Chapter 117: Flame Part 1: Determined to Die [VIP]
"Don't panic! Don't panic, everyone!"
The tribune of the Knights Protector commanded his men to re-form a defensive line against the frenzied attacks of the Royal Knights, led by Lyon, while shouting to the panicked citizens, "Go to the Ebola Bridge! Retreat toward the Ebola River! Cross the bridge and enter the lower city, and you will be safe!"
"But Boss, I, we—"
In the melee, a young warrior was injured by the Royal Knight and showed a cowardly expression.
"What do you want to say! Have you forgotten your oath?!"
The veteran beside him roared, "We are the Knights Protector! The people have chosen us! We are the people's shield! At a time like this, we must stop them if we can! We must stop them even if we can't!"
"Behind you are the people you protect! If you take a step back, they will die!"
"yes!"
The young men felt a strong sense of responsibility and once again faced the enemy fearlessly.
(Our pay, equipment, and training are all inferior to those of regular knights, but we also have our pride and honor!)
(Our faith is stronger than any other order!)
(Protecting the people is our greatest pride! Our greatest pride! Our greatest faith!)
(For the sake of the people, we are willing to face death at any time!)
Seeing that the warriors of the Knights Protector were still fearlessly rushing to the frenzied Royal Knights to act as shields for the people, the people who were close to collapse suddenly regained their confidence and retreated in panic along the road to the Ebola Bridge that the warriors had torn open with great difficulty.
Although many people in the team were running around in disarray because they were at a loss, affecting the escape of others, compared to the chaotic situation when the attack just happened, the situation now can be considered orderly.
…
…
On the other side of the square, fighting was also going on.
After hearing the emperor's order to "kill them all", several teams that secretly swore allegiance to the Holy Family took out red cloths symbolizing their determination to shed blood and tied them on their arms. Together with the Holy Guard Knights, they fought against the Royal Knights and the Royal Guard Corps loyal to the emperor, while protecting the panicked people from leaving the square.
"Everyone, don't panic! Don't panic!"
"Go southeast to the Ebola Bridge, and you'll be safe once you enter the downtown area!"
"Everyone else, follow His Highness Yaris's carriage!"
"Follow the carriage!"
"Follow the carriage!"
Shouts one after another brought the panicked crowd back to their senses. They either headed towards the Ebola Bridge or followed the knights with red ribbons tied on their arms to gather towards Yaris's carriage.
at the same time--
The Royal Knights and the Royal Guards, who are loyal to the Yula Royal Family, are filled with doubts and hesitations in their hearts because of the various changes they witnessed today.
Therefore, although these people were ordered to fight with the "rebels", they did not chase Yaris's carriage and the people who fled with the carriage. They allowed the crowd to follow Yaris's carriage across the square and go to a relatively safe area.
Sudden--
The carriage stopped.
The people at the back didn't know what was happening in front and kept pushing forward.
“Stop! Stop!”
"Don't push me! Don't back off!"
"Why stop!"
"Keep going, go to—what is that!"
The crowd screamed!
The screams were almost identical to the screams of the young students in black cloaks when they fell from a high altitude, but the degree of terror was completely different!
"What is that!"
"What is that thing!"
The fountain in the middle of the street not far ahead suddenly spewed a large amount of black sludge into the sky!
The mud fell to the ground and solidified into a three-meter-tall witch covered in black.
The Black Witch raised her head, tossed her fluffy curly hair, and pointed at the carriage that looked as small and exquisite as a toy to her: "Spoiled Princess, your mother is here to spank you!"
"Are you sure?"
The carriage door opened, and Yaris walked out slowly with the help of his servant.
"Even if I only have one breath left, I can defeat you, Black Witch Suvelt!"
…
…
"What is that thing!"
In the southeast corner of the square, people who were about to successfully leave the square and step onto the Ebola Bridge under the protection of the Knights Protector also screamed!
The moment the Black Witch appeared, all the members of the Royal Knights, led by Paladin Leon, suddenly turned into lizard monsters with blue-green scales covering their bodies!
These lizard monsters not only do not look like humans, but are also much stronger than humans. Every time their weapons fall, large amounts of blood will splash among the crowd.
“Ahhhh!”
"What kind of monster is this!"
"We'll be killed by monsters!"
"Where did they come from!"
“…”
In front of the monsters, civilians were powerless to fight back, and even the warriors of the Knights Protector became lambs to be slaughtered.
For a moment, the ground was covered with blood, screams, and blood everywhere.
However, even so,.
"These should be the legendary lizard monsters by Lake Lilia!"
"Big people!"
I will never take a step back!"
“Fight! Fight!”
The tribune shouted at the top of his lungs: "Monsters are not invincible! As long as we are not afraid of death, they will die too!"
"yes!"
This time, everyone in the Knights Protector was determined to die.
For faith!
For the people!
For the motherland!
for--
Bang!
A blood mist flew up, but what landed on the ground was the lizard monster's huge and deformed head.
People looked in the direction of the sound and saw——
"There was a slight delay on the way, but I'm not late."
Xiao Yun looked at everyone with a smile, his dark brown hair and Yu Zhong's "golden blade" shining in the sun.
People also stared at him intently, forgetting to speak and even to breathe!
Under the clear sky, the smell of blood and screams of massacre were still spreading, but the dark cloud of fear that weighed on my heart had disappeared.
"Royce!"
"exist!"
Tribune Royce responded excitedly.
"Lead everyone to the Ebola Bridge as planned! Enter the lower city! Leave these lizard monsters to me!"
"Yes, sir!"
People also came alive at this moment.
"Lord Lucien!"
"Long live! Long live!"
"Long live Monsignor Lucien! Long live!"
“…”
The roar of passion turned into a tsunami that swept across the square. Everyone was crying, praising the names of the Twin Gods in their hearts, and firmly believed that this miracle descending like the sun was the projection of the gods on earth!
He will replace the emperor whose mind has been taken away by evil and become the guardian of the country and the people!
(God’s will! Truly God’s will!)
(It is the blood of the gods!)
(Our hero! Our patron saint!)
oh oh--
The golden sun began to kill the green lizard monster!
Although the lizard monsters were also prepared to face the powerful enemy, however - facing Xiao Yun, who was blessed with the overwhelming power of the "Overlord Xiang Yu" card, and the unmatched scorching heat of the "Golden Blade" like the sun, they had only one end in sight for their brutal attack!
Swish!
Crash——
Bang!
Every time a roar sounded, a monster's head or a piece of its limbs flew out of the crowd.
Seeing this, the warriors of the Knights Protector and the people who were being chased and slaughtered by the monsters turned back and joined the battle!
"We want to fight too!"
"Everyone, come together! Trip these monsters! Help Master Lucien!"
"For the motherland! Fight! Fight!"
Inspired by courage, people grabbed everything they could find as weapons and attacked the lizard monster!
They hacked their bodies with spears, smashed their heads with stones, pounced on them and pulled their legs... They turned into ants gnawing at bones to trip the lizard monsters, doing everything possible to prevent these monsters from forming an entire array to besiege their savior heroes.
…
…
“Wow—”
When the last lizard monster's head flew out with a strange cry and a line of blood, Xiao Yun finally breathed a sigh of relief, but the next second, he frowned again.
"Edmund", who was supposed to be standing on the reviewing stand, was now floating in the air not far from Xiao Yun.
"His Majesty--"
Tribune Royce blurted out, and then -
"No! That's not right! He's not Your Majesty! Even though this guy looks exactly like Your Majesty, I'm sure he's not Your Majesty!"
"No, he's not Edmund, he's..."
"Lucien—"
Edmund's lips moved slightly, and he uttered a majestic and cold voice: "I am very glad that I returned in time and prevented such a stupid farce!"
"You...ah, you are..."
"Yes, it's me."
Edmund blinked and said apologetically, "I'm different from him. He only wants to turn the world into a paradise where he can do whatever he wants. I hope to rule the world with you for a long time and in a stable manner."
“Is there any difference?”
Xiao Yun sneered.
"Of course there is a difference. I love you directly, but it treats you as food."
"Pooh!"
Xiao Yun cursed, then came to his senses: "It, it's that monster! The monster conceived in Edmund's body!"
"...While I was away, it controlled Edmund's body and tried to devour you brothers. However, it not only overestimated itself, but also seriously underestimated you and the people of this country..."
At this point, "Edmund" sighed.
"Because of its barbaric ignorance and the arrogance and stupidity of the Dark Witch, my plans have been completely disrupted. What happened in Haozi today was just a small-scale riot, and Edmund is still the ruler of this country... To express my apology, I will suspend all military operations before the sun rises tomorrow and let you and your followers leave safely, whether your next stop is the Tower of Sin or the Lower City. What do you think?"
“…”
Faced with this unexpected development, Xiao Yun didn't know how to respond for a moment.
"younger brother!"
Yaris's voice rang out.
After using his magic to drain the moisture from the temporary body made of mud by the Black Witch, turning it into a cracked clay statue and commanding everyone to smash the clay figure, he crossed the square under the protection of the knights and walked to Xiao Yun: "No matter what decision you make, I will stand with you."
"I--"
Xiao Yun looked around and saw that the square was littered with broken corpses and terrified civilians, and the knights' faces and armor were covered with scars of deadly battles.
“—I accept!”
“Right decision.”
"Edmund" raised the corner of his mouth, revealing an evil smile.
He raised his hand and drew a rune. All the non-human creatures in the square, including the black witch who turned into mud lumps on the ground and the corpses of the lizard monsters killed by Xiao Yun, disappeared instantly.
"Edmund" also disappeared.
…
…
"I don't believe the massacre at the Sacred Square was a stupid farce staged by the monster within Edmund—let's call it the Demon King—along with Edmund and the Maleficent during his absence. Nor do I believe his sudden mercy is an apology to us."
Yaris's voice echoed quietly in the room.
Xiao Yun sat next to him.
The knight commanders, citizen representatives, magician representatives, and student volunteer group leaders of the various teams determined to follow the Holy Family all gathered in this somewhat narrow, damp, and poorly lit room.
Many people had injuries and were wrapped in white bandages, but their eyes were shining with inner pride.
"On the contrary, the war has already begun, and we have only retreated here to safety temporarily."
"you mean--"
"He deliberately let us go. On the surface, it's out of mercy, but his real purpose is probably to take the opportunity to reorganize the army and let those who support us gather in the Sin Tower or the Lower City, and then-"
"If He wants to siege us, we will fight back!"
Malus exclaimed.
He was Lucien's epee teacher, a royal count, and one of the two deputy commanders of the Imperial Knights.
"Thank you, teacher."
Xiao Yun paid tribute to Count Malus.
"Half a month ago, I received your letter and immediately explained everything to my subordinates. Like me, they are willing to dedicate everything, including their lives, to the Holy Family and our great motherland. They are now stationed in the area around the Sin Tower and have prepared food and weapons in advance. They can hold out for at least a month without any external reinforcements!"
"I chose the Sin Tower as our gathering place and temporary command post in the capital, not only because it's exceptionally sturdy, but also because the artificial canal dug along the outer wall of the Sin Tower to prevent prisoners from escaping over the wall is connected to the Ebola River. Furthermore, downstream of this artificial canal is the Palace of Light. If He cuts off the water supply to the Sin Tower, the Palace will also have difficulty sourcing water!"
Yaris smiled and said, "We have water, weapons, and food... Although the situation was rushed and the number of insurgents we assembled was significantly lower than expected, we are not completely passive."
"Is the situation urgent?"
Xiao Yun took a deep breath and said, "I understand! I understand His true purpose!"
“What is His purpose?”
"Deliberately disrupt our rhythm so that we can't gather enough rebel forces, and then defeat them one by one!"
Xiao Yun suddenly realized, "So the Demon King deliberately lured the 'Golden Blade' to the reviewing stand, preventing us from carrying out our original plan. He then deliberately had Leon and his men attack the civilians in the southeast corner, luring me there to rescue them. Meanwhile, the Black Witch appeared in the northwest of the square to intercept my brother's carriage. As long as either side couldn't break through, their plan would succeed."
"Unfortunately, we successfully eliminated the enemies on both sides. 'He' then appeared in a pretentious manner, claiming that everything was a misunderstanding and that it was the Demon King, Edmund, and Maleficent who acted on their own initiative. He then let us leave safely."
Yaris said softly, "'Let us escape safely' is still a conspiracy. He used this seemingly generous order to purge those of his subordinates who sided with us, leaving behind only those who would resolutely carry out the order to massacre civilians."
There are serious internal conflicts between him, the Demon King, Edmund, and Maleficent. There's a very high possibility that today's tragedy in the Sacred Square was a foolish accident caused by this internal strife. However, in front of everyone, we must guide the situation in the most serious direction, so as to prevent everyone from taking chances and underestimating our enemy.
I understand your concerns.
Xiao Yun agreed with Yaris's idea and told everyone helplessly, "We are safe for now. But no one knows how long this safety will last."
"Although the Sin Tower is a sturdy building, its area is very limited. Including the surrounding camps, it can only accommodate 5,000 people at most. While there's no need to worry about being cut off from the water supply, material supplies and communication with the outside world are urgent issues that need to be addressed."
Yaris said melancholy, "So we can only use the Tower of Sin as a temporary command post. After we make sure that all the civilians willing to leave the city have fled the capital, we will immediately retreat to the Holy City of Denos with the Citizen Volunteer Corps! There, I will open the Divine Tower, crown my brother, and use the Divine Tower system to announce to the entire Western Continent all the brutal and horrific events that have occurred in the capital during this period!"
"You are quite right. We cannot be trapped to death in the capital."
Ansel said seriously.
"After completing the coronation ceremony and announcing the truth to the entire Western Continent, our team will officially head to Gaola. Along the way, we will recruit those who believe in us and join us. With Gaola as the center, we will establish a national salvation alliance and formally declare war on Edmund III, who has become a puppet of the Demon King. At the same time, we will send envoys to visit the various countries in the Western Continent, asking them to support us, or at least not to join Edmund's camp."
Xiao Yun said this with a smile, and his calm demeanor made everyone present smile knowingly and cheer excitedly.
"His Majesty!"
"Your Majesty Lucien!"
"Quiet--"
Xiao Yun raised his head and stopped the crowd from shouting, "Thank you for your trust and loyalty to us brothers. The most important thing right now is to lead everyone out of this predicament as quickly as possible and to make more people aware of the conspiracy."
"We need more knights on our side."
Yaris added, "When the Demon Emperor used Edmund's body to order the massacre of civilians, most of the knights belonging to the Royal Knights at the scene expressed hesitation. This shows that if the truth is spread, more knights will stand on our side."
"Once we leave the capital, these knights will have no choice but to obey the orders of Emperor M."
Xiao Yun said with a wry smile.
"Leave the spread of truth to us!"
Conte said excitedly, "We can use the downtown tavern that provides food to deliver the message about the truth to the barracks! One more person is a good thing!"
"...According to military practice, whenever a knight decides to take action, he must convince at least twenty of his companions. If a paladin believes in us, hundreds of knights under his command will join our ranks."
Malus said with great certainty.
“—I will personally write an open letter to the public.”
Yaris said softly.
He looked very tired.
Xiao Yun immediately realized that he had consumed an excessive amount of energy in his battle with the Dark Witch Su Weilt. He said to Yaris, "Your legs won't be able to be lifted for a long time. Why don't you dictate the open letter to the public and I'll write it down?"
"sure."
Yaris smiled.
Xiao Yun then said to everyone, "Since that's the case, let's all act accordingly."
…
The crowd dispersed, and only Yaris, Xiao Yun, and a few maids who were responsible for taking care of Yaris were left in the dimly lit room.
"Go prepare some hot water and soft food."
"yes."
The maids also left the room.
As soon as the servants left, Yaris couldn't help but let out a sound similar to a sigh.
"well……"
"What's the matter?"
Xiao Yun supported Yaris worriedly.
"Nothing, I just feel bad... So many people... Thinking about the tragedy that happened during the day and the more deaths that are about to happen, I can't help but think how great it would be if I had a normal body... I could be on the front lines with everyone, instead of hiding in the safety of the rear most of the time and watching others die for me... I worry every day that I might become a hostage used by the enemy to threaten our side..."
"It's not your fault that you're not feeling well—"
"but……"
Yaris lowered his head and leaned on his brother's shoulder: "I'm very worried about Ulysses and the others... Although I have arranged for Romila to be in charge of the rescue, but... if he is unfortunately trapped in the mirror dimension..."
"He needs Ulysses to manage state affairs for Him, so He won't be cruel to him for the time being."
"I hope so."
Yaris smiled wryly. "According to the information Sonya provided, it seems the courtiers and ladies who entered and exited the palace on a daily basis were not informed of anything. This should also include those who were taken into the mirror dimension and became food for the circus clowns and the Demon King."
"What are you going to do with these people?"
"this……"
Yaris thought for a long time, raised his head, and said to his brother in a distressed tone: "Everyone has his own ideas."
"so--"
"After we send out the open letter, if they believe in us and join us, we will accept them. If they..."
"I don't believe it, and I don't force it."
Xiao Yun shrugged: "Other people's thoughts are not something we can interfere with just because we want to."
"Well, we just need to know our own minds and our own choices."
A calm smile appeared on Yaris's lips. "No matter what, since we have embarked on the path of rebellion, we can only keep going straight. Until we become 'us' forever... We will be together forever..."
"Yes, we will be together forever."
Xiao Yun lowered his head and whispered a promise into his ear.
Yaris's pale cheeks couldn't help but bleed: "Thank you... You are the only one who will never betray me..."
"Don't say that."
Xiao Yun held his feet and said, "Are you tired? I'll massage your feet later."
"It's okay, I just..."
Yaris's voice was choked, and in the dim light, tears were gathering in the corners of his eyes.
"Regarding Moras and the others... I... I..."
"Do you regret it?"
"No, I don't regret it, but—"
[It was their wish to die for us. I simply fulfilled their wish. The only thing I didn't expect was that Maleficent, enraged, would actually throw them from a great height, killing them alive.]
Yaris leaned close to Xiao Yun and confessed his inner anxiety and pain to him.
[Now, whenever I close my eyes, I think of them, those young, enthusiastic faces, and the bloody bodies slumped on the stone slabs...]
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