The First Magic World War

In the Lucavaro District's Temple of the Serpent of Destiny!

His Majesty Emperor McClain Brittany, having just ascended to the throne, stood before his late wife's grave, hands upon his knees, softly speaking to something unseen.

"Nanny, I've come to see you."

"I wonder how you are now."

"I never thought of becoming the Emperor of Fars, but that day…"

"When Charles knelt before me and said, 'Greetings to His Majesty Brittany!' he also incited me to rebel. I was devastated at that moment. I wanted to seek justice for you."

"If I didn't rebel and let Redmir become the Emperor of Fars, I would never have had the chance to avenge you."

"If the True God would allow, I would trade the throne of Fars to have you back."

"Today, I saw that young man invite Anne to dance."

"You should have seen that scene; Anne was shining so brightly."

"I know Anne is adorable and beautiful, after all, she inherited your beauty. But it was the first time I've seen a girl shine so splendidly brilliant under the hand of the man she loves."

"Miss Rose from the Sumei family, even I have to admit, is indeed unparalleled. Miss Sophia from the Garanord family, holding the prestige of the capital of the Empire, I don't know how many young people adore her."

"They possess not only peerless beauty but also a beauty that is unique to this age."

"Today they also attended my coronation ceremony, and the imperial palace banquet I hosted!"

"In the past, they would have been the center of attention for the young people!"

"Whether it's your father, His Majesty Julius Axel VI, or I, your Emperor of Brittany, neither of us would dare to say we could outshine them."

"I never imagined that my precious Anne, simply standing there, doing nothing, could make them pale in comparison!"

"She became the undisputed center of everyone's attention."

"There was a sentence in some book of that young man: 'Vulgar men chase the world's finest women! Men of refined character only strive to make their own women the finest in the world.'"

"When I saw that sentence, I even cursed him for spouting nonsense…"

"Nanny, perhaps you, like me, never imagined that there really could be such a man, someone who could truly achieve this. How could this be possible for someone? But he indeed made our precious Anne goddess-like, dominating the entire dance, even making beauty the least important of her charms!"

"That Charles, he's a thorough scoundrel indeed."

"But even I can't find any fault in him.

"In my younger days…"

"In my younger days, I should have fought for you, claimed glory for you…"

"After all, you will always be my princess."

"Nanny!"

"I will definitely protect our two children."

Towards the end, the old Emperor's tears were streaming, he cried and choked, pouring out his sorrow before his deceased wife, venting freely.

All through Strasbourg, a night of wild revelry ensued.

Charles was experiencing this for the first time, not escorting Anne back home, for 58 Sixth Avenue was no longer her home. He could only take her back to the Imperial Palace.

After some time, Anne would move to the new Ducal Mansion.

Yes, Anne was not only the Princess of Fars, but also the Grand Duchess of Modova.

He might even own a personal estate!

Perhaps after the war, he would marry Anne...

After sending Anne back, Charles did not linger in the palace. He did not return to 221B Baker Street; instead, he went back to Street 58, Elysian Pastoral.

This residence held a special significance to him, as it was the first property Charles personally owned. It was also home to Madam Nancy and Mrs. Plum Sauce, his three Agile Cats, and the second-hand carriage he bought...

He had dated Anne here countless times, hand-in-hand they explored Elysian Pastoral Avenue, visiting every restaurant and nearly half the shops.

In some way, Street 58, Elysian Pastoral was the only place in this world that held the meaning of home for Charles.

When he returned to Street 58, Elysian Pastoral, it was already very late, and not much later, dusk gave way to a faint dawn. The divine radiance in the sky began to fade, and the nine divine buildings of the True Gods returned to their original states.

Charles was about to ask Mrs. Plum Sauce to prepare breakfast when he heard the sound of knocking at the door.

Madam Nancy opened the door, and Herolf, the Golden Goat, walked in with an exceptionally robust young man. Charles was slightly startled, but then the young man said, "I am Agon!" Surprised, Charles asked, "What brings you to Strasbourg to find me?"

The Elephant-man Agon took a deep breath, knelt on one knee, and said, "Actually, I arrived in Strasbourg a few days ago, and I visited Cappadocia. I've been silently observing your actions at the Red Dragon Strait; these past days, I even had a deep conversation with the Black Dragon."

"I am convinced that you are the future of the Beastkin, you can lead the Beastkin out of poverty, alleviate our crisis and ensure a peaceful life."

"Therefore, I, leader of the Elephant-man tribe, Agon, am willing to serve you."

"Until the end of my life."

Charles, thrilled beyond measure, helped Elephant-man Agon to his feet and exclaimed, "I was afraid you would never join us. Now with you, my subordinates number seven..."

The old Goat Herolf remarked coldly beside him, "Eight, you forgot about that big boy Gareth Mekelen."

Charles hastily said, "Oh, oh, I had indeed forgotten him."

"We now have eight at the Sacred level."

Elephant-man Agon suddenly felt a tightness in his heart.

If he had pledged his loyalty to Charles a few months earlier, he would undoubtedly be Charles' top general by now.

But now, he is just number eight, and even in terms of combat strength, Charles had subordinates like Kresto, who forced back Amis Fidath, King of Ten Thousand Lions, and the former head of the Royal Knights Order known as Mount of Light, so Agon would not rank on top.

Facing Elephant-man Agon, who had suddenly come to pledge his loyalty, Charles felt a sudden urgency, thinking to himself, "If I don't achieve Sacred level soon, I may become the laughingstock of nations across the continent."

"If life were a novel, in the next volume, I must achieve Sacred level."

"Well, at most in the volume after that, I can't delay any longer; otherwise, the readers will pick faults."

"They might even threaten the author with their monthly votes."

"Since ancient times, those who offended the readers never ended well."

Just as Charles was about to invite Herolf and Elephant-man Agon to join him for breakfast, the voice of a eunuch came from outside, "Earl Mekelen, His Majesty summons you to the palace."

For some reason, Charles suddenly had the urge to flatten a toad...