Arthur's eyes instantly lit up, thinking that probably his father wasn't as ruthless as he thought. No matter how much his mind told him that was not the case, he was eager to hold on to that glimmer of hope.

Damien, however, felt that Ruthren was trying to play some sort of game.

Ruthren continued, "As I said, there are only four Pandemonium Needles in the whole world. Two of them are with me to maintain the protective array around this palace. And I would have given them both to you if not for the safety of the people, including the various imperial members in this palace. Even Maria wouldn't accept it if she came to know about it since our enemies could catch us defenseless.

"However, the remaining two are with the Gale Empire. I am sure if Alchemist Azrael personally makes a visit to the Gale Empire, they would give you face and let you borrow it."

Ruthren, however, inwardly snickered since he had no interest in curing a good-for-nothing woman like Maria and lose the only hold he had against Arthur.

Still, what he said about the Gale Emperor having the remaining two Pandemonium Needles was not a lie.

But he knew that the Gale Empire had a grudge against Alchemist Azrael for destroying one of their most prominent establishments right to the ground. So, the last thing they would do is accept a request from Alchemist Azrael unless there was some huge benefit for them.

Either way, he had doubts that the Gale Emperor would want anything of interest from a Rank 5 Alchemist. Sure, Alchemist Azrael could concoct Supreme Tier Pills, but they were all Rank 5 at best, which wouldn't be that effective for supreme existences like him.

At their level, they only cared about breaking through to higher levels, and any other things would be just secondary to them.

Ruthren knew that Alchemist Azrael also had a grudge against the Gale Empire because of the kidnapping of his only disciple.

So, how would he have the face to go and ask them for a favor? And even if he was that thick-skinned, would the other party do the same?

No way. That was Ruthren's thought and the reason behind his confidence that Alchemist Azrael would find it hopeless to treat Maria.

However, at the same time, by offering this solution, he came off as a sympathetic emperor who cared about the well-being of his family but at the same time also offered a solution to save his wife.

One might ask why Ruthren himself can't go and ask the Gale Emperor for this favor. However, those who had lived enough in the cultivation world would know that supreme existences like them would never bow before each other no matter what.

Because exposing a weakness was a fatal flaw on their part and could endanger them and everything they ruled.

So, Ruthren felt that Alchemist Azrael would be in a tight spot, and even if he found some other way to cure Maria, it would probably end up with her cultivation completely dispersing away.

Otherwise, why would he come up with such a treatment method?

Damien, however, was laughing inwardly.

'Emperor Ruthren, you underestimate me too much, not that I blame you for your ignorance,' Damien thought since he didn't feel that getting the Pandemonium Needles from the Gale Empire would be that difficult.

After all, he had a loyal slave in the Gale Empire with quite a high status and prestige.

Arthur felt even more depressed since he also learned about the conflict between Alchemist Azrael and the Gale Empire.

He thought that a grand figure like Alchemist Azrael would never bow down first by asking a favor from the Gale Empire, whom he had a grudge against. After all, it was not as if Alchemist Azrael was doing all this for his disciple or himself but for someone else, not related to him at all.

Arthur already felt thankful to Alchemist Azrael for trying this much for Maria's sake. So, even if Alchemist Azrael refused, he wouldn't hold it against him.

Damien sighed, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for trying your best," Damien's tone was formal and sincere.

However, Ruthren, who lived for almost a millennia, felt as if there was a hidden mockery behind his words, making his expression tight. But he thought that it was probably his imagination as he and Alchemist Azrael were meeting for the first time.

And nor did Alchemist Azrael have any sort of relations with Arthur or his mother. So, he just brushed it off as his imagination after replaying his words in his mind.

Damien, however, indeed mocked Ruthren for "trying his best" to save his wife. He just hid it well enough for Ruthren to not be able to point out anything.

Damien continued, "I shall think about it what Your Majesty said. If it does not seem hopeful, I will let your or His Highness Arthur know about any other possible treatment."

Arthur had a glazed expression with sadness glimmering in his eyes.

Arthur felt that he should have expected nothing from his father instead of hoping for the best. After all, if his father had the slightest sympathy or love for his mother, he would surely have done something before.

Even Damien felt pity for Arthur, seeing that his father was callous about his mother.

He was also surprised that Ruthren would be so cold towards his prodigal son and Maria. Arthur was definitely a genius of the present generation, and Damien had yet to see a young man as talented as him.

Still, it was none of his business in the end since his main purpose was to get the Pandemonium Needles. He was already thankful that the Forsaken people didn't ask him to hand over the Pandemonium Needles first before killing a Heaven Ethereal Realm beast for him.

And healing Maria was only a way of earning goodwill from the crown prince, but now it seemed as if Arthur's true value in Ruthren's eyes were way less than Reva.

Of course, he already knew Reva had the brightest halo behind her. But still, he never expected Arthur's status to be so far down below her. Even the princes from other empires aren't as talented as Arthur.

Damien and Arthur left the throne hall, leaving behind a thoughtful Ruthren.

Ruthren indeed played it well by directing Alchemist Azrael towards the Gale Empire, and even if he really went or not, it wouldn't matter in the least since he felt that the result would be the same, considering how the Gale Empire wouldn't give in first.

However, right now, he had another problem in mind due to the recent happenings, especially the deaths of Dennisa and Roy.

Even though he didn't care about their deaths, it was still a blow to his empire since they were supposed to be the future pillars of two of the top five families and would act as the support to his empire.

And most of all, he felt highly suspicious about their deaths even though the killer was found dead. After all, no one had seen that old woman before, and even the patriarchs were sure that Dennisa and Roy had never come upon her.

So, even if everything seems solved on the surface, Ruthren believed that someone who had a grudge against them finished them off. Despite having many enemies, Roy and Dennisa hated one person the most in common - Damien.

That was the name that flashed first in his mind. His eyes glinted with a deep light as he mumbled, "Damien...interesting.."

Meanwhile, as Damien and Arthur walked through the halls, Damien said, seeing Arthur's worried look, "I will be visiting Gale Empire for another matter. So I will try looking into getting the Pandemonium Needles though I can't guarantee anything."

Arthur's eyes lit up as he said excitedly, unable to contain it, "Senior Azrael, you trying is more than enough. Please ask anything, and I shall accept your request as long as it's within my ability."

He even forgot to keep up the demeanor of a prince and instead seemed like a child who got excited after getting something he was seeking for a long time.

Arthur genuinely felt thankful since he never thought that Alchemist Azrael wouldn't mind asking the Gale Empire for a favor.historical

Damien simply gave a hum and got walked out by a maid since his business was done in the palace.

Damien appreciated the fact that Arthur cared so much about his mother, a rare quality in this world. After all, with his status, if it were anyone else with only the idea of gaining power in their mind, they would abandon their useless mother instead of wasting their "precious" time.

However, he felt that he should make a change of plans regarding the hunting of a Heaven Ethereal Realm beast since a trip to the Gale Empire seemed imminent!