Chapter 82: A Shift in Power
While Abyss and his companions were sound asleep, a long-overdue upheaval shook Golden Griffin City.
According to unnamed sources, Princess Helen, accompanied by her two brothers, requested an audience with the Emperor. The two princes, previously opposed to their sister’s plans, seemed to have undergone a sudden change of heart, now firmly supporting her. The four of them had a two-hour conversation at the Emperor’s dinner table, summoning various ministers throughout the night, but the details of their discussion remained a closely guarded secret.
At dawn, the Emperor issued a series of decrees: increasing the size of Princess Helen’s personal guard; dismissing a dozen officials on charges of corruption, replacing them with new appointees, and confiscating their ill-gotten gains; and declaring several nobles, led by Grand General Bert, guilty of treason for plotting to assassinate the princess, sentencing them to death and ordering their immediate arrest by the royal guard.
Several nobles, directly or indirectly involved in the assassination plot, were dragged from their beds and beheaded before they could even fully wake up. General Bert, perhaps sensing something amiss, had packed his belongings and attempted to flee the city under the cover of night. However, his four brothers intercepted him at the city gate and executed him on the spot. The brothers, previously amicable with Bert, showed no hesitation as they severed his head.
After the four brothers presented Bert’s head and all his embezzled wealth to the Emperor, he decided to spare their families and even promoted Reynard, the third son of the late General Gick, to the position of Grand General.
Throughout the morning, numerous officials shifted their allegiance, publicly declaring their support for Princess Helen’s plan to use the confiscated funds for projects benefiting the Empire and its people. Some even offered to contribute their own funds and resources, which the royal family readily accepted.
Golden Griffin City, previously a place of revelry and indulgence, transformed overnight into a city brimming with ambition and progress. The nobles, previously idle and preoccupied with frivolous pursuits, suddenly became paragons of knightly virtue, singing praises of the royal family, donning their long-unused, polished armor and ceremonial swords, and flocking to the palace to pledge their loyalty.
Furthermore, the Emperor issued an order for the city guard to cooperate with the Church in searching for illegal gatherings, arresting all suspected cultists, particularly those with wrinkled faces and unusually round eyes. It was clear that Abyss had somehow informed Helen, prompting her to take action against potential threats within the city. The followers of the Lord of Submergence were likely still unaware that their master had become a servant to a necromancer’s follower. Once they learned the truth, they wouldn’t remain idle.
The Church members in Golden Griffin City were overjoyed. This was the first time in years that they had received orders from the Emperor, and they were filled with zeal. Every priest donned their finest armor, grabbed their weapons, and rushed to the frontlines, skipping breakfast to fight for the glory of the Nine Gods.
The entire city was in turmoil. The commoners didn’t understand what was happening, but since Princess Helen was willing to spend so much money on them, they naturally praised her generosity.
As Leona and Flora carried Abyss out of the city at noon, they even heard children singing newly composed rhymes, mentioning “Empress Helen,” a phrase that would have been considered treasonous under normal circumstances. But the patrolling guards turned a deaf ear, not even bothering to silence the children. The lyrics of those rhymes were surprisingly well-crafted, suggesting they weren’t composed by children…
Leona felt a surge of pride. Princess Helen was her favorite niece, and if she became Empress, Leona could claim some credit—after all, she had inspired Helen with her words.
…
Leona had Flora carry Abyss on her back, pretending to be three siblings leaving the city. It didn’t arouse any suspicion from the guards. Flora, as an undead, could easily carry the slender Abyss. Once they were outside the city, Leona led Flora to a secluded spot to summon her familiar.
If it were an ordinary familiar, Leona could have summoned it within the city. As one of the most prosperous cities on the continent, Golden Griffin City was home to well-traveled and knowledgeable residents who wouldn’t be surprised by a mage summoning their familiar. But Leona’s familiar was different—it was too large. Ordinary mages couldn’t create familiars of that size, as the mana required increased exponentially with size. Flora’s rabbit familiar was the typical size, notable only for its softness and obedience.
Leona chanted the incantation Abyss had taught her. A wave of magical energy emanated from him, transferring to Leona, who acted as a conduit, casting the summoning spell.
Flora was also curious about Leona’s familiar. After Abyss had created it according to Leona’s specifications, she had kept it a secret, claiming she wanted to summon it only when needed for a grander effect.
With a flash of magical light, a blurry figure, about two meters tall, materialized before them. It was indeed a large creature.
As Leona looked on with a triumphant grin, a tall, majestic horse appeared. It was a pure white warhorse, adorned with beautiful ornaments and equipped with a full set of tack, even a pair of short stirrups—designed specifically for Leona’s short legs. This was the familiar Abyss had painstakingly created, meticulously adjusting its design to meet Leona’s numerous demands.
Few mages chose to create familiars for transportation. Low-level mages couldn’t create familiars, and high-level mages could usually fly. A horse was a rare choice indeed.
“What a beautiful steed,” Flora said, looking up at Leona’s familiar in admiration. Leona, as a formally recognized knight, was knowledgeable about horses. The one she had commissioned Abyss to create had strong legs, well-proportioned muscles, and a handsome face. It was a truly exceptional horse, worth tens of thousands of imperial coins if sold on the market.
“I call him ‘East Wind.’ He’s the legendary steed of my dreams. Once I save enough money to buy my own full suit of armor, I’ll ride him and show off,” Leona said, then winked at Flora. “He has a few other tricks. Want to see?”
“Other tricks?” Flora asked, intrigued.
“East Wind, activate Destruction Mode!”
Leona suddenly commanded. Upon hearing this, East Wind’s body split open, revealing a multitude of mechanical parts that extended and reassembled with a series of clicks. Before Flora could fully comprehend what was happening, the horse was now equipped with two cannons, and a single horn, tipped with a blue magic crystal, protruded from its forehead.
“Behold! In this form, his cannons can fire magic projectiles that automatically track enemies, and his horn can fire a powerful magic beam! And it all runs on ABC’s mana, costing me nothing! Isn’t he awesome? He can also transform into Flight Mode and Burrowing Mode! Want to see?”
Flora stared, speechless.
Just how many demands had Leona made? And Abyss had actually fulfilled them all, patiently using his mana to create such an extraordinary familiar.
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