Chapter 020: The Prince’s Invitation (2)

The greatest expert in the Northern Army?
Du Fan glanced at Old Mark in surprise, not expecting him to have such skills.
Old Mark noticed Du Fan’s expression. He shook his head slightly but said nothing more. Instead, he turned to look at the coachman and said coldly, “Alva, it seems the lessons I gave you back then weren’t enough. All these years later, you’ve become even more stubborn!”
The coachman named Alva sneered and said, “No matter how stubborn I am, I can’t compare to you, Old Mark. By the way, Old Mark, it’s been so long—have your skills improved or declined? How about we have a fight now?”
As he spoke, Alva glared fiercely at Old Mark. Their eyes met, and it seemed as if sparks flew between them.
It seems this guy has a deep grudge with Grandpa Mark!
Du Fan frowned, about to say something.
But Prince Fischer already snorted and said, “Alva, it seems that even after being a coachman for a month, your temper hasn’t changed! Then continue being my coachman for another month!”
Alva’s eyes flashed, but he quickly replied, “Yes!”
After saying that, he lowered his head and said nothing more.
Seeing this, Prince Fischer smiled at Du Fan and said, “My servants lack manners. It’s my fault as their teacher. Please forgive me, Lord Du Fan… I’ll make him come and apologize another day. For now, it’s getting late. Please get in the carriage, Lord Du Fan.”
Du Fan nodded and got into the carriage with Prince Fischer. He pondered inwardly—Prince Fischer remained calm under such circumstances and wasn’t overwhelmed by the presence of those two experts. Surely… he must also be no ordinary person. Perhaps Prince Fischer was a rare expert too. It was just unclear whether he practiced magic or combat energy.
Moreover, since he could suppress someone as unruly as Alva, Prince Fischer was likely not as simple as he appeared!
Thinking of this, Du Fan couldn’t help but lift the curtain slightly to glance at Old Mark behind in the carriage. Old Mark looked displeased, but when he saw Du Fan, he made a gesture suggesting caution…
It seemed that following Prince Fischer might not be a good idea…
But Du Fan couldn’t immediately figure out exactly why.
The Holy Church.
The cathedral.

The back hall.
Anthony sat on a soft chair, swaying slowly, with a yellowed copy of the Holy Scripture on his lap, engrossed in reading as if it contained something he had never seen before.
In front of him, Joshua knelt on one knee. His combat energy seemed unusually intense at this moment—whether it was the cathedral affecting his energy or his energy influencing the cathedral was unclear.
After reading for a long time, until he reached the last page, Anthony finally closed the book, stretched, and said, “What were you saying just now, Joshua?”
Joshua’s expression was very cautious. He lowered his head and quickly replied, “Prince Fischer has left the cathedral. But when he left, he happened to meet Du Fan. Now the two of them have left together. It seems Prince Fischer invited Du Fan for dinner.”
“Do you think it’s a coincidence?” Anthony smiled slightly. “Joshua, we can’t judge things by appearances alone… Look, our pope’s adopted son usually rarely comes to this cathedral. But today, as soon as he arrived, he met Du Fan. This can’t possibly be a coincidence, right?”
Joshua was momentarily stunned and asked, “So what do you mean, Lord Anthony?”
Anthony smiled and said, “Joshua, think back. In the past, whenever our pope’s adopted son came to the cathedral, he tried to avoid being seen. But today, when he left, he did it in such a showy manner, as if he didn’t want Du Fan to see him. Don’t you think this is deliberate?”
Joshua frowned and said, “If that’s the case, then Prince Fischer…”
“Hmph…” Anthony snorted. “The old emperor’s health is worsening by the day. It’s unclear whether he can last another year or just half a year… It seems that at this time, our Prince Fischer can no longer stay idle. After staying silent for so many years, he’s finally ready to build his own power?”
Joshua asked doubtfully, “But Lord Anthony, Du Fan is just a white-robed priest. What’s the use for Prince Fischer to take her with him?”

“What’s the use?” Anthony shook his head. “The usefulness here is huge. Joshua, you need to know that the Green family has always remained neutral. The crown prince is probably pressing that Duke of Green to take a stance now. Our Lord Fisher must have learned of this and can’t stay idle, right? His grand invitation to Du Fan for a banquet today serves two purposes: first, to show goodwill to our Holy Church, since Du Fan is currently the most prominent figure on our side. As for the second purpose, it’s to signal to those nobles still on the fence that Lord Fisher is also about to take action.”
“So what about us…”
“Us?” Anthony smiled. “Without the pope’s decree, we naturally don’t need to do anything… But Joshua, you’d better send someone to keep an eye on them. If anything happens to either of them, I might not be able to explain it!”
Joshua clearly still had questions, but seeing Anthony’s expression, he dared not say anything more. He could only bow respectfully before retreating quickly.
Anthony watched his retreating figure and suddenly shook his head with a hint of melancholy. “Lord Fisher has taken drastic action. The Green family will probably be forced to take a stance… Could it be that Lord Fisher wants to push the Green family toward the crown prince? What advantage would that bring him? The old emperor may not live much longer, but he can still live for at least half a year… Lord Fisher’s move is truly strange!”
At that point, Anthony stood up, sighed, and murmured, “I’m getting old! So old! These young people these days—each one more cunning than the last. It seems I can’t ignore my age any longer!”
Magician’s Guild.
Mage Tower.
Guild Leader’s Laboratory.
“Did Du Fan really get taken away by Lord Fisher as soon as he left the Magician’s Guild?” Edward frowned, his expression dark.
“Yes,” Kristy nodded. “Teacher, is there anything wrong with them doing this?”
“Wrong?” Edward shook his head. “There isn’t anything wrong with it. But it’s interesting that that little fox, Fisher, has also set his sights on Du Fan…”
Kristy asked in confusion, “Teacher, what’s so interesting about that?”

Edward snorted and said, “That little fox, Fischer. These days, he keeps coming to our Magicians’ Guild, implying that he’s seeking our support. It seems Prince Fischer is desperate for the throne… His reason for approaching Du Fan now is twofold: first, to find out what strength Du Fan has to kill Aldas, and if Du Fan has anything useful he can exploit, Prince Fischer probably wants to get it too. Second, by openly associating with Du Fan, he aims to put pressure on the Green family. Ideally, he wants them to side with him; if not, at least force them to remain neutral… After all, the Green family has controlled the military for years and is on good terms with its leaders. Their stance could influence many people, and at least two of the four major armies will listen to them… In a way, gaining the Green family’s support means half the battle is won for the throne… But then again…”
“But then again?”
“If the Green family were that easy to manipulate, they would have fallen years ago… Look at Duke Green—he’s in the capital now, staying at home most of the time, rarely even going to the military headquarters. He just doesn’t want to take a side… I guess he’ll side with whichever party offers him more benefits… Those old politicians are as cunning as ghosts—there’s no way to easily influence them.”
“But, teacher,” Kristi frowned, “what does this have to do with us?”
“Originally, nothing,” Edward shook his head. “But the problem this time is Prince Fischer’s relationship with the Holy Church. After all, he’s the pope’s adopted son, so no matter what, the Church will likely side with him. If he ascends to the throne, we’ll be in trouble…”
“What should we do then…”
“There’s no rush…” Edward sighed. “Wait a bit longer. These things can’t be rushed. Even if we don’t take a side, they can’t do anything to us… Hmph, trying to take over the Magicians’ Guild isn’t easy at all.”
Kristi nodded thoughtfully and said softly, “I understand, teacher.”
Edward shook his head and said, “If you understand, then leave. Remember, keep quiet about Prince Fischer visiting me this morning. If you leak even a word, you won’t be allowed to see me again!”
Kristi quickly nodded and said, “Yes!”

Edward sighed and made a gesture to retreat. After Kristy left, he frowned, as if torn between choices. In the end, he merely sighed softly before slapping the desk hard with his right hand. Instantly, the once fine desk turned into a field of ice crystals!!!
Book 19: The Struggle for Power