Representing the Tulip Kingdom on a diplomatic mission to Kusha, naturally he couldn't continue wearing short clothes and long pants.

Tulip VI waved his hand, and the attendants led Milante to a room to change into gleaming noble attire.

The soft, high-grade fabric felt like the skin of a sixteen-year-old girl.

The patterns on it were complex yet orderly, like a well-wrapped ball of yarn. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Once Milante put on the attire, he immediately exuded an air of nobility.

He also requested two swords of different lengths from Tulip VI, which he then strapped to his waist.

Tulip VI warmly escorted him to the gates of The Palace, personally watching Milante board the carriage.

Six pure white horses pulled the luxurious carriage forward, while another carriage behind carried ten women of extraordinary beauty.

Following them was a carriage laden with gold, silver, and jewels, with a hundred-member lavish escort accompanying them.

Tulip VI watched the convoy disappear from view before turning back to The Palace to quietly prepare for a temporary retreat, letting the crown prince oversee state affairs.

He needed to go south to escape the summer heat.

Although it was only April, he felt that the weather in Tulip King City was too hot.

The diplomatic convoy left Tulip King City, following the highway directly towards Saka.

Milante, feeling bored inside the carriage, rummaged through the prepared fruits.

He found a bright red fruit of unknown type, about the size of a fist, and gave it a wipe before biting directly into it.

The sweet flesh and juice brought a satisfied smile to his face. Royals indeed consumed finer delicacies than ordinary people.

...

As they approached the border of Saka, the frequency of roadblocks by marauding defeated soldiers increased.

There were about a dozen waves, all cleared by the escort, but upon entering Saka's territory, no more brigands appeared.

Milante looked out the window, feeling that even with sunlight falling on the forest, it failed to evoke any sense of vitality but rather projected a gloomy, lifeless atmosphere.

No bird calls could be heard.

Light tremors came from the ground, accompanied by the neighing of white horses.

The escort leader quickly rode over and shouted, "Ambassador Milante, something's not right; this number might be Kusha cavalry."

"It's alright, Kusha wouldn't be so barbaric as to kill an envoy outright."

Milante reassured, making the escort leader's expression slightly relax, but Milante knew that these were just comforting words.

Common sense might not apply to Kusha, so he proactively opened the carriage door and stood outside.

A black line appeared on the western horizon, soon becoming a cavalry unit of thousands charging at them.

Thunderous was the sound of hoofbeats.

Dust rose from the ground.

The Kusha cavalry did not advance to kill them but split left and right like a wolf pack, surrounding them to ensure no escape. Only then did someone ride forward and ask, "Who are you?"

"An envoy from the Tulip Kingdom."

Milante responded.

He desired to travel the Eastern Continent, to search for records related to the Era of Gods and naturally needed to learn the languages of many countries.

Fortunately, Kusha and Saka shared a language, although it was different from that of the Tulip Kingdom.

He had a fair understanding of Saka's language.

"Tulip, haha."

The general leading the cavalry laughed heartily and then disdainfully ordered, "Kill them all."

"Haha."

Milante also threw back his head and laughed.

The general gestured, "Hold on."

The cavalry that was about to advance pulled back their horses.

The general looked at the nobleman in front of him, feeling that this one was different from the typical nobles who turned cowardly at the first sign of danger.

This one seemed confident.

"I'm about to kill you, and you laugh. Are you mad?"

"I am certainly not mad, General; you'll soon join me in the afterlife, so life or death is inconsequential."

Milante responded calmly.

The general sneered, "Do you think, with such an advantage, you can kill me?"

"It won't be me killing you but Emperor Kusha."

Milante declared loudly, "I represent the Tulip Kingdom to meet with Emperor Kusha.

By rights, you should escort me to the Emperor, leaving my fate to him.

If you kill me on your own accord, are you confident in making decisions on behalf of Emperor Kusha?"

This fervent and stirring speech left the general stunned. He scratched his head, feeling there was some truth to what Milante said, and gestured, "Very well, let's take you to meet the Emperor and see how he decides."

Milante breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that he often debated with others and knew well that the key to a debate is confidence.

Even if the matter was false, you must speak with real confidence.

Once hesitance creeps in, even truth becomes falsehood.

...

After two more days, Milante arrived at Kusha's camp.

Located outside the Royal City, he could see its walls already battered and worn.

Corpses hung outside the walls.

From the look of things, they had been dead for many days, attracting numerous crows and vultures to peck at the decaying flesh.

Each bite further mutilated the bodies.

The sight made the escort's scalps tingle.

Countless tents covered the land.

The escort was not allowed entry into the camp.

After the general announced their presence, they waited outside.

Milante could peer through the fence, experiencing firsthand the brutality of the Kushan.

His expression grew solemn.

While touring the Eastern Continent before, Milante visited several war-torn countries, yet their actions were far less brutal than the Kushan.

This surpassed the scope of human imagination and brutality.

There is no culture or civilization, only barbarism and violence.

When a country is defeated, everything is taken away.

The elderly are all killed.

Young men are all made into war slaves.

Women become tools and spoils for the Kushan men, played with without any dignity.

If they die, they are discarded.

Their corpses are left for wild dogs and vultures to tear apart and devour.

Milante could smell the nauseating stench in the air.

Such a brutal person must not be allowed to live!

He secretly resolved to assassinate.

Milante surveyed the endless encampment, hoping that Emperor Kusha would see him.

Otherwise, no matter how brave Milante was, he couldn't take the head of the Emperor Kusha among the thousands of troops.

Within ten steps, there might be a chance.

As for whether he could survive after killing Emperor Kusha, he could only say to leave it to fate.

Milante smiled bitterly in his heart; he never thought he would one day lose his life for such a reason.

But who in life can remain indifferent while watching such beasts rampage over the world?

Milante could not.

...

Among tents like earthen mounds, one tent was painted a deep golden color.

Moreover, the tent occupied an exceptionally large area, like a palace standing there.

The golden-topped tent.

Inside was where Emperor Kusha usually slept and handled affairs of state.

At that moment, Ganishka sat on a low stool, casually asking, "Bore, my order to you was to purge the remnants of Saka at the border.

Why have you returned?"

The tone was light, yet it made Bore break out in a cold sweat.

He had already explained his reason for returning was to escort the delegation from the Tulip Kingdom.

But Ganishka's continued questioning indicated his dissatisfaction with Bore's decision.

He hastily knelt, bowing his head, saying, "Emperor, please forgive my ignorance, allow me to atone by dying in the assault on the Tulip Kingdom!"

Bore did not plead for mercy; he knew very well that when the emperor was angry, it was best not to make any defense.

If he wanted to beg for his life, it was best to atone with it.

Ganishka looked at Bore lying on the ground and then swept his gaze over the surrounding generals.

Each of them bowed their heads.

Appearing respectful, yet with unknown thoughts inside.

After taking the throne, Ganishka proclaimed himself emperor, viewed as brutal and ambitious by the world.

However, no one ever understood the fear in Ganishka's heart.

He loathed those who defied his commands; if they dared to return with an envoy today, who knows what they might do with an army tomorrow.

Ganishka could not imagine.

"Have Bore and those who failed to stop him from defying my command all executed."

Ganishka would tolerate no betrayal.

"Emperor!"

Bore looked up, astonished.

The guards burst into the tent, grabbing his shoulders from both sides and dragging him out.

"Emperor! Spare me!" "Emperor! Let me charge for you once more!"

The pleas for mercy gradually faded, dissolving into nothing.

The entire tent became extremely quiet.

Brutality!

The generals only felt their blood run cold; this new ruler's military talent was several times greater than the previous one.

Defeating the heretofore insurmountable Saka, but unfortunately, the new ruler's brutality was also several times that of the old one.

The previous Kushan Palace was infamous for its bloodshed, and after this one took power, it became even worse.

Ganishka was pleased with such silence.

Only by instilling fear could he ensure the absolute stability of his throne.

In the past, he resented his father's ruthlessness.

But upon ascending to this position, he realized, it wasn't his father's heartlessness.

Rather, the position was too tempting.

Everyone wants power, and everyone is untrustworthy.

There are always traitors plotting against him.

Ganishka touched his throat.

The burning sensation from childhood returned once more.

He would never forget when, at six years old, his mother, to ensure his obedient brother's ascendancy, personally fed him poison.

Ganishka almost died.

"Bring the delegation from the Tulip Kingdom here."

Ganishka withdrew his hand, deciding to see the delegation from the Tulip Kingdom.

Since they were already outside, Ganishka wanted to see what Tulip VI had to say.

Ganishka was not only brutal but also cunning.

He knew long ago that the Tulip Kingdom was militarily weak but very wealthy, and their attitude towards scholars was highly regarded among the nobility.

Honestly, acting against the Tulip Kingdom now could easily incite a coalition of neighboring kingdoms.

With Kushan's current national strength, it was not yet enough to defeat the allied forces of neighboring countries.

He needed to stabilize the Tulip Kingdom, annex neighboring states, strengthen Kushan's forces, and then move against the Tulip Kingdom.