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"To watch the dojo raid."
Her voice hung in the air. Everyone turned in unison to look at Ariel, and then back to Allen.
The de facto leader of their group's trip to the royal capital raised an eyebrow and looked at Ariel for a moment before speaking.
"Assassination should be commonplace in the struggle for the succession, but it's usually conducted under the surface."
"However, this assassination incident in Flowing Falls City had too many witnesses to be concealed. As soon as your guards return to the royal capital, the palace will know about it."
"Regardless of success or failure, you, Ariel Anemoi Asura, whether you live or die, will cause an uproar in the royal capital."
"The First Prince isn't a fool, yet he still dared to do this. It seems your father, the King of Asura, has been overly 'ambiguous' in his attitude towards the succession struggle and towards you, his children."
Ariel stared at Allen, her expression unchanged, as serene as ever.
"Asura's nobles have always been like this, and the royal palace is no exception."
Her words seemed somewhat inexplicable, but Allen, having read the original story, immediately understood.
Asura's nobles were indeed like this.
Previously, take Paul, the eldest son of the Notos family, as an example.
It was true that Paul was a playboy at the time, but for the wronged party to seek him out, given that he was the legitimate heir of the Notos family, one of Asura's Four Great Dukes of Boreas, was simply ludicrous, strongly implying that someone was deliberately fanning the flames.
The people behind this knew exactly what kind of person Paul was, and what kind of person his father was. They deliberately ignited this conflict, causing Paul to storm out of the house and relinquish his claim to the family headship.
A clumsy tactic, but remarkably effective on Paul.
Later, with the Boreas family's example before them, the Boreas family was already considered quite good. They even proactively established a rule to avoid fratricide. Even so, it didn't hinder Philip's never-extinguished ambition and James's cautious efforts to eliminate all sources detrimental to his position as family head.
Everyone was like this. "Old man, why should we obey these damn rules?"
Only dead brothers were the best brothers.
So, what about the royal family?
It was simply too much.
Nothing new under the sun.
The ruling class under human governance in the sword-and-magic continent was also a makeshift affair, wielding so-called power under a system of slavery, engaging in truly despicable acts.
Looked at this way, the King's true nature was very clear. He appeared to hold all military power in his hands, maintaining strong control over the royal capital, seeming incredibly wise and mighty.
But in reality, the root cause of his behavioral logic was entirely consistent with the succession struggles of the Notos and Boreas families.
It was nothing more than sitting on the throne after a bloody struggle. Once seated, one must consolidate their position. Controlling military power was simply to prevent any lingering ambitions from siblings who failed in the power struggle.
Allowing his children to engage in a succession struggle, even with assassination attempts, followed the same logic.
I went through all of that back then, why should you be 'spared'?
Go fight, go seize, go grapple, go frame.
No matter what means are used, the one who can stand before me when I decide to abdicate.
That will be the next King.
The succession struggle, that was its straightforward logic.
Allen narrowed his eyes, looking at Ariel, and smiled.
"Even so, at least you've been safe these past few days. If you had truly died in Flowing Falls City, then the uproar would have risen, and all responsibility could have been shifted to the assassin guild. In a succession struggle, no one would seek justice for a dead person, and it would only be a matter of time before the assassin guild scattered for a few years and then re-established itself in Flowing Falls City."
"And the common folk are naturally good at forgetting. After a few years, you, once the most beautiful Princess of Asura, would be nothing more than idle chatter after a meal."
His words were too direct, making Derrick Redbat's face turn pale. Ariel's expression, however, was very serious. The various events of the past two days had rapidly propelled her growth.
Allen continued.
"But the problem is, you didn't die. So, at the speed of a normal civilian boat, messengers from Flowing Falls City would spread the news tonight. Your dear King father can allow you to die in Flowing Falls City in plain sight, and he can allow you to die silently in the royal palace, but he absolutely cannot allow you to die under his very nose amidst a public outcry in the royal capital."
"This has nothing to do with the succession struggle; it concerns the dignity of the royal family. The royal family enjoys the spectacle of the succession struggle, as do the nobles, but the people of the royal capital, uniquely, cannot."
"So you'll be very safe these next few days. No need to worry about assassinations."
After he finished speaking, Derrick Redbat paused again. To be honest, his mind was still preoccupied with how to recruit Allen, and he hadn't thought this far ahead.
Ariel, meanwhile, blinked at Allen, causing Isolte's curved eyebrows to stiffen for an instant.
She then, as if changing faces, immediately reined in her smile, and responded with a serious demeanor.
"You've misunderstood; I wasn't trying to force you to extend the 'loan period' out of concern for my safety. I just feel that instead of idling in the Silver Palace, I'd rather follow you all; it seems more interesting."
Allen asked with interest, "Is that so?"
As Isolte's brows furrowed, her expression one of seeing something distasteful.
Ariel's demeanor was exceptionally sincere.
"Absolutely true. But if you are unwilling for us to accompany you, we will return to the royal palace first. However, ultimately, you saved me, so please allow me to invite you to be my guests at the royal palace."
"No time," Allen immediately replied.
Isolte's frown instantly relaxed, her eyebrows curving into a smile again.
The next instant, however, she raised a hand and touched the sword at her waist.
Ariel, as if she had anticipated this, immediately chimed in.
"Indeed, these few days are quite busy. If it's inconvenient, I shall visit your residence with gifts at a later date."
Allen smiled playfully, glancing at Ariel.
"Visit where?"
Ariel blinked. "The royal palace, may I?"
This unusually direct invitation made Sylphy, who was completely bewildered by the cryptic exchange between the two, immediately look like she couldn't breathe.
Isolte was different; she took a deep breath.
Gripping her sword hilt, she turned with a smile to look at Allen's profile.
Allen shook his head. "No! We have to stay at Isolte's house; her house is very spacious, rooms, um..."
He turned to Isolte. Her smile didn't diminish. "There are three spare guest rooms."
Allen nodded, then suddenly paused, surprised that Isolte wasn't cooperating with him.
At that moment, the latter's second half of the sentence, clearly laced with amusement, entered his ears.
"In that case, one room for Sylphy, one for Mr. Rudyus, one for Miss Eris, and Senior Brother will stay in my room."
"Perfect."
Sylphy first let out a sigh of relief, then felt something was wrong. After Isolte revealed her true intentions, she looked utterly shocked: "Σ(⊙_⊙???"
Ariel still responded quickly.
"I vaguely recall that the Water God's residence should be on the edge of the Upper Noble District. Very well, then we shall pay a visit there at the appointed time."
Her words fell.
The two looked at each other in silence.
Soon, Allen spoke.
"The 'loan period' is extended. No day like the present; you'll come with us. Later, we'll trouble you at the Princess's residence, leaving before sunset."
Ariel hadn't expected Allen to prefer extending the 'loan period,' temporarily associating with her in the eyes of everyone in the royal capital, rather than simply making friends and associating with her long-term. She immediately looked a little flustered.
"That's not what I meant."
It was now 8:37 AM. The Water God Style Dojo's entrance was deserted. Apprentices who were supposed to be in class were already inside the dojo, and unauthorized personnel dared not stand at the entrance of this violent organization.
Allen turned and led the group towards the main gate of the Water God Style Main Dojo.
"But that's what I meant."
He turned his head, a faint, imperceptible smile on his lips.
Then, his happiness didn't last long; the smile quickly froze—due to a certain red-haired girl who had become functionally illiterate prematurely because of Allen's butterfly effect.
Eris, whose brows had been tightly furrowed ever since Ariel and Allen started talking, unable to grasp their logic, saw her brother move. She twisted and chased after Allen, immediately asking her confusion.
So direct!
"What's a dojo raid!?"
It silenced everyone.
Allen, Sylphy, Rudy:
We're already in Season 12, and you're having a spacetime rift here?
Isolte remained unaffected by them. She took her gaze off Ariel, who rarely showed such a dazed expression, a subtle 'pleased' smile on her face. With evident delight, she turned to Eris and explained.
"A challenge between fellow dojo members is more like sparring between disciples, at most just for ranking within the dojo. But this kind of challenge, when between one dojo and another, is a dojo raid. This is an act with a completely different meaning than sparring, as Senior Brother said, more like a provocation. Especially between the Sword God Style and Water God Style, this implication is particularly strong."
"Huh? Why?" Eris couldn't comprehend the somewhat formal 'dojo jargon' in Isolte's words; her face grew even more confused.
Isolte smiled. "It concerns certain things the Sword God Style and Water God Style cling to."
"Face."
"Reputation."
"Dignity."
"Glory."
Isolte paused here, then continued.
"Ultimately, in practical terms, it's about the ownership of the swordsmen's sanctuary—the Sword Sanctuary."
This remark pulled everyone out of the silent state Eris had plunged them into.
"The ownership of the Sword Sanctuary?"
Rudy asked, confused.
"I read in a book that it's whoever, the Water God Style or Sword God Style, is stronger wins the ownership of the Sword Sanctuary... But the Sword Sanctuary is clearly in the westernmost part of the Northern Continent, very far from here... Is this... is this necessary?"
Isolte shook her head.
"It is necessary. We are just taking back what rightfully belongs to us. The Sword Sanctuary is occupied by the strongest swordsman of the current era, so it was originally the First Water God's teaching dojo. However, it was later taken by the Sword God Style, and a hundred years ago, we successfully reclaimed it, but after only a few short years, it was taken back by the Sword God Style again."
Rudy blinked. "A few years? Why so short?"
Isolte turned and glanced at Ariel. The latter was unusually crestfallen, looking down at her feet.
At this moment, the group had reached the entrance of the Water God Style Dojo. Allen, who was leading, stopped.
Naturally, everyone, with him as their focal point, also stopped.
Before them, a path five meters wide, flanked by walls of simple white stone, stretched open. On either side, iron bar gates stood ajar.
In their line of sight, a pillar resembling a spirit screen, yet very small, only a few people in circumference, stood directly in the center of their view.
Interlocking square clusters were carved upon it, with black stone fragments embedded in the etchings, outlining the Water God Style Dojo's emblem.
Rough, yet possessing a simple beauty.
Allen narrowed his eyes, looking at this familiar pillar.
—The Water God Style emblem atop it was both the Water God Style Dojo's and the First Water God's personal emblem.
"Because, a hundred years ago, the Water God Style was hindered by someone. However, now, under the shadow of Garl's 'Desire Style,' its strength is indeed insufficient."
"?" Sylphy, Eris, and Rudy all looked confused, turning to Allen. Isolte, meanwhile, showed an inexplicable smile, looking at Allen's broad back.
It felt very 'safe.'
The latter turned to look at the white royal palace standing on the distant mountains behind them.
"The Sword Sanctuary wasn't originally called the Sword Sanctuary. Initially, it was just an unremarkable small snowy valley town where the First Water God established his teachings. Because of him, this barren land in the north gradually gained renown. It's now known as the teaching place of the strongest swordsman of the current era, honored as the Sword Sanctuary."
"But the First Water God was not a rigid person. He clearly understood that the Water God Style was strong because he himself was strong, not because the overall strength of his disciples was strong. He also didn't believe that the Water God Style could continue to bear the name 'Sword Sanctuary' after his death."
"For swordsmanship to flourish and continuously prosper, it needed a target, a 'pilgrimage site' that all swordsmen yearned for. But as a human, he would eventually die. What to do? Humans die, but the 'Sword Sanctuary' endures. So before his death, he established the Sword Sanctuary as this 'target'."
"His dying wish: The Sword Sanctuary will hold a challenge every five years. All sword styles are welcome to challenge. If the challenge is successful, the Sword Sanctuary is yours to establish your teachings. Challenge content: two aspects."
"One, the overall strength of the style's disciples below Emperor rank."
"Two, the top combat power of the style's Emperor rank and above."
"The former's weight is higher than the latter's."
"After all, if a style's overall strength is low, and only its top-tier combat power is strong enough to occupy the Sword Sanctuary, then the name 'Sword Sanctuary' would be meaningless. It should be renamed 'Home of the Strongest Swordsman.' The Sword Sanctuary changing hands based on individual strength was precisely a scene the First Water God did not wish to see; it went against his original intention of promoting the overall prosperity of swordsmanship."
Rudy was stunned by his words.
"But I heard Ghislaine say that the reason the Sword Sanctuary is the Sword Sanctuary is because it's the place where the strongest swordsman of the current era teaches their sword style..."
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