After hearing Ray had already called Diana, the plan to keep Ray quiet for a certain price had changed. Alicia wanted to make it a peaceful conversation. But she knew Daymond would have pressured Ray, even if he had said he was from the Inventor Guild.
Even if Ray brought the Inventor Guild here to negotiate, Daymond would have given Ray a fair price. But Diana is different. She is the strongest prodigy, who created more powerful formations—so much so that even Daniel's formation is nothing in comparison. If Daniel's formation is mostly defensive, then Diana's formation is entirely offensive.
Diana's formation is not invention-type like Daniel's. She only makes formations that already exist, but her versions are stronger than anyone else's. She likes strengthening existing formations. Like a swordsman who becomes stronger by training harder every day, she improves formations through daily experimentation, trials, and errors.
She can create multiple formations in a single formation disk. So when activated, it can be used. The only issue is—she never sells them to anyone.
If Robert became famous by defeating a beast stampede with his army, then Diana became famous by destroying half of the king's palace because they tried to take the original multi-formation disk she created. Since then, Diana got the title "Chaos of Storm."
King Daymond fears no one—but he fears Diana. With all his men, wives, and himself combined, they tried to stop Diana. They barely managed to limit the damage to just half the palace. Although Diana didn't attack civilians—only the property and those who fought alongside Daymond—no one was really injured.
Since then, even Diana's father, William, has feared her. Daymond could have fought back since he and his men were totally fine. But his family members and soldiers live here. If Diana went wild, he wouldn't be able to save them. So, King Daymond backed down, and Diana left with a warning.
When Ray heard the whole story, he was thrilled. It seemed like Diana saying she was coming to protect him was just a cover for what was truly about to happen.
After Alicia finished telling the short version of the story, she slumped down. Remembering the past gave her the shivers. Alicia then looked at Rena and told her to report to the king right away that Diana is coming.
Rena, hearing that, went to the king's conference room and knocked on the door. Daymond was talking to the queen and concubines about something. But when he heard the knock, he stopped the meeting and let Rena in.
Rena then reported to King Daymond that Diana is coming, and it seems that before they could speak to Ray, Ray had already informed Diana.
King Daymond started to sweat, and the one sweating most was the queen sitting beside him. They had planned to pressure Ray into not spreading rumors and would have given him a peaceful offer to move on.
King Daymond asked Rena, "How did he manage to send a message to Diana when he has been living in the palace?"
Rena shook her head and replied, "I don't know." She was specifically told not to reveal the wristwatch until it was mass-produced, so she kept her mouth shut.
King Daymond sighed and said to Rena, "It seems Ray had a special way to contact Diana. Anyway, bring Diana and Ray over here when she arrives. This is a confidential talk—only Ray and Diana know."
Rena nodded and gave a special salute, then left. Then King Daymond looked at his queen, Elizabeth, and said, "It would have been all good if it was only Ray. I already got a report from a special source that he has the backing of inventors. It would have been better if he brought those inventors instead of his mother. Hopefully, everything goes peacefully. Such a headache."
After an hour, Diana saw that Rena was already waiting for her. So Diana was taken to Alicia's office. Ray was drinking tea while waiting for her. Seeing how relaxed he was, Diana couldn't help but ask in a softer tone, "Tell me everything. I mean everything you left out."
Rena and Alicia were shocked to see such motherly affection. The image they had of Diana was completely different.
Ray sighed. "It all started when I and Third Concubine Alicia went to the inventor shop and then came back. But on our way, we met the queen and the prince. The prince, having half Montclair blood, started to challenge me. He had sword force at the age of seven and was called the youngest prodigy sword-force user. But everything changed when I used it as well.
Now we don't have proof that the queen sent the assassins or not, but I believe she did. When I tried to enter my room after coming from Princess Alice's courtyard to the guest courtyard, I was given…
When I activated the formation and was about to enter my room, I saw the door had been tampered with. So I used my soul cultivation to check who was inside. That's when I noticed two rats. I called caretaker Rena—she took care of the rats—and then I fell asleep."
Diana looked at Rena and Alicia. The motherly attitude was gone, and the entire environment shifted. The atmosphere they had imagined returned. Alicia and Rena shivered at Diana's change in expression.
Diana asked, "Where is Daymond?" Take me to him."
Rena nodded and started to lead the way, while Diana and Ray followed her to the conference room. Inside, King Daymond, his queen, and his other concubines were waiting. With Alicia entering, all the concubines were present. Rena left after leading them in, leaving only Ray and Diana with King Daymond and his wives.
Diana's gaze pierced through King Daymond as she thundered:
"Daymond! Tell me how an assassin could strike in your palace with you and your men present? Your protection is meant to be impenetrable! Was it on purpose—to assassinate my son? I demand an answer!"