Deposed Crown Prince: After three years of service on the frontier, the entire court knelt and begge

"Next, our guild leader has prepared a banquet for everyone in Sun Castle. Please join us!"

After Victor King finished speaking, the female president simply nodded slightly.

Without saying a word, he left.

Thus, the group, led by the mysterious female president and two vice presidents, set off.

Under the watchful eyes of countless light guardians, they left the port and departed directly in a carriage.

Xiao Ce saw this, raised an eyebrow, and then said, "This is really interesting. They really know how to put on airs."

Cassie smiled and said, "Just being mysterious."

Xiao Ce nodded: "I feel like that person looks familiar?"

Cassivs was somewhat surprised by Xiao Ce's question: "So, Sean, you know her?"

Xiao Ce shrugged, then waved his hand at Cassivs: "No, it's probably because I've met too many people, too many... everyone looks somewhat similar..."

Cassivs nodded, then said to Xiao Ce, "However, Sean, I have made a discovery..."

As Cassivs walked, he spoke to Xiao Ce.

After hearing Cassivs's words, Xiao Ce smiled and then said, "Oh? What discovery?"

Cassivs said to Xiao Ce, "Judging from the figure of that female president just now, she doesn't seem to be from the West..."

After hearing Cassivs's words, Xiao Ce nodded and then said, "Oh? Doesn't seem like a Westerner..."

Cassivs nodded firmly at Xiao Ce: "That's right, Sean, Western women's figures and bone structures shouldn't be like this..."

Xiao Ce heard what Cassivs said, and the two of them had just walked to a carriage.

Xiao Ce said to Cassivis, "I remember now, I know who that person is..."

Cassivs was somewhat surprised after hearing Xiao Ce's words.

However, without asking any further questions, he got into the carriage.

This carriage is the kind used by Western nobles; it is usually shared by two people.

So they got into the carriage, while the rest of their family sat in the carriage behind.

The convoy started moving.

Xiao Ce had assumed that Cassivs was too busy to ask earlier, which was why he hadn't.

To everyone's surprise, the carriage had already started moving.

Cassie didn't press the matter further.

He doesn't ask.

What Xiao Ce wanted to say was...

"Third Brother, aren't you curious?"

Cassivs lowered his voice and said to Xiao Ce, "I think I've guessed something. If she's not one of us Westerners, there's only one possibility: that female president just now is very likely one of you East Asians."

"And you! You're a man standing at the pinnacle of East Asia. That woman's ability to reach her current position is enough to prove she has some skills. Now, you know... so she must be someone you have a grudge against, and most likely, someone you've defeated..."

Listening to Cassivs's words, Xiao Ce still felt that his analysis made some sense.

“Cassievis, if I’m not mistaken, it should be her… However, there’s one thing you might be wrong about… that is, strictly speaking, she’s not exactly a defeated opponent of mine…”

Xiao Ce had already guessed who that person was.

If I'm not mistaken, it's Nie Bing.

Actually, strictly speaking, her relationship with Nie Bing was more of a collaboration before.

Later, I heard that Nie Bing somehow got involved with the Blood Nether Pavilion.

However, during that period, Xiao Ce was extremely busy dealing with domestic affairs in Xiao Kingdom.

Now that I've guessed all of this, things are probably clearer now.

Nie Bing should have some connection with the original owner of this body.

As for how the original owner controlled Nie Bing, that remains unknown.

Xiao Ce did not feel any more relaxed just because he knew who his opponent was.

On the contrary, they became even more nervous.

Because Xiao Ce knew only what they had been like before.

Over the years, they have gained a very clear understanding of the situation, but Xiao Ce actually knows very little about them...

However, after a brief moment of surprise, Xiao Ce didn't think too much about it.

No matter what happens, we should meet force with force and dam with dam.

Cassivs was clever; seeing that Xiao Ce didn't continue, he kept quiet.

At this moment, Xiao Ce sat in the carriage and headed towards the road.

In fact, this was Xiao Ce's first time returning to this place, but upon his return, he saw a lifeless scene on the road.

Xiao Ce frowned slightly, and noticed the brand on many people's faces.

After Xiao Ce inquired about it, Cassivis explained the origins of the Illuminati's use of these marks.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ce still felt his blood rush to his head.

His thinking was simple: these people were all because of him.

Cassivs saw the fierce look in Xiao Ce's eyes but didn't respond.

The carriage continued to move forward, and Xiao Ce felt truly uncomfortable watching it, even though he had originally intended to use them.

However, in this collaboration, they were also treated as one of their own.

Xiao Ce originally wanted to change the global village, and these individuals were full of hope.

But now it's lifeless...

The people here are working, but they all look lifeless...

Xiao Ce didn't say much; he knew this was the price of struggle.

Throughout the journey, Xiao Ce had Lingxu keep an eye on things.

What reassured Xiao Ce somewhat was that there were only two people with the robot.

The so-called robot army may not have come, or it may be hiding somewhere.

Xiao Ce still felt that the robot army was with the original owner of this body...

The carriage arrived at the Sun Castle.

By this time, Sun Castle had been restored to its original state and no longer resembled its former appearance as an exhibition site.

Upon reaching the entrance, each family was allowed to send in five people.

Anyone entering must undergo a thorough body search.

Fortunately, Xiao Ce's spiritual energy was of a high enough level that the anomaly could only be detected when they were very close to him.

They overcame almost no difficulties.

Moreover, someone specifically guided them into Sun Castle.

Strictly speaking, this was his first time entering. Even after he had taken over these castles and opened them up to the people, he had never entered before.

After entering the castle gate, the courtyard opened up, with a huge, long-dried-up fountain in the center. The exquisite stone carvings seemed to be telling the stories of their Western mythology.

Around the courtyard, the Light Guardians, clad in dark, lightweight alloy armor, stood like rooted black steel statues!

The shadow beneath the helmet concealed his face, but his occasional, sharp, and menacing gaze swept over everyone who entered.

Having seen them so many times, Xiao Ce didn't find these Light Guards particularly interesting.

After all, from a certain perspective, Guangwei is just a special forces soldier.

Xiao Ce believed that the shadow guards he had personally trained were far superior to theirs...

After being led through a long corridor, a massive stone hall came into view.

The arched dome, reaching over ten meters high, resembles the belly of a giant beast. It is adorned with obscure and mysterious ceiling murals, their colors faded and many parts peeling and blurring. Only the eyes of those enormous, indistinct gods or angels seem to still be gazing down in the dim light.

Dozens of massive granite pillars, each so thick that it takes several people to encircle them, support this heavy splendor. Each pillar base is carved with the animal emblems of an ancient family, or with intertwined vines and sword patterns.

The four walls were also thick stone walls, with long, narrow windows. At this time, it was completely dark outside the windows, except for a few of the largest stained glass windows, whose deep and rich colors could not be penetrated by the afterglow of the setting sun!

Red like congealed blood, blue like frozen ice, and gold like a cold, icy authority, casting large, blurry, heavy, and flowing patches of colorful light on the ground. Instead of illuminating the hall, they added to the somber and eerie atmosphere.

Seeing this breathtaking scene, Xiao Ce couldn't help but admire it.

I had only heard about this first castle before.

In retrospect, it certainly lived up to its reputation.

In the center of the hall was an astonishingly long oak dining table, capable of seating at least fifty people.

The tabletop was polished to an extremely smooth finish, reflecting the light from countless candlesticks.

The table itself has an oily sheen.

On the table were arranged in a staggered manner an antique-style sterling silver candlestick, a heavy gilded silver tableware, a frosted crystal wine glass, and a huge salt shaker and pepper shaker inlaid with gemstones.

The air was filled with a complex aroma: the smoky scent of roasted meat, the spiciness of spices, the sweet and sour taste of rich wine, and an ancient scent that belonged to the castle itself, a blend of old carpets, stone dust, and expensive spices.

After being introduced by a specialist, a nameplate was placed on the long table, bearing the family's name.

A family has three seats, and the rest have to stand aside.

These were all mentioned before we came in.

Guided by others, the patriarchs of the twelve families and their few core followers had already taken their seats.

The men were mostly dressed in luxurious attire befitting their families' illustrious status. The silk and intricate embroidery shimmered subtly in the candlelight, and their hushed conversations echoed like the buzzing of mosquitoes in the empty space, further emphasizing the vastness of the room and a certain underlying tension.

To Xiao Ce's surprise, their Aurelius family was ranked fourth.

This seat, located to the right of the head of the table and closest to the head of the table, is the first seat.

The second seat is the one on the left closest to the main seat.

The third and fourth places are then passed down to the next in line.

This is already quite close to the front in terms of location.

This exceeded Xiao Ce's expectations and showed how much the Illuminati valued the Aurelius family.

After Cassivs took his seat, Xiao Ce sat down next to him.

Kate naturally sat down next to Xiao Ce, while the other two advisors stood aside waiting.

After everyone took their seats one by one.

When Vice Presidents Victor King and Ed White entered first, the entire room immediately fell silent. Everyone's eyes were focused on the doorway, revealing expressions of awe, caution, or calculation.

After a moment of silence, the figure appeared.

The new president of the Illuminati!

She had already changed into a different dress.

This gown was custom-made to fit her figure.

A uniquely tailored, exquisitely draped pure white silk robe silently swept across the polished floor at its hem.

The wide cuffs were tightened, revealing a small section of fair wrists and fingers.

The gilded mask covering her entire face reflected a cold, flowing, and ever-changing halo under the flickering candlelight. Behind the empty eyes outlined by extremely simple lines, Nie Bing's dark phoenix eyes calmly and without wavering swept across the entire scene.

An invisible pressure instantly crushed all conversations, and the air seemed to freeze.

Behind her followed closely the two 'robot' guards, never falling behind.

Victor King bowed and respectfully led her to the high, dark oak chair at the far end of the long dining table, a chair that resembled a throne.

The female president walked with a steady gait, and when she sat down, her posture was impeccable. Her hands were naturally folded on the table, and a faint, dark pattern of intertwined thorns embroidered with silver thread was visible at the fold of her sleeves.

After she took her seat, Victor King and Ed White, who were originally at odds, now stood on either side of the female president.

Xiao Ce's gaze remained fixed on the female president, even though he had guessed that the person might be Nie Bing.

However, the awkward thing is that too much time has passed.

Xiao Ce's memory of Nie Bing's appearance was so vague that he might recognize her if she stood right in front of him.

However, it would be too difficult for Xiao Ce to recall at this moment...

Xiao Ce made no attempt to conceal his gaze, nor was he afraid of being discovered by Nie Bing.

Because everyone's eyes are on him.

At this moment, Nie Bing scanned the entire room again, and everyone thought she still wouldn't say anything.

However, she slightly raised her hand without saying anything more.

The movement was light and clear, just this one movement.

The waiters immediately moved silently and efficiently, pouring wine from crystal bottles into glasses like blood, and uncovering plates with huge silver lids to reveal steaming, exquisite delicacies inside!

The aroma of the whole stuffed swan, roasted to a golden brown and crispy perfection, the spine of a young deer covered in truffles, the sea fish shimmering with the luster of jewels, and the dessert tart decorated with giant peacock tail feathers... instantly intensified, almost drowning out the dusty smell of the stone hall.

As the dishes were served, she smiled slightly and then slowly stood up.

After she stood up, the patriarchs of these families, being very sensible, followed suit and wanted to get up as well.

At that moment, the female president's gentle voice rang out.

"Everyone, clan leader, please don't rise, please sit...please sit..."

"Clan leaders, guided by the great light, we are able to gather here today at the place where our Illuminati began! Sunburg." Her voice was gentle, yet bright and magnetic.

A slight echo was produced under the vaulted ceiling of the hall, and everyone could hear it clearly!

"This is not only a glorious moment for your families, but also a testament to the recalibration of the Western world's shared destiny!"