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Nicholas sighed. “Must you speak that way, Dad? I meant no harm. I only wanted to ask-if you say it, won’t everything be settled? That way, no one below you will have to suffer.”
Without warning, Hayden swung his palm and struck Nicholas across the face. His voice thundered with anger. “How dare you speak to me like this? What kind of this?
shamelessness is this? How could your mom and I have raised such a wretch?”
Nicholas didn’t dodge or flinch from the slap. His expression remained unchanged. “You’ve struck me and cursed me, Dad. Now, please go ahead and say what you must.”
As he spoke, he raised his hand, and two people dragged in Sonny.
Sonny was unconscious, his face badly swollen and disfigured. Blood trickled from his mouth, and his legs were twisted in unnatural angles, both clearly broken.
Hayden’s breath caught, his fury deepening, and the slap he delivered to Nicholas’ face became even more forceful. “You ungrateful child! You grew up on Sonny’s shoulders! How dare you do this to him?!”
Despite the bruise swelling on his cheek, Nicholas maintained his calm demeanor. That’s why I didn’t kill him. Perkaps death is the best release, but Sonny should be alive.
Whether he lives in peace or agony depends on your decision, Dad.”
Hayden closed his eyes, his heart filled with a mix of rage and sorrow.
After a long silence, he swallowed the bitter taste of blood rising in his throat and said woodenly, “Adrian came to me when I was relieving myself.”
Nicholas furrowed his brow. Could Adrian really come and go so freely, even with the Shadow Guards present?
He had clearly underestimated the guild leader.
“What did he say?” Nicholas asked.
Hayden’s tone turned icy. “He wanted to know your plans. I told him you were likely planning to assassinate Lady Sophie.”
“That’s all?” Nicholas’ disbelief was evident. “Where is your emblem, Dad? Hand it over. I’ll keep it safe for you.”
Hayden’s expression flickered with surprise. “What would you do with my emblem?”
“I won’t do anything,” Nicholas replied. “I just wish to keep it for you. After all, your emblem is as good as mine.”
He moved toward Sonny, gently wiping away the blood on his lips with his sleeve. His gaze darkened. “Sonny needs a physician. He should receive proper treatment.”
Hayden took the emblem out from his chest pocket and threw it harshly on the ground. “Take it, and get lost!”
Nicholas picked it up, inspecting it carefully to confirm it was the real thing. Satisfied, he gestured with his hand. “Well then, hurry up and get Sonny the help he needs.
Hayden clenched his fists, his anger and helplessness tightening his chest as he followed behind.
The physician worked quickly, examining Sonny’s injuries. Both of his legs were broken, three of his teeth were knocked out, and his face was riddled with fractures. Despite the pain that twisted his expression, he still grinned at Hayden, forcing a smile through gritted teeth.
He tried to assure Hayden with a look that said he would be fine.
Hayden turned away, his heart aching. The man who had stood by his side for so many years now lay in such a state. Fury surged within him, but there was nothing he could do.
Back in Nerovia, he had ordered an extra emblem to be made, just in case the day ever came when Nicholas stole the original to mobilize Hayden’s forces. If Hayden noticed in time, someone could use the duplicate emblem to stop Nicholas.
Hayden hadn’t expected it to serve its purpose this way, though.
The chaos of the riverworks project was swiftly quelled. Cameron was arrested and imprisoned in Astral Prison for negligence in oversight. Edwin himself took over the oversight of the riverworks, and all other officials from the Waterworks Department involved were dismissed for negligence.
–
However, both Salvador and Sophie knew the truth-on the surface, Cameron appeared to be the one in charge, but in reality, the true mastermind had long been in control. Even with Cameron’s death, nothing would change.
Nicholas remained unconcerned. He was waiting for good news from Clifford.
In Valken, Yuvan was growing restless. For over half a month, Thomas had been laying siege to the city without making a single move or showing any signs of an attack. This left Yuvan deeply uneasy. The siege meant that no news from the outside could reach him.
He had no idea how the bandit uprisings he had orchestrated in various regions were progressing, whether Chester had managed to send reinforcements to join Thomas, or what the situation in the capital was.
Even with Valken under siege, it wasn’t entirely impossible to get in. By taking the mountain paths and crossing through dense forests, one could still reach the city-though it would take considerable time. In other words, even if any news did make it back, it would likely reflect the situation as it had been ten days prior.
“How goes the recruitment progress?” Yuvan asked, summoning Wayne.
Ever since word had spread that the court intended to impose heavy taxes, Wayne had started recruiting soldiers, stirring up the people of Valken to rebel.
Wayne reported, “Your Highness, only 300 have joined. Since the siege began, General Farrell has been calling out daily, denying the rumors of unjust taxation. Since then, no one else has come forward.” Yuvan’s voice was sharp with anger. “If they’re shouting, why aren’t you shouting back? Keep spreading the word!”
“Your Highness, when the royal army arrives, we will be labeled as traitors and rebels. Who would willingly take on that title? If the rebellion fails, they will execute us.”
Yuvan’s face darkened. The words “traitors” and “rebels” were among the things he hated hearing most. His expression turned a deep shade of red as he bellowed, “Corrupt officials dominate the court, leading to widespread chaos and suffering among the people. I am acting under Heaven’s will to cleanse the court!”
“Your Highness, please remain calm,” Wayne said. “Mr. Judd has already discovered that a scout has entered through Asterpeak Mountain. At the latest, we will have news by tonight.”
Yuvan clicked his tongue. “Now that Thomas has laid siege to the city, those who once conspired with us have all withdrawn. They’re too afraid to risk their lives. Even if news comes through, it’s unlikely to be good. We must prepare early.”
A dark glint flashed in Wayne’s eyes. “Your Highness, I do have an idea. It’s risky, but it depends on whether you dare to take the chance.”
Yuvan’s gaze sharpened as he fixed his eyes on Wayne. “Given the circumstances, speak freely- whatever the plan may be.
Wayne stepped closer, lowering his voice to a whisper. “Feign surrender.”
Yuvan’s expression changed. “Feign surrender? How would that even work?”
“Your Highness,” Wayne replied, “if Prince Harvey and I escort you to open the city gates and announce our surrender, we can lure them into the city and then capture them in one fell swoop. They are unfamiliar with Valken’s terrain. In no close-quarter street battles, we have the upper hand.”
Yuvan’s brow furrowed. “That’s too risky. What if they capture me and head straight back to the capital?”
Wayne shook his head. “Impossible.
Our private army has not shown themselves. General Farrell wouldn’t just take you back to the capital. He must be planning to enter the city to flush us out. We don’t have the luxury of time. If we wait toodong, General Murray will return with his forces after suppressing the bandits, and we will have no chance of winning.”
Yuvan hesitated. It was a dangerous plan, but it was a plan nonetheless.
He thought for a moment before responding, “We don’t have many soldiers in Nerovia. The private army in Stonebridge County is scattered Saul has been gone for some time, recruiting reinforcements, and we haven’t heard from him. If he brings back any news, we can coordinate our efforts from the inside. In that case, this plan could work.”
“Then we’ll wait for Mr. Judd’s message,” Wayne said, relieved that the plan had been considered.