Chapter 68. Kroll II’s Plan
William naturally understood the implication behind Jessy’s words.
The cost of the battle on the Ice and Snow Plains had already spread throughout the kingdom. That astronomical military expenditure, along with the densely packed list of fallen nobles, weighed on the entire realm like a massive stone.
Commoners might still shout for war with burning passion.
But the noble class was different—their sons and grandsons had died on the battlefield. Training a new qualified heir would not only require more than a decade of effort but could even shake the foundation of their families.
William remained silent, unconsciously rubbing the jade pendant at his waist with his fingertips.
The nobles were weary of war. His royal father could not possibly fail to see that. Yet if the Dragon Kingdom truly broke the agreement, it would involve the dignity of the kingdom. Taking a step back would not be easy.
Seeing that he remained silent for a long time, Jessy instead laughed and reached out to pat his shoulder.
“Alright, little William. We are only guessing. Father is far more thoughtful than we are. He must already have a plan.”
She yawned, a hint of tiredness in her eyes.
“I am heading back first. I stayed up half the night waiting for news. I need to get some beauty sleep. I cannot let wrinkles appear on my face.”
With that, she turned and left lightly, stepping over the hem of her dress.
William remained alone beneath the corridor. The morning wind lifted the hem of his robe, carrying a faint chill.
He raised his head and looked toward the direction of the Ice and Snow Plains. The clouds hung low like a heavy block of lead pressing down on the horizon.
If the moment truly came when a choice had to be made between honor and war, how would his father weigh it?
Over the next few days, rumors about negotiations sprouted everywhere like bamboo shoots after rain, yet they all carried an inexplicable sense of stagnation.
From those fragmented pieces of information, William pieced together several clues—the Dragon Kingdom had adopted a tough stance during negotiations and completely avoided mentioning the marriage agreement. Their intention to break the contract was becoming increasingly obvious.
That afternoon, a sharp griffin cry suddenly rang out above the castle.
A squad of Griffin Riders clad in silver armor broke through the clouds and slowly descended. The leader dismounted and walked directly toward William. With a crisp motion, he opened his palm, revealing a golden token engraved with the royal emblem of the Kroll Kingdom.
“Fourth Prince.”
The knight’s voice was loud and carried unquestionable authority.
“His Majesty wishes to see you. Please depart with us immediately.”
“Father wishes to see me?” William was slightly startled.
Tos and the other Palace Knights immediately stepped forward, intending to accompany him, but a Griffin Rider raised his hand to stop them.
“His Majesty’s order—only the Fourth Prince.”
The knight’s tone was firm. His gaze swept over Tos and the others, carrying the imposing aura of a royal guard.
William waved his hand toward Tos and the others.
“Return and continue your cultivation. Wait for me to come back.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Although Tos and the others were worried, they could only bow and obey.
William leapt onto the back of the leading griffin. The knight handed him a safety tether.
After fastening the rope, he looked down at the castle below, which was gradually shrinking into the distance. He also saw Jessy standing beneath the corridor, watching him from afar.
The griffin let out a thunderous cry and soared into the sky.
The squad turned in perfect unison and flew rapidly toward the Ice and Snow Plains.
Cold wind roared past, making his clothes flutter violently. William narrowed his eyes and looked toward the cloud-covered horizon ahead.
It seemed this journey would not be an easy one.
The griffins were extremely fast. In less than half a day, they reached the Ice and Snow Plains.
Below them, rows of military tents stretched across the frozen land like white reefs arranged in orderly formation. Flags snapped loudly in the cold wind. From above, the entire camp resembled a dormant giant beast, radiating killing intent and authority.
After passing through the heavily guarded entrance of the military camp, William followed the Griffin Riders inward. Eventually, they stopped before the largest central command tent.
The knight entered to report. A moment later, the voice of Kroll II came from inside the tent, carrying unmistakable fatigue.
“Let him enter.”
William lifted the curtain and stepped inside. The interior of the tent was warm, yet the heavy atmosphere remained.
Kroll II sat behind a desk, holding a feather pen and reviewing a towering stack of memorials. The white hair at his temples was especially visible under the candlelight.
William did not interrupt. He quietly stood to the side, his gaze falling on the map hanging on the wall of the tent.
It was densely marked with red and blue symbols, clearly showing the recent developments of the war.
After a long while, Kroll II finally set down his pen and pushed aside a finished memorial before looking up at William. His voice was hoarse.
“William, you must be tired from standing. Sit.”
Once William sat down in the chair opposite him, Kroll II sighed and lightly tapped the table with his fingers.
“I called you here because of your fiancée.”
He paused, his expression complicated.
“I am afraid the marriage I arranged for you is going to fall through.”
William had already expected this. His expression remained calm.
“Father, has the Dragon Kingdom… gone back on their word?”
“Yes.”
Kroll II nodded and picked up a parchment from the desk before handing it over.
“This is their latest response. Every line carefully avoids mentioning the marriage agreement. They only say they are willing to compensate us with three cities from the Southern Frontier and the slaves captured in this war to settle the matter.”
William took the parchment. The handwriting was neat, yet it carried a faint arrogance.
He quickly finished reading it, placed it back on the table, and spoke calmly.
“I do not care about the marriage itself. However… since it concerns the dignity of the kingdom, I fear it will not be so easily resolved.”
Kroll II looked at him. A trace of satisfaction flashed in his eyes, mixed with a hint of heaviness.
“It is good that you understand. Right now, the nobles are deeply weary of war, and the losses from the Ice and Snow Plains have not yet been recovered. If another war were to begin because of a marriage…”
He did not finish the sentence, but the difficulty of the situation was obvious.
William nodded respectfully.
“I will follow Father’s decision.”
Kroll II smiled slightly, a hint of deeper meaning flashing in his eyes.
“Do not worry. In a few years, they will beg to send their Sixth Princess here. When that time comes, you will personally go to receive her.”
“What belongs to you will not run away.”
William looked at his father, confusion filling his eyes.
What did Father mean by that?
Did he possess some hidden trump card that could force the Dragon Kingdom to bow its head?
Kroll II did not explain. His expression suddenly turned serious, and his tone became authoritative.
“Fourth Prince William Kroll.”
“You are hereby ordered to proceed immediately to the slave districts and select slaves who possess Golden Aptitude or higher.”
“Once every group reaches one thousand people, several Knight Orders from the Royal First Monster Legion will take turns escorting them to the intermediate Secret Realm—Guardian Ruins.”
He looked at William, his gaze deep.
“Choose carefully. Do not hold anything back. Whether you can successfully bring home that ‘little bride’ in the future will depend on your performance this time.”
William immediately felt speechless.
In that instant, he understood—his father’s so-called “secret weapon” was actually him.
No wonder the more than two hundred thousand slaves had not yet been dealt with and were still being well fed and cared for. They had been waiting for him to come and select them.
His father intended for him to choose the finest talents from among those two hundred thousand slaves and send them to be trained within the intermediate Secret Realm.
After all, if the royal family truly decided to concentrate the kingdom’s resources on those slaves—
Especially with the uniquely favorable cultivation environment of the Secret Realm—
Their growth speed would become terrifying.
Inside a Secret Realm, the concentration of magical elements far surpassed that of the outside world. With the addition of the royal family’s reserves of high-grade potions, rare ores, and even lost martial technique scrolls…
Those slaves who already possessed outstanding talent would be like dried sponges encountering a rainstorm.
They would no longer need to worry about food or clothing, nor fear sudden death. Their only goal would be to absorb resources like mad and break through their limits.
At that time, who could possibly stop an army composed entirely of Gold Knights and Gold Mages?
Not to mention those slaves with even greater talent…
“I understand.”
William suppressed the urge to laugh helplessly. He stood up and bowed.
“I will not disappoint Father’s trust.”
Kroll II waved his hand.
“Go. There is no need to rush. The matter of the Ice and Snow Plains has not yet been settled, and the negotiations will still take quite some time.”