The bad value system is measuring values.

Chapter 87 The Queen's Proclamation

Daisy listened to their stories with a look of horror on her face; she could hardly believe what she was hearing.

Marigold quietly approached her and asked, "What's wrong, Daisy? You look so pale. Did you give the Queen that potion that can disguise your identity?"

Daisy hugged the cat tightly, her voice trembling with excitement, "My God, Marigold! The Queen has murdered the King and the Knight Commander! And she's even proclaimed herself Queen! Although I don't believe she killed the Prince, she confessed to killing the King! This is absolutely terrifying!"

Aside from Qiao Xiao and Shi Bozi, no one knew the truth that the king was actually an imposter.

After hearing Daisy's words, Marigold whispered, "Really? It's hard to believe the Queen would do such a thing..."

Daisy felt confused and lost; she didn't know how to deal with the situation before her.

She anxiously asked Marigold, "What should I do now, Marigold? Should I continue to serve the Queen? I really don't know what to do. Will the Queen also try to harm me?"

Marigold: "That's a possibility, Daisy. I'll go see her myself. Wait for my news."

Daisy: "Mariegard, I trust the Queen, but you should still be careful."

Marigold nodded, then waved her claws and vanished from Daisy's sight in an instant.

Meanwhile, Qiao Xiao sat upright on the throne, her eyes coldly fixed on the front, quietly awaiting the prince's return.

Qiao Xiao: "Are you all aware of Prince Spalding's latest news?"

No one dared to answer, because they were all afraid of being punished for giving the wrong answer.

The ministers could only kneel on the ground, huddled together in a dense crowd, appearing extremely humble.

They were subservient and allowed Qiao Xiao to do as she pleased.

However, at that moment, an unexpected figure appeared at the door—Eric.

He bowed respectfully to Qiao Xiao and addressed her as "my queen".

Qiao Xiao calmly retorted, "Eric, now, I am the queen."

Eric was taken aback, then changed his words, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

Qiao Xiao: "What are you doing here? Has the prince returned?"

Eric: "Your Majesty, we have been attacked and intended to report this directly to you, but you have been imprisoned. Therefore, I am trying to find a way to rescue you."

"However, I have discovered something of paramount importance. I urge Your Majesty to investigate the truth behind the Queen's tragic death!"

Then he took out the paladin's sword that he had given to Kaeya.

Qiao Xiao asked suspiciously, "Is there anything unusual about this sword?"

Eric replied solemnly, "This is the very sword that killed Queen Amber!"

Then, he told Qiao Xiao everything that had happened back then.

“The sword from back then is exactly the same as the one I have now. I have examined it carefully. At that time, I threw several hidden weapons at the man who assassinated the Queen, one of which happened to cut through his sword. And now, this sword has the exact same scratches as I remember. This is no coincidence, Your Majesty.”

Qiao Xiao frowned and asked in a slightly low voice, "Was it the Holy Knight who killed Queen Anbe?"

Eric replied firmly, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Qiao Xiao took a deep breath and said seriously, "Do you know who the paladins were back then?"

The Prime Minister spoke first, saying respectfully, "Your Majesty, a Holy Knight only appears once every thirty years. The Holy Knight of that time was Glenn, who has been missing for a long time."

Qiao Xiao narrowed her eyes slightly and repeated, "Glen?"

The Prime Minister nodded and continued, "Yes, Glenn, the sword that Knight Kaia is holding is the same holy sword that Paladin Glenn wore back then."

Eric's face darkened, and he pressed, "When did he disappear?"

After a moment's thought, the Prime Minister replied, "This... seems to be... yes! Right after Queen Anbei died, he disappeared without a trace."

Eric's anger flared, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "It was humans who did it after all."

He gripped the sword that had killed the person he loved most tightly, his eyes filled with endless anger and hatred.

Qiao Xiao comforted him, "Don't get agitated, Eric." She looked at him with a determined gaze and promised, "I will help you find the murderer, Eric."

Eric looked at Qiao Xiao with tears of gratitude and said sincerely, "Thank you, my queen, may God bless you."

After the ministerial council meeting ended, Qiao Xiao dragged her exhausted body back to her palace to get some rest.

However, as she walked along the road, she noticed that the knights and maids were intentionally or unintentionally avoiding her.

She chuckled lightly and said nonchalantly, "I guess I've experienced what it's like to be abandoned by everyone..."

Qiao Xiao sat alone by the window, gazing at a certain scene outside, and murmured to herself, "Who can I ask for help? To find the Holy Knight's whereabouts?"

Just then, Marigold burst into the room and, as usual, ran briskly to Qiao Xiao's side.

"queen?"

Qiao Xiao gently stroked its soft fur and asked softly, "Do you already know about me, Marigold?"

Marigold looked up, a hint of doubt in her eyes. "Did you really do this? Why would you do it?"

Qiao Xiao answered with a firm look in her eyes: "Because they are the ones who are getting in my way, Marigold. Do you believe me? I will definitely become a qualified emperor, as long as the time is right."

Marigold was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Everything you say needs time to prove itself, my queen."

After saying that, it leaped to the ground and wagged its tail.

Qiao Xiao smiled slightly, touched her cheek with her hand, and watched its departing figure.

“Betraying me will have no good end, Marigold.”

Qiao Xiao watched Marigold leave, a cold glint in her eyes.

Marigold, back by Daisy's side, told Daisy everything that had just happened.

“Daisy, the Queen says she has her reasons, but I always feel there’s something different about her. Should we still trust her?”

Daisy gently stroked its fur, pursed her lips, and her furrowed brows formed a serious arc.

"No matter what, it was the Queen who saved me from danger, so I still choose to believe her. She must have some reason for it."

Marigold nodded, indicating that she understood.

At this moment, Qiao Xiao was resting alone in the palace when there was a knock on the door, and then Daisy pushed the door open and entered.

"Your Majesty, your soup." Daisy brought a bowl of hot soup to Qiao Xiao.

Qiao Xiao looked up at Daisy and slowly asked, "Daisy, you're still following me, aren't you?"

Daisy's eyes were firm yet tinged with fear. She nodded vigorously and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty... Queen."

Although her voice trembled slightly, the determination within it never wavered.

Qiao Xiao raised the corners of her mouth slightly, revealing a barely perceptible smile, and said softly, "Okay."

Her eyes darkened slightly, a hint of surprise creeping into her heart. She hadn't expected Daisy to still be by her side.

After all, most people in this palace were afraid of her.

However, she was already used to this situation.

"I've always been a destabilizing factor."

She chuckled self-deprecatingly, then went out and headed towards the dark room.

As was customary, she softly called to the magic mirror.

"Magic mirror, magic mirror, wake up! I have something to ask you."

However, just as she was about to speak, she suddenly caught sight of something, and a smile crept onto her lips.

"I want to make something exactly like this potion. Give me the recipe."

As she spoke, she gently dripped a drop of red potion onto the magic mirror.

The magic mirror immediately replied, "As you wish, my queen."

Qiao Xiao quietly watched the magic mirror display the recipe's preparation method, pondering it to herself.

“Very well, I have sensed that someone around me is trying to harm me. Now, I need you to tell me who this person is.”

She stared intently at the magic mirror, her eyes revealing a hint of majesty.

After a moment of silence, the magic mirror replied, "This... I'm sorry, my queen, I cannot discern the identity of the person who wants to harm you."

Qiao Xiao frowned, a hint of doubt flashing across her face, but she quickly regained her composure.

"Really? Perhaps I'm just being paranoid."

She sighed softly, then slowly stood up and walked out of the dark room.

However, when she stepped out of the dark room, a cold smile appeared on her face.

"No one harmed me? Humph, how ridiculous!" she muttered to herself.

After returning to the palace, Qiao Xiao spent her days reading books about magic, and she also brought in her capable assistant, Eric.

This person, obsessed with finding the real culprit, will not let go of this opportunity to find the killer.

Magic Forest…

While fighting off the elves alongside the dwarves, Spitz also learned about magic from Aunt Anna.

He finally understood why the dwarves' plates were piled up like a mountain; they had too many problems to solve and no time to spare.

When the time was right, they walked together through the dense thicket of thorns to the place where dark magic had taken hold.

In this region ravaged by dark magic, darkness shrouds every inch of the land.

A thick haze hung in the sky, blocking out sunlight and making the entire area appear eerie and terrifying.

The earth lost its vitality; the grass and trees withered, the rivers dried up, and all was desolate.

The once vibrant scene is now dilapidated, and the air is thick with the smell of decay.

The power of black magic distorted reality, creating all sorts of strange and terrifying creatures.

These creatures roam the darkness, searching for prey. Their forms are twisted, exuding an aura of evil that is nauseating and unsettling.

In this eerie scene, a sentient branch silently extends to Spalding's side, seemingly trying to snatch the jewels encircling his wrist.

Scherz gave it no chance at all, quickly drew his sword, and killed it with a single blow.

"What kind of thing dares to touch it!"

Spitz glared at the dead branch as if it were the filthiest creature in the world.

He gripped the gem tightly in his hand, as if afraid it would be damaged in the slightest.

A burning, inextinguishable rage blazed in Spartz's eyes, a stark contrast to his usual gentle demeanor.

At this moment, his eyes revealed a fierce and evil power, capable of annihilating everything in the world.

This scene was witnessed by the shy girl, who was surprised to discover that this gentle and elegant prince seemed to be hiding a side that no one knew about.

Supaz suppressed his anger and asked in a low voice, "How much longer until we reach our destination?"

He tightly wrapped the mysterious gem, using all his strength to bind it layer by layer, and then carefully placed it in his bosom.

When he looked at the gem, an indescribable deep affection appeared in his eyes.

As they ventured deeper, the smell in the air became increasingly pungent, gradually evolving into a nauseating stench.

The stench originated from the decay and death associated with black magic.

The entire region seemed to be shrouded in an evil force, plunged into boundless darkness and suffering.

The witch Anna stopped and pointed ahead, saying, "This is it."

She covered her nose, clearly unable to bear the pungent smell.

In comparison, Sporz is more adaptable.

He closed his eyes, focusing intently on sensing his surroundings, trying to use his powerful magical perception to find the place where the dark magic was most concentrated.

He waved his hand lightly, instantly releasing a powerful magical force that illuminated the entire space like a shining morning star.

In the blink of an eye, all the dark forces were completely wiped out, and the dark aura that had been permeating the air also dissipated.

All the products of the dark side vanished without a trace, leaving only a gray, eroded landscape.

Looking at the scene before her, the witch Anna couldn't help but lament, "My poor creatures, destroyed just like that!"

Her voice was filled with regret and helplessness.

The dwarves also joined in the silence, their hearts filled with sorrow for the loss of these innocent lives.

Only the sleepyhead remained immersed in sleep, completely unaffected by the surrounding atmosphere.

The wizard Anna looked at Spitz and said, "You are amazing, my child. You are a chosen wizard, even more powerful than your older sister. With you here, we will definitely be able to defeat the threat of dark magic."

Schubert smiled and nodded, then said impatiently, “Aunt Anna, I must go see my love now. I’ve been here for a long time, and she must miss me terribly.”

Inside the palace, Daisy looked at the notice in her hand, her face showing shock and confusion.

She cautiously asked Qiao Xiao, "Your Majesty, are you sure you want to do this?"

Her voice was filled with worry and unease.

Qiao Xiao nodded firmly, indicating that she had made her decision.

Daisy pressed on, "But this is something that has never happened before."

She tried to persuade Qiao Xiao to change her mind, but Qiao Xiao laughed and said, "Is becoming queen something someone else has done before? Don't worry, Daisy, there's a first time for everything, and I firmly believe that what I did was right."

Daisy sighed helplessly, but still followed Qiao Xiao's instructions and posted the notice on the city wall, publicly announcing the news.

At this time, the people were still immersed in anger.

When they saw the notice posted inside the palace, they all looked on with curiosity.

One person exclaimed in surprise, "My God, the Queen actually wants to marry the prince?!"

He misunderstood the true meaning of the notice, thinking that the queen wanted to marry the prince.

In reality, it was Qiao Xiao who wanted to marry Shi Bozi.

Upon hearing this news, the public's anger escalated further.

Some people began to accuse the queen of madness and even demanded that she be dethroned.

People chanted, "Abdicate!"

"abdicate!"

The entire city-kingdom was plunged into chaos and turmoil.

They exploded like a powder keg, furiously grabbing their tools and preparing to attack the palace.

People in the bakery grabbed their rolling pins, the blacksmiths wielded their red-hot iron tools, and even the florist rushed over with his watering can.

Eric stood beside Qiao Xiao, frowning as he watched the mob pounding on the city's outskirts.

Eric: "Your Majesty, they are utterly outrageous! How dare they disregard your authority and commit treason!"

Qiao Xiao stood atop the city wall, looking at the group of people with a disdainful expression. She coldly surveyed the mob that wanted her dead.

Qiao Xiao said calmly, "It's alright. It's normal for them to react if they can't accept it right away."

Just then, a lot of dirty, disgusting, rotten eggs suddenly appeared on the city wall. These eggs were thrown up by the mob.

When these eggs were smashed on the ground, they splattered egg yolk and shell fragments all over the ground, emitting an unpleasant odor.