God Of War Dad

Hall of Jade!

Albert Sitwell was not the same as the former ruler of Shirine Empire, King Ron!

Before the core damage, King Ron’s peak strength was considered outstanding in the realm of Consolidation. Such strength placed him in an awkward position within the Hall of Jade, where he was neither top-tier nor bottom-tier. According to the ranking within the Hall of Jade, only practitioners of Confluence were qualified to vie for the position of the Twelve Demons, becoming core members of the Hall of Jade. Those below Confluence could only become one of the three thousand generals!

King Ron was the dignified ruler of Shirine Empire, noble in status and proud in spirit. He would rather be a leader than a follower, naturally unwilling to join the Hall of Jade as an ordinary general. His goal had always been Confluence, and then to directly become one of the core members of the Hall of Jade, one of the Twelve Demons!

Unfortunately!

Fate had it otherwise. After the core damage, King Ron completely lost the chance to reach Confluence and thus never managed to join the Hall of Jade. Not being a member, he naturally dared not casually reveal anything about the Hall of Jade to others!

As for Albert Sitwell…

In fact!

Albert Sitwell had been a member of the Hall of Jade long before ascending to become the ruler of the North Kingdom in the Bright Realm. Starting as an ordinary general, he had persevered and stepped through, gradually attaining his current strength and position!

Therefore!

Albert Sitwell was very familiar with the Hall of Jade, maintaining contact with it and not hesitating to mention the Hall of Jade in front of others. As a result, although Crown Prince Alfred had not yet joined the Hall of Jade, he had also learned quite a bit about the Hall of Jade through exposure!Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“Hall of Jade…”

Alfred paused for a moment, then his eyes lit up, nodding as he said, “Indeed, indeed! I remember Father mentioning that within the Hall of Jade, there are Twelve Demons scattered throughout the Middleland. They are each responsible for controlling the affairs of ten countries, and every one of them is a superlative practitioner of Confluence. With Father’s ability, it should be an easy task to eliminate someone like Sean, especially if he can enlist the Demon responsible for the North Kingdom and the Shirine Empire!”

Yes!

An effortless task!

Just as there was a huge gap between the Bright Realm and the dark energy, Confluence and Consolidation seemingly had only a difference in realm, yet they were vastly different!

“Hmm!”

Albert Sitwell said in a deep voice, “Sean is too young, too outstanding, his bloodline too strong, his talent too high!”

“This!”

“Is his advantage, and also his Achilles’ heel!”

As the saying goes, “A taller tree attracts the wind! The higher the dam, the more turbulent the water! The higher one stands, the more likely the crowd will oppose. The Middleland is the world of the Hall of Jade, and the Hall of Jade will absolutely not allow the existence of young people like Sean, who would pose a huge threat to its future!”

“So!”

“We only need to meddle in between, and we can achieve our goal without moving a single soldier, resting easy!!”

After saying this, Albert Sitwell turned around, stood with hands behind his back, and looked down upon the grand imperial city before him, gazing at the prosperous capital and the vast wilderness in the distance. His whole being exuded a majestic aura of dominating the world!

“Father is wise!”

Alfred stood on the side, offering a wave of flattery!

“General!!!”

Just at that moment, accompanied by a piercing shout, a soldier rushed over towards the Temple of Heaven, arriving at the front steps of the grand hall, kneeling down and respectfully saying, “Reporting to His Majesty, there is news from the capital of the Shirine Empire!”

“Oh?”

Albert Sitwell’s pupils contracted slightly as he gestured, “Speak directly!”

“Yes!”

The soldier immediately spoke, “Shirine Empire’s ruler, King Roscoe, has died. He was indeed killed by the joint efforts of Lord Fisher, Lord Snow, and Luna Porter, and there is no trace of his remains!”

“Furthermore!”

“Sean led a night raid on the capital of Shirine Empire and directly killed Lord Fisher, who had already successfully entered the Bright Realm using the Soul Devouring Array, and captured Lord Snow, who had similarly entered the Bright Realm. As for Luna Porter…”

“It is said that she has gone mad!”

“No doubt!”

“It must be that Lord Snow was afraid of death and thus joined forces with Sean, leading to the defeat at Hill Riverside…”

Previously!

Upon seizing control of the capital of Shirine Empire for the war between the two countries, Sean immediately sealed off the entire city, preventing any news from leaking out!

And now!

With the war between the nations concludedand the overall situation settled, there was naturally no need to continue sealing off the imperial city. Consequently, related information began to trickle out!

“He reached a breakthrough?”

A look of surprise flashed between Albert Sitwell’s brows. Evidently, the news of both Lord Fisher and Lord Snow breaking through at the same time was unexpected to him. He said in a deep voice, “Indeed, the Soul Devouring Array is extraordinary, able to allow King Ron to barely hang on for so many years under the circumstances of core damage. It’s a pity that it failed to successfully capture the capital of Shirine Empire. Otherwise, that Soul Devouring Array would have been in my hands!”

“Sean!!!”

Ultimately, it was Sean’s sudden appearance that disrupted Albert Sitwell’s strategic plans. If it weren’t for Sean, there would have been no need for Lord North to intervene; they could have easily seized the capital of Shirine Empire. Why would Lord North need to bear this burden?

“And…”

The soldier hesitated for a moment, then continued, “The new ruler of Shirine Empire has already been confirmed and announced to the world. In three days, a new imperial ceremony will be held!”

“Is that so?”

Albert Sitwell’s expression turned cold as he snorted, “This thief, Sean, is indeed ambitious. From a mere General Wolf of the North, he leaped to become the ruler of Shirine Empire. He must be riding high at the moment, shouldn’t he?”

At only twenty-seven years old, being able to become a Bright Realm practitioner and ruler of a nation, Sean’s achievements, even for someone like Albert Sitwell, who was also a ruler of a nation, were unavoidably enviable!

Jealousy!

Hatred!

After all!

Albert Sitwell entered Bright Realm, whether it was the age at which he became the lord of the realm or the hardships and suffering he had experienced, it far surpassed Sean. Sean’s ascension to lordship came too early, too quickly, and damn it, too easily!!!

However!

Behind Albert Sitwell stood the formidable force of the Hall of Jade. Even though Sean was currently in the limelight, he was like a grasshopper in autumn, unable to jump for long!

“No…”

The soldier knew that Albert Sitwell had misunderstood, so he quickly shook his head and said, “Reporting to His Lordship, the new lord of the Shirine Empire is not General Wolf Sean!”

At these words!

Albert Sitwell’s expression suddenly changed!

“Not him?”

Before Albert Sitwell could ask, Alfred, equally astonished, stepped forward and asked incredulously, “If not him, then who? Looking at the entire Shirine Empire, who else could contend for the lordship?”

Indeed!

Just as Knox and Karen Smith had said before, from any perspective, Sean was the indisputable choice for the lordship!

Evidently!

Albert Sitwell and Alfred both thought so!

“Yes…”

The soldier cautiously said, “Reporting to His Highness, it’s the daughter of the Shirine Empire’s Prince Adam!”

“Julia!”

Julia!!!

Upon hearing this name, Albert Sitwell and Alfred glanced at each other, both momentarily bewildered. Clearly, they were not familiar with the name Julia!

“What Julia?”

Alfred inquired, “Where did this person come from?”

“Reporting to His Highness!”

The soldier explained, “According to our investigation, this woman had been kept in the mansion of the Shirine Empire’s Prince Adam. She is a lady of high standing, a mere woman with no cultivation, having no influence on the situation in the Shirine Empire. Therefore, she was not our focus of attention!”

“Previously!”

“Lord Fergus of the South Forest entered the capital to marry this woman!”

“And then!”

“On the day of the wedding, Sean rushed into Prince Adam’s mansion and killed Lord Fergus of the South Forest on the spot. Since then, Julia has been following Sean. Half a year ago, she left the capital with Sean and returned a few days ago with him!”

“Lord Snow and Lord Fisher, in order to activate the Soul-Eating Array and assist in their breakthrough, captured and killed all the members of the royal family in the Shirine Empire’s capital!”

“So!”

“Now, the entire royal family has been exterminated, and only Julia remains…”

The soldier detailed the information he had gathered. Upon hearing it, Alfred suddenly realized the intricacies of the situation but remained deeply shocked!

“Insane!”

“That bastard Sean is simply insane. The lordship of the Shirine Empire is within arm’s reach. While others yearn for it, he gains it without even trying, and then he inexplicably hands it over to a woman?”

“Madman!”

“Fool!!!”

Alfred, the crown prince of the North Kingdom, was second only to his father, Albert Sitwell, in line for the throne. Apart from his father, he was the closest person to the lordship of the North Kingdom! Therefore, it was no exaggeration to say that Alfred understood better than anyone else the immense temptation of the supreme position in the Hall of Treasures. For anyone given the chance, they would undoubtedly strive for it at all costs!

However!

Sean was an exception!

“You may leave. Keep a close watch on the movements in the Shirine Empire’s capital and report to me at any time, General!”

Albert Sitwell was equally shocked, but unlike Alfred, he did not show it. After the soldier left, he gave a cold snort and said, “My son, you’re wrong!”

“Sean is not mad!”

“And furthermore!”

“He is not at all foolish!”

Alfred was taken aback!

He asked, “What do you mean by this, Father?”

Albert Sitwell said, “Sean should have long been aware of my relationship with the Hall of Jade. Although he triumphed in the national war, his edge was too obvious. Undoubtedly, he understands the principle that ‘a prominent tree attracts the wind.’ He knows that if he continues to assert himself and become the lord of the Shirine Empire, it will certainly alert and concern the Hall of Jade, even bringing about a deadly disaster!”

“Therefore!”

“He chose to retreat, to use retreat as a form of advancement, and to support Adam’s daughter, Julia, to take the position!”

“Just now, as you heard, the royal family has been slaughtered, leaving only Julia. Julia has been following him all this time. Over time, affection has grown between them. For him, subduing a mere Julia requires little effort!”

“So!”

“On the surface, it appears that he voluntarily relinquished the lordship, securing the country. In the eyes of the people of the Shirine Empire, he will be rememberedas a loyal and virtuous leader!”

“But in reality?”

“The Hall of Swords is under his command, and Julia is by his side. He rejects the title of lord but secretly wields the power of lordship, still able to control the overall situation behind the scenes, issuing commands and decrees!”

“And moreover!”

“While enjoying both power and love, as well as fame and fortune, he can evade the scrutiny of the Hall of Jade, displaying wisdom to protect himself. This can be described as a triple win, exceedingly clever. Where then does the talk of madness and foolishness come from?”

Albert Sitwell’s words were both logical and persuasive, making a resounding impact!

“So that’s how it is…”

Alfred stood there in utter bewilderment, forced to admit that in terms of intellect, Sean indeed surpassed him, while in foresight, Albert Sitwell was far ahead of him. He was still too inexperienced!

“Well…”

After some thought, Alfred expressed his concern, “In that case, can Father still persuade the Lord Demons of the Hall of Jade?”

“Let’s give it a try!”

Albert Sitwell said in a deep voice.

After speaking!

He turned and strode into the Hall of Treasures!

Alfred followed behind Albert Sitwell, and upon entering the Hall of Treasures, Albert Sitwell went straight to the central dragon throne. He reached out, grasping the armrest to his right, Bright Energy bursting forth from within him, and with a sudden press…

Immediately! Accompanied by a loud and rumbling noise, several huge rectangular cracks, about three meters high and two meters wide, suddenly appeared on the opposite wall. It was a stone door! The stone door opened, revealing a dark and secret chamber behind it. Under Alfred’s intense gaze, Albert Sitwell walked alone into the dark chamber. His majestic figure quickly vanished, and then the stone door slowly closed. The wall returned to its original state, showing no signs of anything unusual.

At that moment, Alfred couldn’t help but feel excited, because he knew that within that dark chamber was the place where Albert Sitwell and the Hall of Jade secretly communicated.

However, just like the underground altar in the Hall of Throne in the Shirine Empire’s imperial city, only the ruler of the North Kingdom had the qualification to enter. Even though Alfred was the prince of the North Kingdom, he could only wait outside.

And wait he did, for about half an hour! When the stone door opened once again and Albert Sitwell’s figure reappeared in Alfred’s sight, Alfred immediately went forward, eagerly inquiring, “Father, how did it go?”

“In half a month,” Albert Sitwell said with a faint smile, “Lord Steer will personally come to the North Kingdom. At that time, it will not only be the end of the thief Sean, but also the time for Leopold Lewis to meet his demise!”

Lord Steer! Little did Alfred know that the core members of the Hall of Jade, the Twelve Demons, were actually named after the twelve zodiac signs, and Lord Steer was one of them, responsible for ten countries including the North Kingdom and the Shirine Empire.

“The Grand Tutor?” Alfred asked in surprise. “Isn’t the Grand Tutor, like you, a member of the Hall of Jade? Even if he intentionally lost to Sean in their battle, would Lord Steer really take his life for it?”

After all, even though Lord North had wronged Albert Sitwell, he had not betrayed the Hall of Jade.

“You don’t understand,” Albert Sitwell said in a low voice, looking at Alfred. “I said earlier, the art of manipulation; all living beings are pawns. When you know what others want, you can naturally use it for your own benefit.”

“Leopold Lewis has been in control of the Buddha Academy for years, and his influence within the North Kingdom has been growing. There are suspicions of his ambitions surpassing his position!”

“That’s why I temporarily let him participate in the battle at Hill Riverside. In fact, regardless of the outcome of this battle, whether it’s victory or defeat, I will use this opportunity to tarnish his reputation within the North Kingdom.”

“But I won’t kill him. If he dies too quickly, it will arouse suspicion.”

“It just so happens that there is still half a month’s time to let public opinion ferment. When Leopold Lewis falls into a situation where he is criticized by everyone and Lord Steer arrives, killing him will be considered a matter of course, ridding the people of a threat!”

Upon hearing this, Alfred’s heart trembled fiercely, as if he suddenly understood something, and asked, “Father’s intention is that you knew in advance that the Hall of Jade was planning to target the Grand Tutor. So, you schemed in advance to ruin the Grand Tutor’s reputation, used Lord Steer to take his life, and then took the opportunity to reclaim control of the Buddha Academy?”

Ruthless! Too ruthless! As the saying goes, the heart of an emperor is deep as the abyss, and at this moment, Alfred felt more and more that compared to his father, Albert Sitwell, he was truly far, far inferior!