Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks

Chapter 898: Chapter 122: The Empire’s Entrenched Ills

Inside the large library.

Bloodlight flickered on the top floor as Furin, with bat wings on her back, launched attacks like red lightning. The longsword made from bones slashed through the air, raining down countless low-tier blood magic spells that suppressed the thief, making it impossible for them to raise their head.

Eve, a bit anxious, wanted to remind Furin "not to damage the books," but felt it was too demanding and was caught in this sense of conflict.

After all, their battle had moved to the upper levels of the library, where precious witchcraft tomes were kept. Even though apprentices had copied them, the original essence was lost.

It took her a while to realize she should help, but Furin’s strength was beyond her expectations. Before she could act, the blood turned into countless threads, wrapping around the "thief" like a zongzi.

Furin flapped her wings and carefully brought the "zongzi" to the ground with one hand.

"Come quickly and look, I caught this ugly thing."

Eve was in awe, sincerely praising, "You’re amazing!"

"Oh, it’s nothing special."

Furin waved her hand modestly and crouched by the monster still struggling within the net. It vaguely kept a human shape, yet its skin was exceedingly smooth, turning the same color as the floor upon contact.

Its face was bare with no hair whatsoever; instead of eyes, ears, or a mouth, there were only two black holes where the nostrils were.

"This thing is too ugly. Have you seen such a monster before?"

Eve shook her head, "I haven’t heard of such a demon."

She casually used the "Feather Floating Technique" to retrieve the book it held: "Yes, this is the book, fortunately not lost."

Furin sneered, "Such a dangerous thing should be burned."

Eve shook her head, "Knowledge and books are never wrong. For instance, if a disaster like Justinian’s Great Plague were to break out in Constantinople, with the knowledge from the Plague School, I could quickly concoct a cure. Although this school sounds evil, it shouldn’t just disappear."

As they spoke, Furin’s expression changed slightly, "Alright, I understand. I’ll head to the Imperial Palace immediately."

Eve was puzzled, "Who are you talking to?"

Furin succinctly replied, "My Lord. They’ve encountered an attack and need me at the palace right away."

"Then I’ll go with you..."

"Of course!"

Before Eve could finish speaking, Furin embraced her and snapped her fingers.

...

Prajna had left, leaving Viviana alone in the hall, standing by the Empress.

Viviana looked as though

A young aristocrat of the Empire slowly stepped forward.

He had a refined appearance and lacked any commanding presence. Ragaya pondered for a moment before recognizing his identity—Pisistratus.

A noble of military achievements from Asia Minor with Turkic blood, who joined the Komnenos House to enter Constantinople, the center of the Empire, and obtained a modest rank.

"Your Majesty, do you believe this single person can safeguard you and all the ministers?"

He sneered, "I ask you, where does the Empire’s chronic sickness lie?"

Firstly, in the corruption of finance and taxation, with agriculture facing land consolidation, and the Church and great nobles owning vast tax-exempt estates.

Commerce is under pressure from competing Latin merchants, with no potential.

Secondly, the aristocratic families have monopolized high positions,

"Look at this hall full of parasitic vermin, who rely on their lineage to occupy high positions, living comfortably and luxuriously, yet still not satisfied, exploiting the Empire’s citizens and stripping them to the bone."

"When met with an external enemy, all they know is to sit back and command the frontline soldiers, scrambling for credits like flies on shit at victory, yet abandoning the people and scattering when they lose, allowing Norman raids across Greece and Turkic people to rampage in Asia Minor. Do you know how many frontier people, like those from my hometown, have had their homes overrun and families brutally treated?"

These words seemed to have been brewing for so long that halfway through, he began to cough violently.

The Greek nobles were enraged by this accusation, "For someone of such low birth, being allowed into the Empire’s center was an enormous favor, and yet you became a traitor!"

A noble from the Komnenos family reprimanded, "I have studied Emperor Maurice’s ’Military Strategy,’ Emperor Leo’s ’Tactics,’ Vegetius’ ’On Military Affairs,’ Caesar’s ’Gallic War Chronicles,’ then trained under thirteen swordsmanship instructors. Do you think nobles like me rely only on lineage to seize high positions?"

"You were born into an influential family, how dare you..."

He suddenly noticed the woman standing silently by the Empress in the hall, wearing a peculiar fallow deer horn hood, lightly coughed.

"It seems you’ve forgotten me."

She didn’t know where their confidence came from to dismiss her completely. She knew her strength had reached the peak of Tier One, regaining the ability to perform "Candle Burning and Shadow Extinguishing."

In terms of combat ability, she was confident she could rival any companion under Losa.

"Madam, I deeply appreciate how you saved Constantinople in times of the Empire’s crisis, but I must remind you, behind me stands an extremely powerful and ancient entity. If you don’t leave soon, you may encounter misfortune."

Pisistratus’ tone was sincere, complemented by his delicate face, making it hard to doubt him.

The Candle Knight sighed softly, whispering, "I didn’t expect that even in this new world, I would still be seen as an easy target, with no deterrent power, just a vase with a pretty appearance."

Viviana had a gentle, harmless look, her clear eyes gazing at you with a seemingly fragile innocence. The demon warrior’s usual seemingly mediocre attributes failed to exude the intimidating aura Losa so readily released.

In terms of combat ability, she was confident she could rival any companion under Losa.

"Madam, I deeply appreciate how you saved Constantinople in times of the Empire’s crisis, but I must remind you, behind me stands an extremely powerful and ancient entity. If you don’t leave soon, you may encounter misfortune."

Pisistratus’ tone was sincere, complemented by his delicate face, making it hard to doubt him.

The Candle Knight sighed softly, whispering, "I didn’t expect that even in this new world, I would still be seen as an easy target, with no deterrent power, just a vase with a pretty appearance."

Viviana had a gentle, harmless look, her clear eyes gazing at you with a seemingly fragile innocence. The demon warrior’s usual seemingly mediocre attributes failed to exude the intimidating aura Losa so readily released.