skadi, sitting side by side, saw Ye Xiao still holding the chubby golden kitten on her lap and couldn't help but ask curiously, "You really are something, taking this cat with you wherever you go."

"I can't help it, she'll beat me up if I don't bring her," Ye Xiao said honestly.

"Huh?" Skadi looked completely bewildered.

The palace atop Mount Vallond, with its golden dome, still gleams in the sunlight.

Carriages passed by everywhere in the spacious square in front of the gate, and nobles and officials of all ranks gathered here with their servants and guards, making the usually deserted place somewhat lively.

Skadi and Ye Xiao, accompanied by royal guards, stepped down from the carriage and onto the front porch.

Officials along the way, whether they supported her or not, paid their respects to the eldest princess, showing her considerable respect as a member of the royal family.

Of course, they would also scrutinize Ye Xiao, this unfamiliar face they had never seen before.

Although Skadi had specially arranged for her servants to dress Ye Xiao in a high-class aristocratic suit, the rugged and unrestrained demeanor he exuded due to years of adventure was hard to conceal.

Ye Xiao wasn't completely unaware of the etiquette and manners of the upper class, but those were the habits of Ella's ladies. As a man, he couldn't very well walk up the steps with his fingers raised and his coat hem held up like a cat.

Forcing an imitation would result in something incongruous, so I simply gave up the struggle and just did what I naturally and according to my own habits.

He stood particularly close to Skadi among the guards, almost shoulder to shoulder, which made it hard for the officials who saw him not to have any ideas.

This position was naturally requested by Skadi, but Ye Xiao had no choice.

All I can say is that along the way, there were many whispers of "Let's find out who this person is."

Until they reached the towering council hall, Ye Xiao met the two uncles Skadi had mentioned who "supported" her.

The positions of the various noble members in the hall were clearly defined. With the empty throne as the dividing line, the reformists and academics were mostly on the left side of the hall, consisting mainly of scholars in full robes and nobles in simple attire, including the Duke of York, who was stationed in western Loren, and Boan Barzel, the academy dean whom Ella had met yesterday.

Meanwhile, the conservatives and military representatives, Grand Master of the Royal Knights Soren Albert and his brother, Grand Duke Pesoli Albert, who ruled the North, were on the right side of the hall, mostly dressed in elaborate military uniforms adorned with medals and classic aristocratic coats.

In the middle were representatives of some forces that had not yet clearly taken sides or remained neutral. Many of them were familiar faces to Ye Xiao, such as Duke Heville or Bishop Holmes of the Loren Sanctuary.

The four dukes and high-ranking officials of the royal court basically represent the upper echelons of the Loren Empire.

"Skadi, you've arrived."

"Uncle Bob, Uncle Isaac, good afternoon."

The noble officials who had a "good" relationship with Skadi were located on the right side of the main hall, and the two Skadi greeted were the ones who required the most attention.

The former, Bobol, was the chief judge of the Imperial Court, while the latter, Isaac, was the commander of the Imperial City Guard.

It has to be said that Ye Xiaoguang was already having a headache just remembering all the names and positions that Skadi had introduced to him along the way.

Fortunately, Ye Xiao had a vague recollection of the latter. He was Isaac Eugene, the superior of Captain Ralf, who had cleaned up the mess at the princess's mansion when Ella first met Lilia. This guy had given Freya quite a scolding back then.

Although Ella never met this person in person, Lilia mentioned him in a later conversation with Ella.

“This gentleman looks unfamiliar to me. Is he Skadi’s newly recruited servant?” Isaac’s deep-set, dark green eyes swept sharply over Ye Xiao, who stood silently beside Skadi.

These nobles and bureaucrats, who have been in high positions for many years, exude an air of authority in their every move, but this sense of oppression is naturally no match for someone like Ye Xiao, who has even punched a god a few times.

Ye Xiao even wondered, looking at the other person, whether his face or the sole of his shoe was longer.