Hours later, Cumberland, clutching a warrant, hurriedly knocked on the door of the king's audience chamber.

When the old knight was led into the room by the guards, he was visibly taken aback when he saw Rachel also present.

Todd stood with his head down in front of the desk covered with a map of Twilight City, seriously discussing the next steps and arrangements with Rachel.

Cumberland's appearance made Todd look up with some confusion: "Why are you here? Didn't I already issue the king's decree for the knights to set off as soon as possible?"

Cumberland raised his hand and said in a deep voice, "I have heard about the Silver Ring City riot. I have no objection to sending cavalry to quell the rebellion as soon as possible. However... Your Majesty, you specifically named me and insisted that I personally lead the troops. You also emphasized in the document that after the rebellion is quelled, we should stay in place and not return to the city for the time being. What is the reason for this?"

Todd and Rachel exchanged a glance, then Todd asked Cumberland, "Is there a problem?"

"Suppressing a rebellion doesn't require my personal involvement at all. Sending a vice-principal of the knightly order or an experienced commander would be perfectly capable of handling the task. As for the idea of ​​stationing troops in place after suppressing the rebellion, I simply don't understand it."

Cumberland paused for a moment, then added, “Your Majesty, there’s something else, don’t you find it strange? It’s the dead of winter, the roads are blocked by snow, marching is slow, and logistics are difficult. The rebels, of all times, have chosen to attack Silver Ring City, which has no reserves of money or food. This behavior seems almost like they’re deliberately trying to attract our attention and lure us into sending troops…”

Instead of answering Cumberland's question, Todd took out a letter requesting help from a drawer in his desk and handed it to Cumberland.

Cumberland opened the letter and read it, his brow furrowing deeper and deeper: "Has the situation in Silver Ring City deteriorated to this extent?"

"The rebels have reached six thousand strong. Our army is short of food and clothing, and the city's defenses have collapsed. Considering the time it takes for the letter to be delivered, it's uncertain whether the rebels can hold out for another day. At this time, the only way to solve this problem is to use the speed and endurance of the exotic warhorses to get to the battlefield as soon as possible. Moreover, after defeating the rebels, in order to prevent the enemy from making a comeback, I need you to lead your troops to garrison Silver Ring City and wait for the city's defenses to be repaired before returning."

Cumberland clutched the letter in his hand, hesitatingly saying, "Your Majesty, I admit you have a point. The size of the enemy force at Silver Ring City exceeded my expectations, but..."

Todd looked at Cumberland and said calmly, "Every second we argue and hesitate, a loyal soldier of the kingdom may give his life."

Cumberland closed his eyes and took a deep breath: "I will obey His Majesty's will."

Watching the old knight's departing figure, Rachel smiled and said to Todd, "He'll understand later that you're protecting him now."

"Cumberland is upright in character, but he values ​​loyalty at heart. Faced with the rebellion in Twilight City, he will not hesitate to kill and bloodily suppress it. But after all, this is the home he watched grow up. Every tree, every citizen here means a lot to him. If I leave him in the city, I worry that after he has completed his duties, guilt and nightmares will follow him for the rest of his life."

Rachel looked at Todd and asked softly, "So, you intend to bear all the pain and sin alone?"

Todd's face darkened for a moment, but he quickly recovered and changed the subject with a smile: "About the things I had the Alien Association do..."

Rachel looked at Todd, who was trying to appear relaxed, and sighed almost imperceptibly: "Emerson, Terence, the Ragren couple... all those on the protection list, I've had the association keep a 24-hour watch on them. If anything happens in Twilight City, after confirming that they are not involved in the rebellion, the association will transfer them and their families to a safe location and protect them as soon as possible."

Todd nodded, gently took Rachel's hand, and whispered, "Thank you."

Rachel leaned closer to Todd and gently kissed him on the lips: "There are some things you don't have to bear alone. Sharing them with others might not be a bad thing."

Todd patted the chair next to him, shook his head with a wry smile, and said, "Everyone chases after power, but they never realize that this position is like a hot iron plate, not so easy to sit on..."

“Todd, you’re too hard on yourself…” Rachel said gently, pursing her lips. “By the way, there’s something I need to tell you. I’ll be busy arranging things for the Alien Association these next few days, so I’m afraid I won’t have time to come to the palace again.”

Todd gave a soft "hmm".

"However, I will invite a special guest to come to the palace to keep you company."

Todd paused for a moment, then widened his eyes and said, "Wait a minute! You're talking about Mary, right?"

Rachel smiled and put the map away.

Seeing that Rachel was about to leave, Todd said anxiously, "Wouldn't it be safer for Mary to stay with the Alien Association while I'm here?"

Rachel leaned against the doorframe and turned to Todd, saying, "I told you, this was a test for her."

Todd wanted to say more, but Rachel had already disappeared through the doorway and was nowhere to be seen.

Froststone City, Crusader Camp.

Wayne Dunlop glanced at the list in his hand and said, "As His Majesty commands..."

Shaman Minnie interrupted him, saying, "Not His Majesty, but the Son of the Gods."

Wayne glanced at the resolute old shaman and shrugged indifferently: "Alright, Son of Gods... He demands that the Crusaders immediately go into battle mode and be ready to set off at any moment."

"I've compiled a list of the Crusader's combat roster, and it's tentatively set at two hundred people. They are all warriors who have completed their training, and their abilities have been performing quite consistently."

"This includes forty-five orcs, thirty-five werewolves, thirty elves, twenty lizardmen, twenty minotaurs, fifteen harpies, fifteen dwarves, and two Gorgons..."

Shaman Minnie listened and nodded: "Do you have any recommendations regarding the Crusader commander?"

“I recommend Ackerman Shokola. I heard he used to be the leader of the Red Branch Legion, and his Flame Breath ability is quite successfully combined with the Tyrant within him.”

Minnie looked up and smiled, saying, "I know him."

Wayne put away the list: "Then, Your Majesty... I have completed the task entrusted to me by the Son of Gods. I will hand over all the remaining tasks to the Shaman Assembly."

Minnie turned her gaze to the Crusader warriors in the center of the camp, who were worshipping around the black dragon statue, and said quietly, "In addition to the Crusaders, Froststone City has mobilized all of its warships, and all the major warbands are ready to go. Soon, the statues of the Sons of Gods will be spread to every corner of the earth."

Hearing the cries from the sky, Wayne looked up and saw dozens of Valkyries riding griffins flying through the air above the camp, heading south at high speed in formation.

In the distance, the dark clouds gathered thicker and thicker, gradually dispelling the sunlight and leaving only a gloomy shadow that spread rapidly in all directions along the mountain ridge.

Feeling the biting wind, Wayne tightened the collar of his coat and said softly, "The weather's about to change."