Chapter 16: The Hunt
After listening to Tax Officer Dicka’s general account, Su Xiao looked puzzled. In his view, this was no longer a royal power struggle but an outright, open slaughter among the royal family.
Su Xiao had experienced power struggles more than once or twice. Back in the Shia World and the Black King World, he had helped others seize the throne.
In the power struggles he had witnessed before, there was always a veil of pretense. For example, the Old Lion of the Shia World. As long as the Old Lion was alive, no matter how much his children hated each other, they never acted openly. Su Xiao hadn’t killed all the princes and princesses mainly because he feared the Old Lion. Even to his death, Su Xiao never figured out what that old fellow was really trying to do.
This time was different. The customs of the Talin Kingdom were extremely brutal. No matter how many heirs there were, only the one who survived to the end could wear the crown and be crowned king. This was completely out in the open.
From the kingdom’s Left and Right Ministers down to the commoners, everyone knew this. The old king, Edri Lucas, naturally knew it too, and he maintained an attitude of both laissez-faire and encouragement.
It felt as if, regardless of whether the victor had the ability to govern the country, as long as they survived to the end, they could be crowned king. This was abnormal no matter how you looked at it.
Beyond the throne, the Edri royal family absolutely passed down something else. In fact, compared to the throne, that other thing passed down through generations was more important. To inherit that thing, one’s courage and boldness could not be lacking. This was likely the reason for the Edri royal family’s cruelty.
From before birth, there was a risk of death. Once such a person grew up and killed all other competitors, there was nothing they couldn’t accept.
The throne itself was probably not important at all. It was enough to keep the country stable. The history of this world had already proven that, in critical moments, the strong were reliable. For example, when dealing with ancient gods, ordinary soldiers couldn’t even enter the areas where the ancient gods resided. Even if they did, they would be completely annihilated in a short time.
Having figured this out, Su Xiao knew what to do. He didn’t even plan to meet the other princes or princesses, or the old king. Except for the king, he could just kill them one by one. That would be a huge gain in World Source.
After obtaining 100% of the World Source, it could be converted into a World Seed. However, upon returning to Reincarnation Paradise, there would be no settlement rewards.
Su Xiao had already seen what a World Seed was in the Light and Dark World. Its value was high, but it wasn’t suitable for him. It was something a clan needed, and its help to an individual was very limited.
If the obtained World Source exceeded 150%, a World-Class Chest would be awarded, and upon returning to Reincarnation Paradise, a comprehensive settlement could be obtained.
Su Xiao felt that if he could kill all six throne heirs and find the Source: Divine Land, the World Source he obtained might very well reach 150%.
“Dicka, who are the six throne heirs? Do you know their addresses?”
“This…”
Dicka was silent for a moment, then sighed helplessly and began to describe the six throne heirs: the First Prince, the Second Prince, the Third Prince, the Fourth Princess, the Fifth Princess, and the Spider Lady.
Hearing this introduction, Baha beside him was a bit stunned. This ordering was way too smooth. There had originally been over 300 princes and princesses. And that last one, the Spider Lady, always felt like some strange thing that had sneaked in.
Seeming to sense Baha’s confusion, Dicka took a deep breath, calmed his emotions, and continued.
Only the first five princes or princesses could survive to the end? Of course, there was no such coincidence. This was caused by the “Succession by Seizure System.”
Suppose the First Prince was killed by the Second Prince. Then congratulations to the Second Prince. Not only did he have one less competitor, but he would also be “seized and succeeded” as the new First Prince. The subsequent princes and princesses would all be promoted by one rank.
The Edri royal family was utterly malicious toward their offspring. This was encouraging the princes and princesses to kill each other. Before becoming king, they could gain status through mutual slaughter.
As for what the Spider Lady was, she could also be called the Sixth Princess, but she was not a descendant of the old king.
“Damn, even non-royalty can seize the throne?”
Baha was shocked. This was the first time he had heard of such a thing. In most cases, the royal family held the throne tightly and never allowed outsiders to touch it.
“Of course it’s allowed. Even a beggar on the street, as long as he can kill an Edri royal, master the method of extracting the royal blood, and then absorb the royal blood using a special method, he becomes a recognized Edri royal of the kingdom. He will be acknowledged by everyone. The Edri royal family does not represent a person or a family name. The Edri Royal Blood is the standard that defines this surname. Only those who have the royal blood flowing in their veins are the royal family. We will swear to follow the Edri royal family to the death.”
After saying the last sentence, Tax Officer Dicka raised his head proudly. Even a greedy kingdom official like him had a sense of honor. This showed the significance of the Edri royal family. And damn, this wasn’t even a bloodline-inherited family at all.
The Edri royal family would naturally never go extinct. As long as the royal blood remained, even if the current generation of royalty died out, once someone inherited the royal blood, they would become the new Edri royal family and would be crowned king anew. So, the Edri royal family would never perish.
The Spider Lady was an outsider who had seized the royal blood. No matter which side, they would acknowledge her identity and status, including the other five throne heirs.
“…”
“…”
Su Xiao and Baha exchanged glances. The next few days were going to be very busy.
“One last question. When a royal dies, will the victor take the royal blood from their body?”
“Of course. That’s a tradition that has been followed for hundreds of years.”
Dicka had a matter-of-fact expression.
“Understood. This is your deserved reward. I will send someone to protect you secretly. You can leave now.”
Su Xiao took out several large pieces of gold. This was gold he had obtained in the Sand Flame World. It could be brought out of the world, but Reincarnation Paradise wouldn’t buy it. It was a special-value item. This gold had supernatural properties, with a density several times that of ordinary gold. In some mid-tier magic-side worlds, it was called Mithril.
“I can really leave? You’ll send someone to protect me?”
“Mm, I will.”
“Alright.”
Dicka took the gold and quickly walked out of the civilian house.
“Bubu, Baha.”
“Woof.”
“Understood.”
Bubu Wang merged into the environment, and Baha shuttled into an alternate space, beginning to tail Dicka.
Ask yourself, what would a greedy kingdom official do after being caught up in a royal power struggle? Follow Su Xiao wholeheartedly? Serve Su Xiao tirelessly?
Absolutely impossible. Su Xiao didn’t think he had that kind of personality charm that could lower someone’s IQ. In his view, Dicka would try every means, using the gold he gave him as leverage to open channels, to meet other throne heirs, and tell that throne heir all the information about Su Xiao.
Su Xiao speculated that Dicka would do this over 90% of the time. Putting himself in Dicka’s shoes, betting his life and fortune on a person of unknown origin was far worse than actively defecting to a throne heir.
At least Dicka knew the personal abilities of that throne heir and their astonishing deeds. Since he was already involved, he would also choose the one he was most optimistic about. Dicka’s behavior was not shameful. Anyone would do the same. Seeking advantage and avoiding harm was human nature. Being a kingdom official meant Dicka was no fool.
What Su Xiao lacked most right now was a guide. Dicka was temporarily the best guide. When he went to defect to one side, he would lead the way for Bubu Wang and Baha. This was almost like leading the way for Su Xiao.
The hunt for the king had begun.