In the war twenty years ago, the Crimson Wings did indeed stand against the Hras Empire... or rather, the Hras Empire was their initial foe. Only later, upon learning that the war initiated by the Hras Empire was being manipulated by the "Perfect World" from behind the scenes, did they become enemies of the entire magical realm. Yet, the three Princesses of Hras remained their staunchest allies.

Subsequently, Arachne was also won over to their side, forging an extremely close bond between Theodora, Selaas, and the Crimson Wings.

Prior to this trial, Lin Luo and his group had already made contact with these two women. The reason they spoke up for Lin Luo during the trial was not only because they harbored similar views but also because an alliance had been formed among the three parties.

After listening to Chou Lingyin's analysis, Lin Luo initially found it hard to believe, but as time ticked by, he grew increasingly certain that Chou Lingyin's judgment was correct: if the Creator intended to intervene during the trial, then Theodora and Selaas would be in grave danger.

Theodora was the Third Princess of the Hras Empire and the savior of the nation, a candidate for the next Empress. Selaas, as the Archon of the Arachne Knights and the most outstanding tutor at the Magic Academy, was a core figure within Arachne. If both of them died in Mecalo, a Second World War would surely erupt—a war of vengeance launched by the Hras Empire and Arachne united against Mecalo!

Although the defeat in the previous war relegated the Hras Empire from the strongest nation in the magical world to a secondary power, positioned below Mecalo, an alliance with Arachne would certainly allow them to fight Mecalo tooth and nail, potentially spreading the conflict across the entire magical world.

Hatred breeds greater hatred; this was undeniable. If this war truly occurred, it would never cease until one side was completely annihilated. Therefore, to prevent such an outcome, Lin Luo and his allies needed to make thorough arrangements.

Theodora and Selaas absolutely could not die; there needed to be protectors for them. In that case, the Imperial Guards and the Academy Head were the best choices. They didn't need to participate in the trial, and their strength and combat experience were virtually unmatched. They could remain hidden while Lin Luo delivered his speech, ready to act when needed.

This was the first step of the plan formulated by Lin Luo and his group; there was still a second step...

Theodora and Selaas, having just narrowly escaped death, barely had time to speak before the Hras Guards and the Magic Knights instantly surrounded the four of them, weapons drawn, standing guard against the Senate. Though they desperately wanted to capture the assassins, those two culprits had already escaped using clones.

"We can catch up later; let's handle the present situation first," the Imperial Guard Captain said, giving Theodora a meaningful look. She understood immediately, stepped forward a few paces, faced the Senate, and stated firmly, "Esteemed Councilor, I require an explanation!"

Selaas also stepped forward, her expression grave. "Esteemed Councilor, is this how you treat your guests?"

Because of this sudden assassination attempt, the tension Lin Luo had managed to stir up cooled considerably. Almost everyone’s gaze was fixed on the front of the square, as this was no minor incident. Any person with a modicum of sense could see that the assassination attempt could very likely trigger a Second World War.

Not only were the Hras Guards and the Magic Knights standing ready, but the MM Cavalry also gripped their weapons tightly, creating a tense standoff that instantly charged the square with drawn swords and tense anticipation.

The Senators felt an immense headache. Although they were ambitious and had entertained thoughts of swallowing the Hras Empire and Arachne, such thoughts remained mere fantasies; they lacked the sheer audacity to act upon them. They were unclear about the nature of those two assassins. In the current situation, they were the ones who needed an explanation.

However, being seasoned political figures at the center of power, they quickly regained their composure. The previous spokesperson stepped forward, ordering the armed MM Cavalry to withdraw, adopting an apologetic expression. "Her Highness the Third Princess, Archon Selaas, please calm down. I am deeply distressed by this occurrence, but I stake my life assuring you that this was absolutely not the work of our Senate."

"If it was not your doing, then why did the assassins emerge from within your MM Cavalry Corps? Councilor, your actions risk inciting war between our two nations!" Theodora's tone was somewhat aggressive, but given the context of being nearly assassinated in such a setting, her anger was entirely justified given her usually lively demeanor.

"This..." The Councilor felt cornered. He knew that although the Third Princess seemed less immediately threatening, twenty years ago, she had served as the strategist for the Crimson Wings. Her cunning and intellect should never be underestimated. If his response failed to satisfy her, the consequences would be severe.

"I understand the Third Princess's anger, but I beg you to compose yourself. I suspect this incident was orchestrated by certain rogue elements deliberately trying to sow discord among our three nations to instigate war. The Senate will investigate this matter thoroughly and provide a satisfactory answer as quickly as possible, so..."

"No further explanation is needed," before he could finish, someone suddenly stood up from the Senate seating, sneering, "Since the assassination attempt has been exposed, there is no need for concealment. We hold the absolute advantage in military strength; we can simply subdue the trapped insects by force."

Hearing this, the Councilor was utterly incredulous, staring blankly at the speaker. "Councilor Gila, what—what nonsense are you spouting?"

"Nonsense? I’m not speaking nonsense. Haven't we long planned to seize these successors on this very occasion, holding them as hostages for the coming war? Hmph hmph!" the Councilor known as Gila sneered loudly. "One, the future Empress of Hras; the other, the foremost tutor of Arachne. They might be even more useful alive, after all."

"Indeed, killing them might not achieve the desired effect," at this moment, another Councilor stood up beside him, waving a large hand. "Cavalrymen, the time has come. Seize these two!"

"Councilor Billy, you too... I can't believe it..." The original Councilor had completely lost his composure, his face ashen. He could not fathom what was happening: the two most powerful members of the Senate were moving to capture the Third Princess of Hras and Archon Selaas of Arachne as... this kind of action...

"Are you... are you trying to trigger a Second World War?!" he exclaimed.

"A Second World War?" Councilor Gila looked disdainful and spread his arms. "No, rather, we usher in the era of Mecalo ruling the magical world... starting now!"

With that, he gave the order. Thousands of MM Cavalry charged forward, launching their assault toward their designated targets. These were the Senate’s trusted troops, essentially their zealots.

The instant the fighting erupted, the entire square erupted into chaos. Theodora and Selaas were shielded by some of their guards and knights, while the others engaged the MM Cavalry’s attack, including the Imperial Guard Captain and the Academy Head, who counterattacked fiercely.

Furthermore, the other local forces were completely stunned. Not even the regular soldiers of Mecalo or the civilians outside the square had anticipated that war would break out at this moment!

In an instant, the Central Plaza was filled with the clang of colliding weapons and magic, mixed with the roaring battle cries of the warriors.

"It has begun, the Creator's puppets, hehe," Lin Luo smiled genuinely as he watched the scene unfold from the judgment platform. If the Senators were incapable of such foolishness, then the two councilors who initiated the attack must have already been replaced by the Creator's puppets. However, he had anticipated such a move and prepared the most effective counter-measures.

"Then, now is the time to execute the second step of our plan," Al said calmly.

Lin Luo nodded. "We can begin... Kurt."

...

BEEP!

Shortly after the war began, a sudden, dramatic change occurred in the image projected above the Central Plaza, where Lin Luo and his group had been displayed. A woman's figure appeared—a woman recognized by almost everyone in the world. Golden long hair, a beautiful countenance, a slender figure—she was...

As the crowd saw the woman, everyone froze, and even the warriors engaged in combat slowed their movements slightly.

At this moment, Kurt stood up from his seat, pointing at the image of the woman above, and shouted, "All of you witnessing this today, open your eyes wide and look clearly! I hardly need to introduce this person's identity. Twenty years ago, she led the Crimson Wings, stood against the mightiest adversary, and saved the magical world at the cost of sacrificing her own nation. Possessing noble status, she treated everyone equally, fighting on the very front lines until the moment her country was destroyed, always saving her people. Yes, she is our hero, Queen Erica!"

The civilians, who had started fleeing due to the outbreak of war, stopped in their tracks, gazing at the figure in the sky with expressions of reverence and yearning.

The soldiers, who had been ready to join the fray with weapons raised, halted, looking up at the beautiful and noble figure, hesitating.

The guards and knights who were fiercely resisting the MM Cavalry’s onslaught broke into expressions of excited and fervent smiles, their attacks becoming even more ferocious amidst their cries.

Councilor Gila and Councilor Billy, who had been smoothly executing their plan, looked bewildered, while most of the other Senators stared blankly at the figure, a bad premonition growing in their hearts.

"Yes, Queen Erica is our hero, but she did not receive the treatment a hero deserves. The execution eighteen years ago—the people saved by Queen Erica! Do you... wish to know the truth?!"

Kurt declared loudly to the tens of thousands of people inside and outside the plaza.