Chapter 133: Dawn: Wipe Away Tears [VIP]
On the third day after occupying the holy city of Denos, "Edmund" abided by the agreement and ordered the army to withdraw from the holy city.
To prevent any obstruction during the retreat, the "rebel" prisoners who had long been disarmed were threatened with sticks and swords and thrown into dungeons and stables with iron locks. The civilians who were forcibly gathered in the large and small squares of the inner city of Dinos were also driven to the outer city late at night. Williams, the commander of the operation, demanded that they must not leave the outer city and enter the inner city before noon today.
After some preparations for clearing out the troops, the withdrawal operation officially began.
Before daybreak, five large carriages specially prepared for the transfer of Naris were already parked in the square in front of the Great Temple.
Under the surveillance of hundreds of fully armed royal knights and more than a dozen three-meter-tall lizard monsters, the servant leader Kelly led the way in, and several servants carried a stretcher, carried Yaris, whose body was completely wrapped in a cloak and blanket, out of the bedroom, and transferred him to a carriage with a soft bed.
Kelly, three experienced servants and two doctors stayed in the largest carriage to accompany their master, while the remaining servants, four doctors and two masseuses were dispersed into four large carriages loaded with all kinds of daily necessities requested by Yaris.
After everyone was seated in the carriage, Williams, the Knights' Commander, stepped forward, making sure the windows were tightly closed and the completely opaque black curtains were heavily drawn. Then he waved his hand.
"Set off!"
The convoy escorting Yaris to the royal capital slowly set off surrounded by the Royal Knights and the lizard monster army, passing through the inner city and leaving the outer city.
The citizens of Denos, who were ordered not to enter the inner city before noon today, stood silently on both sides of the road.
Having not eaten for two days, they did not have the energy to curse loudly, nor were they able to pick up stones to throw at the villains. They could only stare angrily at the fully armed convoy with eyes burning with hunger and despair.
In the battle to defend Denos, everyone lost their loved ones, friends and respected people. Most people were injured, and due to the lack of timely assistance, even food and water could not be obtained normally. The injuries worsened on a large scale, and many people were on the verge of death or had already died.
Now, the hateful enemy has finally left the holy land, but has also taken away the last spiritual support.
Looking at the large black carriage surrounded by layers of lizard monsters, the Dinos felt no joy of freedom in their hearts. All they could feel at the moment was even stronger sadness and humiliation.
——Almost all able-bodied adults silently swore in their hearts that as soon as the enemy left their sight, they would go south to join the army of the Holy Sun Empire and avenge their relatives and friends. Those who were disabled or too old to join the army were also thinking about how to use their strengths to avenge their relatives and friends.
Feeling the surging hostility and anger emanating from the crowd, Williams and his men unconsciously lowered their heads, as dejected as defeated roosters, without any joy of victory, and with a strong sense of unease deep in their hearts.
(What are we doing?)
(Will we who have committed crimes against holy lands be punished by God in the future?)
(Those gathered here are civilians with no military training, but I have no doubt that once they take up arms, they will become the most powerful army in the world...)
(Perhaps, we were really wrong——)
"——Long live His Highness Yaris!"
The slightly tragic and abrupt shout broke the tranquility of the early morning and interrupted Williams's thoughts.
He looked around, trying to find the source of the sound.
However--
This shout seemed to turn on some kind of switch, and the silent crowd burst into cheers.
"Long live the Holy Sun Empire!"
"Long live the gods!"
"We won't give up!"
"We will definitely take back His Highness Yaris!"
These shouts may be the people's self-consolation, or they may be desperate protests made by the people after experiencing despair.
The adjutant whispered to Williams, "Sir, do you want to..."
"Our mission is to get His Highness back to the capital safely. As long as they don't disrupt the team, don't worry about anything else."
"yes."
The soldiers who received the order lowered their heads and continued to move forward silently.
The lizard monsters sandwiched between the five carriages remained silent, as if they could neither hear nor see anything.
The main force of the army gradually moved away. Under the cover of the front row, the citizens of Denos who gathered on both sides of the road secretly moved towards the inner city, searching every crevice in the inner city for anything that could be used as a weapon, whether it was an axe or a spear, or even just a thick wooden stick, and then -
They rushed into dungeons and stables in groups, opened the locks with axes and crowbars, and released the Holy Land Knights and members of the Citizens' Volunteer Corps who were imprisoned there.
After being freed, the Knights of the Holy Land and the Citizens Volunteer Corps either received items that could be used as weapons from the Denos or received treatment from the priests. The soldiers who were still able to fight gathered in the square in front of the Great Temple, preparing to go south to join the Holy Empire Army.
on the other hand--
After receiving the internal report from Denos, the adjutant couldn't help but ask Williams again: "Sir, are we really not going to do anything?"
"Do you think this is within our responsibilities?"
Williams asked rhetorically.
The adjutant was silent.
Because deep down he was as uneasy as Williams.
Or rather, everyone in the army - was in a state of intense anxiety and panic.
…
…
“Stop!”
At Williams' command, the team, which was only more than ten miles away from Denos, stopped immediately and rested on the spot.
The adjutant asked in confusion: "We just left..."
You know, Denos is only 80 kilometers away from the royal capital. Infantry can complete the journey in two days, and cavalry can even leave the royal capital in the morning and arrive at the outer city of Denos in the evening.
"What do you know!"
Williams is tall and strong, and his body is extremely fragile. If something happens on the road, even if it's just a minor discomfort, it will take us five days to complete the 80 kilometers!"
"grown ups,
"If something goes wrong, can you take the blame for me?"
Williams sneered.
The adjutant lowered his head.
Williams dismounted and strode across the camp toward the carriage, which was densely surrounded by lizard monsters and royal knights.
"grown ups--"
The knights saluted Williams.
Williams nodded and walked to the front of the carriage: "Your Highness——"
"Your Highness is receiving treatment from a physician and a masseur."
Kelly, who was standing beside the carriage, looked at Williams with sharp eyes.
“I, I…”
Williams hesitated for a moment and asked in a low voice, "Is your Highness in good health?"
"So far so good."
"That……"
Williams looked around awkwardly: "Can I see him?"
"Can't."
"But--"
"Lord Williams can convey any questions he has to His Highness through me."
“…”
Williams thought for a moment and couldn't help asking, "Is what Your Highness said before true?"
"you……"
Kelly's eyes sparkled.
Williams, however, showed a panicked expression: "No, nothing. I, I'm simply worried that His Highness is feeling unwell! Since His Highness is receiving treatment in the carriage, let's stay here for a while!"
After saying this, Williams pretended to be calm and left the carriage.
Kelly thought for a moment, opened the door and got into the car.
"Your Highness—"
"Um."
The carriage was unusually spacious and comfortably structured. Yaris was half leaning on a soft bed for treatment, with doctors and masseuses surrounding him carefully.
"What's going on out there? I heard Williams' voice."
"He wants to see you."
"oh?"
Yaris narrowed his eyes: "Why?"
"He didn't tell me the reason, but just secretly asked me a strange question."
"What's the problem?"
"He wants to know if what His Highness said before is true?"
"Those? Which ones?"
"I'm not sure."
Kelly lowered his head in frustration: "After asking this question, he left in a hurry."
"Leaving in a hurry..."
Yaris smiled and said, "It's obvious that his mentality is changing."
"Your Highness means—"
"He's thinking... starting to doubt... It's not just him who's thinking and doubting, everyone around him is also thinking and doubting..."
Yaris's dark eyes flashed with an amused smile. "This isn't incredible. Anyone with a basic conscience would have doubts after what's happened these past few days."
"Then can we..."
"Next time you meet, give him a copy of the flyer we made."
"yes."
"Don't make any promises to him, because he may be deceiving us, but don't refuse any of his requests to his face, because his heart has indeed wavered."
"Yes, sir."
Kelly nodded vigorously.
Yaris added, "The same goes for everyone else. If anyone in Edmund's army asks you similar questions along the way, you can give them the leaflets. As long as we plant enough seeds, there will always be a few that successfully sprout and grow into towering trees."
"Your Highness..."
Kelly suddenly lowered his voice: "When I went to the river to fetch water, I received a call from Romila. He said he had a way to take you away secretly."
"If I didn't want to be caught, I would have hidden on the ninth floor of the Ziggurat when His army attacked Denos."
Yaris said nonchalantly, "Next time we meet, thank Romila for my kindness. Also, have him take advantage of the opportunity of "Him opening the palace barrier to let me in" to sneak into the palace and find the missing Julius."
“…”
Kelly stared at Yaris with a bit of helplessness and uneasiness.
"Kelil—"
"Your Highness?"
"Force can conquer almost everything in the world, except the human heart, especially mine. Not only can He not do it, but the gods can't do it either."
…
…
At the same time as the convoy was moving towards the capital at a slow speed of no more than 20 kilometers a day, the news that Emperor Edmund III's army broke into the holy city of Denos, massacred people, and forcibly kidnapped the high priest Yaris and brought him back to the capital of light spread throughout the entire western continent through the temple system like a raging fire.
The leaders of various countries who had recently been arguing over which of the public accusations of the Jarris brothers and the response of Edmund III was more credible, whether they should send troops to intervene, and which side they should support were all stunned.
Especially when they were told that there were a large number of lizard monsters over three meters tall in Edmund III's army, and that these lizard monsters entered the Great Temple and slaughtered them indiscriminately!
"This kind of thing...this...Is Edmund III crazy?!"
"No matter when, things like attacking the holy city of Denos and slaughtering believers and priests in the Great Temple... are, are... not to mention that his army also contains monsters from other worlds!"
"It now appears that His Highness Yaris's accusations are significantly more credible! If King Edmund III had even a shred of reverence for the gods, he wouldn't have done such a horrific and cruel thing!"
…
…
"...Barakhania is a coastal country, and the Twin Gods aren't the mainstream belief. However, we cannot tolerate this kind of unscrupulous massacre!"
Inside the parliament hall of the Barakanya Palace, Andre, appointed by Alfonso as Minister of the Interior, was addressing the high-ranking officials of the coastal countries:
"This isn't a civil war; it's a war between justice and evil, between the mortal world and the otherworldly world! Anyone with a basic sense of humanity and conscience should support Emperor Aura I and join him in stopping these demons from the otherworld!"
"Excuse me!"
Prime Minister Milos was the first to protest. "His Majesty Alfonso has long considered His Highness Jarris a spiritual pillar, and he has a very deep personal relationship with Emperor Aura I. Even without the Denos incident, he would have sent troops to aid Aura I without hesitation. But we—I want to ask, what benefits can we gain by intervening in this war?"
"good!"
Chief Minister Zion said firmly, "Morally speaking, we should support Aura I, who appears to represent justice. But what if Aura I cannot achieve ultimate victory? While he has made some achievements in his territory of Gora, these achievements only demonstrate his ability to govern, not to lead troops in battle! Moreover, so far, only a handful of nobles in the Sun Empire have openly supported him."
"Don't worry about that. His Majesty Alfonso has a very high opinion of King Aura I's military abilities," Andre said. "His Highness Kairusha has said something similar. You may not believe in King Aura I's abilities, but you must trust the judgment of His Majesty Alfonso and His Highness Kairusha."
"Normally, a young man who receives the unanimous high praise of two contemporary military masters must be a top-tier military talent with a promising future. But he happens to be His Highness Yaris's younger brother."
Prime Minister Milos sarcastically addressed the crowd, "Based solely on this relationship, it's impossible for His Majesty Alfonso and His Highness Kairusha to make an objective assessment of His Majesty Aola I's military capabilities!"
"Orff! When we asked His Highness Yaris to sign the 'Six Coastal Nations Alliance Agreement' at the Little Love Palace, everyone swore that the six coastal nations were one family!"
Andrei could no longer tolerate it and attacked Prime Minister Milos by name.
"Why do you seem to have forgotten this matter now!"
"because--"
"Because your Majesty was once a commoner of Milois, but now he is the regent father of Barakhania?"
"I didn't—"
"Orff, I don't know what you're thinking, but I must tell you that Miloyas, like Barakhania and Kukuchia, has no right to choose a side in this matter!"
"What's the meaning?"
"Mr. John Dill, the chief confidant of King Aura I, the youngest professor at the Royal Academy, and the man who has long been in charge of all matters concerning the Gaula Territory, is a Milos."
"Then again—"
"How about it?"
Andre sneered, "Edmund III treated the holy city of Denos so badly. If he wins the civil war, what will happen to Milos, the hometown of His Majesty Alfonso and Sir John Deere?"
"I don't think—"
"Your opinion is not important, Edmund III's opinion is the key!"
Andre interrupted Milos Prime Minister Orf again and said, "Also—His Majesty Alfonso has led his army north! He is expected to arrive in Maga City at noon tomorrow!"
"this……"
Prime Minister Milos's face turned grim as he muttered, "What a joke! We formed the Coastal Alliance so that all six coastal nations could benefit! Not to give Alfonso the opportunity to mobilize the entire military force of our six nations to provoke the powerful Sun Empire for personal gain. Even if Aura I ultimately triumphs, we won't get what we want!"
"Since this is a civil war, they should figure it out on their own!"
Chief Minister Zion echoed.
"Since that's the case—"
"Report!"
The door to the conference room suddenly opened.
Realizing that something big was happening, the leaders of the six countries all looked at the messenger who broke into the meeting.
"What's up?"
"Just received the latest news. Queen Isabel of the northern power of Brania has announced her full intervention in the civil war in the Solar Empire. The Brania army will arrive at the border of the Solar Empire within three days and form an alliance with the Dalavian army led by the new Duke of Dalavia, Adrian, to support the Holy Solar Empire Emperor Aura I!
The Holy Empire Army led by His Majesty Aura I successfully broke through the blockade set up by Edmund III and is about to arrive at Maga City.
According to reliable sources, after the Denos tragedy, people in many places within the Solar Empire spontaneously formed volunteer armies and requested to join the Holy Empire Army.
above. "
"this……"
The entire audience, including Prime Minister Milos, was in an uproar.
Seeing this, Andre stood up slowly and said, "Everyone must be very surprised by all the sudden changes. I suggest that we adjourn the meeting for a day and hold the final vote tomorrow. What do you think?"
"No objection!"
"I agree!"
"I've been in meetings all day, so I really need a break."
“…”
Realizing that the wind in the western continent was about to change direction, representatives from various countries expressed their agreement.
"In that case, let's all go back to our rooms and rest."
Andre said in a steady tone, "I hope the final vote tomorrow will satisfy everyone."
…
…
While representatives of the six coastal countries were carefully considering a series of major news, including the tragedy in Denos, Brania's announcement of sending troops, Duke Dalavia's support for Aura I, and Aura I's army's imminent recapture of Maaga City, outside Maaga City, which has beautiful scenery like a picture scroll all year round, the Holy Imperial Army led by Emperor Aura I of the Holy Sun Empire, who ascended the throne in Denos half a month ago, successfully defeated the imperial army of Edmund III, liberated the besieged Maaga City, and entered Maaga City at sunset.
…
"Young Master!"
Seeing Xiao Yun again, Mikael and Marina were overwhelmed with emotions. After calling him "Young Master", they remembered that Young Master Lucien had been crowned Emperor Aura I, and quickly changed their words: "Your Majesty——"
"Actually, I'm more accustomed to the original name."
Xiao Yun brightened up for a moment, then apologized to Mikael, who had injured his left leg and had to use crutches, Monger, who had lost an eye, and Marina, whose right arm was in a splint: "I'm sorry, I'm late."
"Your Majesty, I..."
Hearing this, tears immediately covered the face of the usually honest and silent Mikael. He choked and said, "Your Majesty, I, I just hate that we are so useless! If we could have stopped Edmund's army, Your Majesty would not have urgently taken the main force of the army away from Denos to rescue us, leading to, leading to..."
Marina burst into tears. "When I heard the bad news about Denos, my heart was almost torn apart! My sister and I swore to protect His Highness, but in the end... because of our incompetence, His Highness... I hate it, I hate it..."
"I'm the one who's truly responsible for L. If I'd insisted on bringing my brother back to Maga, the tragedy in Denos might not have happened, and my brother wouldn't have... I'm the one who deserves death!"
"His Majesty……"
Marina and Mikael cried even harder.
"Dry your tears and stop crying."
Xiao Yun said sternly, "The tragedy has already happened. What we need to do now is to gather our strength and get my brother back!"
Upon hearing this, everyone gathered in the city hall looked up, their faces filled with mixed feelings of sadness and joy, revealing their determination for revenge.
"Your Majesty is right! We cannot remain in sorrow for long!"
"Revenge! We want revenge!"
"We will win! We will win!"
…
At noon the next day, Duke Alfred's two nephews arrived in Maga City with a large amount of food, medical supplies, and daily necessities. They were accompanied by thousands of Maga civilians who had followed the citizen evacuation plan formulated by Yaris and Xiao Yun and moved to cities around Maga to avoid the war - they could not wait to return home.
The arrival of food, medicine and the return of relatives and friends caused the city, which was already in the joy of victory, to burst into cheers, and the streets were filled with family members who had been reunited after a long separation, hugging and crying.
The two viscounts handed over the supplies to the Maga City Hall and then came to the Little Palace of Love.
"His Majesty!"
"you--"
"We are here to join the Holy Empire Army on orders from our uncle!"
"Alfred..."
"My uncle had a leg tumor removed two weeks ago. The doctor said the operation went very smoothly and if nothing unexpected happens, he can live another ten years."
"The tumor on his leg is indeed..."
Xiao Yun sighed, thinking back to his first meeting with the upright and bad-tempered old duke, and it felt like a dream.
At this moment, a servant ran into the hall.
"Report - A fully armed army appeared in the southeast, holding the hexagram and the flag of the goddess of death."
"The Hexagram and the Goddess of Death?! It's Alfonso! Alfonso's army has arrived! Prepare to welcome them immediately!"
"yes!"
Everyone took the order and began to work in an orderly manner.
Xiao Yun, who suddenly became the most idle person, looked at the familiar furnishings in the Little Love Palace and smelled the familiar fragrance in the air, and a deep sadness rose in his heart again.
(Yaris...)
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