The water’s a bit murky on this job, but since even the "Little Hound" with only two Third Order Transcendents managed to escape, it seems the danger is still somewhat controllable. When I’m heading to the Glacial Archipelago at the end of the Southern Continent, giving a hand should not take up too much time. However, the appearance of this Sun Crown always feels a bit indescribable.

The intelligence even included a picture of the crown, with Edward IV instructing Byron to ensure this treasure was brought back. The golden circular base was rather plain, while the decoration on top appeared to be an animal unique to the Southern Continent—a large alpaca carrying three suns on its back.

Looking at this image gave Byron a bit of a toothache. Uh, if I’m not mistaken, alpacas have another name that starts with ’grass’... Ahem, anyway, this name doesn’t sound like anything auspicious. But pairing it with Edward IV, who’s nearly gone mad coveting the Mandate of Heaven, might just be quite fitting. I’ll take this job. Since you so desire the so-called Mandate of Heaven, then I’ll give you the Mandate of Heaven!

Byron always believed that the unshakable truth in any world was "to the strong go the spoils." With a fist big enough, one could even fabricate a Mandate of Heaven where there was none. Circumstances make heroes, and heroes can make the times. Edward IV’s pursuit was evidently putting the cart before the horse. If he could ascend to the Fifth Order on his own, even a Saint would not be able to treat him as a mere hound to be summoned and dismissed. Yet Byron would certainly not be so kind as to remind him. Instead, he would take full advantage of this opportunity landing in his lap to give him a firm push from behind, using a grand lie that Edward IV firmly believed—and indeed had to believe—to elevate him high onto the pedestal of ’wisdom.’ He would attach the He Runs Naked ability from the Emperor’s New Clothes (as detailed in Chapter 385) to this item, allowing the monarch to wear it and complete the activation prerequisites.

Spin a grand lie and have the whole Kingdom dance to it. The higher you fly, the harder you’ll fall. Hehe, what fun!

After making up his mind, Byron quickly penned a reply to Edward IV and accepted the job via the colonial Law Network.

When he returned to the Centaur Archipelago with Violet, he found that the vanguard dispatched by the Lighthouse Union had already started selecting a site on their number one island. They were preparing to build a First-Class Lighthouse, second in rank only to the Zero-Level Sacred Relic, the Pharos Lighthouse. Moreover, Pirate King Barbarossa Hailiding had fulfilled his promise, taking on all the construction costs for this lighthouse.

Navigator Delia of the Golden Deer, carrying herself with the airs of the vice-chairman’s family heiress, was negotiating construction details with the workers.

"Take note of the client’s requirements," she instructed. "Use the finest materials for everything; our Pirate King’s Ocean Throne is certainly not short of money. Oh, and make sure a 10% commission on the markup is deposited into my account."

Clearly, this well-bred heiress, barely onboard for a few days, had already been led astray. She had even learned the essential construction site skill of taking kickbacks.

She was just lacking a bit of finesse, grabbing for rather petty kickbacks. How much could that be worth? If I had these connections, I’d use the Pirate King’s public funds to build myself an accompanying dock, and then quite justifiably funnel the land acquisition funds into my own account.

"Yes, Miss Delia."

The workers respectfully agreed. As the future whale oil capital of the world, no sloppiness could be tolerated with the lighthouse here; using fine materials was a matter of course.

Let me think if there’s anything else to be cautious about... Delia mused.

The girl, who had shining platinum-blonde hair, had traded the strict attire of her highly disciplined upbringing for a blue dress and little leather shoes after leaving her family. Under the hem of her skirt, adorned with white lace fringe, her slender calves were wrapped in black stockings Jacqueline had given her. Compared to her usual self, a touch of wild allure now complemented her elegant and intellectual demeanor.

By her side, Jacqueline wore a similarly tailored dress with only minor modifications, identical black stockings, and the same shoes. But she somehow managed to make the perfectly normal sister-style outfits look like a couple’s ensemble. To Byron, who was well aware of her true nature, they clearly looked like a pair of "innocent" lilies.

However, suddenly, for some unknown reason—perhaps something a familiar member of the work crew said to them—the two beauties became visibly flustered. Jacqueline frantically scanned the dock area. The moment she saw Byron and Violet approaching hand in hand, she reacted as if she’d found her savior. After whispering a few words to Delia, she created a shadow portal, darted to Byron’s side, clung to his other arm, and looked up at him pathetically.

"Cousin, you have to save me!" she pleaded.

Byron felt this problem child’s scrawny ribs poking him and tried to shake her off his arm. But even when he swung his arm like a windmill, relying on his inhuman physique, the Third Order Singer and Grand Wizard clung on tightly.

He could only say irritably, "What now? What trouble have you stirred up this time? Don’t tell me your dalliance with someone’s daughter has been discovered by the aggrieved party, and now they’re coming to hack you to pieces. But really, so what if you slept together? You two practically shacked up in the same room on the first day you met. Such ’deep sisterly affection’ is no big deal, right?"