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Saul’s success in rallying reinforcements was a certainty. The soldiers who had been dispersed were already under the control of Clifford, who controlled them.
That evening, Samson returned with a scout and hastily reported, “Your Highness, Mr. Harper has successfully rallied our scattered troops and secured 500 warhorses from the Spencer family. He is making his way back now. If the pace holds, he will arrive in three days.”
Yuvan sprang to his feet, his heart pounding with excitement. “Is that true?”
“Absolutely, Your Highness. The scout is waiting outside. You may call him in to confirm.”
“Bring him in!” Yuvan sat back down, his pulse racing.
At last, he had gathered all the forces-but the news of the Spencer family providing 500 warhorses caught him off guard. Since the fallout over Violet’s incident, he had severed ties with the Spencer family. The scout entered, kneeling before Yuvan. “Your Highness, Mr. Harper sends word that the private army has assembled. Also, Mr. Murphy, one of Prince Nicholas’ advisors, is leading 5,000 men and 500 warhorses in support. Prince Nicholas has one request-he wants the rescue of Prince Hayden.” Yuvan froze at the mention of Nicholas’ name. He had courted Nicholas’ favor before, but the man’s intentions had always been unclear. Thus, Yuvan had long since distanced himself from him.
Now, it seemed the people who had once been his allies had all backed out, while Nicholas-whom he had ruled out-was the one stepping forward.
It made sense. Nicholas’ dad, Hayden, was still trapped in the capital. Officially, he was in the capital, but in reality, he was being held as a hostage. It was clear that Nicholas must be furious about this. Nicholas’ character was well-known-refined, gentlemanly, and deeply devoted to his family. His reputation for devotion toward his parent was famous throughout the southern provinces. His elderly father, alone and trapped in the capital, must have left him with no choice but to reach out for help. Hence, Yuvan immediately summoned his advisors to discuss their next steps for three days.
He had agreed to the feigned surrender plan. When Wayne had first suggested it, Yuvan had considered it far too risky. Now, with the pieces falling into place, the plan might just work. If they could lure Thomas into the city and trap him, it would be the perfect opportunity.
Chester’s forces were scattered, preoccupied with quelling the bandit uprisings. He would be unable to lend aid. Once Thomas and his army were eliminated, Yuvan would no longer need to worry about Chester. Then, it would be time to march straight into the capital.
The Mystic Army wouldn’t be enough to stop him.
The scout returned with a carrier pigeon, making it possible to contact Saul.
Yuvan wrote a letter, and within four hours, the pigeon returned.
Yuvan examined the letter carefully-it was indeed in Saul’s handwriting. The message instructed him to release the pigeon and begin the feigned surrender at noon two days later, on the third of July By nightfall, Thomas and his forces were to be drawn into the city.
The plan was for Harvey to pretend that he had captured Yuvan and escort him out of the city, then invite Thomas into the city for negotiations.
The plan, though it seemed feasible, was inherently risky. Yuvan felt a knot of unease tightening in his chest. He called for Wayne privately to join him in the study, asking him to perform a divination to see if this course of action would prove successful.
Wayne’s reading turned out to be overwhelmingly positive.
He immediately knelt and said, “Your Majesty, the signs point to victory and divine favor. The path ahead is bright, and you will be aided by powerful allies-as though heaven itself is intervening on your behalf.”
The title of “Your Majesty” seemed to seal Yuvan’s fate. He could almost see the throne, the symbol of power, just an arm’s reach away, within his grasp. At that moment, he felt as though he were standing at the pinnacle, gazing down upon all those beneath him.
All these years of planning, wasn’t it all for this moment? The waiting, the enduring of insults, the humiliation, the cold treatment-he had gone through it all just for this final, desperate strike.
What was a mountain of fire or a sea of blood in the face of his goal?
“Your words give me confidence, Wayne,” Yuvan replied, settling into his grand chair. He gazed at the reading Wayne had written down, feeling the heat rush to his head. At that moment, the arrogance of his youth flared up again.
He needed this fire within him, and he knew that. Recently, he’d been too cautious and hesitant, and it had caused the people around him to lose faith.
Outside the city, Thomas had been stationed with his troops for over half a month, with plenty of supplies and weapons. He appeared calm, but in reality, the agents had already infiltrated Valken, spreading rumors about Yuvan’s treason.
The hearts of the people in Valken could not be lost, or they would become a support for Yuvan.
Thomas had already received word from his scouts. Several mysterious groups had gathered outside Nerovia and were now heading toward Valken.
Long before this, he had received a report from Jacob. Jacob had warned him that Yuvan might feign surrender to lure them into the city for a trap, and then spring an ambush from within.
Thomas knew well that Yuvan was nothing more than a pawn in Nicholas’ game.
With years of experience in intelligence and espionage, Thomas could piece together the situation with just a few key bits of information and devise a strategy accordingly.
Homer and Felix had initially remained in the capital, but yesterday they had suddenly moved to join him outside Valken. Thomas had been surprised at first-after all, the capital should have been the most dangerous place. Why would the two of them be sent here?
Felix explained that Sophie’s mentor, Adrian, the leader of the Pathfinders Guild, had come to the capital, bringing with him many martial artists to aid their cause. After hearing that, Thomas felt relieved. Typically, martial artists stayed out of political affairs, but if rebels threatened the peace, they would intervene. This had happened before.
Thomas didn’t know much about others, but he was familiar with Adrian. The man was wise and brave, and highly skilled in the ways of the Ingenium Order-a faction renowned for their mastery of mechanical devices, traps, and innovative weaponry. He was particularly adept with mechanical weapons and contraptions, and he was the one who had improved the six-barreled matchlock.
With Adrian in the capital, Nicholas’ plans were bound to fail.
Two days later, just as Jacob had predicted, someone from the city walls of Valken called out to Thomas and his troops.
“General Farrell, we have captured the traitors Prince Yuvan and Prince Harvey. Many officials and soldiers were misled by them, and they never intended to rebel. They have admitted their mistakes and only wish to atone and contribute. We ask that you come into the city and discuss terms, General Farrell.” The speaker was Samson, Fiona’s older brother.
Through his long-range telescope, Thomas saw Wayne standing next to Samson.
Both Yuvan and Harvey were bound, with a large blade at their necks. Behind them stood several formidable soldiers. The two of them looked utterly disheveled, their hair tangled, clothes askew, as though they had just endured a struggle. Harvey’s face bore clear finger marks, while Yuvan’s face had a few bruises.
However, through his telescope, Thomas could see clearly that these injuries were faked. He was a master of disguising injuries himself, and he could easily see through such a ruse.
He handed the telescope to Felix, who glanced through it and smiled faintly. “It couldn’t be more fake.” “Mr. York was right,” Homer muttered. “How is he so sharp?”
Thomas chuckled. “Mr. York’s certainly clever, but the real issue is that their internal unity is crumbling. Prince Nicholas wants to absorb Prince Yuvan’s power.”
Qu
“Despicable,” Felix sneered. “Trying to take advantage without lifting a finger. Are we really going to enter the city? Even if it’s a feigned surrender, we can’t do nothing. If we do, it look like we reject their surrender entirely.”
“General Murray has already sent some troops to lie in wait near the main road. If they think they can pull off an attack from both inside and outside, they’re dreaming,” Homer added.
Thomas took a deep breath, raising his voice for them to hear. “If they surrender, then bring them out of the city. We’ll detain them for now. His Majesty’s orders are clear-those who surrender will be treated with leniency.”
Entering the city was necessary, but not just yet.
By now, Yuvan and his group probably believed reinforcements would arrive soon. What they didn’t know was that the fighting had likely already begun elsewhere.
Samson naturally wouldn’t agree to hand over the prisoners right away. He shouted back, “We’ll hold the traitors here until you receive an official royal edict from His Majesty, General Farrell. Once you have the edict, we’ll hand them over. To show our sincerity, we’ll open the gates. You may lead your army into the city.”
“I’ll send someone for the royal edict, but first, you must hand Prince Yuvan over to us. We’ll take custody of him. How can I trust you won’t trap us inside the city and lock the gates once we’ve entered? The traitor must be in our hands before we move forward,” Thomas replied.
On the city tower, Yuvan frowned. He turned to Wayne and whispered, “He’s not falling for it. What’s our next move?”
“I’ll talk to him and try to convince him,” Wayne replied.
“Can you persuade him?” Yuvan studied Wayne, a strange unease creeping over him. His absolute trust in Wayne from the past now seemed to waver just a little.
He couldn’t put his finger on why, but something felt off.