Pirate Kingship-Chapter 664 - 462: Two Suns in the Sky, Palace Coup (6100 two-in-one)_2

Not only did he slaughter nobles and betray the Kingdom, but he also colluded with Evil Spirits.

"Do you not fear the pyre of the Religious Tribunal?!"

The incident of murder by Evil Spirits on Melrose Street was, in fact, utterly ordinary. The only exceptions were its proximity to the Royal Palace, the unusually high-profile victims, and the rather unsightly manner of their deaths. It was never even reported to Edward IV, so as not to spoil his good mood. Even if it were eventually reported, such a report would have to wait until the cause of the incident was investigated and a response plan formulated.

"Covering up" such matters was purely the instinct of old bureaucrats and didn't depend on the world in which they operated.

Furthermore, the Royal Iron Law of various nations was merely a neutered version, capable only of governing the populace. Hightins' unique Magna Carta was a neutered version of a neutered version. The King, being under the law, had no choice but to rely more heavily than ever on nobles and officials of all ranks.

He did not possess the commanding power and acuity of "I am the sovereign, also the Divine King," as found in the Golden Law.

Even worse, one of the fundamental abilities of the Law Net was to suppress the Source Tide, thereby maintaining a low-magic environment on the Old Continent. Wherever the Law Net extended, not to mention ordinary Evil Spirits and Bizarre occurrences, even World Rifts were uncommon.

The Kingmaker, who shared King Edward IV's royal authority, also had the power to discreetly lift some restrictions. This allowed these extremely dangerous Evil Spirits to enter, causing devastating losses to the Royalist Party almost overnight.

As Edward IV interrogated Warwick, he did not forget to raise the hand adorned with his gem-studded Seal Ring, bellowing, "Decree: Before my eyes, no Evil Spirit can hide! The uninvited shall not step into the Royal Palace! Begone!"

A Law Mage of the Fourth Order could arbitrarily enact a Decree, such as "Execution for entering the gate left-foot first," making a "groundless" judgment. A Fifth Order bearer of the [King's Title], within their own Domain of Royal Power, could almost achieve the effect of their word becoming law.

Even without understanding the principle of "Death Stranding," Edward IV merely needed to issue a direct command, backed by the Belief Willpower of an entire nation.

HUM—!

A silver wave of light flashed. The Lost Ones, surging in like a tide, revealed their hideous forms. Then, an invisible barrier began to push them back, inch by inch. Bloodthirsty SQUEAKS escaped their mouths, yet they could not halt their retreat.

"His Majesty is mighty!"

"Long live the King!"

The many Royalist Nobles finally breathed a collective sigh of relief. They continued to press closer to Edward IV, as if each step nearer increased their sense of security.

On the opposing side, however, since the moment of truth had arrived, Warwick simply ignored Edward IV's interrogation. He laughed coldly and said, "Edward, do you think you're truly a king just because everyone calls you one? If my surname were York or Lancaster, and I were recognized by the law, I could be a king a hundred times better than you! But it doesn't matter. Ever since I personally placed that Crown upon your head, half of everything you possess belongs to me, The Kingmaker! The Kingdom, the authority, the wealth, the palaces, and even your Queen Elizabeth, 'The First Beauty of the Channel Islands'—according to the tenets of Mysticism... half of her belongs to me as well! Hahaha..."

At his words, the stunning Queen flinched as if a phantom hand had caressed her. She shivered violently and instinctively hid behind her husband.

George, the Duke of Clarence, who stood with Warwick, chimed in, "Brother, just surrender. Stop struggling. Please, cede the throne and the [King's Title] to me. In the end, whichever of us from the Tri-Phantom Sun sits on the throne, it will still be the York Dynasty. My father-in-law has promised me he won't kill you. He will also treat my sister-in-law and my nieces and nephews well. They can have anything they desire, except for power."

Warwick remained noncommittal regarding his son-in-law's words. He silently raised his right hand, and the Divine Light from his gem-studded Seal Ring flared as he bellowed, "Edward, today I shall show you! Just as I raised you to power, I can also pull you down! Even if you have received the Sun Crown, truly fulfilling the divine right of kings, the heavens of Hightins shall henceforth behold... two suns! Decree: I permit the Lost Ones entry into Ganquan Palace! Eat! Drink! This is the feast prepared for you! Devour the Royalist Party and offer all of the Fifth Element to me! The Kingdom belongs to me, and eternal life shall be mine as well!"

As his words fell, the ripple of law that had been aimed at exorcising those Evil Spirits paused. Then, it began to press back, inch by inch, toward Edward IV.

Evidently, just as Warwick had once mentioned to the Hell Painter, when it came to actual power, King Edward IV of Hightins was not necessarily more influential than him, The Kingmaker. Otherwise, Warwick could never have established such a formidable force—the Earl's Party—bold enough to openly defy the King.

His schemes laid bare by Warwick, Edward IV's face flushed crimson with rage. He could barely contain his fury. "War! Wick! I am the King! What I give you, you may take. What I do not give, you cannot seize!" 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

He knew all too well that his brother George was a naïve fool, unworthy of his attention. He simply glared daggers at The Kingmaker, Warwick.

Warwick had dared to openly declare his desire, coveting his beloved and beautiful Queen. For this alone, he was courting death.

Edward IV knew with chilling clarity that if he could not execute this conspirator, his royal authority would crumble. He would never become the undisputed, true King of the Kingdom of Hightins.