Published at 6th of February 2026 10:54 am

Chapter 2532: The Truth Behind the Scenes

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"Did you send Mandhela to the Princess’s Castle?"

Angel nodded.

Ironclad Granny sipped her tea, pondered for a few seconds, and then slowly said, "Mandhela, the thirteenth daughter of King Gumman, if used appropriately, could be a good pawn."

"However, she’s your person, so how you want to play with her is up to you. If you wish to involve yourself in the muddy waters of the Gumman Kingdom, I could teach you how to use this pawn."

Ironclad Granny paused, then looked seriously at Angel, "But I solemnly advise you, if you can avoid getting involved, it’s best not to interfere in the Gumman Kingdom’s affairs. While there are indeed benefits to be gained, the greatest profit—desire for power—is not suitable for you. As for other benefits, with this Wilderness of Dreams, I guess you’re not interested."

Angel: "Desire for power, meaning the desire to wield power?"

Ironclad Granny: "That’s one way to understand it, but it’s not just a desire for power; there are deeper stakes involved. It relates to certain ancient ceremonies from the Abyss; otherwise, King Gumman wouldn’t need to establish himself as a king."

Angel was taken aback. He didn’t expect King Gumman’s desire for power to be related to the ancient ceremonies of the Abyss. This was a startling secret.

The term "ceremonies" actually refers to "secret rituals," a type of ancient and primitive ritual.

So-called ancient doesn’t mean more effective, but implies that the ceremony process is more cumbersome and lengthy than today, though there are aspects that can be appreciated, like being difficult to break.

So-called primitive doesn’t mean simplistic or pure, but devoid of any moral emotions, civil rituals, or tribal values—the most primitive cruelty and bloodshed.

These ancient rituals are often filled with massive slaughter, even exterminative slaughter.

This is not an issue in the Abyss ravaged by Demon Gods; but in the Wizards’ Realm, it represents destruction and contempt for civilization and values. For this reason, in the Southern Domain Wizard World, it’s deemed a taboo.

This raised questions in Angel’s mind.

But before Angel could ask, Ironclad Granny spoke first, "I guess you’re wondering why King Gumman uses Abyssal rituals yet hasn’t been punished?"

Angel nodded, "Yes, hasn’t the Extreme Sect kept an eye on him?"

Ironclad Granny chuckled, "How could they not be watching him? And it’s not just the Extreme Sect that has their eyes on him."

Angel pondered, "You mean to say that actually, all the major wizard organizations are secretly watching King Gumman?"

Ironclad Granny: "Indeed."

"Then why is King Gumman still alive?" Even thriving into a vast force.

Ironclad Granny: "I can answer this question using words from your inspiring mentor."

"Inspiring mentor, do you mean Jon?"

Ironclad Granny nodded, "Yes, when Jon was compiling the library of Originheart City, he once consulted me about the situation in various regions of the Southern Domain. We also discussed the general state of various countries, and at the time, we talked about the Gumman Kingdom."

"I must say, your mentor is a very insightful sage, much sharper than you. He only needs a hint to roughly glimpse the truth behind many issues."

Though Ironclad Granny was saying Angel wasn’t as shrewd as Jon, Angel felt no discomfort; rather, he felt quite proud. After all, he was Jon’s only disciple to whom he imparted knowledge without reservation.

"When summarizing the chaotic situation of the Gumman Kingdom, Jon said something that fits your question precisely." Ironclad Granny paused, then slowly said, "Desire for power is a way of balance."

"Balance?" Angel contemplated for a while and seemed to vaguely understand: "Is this tricking wolves to fight tigers?"

Ironclad Granny paused for half a second, then suddenly laughed, "Using tigers and wolves as a metaphor, you are indeed Jon’s student; your metaphors share the same vein."

After praising, Ironclad Granny nodded, "Yes, that’s about it."

Angel had roughly figured it out.

The wolves eager to decapitate King Gumman must be the Extreme Sect; and the ones King Gumman uses to keep wolves in check, based on Ironclad Granny’s hint, are most likely the major wizard organizations.

King Gumman uses this method to maintain a very subtle existence, with all parties providing balance, making him secure instead.

"However, using tigers to drive away wolves requires interest to tempt the tiger. In other words, King Gumman still holds chips that the tigers covet and are even willing to be used. This chip is the desire for power?"

Ironclad Granny nodded, "To be precise, it’s the result of the desire for power."

"It’s like a person conducting a forbidden experiment, outside whose lab are two parties that, at least on the surface, do not approve of this experiment. One party wants to kill the experimenter to solve the problem; the other is thinking that since the experiment is nearly complete, they might as well see its final result."

Ironclad Granny had brought the explanation to this point, so how could Angel not understand?

King Gumman is the experimenter, and he uses the experimental results as chips, gaining the tacit consent of the major wizard organizations, and hence uses this power to balance the Extreme Sect.

Angel: "In this matter, I can understand the side wanting to kill the experimenter. But regarding the side eager to see the results, I’m a bit perplexed; aren’t they afraid the experiment might go wrong? A forbidden experiment is forbidden, after all, because it’s full of uncontrollable dangers."

Ironclad Granny: "The answer is simple, what if this experiment’s result happens to touch the heart knot of this side’s high-level people?"

Experimental results, a high-level heart knot...Angel somewhat understood.

The so-called high-level naturally refers to the upper echelons of various wizard organizations, and their heart knot probably boils down to one thing.

——Legendary Advancement.

"For example, the heart knot of Monty?"

Ironclad Granny glanced at Angel, whispering, "You went ahead and identified the key person."

"Is Monty the key player of the wizard organization side?" Angel exclaimed.

Ironclad Granny: "Naturally. If not for the colossal force of the Frost Moon Alliance backing him, with Monty as the evident strongest, would the Extreme Sect withdraw so easily?"

No wonder the attitudes of various wizard organizations toward the Gumman Kingdom were so peculiar. Openly expressed aversion, with negative evaluations of King Gumman from all sides, yet no one made a move against him. And no tasks were assigned to lower members, not even to alleviate this turmoil.

While King Gumman also tacitly accepted the subvertives of various wizard organizations landing in the Gumman Kingdom. On occasions, he even provided conveniences.

This is essentially mutual consent between the parties.

Angel: "King Gumman is still far from becoming a legend, his words may not be true, and the experimental result may not be related to breaking through the realm."

Ironclad Granny: "Also, it may not be unrelated. For those already obsessed, even a small probability would make them take a gamble."

Angel fell silent.

Monty could indeed do such a thing.

He even dared to scheme against the descendants of the Demon God, so what does the Abyssal ritual of the Gumman Kingdom matter? Despite just a sliver of chance, given Monty’s obsession and audacity, he would never easily give up.

Ironclad Granny: "But King Gumman is indeed courting disaster. Wanting to profit from the vortex’s center and become a third-party balance, that’s greed beyond measure. He believes he can become the chess player, but his flaw is also grasped by others; otherwise, Monty wouldn’t assist him in pushing away the wolves."

"Anyway, his end shouldn’t be great no matter what."

Without Ironclad Granny’s words, Angel could already guess. The supposed flaw of King Gumman is likely the bloodline of the Gumman royal family. Otherwise, Granny wouldn’t have mentioned that Mandhela is a good pawn before.

However, Angel wasn’t very interested in King Gumman or the muddy water of the Gumman Kingdom. And knowing there’s a tripartite setup behind it, he’s even less inclined to get involved, especially with Monty as the key player.

Yet, Angel was curious about one thing.

What is the stance of the Barbarian Cave in this matter?

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