"Since the Sixth Army was defeated, the enemy has been advancing all the way. In just a few days, they have passed through many places and were unstoppable. Our army has no power to resist... Newborn fell the day before yesterday, and the enemy is still advancing. Perhaps... perhaps it will only take two or three days for them to get here."

Inside the Elsenburg City Hall, the Secretary General, pale-faced, gave a concise report to the officials at the conference table on the news he had just received.

After those words were spoken, everyone fell silent. Mayor Ayman covered his forehead with his hands, his face ashen, so desperate that he could no longer even muster a physical reaction.

In fact, he and his other officials had anticipated this bad news before it arrived, but they still did not know the extent of the enemy's advance, which gave them a glimmer of hope.

But when the news arrived today, Ayman knew that all hope had been extinguished. The war had dragged on until now, and the country was only one step away from complete collapse.

A gaunt and haggard Ayman sighed, "I understand."

Then, others also began to sigh:

"How could things have turned out like this..."

"This is terrible... What should we do next...?"

Ayman shook his head, looking dejected, and said, "Continue to evacuate the civilians and get them out of there as soon as possible."

"Well, but I'm afraid... I'm afraid we can't evacuate everyone..." The secretary-general said with a worried expression.

The evacuation did not begin today. Based on concerns about the continuous defeats at the front and disappointment with the army, Eimann had already issued the evacuation order in the city a few days after receiving news of the defeat of the Fifth Army Corps. As a result, many people have been leaving Elsenburg in the past few days.

After the bad news arrived in the afternoon, some people in the city who had not planned to leave immediately panicked and could no longer hold on to their luck, so they fled in a hurry.

"Those who can leave, leave. As for those who really can't leave, there's nothing we can do..." Ayman said absentmindedly.

As soon as these words were spoken, an official said, puzzled:

"Why...why hasn't His Majesty sent a large army to intercept the Yan people yet...?"

These words drew another chorus of sighs. After the defeat of the Fifth Army under Saskia's command, the only two armies that could rush to the front lines in a short time were the Seventh Army and the First Army. But for some reason, the Seventh Army from the neighboring province still had not arrived at the battlefield to this day. No one knew what General Greg, who commanded the Seventh Army, was thinking.

In fact, His Majesty's previous document clearly stated that the Seventh Army would follow the Fifth Army to the front lines. However, it seems that this order has not been carried out. No one knows what happened that caused Greg to fail to send troops on time.

The First Army Group stationed around Salibia has remained completely silent to this day, with no new documents even being sent down in the last two days.

As for other armies, they could not be relied upon. Shortly after the war began, unrest broke out continuously in the northeastern part of the empire, which was the former territory of the Kosovo Empire and those small countries. The area was already in dire straits. The civilians may not know the details, but as government officials, they knew that the unrest was very serious.

As a result, other armies were tied down, and even without these disturbances, they would not have been able to reach Pocamia in a short time. After all, the war was developing too fast, and often news of the previous army's defeat was already on its way before one army had even arrived.

But the worst part is that even if all distractions are eliminated and the army can reach the front lines in a short time, there is no guarantee that they will be able to win on the battlefield.

One defeat after another has destroyed everyone's confidence.

"That's settled then. Arrange for people to evacuate the people..." Ayman said, swaying as he stood up.

"But what should we do next?" an official asked, bewildered.

Ayman's face turned pale, and she said blankly, "I don't know... I don't know either."

At this moment, the Secretary-General said in a low voice, "Perhaps... I mean, perhaps..."

Ayman ignored him and walked out dejectedly, while the others remained seated, all looking bewildered.

“We have to surrender.” The secretary gritted his teeth and said to Ayman’s retreating figure as he walked to the door.

Ayman paused.

“Let those who can leave go to Salvia. With the Wall of St. Mary, it should... it should be able to protect them.”

"Those who cannot leave, stay here. Gather them together, and I will stay with them until the Emperor sends his army..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Ayman stepped out of the conference room, walked to the end of the corridor, and looked out the window.

Under the bright sunlight, the square in front of the city hall was deserted. Almost all available people had gone to organize the evacuation of residents. He looked at the flagpole, which was also empty. There was no flag raiser today.

——

4:30 p.m., St. Marienplatz.

"Destroy these rebels! Save the country!" A special forces soldier in a leather jacket rode on his warhorse, waving a flag and shouting angrily.

"Kill them! Kill them!!" Gunfire erupted across the square, the ground littered with corpses, including those of Storm Special Combat Team members, police, National Guard troops, and civilians.

This was no longer a gathering, but a battlefield. After two hours of fighting, three to four thousand people had died due to various factors. The majority of the deaths were among civilians, most of whom died from trampling. Only a few hundred died from stray bullets.

Now, the fighting is no longer confined to St. Marien Square; battles have broken out around the square as well, with gunfire erupting everywhere. However, in St. Marien Square, the Storm Special Forces have gained the upper hand, with the National Guard suffering heavy casualties. Many members have escaped the square, and the Storm Special Forces are hunting them down.

The key figure in the struggle, Von Palen, was knocked unconscious in the fight, but Bowerman successfully protected him. A dozen minutes earlier, he had taken Von Palen into the armored vehicle, and then, under the escort of the special forces, headed towards the Royal Castle.

Inside the carriage, Bowerman was still panting heavily. Looking at the still unconscious von Palen, Bowerman carefully checked his body again to make sure he hadn't been hit by a bullet.

After the examination was completed, Bowerman finally breathed a sigh of relief and said:

"It's a success... Your Majesty, it's a success."

"Once all these traitors are executed, your rule will be unshakeable."