"Caitlin, don't cry. If the Empire is gone, it's gone. You can always come back with me," Freya said, trying to comfort her.
Toria quickly pulled her back; knowing Caitlin's personality, she certainly wouldn't choose to run away. It was just that her own family might also need to find another powerful backer; even her great-grandmother was sighing.
Ellie held her, still shocked. How dare Luo Fan try to trick Caitlin into forcing him to abdicate? And Caitlin didn't even refuse.
The other girls huddled around, their faces filled with unease. Aside from Luo Fan, Caitlin was their pillar of support.
After crying, Caitlin wiped away her tears, slowly stood up, and got down to business.
"Teachers, and senior colleagues, I would like to discuss some things with you privately."
"Why don't you rest for a while?" the old woman said, somewhat reluctantly.
"No need. It's come to this point. I won't feel at ease if I don't do something. Don't worry, I won't give up easily."
"Freya, if I really have nowhere else to go in the end, I might really have to go back with you."
"Hehe~, you're welcome anytime, I'm just afraid Luo Fan won't be willing to let you go." Seeing Caitlin cheer up, she breathed a sigh of relief.
In the following time, Caitlin began discussing with the others what to do after returning home.
"Brother Fan, is this really okay? Princess, you're so pitiful!" Little Bell couldn't bear it and poked the slime hidden in her arms.
"What she did was actually the best solution; otherwise, I would have taken you all away. If we couldn't find a safe place, I would have sent you back into the Elf Realm."
"Isn't this Freya's house?"
"If we really go there, the Shining family will be purged. That Anya has a very keen sense of smell."
"Oh, so what do we do next?"
"Your role will become very important from now on. When we get back, you'll have to help Caitlin clean up the spies in the capital."
"Yes, I will definitely do my best!"
After a long while, Catelyn finished her conversation and returned to her sister's side, her face somewhat resolute. Everyone else, except Gandalf, left one by one after speaking with the princess.
Especially the Grand Elder of the Water God Cult, who took a deep look at Caitlin before disappearing from sight.
The capital city is truly about to undergo a major transformation.
"Have you discussed everything?" Luo Fan asked simply. He hadn't interfered with the girl's actions; he had only overheard part of it.
"More or less."
As the figures from the capital drew closer, Caitlin steadied her gaze, her heart still pounding with anxiety. For the safety of the empire, she had to stand up, even if it meant harming her father, the emperor.
The capital city now appears more desolate than when it set out. There are far fewer ships moored outside the east gate, and far fewer adventurers outside the city gate.
Upon seeing the princess, the guards at the gate saluted, remaining diligently on duty, though their faces showed little sign of a smile.
It was still afternoon, but there were very few people walking around in the city, and many shops were closed.
"Can this really save the empire?" Caitlin lowered her voice, somewhat disappointed in her father.
"Anyway, your father has almost ruined you. If he's no good, you can take over. It's not like there haven't been empresses in history."
"Take advantage of the time before the war ends to deal with those nobles who are preparing to flee, and complete the centralization of power as soon as possible. Only then will we have a chance to fight back."
“You’ll come with me to the palace,” Caitlin said, her eyes growing increasingly determined.
"Bring Little Bell along too."
"Hmm~"
Gandalf heard Catelyn's voice and knew she was talking to Lovan, but he didn't say much. Forcing her to betray her own father was too cruel, but perhaps only in this way could they have a chance to reverse the tide.
Once those royals from the Water God Cult arrive, the current emperor should step down.
The Imperial Palace, the Study.
Emperor Saint-Gula was drinking alone in his sorrow.
Not long ago, he received letters from his two sons urging him to surrender. These letters even included conditions for helping him enter the realm of gods, and he also learned that there were gods behind those two empires.
He didn't believe it at first, but just now, he received a bombshell: human inscriptions had been created, which made the news seem more credible.
If I could really enter the realm of gods, I would have the chance to become a god myself. Being this wretched emperor has never been smooth sailing.
Both sons had betrayed them, the courtiers were constantly arguing, and some had even secretly defected to the two empires. In an instant, the previous peaceful situation was riddled with holes.
Did I really do something wrong? It was clearly the late emperor who wanted to take back power, and I did it, so why has it turned into this situation?
If I agree to their conditions, will they really treat me well?
He took another swig of wine. The emperor's head was filled with all sorts of incomprehensible thoughts. All he wanted to do now was hide away and escape reality.
"Your Majesty, Princess Caitlin requests an audience!" A guard's voice immediately brought him back to reality.
"She's out? Let her in!"
The study was a mess, and Caitlin could see that her father was clearly out of sorts. Even in this state of affairs in the capital, he was still drinking; documents and bottles were scattered everywhere on the floor.
"My dear daughter, you've finally returned. Have you found the Fountain of Life?"
Caitlin did not answer, but simply looked at her father quietly.
"Why aren't you saying anything? Could it be that you didn't find it? That would be such a pity. Luo Fan must be very sad. By the way, there's still some time before the secret realm ends, right?"
"Father, is the empire really going to collapse?"
"How could that be? Who told you this nonsense? It's all rumors!" The emperor's smiling face immediately darkened, and he looked at Gandalf with displeasure.
"There's a lot of talk outside now, why don't you take this opportunity to tighten your grip on power! It's not like we're without the strength to fight back."
"Haha, what good would it do to win? In the end, we'd still be deserted by everyone. Besides, they have gods behind them. We can't possibly win, we can't possibly win." The emperor was somewhat deranged.
Caitlin was disappointed. Even if there really were gods, they couldn't abandon the foundation laid by their ancestors. Besides, if there really were divine intervention, there wouldn't be the empire we have today.
The Emperor, having been repeatedly attacked and tempted by those traitors, has lost his will to fight and has become completely decadent.
Luo Fan was right; she had to do something, otherwise, given the current situation, the empire would surrender before anyone even attacked.
"Father, are you really going to betray the empire?"
Hearing his daughter's solemn words, the emperor tensed up. But not long after, several more elders appeared around them, including Caitlin's mother.
"Grandpa! Why are you here?" The emperor suddenly sensed that something was wrong.
"Sigh, since you don't want this position, let's replace you with Caitlin," the old man said, shaking his head in disappointment.
"Caitlyn, my good daughter, even you have betrayed me!" The emperor instantly understood what was happening and went mad again.
"I just don't want to see the empire fall into ruin like this. Father, you're tired, it's time to rest."
Caitlin continued to persuade her, her voice growing increasingly agitated.
"Do you know that once we surrender, they will start a massive massacre? The condition for opening the Gate of the Abyss is to sacrifice enough people."
"The demon god has descended! Do you think we still have a chance to survive?! Father, wake up!"
Luo Fan felt a pang of sadness seeing the situation. Fortunately, he had discussed the possible scenarios with Caitlin in the secret realm and shared his speculations with her.
However, forcing someone to abdicate doesn't seem exciting at all. This throne looks like it's just for show. It's not as easy as being the Slime King!
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