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Sophie’s Rose Spear, a custom-made weapon, had an adjustable length. She retracted it, ready to extend it in a sudden thrust aimed at her opponent’s heart if an opening presented itself.
Yet, the opportunity never came. Her opponent’s strikes were relentless and airtight, forcing her into a desperate defense. Every move she made was a struggle, leaving no room to counterattack.
Compared to their struggles, Nicholas and his group moved with ease. However, they didn’t slow their attack or mock them-their only goal was to quickly take them down.
In fact, Nicholas was somewhat surprised. He had expected Sophie to fall within fifty moves. Yet here ? they were, over a hundred moves in, and she had sustained only minor injuries. It seemed Adrian’s training had been more thorough than he had anticipated.
–
Still, taking them down wouldn’t be difficult. Nicholas had chosen to lead this mission personally to ensure there would be no unforeseen complications.
Refocusing his efforts, he aimed all his strikes at Sophie’s vital points, seeking to end her with one decisive blow. His relentless targeting of her neck and heart, while ignoring her limbs, allowed her to move more freely in defense. She used this to her advantage, narrowly escaping several deadly attacks.
What was already a difficult defense became even harder. Among everyone present, Sophie and Kyle had the best martial skills. With several people already wounded, continuing the fight would only lead to certain death.
But the enemy’s attacks were relentless, leaving them no room to escape, forcing them to face the battle head-on.
Just as Nicholas and his men headed towards the Capital Guard headquarters, someone from the nearby Russell Estate had already infiltrated Willowbrook Estate. They pushed open the door to Hayden’s room. The Shadow Guard swiftly appeared, and the tip of a sword pierced through the guard’s flesh. After a muffled grunt, blood began to pour out.
A small brocade box flew over and landed in front of Hayden.
In return, Hayden threw his emblem towards the man. “Go. Quickly!”
Adrian nodded. “Thank you!”
Without further delay, Adrian disappeared into the night. The token was entrusted to Everett, who was to head for Nerovia at first light. Adrian himself, armed with a six-barreled matchlock, set off for the Capital Guard headquarters.
Hayden glanced down at the body, now sprawled lifeless on his floor. The man was one of the Shadow Guards who had monitored his every move.
Chaya stepped forward, pulling a cloth over the corpse. She picked up the fallen sword and looked at Hayden, her voice low and steady. “Is it time?”
Hayden shook his head. “Not yet.”
“They’ll act tonight,” Chaya said, resting the blade against her neck, testing for the spot where it would cut quickest. “If we don’t die now, it’s only a a matter of time before we’re tortured to death-or worse, paraded as a puppet king, carrying the infamy ofa traitor and usurper.”
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 Sophie 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, Sophie 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 Sophie’s chest.
With a loud clang, sparks flew.
Nicholas felt a sharp numbness in his palm. In the darkness, he gel.fet couldn’t make out who the newcomer was, but the ferocity 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.
Sophie 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 Sophie 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.
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 Sophie’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!”
The black-clad assailants’ Lightfoot Skills were extraordinary, and they scattered in all directions. Adrian could have pursued one of them, but catching all of them was impossible.
However, he chose not to pursue anyone at all. Emerging from the shadows, his hand darted out and grabbed Sophie by the ear, twisting it until she yelped in pain.