Her Majestic Battle Cry

Hayden gestured for her to lower the sword. “Not tonight. Neither side is ready.”

Chaya frowned, confused “Why? Didn’t you say Mr. Russell was formidable? If he’s taking action, surely he can capture Prince Nicholas?”

“He won’t capture him,” Hayden replied, rubbing his temples. “General Farrell has Valken surrounded, but he hasn’t launched an attack because he knows Mr. Murphy has already undermined Prince Yuvan’s authority.

“A portion of Valken’s population has joined the so–called rebel forces. If the capital falls now, the officials in Valken and Nerovia will find an excuse, under the court’s banner, to slaughter the townsfolk. That would spark even larger uprisings. That’s why Lady Carissa can’t act prematurely.”

Chaya hastily tossed the sword aside. “And why isn’t it the right time for Prince Nicholas, then?”

“It’s simple,” Hayden said. “He needs Mr. Murphy to first defeat General Farrell in a decisive victory. Once General Farrell is dealt with, he’ll move on to General Murray, ensuring he can’t return to the capital to defend the king, Once that’s done, Nicholas will be able to solidify control over the capital.”

Hayden knew Nicholas‘ plan.

“After that, he’ll send assassins to eliminate the Hell Monarch, General Sullivan, and the young men of the Sullivan family. He won’t concern himself with the wars at the Southern Frontier or Victory Pass–those can be managed. He’ll even cede a few cities and pull back 15 miles along the Victory Pass border to force a truce. That’s all it’ll take to secure peace.”

Hayden smiled bitterly.

“He sounds like a gentle, virtuous man, right? But his heart is more ruthless than anyone’s. Those who follow him live, while those who oppose him die. If anyone speaks against him, he’ll use my name to carry out a bloody purge, then get rid of me and ascend the throne. He’ll lower taxes, show kindness to the people, and earn the reputation of a benevolent ruler, all without any fault on his part.”

Chaya had thought Nicholas only wanted Hayden as a puppet king, to bear the weight of the people’s hatred. But now, it seemed he was also a tool for carrying out unspeakable atrocities.

“Then what are you waiting for?” Chaya didn’t understand. Either way, it was death.

Hayden’s gaze turned steely, his grip tightening around the ornate box Adrian had given him earlier. “Because I want to see him fail. I want to look him in the eye and ask if he regrets it.”

“And if he succeeds?” Chaya asked softly.

He lifted the small brocade box in his hand and opened it with a snap. Inside was a pill. “If he succeeds, I won’t become a puppet king. He’ll have to ascend the throne himself. That way, he won’t be able to threaten me again with the massacre of Nerovia’s people.”

Chaya looked at the pill in the box, then smiled as she pulled out her hairpin. “This hairpin is quite sharp. If you go, I’ll go with you.”

Hayden sighed and didn’t try to persuade her anymore. Fortunately, he had been able to make contact with Adrian. It was Adrian who had kidnapped Sonny and then disguised himself to appear as Sonny before him.

When he went to relieve himself, they reached a mutual understanding. Adrian gave him poison, and in return, he gave Adrian his emblem. The emblem was Hayden’s, and it allowed whoever held it to act in his name. They could seal off Nerovia and dismiss or imprison corrupt officials.

This authority had been a privilege granted by Augustus himself. In his territory, Hayden had the right to appoint or dismiss officials as he pleased. It was this power that Nicholas once wielded to replace all the officials in Nerovia with his own men.

At that time, it was also because of this that Salvador ordered Hayden to return to the capital, which worked out since he also wanted to go back.

Hayden called for Sonny to bury the Shadow Guard’s body under a tree in the backyard.

Tonight, all these ghostly figures were active. Of course, the capital wasn’t the only place with them; there were others stationed elsewhere.

At the Capital Guard headquarters, Carissa and her group were riddled with injuries. Thankfully, the hidden weapon in her wrist bracelet had saved her from two fatal strikes.

Just as it seemed they couldn’t hold on any longer, a figure darted into the courtyard. Moving with the speed of a phantom, the newcomer’s six–barreled matchlock deflected Nicholas‘ blade that was about to pierce Carissa’s chest.

With a loud clang, sparks flew.

Nicholas felt a sharp numbness in his palm. In the darkness, he couldn’t make out who the newcomer was, but the ferocity of the newcomer’s attack was undeniable. The newcomer’s swift and forceful strikes left him barely able to catch his breath after just a few moves.

Carissa seized the chance to break free and quickly moved to aid her comrades. With Nicholas no longer focusing on her, their group’s situation shifted dramatically.

Kyle and Carissa both recognized who had arrived, and their confidence soared. What had been a desperate struggle to stay alive now became an even match.

Their movements became fluid, their attacks more decisive. The tide turned, and the black–clad assailants began to falter under the relentless counterattack. noveldrama

Nicholas and his men had initially fought with the intent to end it in one decisive strike, but now, the tables had turned. Worse still, they couldn’t predict who else might arrive if they prolonged the fight. The prospect of losing not only Carissa’s head but also their own lives became increasingly likely.

Reluctant as he was, Nicholas had no choice but to grit his teeth and order, “Retreat!”