Defying the Fate of Beheading-Chapter 586 - 317: Beatrice and Saint Grace’s Meeting, Final Battle with the Sword Master
Encircling the Falling Star Sea branch of the Abyssal Church is something Louis had wanted to do for a long time.
But this matter is fraught with difficulties, and it's not something Ense can handle easily.
Firstly, the Fallen Star Sea is an inland sea surrounded by various continents, with a large area and complex waters. To surround the Abyssal Church at sea, it would require enough manpower, which the Ense Empire can't bear the burden alone, nor is it necessary.
Secondly, the Pirate Islands in the Fallen Star Sea have the largest concentration of pirate groups on the entire Star Continent, with numbers and comprehensive strength that are astonishingly strong.
Although they have severe internal conflicts, they almost always stand against foreign enemies together.
In the past, there have been pirate groups still embroiled in internal conflicts when facing foreign enemies, but such groups couldn't withstand the encirclement of surrounding countries and quickly disappeared from the sea.
So the pirate groups that can survive now are more like naval groups under the guise of pirates.
One could say they have some real skills, but because of this, the destruction of the Pirate Islands is far too hasty.
The future diaries repeatedly mention that the Gate of the Abyss from the Pirate Islands opens, unleashing a torrent of demons that eventually becomes a destructive frenzy sweeping across the Star Continent.
During this process, no information emerged from the Pirate Islands, as they quietly slipped into history, which is very bizarre.
He looked at the women and said, "I've received reliable information that the pirates on the Pirate Islands might be colluding with the Abyssal Church, intending to open the Gate of the Abyss."
Alice instinctively tensed up, "That's impossible! Those pirates aren't the Abyssal Church, how could they pull everyone down with them."
Alice firmly denied the authenticity of this information. Even pirates know that in such times, they shouldn't drag various countries down.
The continuous opening of the Gate of the Abyss could be a calamity dragging everyone into an endless abyss, and now someone is saying this disaster is man-made? It's outrageous.
"Assuming the Pirate Islands are really all pirates," Louis said calmly, "Compared to other forces, the Pirate Islands are independent from each other, easy to take down one by one, but countries haven't put much thought into gradually eroding them, so they've been living just fine."
Of course, Louis knows there's another reason, which is that certain countries have secret ties with the pirates, and the pirates consciously do not cross red lines.
"... You mean the situation on the Pirate Islands might be like the Giant Demon Tribe?" Alice felt a chill down her spine.
She had heard about the Giant Demon Tribe, and when she learned that the Abyssal Church had been plotting a grand scheme for thousands of years, she couldn't help but feel "moved" by these Evil God Cultists.
Truly everyone is a perseverance hero!
"I'll have my brother keep an eye on it too. They have another branch operating along the coast of the Fallen Star Sea," Alice pinched the bridge of her nose.
Thinking about the Abyssal Church made her gnash her teeth with hatred, but these guys were really hard to deal with.
"What is the Empire's mad dog doing along the coast of the Fallen Star Sea?" Louis was startled, "Aren't you mainly active in war-torn areas?"
Alice smiled warmly. After a moment, Louis understood what she meant.
...
Time: Next day
Location: Lokeshi's covert mobile unit's coliseum.
"Alice, Grace, over here." The little swan waved from a distance, signaling them to come and sit.
The two women stepped forward, and Alice uncharacteristically performed a lady's curtsy: "Alice Ashford of the Marquis of Ashford's Family, meeting the Empire's little sun."
Usually, the term "Empire's little sun" is used to describe the Crown Prince, and it's generally a symbol exclusive to males.
But someone like Beatrice, who had already become the Regent King, could also earn this title.
When she smoothly inherits the throne in two months, this title will upgrade to "Sun of the Empire."
Though there is an awkward aspect, as the emperor's consort is usually referred to as the Empire's Silver Moon.
Yes, Silver Moon generally applies to an Empress.
Yet, clearly, this situation with Louis is turned upside down.
An empress and a male empress... This subtle feeling repeatedly became a matter of jesting fun between the two.
Beside her, Grace was a bit timid, unsure of what etiquette she should perform.
She wasn't a noble, and she'd heard that commoners, when meeting the little sun, needed to perform a kowtow ceremony.
But... deep down, she really didn't want to perform such a grand ceremony for Beatrice.
It's not that she hated the Eldest Princess, just that it felt like, after doing the salute, she'd find it even harder to face her. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂
Louis wanted to give Grace a reminder, but in the presence of Beatrice, he had to respect his future wife's wishes and couldn't offer help proactively.
So, he cast a glance at the little swan, who didn't look at him, but instead, after a cough, quietly said:
"A saint's salute will do."
Only then did Grace muddily perform the etiquette reserved for the upper echelon of the church meeting a great noble.
Beatrice watched the scene with interest and said with a smile:
"Grace, I know you."
Grace's body tensed slightly, her mind more muddled.
"She knows about me?"
Thinking of this, the girl showed a slightly panicked expression, gripping her pure white nun's outfit tightly, she said in a low voice:
"I, I have no ulterior motives."
Beatrice squinted her eyes with a bright smile, "No need to be so scared, I won't eat you."
Grace lowered her head and after a moment, looked up again to say, "I'm sorry, I lost my composure."
