The assault led by Lilya wasn’t progressing particularly smoothly.

 

The forces of the “Eternal Thrones” stationed here were stronger than she had anticipated. Although Prakaka had previously gathered intelligence on the approximate strength of the members, there were still many variables in actual combat.

 

It wasn’t that there was an error in assessing their strength, but… how should I put it, the undead here were noticeably different from those in the Tepaya Basin of the Beastman Kingdom.

 

While most of them were around the Mithril-level, they were quite cunning and even used some peculiar items to assist in combat.

 

For example, they all held special drugs that could drastically increase their strength in a short period. As soon as the battle turned unfavorable, they would use these drugs without hesitation, attempting to reverse the situation.

 

Jumping from Mithril-level to Obsidian Steel-level directly and taking another dose would further grant them strength comparable to the earth itself. Even after reaching a certain level, the bodies of these undead would explode like bombs, leaving no intact corpse. However, the self-explosion also generated considerable killing power, causing significant trouble for Lilya and the others during the frenzied counterattacks of these mad individuals.

 

Some cultists had even completely transformed their bodies beyond recognition.

 

For example, some had transplants taken from powerful individuals, with limbs that were further toughened through refinement, while others simply exchanged their entire bodies for specially crafted metallic ones.

 

Even more bizarrely, Lilya had witnessed individuals who, through unknown means, mutated to become integrated with plants, wielding dozens of giant branches simultaneously in their attacks.

 

However, this peculiar phenomenon was swiftly dealt with by Flora, who couldn’t bear to watch and shot her through with an arrow.

 

What’s going on? In the Beastman Kingdom, I never saw these undead beings engaging in such flowery activities. Could it be that members of the same organization exhibit such significant differences in different countries?

 

After beheading one that started growing fur all over its body and transformed into a creature that even lunged at her like a dog, Princess Lilya could no longer contain her curiosity. She signaled the surrounding Shadows, as well as Flora, Nicholas, and others, to temporarily halt their advance.

 

“Prakaka! What in the world are these creatures? Explain this to me!”

 

Lilya spoke quietly towards the empty side, indicating the current location of the target.

 

After all, this was a battlefield, and with many people around, the princess couldn’t allow Mr. Prakaka, the former member of Eternal Throne who now resembled a rat, to openly follow behind her. Although she couldn’t see Prakaka in stealth, he possessed a magic item stolen from Prince Patrick Melchior that allowed both parties to wear it simultaneously, enabling them to sense each other’s positions and provide attribute enhancements.

 

Half of this item was currently worn by Lilya, making her the only person on the field who knew the specific location of this legendary rat assassin.

 

“Uh… Your Highness, while the Eternal Thrones may be mad, they’re not perverts. Members generally don’t act like this, those in the Beastman Kingdom are the normal ones.”

 

“These individuals here should be Leopold’s subordinates. Even within the organization, they are considered the most insane bunch.”

 

Prakaka responded awkwardly in a similarly hushed tone beside her. It had been invisibly following the squad led by Lilya but had not taken any action. The intention, as conveyed by Velis, was mainly for it to protect the princess to prevent any accidents. Moreover, this rat person was indeed not suitable for frequent exposure.

 

“Leopold? Is he a [Throne]?”

 

“No, but this guy is more troublesome than a Throne. He’s a genius, a mad researcher. It seems he joined the Eternal Thrones because human lifespans weren’t long enough for his studies, and he wanted to research more valuable things. Although his personal strength is average, the gadgets he tinkers with are headaches even for those beyond the superior tier.”

 

“A crazy researcher?”

 

The princess couldn’t help but twitch her mouth a few times. Just hearing that title gave her the creeps, and she now had a better understanding of why the members of the Eternal Thrones here were becoming weirder and weirder.

 

“Yes, a so-called ‘birds of a feather flock together.’ Those willing to follow Leopold have their own issues, and such displays aren’t uncommon. My oversight; I didn’t expect this guy to infiltrate the capital. Previously, he was always active around the Imperial headquarters.”

 

“So, what exactly are they experimenting on?”

 

“…You wouldn’t want to know, Your Highness.”

 

After a brief conversation with Prakaka, the guide familiar with the Eternal Thrones, Lilya had a general understanding of the strange occurrences. Ben Melchior was indeed daring, bringing such dangerous individuals to the Courage City. Wasn’t he afraid that, if things went wrong, it could lead to a huge catastrophe?

 

It was unimaginable how terrifying and inhumane the experiments were, something even Prakaka was unwilling to discuss.

 

It seemed that this person would be a formidable opponent.

 

“Nicholas.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness.”

 

“Proceed with the plan as scheduled. Don’t hold back anymore. The level of weirdness here might be beyond our imagination.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Lilya was well aware of the Austre Empire’s Swift Blade, Bevis Bernard. He was a true legend who surpassed myths with the pure form of a human, one of the strongest humans in the world and the empire’s unshakable pillar.

 

While Nicholas might not excel in all aspects compared to his master, Bevis Bernard, he had mastered the Swift Blade technique to perfection. Using the wind as his eyes and ears, he possessed the most powerful perception on the battlefield, surpassing even the legendary figures like Scarlet Flame Flora and Prakaka in this regard.

 

Therefore, Lilya deliberately had him take the forefront to minimize casualties.

 

The group continued to advance, experiencing several skirmishes and ambushes, all of which Nicholas detected in advance, responding with full force and not giving the opposing forces a chance to complicate matters, until…

 

“Wait, Your Highness, there’s a battle happening ahead.”

 

Nicholas conveyed the information carried by the wind to the princess by his side, adding as he did so.

 

“The side being besieged consists of the living.”

 

Lilya, who had already taken a step forward, suddenly paused, turning back in surprise.

 

“Up ahead? But we should be the fastest advancing team. How could there be someone ahead of us… Violet?”

 

“… Doesn’t seem like Miss Violet. To be honest, if it were her, there’s no way she’d end up surrounded and unable to escape. Plus, the opposing forces are using standard Faith-based powers, more like subordinates of the Temple.”

 

At this revelation, the princess was even more astonished.

 

“Why is the Temple involved again? Wasn’t Bishop Wade Heywood, the leader of the Temple in the Courage City, accidentally dead not too long ago? The newly appointed successor hasn’t arrived yet. It couldn’t be them… the Free Believers?”

 

Speaking of the unexpected death of High Bishop Wade, it’s actually quite suspicious. Setting aside the fact that the other party is a powerful divine practitioner comparable to Sky-tier, how could a highly skilled priest specializing in healing suddenly just drop dead? There’s definitely some conspiracy involved.

 

Although it felt peculiar, at the moment, during the funeral ceremony for the old king’s passing, with the Temple being a politically sensitive force, Lilya couldn’t directly investigate. She could only allow them to handle it internally.

 

Now… suddenly, in the stronghold of the Eternal Throne, fighters related to the Goddess’s teachings appear in battle.

 

Is it a coincidence?

 

“Lilya, do you want some help?”

 

Seeing that the princess had yet to move, the red-haired ranger beside her urged.

 

Is there even a need to ask?

 

The enemy of the enemy is a friend. Regardless of who they are, since they are fighting against the Eternal Throne, Lilya cannot simply ignore them.

 

In fact, those two are serving the purpose of gathering enemies, making it easier for them to deal with all of them at once.

 

“Help, of course! Immediately signal the other teams that are searching to converge here. Don’t bother with the scattered small fry around us!”