"Her Holiness the Holy Mother! The Chancellor led a squad and has seized several of Nine-Headed Wyrm's top generals! He claims to be acting on the Great Sage's direct orders!"
Anna Yang's heart skipped a beat.
"Investigate again!"
......
"Reporting to Her Holiness the Holy Mother, the Chancellor has surrounded Nine-Headed Wyrm's estate, and brought King Roc and King Liontusk along. He demands Nine-Headed Wyrm surrender! Both sides are at a standoff!"
"Keep... keep investigating!"
......
Inside the secret chamber, Many-Eyes the Centipede was still leisurely drinking with King Roc.
"Are you certain Her Holiness the Holy Mother will intervene?"
"When you were on Blossom Mountain, King Roc, you must not have paid close attention to everyone's circle of friends."
"Why do you say that?"
"Everyone needs friends," Many-Eyes said, extending a hand to count on his fingers. "Who are Her Holiness the Holy Mother's closest confidantes? Princess Marina Azurewave—Rina; Captain Yisu of Qi Tian Palace; Marshal Shortbeak's wife, Dove; and the Treasury Chief, Daisy Grass."
Hearing this, King Roc suddenly understood.
"Even if you don't pay close attention, there are only a handful of women at Blossom Mountain with enough status to sit at Her Holiness the Holy Mother's table. You could always make an educated guess." With that, Many-Eyes continued, "Since coming to Lionback Kingdom, Her Holiness the Holy Mother hasn't contacted Princess Marina Azurewave, even though they're both here. That's because the world is still unsettled, and both have their own concerns. But if Nine-Headed Wyrm's life is threatened, Princess Marina will surely cling to Her Holiness as her last hope. And Her Holiness will not stand by and do nothing."
......
"Reporting, Her Holiness the Holy Mother, Nine-Headed Wyrm has been thrown into the dungeon!"
"Did they come to blows?"
"No, Nine-Headed Wyrm did not resist. And..."
"And what else?"
"Princess Marina Azurewave—Rina—is already outside Holy Mother Palace."
Upon hearing this, Anna Yang sharply drew in a breath, her hand instinctively gripping the armrest of her chair.
So it was true... This was Many-Eyes's scheme. He intended to draw even her into his plans.
"Her Holiness the Holy Mother, should we let Princess Rina come in?"
Taking a deep breath, Anna Yang waved her hand with a hint of helplessness. "Let her wait in the outer hall for now."
"But she..."
"Just have her wait outside. Tell her Nine-Headed Wyrm won't die anytime soon. Even if he's crippled, I'll find a way to get him medicine to heal. Also—" Anna turned to another demon officer nearby, "Notify Many-Eyes to come see me immediately!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
......
The secret chamber door swung open, and a demon officer rushed to Many-Eyes, dropping to one knee. "Reporting, sir! Her Holiness the Holy Mother has sent for you to come to Holy Mother Palace for a meeting."
Hearing this, Many-Eyes lifted his head in triumph. King Roc, beside him, couldn't help but give a thumbs-up. "When it comes to strategy, I am not even one ten-thousandth as clever as Lord Many-Eyes!"
"You're too kind, Your Majesty."
"So, what do you plan to do next?"
Taking a deep breath, Many-Eyes replied, enunciating each word, "Open the window and speak plainly."
......
Soon, Many-Eyes stepped through the gates of Holy Mother Palace. Led by a palace maid, he made his way toward the rear courtyard.
Entering the hall, he saw Anna Yang seated at the head, her expression cold. Many-Eyes bowed respectfully and greeted her, "Commoner Many-Eyes pays respects to Her Holiness the Holy Mother."
"Sit down," Anna Yang said with a wave of her hand.
A demon officer silently pushed a chair behind Many-Eyes. Immediately, everyone else in the hall quietly withdrew.
As soon as he sat down, Many-Eyes casually cast a sound-blocking spell, sealing off all sound from the hall to the outside world.
Seeing this, Anna Yang spoke softly, "Lord Many-Eyes calls himself a commoner—is this your way of complaining that I demoted you?"